#official queen of elfhame | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

fantasyfangirling4ever · 1 year

Text

So apparently Holly Black said that in The Prisoner's Throne Jude will be dealing with a political problem. Here are my theories on what that the problem is (obviously SPOILERS):

Suren herself. She has claimed the citadel and her role as Queen of the Court of Teeth, whose disbandment was one of Jude's first decrees as Queen. Suren has unchecked magic and her claim to power is treason. And critically Suren has Oak, Jude's brother and heir, held captive and under her control with the bridle. No Bueno. I know people think this conflict will be over quickly and our gals will team up to take on the world. I'd love that but there isn't really another clear conflict left with Lady Nore dusted. However, getting the Elfhame Vs Court of Teeth conflict done early and moving onto something bigger wouldn't be the most surprising twist Black has ever written so sure, but the layers of this conflict make it a real doozy. Oak is bridled and he has a legitimate claim to the throne. Suren could order him to marry her, challenge Jude and Cardan for the throne, and make her Queen of Elfhame- and this seems to be the direction the duology is going in since as Mellith (??) technically Suren has more claim to the throne than any Greenbriars according to the story we learned in TSH?? I know that everything we know about Suren as a character contradicts this theory (she would never order someone to marry her or use the bridle against Oak long-term becuase of her history with it, she doesn't seem to want power in fact she seems to actively not want it) but her character went on the flippity flop at the end of TSH and this strategic move is possible in the plot and it makes sense for her Queen Suren era inspired by Oak's betrayal. And since Jude is a mortal ruling Elfhame, I can see a lot of the folk getting involved. I'm not saying the book will end that way, it would be weird for Holly Black to go back to Elfhame just to undo everything she did in tfota, but she could threaten to. It is a problem. Also I think Oak wants to marry Suren so I'm not sure how much of a fight the little simp would put up.

Madoc. Daddy didn't take his exile well and now he's back. With an army. The same army that betrayed Jude- three times now. First they fought beside Madoc. Second they didn't forsake him and swear loyalty to her. And third, instead of undoing their curse by the means given to them by Jude (being fed for a year) in the decade since QoN, they decided to join the Court of Teeth and fight against her again for Lady Nore. And now they return as a 'gift' with the very traitor they first left with. What is she supposed to do with them? Also along for the walk of shame back to the brugh is Hyacinth, the lover of Tiernan, Jude's friend and loyal soldier, who tried to KILL HER HUSBAND and was mercifully not killed only for Oak to cheat-undo his curse and use him to go behind Jude's back to rescue Madoc. Hyacinth really took 'Be Gé, Do Crime' to another level. This merry band of traitors and their bad tidings are a political nightmare for Jude.

This Madoc Mess ties into Suren as well. Jude's rulings on the Court of Teeth and Madoc's army were her first ones as an official monarch, she made them in front of the whole kingdom and they ended the war which her family (Madoc) started and which marked her uneasy rise to the throne. And now both of those decrees have been undone in The Stolen Heir; Madoc is back with his betraying army knocking on her door and The Court of Teeth is re-established with more power than ever. Her love for her father and her understanding of/ sympathy for Suren is in direct opposition to her authority as queen. She cannot just let Madoc and Suren off but their role in the books and the fact that this is only a duology means that it is unlikely that she will declare war on Suren or execute Madoc. I'd say those are a few pretty big political problems for youse.

Then we have the succession. I know this is a point of contention among readers but Holly Black has explicitly said that Jude and Cardan's (hypothetical?) children being a threat to Oak's claim to the throne is an issue in these books and it's already been brought up in TSH. Apparently a lot of people hate the idea of Jude and Cardan having a child?? I guess I'll make another post about that but basically it would make sense plot and character wise for a Jude pregnancy to be a conflict in The Prisoner's Throne. It would give an immediacy to the issue of Oak's responsibilities as heir- we know it's not a conflict for him: he doesn't want the throne end of, but neither did Cardan. Also he starts the upcoming book as a prisoner. And it's called...The Prisoner's Throne...Anyway, it seems Jude and Cardan still want Oak to inherit the crown and it would be beneficial to Suren if he did, it is a possible resolution to the conflict set up at the end of The Stolen Heir. Jude's decree to disband the Court of Teeth wouldn't matter if she retired and Oak and Suren ruled together and a threat to that claim in the form of Jurdan baby could add more complexity to the plot and bring up the themes of family and court intrigue etc.

Nicassia and the sea. Everyone and their mother has complicated feelings about Nicassia but at the end of tfota trilogy the Undersea was somewhat uneasily allied with Elfhame through The Wicked King treaty and in fact Nicassia was the ambassador of the Undersea in Elfhame and even chose to fight with Jude when she technically didn't have too, this decision might have been an attempt at a redemption arc for her (she still tortured my girl so personally...no) which could be used as a stepping point to further explore her character. But I digress, whether or not Nicassia and Jude get along now, the threat to her mother's reign and her claim to the succession that we learned about in TSH is a direct threat to Elfhame- and Jude and Cardan.

And so, with the hard won ceasefire from the Sea now teetering, Madoc skipping back to his daughter with a falcon army, and Elfhame's heir locked in Queen Suren's basement it's safe to say that Ms. Black has a variety of political problems for Jude from which to chose. It seems like waaay too much to deal with in one more book so I can't wait to read the action and intrigue and see where Holly goes next. Holly said this duology will be followed by MORE THE FOLK OF THE AIR BOOKS from a different character's perspective and that we would know at the end of the duology what the conflict would be and who that character would be so I think one of these outlined problems will probably outlast the duology and be addressed in FUTURE BOOKS. I think it's probably the Undersea right? Books from Nicassia's point of view as she fights for her throne would be interesting... Though from a selfish point of view I would like to stay on land. But come on people, I feel like as a fandom we aren't collectively freaking out about the fact that THERE IS EVEN MORE TFOTA ON THE WAY!!!!!

114 notes · View notes

jesusnf-blog · 9 months

Text

This is the first story I publish here. I wrote it a year ago when I finished the books and it's one of the first ones I did that I like the most.

The story is a continuation of the end of the saga "The folk of the air" written by Holly Black. They are books with an incredible dark fantasy story and I highly recommend them. So if you haven't read them yet and you're interested, you better stop reading. If you are not so interested in the saga and you are only here for the tickles, let me tell you that this is the cute story of a couple trying tickling for the first time.

I hope you like it a lot, I love receiving comments, so if you have any, you are welcome to write them.

Without further ado:

The weakness of the kings of Elfhame

One more day, the High King skips his duties. And I'm sick of it! Ever since our power was established and I officially began ruling alongside Cardan, he has done nothing but escape from his duties as king. It is possible that he needs a little rest, I left him alone for a year, without being able to answer his letters, with all the power in his hands and with my father on the lookout to start a big attack... But that is not reason enough to leave me stranded again with the Living Council. Oh no, not this time.

Notifying the Council of our delay, I head to the royal quarters as I watch the guards who guard the doors begin to open them upon my arrival. I think my annoyed expression has made it clear to them that I don't want to waste time. When I enter the room I see him. Despite the fact that several hours have passed since the moon began to bath the fields of Elfhame with its rays, Cardan is still lying and curled up between the blankets without his shirt. I'm still angry. I'm still angry. Or so I want to believe. But it's just that seeing him with that calm expression while he sleeps in our bed only manages to relax me and make goofy smile appear on my lips, smile that I try to erase to recover my seriousness. Gently, I crouch down in front of him and begin to gently touch his face.

-Hey, hey, hey, wake up - I know how much it bothers him that I wake him up like that, so I can't help but do it this time.

However, my fun (if that's what I can call it) is interrupted when Cardan carefully takes my wrist and gives me a menacing smile, his eyes slowly opening filled with "hate".

"How many times have I told you that this is not the way to wake up the High King of Elfhame?"

"And how many times have I told you not to anger the High Queen of Elfhame?" I pull my wrist out of his hand as I stand up trying to suppress my triumphant smirk for having bothered him.

-And what did I do this time my dear wife? - he answers as he shakes his head beginning to sit up. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see how his tail lashes against the mattress.

- What do you think, Cardan? - I point out the window - we should have met with the Living Council a long time ago, remember?

-Ugh, again? But we just met few days ago. I'm sure Randalin just wants to annoy us and make us fight like now, since he doesn't want you as Queen of Elfhame -he replies with a pout as he falls back down on the bed suddenly.

-Cardan~ the important thing is that you want me as Queen of Elfhame, and leave Randalin now, you know that that was only at the beginning. Can we go now?

-Tsk, I still don't trust him - with a sigh he extends his hand towards me with a smile and a strange twinkle in his eyes - since we have to go yes or yes, could you at least help me get up, please?

This can't give me a worse feeling. When he looks like this, it means he's up to something and I should nip that something at the root before he thinks he can keep avoiding his tasks as king. However... I know well that he is responsible, and that he knows his obligations, he is no longer the same prince that I knew at school. I also know that it is true that the Council met with us very recently and as far as I know, there is nothing too serious or that urgently need our attention. Lastly, I have to admit that for the past few months, that look of his has done nothing but pull me in and draw me in, even though I feel like it could get me in trouble, I've kept moving towards it, because it's one of the best things about Cardan. I know he can get you into trouble, but it's never too bad to worry me or too mild to bore me. So, finally, I decide to extend my hand to his to take it.

-You're unbearable, you know that~? - I asked amused taking his hand.

-Unbearable falls short, my dear queen~ -after that, Cardan pulls my hand with some force to make me fall over him - *gasp* oh no, are you okay~? Guards! Your queen has had a little accident, we don't need help, but close the doors and notify the Council of our delay.

And that's how the doors close, leaving me isolated with dumb Cardan. It was obvious that he was going to do something like that, but I'm not going to give in, not that easily. I roll onto his chest so I can land on the other side of the bed and start to sit up to get out of bed.

-Cardan, these are no longer hours for your little games, we have to attend to our responsibilities.

-Come on Jude~ don't be boring, we need to relax, come here! - with a funny tone, Cardan gets up and grabs me by the hips to try to make me fall back on the bed. However, his touch just makes me jump and feel all my skin heat up as I blush.

-Kyaaaa~ - I stay for a few seconds lying next to Cardan looking at the ceiling while I try to assimilate the situation. Now I am grateful that the doors have been closed, it would have been even worse if the whole palace had heard the shrill shriek that I just let loose. When I look at the fairy, it seems that he has been looking at me for a while, with a soft blush and a look that contains both surprise and malice.

-Jude~ what just happened~? he asks raising an eyebrow and outlining his mischievous smile.

Shit.

-N~nothing, you just caught me off guard, just that-in a quick movement that I can't predict because of my nerves, Cardan climbs on my legs while he leans little by little over my face.

-Tsk~tsk~tsk~ we said no lies, my human Queen -he said remarking on the fact that I, as a human, can lie unlike him- And I know you well, I know that it's impossible for something to catch you off guard, and if it does, you don't react like that. No~ this time something happened, do you want to tell me by yourself~?

I move my burning face to one side so I don't keep looking into his jet-black eyes that I like so much. I think it's clear that he's figured it out. My body has always been very sensitive. When we were younger, my sisters would take advantage of that from time to time. If they didn't want to do something, they forced me to do it after doing... That. However, as the years passed and with our arrival at Elfhame, that game seemed more and more like children's, and as if that were not enough, because of my training with Madoc, it was more difficult to attack me and without wanting to, I tried to defend myself with more force than I wanted in reality, so they just stopped doing it. Now that Cardan has figured it out, I feel a chill run through my skin as my body begins to shake gently.

-Cardan, I already told you, I was simply distracted, besides... You touched my scar on my side! It still hurts you know? - I try to sound convincing even though I know that scar stopped hurting a long time ago. If there is something good about healing with earth magic, it is that in addition to being fast, it does not leave pain in the wounded place.

Cardan shoots a concerned look at my torso as he thinks about the possibility. However, his mischievous smile returns to his lips seconds later.

-Oh~ but my queen, I had thought that this pain no longer existed, I thought that you had already told me several nights before when I was holding your side, right?

I had forgotten that I had already told him. A new wave of shame washes over my body as I try to raise my hands to push him away from me.

-But now it has hurt me, okay? We are going to meet with the Council as soon as... -again, too distracted to anticipate his movements, his hands take my wrists and return them to their place against the bed. I think if my face gets any redder I might explode.

-You see, Jude, I'm really sorry, I don't believe you at all. So, I'm going to explain to you what I think is going on here.

Cardan begins to raise my hands above my head as I try to hide my heavy breathing. Although I try to force myself to lower them, I can't. Why? I've always managed to wriggle out of my sisters' grip ever since I started training. Why am I feeling so weak with him? As if that were not enough, this new weakness is accompanied by great nerves and a stupid smile that appears on my lips little by little despite the fact that I try to stop it.

-Jude, from your reactions, I'd say your big problem is~" Without giving me time to react, he grabs both of my wrists with one hand and uses the other to start moving his fingers in the air.

-Cardan! Don't even think about saying it! - I try to sound serious, but the smile on my lips doesn't allow it, and Cardan seems to be very amused.

- What, Jude? What can't I say? -he asks with a mischievous tone as he brings his hand to the bed near my side and starts scratching it slowly.

-You know what I'm talking about, let me go- I try to struggle again thanks to the new small forces that appear in me when I see his hand near my side.

-Mmmh~ I think I do know, but I'm not sure.

-Yes, you know.

-Not quite sure~

-Yes!

-I repeat that I'm not entirely sure Jude~

-You were going to say I'm ticklish! -after mentioning the forbidden word, I realize his ingenious trap. I also notice how my ears and neck are getting hot, I guess they've turned red too.

-Oh~ was that it? One of the possibilities I was thinking about was that maybe they had cast a spell on you, but of course, with Dain's geis, it's impossible for that to happen - he says with a mocking smile that reminds me how much I hate him - so, the fearsome and fierce Jude Duarte, is ticklish, huh~? I have to check that with my own hands!

His words make me feel ashamed, but I can't focus too much on that feeling because of his hand that lands on my side. I start to laugh between squeals, however, I can't enj-... The thing is, he's hurting me. Her fingers move too roughly and dig hard into my skin.

-Cardhahahahahahaha wait hahaha no, you hurt me!! -I recover the strength in my arms, with which I am able to release myself from his grip and take his hand with some force to stop him.

I caress the attacked area, feeling it slightly sore, and when I look at Cardan, my heart breaks a little. His eyes have turned slightly showing me a sad and worried expression. His tail, which before I could see moving quickly from side to side, slowly falls to the bed, curling around my leg gently.

-Did hurt you? But they're not supposed to do that, are they? I'm sorry Jude.

And of course my poor king doesn't know how they work. Having had a childhood with a mother who ignored him and siblings who barely paid attention to him, it is impossible for him to learn it on his own. Surely the little contact he has had with them has been just as violent as now.

- Well, of course they're not supposed to hurt, darling. You were just doing it too hard, look -I take the back of his hands to bring them over my belly- you just have to apply gentle pressure, with only that is ok, you can make it a little more intense, yes, but in that case you have to be careful. For now, just a gentle pressure, even walking your nails around here will make me laugh, I promise -I say amused as I smile at him.

With some insecurity, Cardan begins to press my belly and sides with all his fingers very gently. And because of my exaggerated sensitivity, I start to stir and laugh like a fool under his hands trying to avoid stopping them. His fingers begin to move slowly as they sink gently into my skin, and when he sees that there is no complaint on my part, they begin to move faster, but always maintaining their delicacy.

-Sehehehehe~? With this hahahahahahahahahahahaha~ this is enoughhahahaha~ -My constant giggles embarrass me and make me blush, and on Cardan, they seem to have the same effect.

His face is completely red, and a goofy grin begins to settle on his lips as he uncoils his tail and waves it gently again.

-Jude~- he calls me, stopping his hands by placing them on my side.

-Yes~? -I answer trying to relax my laughter and covering my face while I gasped softly.

-Why are you helping me? Before, you seemed determined to stop me - he asks with a funny smile.

That's when I realize what I'm doing. My face regains its reddish tones as I cover my face even more tightly. I was supposed to convince Cardan to go to the Council, not stick around and play with him. Damn looks. And I wasn't supposed to let him T...Tickle me, but I'm teaching him how to do it... I think there's no point in hiding it anymore, and I don't think I feel like hiding it anymore either. Covering half of my face with my arm as if covering my mouth to hide that these words do not come from me and looking away, I begin to speak.

-Well... You just seemed very discouraged when you did it wrong... I hate seeing you like this, it doesn't look good on you... Besides... I guess I... That I... I missed them - I feel my face warmed greatly after that confession.

When I return my eyes to Cardan I see him looking at me with some surprise, and then leaning next to me with a mocking smile but maintaining a certain tenderness while he began to play with my hair looking into my eyes.

-Let's see if it's clear to me~ Are you trying to tell me, Jude Duarte~ that you, the most dangerous queen in all of Fairieland, are not only weak to tickles but also like them~?

-God, Cardan, shut up, I know it's ridiculous -I decide to cover my face with both hands.

It's been a long time since Cardan made fun of me like he did before at school, with mischief and being hurtful, but , they were many years of bullying, so by reflex I'm prepared for him to start laughing at me. However, I am surprised when I feel both of his arms around my torso as he sets me on top of him and gently removes my hands from my face showing me a radiant smile.

-I don't think it's ridiculous, in fact, I think it's something really sweet of you, and it's a bit hard to find those things in you sometimes. I just discovered it and I think I'm already loving it~

I think that I am going to faint. I don't take very well the combination of a friendly Cardan and words as beautiful as the ones he just said to me, so my immediate reaction is to hide my face in his chest. And so the seconds go by, until I start to feel two fingers gently and slowly poking my sides. First one and then the other, first one and then the other. I try to ignore them, but it doesn't take too many repetitions for me to start moving from side to side trying to avoid them as a soft laughter escapes my lips.

-Wow~ you really like them~ you're not even asking me to stop~ - he says chuckling softly as he goes on to grab my sides and gently press them up and down.

-Cardhahahahahahahaha nohahahahahahahahahahahahaha~- I started to jump gently while moving, but at no time did I try to grab his hands, so I guess that's enough of a sign for him to continue.

-Not like that~? Wow~ I think you are wrong, my dear queen, you have entrusted a very dangerous secret to the High King of Elfhame, and I have no mercy~ - smiling mockingly without taking his eyes off my smiling face, he takes his hands to my armpits.

By reflex movement, I join my arms to my body as quickly as I can, but it's too late, now I have his hands locked against them, which soon move their fingers gently, making me scream again and move more roughly. I manage to get off Cardan and stay next to him, but he doesn't take long to follow me to stay over my legs.

-Nahahahahahahahahahaha Cardahahahhahan take them out of ahahahahahahahahah take them out of pffffft~ ahahahahahahahahahahaha~ - I start to gently kick the bed while I shake my head quickly.

Cardan's eyes shine brighter than ever, he has the expression and happy smile of a child who has been given a new toy that he loves and never plans to let go of.

-Oh~ Jude, I'd love to~ but, see~? I can't ~ you have me trapped under your arms, wait, I'm trying to get them out -with that, he increases the movements of his fingers beginning to gently scratch the skin of my armpits.

I throw my head back between more mad giggles as I try to squeeze as hard as I can to stop him from moving, but I don't quite succeed.

-Cardahahahahaha~ please hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha~

-Mmmmh ~ okay ~ then raise your arms and I promise to stop tickling you ~

-I dohohohon't believe yououhahhahha- NONONOAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA OK! OK! I'LL RAISHAHAHAHE THEEHHEHEHEM STOAHAHAHHAP~ - with a shriek as I feel his fingers move with a faster rithm, I raise my arms fighting the urge to let them down again.

Cardan keeps his promise, and moves his hands away from me to rest them on the sides of my body. As I try to calm my breathing between giggles, I see that fascinated look in Cardan's eyes again accompanied by a happy and sincere smile. All of this aggravates the blush on my face.

-You look beautiful when you laugh, you know that~? He confesses as he caresses my cheek with his hand.

-Shut up, idiot~...-I look away, but press my face into his hand. Who knew that I would ever end up longing for the touch of that cruel fairy's hands - you can't tell anyone about this.

-Sorry? Why would I do that? You are mine Jude, and I want to be the only one who can see you or make you feel the way I did today~-when he finished, he approaches my lips to kiss me affectionately, to which I respond with the same feeling.

After a few seconds, I gently push him away and look into his eyes as the blush on my cheeks fades little by little.

-They are waiting for us in the meeting room my dear king~ -I say getting up from the bed.

Cardan rolls his eyes exaggeratedly to make me laugh and lies face down next to me.

-Oh Jude~ why did I do all this~? You're still just as boring. I don't feel like going~

-Cardan, please, we have to do it.

I kow he is coming, he just likes to be coaxed. Then, I look on his tail, who comes dangerously close to my side to get under my nightgown and rub his thick lock at the end of it against my belly.

-Cardaahahahahahahaha stop that~ nohahahahahaha~ -I sit again trying to reach the tail and stop it.

-Come on~ stay with me to laze around, once is once~ you know you want to~

-Cardahahahahaha~ seriouslyhahahahahahahahaha stophahahaha no! -I manage to reach his tail and get it out of my clothes -come on, honey, please, I want us to do it together.

However, I stop my little plea as the last strategy to convince him. Why? Because I've heard it. I've heard the squeal that has drowned out in the pillow in which he has buried his face when I have started to play with his tail between my hands out of nerves.

-Oh~ what's wrong Cardan~? Don't tell me you too are~?

Silence. He doesn't answer, for a moment I worry, but then I realize it. I guess this is one of those many times where they'd rather keep quiet than tell the truth. With that, my confidence grows, and I sit on his behind as I watch his tail lock brizle gently.

-J~Jude, what are you up to~? he spoke with an uncertain tone as he raised his head from the pillow to look back.

-Oh ~ nothing ~ just return the favor ~ - With an evil smile, I throw my hands to his sides to quickly press them carefully.

-Judahahahahahahaha, whahahahait that's cheatinghahahahahahahahahaha~ - Cardan's laugher is beautiful. I love how he laughs habitually, but his uncontrolled laughter? It sounds melodious and kind, for a second you can forget that it is the great High King of Elfhame. I think I understand Cardan's goofy grin from earlier now, surely I must be putting on the same one right now.

-Wow~ wow~ wow~ just when I thought fairies couldn't surprise me anymore~ I find that the High King is ticklish~ how does that feel, mhm~?

-Don't say it hahahahahaha ~ don't say it hahahahahahahahaha~ - he laughed as he tried (without much effort) to reach my hands.

-Oh~ what's up~? Does it make you even more sensitive if I say so~? I decide to change my tactic and run my nails up and down his back. This time he jumps surprising even me- so soft touch is much worse than rough touch for you huh~? I will keep it in mind.

-Judehahahahahahahahahahaha noahahahahahaha get it out~ get it out of your mindhahahahahahahaha~

-Well~ maybe I will, but everything has a price. Will you come with me to meet with the Council~?

-Yeahhahahahahaha I'll go hahahahaha I promise to go hahahahahahahaha~

-Mmmmh~ fine, and~ will you take care of my tasks as queen for this week~? I ask as I change technique and gently peck her back with my nails.

-Yehehehhehehehes yeehhehehhes Whateverhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha~ -while he hops with each poke, I stop and lean over to kiss his cheek- I hate you~

-I hate you too~- I said amused as I went to change into the official queen clothes. As we change, Cardan doesn't say much, and he maintains a strange look along with a soft blush. I admit that it makes me worry a bit, but the change in his attitude towards the Council to return to being the same as always and do our royal duties, distract me and make me forget that look.

_____________________________________________

After the meeting with the Council, the audit with our subjects, meeting with the court of Shadows and the usual banquet, we return to our room. As I close the curtains while looking at the morning sun, I remember his look in the afternoon . I laid on the bed next to him as we both stared at the ceiling. He's unusually quiet.

-Today I don't know why, but I feel more tired than usual~

Without looking at me, he brings his tail close again to tickle my belly button. I cringe laughing and try to get his tail out.

-Maybe it's my fault~ - he says with a soft mocking tone.

-Don't start hehehehehahahaha~ -I manage to get his tail out and move it away- is it that you want me to attack you again like this afternoon~? - I say smiling mockingly looking at him.

-..... Maybe so -as a bright red takes over his cheeks, I begin to understand his looks.

-Mmh~ -without warning him, I sit on his hips and lean over him- but my king ~ don't have to behave badly to get that ~ although I don't care if you do it either. Just ask me, and I'll do it~ -I keep a soft mocking smile, but my eyes are sincere.

-Ugh, Jude, really~? - he complains, looking away from him as his tail hits the bed quickly.

-Very seriously Cardan~

-Tsk… Jude… Tickle me, please…

-At the command of the High King~

I think Cardan and I have found a new game to share together. I'm glad I told him about my secret~

#Tickling #Tickling story #Tickle community #the cruel prince #The folk of air #jude x cardan #This couple is the bessst #Jude and Cardan together are just so fluffy

3 notes · View notes

hrts444taylor · 2 years

Text

Owning the High king's heart #1

(THEY'RE ALL A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL ONEHSOTS)

"Good morning." I hear Cardan's smooth voice as I emerge.

What events occurred last night? Ah yes, Cardan got highly drunk and almost burnt our official marriage documents in the fireplace. He has been learning about far too many mortal terms for my liking. Don't get me wrong- I love that he is however, sometimes he takes meanings in a quite literal way and sometimes doesn't understand that some meanings just don't work like they do for others. A great example being last night- he justified his actions claiming that 'I couldn't return him if I didn't have the receipt.'

"Mhm" I shuffle in my bed trying to convince him that I was waking when, I wasn't.

I hear him walk over. I slightly open a eye towards him. He's smirking at me. His hair semi-moist from the warm shower water, cheekbones looking better than ever- like cliffs edges. His crown topples onto the side of his forehead- tilted at an angle that allows him to look the best he can with it. He's dressed in some mortal clothing. I look up at him, he never wears mortal clothing. His face is too casual to be wearing a simple gray shirt and some black jeans with a chain on the side.

"Uhm, Cardan?" I say as I turn my head to look at him, officially awake.

"What?" He says with the stupid smirk never leaving his face.

"What are you wearing?" I say as best I could without sounding judgmental.

"This?" He says looking down as if finally acknowledging the clothes that he has chosen.

"We're leaving for the mortal world before dawn. Vivi invited us since her and Heather are together once more." He says, sitting on our bed.

"You agreed?" I questioned.

Cardan doesn't hate the mortal world, but I doubt he exactly thinks fondly of it. He seems mesmerized most of the time I guess.

"I am the. King of Elfhame. And as my Queen, it is our job together to represent Elfhame. Even in lands that may not even know of its existence. Vivi has spoken greatly of a sweet delight only found in mortal lands referred to as 'ice cream' if I am not mistaken." He replies, giving me his arrogant smile.

"Yes, Jude. Ice cream . It's supposed to be cold, sweet, and have lots of sugar. I'll have Grima Mog alert us if anything happens while we're gone" Cardan says obviously noticing the confusion of his words and, the worry of leaving Elfhame vulnerable.

"Alright." I say staring at Cardan cautiously, still weighing out if this was the best option as I open my wardrobe.

"That is a wonderful hoodie by the way." Cardan says. His eyes gleam, he's definitely up to something.

"Do you want it?" I respond not caring about the piece of unisex clothing.

While I appreciate your offer, it is simply too plain for the extravagance of my majestic self." He says as I go into the bathroom to change out of my robe and get ready.

"And what are you wearing?" I call to him before I shut the door, looking at the shirt he was wearing.

"An extraordinary gown, tailored by the finest mortals and sewn with hints of moonlit silver pear." He says this dramatically, tugging at the piece of cheap fabric he most likely got from Poundland.

I shake my head while sighing and quietly make my way into the chambers to bathe myself. One must learn how to shower within limited time when you are the mortal Queen of Elfhame. I step out of the shower, wearing an outfit that "isn't fit for a queen" according to Tatterfell. My hair is still soaking wet when I hear a crash.

"YOU DARE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT?" I hear the High Kings' harsh voice come from the hall and am shaken by it. I have never heard Cardan in such fury. I run down the hall in my mortal clothing, Nightfell in my hand, my crown on top of my soaking wet hair.

"Cardan!" I yell as I see him around the corridor leading to the hollow hall.

Cardan, who is still clad in his mortal clothing, seemed to be shaking- not with cold but, with fury. His eyes were black with pure loathe and he looked like he was ready to tear down the whole kingdom with his bare hands, which he probably would be able to do.

A shiver crawls up my spine as my eyes widen. I've never seen Cardan like this. He might be able to hurt the land around him with his rage.

Cardan doesn't seem to hear me as I continue to yell his name and I run towards him. When I finally reach him, he looks at me, but now, there's a trace of fear and relief accompanying his anger.

"Jude." He sharply breathes. He looks at me and suddenly pulls me towards his body. He's still shaking. He wraps his arms around me. I feel the thin fabric on him. He's embracing me, but I'm to shocked to return the affection.

"Cardan, what happened?" I almost stutter, stepping away from him as he keeps his eyes on me, guards all around us. The whimsical, energetic faerie folk not showing even a bit of their usual immaturity. Dead silent and serious atmosphere overtakes the room.

In the hand of one guard seemed to be a middle-aged woman. Not older than 20 at all. She has twisted fae ears and bluish fingers. She was stunningly beautiful and had blond hair. But she was shaking and looked as though she was ready to cry. Her face laced with some familiarity.

"This dull woman was planning your to pour poison in your drink." I am to stunned to answer. Cardan takes a step towards her and I fear what he would be until, I realise he was cursing her under his breath. He asked her to 'take it off'. She reluctantly did so keeping her gaze locked onto me. I recognised the stern look straight away. Juliana. That's why she looked was familiar. Because she was.

Juliana was a woman high fae from the Court of Termites. She was great friends with us. She was very close and always came over for revelries. There was no meeting held about the kingdom without her. All I felt was naïve. And stupid, perhaps for not realising it sooner.

"Well? Take her to the Tower of Forgetting, why don't you?" Cardan said impatiently.

"Oh, my Jude. I got frightened, when I heard. My apologies for disturbing your bath. I am still unused to fearing for you- not of you." He's looking at me with a new type of fear, as though he's scared that, I never want to see him again. I look at him, breathing slightly in and out as I return the embrace.

"I guess we'll use have to go to Vivi's tomorrow. We have stuff to do, as I can see." Is all I say as I take his hand in mine. It's cold.

He breathes something that sounds like a rush of relief. I want to wrap my arms around him and want him feel okay again. I want to tell him that he shouldn't worry so much about me. I want tell him I loathed him on such a great level, I couldn't imagine myself without him. But, I don't. Instead, I look down at the floor and see large crooks and cracks inching their way on the glass tiles. Cardan has managed to damage the land around him.

I laugh unsteadily and point a finger to the floor. He attempts a humorous smile but just shakes his head after a failed attempt.

"My Queen. My King. May I escort you back to your chambers?" A young male fae comes up and asks, a guard of mine, I suppose. I notice how he says Queen first instead of King.

"Yes, of course, thank you." I give Cardans hand a slight squeeze as I glance at him. His love for me shines bright in his softening eyes. The fact that his rage was of me getting hurt, is the only thing that makes me lean my head towards him instead of cowering in fear.

I lie down on my bed that night as Cardan gets in. I smile at the sight of his curls spilling over his forehead. He truly was handsome.

"My Queen." Cardan says as he sleepily yawns.

"My King." I reply as I close my eyes, a new day waiting for us when, I open my eyes.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ╰┈➤

"𝗕𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲"

0 notes

wretchedteapot · 4 years

Photo

YALL WE JUST NEED TO HANG ON UNTIL NOVEMBER

#alice in wonderland book???????????#ITS GONNA BE ILLUSTRATED TOO #im gucking crying #THANK YOU MISS BLACK #my day has been officially made #how the king of elfhame learned to hate stories #tfota #the folk of the air #tcp #the cruel prince #twk #the wicked king #qon #queen of nothing #holly black #cardan #cardan greenbriar #htkoelths #o thats a long ass name

84 notes · View notes

justdaphne · 2 years

Text

Reading the Queen of Nothing was basically like:

jude probably listened to all too well

the way she deals with heartbreak is literally going on suicide missions

oh my god she actlly-

AS SHE SHOULD

i swear i hate cardan sm rn there has to be a reason tho but FUCK CARDAN

oh my god there she is

TARYN HAS THE AUDACITY TO COME AND ASK FOR JUDE’S HELP

..taryn redemption ig she killed locke

SHE KILLED LOCKE OMG

didnt know she had it in her

you definitely arent the same sis

Jude you wont help her right

THIS KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. TARYN IS PREGNANT WHAT

JUDE I LOVE YOU SM WDJRGTJEJWKXKSKFMTNRKSKA

..cardan. he’s hot tho BUT UGH but mmh

what is ur game cardan

fuck

WHAT LETTERS? HE KNEW IT WAS HER-

ofc madoc had to ruin this little reunion

didnt madoc raise her how does he not know fr-

when oriana and madoc finds out oh shes in deep shit

what

huh

okay- OH.

OH NO

hellow roach

CARDANWNWNDETKRKWXEKA

oh?

OH?? HE- HE WAS PROTECTING HER FROM THE- WITH HIS CLOAK.

MADOC DID NOTTTT

HE DID NOT

HE SWORE TO PROTECT HER

mhm okay

TARYN FINALLY KNOWS OH I WOULD BE SO SMUG RN IF I WERE JUDE

“you dirty mortal liar” i-

“DO NOT TOUCH HER..” “SHE IS MY WIFE..” WHAHAHDJENGNEK WHAT

OH NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE SHE SAID SHE WOULDNT GET HURT ANDBWJDJJGKYEKSJZ

OHMYGODDEWJJSSJFYHTJE

they need to talk

it was. a joke.-

okay listen i feel like jude figured it out maybe idk she might have but brushed it off becoz she didnt know if she was the true queen or not so this is valid.

OH MY GOD A CONFESSION-?

“FEARING FOR YOU”

okay okay scheming timeeeee

i totally understand this plan rn

liliverr x roach

VIVIIIIIII

“oh idk maybe he’d like to hear me scream” “i would. and perhaps one day i will” HOLD UP. HOLD UP. HOLD UPPP. *rereads that sentence* HOLLL UP- HE DIDNT NOTTT *screams*

totally understanding rn

MMHMMM I SEE WHERE THIS IS GOINGG

“MOCK ME ALL YOU LIKE. WHATEVER I IMAGINED THEN. NOW IT IS I WHO BEG AND GROVEL FOR A KIND WORD FROM YOUR LIP”

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

“BY YOU I AM FOREVER UNDONE” HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY HEART. MY HEART CANNOT

“I MISSED YOU. IN THE MORTAL WORLD WHEN I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY ENEMY I STILL MISSED YOU”

“MY SWEET NEMESIS, HOW GLAD AM I YOU HAVE RETURNED” HE👏IS👏WRITTEN👏BY👏A👏WOMAN

OH MY GOD A DRAMATIC LOVE CONFESSSSQKDJEGYT

what

things were going so well

he’s a snake-

mm ok

yea im not okay

YEA YOU SHOULDVE TOLD HIM EARLIER

oh noooo

MIMICKING CARDANNNNN

uhuh

WOT.

Nicasia’s pov of pre tcp cardan’s crush: she knew of course

HE GOT THE DRESS FOR HER?? FOR NO REASON???? CARDAN DID THAT???? OH FML IM SO SOFT RN

OFC JUDE WANTS CARDAN BACK

hello madoc.

yeah u didnt know she was alive the same way u thought she was taryn

I- YOURE GONNA

OH-

OH NO

OHH

OH OKAY

WAIT WHATS THAT

OMGGG *cue the slow motion* OH THE TEARS

THE RELIEF

HE WAS GRIPPING HER AS THOUGH SHE WAS THE ONLY SOLID THING UGWHSHWJFJEJGMTMWKSKAKWNRNGBCCGKDKW

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

mhm okay

“I LOVE YOU” SHE FINALLY SAID IT EJDKWKF

oh ofc he doesnt believe her

AWWWWWEEEEEEEEE

MY SOUL IS DEAD ISTG

“I KNEW LITTLE ELSE BUT I ALWAYS KNEW YOU” God, its me again. so like, when is it my turn

OH MY GOD IM SO PROUDDDD😭😭😭😭😭😭

HIGH QUEEN OF ELFHAME OFFICIAL OFFICAL

SHE DID THAT YALL SHE DID THAT

AWWW THIS IS SO WHOLESOMEEEE AWJWJWJER

HHHHHHHHNHH SCHEMING GREAT SCHEMES

okay now what.

like idk what to do with my life anymore

anyway we went from fuck cardan to fuck cardan. both have different meanings 😚

Lettersss:

im dead inside

i cant feel anymore

*tears falling*

i hate lady asha man

#tcp #the cruel prince #cruel prince #queen of nothing #the queen of nothing #the folk of the air #folk of the air #the wicked king #wicked king #prince cardan #cardans tail #cardanandjude #high king cardan #cardan greenbriar #jude duarte #high queen of elfhame #high queen jude #holly black

682 notes · View notes

court-of-forever-undone · 3 years

Text

I Knew You’d Come Back to Me

Chapter Two: Slept next to her, but I dreamt of you (Cardan’s POV)

Summary: While homesick and heartbroken in the mortal world, Jude finds a pile of letters on her doorstep that include an official pardon and a love confession from Cardan. What is supposed to be a happy reunion quickly falls apart when Jude is told Cardan has returned to Nicasia in her absence.

Cardan is determined to make it up to Jude.

**This fic is inspired by the love story between Taylor Swift’s characters Betty, James, and August.**

Should you wish to listen: Cardigan | Betty | August

Tags: Multiple POVs, angst and a happy ending, Jurdan, post-wicked king, canon divergence

Masterlist

Read on AO3

Four Months Post Exile

If she has decided that she wishes to stay away and forget about Elfhame, me, then I will forget about her as well. Except that I can’t because for the eternity she has been gone there has been nothing to rid my thoughts of her.

I grab the nearest pitcher of wine, not that they are ever far from my reach as of late, and swallow as much of the tart liquid as I can. At least if I pass out there is a chance I may dream of her, or dream of losing her. But it is a chance I am willing to take.

There is a revel happening, for a reason I cannot remember. Probably honoring some guest that I cannot be bothered to care about at this point. I tend to the kingdom as best as I can for the day, but by the time the dawn is rising I do everything I can to forget the subtle human features that haunt me. The curve of her ear, the flush in her cheeks, the softness of her form.

Since she has been gone there has been an unbearable ache in my chest that only seems to worsen at her memory. I’ve taken back up with a variety of powders that I grew accustomed to at Balekin’s parties. The numbing sensation is highly preferable to the agonizing dread that awaits me in sobriety. At least when time passes differently, I can imagine that she is home again, or at the very least, I can pass more days until she returns.

Her return seems more and more uncertain because despite my letters, she has not come home, nor even responded to them. She has made no inclination that she intends to return, which is ridiculous because she is the queen. When she returns I will have to remember to remind her of all the accusations she threw my way at neglecting responsibilities, meanwhile she has spent months in the mortal world as if waiting for me to come bring her home myself.

I grin at the idea. A trip to the mortal world could quickly end this ridiculous torture. At least I would have the chance to see her in the flesh.

She could get her anger out and then return home with me. At this point, a curse from her lips would sound like music and her fingers curled around my neck would be ecstasy.

In time, that anger might turn to forgiveness and we can all move on from this nonsense.

Present Day

What a dreadful day today has been. I should have returned to my chambers the moment I was given news of a wine shortage because poisoned wine had been found in the castle’s cellars, because that meant I had to suffer through the small council’s bickering mostly sober, followed by hours of grievance hearings from folk. For a kingdom full of people who find me utterly incompetent, they sure do make plenty of pleas to the crown.

Only one hour remains until I can leave the presence of my court and scout for my own wine to drink, poisoned or otherwise.

“Cardan…?” Nicasia said with the air of a question.

I respond with a non-committal sound before glancing in her direction to my left. Again, she had found a seat nearest mine, despite my repeated reminder that she was no longer entitled to that spot. We were nothing beyond friends with a bit of history, even if my entire council, mother, and Nicasia herself thought it was ridiculous to prolong a “land-sea” alliance any longer.

I turn back to the conversation I had been ignoring and make an appropriate response, before quickly tuning them out again. Courtiers have nothing better to do than waste my time.

Admittedly, I could see my advisors’ point and I haven’t exactly fought to deny Nicasia’s advances anymore. Not when the one I want has rejected me entirely, favoring a mortal over me and forsaking our kingdom to my inadequate rule.

If I were a kinder soul, I might have been content to see her happy and adjusted to the mortal world, but I am not. I hate myself for sending her away and I hate her just as much for not wanting to return. Every time someone suggests I marry, I want to scream the truth for the entire kingdom to hear.

I married the mortal Jude Duarte. I did it so she would release her hold over me, but I also did it because I wanted to. I wanted to make her my queen and share this dreaded life with her; the powerful, defiant, occasionally murderous, human woman with all her soft features and perfectly odd ears.

Pride be damned. If she returned, I’d allow her anything. She would never need a geas to command me. She was already a ruler, she deserved the credit. The court would eventually adjust to the idea of a human ruler once they recognized her rule. I would lead the most devoted of her court and in our bedroom, I would further prove to her just how devoted I was by spreading --

Nicasia’s hand sliding over my knee snaps me from my thoughts. The touch of her hand felt sickly wrong considering my thoughts of Jude. I brush her hand aside and purposefully ignore the hurt look on her face. I may allow her into my room on nights where even the wine and the powders cannot bring me peace, but she knows I am far too sober and there are too many people around for that.

At the edge of my peripheral I see a dark shadow approaching. The Roach; always a welcomed distraction usually armed with wonderfully bad news.

“Come to tell me of another attempt on my life?” I murmur as he bows down to whisper in my ear.

“You are needed at once, your majesty” the goblin reports.

At that, I laugh but make no effort to move. “There is a first for everything. What is it?” I am happy to use whatever matter it is as an excuse to leave, but I am curious what requires my attention that the spies could not handle themselves.

“Jude has returned. She is waiting to see you.”

His words hit like the hilt of a sword to the chest. I stand, jumping the courtier closest to me.

“I have matters to attend to. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” I say to no one in particular, trying to ignore the loud pounding in my ears as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest.

I begin to follow the Roach out of the room when I feel a hand on my arm.

“What is going on?” Nicasia asks, her eyes wide. I shake out of her grasp.

“It is a matter of great importance that does not concern you.” Instead of moving away, like my body demands to, I move in closer to her so only she can hear me. “I meant my words in the gardens. Do not show up this evening or any evening again.”

Her mouth fell slightly open as water rimmed her eyes. I didn't stay for her response, instead I turned back and followed the Roach into the tunnel, knowing every step was bringing me closer to Jude. As we stalk through the hallways, I cannot slow the questions bombarding my mind.

Did she decide against her life in the mortal world? Did she miss me as I have missed her? What should I say to her? Will she allow me to embrace her? Should I announce her return tonight?

I have envisioned dozens of scenarios of what I would say or do when she returned, but now that she is only a few steps away I have no plan past seeing her, holding her if I can, to make sure she is real and not my imagination come to life.

We take the final turn that I know leads to the headquarters for the Court of Shadows when Livier blocks the doorway.

“Where is she?”

I watch as her face contorts. She opens her mouth to respond before closing it again, clearly unsure how to answer. I don’t have patience for this. I have to see her now.

“Move Livier,” I demand.

How many months has it been since we had fallen asleep together after our vows? How long has it been that I’ve felt her pressed against me?

“Cardan, wait!” She exclaims as I try to move past her. “She doesn’t want to see you.”

I stop dead at her words.

Before I can speak, the Roach asks for me, “What do you mean? She sent us to get him.”

The pixie nods. “Yes. She went to the royal chambers, but she returned soon after and has stated she does not wish to speak.”

I cannot help the bite to my words. “To speak to anyone, or just me?”

Her silence gives me my answer. “Why?” I spit out.

She is on the other side of the wall. It has been months, what about my room could have made her decide against seeing me? A darker thought crosses my mind; what if she has decided to return to the mortal world again? The idea threatens to break me then and there in the dark tunnels beneath the castle.

Livier looks at her companion with unease.

“Why?” I demand again.

The Bomb swallows before explaining, “When she returned, she asked how long you and the Princess of the Undersea had been back together.”

My desperation melted into cruel pitiful laughter. She was jealous of Nicasia, while she had herself a human plaything. The hypocrisy was grand. I wonder how her face would look when I asked about the man and how she could possibly blame me when she broke our vows first. My laughter quickly fizzled into a frozen anger.

I needed to leave before the weight of the situation could bear down on me. In all my imaginations, I never predicted this. I had hoped she’d run to my arms or more realistically, slap me followed up with a kiss. But never returning and refusing to see me.

I want to beg to see her. Beg for her forgiveness. Beg her to stay even if she hates me.

As a king, I have every right to go wherever I please. But as a queen, she has the right to deny entry to anyone. So I turn in the tight hallway and take the turn that leads to my rooms.

She is home. She wouldn’t see me, but she is home, which meant I could fix this. She might not see me tonight, but I would win her forgiveness and maybe her love too.

****

After almost two weeks of announcements and planning, Jude’s coronation ball will begin soon. I have still yet to see her in person, but through messengers and letters she agreed to rule with me and begrudgingly accepted my proposal for a party to celebrate her return and status.

The actual coronation will not take place for another few weeks due to the time needed to gather all the court’s representatives, but this evening would be a full celebration nonetheless. She is home and that enough is cause to celebrate.

The party will also finally force Jude out of the shadows. I suspect she has moved around the castle quite a bit as I heard she met with her sisters and the Living Council, but she has made a careful effort to avoid me.

There have been several times where I have made it all the way to her door before deciding to leave and giving her the space she demands. For months now, I have had dreams of the moment we saw each other again; I have imagined her vulgar words and sweet touches. Tonight is the last night I can imagine because in a matter of hours I will see her again. For the evening, she will have no choice but to stand in the same room as me. I already announced her as my wife and Elfhame’s High Queen. After this evening, she can avoid me outside of official business, if she wishes. It would be devastating, but no more devastating than how it felt when she was gone.

I pace back and forth in my chambers thinking through all the details of the evening since I have nothing better to do. I dressed long ago in a suit twin to the dress I had sent for Jude. If I thought the last dress I designed for her was stunning, I am not sure I’ll be able to survive seeing her in tonight's creation. I gave the tailor a sketch of a silver gown with a fitted bodice and twin streams of fabric that flow from the shoulders. The hope was to create an illusion of the armor she seemed to favor. I doubt the tailor will disappoint and frankly, Jude could wear an old sack and still be devastatingly beautiful.

Before long I receive the signal to head to the ballroom. As I enter the room, I admire for the first time the servant’s efforts to fulfill my image for the evening. The decoration for a typical revel was nothing compared to the fanfare visible this evening. Long strings of lights and streamers hung from the ceiling and sweet and savory treats of all varieties are piled high on trays. The musicians and other entertainment for the evening are already in full swing keeping the guests happy and amused.

As is customary, the party has been going on for some time now, before the king and now queen enter. The center of the space is filled with revelers dancing and singing. At any other party, I would have gladly joined, but I cannot help the pooling sense of unease as I glance through the crowding looking for a particular face.

I do find the face I am looking for, but not the right person. Taryn is standing on the side of the dance floor chatting with some courtier. Locke is nowhere to be seen, which is for the best. If I notice him even causing Jude to frown this evening, I will have him locked in the dungeons for the night.

I occupy myself with some wine while I wait and use the opportunity to boast of Jude’s brilliance to anyone who decides they wish to speak with me. After about a dozen of these conversations, I finally catch a glimpse of her walking into the room with Vivianne at her side.

My Jude.

I admire her with total abandon. She is absolutely stunning. The movement of her steps causes the fabric to shimmer as it flows obscenely over her body. While I will imagine her in this dress for many nights to come, it is the crown that sits atop her head that captures my attention.

The crowd cheers at her arrival and many bow to her. While she keeps her emotions well concealed, I can see the smallest of smiles appear on her face. She enjoys the recognition. Seeing her now, if I could have given her this from the start I would have.

My heart-stopping queen.

I stay to the side where I am and watch her enjoyment from afar. She dances with her sisters from time to time and speaks to members of the gentry with ease. I know she has noted my presence, even if she has yet to look in my direction. When it is time to address the crowd, it is my turn to avoid her direction. I keep my speech to the folk short, enough to praise her and remind anyone who may be considering treason exactly who Jude Duarte is. At the final toast, I steel myself before addressing her directly.

“Welcome home, Jude.”

Our eyes meet for the briefest of moments, burning with a million unspoken words before she breaks away and turns to address the now-growing crowd around her.

It was the first time she acknowledged me since the morning I sent her away and suddenly the emotion behind that realization hits me all at once. I let my eyes linger on her turned back a moment longer, before downing my drink and disappearing into the gardens to wallow in my own self pity.

I told myself I would be happy if she just returned home, but now I realize how badly each moment I spend away from her aches. In school, I hated the way I longed for her. I had chalked it up to being a disgraceful obsession; one I would have been glad to be rid of whatever that meant for Jude. Now, I am equally obsessed with my mortal queen, but rather than having just my thoughts occupied with her, I feel a feral desperation to be near her, to set things right with her.

It is not uncommon for me to be followed, but when I hear soft steps behind me, the last person I expect to turn and see is Jude. Her brown eyes widened in surprise, as if she was not the one following me. We both stare at each other for a half a second too long, before Jude mumbles something and turns to leave. I take her by the arm before she can take a single step away. I won’t let her get away a second time.

“Ask me how hideous you look tonight,” the words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them.

She turns back to face me. I loosen my hold on her arm, but let my hand linger until she decides to brush it away.

“This again?” She asks, sounding more tired than annoyed. I didn’t realize how much I missed her voice.

Desperate to hear her again, I reply, “I can’t. You look like a knight from a story tonight.” A filthy story, perhaps.

Jude’s cheeks pinken as she shifts away from me. If I wasn’t afraid to lose her, I might have found her unease at my closeness cute.

“I’m glad to see the kingdom is still in one piece.” Jude acknowledges, changing the subject away from her. The distance between us feels infinitely greater than the foot of space physically separating us. I’d give anything to embrace her now.

“I had help,” I state simply. It is the truth. The Court of Shadows kept tabs on everyone, friends and enemies, and the Living Council for all the headaches they cause me, they did their job as well.

“Nicasia?” Jude didn’t try or simply failed to hide the accusation in the question.

I sigh heavily and take a seat on one of the garden’s benches. “Ahh that. Yes, it is about time we talked.” I motion for her to join me, to which she refuses.

“I don’t want to hear anything about the two of you. I understand we married out of political strategy, I won’t hold you to human standards of monogamy.” Jude echos my sigh, “After your letters, I thought… Well, I misunderstood the situation.”

My core twists at the way her voice trembled on the words. When did her pain stop being cruel amusement and instead became a twin knife that hurts us both?

“I meant every word in those letters” I murmured softly. How many times had I imagined this conversation before?

Anger burns across her face, “So, what? You got bored of waiting for me to return from the exile YOU-” she jams her pointer finger into my chest hard enough to bruise, “ordered! Maybe next time make sure your letters are actually delivered or perhaps don’t send me away in the first place.”

I stand, challenging her anger with my own. “You think I wouldn’t have waited? I went to bring you home. I saw you dancing with the mortal. Don’t pretend I was the first to stray.”

I expected more anger, denial perhaps, but not... confusion?

“What the hell are you talking about? I haven’t been with anyone else,” Jude yells exasperated.

“The blond male. I came to see you and…” I trail off when Jude laughs suddenly. “What could possibly be funny?”

She covers her face with her hands, shaking her head side to side, “Cardan, you saw me with a friend. Nothing ever happened between us, ever.”

Shame washes over me like a tidal wave. I had returned from that trip thinking Jude had made her decision to forget me and stay behind. I had walked straight into a revel and drank every drop of wine in sight. Nicasia found me a few hours later laying in the grass outside the castle and when she came near I did the one thing I thought would make me feel better.

Nicasia had been the first to notice me, my first real friend then lover. After Jude, I thought she could be the thing I needed again, but I was wrong. It didn’t take long for me to realize it would never be as it was before because my heart still belonged to Jude. If I had only spoken to Jude that night in the mortal world, none of this would have happened.

“I believed the reason for your continued absence was because you were still mad. I thought I could go to the mortal world and convince you to come home, but I saw you with the mortal man. I did not handle the thought of you with another well. Nicasia was there when I got back and… I let her into my bed, but it was you that I thought of every moment you were gone.”

Several emotions ripple across her face before she quickly schooled her face into the impenetrable mask she wears around others. She wears around me too. I continue before the fear of her rejection can stop me.

“There are no tricks within my words, so please hear me when I promise you, Jude, mortal High Queen of Elfhame, it is you I love. My heart is yours and forever will be. There will be no other’s, and if you choose to have me again, it will only be you.”

I raise my hand to cup her face and watch as her eyes flutter close. My name falls off her lips like a plea and I think it might be the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I lower myself to meet her soft lips. Her hands soon find the front of my jacket and I don't fight when she tugs me closer to her.

Without breaking the kiss, I use my free hand to grip her lower back and pull her back into the garden seat with me. On my lap, Jude opens herself up to me and I greedily take in more of her, missing the taste of her. I can’t help but continue to caress her body with my fingertips, long after we break to catch our breath. I place a series of kisses along her neck, each more drawn out than the last before I speak the cruel fact still on my mind, “of all my terribleness, the worst thing I ever did was what I did to you.”

It hurts knowing I can speak those words aloud. I reach up to wipe a stray tear that has fallen from her eyes.

“Will you have me again, Jude?” My heart pounds in the wake of the question. I watch as she considers it. Truthfully, I wouldn't blame her if she refused me, but it would be torturous to have her so near and not mine.

Slowly, she gives a subtle nod and I don’t hide my sigh of relief. She stares at me for a second longer, before smiling, “I love you, Cardan."

I capture her lips again, finding her more addictive than the sweetest wine.

“My sweet nemesis, how glad I am you have returned.”

Tag List: @wafflesandschemingfaces

If anyone else would like to join the list, let me know!

149 notes · View notes

slightlyrebelliouswriter23 · 2 years

Note

Random question that you might have already answered at some point, what are the tfota books ranked in your opinion? Just curious 😊

i don't think i've answered this one yet, nonnie!

it's a tricky question. The Cruel Prince was one of the best first book of a series i've ever read. The Wicked King definitely trounces the rest for suspense. and the fact that i finished it ~3 months before Queen of Nothing was released made it that much more suspenseful.

but i'm a big sappy romantic at heart, so Queen of Nothing was such a satisfying ending. it really wrapped everything up in a nice bow.

officially, i'd say:

The Wicked King/The Queen of Nothing (tied for first)

The Cruel Prince

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

#tfota #jurdan #holly black #thanks for the ask!! 💜#asked and answered #nonnie

22 notes · View notes

reignpink · 3 years

Text

The Night After

I slowly lift Cardan’s arm off me and gently place it on the bed as I slide off of it. I quietly walk out of our bedroom and into the parlor. I take a seat on a sofa that’s facing the window and stare out at the sky, passively watching the sun rise. I should be sleeping but I can’t despite being exhausted due to the last couple of days. The soft rays of light that emerge, bounce off objects in the room around me. I turn around and see the twin crowns glowing under the light. I get up and take my crown in my hands, the weight still surprising me slightly. I run my fingers over it gently, it was beautiful but most importantly it was mine. Just like Elfhame. After all that has happened, I am here with a crown in my hands as The High Queen and wife to none other than Cardan Greenbriar.

“Come back to bed Jude.” Cardan whispers from behind me as he wraps his arms around my waist and rests his head in the nudge of my neck.

Speak of the devil. “I will be back soon. Go on without me.”

“Annoyingly I cannot sleep without you,” He mutters as he presses a small kiss on my neck. “So tell me what is keeping you up.”

I gently place my crown back on the mantle next to Cardan’s. “My body is still running on the adrenaline from today’s events.”

Cardan nods, “Let’s sit down.” He says taking my hand and guiding us back to the sofa I was previously sitting on. I lay my head on his shoulder and I feel him run his hands through my hair. “You have made to be an excellent Queen. I haven’t the chance to tell you but your punishments from the coronation were very clever and I am thoroughly impressed.”

“Thank you.” I reply softly. I don’t question the decisions I made earlier, I know they were made in the best interest of our rule for the kingdom. The people must know we can show mercy when possible but be harsh when necessary.

Before I can react Cardan flips us to where I am laying back on the couch and he’s hovering over me. I feel a small smile spread on my lips as he smirks down at me. I brush the hair from his eyes as I feel his tail grazing my legs. Sometimes when I look at Cardan, I’m still surprised at what I see. He was once as cruel and sharp as the spikes on his crown.

“Did I tell how hideous you looked today.” He began his eyes twinkling as they searched mine.

“No, tell me.”

“I cannot because you looked ravishing.”

I laughed lightly before pulling him down to kiss me. Cardan returned the kiss full force then slowly started to kiss down the side of my face to my neck. I sucked in a breath. “Especially when you were crowned, I wanted to pull you away and fuck you with nothing but it on.” He says into my ear. His breath heavy and his hands were trailing further down my body.

“Let’s get back to bed Jude and burn the remainder of this adrenaline out of you.”

“Let’s.” I respond.

My eyes open the next morning to Cardan’s face close to mine. Our legs were intertwined under the sheets and his arm was draped over my naked body, holding me close. I lift my hand and softly push the raven black hair out of his face. I almost want to laugh. This once cruel creature who used to make my life a living hell now shares my bed and I am it’s wife no less. Wife. I despise to admit the flutter I get in my stomach when he addresses me as such.

“Hello my darling Jude.” Cardan mutters with his eyes still closed.

“Hello Cardan.”

“Today will be your first official day as High Queen, are you ready.”

He is right. I have ruled as Queen for a while now but the coronation and faerie people’s blessing have solidified my standing.

“I’m ready.” I assure him.

“I believe you are as well.” He says finally opening his eyes and sending me one of his small boyish smiles. “I have something to show you, a little first day gift.”

My brows furrow as I watch him jump out of bed squat down pulling a box that was wrapped and bowed from underneath the bed.

“Open it.” He commands laying the wrapped gift in front of me. I quickly sit up and lift the box judging its weight. Whatever’s inside isn’t light but does seem pretty firm. I slowly untie the bow and lift the lid. I run my hands over the white fluffy object then carefully pull it out. It’s a robe— wait two robes. I glance up at Cardan whose face is patiently waiting for my reaction. I flip over the robes and laugh lightly seeing the word ‘Queen’ embroidered on the front of one and ‘King’ on the other.

“I assume this one's yours.” I toss him the King robe.

“You assume correctly. Do you like the gift?” He asks while pulling his robe on.

“I didn’t know what to expect but it certainly wasn’t this.”

“So you don’t like it?”

“Oh no, I love it. Truly. Thank you.”

“I am pleased. I got the idea while at your sister’s house in the mortal word. It works perfectly with the next part of my surprise.”

I raise a brow at him, “Next part?”

“Of course! Come follow me.” Cardan holds out his hand for me to take. I shake my head, smiling at him, as I pull on the robe before climbing off the bed and taking his hand.

He leads us through our bedroom and into the foyer, stopping at a door on the opposite side.

“You can hang your robe in here.” He says before tossing open the door. I don’t stop the gasp that escapes my lips as I look around the grand room. It was a bathroom, and a beautiful one at that. I slowly walk inside, my eyes moving across the room. The tub, which resembled a jacuzzi, was giant and could easily fit the both of us plus sum was in the corner closest to the door. A slim wall divided it from a separate shower which had a nozzle attached to the ceiling making it a rain shower. A toilet sat in the other corner. The counter had a sink on one side and a vanity on the other where a ton of products already sat. The bathroom had a black and white theme with gold accents marking all through it. It was absolutely gorgeous, I love it. I turn back towards Cardan with a giant smile on my face.

“You really did this all for me?” I ask quietly.

Cardan pushes off the door frame and walks further into the bathroom till he was right in front of me. “Who else. You deserve more than a small washroom with a bucket in it.”

I look around at the bathroom again. Try as he might've, Madoc didn’t truly understand Taryn and I’s mortal needs so the closest we had to a bathroom was a chamberpot and a tub. Then moving into the palace where nobody cared what I needed meant I definitely didn’t have a toilet, no less a full bathroom. I hadn’t even realized that I missed having one till now.

“Thank you.” I say wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight hug.

“I’m just glad you like it.” Cardan replies hugging me back just as tight.

We stay like that for a moment before he pulls back and lays a light kiss on top of my head, “I’ll leave you to get ready. Tatterfell should be arriving soon to help.”

I watch him walk out, his tail swinging behind him. I take a seat at the vanity and stare at my reflection. I look different. The person staring back at me is no longer the little girl who laid awake at night scared of this new world, or the girl sneaking around the shadows of a palace, or the girl who was too scared to tell the man who loved her that she loved him back. But a woman who stood in the face of a serpent, two paths, and won.

“A bathroom fit for a Queen.” Tatterfell says as she enters.

“And I need your help making me look like one.” Tonight the revels celebrating Cardan and I’s coronation would begin.

“I would like nothing else.”

Tatterfell draws a bath for me in my new tub. I take one quickly then allow her to help me into a deep blue lace gown. I took a seat at the vanity and Tatterfell immediately began her work on brushing through my hair before curling the bottom and braiding the top into my signature horns. Then she continues onto my makeup, keeping it light and natural but giving me a glowy look.

I slip out of my room into the hallways soon after.

---------

This mini story takes place the morning/night right after the coronation, so after they get back from Vivi’s and both go to sleep. I hope you enjoyed it! I do plan on continuing and hopefully making it a cohesive story about their lives after the ending off the book because I have always had a fascination of book characters lives once the story ends so I am going to write my interpretation of Jude and Cardan’s! And it won’t immediately be Jude getting pregnant, I want to more focus on what it looks like for Jude’s ruling, her relationship with Madoc and her finding out more about her birth mother, Jude bringing up the fact that Cardan will outlive her, Jude still digesting poison and Cardan’s thoughts on it, and plenty more ideas I don’t want to spoil. So let me know if this is something that you would actually have fun reading!

UPDATE 12/14/2020 - so I wrote some more and decided just too add it along with the rest and I think I might keep doing that or maybe wait till I have a whole chapter then I’ll post it to Archive of Our Own. Anyways did you like Cardan giving Jude a bathroom? Does it make sense? I just always thought about how Jude never had a really nice bathroom is Elfhame and how Cardan just wants the best for his queen so he gave her one.

#the cruel prince #the wicked king #jurdan #cardan #jude #the folk of the air #tcp #jude x cardan #the cruel prince fanfiction #the queen of nothing #cardan greenbriar #holly black #fanfiction #cardan greenbrair #jude duarte #the cruel prince fanfic #cardan x jude #the folk of the air fanfiction

44 notes · View notes

jurdannet · 4 years

Text

Attention all Folk! We are delighted to announce the second of our annual revels: Jurdan Smut Week.

This revel will take place 24-31 August 2020, and will celebrate the High King and Queen of Elfhame in their various states of scandal. This means everything from your sweet and tender loving scenes, to your no-holds-barred prolonged manage a trois.

But we need your help! We want to come up with a list of prompts that caters to your preferences. So we’ve made a form (Prompt Suggestion Form) where you’ll be able to submit prompts for our consideration. The most popular ones will make the official prompt list for this revel!

Some important things about the form:

The form closes 17 June 2020 at 11:59pm (EST).

All answers are anonymous. Even the Living Council will not know who has submitted each answer.

We ask that you submit mainly themes/kinks/short dialogue.

You may submit as many or as few prompts as you wish (there are spaces for 5 on the form, but you can submit multiple forms).

PLEASE KEEP RESPONSES TO UNDER 10 WORDS.

If you have any questions about the form or the Jurdan Smut Week 2020 revel, please feel free to shoot us an ask/message on here, or any of The Living Council’s personal accounts: @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 @mysweetvilllain @nite0wl29 @clockworkgraystairs

-The Living Council

#jurdan #tfota #tcp #twk #holly black #qon #tqon #cardan greenbriar #jude duarte #jurdannet #jurdan smut week 2020 #the folk of the air #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #queen of nothing

160 notes · View notes

aelin-queen-of-terrasen · 4 years

Note

Can i ask for Jurdan songfic based on 'Jealous' by Nick Jonas? Thank you!

Thank you for the request! I wasn't sure what a songfic exactly is (I'm still new to tumblr, sorry!) so I just wrote this on assumption but if it means any different, please do tell me!

Jealous Cardan

Pairing: Jude X Cardan

Genre: Fluff.

Summary: Jude and Cardan are married in secret but Cardan can't find it in him to announce it to the court until he gets jealous and declares her his wife at the worst time possible.

Cardan did not know why but he found himself standing outside Jude's chambers after the revel ended.

He knew he should not be here. Jude would definitely worry what everyone would think of the High King entering his seneschal's chambers after the revel ended, drunk and exhausted. She was always careful, too careful where the secret of their marriage was concerned. But his queen had not attended the revel and he would not sleep well until he knew Jude was fine. Steeling his breath, Cardan pushed the bronze doors open.

He froze. Jude was not inside.

There was but one logical solution to where Jude could be at this hour of the night. Cardan tried to convince himself that Jude was perhaps visiting her sisters but he knew things were still fraught between her and Taryn and Jude had recently visited the mortal world to meet with Vivienne and Oak.

The High King decided to await his wife's return here, plopping down on Jude's bed. Her room was untidier than any in the whole palace, papers scattered everywhere and furniture covered in dust. Knowing Jude, she probably did not trust any of the servants to enter her private chambers and had been putting it off purposefully. Cardan did not know when he fell asleep but by the time he woke up, Jude was sitting on her desk, working.

He looked up and yawned, "Jude dear, do you never rest?"

She rolled his eyes at him from where she sat, then went back to reading with a bitter smile on her face. "Someone has to run this kingdom. Since you refuse to help, it has to be me."

He had once sworn to make ruling hell for her, had sworn that day when she'd tricked him into becoming high king that he would not make these easy on her but Cardan felt guilty now.

"Where were you last night, my queen?"

A blush rose to Jude's cheeks but she cleared her throat. She said, "I did not realise I had to ask for your permission to leave."

Cardan pressed his lips into a thin line, trying not to show the annoyance on his face. When the High King and his seneschal had decided to do something about the energy sparking between them, had kissed each other until dawn and promised to be each other's companions during the dark hours of the nights, when he had made her his Queen and his wife behind the closed doors of their chambers, he had recognised as her as his equal. She was not obligated to ask him for anything but he had hoped that their marriage would at least entitle him to ask about her whereabouts.

Especially when she refused to divulge information.

Cardan shrugged, about to leave when a messenger entered. His eyes flitted towards the High King on the bed, in his dishevelled state, eyes widening in shock before he trained his face into a neutral expression and said to Jude, "Lord Garett kindly requests you to join him in his private lodgings. He sent a carriage."

Cardan scoffed. The young, untested lord from one of the lower courts had presumed Jude would accept the invitation and had even sent her a carriage, as if Jude did not prefer to ride a horse or was unable to. He waited for her to dismiss the invitation, to decline it as she would but instead, Jude nodded, "I will join him soon."

Cardan was seething with rage by the time he retired to his own chambers. He did not care what Jude did with her time, who she spent it with. Their marriage was purely political, even if they shared a bed occassionally. His High Queen worked so hard all day, if there was anyone who deserved to have fun.

And yet.

Cardan went to the revels early that night, tried to drown his feelings in the sweetest of wines but to no avail. Thoughts of Jude danced around his head incessantly, growing worse when he watched her join the revel too. With her arm looped around some other faerie's, a smile on her lips. She never smiled around Cardan like that.

They both made their way towards the dais, paying their respects to their High King before they were off dancing. Cardan demanded for his goblet to be refilled, eyes trained on them.

Was that where she had gone off to last night, the thought of whom she had blushed at?

Before he could think more of it, Cardan was rising from his dais and making his way towards the area where the two of them danced, pulling Jude away from him. With the enchanted music, he could have her dancing for as long as he wanted unless someone interrupted.

Cardan said, "Jude, are you drunk?"

"No," she said, but he had already seen it in the clarity of her brown eyes. Jude did not have a high tolerance. If she was drunk, he would have known.

Lord Garett cleared his throat and Cardan had the urge to bash his head against the wall of the chamber they were in, politics be damned. It was Jude's firm touch on his arm that made him pull back and see the side of reason, the consequences of an undiplomatic fight without cause. He backed off, accpeting another courtier's offer to dance as they wove circles around other faeries.

Cardan was looking at Jude but her eyes were fixed on Garett's face. He watched as the Lord pulled her closer, the hand on her back drifting low enough that Jude winced. It was a fleeting expression, gone as fast as it had come but it was enough for Cardan to intervene. He did not know why Jude was letting him take advantage of her but he would not allow his seneschal to be touched without her permission when she was visibly uncomfortable.

"Unhand her now," the High King demanded.

Garett raised an eyebrow, taking a step back from her. Jude was gaping as she hissed, "Cardan, do not do this."

Jude's voice steadied Cardan even though his wife looked almost as angry as the High King himself, if not more. And unfortunately for Cardan, her anger was always more disastrous than Cardan's. He spared a glance at his queen and might have backed off at the look he found there, had Garett not turned to Jude and pressed a hand against her cheek. He said, "I will be taking the High King's leave now. I hope you would grace me with your presence tomorrow." Jude stiffened at the touch but nodded.

Cardan saw red. Before he knew what was happening, his fist collided with Garett's jaw, knuckles hurting at the impact. "You will not touch my wife again," He roared.

The whole throne room quieted down and Jude looked like a dear caught in the headlights. Cardan knew she had always wanted to be recognised as his queen in front of the court, had wanted them to stop hiding the marriage between them but Cardan had convinced her the secrecy was for the best for now because their allies might be hesitant in throwing their support behind the High King. They needed their allies now more than ever. That was only part of the reason though. He had wanted to give her a proper coronation, to throw a grand revel in the name of his queen, not blurt them out at a revel like this.

He knew Jude worried this was some trick, that he would find a loophole and back down but all the regret vanished from his face when he saw the subtle smile on her face, the utter shock that he had told everyone, whatever the situation.

Garrett blinked in shock. "Is that true?"

"I will take my leave of you now and explain things later, Lord Garrett," Jude told him, turning towards her husband.

She did not know what to do. Cardan had not planned to get the announcement out this way but now that it was out, he supposed there was only one thing left to do. So he took his wife to the dais, called for the crown he had ordered from a skilled mastersmith days ago for Jude's coronation and though she would have an official ceremony, he lifted his wife's chin, pressed a soft kiss to her lips and announced, "Jude Duarte Greenbriar, the High Queen of Elfhame."

One pointed look from Cardan and every lord and lady and courtier bowed to their Queen. The revel was extended, more drinks and food brought out. Faeries danced until dawn had set and it was only when the last of musicians and guests and courtiers had left, guards dispersed that Cardan turned to Jude, uncertain.

Before he could even get a word in, Jude had captured her lips in his. Then she whispered, "I thought you were looking for ways out of arrangement. I thought you might betray me again."

"Now you know," Cardan murmured to his wife, his queen, his world. "I love you."

Jude smiled, bright and wide—it was the kind of smile she rarely ever showed. And it may have been a mistake, an unplanned announcement at an inconvenient time but if it made Jude so happy, Cardan found it hard to complain about anything else.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

I know I say this after every fanfiction but I posted this one in a hurry for some reason. I had other plans for it in the start, then I headed another way so now it came out a whole different way so I'm sorry, I promise I'm usually better than this! I think.

Tags:

@judexcardanxgreenbriar // @thesirenwashere // @nite0wl29 //@queenofgreenbriar // @jurdanhell // @mysweetvilllain //@clockworkgraystairs // @blog-lady-vi // @the-dark-swan // @faerielauren // @fangirltrash74

191 notes · View notes

clockworkgraystairs · 4 years

Note

O.M.G!!! I loved your recent jurdan fic sooo much!! Can you write when she tells Cardan she’s pregnant?? Can Cardan get emotionally excited??I love their softness and excitement... love you 😍

Hello dear!!! Thank you so much for your words!

I’m sorry it took me long but my job is a pain in the ass and I don’t have as much time as I would like to write. Buuut here it is!

It also came out longer than I expected bc apparently I can’t keep things easy.

Anyway, ENJOY! LOVE U TOO!

~~~~

JUDE TELLS CARDAN SHE’S PREGNANT

Jude had spent half of her life learning how to face danger.

Years and years of training, creating strategies, fighting and even killing when she needed to.

Gods above, she was the Queen.

The High Queen of Elfhame, and she was shrinking on one corner of her sister Vivi’s bathroom; staring at the little pharmaceutic device, the third one, showing the result.

Jude carved her face with shaking hands.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” She muttered, her breathing harsh.

This was supposed to be an ordinary weekend.

One year had passed since her official coronation and occasionally she liked to spend a day or two at the human world with Vivi, Heather and little Oak. Sometimes Cardan came with her, partially she suspected, since he’d caught some fascination for Sephora stores and some human customs, he claimed, he wanted to experience.

This time though, he’d stayed back in Elfhame, to attend some meetings Jude didn’t want to be part of.

Everything was going fine, they went to the park, to the movie theater and at last to the pizza place near her sister’s house, where Oak asked for Jude’s favorite to honor her visit. What she didn’t expect, was the sudden nausea that crept up her stomach as soon as the pizza arrived, making her ran to the toilet in a couple of seconds.

It didn’t take much time for Vivi to suspect what was going on, even with Jude’s insistence on it probably being a stomach bug.

On their way back to her apartment, she bought Jude three different pregnancy tests under the argument that “one could never know”. Then filled her with orange juice and waited. And waited.

So here she was. With three positive results. Pregnant.

A loud knock on the door made her jump. “JUDE? Is everything alright?? You’ve been there ages! Are you done??”

“Let her be Viv, don’t make her more nervous than she already is…” That was Heather.

“What? I’m not. I just want to know if-”

Jude stood and opened the door stopping her mid-sentence.

Two pairs of eyes stared at her expectantly. She pursed her lips and took in a deep breath.

“So, apparently I’m pregnant.” She said to no one in particular. The words sounded strange in her mouth, as if she wasn’t the one saying them.

“Are… are you sure?” Viv’s face had lost all track of emotion. Jude quirked an eyebrow and handed her sister the pregnancy tests.

What came next was a bunch of screaming and “oh my gods” and Heather swearing she’d dreamed about it a few nights ago. Maybe something else about a bet between her sister and Madoc.

Jude was only hearing half of it. Instead her mind was worrying about one thing only. Cardan. How in hell was she going to tell him? How was he going to react?

She didn’t even know how she felt.

They didn’t talk much about the subject. Some comments from the Court members about them providing heirs had quickly turned into inside jokes she and Cardan occasionally teased each other with. But joking about it was very different to this. To actually being pregnant. To carry life inside her that someday would become a baby, a child. For her to become a mother. For them to become parents.

How was a parent supposed to be to begin with? She’d grown up with her kidnapper, a cold-blood murderer as the only parental figure. Her husband didn’t have a better role model.

And now they’ll have to raise a new creature into this world. It was too much to digest in one day.

The next morning, she returned to Elfhame. Still with no clue of how to tell Cardan the news.

She found their chambers empty, and took the chance to take a bath and put on her queenly clothes before going to search for her husband. She needed to tell him immediately, before her sense of fake bravery vanished.

“Last time I saw him, Your Highness, he was on his way to his mother chambers.” Fand told her. Jude rolled her eyes and groaned, that was the last place where she wanted to go but her hands had already started to tremble, if she waited more time she wouldn’t be able to do it.

One step away from Asha’s door she hesitated. Jude had meant to knock, but the door was already half-opened and she could hear voices coming out.

“Seriously Cardan, how long are you going to keep this up?” Asha sounded annoyed. “You had your fun with the mortal girl, why keeping her at all?”

“She is my wife.” Was all he answered.

Jude leaned just a bit so she could peer inside the room. Cardan stood before his mother, who rested on a pile of cushions. His back faced the door so she couldn’t see his expression.

Asha sighed.

“That didn’t stop you from vanishing her once. And we are not at war anymore so I doubt her fighting skills are needed much.” she shrugged. “Aren’t you just bored already?”

Jude could see Cardan’s fist tightly closed. “I don’t see why my personal decisions affect you mother, nor why should I explain them to you.” His voice sounded strained. “As for Jude, she is no weapon just designed for war, and her staying is not for you to decide or even mention.”

Asha’s lips quirked just a little. “Ah, I see now. My dear son, are you not capable to see all of the pleasures you are denying yourself just for a whim?” She raised to her feet and rested one of her perfect hands on Cardan’s shoulder. “It is not rare for Kings to take mistresses, and let me tell you, I know several beauties who would do anything for the opportunity.”

Jude’s ears were ringing with rage. How dare she suggested such thing? To even consider the possibility of Cardan taking some vulgar… she shook her head, not even finishing the thought of it. She was so focused in her desire to take Asha’s head and slam her into the floor she couldn’t hear his answer.

Asha laughed in a cruel way that make Jude’s stomach turn as she came back to reality. Oh gods, was she going to be sick again?

“You ought to think of the future of your people too, you know. Elfhame will need an heir someday. And do you think the folk will not prefer a precious pure fae, instead of some half breed…” Asha’s eyes darted to the side and locked with Jude’s, making her heart skip a beat. “With filthy human blood?”

Jude took a step back, feeling tears stinging behind her eyes. She knew what Asha was doing, that bitch, knowing she was listening behind the door. But it didn’t matter, not as her heart hammered with such intensity it was starting to hurt. Not as her throat closed in anger and impotence, making her hard to breath.

So she just turned and rushed far from there.

Somehow she reached one of the back balconies and stood there, staring at the sea under her. Jude knew she would be a filthy human for some of the folk for the rest of her days. She’d grown with that knowledge and she didn’t care anymore. But now, it was not only her. It would never be only her ever again. Was she really that stupid for allowing this to happen to someone else? Not only someone else, but her own child? Would Cardan even agree to the idea?

Minutes passed. Even hours maybe, but she didn’t move. She felt as if she’d forgotten how to.

Light steps sounded behind her.

“Jude?” Cardan’s voice somehow filled her with something between peace and anxiousness, remembering why she was searching for him in the first place.

She didn’t answer, so he continued. “I ran into Sir Fand a while ago, she told me you were looking for me. I should have been there when you arrived, I am sorry my love.”

Jude shook her head, “It’s okay.” Her voice was faint, almost a whisper. She still didn’t dare looking at him.

“Jude, is there something wrong?” He came closer to her, now standing by her side. Cardan searched her gaze but she looked down. “Have… Have I done something to upset you?”

Jude’s heart hurt at his tone.

“No, no you didn’t.” She wanted to tell him everything was okay, that he didn’t do anything wrong, that she was perfectly fine. Except she was not. She just didn’t know what to say first or how. “And yes, I was… looking for you.”

She felt Cardan’s hand take hers, soft as a feather. “And you were looking for me on the sea? Unlikely, but I appreciate the effort.” He chuckled for a second, and then went back to his worried voice. “I am here now. Will you tell me what is that troubles you? You look as if you just had a nightmare.”

That wasn’t unusual. More than once Cardan had woken her up from some bad dreams, usually ones in which he didn’t return after Jude cut off the snake’s head. It always left her pale and shaky. Sometimes it happened the other way around, but they always found comfort in each other’s arms.

She bit her lip and took a deep breath. “I don’t think your mother would appreciate being called a nightmare, even if she usually is.”

He gave her a wide grin before furrowing his brow in confusion. “Funny, I was just with her right…ah.” Realization crossed his eyes, Jude watched him clench his jaw. “You went to my mother’s chambers. You heard us.”

Jude nodded and held his hand tighter. “I heard some of it. Many of the folk will always find me to be inadequate, that’s nothing new. But I hadn’t heard any mention of it in so long that, for a moment I, I let myself believe that-“

“Jude, stop, you cannot possibly think you are not good enough. Look at what you have done for Elfhame; anyone could see that!”

“That’s not it. I know I have done things for them, saving some of their asses and stuff.” She shrugged.

“Then I am not understanding, Jude-“ With his free hand he reached for her cheek and cupped it, tugging her into a hug.

“I’m pregnant.” Her voice was almost a whisper, but she felt him froze.

Without letting go of her, he leaned back, wide eyed and openmouthed. “What did you just say?”

“Cardan I’m,” She closed her eyes and said louder, “I’m pregnant.”

She didn’t open her eyes, afraid to see his reaction. But instead of saying anything he just gasped and pulled her back into his arms. Jude felt his heart beating fast against her hands.

“When did you find out?”

Now it was Jude’s time to chuckle. “Yesterday, even though I was feeling odd for the past days. Oak invited me a pizza but it made me sick, Vivi guessed the rest and I took some tests.”

Cardan didn’t say anything letting her continue. “When I came back I looked for you to tell you, mostly because if I didn’t right away I would be too scared to do it after. But…”

“But you found me with my mother,” He sighed. “And what she said…gods, Jude I am so sorry. I ought to throw her back to the Tower of Forgetting.”

She couldn’t say the thought was not appealing.

“Every day of my life since I got here I was reminded of how I was different. Sometimes in the cruelest ways.” Cardan started to say something but she continued. “I am over it now, I know who I am, and I am happy with it. With you. But the thought of my own blood going through the same thing is… I am afraid of it being as hard as it was for me. I am afraid of not knowing how to make it different. Of not knowing how to be a mother. And most of all, I am afraid of not knowing how you feel about this.”

There. She’d said it. She felt herself shake, but it wasn’t until a few seconds had passed, that she realized it wasn’t her. “Cardan?”

He let go of the embrace but raised his hands to cup her face. His eyes were shimmering… and wet. He was smiling in a way she’d rarely seen, leaving her breathless for a moment.

A tear escaped his right eye and Jude quickly caught it with her thumb, still puzzled about what she was seeing.

“My love, I feel nothing but happiness at this moment.” He kissed her forehead. “I know we usually joke about this but, one part of me always wished for it to became true one day. To love and raise as we weren’t. Giving us the chance to become better than the ones who should have taken care of us.”

Jude didn’t realize she had started to cry too until he kissed her cheeks and felt them cold. Cardan looked down at her belly hesitantly, “Can I?” He asked.

She nodded and pulled his hand to where someday she was going to be the size of a watermelon. He touched her with such delicacy and devotion she almost couldn’t believe this was happening.

“We are going to have a baby.” It seemed as if he said it in order to really believe it.

“We are going to have a baby” She repeated. Beaming with emotion. “I don’t know about you but, I think the first one who should hear the good news is Asha, hopefully she’ll have a heart attack and let us be.”

Cardan laughed and shook his head. “You are insufferable, my sweet villain. But this time, I am afraid I agree with you.” At that, he took her hand and guided her back inside.

Maybe, just maybe, she shouldn’t be afraid at all.

#jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #jurdan #holly black #tcp #twk #qon #jurdan au #jurdan fanfiction #pregnancy au

329 notes · View notes

nighteyed · 4 years

Text

Shine On ~

Let me preface this story with a disclaimer. This is my first ever, Jurdan fanfic. It is by no means perfect. Second, I listen to music and write. If you are an Amity Affliction fan then the title and the contents of this story might not surprise you. I pulled a lot from the lyrics and from their official music video, even throwing in a few scenes from the video. (EXCEPT WHEN YOUNGBLOODS PLAYED AND “FUCK THE REAPER” GOT THROWN ACROSS A SHIRT)

Fandom: The Folk of the Air

Pairing: Jude Duarte x Cardan Greenbriar

Rating: Teen (there are descriptions and mentions of abuse)

Written By: forbiddencorvidae | corvids_5

The green door stares me in the face, it’s like a mocking leer, the color for which I share a name. I hate it. I hate this place, but I press forward, grip the handle and turn it.

It curls and wraps, shrivels all around, the smoke that sinks into my skin, burns across the whites of my eyes and stains them yellow. There is a haze in this room, as I slowly close the door behind me. My eyes landing on the dozen blue ribbon cans on the kitchen table, my bag swaying at my hip. There is a cat mewling in the corner, four kittens suckling and my lips curl in disgust. Curdling, the smoke weaves through my hair, grazes my cheek bones, congeals at the corners of my mouth and then dives deep down my throat and strangles me.

I turn to my right, a safe hallway that I will escape through, to the safety of my room and a window that I am desperate to throw open and gulp down air that will purify my already rotting lungs. Doc’s hit something sturdy, hard bones and meat and I’m falling forward, downwards, in a spiral of swinging arms, bracing against the wall, trying, trying not to wake him.

There is a beast in this tunnel, beneath me and I will not escape him.

I’m flattened, defeated, pinned under a body much bigger than my own. My eyes are filled with obsidian spots that flutter across my vision. My head pulses and splits, spitting images across my eyes, blocked out by the dark specs that blind me. I feel a hand on my throat, claws digging into the sides of my neck, palm hot and pressing. I’m a child hiding in a closet, afraid and weeping. I feel the wisp of a tail, hear a cat mewling and I am weak, undone, I succumb to the torrent and do not brace for the onslaught. Tears are leaking from my eyes as my nose crunches into my face, a fist smashes against my cheek, my head flies into the wall. Adrenaline rockets though me and my mouth salivates, my body begins to shake as my blood free flows and chokes me. It pours from me in rivers. I’m drowning in my spit, tears and blood, I am drowning in life.

It’s going to be a real shinner, I hear him say. His laughter penetrates and permeates, slithers up my spine and around my neck. My bag is forgotten as I manage to fight my way to my knees and brace the wall, pulling myself from the floor and fumbling towards my bedroom door. It swings open, a rabbithole that I am all too happy to fall within and my bed a welcoming crash against my skin.

It is raining as I watch them. Three girls file from the suburban and march across the lawn to the red front door. The house across the lane is no longer empty, it is now filled with people and Balekin tells me that one of them has horns.

“General Madoc is to be my personal bodyguard," Balekin pulls at his collar and smirks. He is proud, I hear the bragging undertones in his voice, cool like onyx. "There has been some disturbing mail coming into the office. Some threatening letters and I do not stand by and obey idle threats." Balekin pulls at the cuffs of his suit and presses the palm of his right hand to the crown of my head, my lips sneer at his touch.

“You can stop sending them, little brother,” Balekin turns and drags his knuckles along the innards of the hallway, his rings scraping against the paint and drywall. “One day you might end up at the bottom of the creek.”

Good, I want to say, but I've learned that with a quick witted tongue you have to learn to hold it. Instead I feel the corners of my lips twitch and I pick at the tips of my fingers, there is glue under my nails.

There is a tap against my window that wakes me. My blood has crusted against my skin, and there is a weal under my right eye, it swells and presses into the underside of my eye. My head is still a ringing mess, my body sore and aching as adrenaline has seeped from me. My sheet sticks to the side of my face and I feel the hairs on my face pull and release as I rip myself from my bed. But when I turn to look at the window, I finally see for the first time, everything that he has tried to blackout.

“You have been home for hours and you never opened your window Cardan,” I can hear Jude from behind the sheer black curtain, from behind the single pane glass. “Cardan,” Jude is already pulling open the window, already swinging her leg through it and into my space. I bow my head at her commanding presence, her air as she enters my room, she fills every part of me with molten, down to my toes that threaten to drag me towards her. My neck is a hinge and I have lost all my will to lift my head and look into her eyes, so I close my eyes and I remember the day that she told me the first truth I have ever received.

I’m free, the wind blowing through my hair. I peddle faster and faster, all the while Jude Duarte yells behind me. Her auburn hair is styled up in horns, like some freak, like those stupid stories she reads.

“I HATE YOU CARDAN GREENBRIAR!” She is screaming from behind him, running as fast as her legs will take her.

“YOU HEAR ME? I HATE YOU! YOU AND YOUR BLACK HEART!”

I can’t help but smile at her words, they warm my blackened heart because no one has ever spoken such truth to me.

I will reward her by dumping this pink bike in the creek tonight.

“Cardan…”

I hate the sound of her voice, as it is now, laced with pain and pity as it pulls me from a precious memory. She will never know how much I wish her to be that little girl again, in the street, yelling that she hates me over and over again. I just want to feel alive, with the wind in my hair and her words in my veins.

She approaches me tentatively, it has been different, since that time. When I took her on this bed that is now stained with my blood. She is soft and full of sweet words, when all I need is her seething and swearing under me, over me, around me, I don’t care so long as she breaks over me, like water against rock, coating me, consuming me.

“Cardan, look at me.”

I see her booted feet from between my legs and I struggle to lift my head. Her hands come into my line of vision as her palms cradle my cheeks, my shoulders flinching at the warm, delicate touch of her skin. Slowly, she helps me, rolls my head on my shoulders until it is fully erect and I am staring up at her.

“Will you kiss me now and make this better?” My words are laced with venom as I say them and they slather against her skin as her fingers drag across my lips. “Kiss me Jude,” I press my tongue against her palm, my eyes never leaving her’s. Her gaze, lighting a fire in my heart as she stares down at me with eyes full of adoration, full of love and my guts twist at the emotion.

“Stop Jude,” I turn my head to my left, tucking my chin to my shoulder. “Stop staring at me with those eyes that disgust me.”

There is a long pause that billows in the air and nestles itself into my collapsing lungs. I pull in a ragged breath, the insult pains me more than the evidence on my face.

“I know you are hurting,” Jude whispers.

I want to bury my face in her white tank, but instead I snake my fingers through her belt loops and drag her towards me, pressing the crown of my head into her abdomen. I'm weak, so weak, so tired of this and all I want is to find a better place to live.

“But you are too strong to drown Cardan,” she whispers and it is to the room, to whomever will hear the words, I know they are not words for me. Those words are a prayer, for her alone.

I feel her nails drag across my scalp and they catch on a patch of matted hair and a memory flashes through my mind.

“Why do you speak like that?” Jude is sitting next to me by the creek and the sun is setting behind the buildings of the city beyond. “You sound too smart for a thirteen year old, it isn’t...normal.”

I scoff at her word choice and deign not to answer, but she presses and I acquiesce to her persistence. “I read Jude, books of all shapes and sizes. To learn, sharpen my tongue, to save me.” My sable hair ruffling in the warm breeze as I feel her shift next to me. Jude presses her pink lips to my cheek and my brows knit together. Partly at her action and partly because her lips have stoked the ache back into my jaw, my bruise with it’s yellowing center and purple ring ripples as I clench my jaw at her touch. Jude weaves her arm between mine and she pulls me closer towards her, it warms my bones. I feel something growing underneath the surface of my skin and there is no energy within me to deny it. So, I do the one thing that I am good at when it comes to Jude, I destroy it.

"Why do you wear your hair like that?" My question is blunt and like a club it strikes at her. I can see her discomfort as she shifts and pulls away from me and it is only shadowed by the simmer in her eyes.

"The Queen of Elfhame wears her hair like this," Jude spits at me, like I should know this, like we hadn’t played High King and Queen when we were ten. In a rare moment, when I found myself in Jude’s room, I saw her tattered copy of “The Queen of Nothing”, it fell from her nightstand, under her bed. I had reached to retrieve it, to place it back safely where she could find it when my fingers found a slip of paper instead.

I hate you Cardan Greenbriar. I hate you Cardan Greenbriar. I hate you Cardan Greenbriar. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. Hate. Hate. Hate. You. Cardan Greenbriar. I love you.

"Some fairytale, those aren't real Jude. Grow up." My words leave my mouth like needles and I have aimed them to prick in all the right places. There is nothing better than this. This is what we have. I have a brother who beats me and she has…

A demon lurks behind the walls of her home, a murderer.

“There has to be something better than this Cardan. Something worth living for,” Jude traces a finger to the bruise along my jaw and gently presses. Jude is so full of hopes and dreams, so hungry for all the things that people like me cannot have. She is blinding, like the sun shinning through a diamond and splashing against me. Yet, I want to believe her, to feel hope curl along my insides and blossom in my chest. I want to be so full of hope that I am sick of it. I blame the day she cursed me in the street, cursed my black heart even though I know it bleeds for her.

If she wants a fairytale then one day she will have it and I want to see her shine, be the one to give it.

“One day, Jude, I will take you to Insmire,” I let loose a rare smile and revel in the widening of her eyes.

“Jude,” I let my left leg shoot between hers and I crane my neck upwards so that I can see her, my cheek still firmly against her. Walnut eyes stare down at me and my fingers clench tightly against her hips, she is wearing a hat, it isn’t like her. “Your hair—its not, the horns," my voice is soft, questioning, so unlike my usual tone.

"I'm not twelve anymore Cardan," Jude presses her thumb to my bottom lip, her fingers cupping around my chin, pressing the side of my face firmly against her. "You were right. fairytales aren't real. Insmire, Elfhame, they are not real. No matter how much I wish them to be. No matter how much I wish that this—" She finally lets lose the breath that she has been holding in, since she has seen my face. “I just wish this was easier and if I could, I would break him.” Her words are like razors and I know that there is a truth to them. Jude is fire against me and I know now that I don’t want her to crash against me like water, I want her to scorch me, mark me, taint me.

We are not children anymore.

We've tasted sweet whiskey, gone skinny dipping in the creek, she has seen her mother killed, her father cut down, I've lived my life on the ground, with bruises and cuts inked into my skin and I've pressed my tongue between her legs and tasted sweet bliss. I've felt her heat around me, pulling me closer to her, wringing from me everything that I am and she has always outlasted me.

"Jude, go home." I push her away as I rise from the bed I've slept on since I was a child, the bed in which I laid her bare. Her eyes are full of hurt, but I see the curiosity that is stitched along her irises, she doesn't understand why I am doing this.

"You shouldn't be sneaking into the Governor's house," I say as I ruffle the paperwork on my nightstand. "You aren't a kid anymore. It's breaking and entering," I sigh as I fall back on my bed and slide my fingers under my mattress, the thick envelope greeting the tips.

"Balekin wouldn’t dare," Jude scoffs.

"Balekin, hates you, leers at you." I press my forefinger and thumb to the bridge of my nose and squeeze, the pain knitting my eyes closed. "Balekin says many things Jude. There is only abhorrence for your family, your father, deeply seeded and nourished with pale ale." My eyes find her's, there is shock there, truly. What did she expect?

"Do you hate me Cardan?"

Her question would have caught me off guard, if I didn't actually know that it was coming.

Yes.

My voice whispers across the blackness of my mind, her eyes like glass, round and waiting.

Make it easy for me, do not stare at me with those fragile eyes.

"Yes," I finally say. "Yes, I hate you. You once cursed my blackened heart, Jude, but it isn't the worm riddled, flea bitten parts of me that hates you. It's the parts that you have ignited and turned to flame."

She steps towards me and leans forward, her lips brushing against the shell of my ear as she whispers. A second later she is gone, out the window and the last light of the day fades with her.

The shower spray hits my skin like heated bullets and I watch as the water bleeds red between my toes. My hair falls into my eyes as I drag my fingers across my nose and press, I hear a faint pop from under the spray and my toes curl. I can breath again, barely. I toss around Jude’s words in my head and a smile creeps across my lips. I turn the shower knob and I’m left standing naked and in the cold.

I hear Balekin, in the other room, the television is fading in and out as he flips through the channels and I can see him through the drywall, sprawled across the couch, a blue ribbon can, clutched between his bruising fist. My smile pulls into a smug of satisfaction as I know that even though he has beat me, I have left a mark on his unblemished skin. Tomorrow, when he holds his scheduled press conference, he will wear gloves, in the middle of August and I will know that underneath them is the evidence of his abuse.

I pull a pair of black jeans on and open the bathroom door, then I break for my bedroom, my toes barely touching the wood floor, it feels as if I am flying. I click the door close softly and grab a black hoodie from my closet, pulling it over my head I make my way towards my bed, slipping into my doc martens. I flip the mattress and pull the envelope, the one that I felt earlier and tear it open. I count the bills in quick succession, the envelope now forgotten on the floor as I pocket the money down the front of my jeans. I pull a book from my nightstand and I grab a duffle from underneath my bed. I quickly pack what I may need and I brace myself to enter the hallway and head towards the front room.

I see the television from the mouth of the hallway and I count the seconds with each breath that I take. A minute goes by and the television channel has not changed, I hear a faint snoring and I exhale. I tip-toe across the room and I find Balekin’s briefcase tucked underneath the table. I feel inside the pockets until my fingers brush along something cold and heavy, my fist wrapping around the keys and I tear them from the bag. I have to tip-toe to the front door and I close it gently.

In my driveway Jude is waiting for me. Her hair is flowing in the evening breeze and she leaves me breathless with the sight of her. Her auburn hair is rolled up in two horns on her head and I can hear the little girl in the street from all those years ago. Yet, this time she isn’t screaming how much she hates me, she is whispering in my ear that she loves me. She is wearing a black tank top with a saying across the front and it makes me smile, a gut tightening, teeth bared smile and I want to fall into her eyes as they widen at me. Before I know what I am doing, my feet take me to her and I drop my bag at her feet, my hands reaching for the sides of her face and pulling her into my lips.

She tastes like spun sugar and I worry that if I am not gentle I will break her, that she will wilt in my embrace, but she pulls me closer and hugs me tighter.

“Lets go,” I say as I pull her towards the passenger side of Balekin’s black mustang.

“Wait, wait,” She whispers into the night around me. “I’m going to drive, you push and when we are down the block, I’ll start her up.”

I smile at her wonderful mind and watch her as she darts across the front of the car and jumps into the driver seat. I hear the car slink into neutral and it rolls slightly down the driveway. Tossing my bag into the back seat, I reach the backend and push, the car rolls and with every second that passes I can taste freedom. It isn't until I hear the engine roar to life and Jude’s laughter from the front seat, that I finally run towards the passenger side and jump in.

Jude hits the gas and the wind pulls at my hair and I do the one thing that I had promised myself that I would never do. I turn and look back at the house that will probably forever haunt my dreams. I smile and raise my fists to that green front door and I flip it off, a howl of laughter escaping my lungs and it feels so good to finally breathe. Without hesitation, without the worry that I would wake a sleeping beast.

Jude is to my left and there is a smile on her lips and I thank every star in the sky. Her hand weaves towards mine and I link my knuckles to hers and squeeze, bringing the back of her hand to my mouth. I kiss her flesh with vehemence and press my nose to her pulse.

I reach for the stereo, flip it on and as we drive through the night, under the shining stars, Jude sings.

"Shine on, shine on young love."

And I lean towards her and whisper in her ear. "Thank you, for saving me."

#jurdan #judan fic #jude duarte #jude x cardan #cardan greenbriar #shine on young love #mentions of violence #mentions of abuse #madoc #balekin #mortal au #childhood frienemies #to lovers #amity affliction inspo #rioawrites #blackcrowTFOTA #forbiddencorvidae

39 notes · View notes