#tatterfell | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

iheartgracie · 1 month

Text

jude duarte soft quotes

“So, in short, Valerian tried to kill me,” I say, finishing my story. “And I stabbed him… So I might be in some trouble.”

“He grabs hold of my wrist. I am shocked by the sensation of his skin warm against mine. “Take care,” he says, and then smiles. “It would be very dull to have to sit here for an entire day just because you went and got yourself killed.”

“My last thoughts would be of your boredom,”

“You were just going,” I tell Locke.

He grins. “I find I am very comfortable here,” Locke says. “Surely there’s nothing you have to say to the king that is so very personal or private.”

“It’s a shame you’ll never find out. Go. Now.”

“Stop you?” I echo. “Sure. If you’re a huge jerk and a threat to Elfhame, I’ll pop your head right off.”

“If you joke about this, I am going to—”

“Kill me?” he asks, raising both black brows.

I think I might hate him after all.”

i cant believe the land chose me

i, jude duarte, high queen of elfhame, in exile, spend most of my mornings dozing in front of daytime television watching cooking competitions and cartoons

“i don’t take commands from mortals” he says with his customary cruel smile. “so your gonna say something nice?” i don’t think so faeries cant lie.

“have i told you how hideous you look tonight?” “no tell me”

“i cant”

i can be charming, i charmed you didnt i?

you never break.

i know when we come to a door because i walk straight into it, much to the roaches amusement. “you really cant see” he says. i rubbed my forehead “i told you i couldn’t” “yes but you’re the liar, i’m not supposed to believe anything you say” “why would i lie about something like that?”

i am no longer a child and i don’t need comfort.

“you betraying toad”

“I’m a jerk. I’m an idiot,” I say. “I admit it. You don’t have to lecture me.”

“I thought you were going to give me a hard time about the glamour,” she says. “You know, the one you resisted.”

“You shouldn’t magic your sisters.”

“And you shouldn’t try to chop yours in half.”

“Maybe he regrets it. After all, I could be scolding him right now, instead of you.”

That makes me smile.”

“You won’t believe what we found in the treasury,” Vivi says.

“I thought treasuries were just full of gems and gold and stuff.”

“We found armor. Glorious armor. For you.”

“For a queen, Which, you may recall, there hasn’t been in a little while.”

“It may well have belonged to Mab herself,”

“You’re really building this up,”

“Well, even if the serpent bites off your head,” says Tatterfell, “the rest of you will still look good.”

“That’s the spirit,” I tell her.”

“Nothing can be seen until the event is concluded.”

“No pressure, then,” I mutter.”

“Do you remember the fairy tale with the snake who has the helicopter parents and marries the princess?”

“Helicopter?”

“You’re the one who’s late. But as the hero of the hour, that’s all to the good. I am going to make you into a vision.”

“Sounds like a lot of work on your part,”

“Will you dance?” he asks, presenting his hand.

“You may remember that I am not particularly accomplished at it,”

“I don’t know what to apologize for first,” I say. “Cutting off your head or hesitating so long to do it. ”

“I grin irrepressibly at Cardan. He smiles back, with a little surprise. It’s possible I don’t smile like that very often.”

“Vivi blows a noisemaker. “Here,” she says, passing out paper crowns for us to wear.

“This is ridiculous,” I complain, but put mine on.”

“A black horse was nibbling the grass of the lawn when they went outside. Its eyes were big and soft. Jude wanted to throw her arms around its neck and press her wet face into its silky mane.”

“In Faerie, there are no fish sticks, no ketchup, no television”

“There are two ways for mortals to become permanent subjects of the Court: marrying into it or honing some great skill—in metallurgy or lute playing or whatever. Not interested in the first, I have to hope I can be talented enough for the second.”

“She hops onto the bed beside me, disarranging my small pile of threadbare stuffed animals—a koala, a snake, a black cat—all beloved of my seven-year-old self. I cannot bear to throw out any of my relics.”

“We’re going to have fun tonight.”

“Fun?”

“I can see why humans succumb to the beautiful nightmare of the Court, why they willingly drown in it.

I know I shouldn’t love it as I do, stolen as I am from the mortal world, my parents murdered. But I love it all the same.”

“They talk about honor, but what they really care about is power. I am good enough with a blade, knowledgeable in strategy. All I need is a chance to prove myself.”

“Someone who, along with Princess Rhyia, doesn’t appear to be attending tonight. But—oh no. I do see him.

Prince Cardan, sixth-born to the High King Eldred, yet still the absolute worst, strides across the floor toward us.”

“Vivi said she wishes she had one.”

“I’m glad she doesn’t,” I say firmly, which is stupid. I have nothing against tails.”

“I stand in front of my window and imagine myself a fearless knight, imagine myself a witch who hid her heart in her finger and then chopped her finger off.”

“Are you going to quit the tournament?”

“You mean because of Cardan and his Court of Jerks?”

“You’re littering in a magical lake,” she tells me.

“It’ll rot,” I say. “And so will we”

“Cardan’s gaze catches mine, and I can’t help the evil smile that pulls up the corners of my mouth”

“There is always a moment when it begins to move that I can’t help grinning. There is something about the sheer impossibility of it, the magnificence of the woods streaking by and the way the ragwort hooves kick up gravel as they leap up into the air, that gives me an electric rush of pure adrenaline.”

“You want to sit down or something?” Heather says, nodding toward the food court.

“Somebody owes me coffee,” I say pointedly to Vivi.”

#badass quotes jude duarte #judeduartequotes #badass jude duarte #jude duarte soft #jude duarte badass #judecardan quotes #jude duarte quotes #judecardan #judeduarte #jude duarte #jude x cardan #the cruel prince #the folk of the air quotes #the folk of the air

25 notes · View notes

cromulentreader · 2 months

Text

TPT reading thoughts - chapters 14 to 20

I'll probably finish this one today or tomorrow. Since I'm not devouring it, that's probably a sign. Anyway, spoilers.

Chapter 14

Jude and Cardan arrive

She breaks protocol and it’s interesting that she also walks ahead of Cardan

Randalin needs to be punched in the face

Catch-up time with Jude

Chapter 15

Madoc catch-up

Oriana is one of those mothers, uh?

Chapter 16

Oak forgot what Elfhame is like after TWO months away?

Mother Marrow time. She’s salty about not tricking Cardan 10 years ago, ffs

Faerie non-talk

Tiernan <3

Jude’s myth is an interesting side not on what she's been up to since TQoN

How is Val Moren still alive?

Jude isn’t ageing, Taryn is. Good

Chapter 17

Valerian’s half-curse is such an afterthought. Better not be an excuse for Jude to get “redeemed”

Wren is still powerfully falling apart yawn

The question idea is quite clever, go queen

Chapter 18

T and H romance <3

Oak learns that the Ghost was the one killing Liriope

Wren tries to warn Oak again

They had sex, probably, I truly don’t care. Now if T&H had sex on page...

Chapter 19

Oak is upset with people about the Ghost

He doesn’t truly understand that Jude wasn’t motivated by position primarily but by fear. I find what he knows or not about his sister very inconsistent

Oak doesn’t like Tatterfell? I always knew I didn’t like him.

Jude has a normal hairstyle. Thank you to the writer and the gods

Lady Asha is one of the conspirators, my money is on it

Oak seems to know WAY more about what happened to Jude in the trilogy than in previous chapters

Yeah, yeah, Wren is veeeeeeery powerful, we get it

Back to the Ghost plot. And he is dead

Beginning of Chapter 20

WTF. Why don’t the rulers of Elfhame have proper magic in this? Jude could wake up the Roach a decade ago and drink buckets of poison, why wouldn’t she try to heal Garret? Oh, sorry, it would get in the way of Wren being super powerful, never mind.

Why would Cardan be happy to treefy Garret when he didn’t want to be a snake?

#the prisoner's throne #the prisoners throne

17 notes · View notes

flyhxghfalldeep · 30 days

Text

Starter for @fcdcdmcmories

"It took me forever to find you"

"i'm not sure who you're looking for, but I can almost guarantee that it's not me" Jude shook her head slightly, loosening a sigh as she tucked her stupid hair behind her ear again. Where was Tatterfell when she needed her? The imp would tsk at Jude if she could see her hair now, going this way or that in protest of it's new surroundings. She rarely thought about Oriana or her father but Tatterfell she did miss and Jude hoped she was enjoying a free life now that her debt to Madoc had been settled once and for all.

#jude duarte / folk of the air

3 notes · View notes

hufflepuff-proudbadger · 2 years

Text

New heels for the Queen

I was on my Pinterest when I saw this and I thought: "Small moment of Cardan and Jude it is then.". And here it is my sweets.

In the depths of the royal apartments, the queen out of nowhere was preparing for yet another revel that had been organised for the contempt of her extravagant husband.

Tatterfell was putting the finishing touches on her hair and at last, Jude felt the weight of Elfhame's crown on his head.

"It's time" - asking permission, granted by the imp, the queen got up and looked again in the mirror, seeing that her figure was perfect and composed, she walked to the door when her hand touched the handle, and she remembered something.

Dashing to the closet from there, he took out a box of shoes and put them on, she finally left the rooms and while walking through the corridors she could see some faeries making out and leaving the party for more fun than the music and dancing provided.

In the depths of the royal apartments, the queen out of nowhere was preparing for yet another revelation from her extravagant husband. Tatterfell was putting the finishing touches on her hair and at last Jude felt the weight of Elfhame's crown on his head.

"It's time" - asking permission granted by the imp, the queen got up and looked once more in the mirror, seeing that her figure was perfect and composed, she walked to the door when her hand touched the handle, she remembered something.

Dashing to the closet from there, she took out a box of shoes and putting them on, she finally left the rooms, walking through the corridors she could see some faeries making out when she reached the grand hall some courtiers were leaving the party to find some enjoyment on activities that the music and dance no longer provide.

Heading to the dais where the King of Elfhame had indeed already delved into the revel, his hand holding a crystal glass, so shining that she could see the red velvet wine rippling every time Cardan moved his hand, he looked like a personification of what was evil and divine in all senses of the words.

When she stepped onto the dais he looked at her and smiled mischievously and leaving the wine aside walked to her, with his outstretched hand.

"My dearest punishment where were you" - Cardan took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze - "I was concerned... and starting mourning your disappearance."

"Cardan we were together less then 10 minutes ago" - she rolled her eyes and he simply smile.

"For me, that's a severe loss... To compensate for the trouble join me in a dance, my merciless queen"

She accepts it and they walk to the floor where numerous folk gather and make space for the high king and queen.

They engage in conversation while dancing and some light touches were shared between the two, such as teased ones.

"Oh, my delightful and terrible Jude I hope for this to end for us to be together again, engaged in affection in our bedroom."

"You will have it my King when the party come to an end" - they step onto the marble dais again and Jude walking in Cardan's front made his eyes capture the golden snake of her heels curled up in her ankle when the dress was up, making easy for her to walk.

"You sure are delightful... presenting me with such good accessories"

Jude looked at him and then to the heels, and smiled.

"They are quite divine aren't they"

"When did you get them?" - the both of them sat at their respective thrones.

"On a trip to the mortal realm, Vivi took me to this shop and I couldn't tear my eyes of them the single moment I saw them"

"I certainly am flattered for you remembering me in this kind way" - Cardan whispered to Jude - "Can't wait to have you later with them in our bed"

"Oh they're not the only thing you're going to like see" - she looked at his confused face and with a hand to her mouth like they were sharing the most important secret - "It's something under this dress you would like to see too"

"Our party is over then" - Cardan says firmly and Jude just laughs.

_____________________________________________________________

Hope you enjoy it. I accept requests so f have any kind of idea share it and your wishes can be fulfilled.

Till next time.

#folk of the air #the folk of the air #the queen of nothing #the wicked king #the stolen heir #the cruel prince #holly black #cardan greenbriar #jude duarte #jurdan #fluff #cardan x jude #jude x cardan #tfota #tfota fanfic

78 notes · View notes

beloved-daydreams · 6 months

Text

Folktober2023 Prompt: "My sister, the serial killer." 🔪🌼

An attempt by

Hosted by @jurdannetrevels and @jurdannet

📘 1 400+ words

😎 Characters: Taryn, Jude mention, Myriadh, Tatterfell, The Ghost/Larkin

✒️ Tags: self-reflection, sharing, sweet

📢 Summary: Taryn has made it to her sister’s place along with her attendant Myriadh. As she learns that Jude’s not home, Taryn decides to take a stroll in the palace's "garden", which is also the graveyard of Elfhame's enemies. More specifically, the ones who have fallen under Jude’s sword.

🧐 Author’s Note: Part 2 of the Taryn 3-parter I have prepared for Folktober! First part was for "Corn maze" and the third and final part will be out for "graveyard meet-cute"!

✏️✏️✏️

As we arrive at the palace, I'm immediately recognized to be the High Queen's sister. Before, clothes and crown aside, it was still sometimes a bit harder to tell, but now with the size of my belly, we are unmistakable. Myriadh extends her hand to me as I'm about to jump out of the carriage, I politely hold it, not actually putting any of my weight into it.

We pass through the front garden that is used to make all visitors fear for their life. Each spot of the garden is covered in a different type of flower which gives it a strange charm, yet knowing the reason behind such an arrangement makes the fae sweat from anxiousness. It has only been 6 months since Jude and Cardan are both reigning over Elfhame, yet all those flowers show the amount of fae Jude has killed.

All traitors and enemies. Jude is now known as the mortal high queen who ends the fae's immortalities. She has already outlived all the fae in this beautiful graveyard by killing them. This graveyard that everyone has to pass through in order to enter the palace. She was now a Queen but still very much with the spirit of a killer. Though maybe it sounds too harsh, I should say assassin since her killings supposedly have meaning. "Don't fuck with me." That's the meaning. I breathe the scent in. I love it. Myriadh is trying to keep a straight face but I can tell she feels a bit uneasy by the sight.

Well, to be fair, I also feel a bit uneasy at the sight but for a different reason. Witnessing how beautiful the fae are even after their death. Not like us, rotting corpses with no pretty flowers to grow from our bodies. The only flowers on top of our graves come from those who miss us. And by how inconsequential I am, I'm not sure if anyone other than my siblings and child will leave flowers on where I will rest. I sigh at the depressing thoughts. Pregnancy mood swings be damned. Pheromones be damned.

"Are you feeling okay, my liege? Shall we go back after all?"

"No need. It won't take long."

I make my way to some guards, they inform me that my timing is unfortunate, that my sister has left just a little while ago. Thus I ask for Tatterfell. When they invite me in, I turn them down. We make our way through the garden, I catch so many new flowers that weren't there 3 weeks ago, last time I visited. I like finding new flowers, wondering from what type of fae they're growing out of.

And before I can stop my big mouth from spilling the words, they're already out.

"I'm so envious, you know."

Myriadh blinks at me, not sure how to answer since my words are so half-assed and nonsensical. So I continue.

"Of you. The fae. You're all beautiful from the moment you're born, magnificent while you live, powerful when you die and still beautiful after death. I mean, you've been living with me for the past 4 months Myr, you've seen how bad I look in the mornings."

I think back to how Locke looked when I killed him. When yellow roses grew out of him as I tried to dispose of his body. I thought it was so unfair, he was still flaunting his superior beauty at me even from beyond the grave I wanted to put him in. I think of how I would eat those faerie fruits at his revels as if I'm a pet of a wife, a fun little human who will obey the whims of her caring husband. Oh so benevolent for marrying a human who's only redeeming quality is being agreeable. Pleasant to spend time with because she'll listen and laugh, and agree.

Myriadh gathers her thoughts, probably trying to find a proper way to answer me. I like that about her. How careful she is with words and etiquette, maybe just as much as Oriana was. I miss her.

"Although you are right, I believe humans have things that may stir up envy from the fae's side as well."

I fake a laugh like I always do. I hope it doesn't sound too bitter.

"Is that so? Tell me."

We're now standing in place, I realize this might take some time so I sit at a bench and gesture to her to do the same. She sits next to me, but not too close as a sign of respect for my personal space.

"Do you know how old I am, my liege?"

Of course I know, I remember everything I'm told.

"If I remember correctly, 120 years or so?"

Rhetorical question, I know I'm right.

"Yes. I've been trying to have a child my whole life." She pauses. Probably measuring her words again, trying to not make it sound like she's accusing me of being too ignorant, too unaware of what they might go through in their long lives. "It's something I've been yearning for, giving life. Twenty years ago I gave up and made my way to the human world where I worked at a daycare for a while, putting the little ones to sleep."

I turn my head towards Myriadh, my eyes that were focused on the garden are now observing the faerie woman who looks like she can't be older than 25. She spares me a glance, seeing that I don't look offended but rather shocked, she continues.

"Homesickness got the better of me in the end, I came back recently. And, well… my coworkers started to wonder why I didn't seem to age at all despite having worked there for 20 years."

I chuckle, this time a real laugh.

"I guess you didn't think that far ahead." I smile kindly.

"I guess not. I should've glamored myself to slowly look older and older through the years. If I had made myself suddenly look older after hearing them gossiping about it, it would've been strange." She agrees.

I see now. To her who tried to have a child for a century, I must sound quite small-minded with my beauty talk. It's not like my envy has dissipated but it's good to put things in perspective.

Far away, I see a familiar figure approaching us. Tatterfell.

I tell her about my request to have the maze around my house be eradicated. She doesn't ask me why but she notes how, although Jude isn't home at the moment, since the request is coming from me, it can be done easily. Before going back to work, she shares with me something unexpected.

"Consider visiting us more often. Although Ju- Her Highness is often busy, I suspect she misses you. I have no answer to give her every time I'm asked about your whereabouts and she has seriously considered sending some of her people to guard your household."

"... Are you sure you're allowed to tell me this?"

Tatterfell shrugs and smiles.

"So you're still more preoccupied about etiquette than your sister's care for you. That's good to see, Oriana would be proud of the consistency."

I blush. I know this is not a jab at me since Tatterfell isn't the type to do so and she must truly believe the words she's saying, coming from her mouth this is not sarcasm. Yet I feel embarrassed at the idea that I haven't changed all that much.

Tatterfell leaves us be. I suppose it might be good to go back now.

As we're walking back to the carriage with slow steps, Myriadh looks as if she wants to tell me something. I welcome her to do so.

"Well, about before-"

Her sentence is cut short as a figure is suddenly in front of us. As if it materialized out of thin air. Myriadh jumps in front of me in a protective manner, she's about to open her mouth, letting her voice put the creature to sleep. But having the time to process the sight, I quickly realize it's not a creature.

"Wait!" The indistinct voice begs. I hold Myriadh's arm, a sign for her to hold on.

Hood down, mask off, the individual suddenly becomes recognizable to us. Jude had gifted the court of shadows some masks that can blur their presence. I realize now this is what it was. The faerie, or rather, the half-faerie standing in front of us is actually Larkin. Better known as the Ghost amongst his "fellow colleagues" if we can even consider spying and killing as work.

He shoots a smile at me, a tense one. And suddenly, I’m not so sure on how to act anymore.

✏️✏️✏️

I’m excited about the next and last part!!! (For obvious reasons at this point.) Let’s say that the "character interactions" I wrote for the next part were... interesting to figure out? 😂 I’m quite pleased with it although I know it won’t get much traction since the central character in this is Taryn 🫠 It’s okay girlie, if no one’s here, I’m here!

Please leave comments/tags!!! 💖

#the folk of the air #tfota #taryn duarte #jude duarte #tatterfell #The Ghost #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #fanfiction #join the revel 👻🎃#jurdannetfolktober2023 #jurdannetrevels #jurdannet #beloved daydreams

14 notes · View notes

tfotababe · 2 years

Text

Synopsis: Jude Duarte thinks she is poisoned. She feels sick? It must be the poison. She eats more? It must be because the poison made her weak. She missed her period? Yeah, must have been the poison. Was she poisoned? You guessed it! No! Word count: 1, 517

Jude, after being costumed into a silk maroon robe, promptly excused Tatterfell. Indisposition almost instantly returned to her system after she left the water. Too many had seen her weakness and she wished for no more to see her in such a state.

She not so elegantly plopped onto the bed. The soft mattress and the cotton sheets quickly soothing her to sleep. "My beloved wife, must you really lay like that?" But, weak are the cushions against the voice of her inamorato. "Cardan..." Jude pushes herself up onto her elbows. Seeing her betrothed, she immediately feels heat crawl into her cheeks. How late he noticed my abandon of the revel. The red went back to wherever it had come. "The night is young. I doubt you had concluded that bacchanal celebration. I am fine, you should get back to the revel and perform your duties as the host." Her appearance she could keep inoffensive, her tone, however, did not have the same guise. "Have you become a terrible liar or have I become so great at discerning your lies to your truths?" Cardan laughs, striding nimbly over to his better half. Jude frowns, "Think what you will." "With pleasure, my lovely Mrs." Cardan greets Jude with a peck to her lips with which she answered with an unkind moue. "Where did you learn that term?" Jude asks as her husband tries to kiss away the crease of her brows. "I heard Vivi call Heather Mrs. Duarte, I figured it is what a married pair calls each other. You, are my Mrs. Greenbriar -- that is if you'd allow it." Jude rolls her eyes in an attempt to stop a grin. Cardan had sat down on the side of the bed, putting his hands beside her hips trapping her between them. "Go back, I truly am fine. You should enjoy the leisure." Now, Jude had faced Cardan. Planting a few pecks on his lips and cheek. "Answer me first. Do you accept my calling you Mrs. Greenbriar? My Mrs. Greenbriar?" He asks, keeping up the feverish gaze he had fixated on Jude. "We had been married beyond a decade. You had always had the right to call me your Mrs." She mentions in a matter-of-factly way. "I speak not of my right but of whether you find being Mrs. Greenbriar agreeable or not." He clears, letting the feverish gaze become more fierce. Jude is felt her qualms leaving her. "Yes. I find it agreeable." She leans over but pauses and cuts the contact. "Go back now. Our subjects are waiting." "Lies. You want me to stay." He says almost comically deadpan, smirk spreading over his lips. Silence. " Mrs. Greenbriar, Fine? Enjoy the leisure? You say that to me when, while trying to stand you had fallen back? Should I really enjoy ease and relief when my dearest, most cloying poison sat on the throne, eyes closed, face growing paler?" After a few moments of looking in each other eyes, he finally decides to hold his wife in tight hug. Rolling the two of them over so they lay on their sides. Jude could smell him. Packed soil and a lingering scent of wine. She found it most comforting. "I assure you, oh, esteemed High Queen of Elfhame. I left our dear subjects after announcing they could enjoy the 'debauch' by themselves as I would be heading to my wifey." He utters in her hair. Letting himself get a whiff of the lavender fragrance mixing with an earthy scent and another he couldn't quite place. "Wifey? Did you also hear that from Vivi and Heather?" Jude looks up to meet his eyes. "Indirectly, yes." "Indirectly?" "Through a mortal film." "Really..." Slowly their conversation becomes more and more hush until only Cardan was wakeful. After participating in all the frolicking, he presumes he smells corrupt. However, he wishes not to wake his wife. Looking at her, he realizes her calm might be his most unpleasant venom. It could drive him mad, how still very pernicious she looks even in her slumber. Admiration filled his head, spilling from his thoughts and eyes, rocking him to sleep. ~~~~~ Nausea.

Pushing the weight away from her body, she bolted to the lavatory. "Jude…" Her husband called to her, voice muffled. She tried to reply but it only made the her body convulse in a more violent manner. "Jude…" Cardan's voice got closer, added concern evident. He rubbed her back in comforting circles, pulling her hair back the way he saw in the film Vivi had shown him. "I'll be calling physician. This is not the first time and I worry that you have caught a mortal disease." Jude wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. Standing up and heading to the tub of water that is always prepared for the use of the King and Queen. "No." She declared, looking back at her spouse when she felt as fit to be seen as she can be after hurling bile into the toilet, certainty evident in her voice. "Jude." Cardan's voice came out forceful. "You are strong, to that I could personally attest to. However, I long to have my Queen for as long as I live. If you won't take care of her, let me." "Cardan. I'm fine." She wears the scowl she knows he turns hesitant toward. Opposed to the effect she wanted though, he only got more provoked. "Stop. Lying." He steps closer toward her, grabbing her arms. "If you are not comfortable with a different fae, I will call Liliver. If you don't wish for her, I will call on Taryn, Vivi or a mortal doctor if you want. I will call for help whether you want it or not." To that Jude didn't reply to. She knew it would be futile anyway and vomiting when she hadn't had anything for the past ten hours, had exhausted her. "Fine." She admits defeat That's too easy. Cardan thought. "However." There it is. He straightens himself. "However?" "I need to talk to Fand. If I don't get her report, I won't be seeing anybody." The Queen sets her conditions, The King obeys. ~~~~~ "My Queen." The knight greets the woman she serves. "Tell me. What of the girl? The cup? Did you find anything suspicious?" The Queen asks, making sure to be cautious with her words. She would rather deal with the King bringing in people to bustle about her than have him disturbing the peace of the palace for a sudden interrogation. She glances beside her, to the King; a silent warning to not mention anything of poison. "Ah.. The girl is fine. The cup had not been tampered with either." She hesitates before speaking. The King's eyes narrow with suspicion. Still, he asks none of his questions. Whatever it is, he trusts his Queen. "Very well. Go back to what you had been doing." The Queen tells her personal knight. Fand bows and leaves the room. Jude had many queries. Before she could process all of them though, the King had already made a fuss about getting a physician, writing letters to the Queen's sister and shouting orders to bring more cushions and blankets. ~~~~~

A physician, Vivi, Heather, Oak, Taryn, Taryn's daughter, Amelia, and the King are surrounding the Queen. Really, it was quite a sight. A comical one. "Auntie Jude… Are you alright?" Amelia asked Jude who was currently laying down on the bed, blankets and cushions around her body. She was fine until they decided wrapping her in a blanket and laying her down was a good idea. It was far too hot but since she could lie, why tell the truth? "Yes, I feel alright Lia. If there's anything wrong, the doctor would tell me about it." Jude smiled at Amelia. Even she herself didn't know she could give such a smile. How she was able to give something she didn't have, she didn't know. "It's just morning sickness." The physician finally said. "Morning sickness? Is it an Ailment that develops in the morning?" Vivi's mouth gaped open, Heather squealed, Oak looked up from the device he had in his hands, and Taryn held her youngest sister's hand, muttering congratulations repeatedly. Amelia copied her mother. Jude and Cardan? Well, they didn't understand what all of that meant. The physician understood the regard with which the King and Queen gave him and explained that the Queen is likely with child.

Jude looked at her husband. Cardan looked at his wife. Everything around them stopped. the way it would in films.

If it was possible for happiness to overfill a creature, that was how Cardan felt. He had always envied people who had children, wondered how it would be to take care of a child of his own. Fantasize about how him and Jude together would look like. And now, now he would see the mini them. He could take care of his own child. He was going to be a father.

Tears welled up in Jude's eyes. It was happy tears, she was sure. Afterall, every so often, when her day was rather somber, she wonders if she was barren. She had always envied Taryn for having Amelia. But now, now she was going to have her Amelia. She had a life inside her. She was going to be a mother.

[ <- Prev || Next -> ]

#I decided to make it a theeshot (is that a word?) because tumblr just won't post the whole thing together.#We're having trouble processing your post -- What d'ya mean?#Anyway #jurdan #jurdan baby #cardan greenbriar #jude duarte #the folk of the air #holly black #judecardan #tfota #the queen of nothing #folk of the air #jurdan fanfic #jurdan supremacy #prince cardan #jude x cardan #king cardan #high queen jude

39 notes · View notes

cardudescrown · 7 months

Text

Duarte Twins goes running to Tatterfell

8-year-old-Taryn: Jude called me the B-word!

Tatterfell: Jude, what is the matter with you?!

8-year-old-Jude: But motherfucker doesn't even start with a B

#jude duarte #the wicked king #jude x cardan #tfota #the cruel prince #cardan greenbriar #jurdan #the queen of nothing #holly black #cardude

77 notes · View notes

cruelprincae · 5 months

Text

@bcbliophile sent from “SUNDAY” THEMED PROMPTS

bath: for our muses to share a bath together.

Beringed and slender fingers undo one-half of a ram's braid, held together by numerous pins and jewellery that confine the brown, curly strands of hair into such a faerie-like shape that he places upon the extravagantly carved stand to their right before proceeding to repeat the same motion to the other. At first, though held by nothing in particular, the hair remains upright and points in many different directions before it begins to unravel and slides down bare shoulders, directly into the lavender and petal-adorned water of the bathtub, wetting only the rough ends of its very tip.

He should probably trim those, Cardan thinks as his hand gently combs through the long strands from the top to the floating ends. Tatterfell, the maiden imp tending to Jude's needs since the moment she entered Madoc's stronghold and to this very day still in the Palace of Elfhame, has taught him how to style hair into the sophisticated faerie-like ram horns that Jude fancies as per his request ― something she was particularly begrudged about, deeming that her services were much needed somewhere else rather than playing hairdresser with the High King, in her exact words ― and though Jude has allowed him to braid her hair each evening ( possibly to avoid Tatterfell's irksome-spoken advices ), he much doubts his wife would let him near herself with anything as remotely dangerous as a well-sharpened pair of scissors. Though she has proven she loves him and trusts him, despite all odds, her trust apparently does not extend that far and Cardan would be a fool to press his luck further than he already has.

Albeit she has refrained from murdering him during the events of the coronation, the Fae is near certain that if he dares to do so much as destroy her hair, the one asset Jude uses as a way to make herself look as one of the Fae, he would not live to see the next dawn.

Still, he finds himself wishing to try. Perhaps it is those games, the spark of danger that keeps the passion ignited between them like burning coals, and Cardan would not wish to have it any other way.

❛ I will be very frank and admit that when you walked in naked and proclaimed you wished to take a bath with me, I much hoped it would not be a bath in the literal sense. ❜ The High King hums as long digits gather the brown curls in his grasp and carefully move them over one shoulder, to reveal further of her exposed back. Seated in between his legs, the water of the glass-strained bathtub reflects against her olive skin like a thousand little diamonds and bounces around in small dots of light similar to the flying pattern of sprites, revealing ever so slight cuts and scars that he assumes are a result of her long years of training by Madoc's side or the battles she has thrown herself into with little other than a thought. Absolutely beautiful. Leaning in closer to her body and allowing his hands to rest upon her forearms, Cardan presses his lips against the surface of her neck, tracing soft and feeble kisses down and across her shoulder blades, in a way that he leaves not an inch of skin unattended. ❛ There is time yet until the revel tonight. I urge you to reconsider. ❜

#bcbliophile #( bcbliophile | jude )#( 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐈 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 ┊ main )#( this was so old but i did it regardless enjoy <3

1 note · View note

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

court-of-forever-undone · 3 years

Text

How Am I Going to Tell Him?

Jude x Cardan Fan Fiction | | Part 11 of 11

Summary: Jude has been feeling sick for a few days. The flu? Poison? It takes Taryn only a minute to realize the cause: The High Queen is pregnant.

Read on AO3 -> “How Am I Going to Tell Him”

Masterlist

Rating: T

Chapter 11: A Special Delivery

Jude’s screams shook through the palace. Her labor had drawn in dark clouds over the kingdom, but it did not dim the excitement that felt almost tangible in the air.

At first Jude had tried to bite her lip through the painful contractions, but once she began to taste blood she could not help but yell through the pain. Cardan was beside her holding her hand through the process, looking equally terrified as he was fascinated, which only irritated Jude as she tried to listen to Tatterfell’s instructions on when to push and when to breathe.

She had only been pushing for an hour, but for Jude it felt like an eternity. At this point, she would have preferred to be sliced through again than to deal with the ongoing contractions.

“My Queen, one final push, I can see the child.” Tatterfell instructed.

The last of Jude’s screams echoed the small chambers as Tatterfell pulled the newborn into a blanket, as another nurse cut the umbilical cord. Jude fell back onto the bed, her face flushed and dripping in sweat.

Cardan kissed Jude’s sweat covered forehead. Even though she might have fractured a few bones in his hand, his face did not show it. The king was beaming with pride and what seemed to be disbelief, as his eyes shifted between his beautiful wife and the child now in his arms. He brought the child down into Jude’s chest.

The baby girl was wrapped up almost like a present, the best present she could have imagined. Her head was already covered in long black hair, just like Cardan’s, but when she opened her eyes Jude saw the child had eyes like fire. The outer irises were black, but inside was a beautiful brown with flecks of gold. Her face was beautiful even as a loud wail escaped the newborn’s lips.

All of her fears seemed to melt when she held her in her arms. Everything she had gone through had been building to this moment.

“You are amazing, Jude,” Cardan murmured lovingly, bringing his hand to rest behind the newborn’s head. For the briefest moment, Jude broke her gaze from the baby to look at her husband. The look on Cardan’s face was one that she had never seen before. He had tears in his eyes with a gaze so soft as he admired the bundle. When the newborn grabbed his finger, Jude watched him come undone; an audible gasp escaped his lips.

She knew in that moment that Cardan would walk to the ends of the world, twice, for the daughter in their arms; as would she. Their daughter was already loved so deeply by both of them.

The tender moment was broken, by another contraction. Jude tensed, letting Cardan scope the newborn from her arms, as she gripped the sheets of the bed.

“It is not over yet, there is another coming, my Queen.” Tatterfell said from the foot of the bed, examining her.

“WHAT?” Jude screamed, looking wild with her flushed face and hair already matted against her forehead with sweat from the first delivery. She looked to Cardan to see his reaction, but what she found almost sent her into a blind rage.

There was no shock in Cardan’s face, rather a nervous grin, as he looked at her, then back at their child in his arms. Their first child.

He knew. Of course he knew.

“WHEN I SAID I WANTED IT TO BE A SURPRISE, I MEANT THE GENDER NOT THAT I WAS CARRYING TWINS.” Jude roared.

Before she could curse Cardan for keeping the secret, another contraction rippled through her body. Tatterfell went back to instructing Jude and sent the other nurse to grab another blanket.

When a third nurse tried to take the newborn from Cardan, he refused, waving her away without room for discussion. Instead, he took a chair next to the bed, holding the baby girl in one hand and comforting his wife with the other.

This time, Jude’s wails were accompanied by another screaming voice. Cardan cooed the baby, while Jude continued to push their second child into the world.

With a final push, Tatterfell wrapped the bundle and brought the newest baby into Jude’s arms.

This time it was a baby boy, with tufts of hair the same brown as her own. Tears fell from Jude’s eyes as the baby was given to her; partially from exhaustion, but mostly from the overwhelming love she felt for her babies. She held him close to her chest. Cardan handed her the girl in his arms, so for the first time Jude was able to admire both of her babies in all their wonder.

While every parent believed their child was the most beautiful, the half faerie blood flowing in their veins truly made them look perfect. Tatterfell, who had delivered many babies in her time, acknowledged the beautiful twins and congratulated the couple.

The little boy resembled Jude in all ways except one; poking out from his blanket was a tiny tail with a tuft of brown hair. It fluttered around as the tiny babe looked at both Jude and Cardan with his big brown eyes.

The little girl had managed to fall asleep in Cardan’s arms despite the sounds of Jude’s labor. She had a feeling that the little girl was the one who responded so eagerly to Cardan’s touch in the later months of her pregnancy.

“Are there any more babies I should expect?” Jude asked, exhaustion clear in her voice.

Cardan looked at her and laughed. “Not for a few months at least.”

The smirk on his face, plus the meaning behind his words sent a wave of heat and excitement through her. However, the pain of the labor was still very real. Cardan would be lucky if she risked even sleeping in the same bed after this.

The two stayed there holding the babies for a long time before Jude began to lose the battle against the urge to sleep. Cardan was the first to notice her drooping eyelids and the way her head kept snapping as sleep tried to take her.

“I will take them to the nursery so you can rest.” Cardan said quietly.

Jude was too tired to argue. She wanted to keep holding on to their little bodies forever, but she was also partially afraid she would drop them if she fell asleep on accident. Reluctantly, she nodded and let Cardan take each of them in his arms.

Tatterfell appeared at the door and followed Cardan into the next room which was commissioned into a nursery. Jude insisted that the baby, well babies now, be kept close by even if nurses would be helping to take care of them while they were growing up.

Jude’s eyes lingered for a moment on the doorframe separating their rooms before finally falling asleep.

___________________________________________________

When Jude woke, she was alone.

“Cardan?” She called. Instead of her husband, it was Tatterfell who emerged from the nursery.

“Your majesty, it is time we cleaned you up.” The imp woman said.

Jude did not realize how sore she was until she tried to walk to the bathroom. The sight was not a pretty one, but her old nurse helped her into the bath, combed her hair into a simple braid, and dressed her in new clothes. By the time she reentered the bedroom, the servants had replaced the bed with fresh sheets and Cardan was sitting on a sofa, both babies squirming in his arms.

The sight of her new family was almost too much to bear, Jude thought she might burst into tears again at the wonderful view.

She crossed the room and took a spot next to Cardan.

“I am glad that there are two of us, because it turns out that despite having two arms, it is difficult to tend to both at the same time.” Cardan said somewhere between a joke and genuine concern. The boy had started to fuss, which caused his twin to let out a wail as well.

Jude reached for a baby, grabbing the girl. She rocked the little one until her cries stopped. Pressed against her skin, she felt her and the child both relax. Meanwhile, Cardan gently bounced the boy until he too went back to sleep.

“Well I suppose we are doing better at this parent thing than I thought,” Jude said in all seriousness.

Cardan slid closer to her. In return, Jude leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent mixed in with the smell of newborns. So much had changed in less than a day and things would keep changing.

“I suppose it is time to decide on names.” Jude said with a sigh.

Cardan mimicked her sigh, teasing her reluctance. “I suppose it is. Shall I name this one and you name that one?”

Jude thought about giving him a sour look, but was still too tired to put up much of a fight. Instead she said, “Sure, especially since I had only planned on us having to figure out a name for one.” She would not be letting that go anytime soon. “What will we call that one?”

Cardan perked up at her answer, clearly expecting her to have refused and surprised when she didn’t. Cardan’s eyes fell to the sleeping child. Jude had never seen him look so innocent as he did looking at their children. Any trace of the cruel prince she once knew was gone. He was completely captivated in their presence.

“Do you like the name Ellis?” Cardan finally asked, looking uncharacteristically timid. “It reminds me a bit of the name Alice.”

Jude looked at the child, and nodded with a smile. “I think it is perfect.”

Ellis. His soft features so much like her own. There were so many things she hoped for him. Hopefully, his and his sister’s lives would be much easier than her or Cardan’s had been.

“Now to name this one,” Cardan murmured.

Jude thought through the short list of names that she had come up with, but realized that none of the names seemed to fit the beautiful baby that resembled so much of Cardan. Jude thought of the child’s fire like eyes and knew the name that would fit her.

“Ember.” Jude said at last. Cardan smiled widely and nodded.

“It suits her well.”

Cardan pressed his lips to the top of her head, both of them savoring their first moments of parenthood together, when a loud knock at the door interrupted their thoughts.

Before either could say anything, the door swung open and in came Oak holding a dozen floating balloons. Behind him was Taryn and the Ghost with her niece at their feet looking around curiously. The Ghost looked a little out of place holding a bag that said “Congrats!” with a picture of a pacifier on it, but his presence next to Taryn had become a new normal.

Behind them came Vivi and Heather, between the two of them they had nearly 12 bags of all sizes hanging off their arms. Following up the back was the Roach and the Bomb, who also held what appeared to be presents in their hands, although theirs were wrapped in beautiful cloth obviously not bought from the mortal world.

“Congratulations!!” Vivi and Oak yelled at the same time before Taryn and Heather both made shushing noises for them to be more quiet so they wouldn’t disturb the baby.

It was at that moment that the room realized that not only was Cardan holding a baby, but Jude was as well.

“TWINS?” Screamed half the crowd, the other half too shocked to speak.

“Did you know?”

“Why didn’t you tell me!?”

“They are so beautiful.”

“Why don’t they look the same like Jude and Taryn?”

“We should have brought more gifts.”

Cardan and Jude tried their best to answer the bombardment of questions. While a part of Jude missed the quiet silence from a moment ago, she could not help but laugh at the scene.

Taryn took a spot next to her, admiring the babies.

“Congratulations, Jude. They are wonderful." After a moment, she looked at Jude and asked, "How are you feeling?”

Jude smiled at her sister. “Thank you, I am doing okay. Honestly, better than okay. It seems surreal,” Jude admitted, pulling the baby closer to her. “Thank you for your help over the last few months.”

Taryn smiled, taking a hand to brush Ember’s dark hair. Jude motioned to Taryn to hold the baby, which she quickly accepted, pulling the baby into her arms. Of everyone in the room, Taryn had the most experience with babies after having her own. Jude trusted her sister even though her heart already ached from being away from her babies.

Oak popped up in front of them, leaning over to see the babies faces with a wide smile. “So one of them will become king or queen right? Now I don’t have to?”

“When the time comes you can make your decision,” Cardan said with an earnest smile. “There will be no plot to stick an unwanted crown on your head.”

He voice dropped to barely a murmur no longer speaking to anyone but Jude. “Although it certainly can bring some amazingly unexpected outcomes.”

Jude’s heart fluttered when he broke his eyes away from the babies to give her a quick wink.

Everyone took turns fawning over the tiny babies who were now awake from the sounds coming from the large crowd.

As Jude looked around at all the faces of the room, she remembered how isolated her life had been only a few years prior, struggling every hour to grasp at any power she could find. She had her family, but even then she never felt safe. Now, she no longer felt alone. The room had their fair share of betrayals, some larger than others, but somehow everything came to be. Her eyes went from her siblings to the Court of Shadows to the babies and finally Cardan; once her enemy, now so much more.

Danger would always be present, but at least in this moment they were all able to celebrate together.

When she looked at Cardan, she had a feeling he felt the same way.

_____________________________________________________

A short epilogue

A few months later...

“Jude! Come here quick!” Cardan’s voice shouted from the parlor.

Jude was on her feet immediately and ran to see what was wrong. Cardan had been in with the twins for a considerable amount of time, but Jude had not heard anything and assumed all was well.

When she came into the parlor, she was not prepared for the sight before her.

Cardan, dressed in an elaborate outfit as usual, but what caught her attention was the carrier of sorts around his torso, with Ellis strapped to the front of his chest with Ember strapped onto his back. Cardan was beaming and both babies were giggling as they bounced around the room.

When he saw Jude, he quickly waived both hands in front of him. “Jude, look! No hands!”

Jude’s mouth was agape. “Where did you get such a thing?” She demanded, beginning to worry how safe it was and if she would have to catch a falling baby.

Cardan seemed to not share any of her concerns as he continued to move about the room, lightly bouncing with each step which caused both babies to screech with happiness.

“It was a gift from Vivienne. It came this morning. I had a servant help me strap it on.” He explained.

Well, at least the servants secured it. Vivi had periodically sent over gifts from the mortal world and many of them proved to be very useful, although some of the noise making ones had already “accidentally” gone missing. At least this didn’t appear to make sound.

“Isn’t it wonderful Jude? I could hold a goblet in one hand and waive away the Living Counsel with the other. In your case, I suppose you could hold a sword in one and a shield in the other.”

Jude couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe you’re right. Think of the potential. Maybe I will take the twins into the next battle or later night adventure.”

Cardan looked up in horror, afraid she had taken his joke literally.

A large smirk spread like wildfire across her face, revealing her true intention. Cardan recovered quickly from his shock, wearing his own grin.

"Forever, so cruel," he said as the twins giggled from their harnesses.

It seemed that they would never stop torturing each other, they just found new ways to do it.

152 notes · View notes