𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒 talia even more than the fact that he is willing to meet someone who had the urge to feed on him , maybe even kill him . ❛ what ? what are you talking about ? of course you are lovely . ❜ and she is not just saying that to cheer him up . ❛ you are a wonderful person . . . and i am not the only one who thinks so . ❜ clearly . his date stopped himself and agreed to have dinner instead — even if she is mostly referring to his friends . ❛ even if it was dangerous , it doesn't mean it's doomed . it could turn into a story you tell your children someday . ❜ the dragon tries to cheer him up , though she might not be particularly successful . ❛ that cannot be easy . being new to this and alone at the same time . . . but it makes it even more impressive that he stopped for you . ❜

his head shook once, a quick motion from one side to the other. he twitched slightly, imperceptibly; easy for talia to miss if she hadn't been looking. "i'm not lovely." how could he be, with the wolf in his veins, with his eyes turning to slits whenever the moon was full and bloated in the night sky? koda knew who he was—what he was—but he hadn't seen it, hadn't witnessed the crack of his spine or the half-human, half-animal howls. neither had talia. she knew the jasper that was painted on, presented for twenty-eight days in a month. he wondered which jasper was the real one. the human or the beast. "you're right to be cautious. i suppose it was a little dangerous . . . to go and give my phone number to someone who introduced himself after trying to kill me." his hand raised to tangle in the nest at the back of his head, tangles of grey-streaked brunette. "he's a vampire. a new one. i think . . . i think he's alone out there."

𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐓 her cousin , not entirely sure where to start . ❛ something smells delicious . ❜ she announces instead . . . and it is the truth , even if that statement also buys her a little more time . the dragon shifts uncomfortably during the silence that follows and she realizes that time is not going to make it any easier for her to talk about this . ❛ i just . . . i shifted . ❜

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍 before she calls out her name . she detects something in her cousin's voice , making her drop what she was doing ( just a little cooking ) to find her . ❛ hi . ❜ she greets , titling her head at talia . ❛ what happened ? ❜ it is hard to tell if what happened ( and she can just tell something did ) was good or bad or what .

𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 , no , but talia hopes that lychee is not going to hurt her baby sister at all . ❛ maybe we need an actual unicorn cake at the peachy dragon . show them how it's done . ❜ she announces in a playful voice , smiling when her mother kisses the tip of her nose . ❛ and i would be more than happy to . whether it's the three of us , or i watch her so you have time for yourself . ❜ for naps or anything else , really .

SHE  DOES  KNOW  THAT  LYCHEE  is  not  evil  .  “  no  ,  she  doesn’t  .  i  doubt  she’d  hurt  lacey  . certainly not intentionally .  ”  vala  nods  .  and  she  is  glad  lychee  seems  content  to  get  head  scratches  and to  sit  with  them for now  .  “  right  ?  unicorn  should  be  pastels  and  glitter  and  a  gold horn  .  this  is  …  ”  she  examines  the  brightly  coloured  cake  .  “  definitely  just  a  rainbow  .  ”  she  leans  over  and  presses  a  kiss  to  the  tip  of  talia’s  nose  when  she  scrunches  it  .  “  i  am  .  however , i  am  sure  lacey  would  love  for  you  to  come  entertain  her  ,  even  if  i  do  not  need  to  sleep  .  ”  

𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀 𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐋𝐘 disappointed , but that is not lecia's fault . she is just too curious for her own good . ❛ i understand . we all need our privacy . ❜ no one has to give up on that , just to satisfy her curiosity . ❛ you should not ever lose hope . if you feel them , they must be somewhere . and . . . i know what it's like when your own family gives up on you . it sucks . ❜ the fact that vasilkaera continued to fight for her helps , but . . . the rest hurts like hell . ❛ i agree . i will try to figure it out and i hope that these books will help . ❜

"Ah, I never reveal my secrets, maybe later now the line, but for now, that stays with me." She couldn't help but let a small chuckle escape her lips. Although she could do something horrible, she usually did something that was equivalent to playground pranks. "No, but I am not giving up hope." Her voice went a bit soft for a moment thinking about it. "Exactly, it might come down to that but that's not a bad thing at all, everything needs some sort of balance."

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 than shifting into a dragon and she can feel a sense of frustration washing over her , but she channels it to focus harder . . . and finally succeeds . a sigh of relief falls from her lips , her face flushed from the excitement of it all — until she glances down her own body . ❛ wait . ❜ naked . why on earth are they naked ? ❛ oh my god . ❜ she reaches for her own blanket , her cheeks flushing even further , painting them crimson . ❛ well , that is . . . an interesting side effect . . . ❜

minty's tail thumped lightly on the ground when talia's attention returned back to her , remaining quiet as the return shift was always the most difficult for her . now , not so much , but with how new all of this was for her friend she didn't want to be a distraction to talia while she tried to get her bearings . instead , she shifted back too ── sighing lightly as she made a toga like creation out of the blanket she'd been resting on .

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐒 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 a joke , but zion would not put it past her . ❛ i suppose that means i am going to have to banish you from hell for an entire week . ❜ he teases , voice low enough to avoid unwanted attention . the giggle that leaves araminta's lips makes him smile , but he rolls his eyes when she calls him angel face . ❛ of course i disagree with you . you should disagree with yourself . ❜ they sigh heavily , though it does not bother them quite as much as they let on . . . even if they do not agree , no . ❛ i haven't been sledding before , but sledding is an option . we have enough snow for that and you can handle the cold . the fireplace and blankets can warm you up . ❜ not to mention that being a werewolf helps as well . ❛ careful , darling . ❜ they warn when minty calls them angel yet again , but they take one of the spoons to grab a bit of the ice cream . ❛ do you want to sit down or walk ? ❜

her mouth dropped open , turning around from the register to gape at them . “ you wouldn't . i've stashed your clothes around the castle in my hidey holes . you'll never be able to find them , ” she faux cackled , it turning into full giggles at the expression on his face . “ nope ! not at all , angel face . i think it suits you very well , even if you disagree with me . as usual . ” she turns back to the cashier , handing over her card to pay and swiping a couple of spoons out of the container for the two of them . “ sliding is fun . haven't you ever been sledding before ? it's like that , minus the cold and the snow that you have to get off of you . on a mattress i won't have to clean up the oil off of the floors , but still get to slide . well , we get to slide . we've really got to work on your pop culture , angel , ” she chirps as she reaches for the ice cream , turning back now to hold it out .

𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒 the queen's very own words . it's the reason why they asked , instead of making assumptions . ❛ if you are lucky , you will never know . if the fates decide to sing a different song , you might get a taste of it . ❜ something that the two of them discussed before : they are realistic , but do not wish to see an end to their relationship . it is beautiful to witness something that could last . . . it is infinitely rare , after all . ❛ no . this is not up to me . ❜ as king , zion could take control of it , but there are souls that are better suited for the task . ❛ let us call it a council . a handful of trustworthy and - more or less - neutral beings with enough experience for a fair trial . i do not see a need in punishing souls who do not deserve it . i have said it when we met for the first time and i will say it again : i wish to create a balance . the underworld is not a place of eternal suffering for those that deserve to heal , or those who strayed from the right path . the prison of damnation is used for pure evil , your majesty . free any of them and they would channel their anger to do worse than they have already done . does that sound like we are making a mistake , imprisoning them ? ❜

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 of how casually zion speaks of their relationship , as if he knows them so personally . but it really only speaks to the age and wisdom of the king . ❛ i suppose we will never know either way . ❜ where would auraline and leopold be if it wasn't for the pain of being apart — would they have their beautiful princesses ? would she have become queen of the fae , him the king ? it is hard to say . while auraline does not like the cold , the heat of tatarus brings discomfort as well ; the queen keeps a tight hold on her husband as she listens ( and looks ) at zion . ❛ who decides a souls fate ? you ? ❜ how much does one have to sin to end up here — caged , punished , whatever it may be . she understands the world is not black or white , but her question still stands — who decides what colours a soul faces in the afterlife ?

𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐓'𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒 them . she speaks her mind , which is unlike most creatures that find themselves in death's presence . ❛ that implies that i have a choice whilst doing my job . ❜ there are not a lot of beings that would be able to control them and yet , they are tied to the fates — just like any other being in this universe . ❛ i have taken from everyone and my feelings do not matter . kaladhar knows this . once your time runs out , it runs out . anyone who gets close to me is forced to accept that . ❜ which is why zion rarely allows people to get close . most of them cannot handle it . a chuckle rumbles from their throat and they shake their head . ❛ i intervene when it is absolutely necessary , nothing more , nothing less . ruling the underworld does not mean i want full control . besides . . . some cards simply have to be played . even if i do not agree with the deck . ❜

𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄 to earn the king of the underworld's trust ? lust is not so sure , even if she does believe they are being honest . luckily for them , decapitation ( in any public form ) wouldn't phase many demonic beings down in the underworld . ❛ smart enough to put your relationship before his children ? ❜ she asks ; she knows kaladhar's friendship with zion is ancient , but if it came down to it who would they chose — the sins or death ? she honestly doesn't know . ❛ honesty ? that's it ? ❜ again , her skepticism has nothing to do with zion themselves , but rather their environment . ❛ you don't care what cards are play as as long it's open ? ❜

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 far from satisfying , but death cannot say that her vagueness surprises them . the medicis have always been a rather private family , haven't they ? ❛ there are millions of words to describe your experience in this realm and you choose lively . ❜ a dry chuckle leaves their lips as they continue to lead the nephilim through hell . ❛ is it because i am the one who is asking , or are you that unsure about liking it ? ❜ rumor has it that a soul that has been touched by death would always long for them , even if their life is filled with happiness . . .

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒 of the nephilim that words of warning often fall on deaf ears . not because she isn't cautious ( and not because she doesn't appreciate warnings because it normally comes from friends and family ) but because her confidence in her abilities do have the potential to blind . ❛ fine . ❜ she almost leaves her answer as simple as that ( would death accept such a response ? ) before deciding to colour her words a little . ❛ it certainly more lively than the empty . ❜ a joke . . . she is joking with death themself . who would have ever thought .

𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐍 death's features , even if it may be hard to detect . ❛ that child knows you well . ❜ although it makes them wonder . . . does said child know gluttony , or the woman that the sin possesses ? which leads to more questions : does she know who she's talking to ? ❛ that is sad . i do not care much about food , but some of them sound delicious . ❜ zion hums as he accepts the box from her , opening it to take one of the eclairs out of it . he studies the sweet treat for a moment before he takes a bite , humming at the taste . ❛ not bad . ❜ not as good as ice cream with hot fudge , but . . .

“ no , not at all . i don't like textures of certain foods . that includes things like danishes , gushers , eclairs , jelly filled donuts , ” she listed , camden adding a couple of other things that he'd seen her not eat quietly next to her ear . “ exactly , those too . and not even cannelloni , ” they confirm . though it may have been odd given their vessel's chosen occupations in life , but none were listed as dessert choices in their restaurants either . “ here you go . you may enjoy it . ” aisha offered out the boxed treat for them again .

𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐇𝐀𝐑 , the hint of an amused smile on their lips . ❛ i suppose you should . . . after a long shower , maybe even a bath . forgive me for saying so . ❜ a tease , but having some time to himself will do his friend some good — even if his conversations with the deadly sins are of great importance . ❛ the underworld hardly even existed anymore . souls found themselves in the wrong places , bargains were struck without approval . ❜ but things had to get messy enough for them to step in . death is supposed to be neutral , after all . if they usurped the throne to soon , it would have upset the balance of nature even further . ❛ you do not have to thank me . we work with each other , not for each other . don't we ? ❜

❛ 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄́ . ❜ he says . zion is not wrong — the devil would not hold such mundane nectar within his collection . this time , when the glass touches his lips again , he takes a sensible sip , intently listening to death . ❛ i see . . . perhaps it is time i have a chat with them . ❜ soon ( once he is less groggy ) and particularly with his children who have not reclaimed their house . ❛ but good . i'm afraid my actions left our underworld vulnerable . thank you for piecing it back together . ❜ it is not something he would admit to anyone else , but death was his confidante ( more than that ) and he is grateful for everything they have done .

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐈𝐒𝐍'𝐓 simple , least of all for creatures like them . ❛ you know me . . . i'm rather selfish . ❜ she tends to take the things that make her happy , whether they are temporary or everlasting . emilian knows that and they try to find solutions that allow both of them to find those bits and pieces of happiness , despite any difficulties they are facing . those words cause her to smirk and she tilts her head as violet caresses her hand . ❛ hm . . . and how could we possibly make sure that everyone knows ? your house , his house , every part of the seven circles of hell ? ❜ kaelie leans a little closer , teeth scraping against her lower lip . ❛ how would we let them know and erase any trace of doubt ? ❜

❛ 𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 are happy . ❜ she repeats , perhaps a little sympathetic . she knows kaelie and emilian care for each other , but their relationship was not built on the traditional notion of love ; instead , through an arranged marriage and because of inês . feelings aside , it made things different , didn't it ? as soon as the unseelies finishes her drink , she is waving down the bartender to get her another . ❛ everyone should hear it . ❜ she teases ( though perhaps it's not a true tease ) . ❛ in fact , pride's house should know i am the favourite . my house should . ❜ it is rather naughty of her to say as such ; considering her brothers sin , but it's her own sin that makes her speak such truths . capturing ones passion is a vice of her house and she wants nothing more than kaelie's affection to be of her right now . jealousy or not , competition or not , violet's fingers gently caress kaelie's hand , amber eyes hold the unseelies's . ❛ and i want everyone to hear it . ❜

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 auraline's guards did not make it out alive comes as a shock . she is the queen of the seelies — she is not protected by god damn amateurs . ❛ i am sorry to hear that . ❜ she knows how much her sister cares ( a weakness , some would say ) and it would not surprise kaelie if their deaths weigh heavily on her shoulders . ❛ and i am glad that fate had different plans for you . ❜ they do not always see eye to eye , but that does not mean that she wishes her any harm . ❛ whatever it was , i wish you could have been spared from the suffering . . . you have endured enough . ❜ and perhaps auraline caused it as well , but it is clear to see that she is not a malevolent being . her lips twitch into a faint smile when their girls giggle and chase those butterflies , but her heart aches at the very same time . she never fears for her own life , but when it comes to inês . . . well . ❛ i appreciate the warning . i am going to double security at victrola and i suppose i won't evade my guards for a while . i may . . . keep my daughter out of satus vitae for a bit as well . just in case . ❜

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 are deceitful despite their inability to lie . they just know how to circle around the truth . and if anyone knows this best it is the fair folk themselves . so auraline is nothing , but grateful that kaelie puts trust in her . especially when they do not have the most colourful of relationships yet . ❛ i . . . was not . ❜ it is not a memory she wants to relive , but this is important . she almost seems to distract herself with ryella , looking down at her youngest , stroking her cheek as her daughter feeds and she talks . ❛ my guards and i were attacked on our way out of hell by a demon . they . . . they did not make it . ❜ and neither would she , if it wasn't for wrath . ❛ it could have been circumstance , but you never know with these things . ❜ it wasn't like she could ask the demon since they were now dead . auraline looks over at celeste , alina and inês who chase after butterflies ( gently , and luckily not after the blood-sucking kind ) now , giggling as they do . ❛ i just wanted you to know in case it was targeted . it could have just been against me — ❜ by the fates , that would not surprise the queen with everything she has done ❛ — but it could be us royals in general , so . . . ❜

𝐊𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 urge , but alas . . . ❛ he would be a horrible alpha if he packed his things and abandoned you . ❜ not to mention that someone would want to challenge and kill him , just to take his place . she knows that much about pack dynamics . ❛ vampire venom can make a bite feel pleasant . it does not seem to work on everyone , but . . . a lot of them get addicted to the feeling . ❜ something that she never experienced herself , but she has seen it before . ❛ your employees , right . i would have preferred to give you advice because you need it , but oh well . ❜ the faerie quips . ❛ some people enjoy being single and i do not blame them . ❜ especially when monogamy is not for everyone . ❛ it would be . in his eyes . ❜ and while that should not matter to her , it does . showing weakness to zagan could end deadly , after all . ❛ but i understand what you are trying to say and i appreciate that . i do . ❜

“ i think our alpha would rather live on a farm and be left alone entirely , and only doesn't because he knows that we need help and doesn't want young wolves to be more confused without any guidance . ” though minty could only speak from her own experiences with fahir and what he'd said to her over the years , it seemed accurate . “ honestly , i forgot that people sold vampire bites . i can't say there was anything pleasant about being bitten but maybe there are more masochists than not out there , ” though the thought of it made her visibly uncomfortable . “ probably . no two people are the same so i'd doubt very seriously if two experiences were , ” she answers with a nod . “ i asked because we were talking about my employees . not for myself , and since you've lived longer and will be around after most of us are gone i was curious . ” and minty understands kaelie's point on that easily enough that she nods . “ i get it , though i just don't think asking for help if your father did threaten you or your daughter would be taking the easy way out . ”

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒 to emilian's suggestion , humming . ❛ turning them into cocktails would certainly lighten my mood . ❜ and while some would call it psychotic , kaelie never attempted to conceal her . . . rather chaotic nature . she is her father's daughter , even if there is not a whole lot that they have in common . brown eyes land on his features when he cups her cheek and she studies him for a moment . ❛ you are very sentimental tonight . ❜ and while her voice sounds playful , she is curious about it as well . ❛ is that a part of your newfound pride , the situation of it all , or . . . ? ❜

NO  ,  IT  IS  NOT  THE  WEIRDEST  QUESTION  .  he  shakes  his  head  .  he  hasn’t  had  anything  serious  .  flings  and  no  one  truly  long  term  .  “  no  ,  of  course  he  doesn’t  .  but  i  also  pity  anyone  who  tries  to  cause  problems  for  you  .  you  could  handle  them  within  seconds  .  and  if  any  of  them  do  show  up  and  try  anything  ,  perhaps  we  just  turn  them  into  a  cocktail  for  you  .  ”  he  suggests  .  if  anyone  dared  show  up  and  risk  their  lives  because  they  thought  they  could  persuade  him  to  be  with  them  ,  he  would  not  plead  for  their  lives  either  .         he  cups  her  cheek  ,  “  because  you  are  you  .  you  are  strong  and  intelligent  and  gorgeous  and  i  am  completely  and  utterly  smitten  with  you  .  i  would  rather  go  through  every  difficulty  with  you  than  not  have  you  in  my  life  .  ”  simple or not , he would rather go through complicated with her and be bound to her , than have simple and be without her .

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐍𝐎 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 to explain something so silly , but since there is a chance that vasilkaera may feel better . . . ❛ i joked that she could be envy's or greed's daughter , because she is very envious and greedy when it comes to you . ❜ which is rather obvious : inês continues to cling to the dragon , refusing to let her go . ❛ mhm . i like her too . how could i not ? ❜ kaelie smiles at the tiny dragon in her arms . ❛ you are tempting me to steal her . not that i will , but . . . ❜

“  I  HAD  ASSUMED  THAT  MUCH  .  ”  she  is  trying  to  be  better  at  understanding  ,  and  she’s  not  really  sure  why  there  is  such  a  disconnect  .  maybe  it  is  just  how  she  is  wired  .  paired  with  how  she’s  lived  most  of  her  life  . or there's something wrong with her . maybe aspasia messed with that part of her mind , too .  she  smiles  ,  reaching  to  stroke  her  fingers  over  lacey’s  head  .  “  thank  you  .  see  ?  told  you  she  would  like  you  .  ”  she  hums  as  lacey  still  smiles  at  kaelie  .  

𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 ? if danny wished to remind him why he never liked the boy , he just succeeded . ❛ selfish ? ❜ he echoes , keeping a close eye on him . ❛ did you honestly just say that getting sick is selfish ? ❜ a healthy , stable person is so much more unlikely to develop an addiction . that should say it all . ❛ let it ? no one lets it happen . jesus fucking christ , do you ever actually talk to the people who tolerate you ? ❜ wrath scoffs while he fights the urge to fuck him up for that mindless statement . his features remain hard , but he listens when the shadowhunter finally answers . ❛ and why is that ? ❜

"I guess you can say it's a collaborative effort." He wasn't one to talk about addiction, not when he himself didn't have the experience of one, nor did he wish to do it. "I just think that you gotta be real fuckin' selfish to let it happen to you. Or I dunno..." The thought of what he would do if his loved ones were suffering and the only way he could fight for them was through something like yin fen... he would simply have to find another way. Right? "...I don't wanna think about it." Danny looked at his fingers as they fidgeted with each other in his lap, enjoying how the vampire venom in his system kept dulling his senses. It felt easier to talk about such things this way. He swallowed, then slowly opened his mouth, tone practically defeated. "I'm not sure there's a place for shadowhunters in this world anymore."