wonderland

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

his day always began the same. him waking to a world that provided a slight annoyance. be it the sun or the fact that he had slept so little. why he was annoyed didn’t always matter. simply that he was. still, Luca went about his normal business. taking care of his breakfast. a coffee, black with the barest hint of nutella to add a little flavor but not too much sweetness. his bare feet taking him through the house. cold wood floors causing a chill to roll up his spine, it was how he preferred it.

two cats followed behind him, relatively quiet. they were well aware of the fact that breakfast came after his had his coffee. a routine strangely easy to find himself in with his two furry shadows. one black. one gray. both worse for wear. he then would finish the chapter he was working on for his next book. a dark thriller. spine tingling horror. something to make people think he was a devil worshipper again.

he would move through his quiet home. before running errands and taking care of whatever else he had for the day. in truth, he enjoyed slow times. when he was young, he thrived in chaos. looked for it. if he couldn’t find it, Luca was always willing to create it. as time went by, things changed for him. he knew, it was because he walked into a certain type of life. his curiosity and the urge to have anything that was different then what he usually had. it had been so strong he was willing to kneel for it.

all it took was the right pressure of pain and his path was given to him. it was almost like he didn’t have to look. scars on his body proved how far he was willing to push to feel the rush he enjoyed. but, his hands were steady. he loved when marks were left. he was, however, careful with the flesh of others. cruel in the ways they wanted. gentle when he was finished making them cry.

that need. that hunger was what had him as a frequent performer for The Abyss. a club that catered to his particular preference. was it really too much to ask to be able to lick the tears up while they sobbed? he didn’t think so. Luca walked a very thin line. sadism was tricky. you could enjoy someone’s pain but shouldn’t allow yourself to be lost in it. comfort. love them for what they were. what they gave. they were all human and consenting after all.

his assistant confirmed the girl’s play name allowed, for the crowd to hear. Jade. from her paper work she had filled out she seemed a lovely girl that delighted in being hurt. restrained. edged to something near insanity. yes, he was in the mood for that. but he wasn’t certain he was in the mood to satisfy her. his outfit was simple. black on black. his tattoos clear on his arms as he quietly stepped out onto the stage. motioning for his partner to follow. her clothing was less. nothing but a black satin robe. barely covering anything. of course.

her neck was collarless, empty. made the beast in him purr in satisfaction. how easy it would be to wrap his around around her throat. but he was slow. allowing quiet to reign in the room after his new little pet was introduced. him, reaching for a pair of gloves, black like everything else as he slowly slid them onto his hands with a practiced ease. “i’ve heard of you, Jade,” he said lowly. his voice at a soft talking level, he would not raise it. forcing the crowd to remain quiet to hear him. hold their breaths.

“you played with one of the other masters, just days ago. didn’t?” he questioned softly, waiting for a verbal answer. his dark eyes looking across the little stage to stare at her squarely. he waited another beat of his heart before tilting his head slightly. “i expect verbal answers,” he stated while he stalked towards. there was no rush.

“yes, sir.” finally reached him. almost as if she had to cough and force it out. nervous, darling? “were those masters not good enough for? did they not satisfy you, pet?” her hesitance was too long, his gloved hand reaching outward to grasp her jaw in a grip that was meant to be painful. tilting her eyes upward to look at him.

“i wanted you, sir.” her words had something cruel twisting the corner of his lips. of course she did. of course. “you wanted to be my little whore?” he questioned, but not really. they both knew the truth. sliding his gloved hand from her jaw, he traced the soft skin of her neck before moving downward. whatever she said was muffled. whispered. that wouldn’t do. their audience couldn’t hear that.

“speak up,” he nearly growled out. “yes, sir.” was rushed out as he nodded his head. almost as if that was the most acceptable answer. simply, of course she did.

Nyx hmm’d softly, allowing it to be loud enough that it could be hear. knowing full well someone could probably hear the girl’s heart beating if they were listening close enough. “problem is Jade,” he began, allowing his hand to drop lower and grasp the tie of the robe, “i am not very sure i want you.” he admitted without a care in the world. pulling the tie open, revealing her lack of clothing underneath. oh, she really had been ready for him, hadn’t she?

“i just don’t know if you are what i want.” he continued while he circled her. pulling the robe off completely. tossing it to the side. leaving her barely bruised skin to shine under the light. oh, how gentle her other master’s must have been. “but i want to believe you can be.” was almost a whisper, like it was meant to be a secret between the two of them. the whole room could hear.

“can you be a good girl for me?” as he circled his way around her to her face once more. moving his body so achingly close she had to tell her head back to look into his eyes. a whimpered , “yes,” squeezed through her lips and it pleased him. “can you be my good little kitten?”

“please, sir.”

☼☼☼☼

As the girl, Jade, walked out to join him, Riley could already feel her cheeks begin to redden. The girl was in a robe, clearly nothing on underneath, and the blonde was trying to push back the way her skin turned warm at the idea of anyone (but mostly her if she were in such a situation) exposed in public. It was nerve-racking and shocking and for some reason made her palms sweaty. In this moment, she was glad she hadn’t left to get a drink, because she was sure that by the end of this scene, the cup would have slipped from her grip. As Nyx grabbed a pair of glove, black gloves, and spoke to the woman next to him, Riley found herself straining to hear. It was like being in a room next to a television on loud, or underwater. She could hear a murmur of sound coming from his direction, but she wasn’t close enough to make out his words.

Without thinking, without saying anything to Mika, she moved closer. Further into the crowd that had formed. She wanted to know what he said. She was so curious, that just seeing his lips move without knowing what had left them was torture. She got close enough, perhaps two to three people away from his stage, to hear the end of his sentence. Played with the other masters. So this girl was a regular here, but from the way she looked at Nyx, Riley could deduce that this was the first encounter for the both of them. Could guess the girl on stage was feeling the same stomach somersault Riley was. She wasn’t sure what it was about this man, but he drew you in. Made you listen. That was clear by the audience, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. They all wanted to see what would come next.

Perhaps it was because he did not acknowledge the crowd. In fact, he was so directly zoned in on Jade that it was almost like you had stumbled into someone’s room. A personal space you were not supposed to be in, not supposed to witness. Which made being here, and seeing what was going to happen next all the more enticing. That feeling of, this is forbidden, you should leave, kept Riley in place, dying to see what came next.

The way he stalked towards her, like a panther ready to strike. The way he addressed her, calling her pet. The way his entire being demanded a response. It caused the blonde to chew on the inside of her cheek as she watched, and silently play out the scenario in front of her, as if she was the scene partner instead. How would she respond to him, what would she say? But the way his hand reached out to grasp her jaw. The way he made her look at him, and the way his mouth curved in satisfaction as her reply, had a buzz form in the pits of Riley’s stomach. The demand he made, the name he called her, and the way his hand moved down her body? That caused a warmth to pool between her thighs. Riley had never reacted in such a way, not at simply witnessing something like this. Of course the men she had slept with in the past has made her feel anywhere ranging from just okay to pure enjoyment, none had ever turned her on in such a small amount of time and with such little action. So what was it about this that made her throat go dry.

As he pulled the robe off, told Jade he was unsure if he wanted her, the blonde found herself spiraling. What could he want? What about the woman wasn’t good enough? Was it her appearance? Was it something she had said? Was she doing something wrong? Riley knew if that was her, if he had said that to her, she would do whatever she could in that moment to be what he did want. Years of trying to fit in, to gain the approval of others and be accepted would have her using any resource her disposal to make sure she was good and right and what he needed. What he wanted.

No one had not moved from their spot. Everyone was one edge, waiting to see what he did. This performance, and Riley was no exception. She wanted to see what he would do, with the power and control.

can you be a good girl for me? He had asked Jade, but it was Riley who answered. Silently within her head. Yes. And she knew it wasn’t a like. She could be a good girl for him, if given the chance.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

it was as if the mark mocked him from its spot on his skin. in truth, it had been mocking him for years. the echoes if his father in his ears. threatening him. threatening the person, he had come to love. the first time he was willing to let riley go if it meant he could protect. a selfish move to begin all of the others that he would be making. it meant servitude. it meant an alliance down to the very soul of a person. it meant death. when his dark eyes met his wife’s, he knew she wasn’t going to turn away. wasn’t going to back down. good. that’s what he needed.

suddenly there was action. riley’s words filling the silence of the room as she instructed their children to assist her. luca could here their son, whispering to his twin under his breath. ‘wait, what are we doing? are we seriously?’ the quick ‘shush’ from the two girls had him going quiet as he moved to do what his mother said and stood next to the equally tall older man.

taking a swig of the offered alcohol he was thankful for the burn. something grounding him in the moment of his last plan. his last-ditch effort to try and put distance between him and voldemort. he was going to say his fucking name. they had discussed it years ago. before they had the twins when she was full of katerina in her belly. could cutting it off work? he didn’t know. but he knew he was willing to try. it was only within the last few months that he thought of the last piece of keeping that twisting magic away from him. a strange form of blood magic, alchemy and pure fucking will. the components in the house. the spell she would use first would be what severed it. something of his own creation. the components a bit of a potion to make sure nothing necrotic came from the mark. he didn’t know the true inner workings, so he wasn’t going to give it a chance to surprise him.

taking the towel, he put it between his teeth. he counted his breaths in. one. two. within moments she let the spell off. his ears ringing like a roar. feeling the hands of his children on him was odd, as if it could center him. it did. there was a crack of his jaw with how hard he clenched with pain. the spell did it’s job. severed his skin like a knife through soft butter. blood oozing from beneath the towel as he breathed in. the taste of metal and fabric on his tongue. spitting out the towel he nodded his head slowly.

“in the space where we hid my wand,” his voice was low, like gravel and strained. pain coating every inch of his nerves. why the fuck did he think this was a good idea? “there is a bag of components that i need -,” he paused for a moment, catching his already shallow breath. “it will help me staunch the bleeding and help with the pain long enough to prepare for the next spell,” finally made it’s way out of his mouth in his hushed breath. looking up from the blood permeating the towel, he couldn’t hide the agony as he looked into riley’s. they were a cooling ocean in his haze of pain.

“the next one takes a little time for me to prepare.” he added with a nod. the.. salve in the hidden bag would stop the bleeding, help numb the pain and let him rest while he did some forbidden magic. he had already gone to azkaban, what else could they do to him? he didn’t miss the way his children hovered or the small smile his wife offered him as she went to get what he had asked for. exhaustion clear down to her very bones. it was less then a minute for her to return with the small package.

shakily he took it from her, not making her touch the open, dripping wound on his arm. digging into the bag he pulled out the small container that housed the thick, sludge like material he needed. feeling his eldest take the small container from his hand he looked at her for a moment, her eyes boring into him the same way he was told his did to people. an intensity all christensens seemed to inherit.

nodding, he quietly he reached for the towel, pulling it away. before he could reach for the open pot of salve, katerina was already reaching towards the stump of what was his arm. the salve sitting on the skin without causing an issue, until it hit his open wound. reacting the way, he had meant it to. sizzling it burned at the flesh to stop the bleeding completely. coating it in something that looked like tar and smelled like burned wood. but it worked. the throbbing pain that thundered in his veins, eased into a throbbing numbness that had him breathing out a sigh.

“takk,” he whispered softly as he moved to lean his head against the table. ignoring the looks of his loved ones around him, luca breathed in softly, soothing his own heart. he used to whisper to katerina in norwegian, hoping there would be something to remember of him. of course, he didn’t hold on to that hope over the years, but it didn’t stop him from thanking her softly anyway.

“mitt hjerte,” he breathed in a whisper, hoping riley would hear him. it had been so long since he spoke his native tongue.

x.x.x

She could feel something stirring within her as she looked at his severed limb beneath the table, just inches away from her feet. It felt like bile, rising and threatening to escape her lips. But she pushed it down. This wasn’t the time, there was still stuff she had to do. She couldn’t break right now, now when they all needed her to play her part. Catching Luca’s gaze while he explained where the secret components for the spell were hiding, her heart clenched. There was such pain in his eyes, but not like it had been before. Before it was from years of trauma, from an abusive father and an even worse leader. Right now, it was physical pain. The slice was no joke, and losing a limb without any form of medical preparation was going to hurt. And as she noted the paleness his skin took on, she gave a firm nod before rushed out of the room to grab the objects. He was still losing blood, she needed to help to make sure her husband didn’t lose consciousness from the lack of blood.

Rumbling through their bedroom, through the case that held their most prized and coveted possessions, that once held his wand for 15 years, she found the items he spoke of. As she looked at them in her hands, she tries not to focus on the drying blood that covered her fingers and palms. Her husbands blood. She took a deep breath, to steady herself, before wiping at the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hands and rushing back into the kitchen. She was taking the items out of the bag and placing it on the table, only realizing that what he needed at the moment was a salve. One that would be difficult to apply with one hand, especially when it was his dominate hand.

Riley was about to grasp the jar and open it for him, then apply it to the wound, when another set of hands reached out before she could. Looking towards Katerina, with a deep determination on her face, Riley felt her heart soar. This wasn’t the kind of family bonding she had once dreamed of, but it was still a big step. Her children were accepting their father into their heart, and she knew he needed it just as much as they would need it. This family could be happy and beautiful, it could. She knew it. How could it not?

Bringing her arms around the twins, Riley leaned her cheek on Nikoletta’s head while her right hand moved to play with Elias’ hair. It was comforting, to have everyone under the roof. To have her children within reach and to know, at least for this moment. They were all safe.

Except...

Her eyes moved towards the dark mark that was festering and blistering the no doubt still warm skin of Luca’s left forearm. If he could have killed Luca through that mark, who’s to say he couldn’t track them here? Disrupt this moment of peace that she and her family needed? She would need to dispose of it, and soon.

But her ears picked up a melodic language, and she looked towards Luca when he spoke in his native tongue. A nickname for her, one that she hadn’t heard in years. Pulling herself away from the twins, Riley moved to Luca’s side and let her hand move along his back. Hoping to release some tension as he leaned into the table. Her hand came to rest at the back of his neck, and she rubbed soothing circles into the skin with her thumb as she crouched down to be at his level. “You’re so strong.” She breathed out, leaning in to softly kiss him behind the ear. “I love you.” She murmured, only for them, before pulling her hands away from his skin and making to grab the wicker basket under the table. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Kids, do whatever you dad asks.” With a soft smile and a stern nod, Riley turned and left through the backdoor of the cottage. 

She headed past the wards, to the nearby cliffs that dropped off yards away from the back of the cottage. Water crashed against the bottom of the cliffs and she took a deep breath of sea salt air as she lay the basket on the ground. “Incendio.” She muttered, jaw clenched as she watched flames erupt from the end of her wand and engulf the limb. The bright light of the fire warming her skin and lighting up her grim features in the darkness of the night. She waited until it was just ash that was then picked up by the violent breeze. She waited until it was all gone, before turning her back to the cliffs edge and heading back to the home.

The blonde was back in the wards, back into safety when she finally allowed herself to feel. To acknowledge the way her body ached and the way her mind was spiraling. She knew things had ended up good. Better than one would have hoped, but so much could happen at any moment. Voldemort would be out for blood, for her family. Her children were now known by the other Death Eaters, would they be safe at Hogwarts? Luca would have a bounty out on his head, no doubt. And she suspected she would as well, now that she had come back from the dead. And the Order, her family, would they be threatened? It was so much, so much to worry about and she just wanted to take her family and disappear. For once in her life she wanted to be a coward and run. But she wasn’t. Her children weren’t and neither was Luca. They had to see this through.

Moving to grab the door handle to head back into the home, she saw the red splattered across her arms and was reminded of what had just transpired. She had cut off her husbands arm, caused him pain that made her skin crawl. She paused for a moment, and moved behind the house to allow the contents of her stomach to come out. The bile was sour, and she felt her body shiver as she spit whatever was in her mouth out. There was a bucket near the wall that was filled with water from a recent storm, and Riley used the water to rinse out her mouth before scrubbing at her hands and arms as well. Until they were only red from being rubbed raw, but not due to Luca’s blood.

Sighing, she took a deep breath as her body shook and she allowed herself to sit, just for a moment. She sat in the damp grass and let her head rest against the wall of the cottage as she focused on breathing, on overcoming the anxiety that was creeping into her veins. Soon she felt arms come to wrap around her shoulders and pull her into a tight hug, and she finally allowed herself to cry. 

She had thought it was Luca, until she remembered. And so she pulled back, surprised to see her son seated next to her, silent and stoic in this moment, just like his father. “Elias... what are you doing out here?” She wondered, attempting to wipe away the tears in her eyes so he didn’t see her. “You were out here for a while, I just thought I’d check on you.” A dry chuckle left her lips as she looked at her son. “I wish you didn’t. I’m a mess right now. You don’t need to see me like this.” He gave her a soft smile before speaking. “It’s okay mom, even badasses like you are allowed to cry.” Her brows rose at the word, and this time an actual laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, so I’m a badass?” Elias looked at her incredulously. “Yeah, you are. You both are.” And the way he said it was so certain, so matter of fact. It warmed her heart, and she realized she needed to hear it. “Sweet boy,” Riley murmured, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek. “Lets get back inside, check on your dad and sisters, okay?” Elias nodded, and helped Riley stand as her body refused to do so. It was shaking from pain and trauma and adrenaline and she was thankful her son was there to let her lean on him as they walked back inside. And she let him lead her back to table, to Luca’s side. 

“How are you doing?” She asked him, hand immediately coming out to grasp his arm. To touch him. If he was in arm’s reach, you could find her holding him somehow. “What do you need me to do?” A soft kiss was left on his skin as she waited for the next round of instructions.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

there it was. the soft flush of crimson just under her skin. somedays it seemed as if there was only that glow in his life. but the rush of her heartbeat, the shift of her scent. luca was willing to believe she knew exactly what he had been referencing. well, what any human would believe him to be thinking of. the warmth of her lips. a quiver in her thighs. things he could easily indulge in and consume. even try to drown himself in for a time.

riley fitzherbert was captivating. every inch of her. from her sun spun hair, he could imagine that it glitters in the light of day. to the dainty way she shuffled on her feet when trying not to see nervous. if she had been around when he was young, truly young, he would have killed a man to keep her. razed a village if it meant he got to devour her. for the moment, however, he traced the lines of her face. a silhouette he had memorized months ago when they had begun the little dance between them. one he didn’t wish to end just yet.

he watched how her fan came to hide her face. a slight breeze, perhaps cooling to her, shifted the air so he could smell her, stronger than before, if that were possible. luca didn’t stop himself from dragging his tongue, ever so slightly, in the corner of his lips. his teeth ached with a need he knew too well, but it was dipped in something different. something that shook in the cage of his own chest. before he could make a comment on her eldest brother. something along the lines of being certain he could keep her entertained in a way her brother would approve, or in the very least something her brother wished he could do with that simpering blonde he was courting, a different scent assaulted him.

lord harrington.

the greying man’s eyes stayed on riley for the moment, while luca’s dark gaze watched him quietly. listen to how his heart sped at the sight of young skin. when the other man looked to him, well, luca couldn’t stop the tilt of his head. oh, humans. always acting as if their existence was something special. it took everything in him not to snarl. instead, he blinked slowly, watched how riley rushed to keep the man at bay. yes, he knew she was keeping him at bay. who wouldn’t be? there was a reason he was still unmarried at the age he was. unfortunately for him death hadn’t come to claim him… well, yet…

“yes, apologies lord harrington,” he spoked lowly, smoothly as he eyed the other man. instinct in him depending something he couldn’t give in the candlelight of the evening. but there was plenty of time. “i’m afraid i filled up lady fitherbert’s card a mere moment ago,” was added, an edge to his words that luca had no doubt the other man heard. if only he understood what that sharpened boundary truly meant. poor soul. “it seems her company will be mine tonight.”

taking a hand from behind his back, he held it out to her while he moved his eyes from the man near them, looking to that blue he had begun to enjoy a little too much. it was easy to imagine her in the moon light. pools of silver growing in the deepest of blue. his hand was ungloved. scandalous, he knew. if they looked carefully, they would even see the scars that littered his skin, but most humans were too distracted with his face. the tough life of an immortal and all that. luca held his hand out to her, beckoning her to be his for the evening. truly daring her. 

“lady fitzherbert?” he tilted the end of his words like a question. are you ready my dear? shall we dance? shall we take our leave? will you be mine?

As Lord Christensen spoke, completely cutting off any hope Lord Harrington had at dancing with Riley for the evening, the blonde felt herself swooning. It was as if he was one of those white knights she had read about in storybooks, come to save her from the wretched sorcerer. How had he known she had only one spot left, practically begging for his name to be written there? Perhaps he didn’t, perhaps he was just taking a chance. A bold one, but it warmed her.

‘Her company will be mine tonight,’ he had said, and it was exhilarating. She would very much like to be his, in any and every way she could be. Whatever he needed or wanted out of her, she’d be.

Maybe this would be the night when it all changed.

“Of course, My Lord.” Gracefully taking the hand he had held out towards her, Riley tried not to outwardly gasp as the warmth she felt from his bare skin against her silk gloves. She had never noticed his lack of gloves before, most likely due to the fact that he always seemed to hold his hands behind his back, but she could almost hear the whispered from scandalized mama’s nearby. She would not let their comments reach her ears, instead she would focus on her breathing as the two walked towards the dance floor.

Riley had caught her mother’s eye as they got into position, and it was a knowing glance that made her shake her head only slightly. “I do believe,” she started as they began to sway, bodies closer than ever before, heat emanating from her lower back where his other hand held her. “And I shall deny it if you ever repeat this, but I’m almost certain that was all planned out by my mother. She knows I am uninterested in Lord Harrington, so why send him our way? Not quite as sneaky as she should like to think.”

Looking away from her mother, Riley turned her attention back to Lord Christensen. “Regardless of how this dance came to be, I’m thankful it has begun. And thankful you came to my rescue. I do not think he would have let me go unless you interrupted. Of course I could always fake a headache and depart the ball early, but I’m most excited for what the night will bring.” For whatever she was to experience with him. There were still too many people around, but hopefully soon they could escape somewhere to be alone. It was scandalous of her to even consider the idea of being alone with him unsupervised. If anyone were to find out she’d surely be ruined, but her interest in this man outweighed the consequences. “I must confess I was afraid we’d go the entire season without sharing a dance.”

Every time they had crossed paths before, and every time he had requested to see her dance card, it had been filled. Men had asked to see it almost immediately after she entered a ball, and Lord Christensen had always arrived so late. It’s why she had been so intent to save this last dance for him. And she was glad she did.

He was taller than her, his body firm and warm beneath her gloves. But he held himself with an ease, as if he had no worries about who he was or how the world saw him. He was not as stiff as other dance partners, and it helped her breathe a little easier. Well, unless she caught his gaze, at which point her heartbeat increased. He was oh so handsome, she knew some sculpture would surely use his likeness to make that of a Greek god. And the way he looked at her made something deep within, something she could not name, scratch at the surface. A need. A type of yearning.

At some point throughout the dance the two had moved closer to each other, unintentionally on Riley’s part, perhaps intentionally by her body. Regardless, as the music began to come to an end, the blonde let out a breath she had not been aware she had been holding as she stepped backwards, an acceptable amount of space for an unmarried couple. And that was when a couple was asking for the attention of the ball room, a glass of champagne in their hands. Another engagement, she could only imagine. Looking towards Lord Christensen, she let her voice lower so only he could hear. “I’m sure they’ll be the focus of the evening, or at least the next handful of minutes... a perfect time to sneak away unnoticed, if I do say so myself.” She softly bit at her bottom lip, nervous of the bold statement and even more so at his answer. She was positive she had not misread the signs, and she only hoped he agreed they could escape the ballroom without capturing the attention of others.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

there was something missing when it came to gatherings of people in the new century. the candle glow, soft and golden as it bathed the people in the ball room in a gentle light. luca never truly tried to count how many lives he had lived, but he knew the newest one had been the most interesting and yet, one of the dullest. the strings played a jaunty tune that made something in him yearn for music from his youth. craved the drums. the honey wine on his tongue. crisp air on his skin and warm flesh beneath his hands. but no, none of that anymore. in place of the war and ritual was decorum and careful chess games. tearing out throats wasn’t enough for entertainment most days. only the warmth of crimson gliding down his throat seemed to entertain his senses.

that was, of course, before he laid eyes on riley fitzherbert…

he couldn’t put a name to what it was about her. what tantalized him as much as urged him to not simply rip out her throat and disappear into the night. he was a monster from all the tales after all. he had murdered before he was plunged into darkness, so it wasn’t as if he was worried about his immortal soul. christians. but there was something. in her scent. in the light perfume that seemed to hang around her naturally. her sky-blue eyes that at times seemed to dance with silver in them. the way she tried to hide her excitement at seeing him. the first time he listened to how her heart danced. just. for. him.

his eyes were on her the moment she walked into the room, but he had always been good at using the shadows as his own. lurking in the darkness near the window. he tracked her as she looked about. silken blonde hair glittering. her eyes dancing across the room searching. with how disappointment seemed to shine on her face every time she looked to someone new, he was certain he knew what or more of whom, she was looking for. a smile curved the corner of his lips before he moved from his position at a speed no mortal could comprehend before reaching the door as if he was coming in from the outside.

it provided a wind tossed look to his hair. haphazardly curling the edges, the way, he enjoyed. almost as if he had fixed his hair to be such. his mere presence was striking, he knew. the black he wore always stood out in such a way that contrasted with the others around him. with his hands behind his back, luca walked in with that smirk still curling his mouth. his eyes deliberately searching for the blonde he knew, simply knew was looking for him.

luca wasn’t disappointed as he caught sight of her, a vision in soft lilac. always so soft. resisting the urge to smirk in her direction, he found himself standing idly. allowing his head to nod towards various people in greeting. their heart beats picking up at the mere sight of him. yes, he knew he was attractive. poor dears. her voice, gentle, teasing washed over him. sweet as honey. he tilted his head towards her. showing he was listening. keeping the distance between them, per protocol.

“oh, lady fitzherbert,” he began lowly, his voice rough. luca’s true accent practically none existent. “i would only find a dark corner tonight if it meant i could keep your company throughout.” the implications were dangerous, but he couldn’t wait to hear how her heart would spike. dance in the cage of her chest. how her scent would bloom like one of the flowers she touched, ever so gently, embroidered on her skirt.

“in lieu of that, however,” he paused as he turned his dark eyes in her direction. fully took in how the golden light danced on her skin. “i would be happy to take a look at your dance card.” he tilted his head. almost playfully, “if there is a spot for me of course.” 

Whenever his deep, rough voice rumbled past his lips, she could always feel her skin begin to buzz. Had a man’s voice ever caused a reaction such as this within her before? No, she couldn’t remember a moment it had. She could however, remember their first meeting. How a blush crept along her chest as she spoke to him, their conversation simple yet genuine. How she couldn’t think of anyone but him for the next three days. He had consumed her thoughts, and she had hoped, no, prayed, that he’d step through the doors of her formal drawing room at least once to call upon her. 

They were months into the season, and soon the summer would be over, and still her body reacted the same way towards him. Her heart fluttered and her skin grew warm. A smile overtook her features and her eyes lit up. And when he said her name, oh how her stomach fluttered as if there were a thousand hummingbirds within it. 

But this time, the statement that was directed towards her caused her stomach to almost drop. And the blood began to pound in her ears as she tried to consider what exactly it was that he was implying. She wondered, almost hopelessly, if perhaps he was asking to be alone to propose. It wouldn’t be far fetched. She couldn’t remember seeing him humor any other ladies at these balls. And she hadn’t heard any rumors of him calling upon anyone else this far into the season. They had known each other a few months, and Riley knew couples that had been married in a shorter amount of time... it could be possible.

But then, her mind wandered off to another option. One that was dark and unknown. She knew there was a reason unmarried men and women were not supposed to be alone together, without a chaperone present. Did she know what happened during that time? No, but she knew whatever did happen had certainly caused a few rushed marriages, or so she had been told from the maids. The maids who seemed to know everything. Perhaps... perhaps whatever it was that he was implying would involve kissing. Kissing which, always seemed to lead to marriage as well. And she had never been kissed before so... Whatever might lie in these dark corners that he spoke of, Riley was oh so curious to discover it. 

She couldn’t understand why she felt warm, so she brought her fan up to lightly fan herself as she said, “I think my eldest brother is keeping a close eye on me tonight. but I’m sure if I were to request some time to get some fresh air, escape the heat in this ballroom, he might allow me to leave his presence.” Elijah had been courting Miss. Tremaine, last she heard. Perhaps she could request Lucy distract him for just a handful of minutes.

As he turned to face her, a breath hitching in her throat - because he was so intense it was alarming at times - she did not hesitate to reach out her wrist so he could take the last spot on her dance card. But as she was still far enough away, and could easily be mistaken as reaching for another glass of lemonade or a sweet pastry, she was interrupted by another man. A rather older gentleman. And she would never say it aloud, but an older gentleman that made her skin crawl when his eyes laid on her. He smiled in such a way that she felt as if he were purchasing a new mount. “Lady Fitzherbert. I was just having the most delightful conversation with your mother when she informed me you are not yet courting,” Lord Harrington, she was almost sure that was this man’s name. As she looked across the room and caught sight of her mother’s meddlesome eye, she missed the side glance Lord Harrington gave to Lord Christensen. As the man began to speak again, Riley’s attention was drawn back to him. “How surprised I was. What, the diamond of the season, without any suitors-”

“I can inform you, Sir, that I’ve had quite a number of suitors that have called upon me. We’ve just found those matches to be unsuitable.” She looked at Lord Christensen for a second, almost curious to see how he’d react to those words. 

“Yes well, I should like to thank those men. Unsuitable matches gives the rest of us a chance to throw our hat in the ring.” Riley tried so hard not to grimace, but the smile on her face became much more forced. Pained... was the right word.

“Ah... thank you, Sir.” Bringing her glass of lemonade back to her lips to take a long sip, because she needed a pause, she sighed after finishing the glass and putting it back down on the table. “Is there something you needed from me? A reason as to why you’ve left such a delightful conversation with my mother?”The smile he gave her made her stomach churn. 

“I shall like to see that dance card of yours. I believe your mother told me you had a few spaces left last she left you.” 

Riley’s eyes grew wide for a moment. Lord Christensen had been who she had saved the last spot for, but he had been unable to scrawl his name on there before Lord H arrived. “Oh. I am, so terribly sorry Sir, but my card is full. Perhaps we could share a dance at the next ball.” There was disappointment settling in her stomach now, because Lord Christensen would have no way to know she was lying through her teeth. 

[bvrningsvnlight]

The flickering candles in the chandeliers cast a golden hue over the ballroom in the grand estate of Count and Countess Wells, and Riley could feel the excitement at the splendor before her. The ballroom was immaculate. White walls, marble floors and gold trim, the crest of the house painted on the center of the dance floor. Tables with crisp white clothes loitered around the room with lemonade and pastries for the guests. And a string quartet surrounding the grand fireplace, playing a melody that had the blonde’s fighting off the urge to dance by herself in the middle of the floor. 

Of course quite a number of gentlemen had come up and asked for her dance card, the piece of paper delicately hanging from a ribbon on her wrist. She had smiled softly and allowed a few men to write their names on it. It was filing up fast, and she had one dance unaccounted for. Well, to be quite frank, she was saving that spot for him. Lord Christensen. They had spoken quite a number of times throughout the season thus far, and during every encounter Riley found herself enraptured in the topic of conversation, but also in him. His almost black eyes were compelling and the slight curl to his hair begged for her hands to be run through it. She wanted nothing more then to pluck off her silk gloves and allow her fingers to touch the strands. But she held her control and made no indication of the warmth she was feeling. She’d fan herself, and blame the heat on the crowded room.

Riley, and her mother Viscountess Fitzherbert, had been sure that after her second conversation with the Lord, that he would call on her the following afternoon for tea. But nothing, the butler never came with his card. And both women had been discouraged. Which is why Riley had been encouraged as of recently to start engaging with some other gentlemen. If she would like to marry by the end of the season, she could not waste her time on what if’s. 

But when he entered the room, she knew she was going to ignore any other man that look her way. She gave it a few minutes, twenty at most, before walking over to the table he was nearby to grab a lemonade. Taking a sip, she made her way over to him and stood by his side. Far enough away that she would not gain a judgmental look from the numerous judgmental mama’s and their daughters. “Another twenty minutes and I would have bet anyone here that you would not grace us with your presence tonight, My Lord.” 

She smiled softly to herself as she took a sip, her voice, dare she say, holding a flirtatious edge. “Are you planning to dance tonight? Or just observe from the darkest corner you can find?” It was in that moment she doubted herself, just for a moment. What if he was just amusing her? Conversing enough to engage but eventually leave without forming any long term attachments. Her free hand went to nervously finger the fabric of her lilac dress, the white flowers embroidered into the skirt calming her nerves slightly.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

if someone told luca that he would be in a camp at the age of twenty two, he would have probably socked them in the throat. just for them assuming he would ever go to a camp. but, there he was. in a camp. but not any camp. oh no, it was the camp for all half blooded gods. demi gods. a camp over flowing with people that probably had too much strength and privilege’s in their lives. sure, he didn’t know that for certain - but, the easy way they moved. the surety in each step. that made him feel like maybe, just maybe they had more in plenty of ways. it didn’t need to be money. but he was familiar with the ache in his gut and envy on his tongue. 

for most of his years, he knew he was different. vague memories of a father and a car accident. a deep irish accent in his ears that he too learn with age before breaking free of the isle. running to anywhere but where he had been trapped for years. it was the breaking glass and the hard ground in his memory that dug deep into his skin. scars that never healed even when age slowly crawled all over him. if anything, they grew in number. marks and shadows from the life he had to live. luca wondered if he should have died long ago? maybe he would have, if not for the voice in his head. 

a voice that was his only source of comfort when he was old enough to understand. the soft whispers he grew familiar with and learned to never speak of. not everyone believed in the gods after all. not unless it was the ‘one true christ’ or what people blabbered about. every family he had lived with tried to raise him catholic but really, if they knew his mother, Hera, the goddess, was in his head, perhaps they would have understood why he was a little stubborn about it. his father was gone. taken from him. he had the scars to prove it. the memory of blood and hands pushing him from the car. something was burning. all of those things proved that. but he still had her. even when she wasn’t close. 

she was the very reason he had walked into camp half blood. how fucking original. creatures of all kinds had begun to pop up in his travels. smelling him. something special. rumors were swirling that there was a rare god child. she had warned him to be careful. of course, he was stubborn enough to push along. what was another scar or two? a-fucking-lot… apparently. his side still ached from where he had been tossed. his wits knocked out of him until he broke into it’s head and made it stop. made it leave. 

his gifts were unlimited she said. her only half human child. precious. she was honored when he got two tattoos dedicated to her. feathers of the most import scrawled on his skin. bright and colorful, screaming her importance. his loyalty. 

still, when he had dragged himself, still injured, into the camp - they had not known what to do with him at first. unknown who’s he was. outside of the fact that he entered, and was clearly a half blood, they knew nothing else. when he told them, they hadn’t believed. not when they brought him to a cabin to receive healing. not until his very mother revamped the cabin they had made as a place of ‘honor’ for the queen of the gods. a note left just for him. welcoming him home. 

the scent of her was on the air when he stood at the entrance. his week had been spent in a different cabin. apollo’s children. they had a little space and they were willing. now, he stood in front of the cabin that was to be his and he needed to take a breath. breathing in what he knew was her scent, instinctively knew, eased an ache in him he couldn’t name. “home sweet home,” he mumbled to himself. his irish brogue strong on his tongue as he looked at his companion that had lead him to the cabin. her blonde hair, not as glittering in the moon light. “thanks for the help.” 

x~x~x

Long twin braids tickled against the exposed skin of Riley’s lower back as she craned her neck to look curiously throughout the new cabin that has seemed to sprout over night. The one the Queen of the Gods has built herself for the son no one had known she had. The man, an enigma to anyone within Camp Half Blood, had intrigued Riley since she was asked to look over him during the healing process he had gone through upon entering the camp. And as she spent a few hours sitting near by him, sketching his profile on loose pieces of paper while she asked him basic questions, she realized she had yet to really learn much about him. 

But he seemed closed off, and he was fine with giving him time to become more open with her. The one thing she had learned over the past week, was that she did enjoy his company. It’s why she had offered to help pack up anything he had brought with him and move into his cabin. His cabin. The concept was a wild one. Riley had been attending Camp Half Blood every spring/summer for the past six years and never had anyone received an entire cabin to themselves. Yes, maybe two or three to a home, but there were always others around you.  You’r half siblings, it was just how it was. The Gods just... got around. 

But it seemed Luca was a special case. The only child of Hera, the goddess of Olympia and the only one Riley would have sworn would never have a child walk through the camp grounds. Its why her “cabin” had been a prop thus far. To show her honor and respect, but it didn’t function. Everyone knew she was never going to betray the God Zeus, even if she was sure he deserved it at times. So of course Riley was curious about this new cabin, of course she wanted to see the kind of home a Goddess would make for her child, especially when she did not have to worry about other’s getting any use out of it. It could be created for Luca, and Riley envied that.

It’s not that the Apollo cabin was horrible or awful or insufficient, it’s just, sometimes Riley wished she could put more of a personal touch on things, and that was hard when your room wasn’t really your room. What it was given to residents who were here during your off season, or when the kids who were here indefinitely didn’t like your choice of tapestry. 

Blue eyes took in the dark wood tones, the numerous books and the cozy feel the cabin had with a small release of breath. It was stunning, and seemed to fit the boy who would be residing here. Walking behind Luca, his accent caressed her ears and brought her attention back to him. “Oh yeah, of course.” She shuffled the box in her hand so it was resting a big higher on her forearm, to make it easier to carry since it had been slipping. “We should probably find a place to put these, right?” Just placing the box on the floor seemed rude, and lazy. Like she couldn’t be bothered with actually finding a table or a surface to put it on. “So, how’d she do? Your mom? Is the cabin up to your liking?” She tried to joke, but she was unsure if it came out that way.

[bvrningsvnlight]

Riley handed the black ballpoint pen back to the man seated across from her at the table, and exchanged the forms with him as he gave her back her ID. When Mika had started talking about this secret world he was apart of, gosh at least a few months ago, Riley had tried not to blush too hard while also hanging on every word. She knew this kind of thing existed, plenty of girls in college talked about how they had people tie them up in bed before, but she had never experienced it. It was too out of her comfort zone, too obscure. Except as Mika began to talk to her more about this world, explain the psychology behind it, Riley had grown more and more intrigued. Until finally agreeing to attend a BDSM Dungeon with an open mind. 

So far, everything seemed incredibly professional. The gathering of the information, the tour of the Dungeon and the rules that were set in place for everyone’s safety. The lack of alcohol was one that surprised her the most, but considering how it blurs the lines when it comes to consent, she completely understood why. The dress code, though, or well the outfit Mika had shoved her into for the night was definitely not in her comfort zone. She wore dresses yes, and sometimes they showed a little skin. But this faux leather, or latex or whatever it was, made her feel like she was someone new. 

Because Riley Fitzherbert would never wear this out in public.

Once all the information was given out, the payment paid, and the forms were signed, Riley and Mika were allowed into The Abyss. The blonde had lived in this city for years and never would’ve guessed a place like this existed. She tried to control her facial expressions as the two began to walk throughout the club. The social area was probably where she felt less tense, mostly because just talking with people was easy. Granted the subject of conversation wasn’t one she was super well versed in, but it wasn’t hard to nod your head at the right times or laugh along with others. But as they began to explore the different rooms, stumble upon different scenes, she began to feel very, very out of place.

The first room they walked in, a man was bound by his wrists and ankles on a table, wearing nothing but his underwear, while a woman ran her fingers along his body, causing him to laugh out loud. Had the twenty seven year old expected that to be the first scene they stumbled upon tonight? No, definitely not. The two only stayed to watch for a few minutes before moving into a new room, where a woman was naked and bound in numerous ropes. They were tight across her body and her skin was red and swollen where it was exposed. While the knot and rope work was interesting, Riley couldn’t stomach it for very long before asking Mika if they could move on. It just looked too painful, and while she knew it was all consensual and safe, she still found her stomach flipping over at the image.

They had passed between a few rooms, numerous ones causing Riley to either blush or overt her gay, before coming upon one  with a number of people gather and speaking in hushed voices. It seemed the scene hadn’t begun yet, as the man leading it has his back towards the crowd and was preparing for whatever it was he planned on doing. “There’s a lot of people in here.” Riley murmured to Mika, noting this was probably the most crowded room they’d been in tonight. Which definitely piqued her interest.

“Nyx, the man over there,” Mika pointed the man who still had yet to turn this way. He was pulling things out of a bag but there were too many people in front of her that Riley couldn’t fully tell what. “He’s very popular here. A lot of regulars will come if they find out he’s performing a scene.” Riley opened her mouth to ask what is was that he normally did, when the crowd grew quiet and he turned around, motioning to a woman Riley hadn’t noticed earlier. Must be his scene partner. 

The man was very attractive, and the way he held himself made Riley want his approval. She didn’t even know him but she just, just wanted to do what she could to please him. She was a people pleaser by heart, so that feeling wasn’t all that new for her, but how quickly she had felt it is what made her pause. For a second she wondered if maybe she should excuse herself to get a glass of water, but people around her were already enthralled, buzzing with interest and excitement, so she decided to stay and watch. Besides, she really wanted to know what it was that he was going to do.

[bvrningsvnlight]

A yawn escaped the slayers mouth as she stalked between darken alleyways, keeping away from any source of fluorescent light during the late hours of night, because she knew the vamps would do the same. They didn’t want to draw attention to themselves, and they kept to the darkness like it would shield them from all their misdeeds. That was not true, because regardless of what they did and didn’t do, Riley would find them. She would find then and dust them before they harmed any innocents.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Riley tugged at the leather fringe jacket she had brought with her tonight. It wasn’t cold, because it never got cooler then a brisk 50 degrees in Southern California, but there was a breeze from the ocean nearby. Salt water in the air, Riley took a deep breath, just allowing herself to pause for a second. She didn’t have a lot of time to do that lately, or maybe she didn’t want to. Pausing to think, to relax, reminds her of how different things are now.

Which of course, was not the smart decision.

She sensed them creeping behind her before she even opened her eyes. The sensed she had gained when she became the slayer took some time to get used to. Some time to control. But eventually, through training with her Watcher, Riley was able to hone her skill. And now she was a bit of a vamp slaying machine. “You guys don’t want me as a meal. I don’t go down easy.” She said with a snort, blue eyes opening as she turned around spotted the first vamp. Their face wrinkled and eyes yellow. She didn’t blink as they came towards her, she just grabbed the stake out of her jacket and pierced them through the heart. 

“Told ya.” It was a smug smile on her face as she caught the vamps face of shock before crumbling to ash before her eyes. “The Slayer! You’re supposed to be dead” Another proclaimed, and as she looked around the dim alley way, she clocked three other vamps. “Didn’t you get the memo? I came back.” 

She ran up to the nearest one, blocked a few punches and twisted under the arms as they tried to grab her, giving her a perfect opening to stake him through the heart. Two down. “Are you guys newbies? Because you’re not putting up much of a fight.” Her breath was lost in her throat as she had arms wrap around her tightly, making it hard to breathe. Gasping, she realized there had been one more in the group that hadn’t made their presence known earlier. Before their fangs could connect with her neck, Riley threw her head back and butted them out of the way. Also stunning them enough that she was able to push out of their arms.

As she began to fight with the three vamps, she began to work on auto pilot. Before she knew it, she was breathing heavy, her limbs were burning and there was nothing but dust and ashes around her. Suddenly she felt a stinging in her side, and realized there was a few cuts on her torso and her arms. “When the heck did that happen?” She muttered, trying to check how deep the cuts were.

Suddenly hearing a shuffle in the darkest part of the alley way, Riley looked up and forgot her pain, immediately bringing her hands up and tightening her grip on the stake. But, the second she saw him she lowered her arms, her body growing stiffer as she hesitantly stepped forward. “Luca...” She murmured his name, wishing it was him but unsure due to the shadows that took over the small alley they were in. “Is that you?”

[bvrningsvnlight]

Riley had been with this group for a little over a month... maybe a month and a half? Honestly, time just didn’t exist for her anymore. For a while she had kept track of the days by making tally marks on the back of the picture she kept in her pocket, but eventually space ran out, around day 870. Or at least in that range. Again, she wasn’t really sure anymore. 

Things had been different, once. Simple. She had been attending school in Florida, far away from her home in California, when everything went to shit. It seemed to happen all at once... but then not completely. People started to get sick, the government began to shut everything down. For a few months she just thought it was a virus, but apparently that’s what the men in charge wanted the public to thing. Didn’t want them to know about all the people that had been lost, had been turned and who’s remains were being tested on in secret facilities to learn more about this new disease. But it got out of hand. Doesn’t it always? And suddenly people were turning from bites or scratches given by their neighbor, and society was crumbling and Riley was fighting off hoards with the fire poker she had stolen from her Sorority house.

The original plan was to get the hell out of dodge, and go back home to find out how her family was doing. That didn’t turn out as expected. Eventually her sorority sisters car hid a blockade of cars trying to get out of Florida, and Riley made the decision to continue on foot. Like most others were, honestly. She grabbed the backpack of the belongings she was able to grab and found her way to the next major city.

On the way she ran into them, of course, but was somehow able to hold her own. Maybe because she had met up with strangers along the way, who had saved her neck a few times. And then, she found a Safe Zone. A sanctuary in Atlanta that was taking in anyone who had been able to make their way there, unharmed and uninfected, that is. Unfortunately, that didn’t last long. A year if that, before supplies started to run low. Before the zombies began to mutate, and then suddenly even the Safe Zones were no longer safe. 

Riley left with a group of friends she had made. Some were from her college, a professor and two student, the others consisted of a married couple, two brothers and a father and his daughter. Everyone knew it was smarted to risk it out side, then to wait in those walls like sitting ducks.

Time as passed since then. And Riley is the lone survivor from her original group. Some parted ways, but most were turned due to dumb mistakes. Riley had picked up a shotgun and a pistol along the way, as well as some food, but she had walked for so long she didn’t even know where she was anymore. She wanted to go to California, figure out if her parents and brothers were still alive. But it was getting harder to make it on her own.

She met the group she was currently with a few weeks back, while scavenging through an abandoned house in a once gated community. They weren’t a large group, by any means, but they were nice. Which is all you could ask for in a time like this.

And like the others before her, now they were dead. They had all agreed to go into the nearby town - they had been camping out in an abandoned motel they cleaned out - to look for supplies when she heard the Banshee cry. Riley tried to convince them to leave, but everyone was so greedy. The food in the general store was still good, lots of canned food and medicine to last for months they had said. The guys out front had tried to hold off the hoard that came their way, but they weren’t fast enough. 

The blonde saw the carnage behind her as she ran away from the store, only a few cans of beans in her hands.

She had been running for what felt like hours, trying to keep an eye out for zombies as she went. A flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye, and she lifted her fire poker up. If it was just one, she could handle it. And it’d be best to make as little noise as possible. So she crept around the edge of the building, ready to dive the poker through the skull of the zombie on the other side. Except it wasn’t a zombie. Thank God she had noticed he was breathing. “Oh crap.” She breathed out, letting her arm down just slightly. Because in this new world, humans were just as bad as monsters.

“I almost killed you. Next time maybe say something like, I’m human and just looking for food.”

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

there were things that one had to be certain about in life. one would bleed. one would die. one would see people they care about die. one would have to kill to survive. the world was harsh. if one didn’t know how to survive, they simply wouldn’t. for the rare moments of peace, a person needed to take advantage of them. live while one could. the last is that if you are a good leader, you will do anything for your people. war. peace. bleed. die. live. 

a mantra. burned in luka’s blood that when he led, he would lead with sense. that despite their preparation. their ability to kill and survive, it would not simply be that. they would bleed. they would burn. but they would have a chance to live. it was what had him allowing the trikru envoys into their land. assisting them when the mountain men tried to get too close. listening when the new commander spoke of a treaty. something akin to peace. his quiet willingness didn’t ease all of the clans of course. 

the boudalan were always feared. formidable. unbent. unbroken. the elders of the clan did not wish for him to kneel to her. leksa. heda. but her goal was his goal. bringing the end to the men that lived in the mountain. mountains that weren’t his. just thinking of them put luka’s teeth on edge. he would have their blood. one way or another. 

he bent. he went to every clan meeting. he listened. he compromised. swallowed his pride and provided insight when asked. if asked. watched as people fell from the sky. listened when they learned they weren’t warriors. watched as they slowly were brought into the clans. as the commander claimed them with fire. but allowed them to live. willing to trade. willing to bring them into the fold. luka waited to see what would be expected of them. perhaps he should have seen it coming. seen how she would play the game.

bring them into your clans she murmured. wed them. teach them. learn from them she ordered. it was a hard order to take. being told that they had to bring one into their own fold. share secrets. there were more than a few his people didn’t share lightly. things that had puzzled the other clans. things of blood. still, luka listened. watched how the other clans moved. their reluctance far more clear than his own. his silence something expected and nearly welcome. it was his acceptance of her request without a fight that was the surprise.

the elders were not pleased but he would do what was needed. their goal still the same. the mountain would fall and he would do what it took to bring it down. whatever it took. 

it’s what found him with a soon to be wife. a girl from the sky. hair golden like the sun that hung above. easy on the eyes perhaps. but one look at her told him that her time with the trikru still left some of her soft edges. so many of them still so soft when you looked in their eyes. despite what they had seen. perhaps it was never enough. 

his willingness to bend to her command had the girl, riley coming with him to their home. the track long in an effort to keep their trail hidden. just like they always did. doubling back twice before finally making their way. as tradition stated, they would wait until fredag for a wish of good fortune in their marriage. the marriage would be true, despite the alliance quality it held. he would be true. per custom he left her with the woman elders. allowed them time to teach her the things of their clan she would need to know sooner rather than later. how the ceremony would work.  

the day of the wedding moved quickly.. 

luka’s time was spent in preparation of his own. his body washed and maintained. dark hair braided with intricately carved pieces of bone weaved in. his clothing light and soft. nearly white but not quite there. his blooded blade, tested in war but not tested the same way the one she would be given him would be. it didn’t taken much thought for him to run the blade over his own hand. countless enemies had fallen to the sharp weapon. none with blood as black as his. it was as if the night sky bled from him. more blood in the ink for later before he placed a dark strip of fabric on the wound, before winding it in the common white bandage. hiding the color of his blood easily. a well practiced move. 

it was only as he stood waiting for her that it sunk in. he was truly marrying an unknown party simply to keep an alliance. to stay within the coalition. but the thought of the mountain loomed. of his sister. looking at the commander pained him with their similarities. he would do whatever it took.

still, the sight of riley being brought into the main room. gossamer linens, hiding her curve just enough but the fire light dancing across her shadows. at least luka could say that he would not tire of looking at her, small favors. his blade a gift rested in the palms of his hands but his eyes tracked her every move as he waited for her. 

As riley entered the bath house, she could feel the steam from within the room clear out her senses. It took a second for her eyes to adjust, given the steam that surrounded her entire being, but once they did she took in the room. It was larger than she expected. Seats and benches were carved into the mountain stone and there was a deep circular bath in the middle of the room. Neutral gemstones were placed along the inner wall of the bath and she couldn’t help but marvel at the designs they made. The craftsmanship of the grounder people continued to leave her in awe. This wasn’t how it had been up in the sky. Sterile, metal, everything reused throughout the generations. In the ground everything was forged and found to create something useful, yet beautiful. “In.” The elder woman behind her murmured, as she took off the linen robe Riley had been gifted with upon entering the bath house. She didn’t bother fighting, just allowed herself to be engulfed by the scalding water.

She welcomed it. The blonde was unable to recall the last time she had anything close to a warm bath. Maybe not since before her lock up on the Ark, back when she was living in the apartment with her family in the Pheonix wing. So she wasted no time grabbing the brush nearby and scrubbed her body until it was raw. The elder women in the room all spoke softly, commenting on this and that. They moved between speaking english and trig at an alarming rate so it was hard for her to event attempt to keep up. Instead she would focus on her hair. 

She tugged at the string holding her side braid in place and allowed the long locks to flow freely. As the scrubbed away the dirt and grime from the strands, she heard the women gasp. “Such beautiful hair.” The comment. Perhaps she was dirtier then she thought, the mud definitely had dulled it’s color and shine throughout the months. “Strong hair. Long. A good sign for your marriage to come.” Riley tried not to think much about that, but gave a soft smile none the less. She went to continue to scrub away at the grime on her body but the women slapped her hands away. “We’ll wash you dear, you relax.” 

“I don’t mind.” Riley argued, or well, you couldn’t really call it an argument, what with how soft her voice was. She didn’t know anyone here, didn’t want to offend them or their traditions. But she truly didn’t mind. The eldest woman just shook her head and poured a pot of hot water down the back of Riley’s hair. “No.” So she gave up, and instead closed her eyes and tried to enjoy the hot bath. Of course the women continued to talk amongst them, and occasionally she could catch a bit of what was being mentioned. 

“So soft, not a single scar. The King will surely leave a few bruises.” One of the younger girls spoke as she braided Riley’s hair, and she tried her hardest not to turn a shade of red. She had met the king, Luka, a handful of times since agreeing to the marriage. In order to discuss terms of the marriage, along with plan the ceremony and learn the customs and traditions of his people, but in that time she hadn’t truly gotten to know him. She can tell he’s hard. Fierce. A force, and intimidating as hell. But what else was behind those dark eyes of his?

Her mind wandered off to the ceremony itself, and then the reception, to later that night when they would be expected to consummate their marriage. And then after. What would her life be like after tonight. She would be a wife, to a man she knew next to nothing about. She would be living in this community without a confidant or even a friend. And it was terrifying. She began to shiver, and she didn’t know if that was because the water was running cold or if it was because she was scared. The women seemed to think it was the first, and ushered her out of the bath and wrapped her in a hot towel. She was set down in a seat, her skin red from the heat and the scrubbing, and they got to work on her.

Her blonde locks were towel dried until damp and then let to dry in the humid air. The curl she had to her hair would definitely stick out when it was dried. The women continued to braid intricate designs and she could see the few plats that had silver thread weaved into them. Some even had small jewels and charms braided into them as well. She wished there was a mirror, if only so she could see what they had down to the crown of her head. It was already throbbing with dull pain from the pressure of the braids there, and she could only imagine how beautiful the design looked. After her hair was done they dressed her up in a linen dress. White and airy, the dress was simple, almost like a shift. But it was so thin that even a flash of light would allow you to see the shape of her body beneath it. 

One of the women left and returned seconds later with a knife. “You will exchange this will the King during the ceremony.” And then she made a motion for Riley to run the blade along her palm.

She couldn’t understand why cutting herself on the blade would be necessary, but she didn’t question it as she sliced open the soft skin of her palm, allowing the blood to coat the blade. All that left her mouth was a hiss. It was surprising, how sharp the blade was. How similar it was to the scalpels she had used during her internship in the med bay on the ark. It wasn’t what she expected, for some reason she had convinced herself the blade would be dull. She had to remind herself just how advanced the grounders truly were, for the lack of technology or modern medicine they had.

Once it was enough, the women wrapped her palm in cloth. And then they smiled. “It is time.” Riley’s mouth ran dry, and her legs felt stiff as the women took her and guided her to the hall the ceremony would be in. It was not a bouquet of flowers in her hand, but the knife they were to exchange. Not the one she had made for him, no that was to be given to him tomorrow morning. This was more symbolic, of their marriage and families coming together.

Family. She desperately wished her mother and father could be with her right now, but she couldn’t dwell on that right now. Just thinking of them brought a tear to her eye and she had to reign it in. She wouldn’t cry, wouldn’t think about those she was leaving behind. 

Instead she focused on the king. He was so intense. So hard to look him in the eyes as she moved closer to him with every step. But she wouldn’t allow herself to look away. This man was to be her husband, and if she couldn’t stare him in the eyes on their wedding day, how would she do it afterwards? He did look handsome, in the off white linen. And she found herself realizing she had never seen him in anything other than black prior to this moment. It was unfamiliar, but she wasn’t unnerved. In fact she found her stomach fluttering if only for a few seconds.

Finally, after what felt like ages, she made her way up to his side. Lips parted softly as she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in. She took in the look on his face, his eyes, and she sent him a soft smile. “Hello.” He was to be her husband, for their good of both their people, and she could do this.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

he tried to read her as she spoke. looking around the garden surrounding them. it had a dark beauty. he knew that. excerpts from books of poetry whispered in his mind. but they died just as quickly as they came when he took an easy breath in. her voice was soft. but still something that could be heard. warm like he imagined the summer sun to be. he knew it was the only thing appropriate. with how she even seemed to shimmer in the moonlight from above them. 

again he was struck with the thought of knowing her. Luca’s skin danced with the phantom knowledge of her but he couldn’t remember it. couldn’t remember her. to say he was surprised when she rushed towards him would have been an understatement. her earm smoving to wrap around him. 

for a moment he was stone. ice so cold he couldn’t move. a lord of winter like he was meant to be. her skin so warm he thought maybe it burned. but it burned so good. a shiver rolled down his spine when she pushed her face into his neck. it took a moment. more beats of his heart then perhaps one would think for him to move his arms around her loosely. a shadow of himself pounding against the ice of his mind. 

she would only be so close to him if he meant something to her yes? she had to have known him. but the harder he tried to think of her, the larger the chasm in his mind grew. an abyss so dark and deep that even he didn’t wish to tred within it. the shadows spoke of things that he would fear if confronting them. things that would make him wish for death. things that already had made him wish for such. 

still, he danced close enough to the edge to allow her into hold him. breathed in her scent and was meet with wisps from the dark. summer flowers on the wind. something close to amber and warmth. so layered it tantalized his senses. Luca would to be wrapped in it. 

her murmured words made his mind paused. yes, that would make sense. even among the other fae he smelled different. his essence colder than the winter court around them. made the once of autumn shiver in his presence. he was a lord of ice, they would whisper. “i imagine.” he offered lowly when their eyes met. 

seeing them so close did something to him. the way her unshed tears pooled in her eyes like the golden sun. if he wasn’t so captivated by it he would have scoffed, because of course she did. but instead he was transfixed. of course she did. 

she said his name with such reverence. as if it meant something special to her. he didn’t understand but it filled him with an internal warmth. as if she meant something to him to. that name burning on his rib cage. she must have known him before. to know that there was anything to have been done to him. bringing his hand up, he smoothed a thumb under her eyes. chasing away tears he wasn’t sure he could handle seeing fall. “the king gave me a gift.” he tore him apart. rendered him hollow and left him broken. the ice crawled in and splintered his mind. the shadows wrapped around and choked the life out of him. 

“i was shown a better way.” only when he was filled with the cold of winter and darkness of nightmares was he able to stand again. only when he never mentioned the world before. when his mind couldn’t recall all the pieces was he allowed to finally stop bleeding. but he couldn’t say these things. even in a garden the king didn’t finish he had ot be careful. “i was given a new life with his gracious generosity. i am very thankful.” 

would see see something in his eyes? if she knew him from before, then she should know what his rage looked like. even if it didn’t burn with fire any longer. it was still there. he wanted to know what she knew. wanted to demand she tell him about himself. how funny a thought it was.  “after all, i am here. in this garden after all.” 

When his thumb came up to brush away the tears in her eyes, she allowed herself to lean into his touch. Something she now realized she had been starved of over the year. By choice, of course. Her family had been the only ones she curled up beside in her bed, but never a stranger. It felt wrong, off. She had never done it with Luca, either. But the idea of lying with someone else, body intertwined, caused an acidic taste to form in her mouth. So she relished in his touch, smiled for a few seconds, until she registered the smoothness of his hands. Fae hands. Humans had so many scars. So many rough edges, but the fae they were perfect, porcelain figures and... This was all wrong.

And then he spoke. He spoke about the king and this new life he had been given and Riley’s face began to control from that of sadness, yearning, loss, to empty stone. Her lips became pursed and her eyes hard as she took in everything he was saying. Fingernails dug into her palm hard enough to draw liquid gold. Droplets falling between the cracks of her fingers. This wasn’t her Luca. He felt so different. Empty. Hallow. Whatever you wanted to call it, he wasn’t the same. Where was his passion? His fire? The spark within him that drew her towards him the first time around. He had been a flame, she a moth. Now he was just an unlit candle.

“He did this to you? The King?” She questioned, although who else could? From the moment she saw Luca she was sure this was the King’s doing. Perhaps he had hired someone to experiment, to figure out the science behind the transformation. Or maybe the King had more skills then Riley originally though. Regardless, he had done this to Luca.

She’d kill him for it.

“The King is not gracious. Nor is he generous.” She snapped. Those blue eyes of her were like storms, and the anger was seeping in. He’s controlling, and manipulative. Spiteful too. She had to stop herself from speaking those out loud. She was unsure if she was being watched every moment she was within these walls. Or what if Luca reported back to the King. What if this was all some ploy to break her down? She knew the King did not want her here because he loved her. He wanted to control her. Become her master. She was seeing that all now. The second she had walked into the court her stomach had filled with dread, and a part of her knew he’d never let her leave alive.

“The garden...” She sighed, mood changing so rapidly you’d think she was a tornado. Her anger began to subsided as she looked around the garden, the only solace this Court seemed to hold. “The garden will be an escape.” She stepped back from him, letting feet cushion on soft grass as she began to explore. She held her hand out for him to take. “Please join me. And tell me of your time here. What has your time with the King been like, so I can have an idea of what to expect... and so we can catch up.”

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic​:

numb. that’s how most days began in the dimly lit world Luca had come to call his own. he didn’t pretend to know how long he had been among the fae. he had lost his sense of time long ago. what he did know was the feel of ice in his veins every time he took a breath. he knew his skin had been peeled away and replaced with something that was like a costume. the king, Hans told him that he was one of the unseelie. reborn from the muck of who he once was. transformed. a metamorphosis. but he could still taste his own blood in his mouth. remember his own screams. 

winter frost coated his heart, no matter how hard he had fought against it. vaguely he thought of the other realms. the human realm. where he belonged. at least had belonged once. it made something bubble up in his chest. something dark that he could never quiet name but if he wanted to try, he would have called it rage. it wasn’t a heat like he remembered. wasn’t all encompassing to a point of not being able to see beyond it. instead, it was slow. like molasses. creeping through his veins like a frozen river. he was part of the unseelie court, immortality granted him time. time to hate. time to plan.

listening to the king speak of who he would marry made something flicker in his chest. her name, familiar but not enough to spark a memory or thought. just a feeling across his skin. something gossamer and soft. Luca feared if he tried to grasp it that it would run further or worse, fall apart. 

still, he silently listened. nodding at the right parts. smirking at the cruelty he could see tugging at the Hans’ features. the girl was of the seelie. sunshine and heat. warmth and spring. flowers and life. the world she would be brought to would be barren compared to what she had seen before. he could almost feel a flicker of pity. no, not pity. empathy. he could vaguely remember a world of life. but he kept his dreams and nightmares to himself. spoke of no memories. played his part with a deadly precision. 

he allowed the servants to dress him in the royals chambers, as if he was the princeling himself. even when the man eyed him with something akin to jealousy and hate. Luca couldn’t bring himself to care. but he noted it none the less. must have been difficult to have a father that would rather replace you. that looked at you as if you were nothing even when you had been born for the power in the blood. born for it instead being emptied and filled with it. 

pushing the thoughts to the side, he tiled his head in the direction of the king as he spoke. listened to his low words of the other courts. speaking of the lords and the games they all played. manipulation that Hans always seemed to win. good for him. for the moment anyway. offering nothing but a cruel smile in return, he watched how the elder’s eyes lit up with pleasure before focusing back at the moment at hand. she was coming. the summer fae. whatever he had been preparing himself for. whatever he had believed he would be seeing, had been wrong. he wasn’t prepared at all. 

prepared for the way his cold heart constricted with a phantom hand around it. her blue eyes something so familiar it ate at his brain. his very soul. vaguely he knew she was beautiful but it was an echo of a thought not a new one. not as if he was seeing her with fresh eyes. it made his costume of a skin feel wrong. made his flesh burn and he wanted to do nothing but rend it from his own bones. still, he stood like stone. only nodding in acknowledgement when he was introduced. 

watching the king in his peripheral for a moment, he noted the pleased curve to his lips. again Luca could taste his own blood on his tongue. another ghost but potent still. 

but the moment moves. time continues forward and the girl is no longer in front of him. an ache fills his chest that he pushes to the side. to ignore. it claws at him. tells him they have met. tells him that he knows her. knows her and yearns to be near her. 

ignoring it, he swallowed it down. moved along as he was expected. listened to Hans boast to himself. he spoke to his son like he was a minuscule speck but when he turned to Luca, he smiled. that smile that made him want to leave. run. spoke to an old instinct that it was unsafe but Luca didn’t fear the same way anymore. it was all different from what it once was.

what do you think? was pointedly asked in his direction as the two of them walked through the halls, Luca going towards his room, the king following. the look that came with the question warned him that the king was looking for something. it spoke volumes on what he had been feeling. “i think she will please you.” he answered low, like the gravel that would crumble beneath their feet when they walked. “so, sparkly.” he added as an after thought that simmering with sarcasm him. 

a bark of laughter was thrown his way. he had pleased the man. good. it allowed him freedom for the night when the parted ways. as if the world ever truly saw the sun. moving into his room, he eyed the windows for a brief moment. looking to the garden that offered some strange piece of serenity. he was told to move his rooms to somewhere more extravagant. but he preferred the smaller area. the bookshelves that lined the walls. the nearly murky windows that went into the garden that bloomed with flowers only from their realm. a strange point of ease. there was an extra room for his sleeping quarters. he preferred to be away from the princeling and his annoying habit of measuring himself to Luca. as if they were even close to being the same.  

running a hand through his longer hair, he was about to make his way to one of the bookshelves. choose an old tome for the night as he flicked a wrist and a soft blue flame lit in the lantern, until he saw the figure in the garden. the figure looking his way. despite himself, he found his body moving towards the glass pane that separated them. watched how her lips shifted with his name on her tongue. it sent a thrill down his spine that he couldn’t understand. a warmth to his skin. he was always so cold. 

eyeing her for a moment, he traced her lines before he brought his eyes to her’s. noted just how blue they were, even in the twilight before moving to the door that would allow him out to the garden. unlocking it with a will rather than a key it opened so the chill in the air both soothed and set him alight. 

“my lady,” he greeted, his voice sounded a hollow thing on his tongue. as if what he said was wrong. like he was meant to say something else. his muscles told him he was meant to close the gap between them. breathe in the scent she provided as if it was made for him. still, he kept his distance but he could not help if a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, as if it was meant to be there. Riley. her name was Riley and it was as if it was written on his very rib cage. he had nothing to say to her but then he had everything. he would start with.. “i hope the garden is treating you well.”

She hadn’t expected the door to open, no she wasn’t prepared for that. She had settled to watch him, for how long she didn’t know. Maybe until he fell asleep, or she. But she had come to terms with the glass between them. But he so simply let that door between them open, and it caused a soft gasp to leave her lips. Riley stepped backwards. Was she ready for this? For him?

His voice was wrong. No, different. The melodic nature of the fae voices was there, slightly, but there was something else in him. Something empty. It didn’t feel like the boy she had left. The one she had spent day after day with, sitting in a comfortable silence together. The boy she had loved. She wanted to know what had happened. Although considering where they were, she had her suspicions. 

As he spoke again, the familiarity crept in. The feeling that she had missed throughout the decades, and so desperately craved, was filling her veins. “It is. It’s beautiful.” She murmured, the second beautiful thing she had seen while here. He had been the first. Always. She had called him beautiful once before, or... maybe not. Maybe she never spoke the words out loud. Maybe she just thought them to herself. Afraid to let him know how far she had fallen. Allow the illusion to remain. To play as if there wasn’t a deep yearning in her soul for him. But she couldn’t ignore that now. Her fingers were itching for him, her body buzzing to feel his form against her own.

Without thinking she rushed forward, soft hand reaching for his jaw, while the other grasped his arm. And she flinched at the contact. Maybe it was because up until this moment she had partially convinced herself this had been an illusion. That he wasn’t truly here in front of her. Or maybe it was because she could just feel the lack of humanity within him. Human no longer, all Unseelie. How had Hans done it? She wasn’t aware you could turn human into fae. There had always been whispers, but no one had ever tried it. No one had succeeded. This was unheard of.

But he was there, firm beneath her. And as quickly as she grabbed him before, she was there in his arms. Her hands tightly hugging his back while her face fell into the crook of his neck. Wet tears welled up in her eyes. She was already emotional, leaving her family, her world behind. Being trapped by a King who felt more like a Tyrant, and now seeing him? It was too much, she couldn’t handle it. And she just wanted to feel a sense of comfort. But again, this was wrong. Different. “You smell wrong.” She murmured, pulling backwards to look in his eyes. Oh those dark eyes she had been caught gazing into one too many times. Her blue ones were full of sadness, liquid sunshine pooling within until it spilled out the corner. 

“What have they done to you...” She questioned, her voice a whisper as she softly brushed his hair out of his face. “Oh my, Luca.” My love. “What happened?”

[bvrningsvnlight]

Riley had spent numerous centuries avoiding this very moment. Hans had been attempting to court her for years upon year and every time he had requested she visit him within the Unseelie Court, she had found excuse to stay within her home. In the sunshine with her siblings and friends, laughing. Convinced that one day Hans would give up and find some new, younger fae to be his Queen, the golden haired beauty was continuously shocked at how long this had continued on for. Now after nearly two hundred years of denying the man, Riley’s better’s had gotten involved. It seems peace between the two Courts was in the works and Hans’ had a few conditions. Number one being that Riley join him in the Unseelie Court as his Queen. A marriage to define the peace between the two Courts, he had said. A show of unity, he said. Riley knew it was all lies. He had seen an opportunity and ran with it, and now she was doomed to suffer by his side.

Although she hadn’t fully felt true happiness in decades. Not since him. The human boy she had stumbled upon, had grown to love. His disappearance caused darkness to swirl around her heart, which had been even a surprise to her as she had never fully given herself to the boy. Never so much as kissed him. She wouldn’t allow the physical aspect, because if she had then she’d be his, completely. She could enjoy the emotional attachment and chalk it up to a friendship, although now she’s aware it was love. Even if she didn’t want to admit it. Because in the years since his disappearance, she had yet to feel anything similar to what she felt when around him. Perhaps that why she didn’t fight Hans has hard this time, when her Queen informed her of the expected union between Riley and Hans, the blonde accepted her fate.

As she walked through the large, darkened, angular and somewhat beautiful entry hall of the Unseelie Court Castle, Riley let her eyes linger over the staff that would be working for her. When Hans arrived, a sick smile on his face and his lips finding the corner of her own in a greeting, she tried not to flinch. When he introduced her to his son she gave him a curt nod, but it was when he introduced his ward that she grew stiff and uncomfortable. It... wasn’t. It couldn’t be. It was him, although the human features were gone. Now replaced with the angular and unnatural beauty of a fae. Riley could see the sick smile on Hans’ face. He had known what this man had meant to her, he had done this. Had it been a plan of his? All along? Regardless Riley hadn’t the time to process the new information as she was being swept along through the East Wing to her new room, a handmaiden attempting to give her a tour of the grounds, but it was useless. Riley couldn’t retain anything at the moment, not with her mind reeling.

After entering her room, the door behind her was quickly locked, and it was clear she was not a guest in this place. She was a prisoner. Dread began to fill her lungs as she looked for some way to escape this place, and it’s when she found the doors to her balcony. The balcony that looked down into the twilight filled gardens. The only thing of beauty that could calm her at the moment. There was a metal staircase of intricate design that led from her balcony into the gardens, and she was quick to explore further. A soft sigh leaving her lips as the soft grass cushioned her bare feet. She could tell through a quick exploration that the garden was closed off. High, smooth walls weren’t made for climbing. There was a door that led into the lower level of the castle, but it too was locked. A glass pane window next to it let her see inside, and suddenly he was there. A ghost from her past, reminding her of what was, and what could’ve been. “Luca...” she muttered, wondering how he was here. Hoping he remember her, them.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic‌:

it was easy to lose himself in it. his lungs filling with air as he moved. the sound of blood rushing through his ears. this he understood. a fight. his wand an extension of his very arm as he moved. completely instinctive. even the way his free arm found riley’s. how their hands linked with a practiced ease. yet, they had never fought together like this. always on separate sides. whether it was in practice or in battle. it had his blood singing to have her so close. the easy way they moved together. a spark in his soul when she used his spells. the fact that she remembered them was… incredible. despite knowing she had taken a hit; they couldn’t stop now. but he moved to stand in front of her. give her some time to collect herself. a quick healing spell. she was smart like that.

he lost himself in the moment. shifting and moving among the dust in the room. whispering from that terrible archway near them had his body keeping riley from getting close. he didn’t know what it was, and he didn’t fucking need to. the shiver that rolled down his spine just looking at had been enough to tell him he wanted nothing to do with it.

it was his wife’s tug on his arm that had him shoving the potter kid to the side. another shift of their bodies and riley was pulling that sirius black away from the veil. he had known is brother. pushing the thoughts away as he could feel a tingle roll up his arm. he knew what that meant. hissing quietly to himself he watched the smile that danced around bella’s lips and knew. just knew he wouldn’t let her get away. not just because the dark lord was coming. but because he really couldn’t stand the bitch. a quick flick of his wand had her hitting the ground. a second flick and vicious spell was sent flying. the look of it a sick violet that glittered satisfyingly before he noticed a spell had intertwined with his. one straight from riley’s wand.

looking at her for a moment, he let a rare smile tug at his lips before he flicked his eyes back to the lestrange they had both put down. not that the world would know of course. luca’s spells were notoriously nasty.  another shiver overtook him when he could feel the slight burn to his mark. of course, he was fucking coming. turning to the harry potter he looked him over, noting he wasn’t dead. despite his suspicious eyes glancing his way, the elder death eater figured he could give a warning. “he’s coming.” was all he provided before he gripped riley’s arm and apparated away. not allowing a single opportunity for any de to reach them or order member to stop them.

habit had him apparating outside of his old cabin. riley’s home. really it was his home too. he imagined this is where riley would have sent their children. somewhere safer than anywhere else. for a moment he was lost in thought. his selfishness knew no bounds. whatever details he could have gotten from the dark lord were out the window. but all that he cared about his was children. his wife. there would be repercussions. he knew the dark lord’s most protected secret. there was no way he would let luca live. the moment the dark lord knew. it would only be a matter of time. he was as good as dead. as if he had been alive that last fourteen years. that was still up for debate.

the feel of his dark black clock weighed on him like the arms of the dead. how much blood had been on his clock over the years? before azkaban and even in the last few months? moving a hand upward he undid it. leaving it on the ground before a flick of his wand and it burned. therapeutic really.

he was pulled from his thoughts by riley entering the cabin after opening the wards. quietly, like the specter he was, he followed behind her. watching the wards seal themselves again before going in. instinctively adding an extra layer when the door closed. something of his own making out of habit and more than a little paranoia. he didn’t know how long he rested his head on the door frame. sounds of riley and their children turning into a distant background noise. luca didn’t know how long it took him to steady his breathing remind himself that death as coming but it was a hand on his arm that had him turning. the sight of his youngest daughter, looking at him with something he could no longer name made his heart stutter.

“dad,” she said again. only this time looking him in the eyes while she did so. he had thought he made it up in that room. some sort of wishful thinking. but no, there niko was again. saying it directly to him. “are you going to be okay?” her question made him tilt his head. how could he tell her that he was already dead? it would be best for them all really. the vigor in which he would hunt luca for what he knew would be nearly as strong as how he went after the potter kid. his daughter’s friend. the kid that had no idea what was coming. all because of an old fool. elias’ eyes found his when he looked over his sister’s shoulder in his direction. worry evident and luca wondered what he did to deserve it? any of it. “not yet.” he finally whispered in answer as he looked to riley.

“we don’t have much time,” left his lips as he started undoing his top shirt, moving to the kitchen without much explanation. he continued removing clothing until clad in his last black t-shirt that had been beneath the layers. every scar and tattoo clear on his arms but the most important one was blatantly on his left. the dark mark glared back at him, angry red skin around the corners. a warning of what was to come. Moving to the table he looked at riley with a determination in his eyes. “we’re gonna have to fucking cut it off. because once he knows and he will…” he paused for a moment to lick his lips and center his thoughts. they had talked about this before. long ago. before Azakaban and she had to be dead. “he can kill me through it.”

Riley silently thanked her husband as he found his way in front of her, guarding her and giving her enough time to handle her wound. The spell wouldn’t be an end all, but it would help subdue the pain and speed up the healing process. Once they were home, she’d have to still tend to the wound, but right now it was enough to keep her going. To block off any spells that might be sent her way or towards Luca’s back, as she was sure there was plenty of Death Eater who would like to tell the Dark Lord that they ended the betrayer. She wouldn’t let that happen though, not when he was risking everything right now. She was going to make sure Luca saw through the end of this war, to spend the next fifty years getting to know his children and eventual grandchildren, no matter what.

She was getting her bearings back, taking in the people around her for any sign of who was winning and who was losing. Of how many had fallen and if they meant anything to her. It was when she saw Sirius and Harry, so close to the arch that made a deep unease settle in her stomach. What was beyond the other side of it, she wasn’t sure. But Riley had no intent to find out. As she watched a spell hit Sirius, the force sending him back towards the opening of the archway, its whispering words growing louder, she reached forward for him, grabbing an outstretched hand to keep him from falling further, into the arch. Her stomach told her it was only coldness that would greet him on the other side. Once he was on the ground, looking up at her and murmuring words of thanks, Riley turned round towards his cousin who was the caster of the original spell. Who most likely knew what sending Sirius through the archway would do. She mustered up enough anger to send a curse her way, and while Riley saw it merge with one of her husbands own spells, she knew immediately there was no coming back from it.

Suddenly the remaining Death Eaters began to retreat, falling away in collections of dark smoke. Riley was able to find the familiar faces of her extended family, see the realization come to them as she stood by her husbands side. Before she could even run towards her brothers and cousins in a greeting, Luca’s warning towards Harry Potter had her stomach dropping. “Go.” She begged her family, before grasping Luca’s arm as he did the same to her, and let him apparate them away. There was no doubt of where they’d be going.

When the cabin that she had called home for the past decade came into view, Riley let out a quiet sob of relief. They had made it. All of them. She turned to look at Luca, she kissed him deeply, before heading straight into their home in search of the kids. “It’s us!” She called out as she opened the door, sighing when the three most beautiful faces crept out from behind closed doors. “Oh my babies.” She murmured as she held her arms out and all three ran towards her. Katerina was the one who grabbed her first, the twins wrapping around them. “You all did so good.” She murmured, looking out the doorframe to watch as Luca burned that cloak. He shed himself of it all, and she placed a kiss on top of Katerina’s head as she took in the statement her husband was making. It was a sight to behold, and brought tears to her eyes.

“Let me look at all of you.” She murmured as she untangled herself from her kids, noting that neither Kat or Niko had more then a few scratches on them. Elijah had was looked like a potential wrist fracture, potentially from being tossed around so violently by the Death Eater who had been holding him in The Department of Mysteries, or it could have been from his crash landing after Luca’s spell sent said Death Eater flying. Regardless. “You’ll be fine.” She told him, already standing up to go towards the herbs, flowers and roots she had littered along the walls to brew into a tea to help numb the pain while the bone setting spell went to work. But before she could, Luca’s words caught her ear. 

How, how had she forgotten the mark? How had she thought they had made it through this seemingly unharmed. But they hadn’t. Riley had been unable to find any charms, spells or potions to reverse the effects of the mark. Nothing to remove it, or it’s hold over Luca. Which meant one thing. The one thing she had been trying to avoid thinking of. “No.” She muttered, only to herself. She wasn’t arguing with Luca, she had just hoped it wouldn’t come to this.

She wanted to fight, to say there had to be something they could find. But she knew her husband was right. There wasn’t enough time, and sometime soon Voldemort would realize that he had been betrayed by Luca, that Bellatrix was dead. Riley saw the look in his eyes, the commitment. He knew this was the only option, and he was going to do it. So she walked over to him, looked at the mark that had practically burned her skin the first time her fingers raked the forearm after he received it, and nodded. 

“Elias give me your belt.” Riley commanded, her face stern and her words quick. “Go sit next to your father and hold his other hand.” Maybe Luca wouldn’t need someone to calm him down, but she knew if this was her, the comfort of her children beside her would definitely make it all the easier. “Katerina, get me towels, a bowl of hot water and some alcohol.” Riley took the belt from Elijah and sit it over Luca’s arm, letting it rest right above the elbow and pulling it tight to help with any blood loss after she made the cut. “Nikoletta, join your brother.” Taking the bowl of water and towels from Katerina, she gave her husband the alcohol incase he wanted to take a swig before they continued, and she also gave him a spare towel. “If you need to bite down.”

Moving Katerina so she was pressing firmly on Luca’s shoulders, Riley got in place. It wasn’t that she doubted he’d be able to keep still, it was more that she knew just how much this would hurt and sometimes your body reacted differently to trauma than your mind. Looking him in the eyes, she nodded her head as she counted down. “Three... two,” and without even waiting until one, because sometimes the wait was worse, Riley muttered the spell that Luca alone had created, that he had taught her weeks prior, and severed limb from body. “Oh gods.” She muttered, having to close her eyes briefly as she dropped he arm into a wicker basked under the table and push it to the side. Instead she focused on his arm, bringing a towel to the remaining part of his arm to help the blood clot faster. “Luca, you have a plan.” She muttered, desperately. Could she perform surgery on him right now on their kitchen table? Yeah, she could, but did she want to? Not particularly. Her body was exhausted.

[bvrningsvnlight]

kataklysmiic‌:

for two days, his wand hand itched. two days he sat near the dark lord knowing that his plan was coming to fruition. even if he hadn’t been able to practically taste the dark lord’s glee on his own tongue, he would have known a fight was coming. his wand hand itched. call him supersitious but luca knew better than to ignore that. the few times he had been able to see riley he had done his best to warn her of things. tell her when things would be coming that could endanger their children. it didn’t matter if he wasn’t exactly writing letters to them, but he made sure she was aware of things. for those two days he hadn’t been able to slip away. instead, he had been the dark lord’s shadow. very much like bellatrix but the biggest difference was he wasn’t a simpering fool that wanted the love of a megalomaniac. he was silent. his insanity locked beneath his skin unless called for. his silence ringing when the spy came into the room and left. 

please. luca wasn’t an idiot. not like he hadn’t been a sort of spy the first time around. 

still. he knew the dark lord would use that simmering connection with harry potter. the implications made a part of him shiver with curiosity. a part of him that understood magic on a blood level. how to weave pieces of a spell together. tear a spell a part just to turn it into something. but his conscious. his logic knew there was no good in how they were connected. even if the dark lord himself was too insane to put it together. almost tragic. almost…

even as he stood in his dark robes. mask firmly in place. lucius speaking as if his crooner of a voice would get the potter kid to do a damn thing he wanted. prophecy bounced around luca’s mind silently as he stared at his two children defiantly standing next to the boy who lived. his children. his fucking children. part of him was filled with pride. part of him was filled with exasperation. the biggest part of him of course was filled with rage over the fact that fucking teenagers were standing against them in the department of ministry with no adults present that weren’t in the very least dubious in nature. himself included.

smiling beneath his skeletal exterior as once again harry fucking potter stood in front of people that could and would kill him only to practically tell them to fuck off. he loved it. for nearly eight mins… it started a game for him. appear, avoid and make sure the kids didn’t end up dead. so, what if he added silent bit to a spell or two. a shelf collapsing violently on one of his… companions. rickety really. an inappropriate bout of amusement filled his mind as he thwarted people silently. protecting his children and their friends without being to loud. without arousing suspicion.

a shadow among the dark corridors as he trailed his children. the two of them sticking close to potter without even a second glance. pride blooming like a warm bruise in his chest when he watched niko blast a death eater across the room, only to grab her brother’s hand and continue like she didn’t break a sweat. this. this he could watch. perhaps in better circumstances. it was easy to imagine how it would have been to teach them how to dual. show them the secrets he knew. the weaknesses most wizards had. but he didn’t have time to dwell. not as they landed in the department of mysteries. not with the whispers filling the room.

he watched how they held the children, but it was bellatrix’s eyes that sent a chill down his spine. how she stared between nikoletta and elias. his arms wrapped around daughter with his wand lazily pressed to her throat. his other hand holding her arm gently as if he wanted to soothe her. let her know she wasn’t alone. like that would make her feel better. before he could move. before he could push her attention away. everything left his mind the moment light flashed in the room. the order was finally there. at first, he thought he could breathe in relief… that was until he saw a head of hair he knew. until the literal breath left his body. there was no way niko didn’t feel it. no, way she didn’t feel how his hand clenched. “dad,” she barely whispered but it was enough. her breath had caught that bitch’s attention

bellatrix looked at him. looked at riley and cackled. a sound he heard often. in his nightmares and waking moments. oh, he loathed it. the sound so jarring it was as if time paused. those around them, for the briefest of moments, seemingly, didn’t know what to do. the appearance of riley, her death greatly exaggerated. it took another cackle as she flung the longbottom boy violently away. preparing for the fight she knew would come. her wand raised, this time pointed at him and nikoletta. her eyes crazed as she grinned looking at his wife. “you would betray our lord, luca.” that made it sink in. as if the lights turned back on. it took less than a heartbeat. less than a breath as he flung a spell at the death eater holding elias. something cruel on the tip of his tongue. flinging the man back with a sickening crack.

flinging his mask to the ground. the satisfying crack as it hit the dirt and his daughter was shoved behind him. in less than ten seconds he had killed a fellow death eater and stood between his children and the world. his eyes barely flicked to riley before a feral smirk curled at his lips. “fuck our lord.” the next spell was wordless as he flung it at her without blinking. a spell from riley meshing with his in the same direction. distracting her enough to push their children back. riley within reach. his blood burning in his body. finally, he had the feeling of being alive. fun as he was good as dead anyway. the moment the dark lord found out. he would. oh, he would.

even when he slid into harmony with his wife beside them. their movement like dancing luca knew one thing. since he was going to die anyway.. he was going to take a few of the fuckers with him.

Riley moved back and forth throughout the cottage, preparing the home for when the school year ended. While the kids had been staying with Freya for most of their lives, Riley had sent them all anonymous letters since Janurary inviting them to stay with her for the summer. To get to know them all better and to hopefully become a family again. The twins had written back within a week to agree. Katerina was the only one who had yet to give her an answer, but that wasn’t surprising news for the blonde. Katerina was the eldest. Not only did she have more memories of Riley and Luca from when she was younger, she also was sure to feel more betrayal at the hands of her parents. Yes, they had been lying to their children for the past fourteen years, but it had to be done in order to keep them safe. So Riley didn’t hold this over Kat. She just hoped her eldest daughter would take the opportunity her siblings had agreed to.

The blonde was in the midst of potting a few bright plants for the home, help bring some brightness to the white walls, when she was alarmed by the wards. Her body tensed. She and Luca had a code, a way of informing each other when he’d be visiting the cottage, if only for a few hours. Nothing had come as of late, and Riley was sure Freya had no reason to be here. Not when at dusk. Wiping her hands off the dirt on them with the fabric of her dress, the blonde grasped her wand, ready to defend her home.

When the door burst open, a large breathe was released from Riley’s lips. There, looking slightly frantic was Katerina. “The twins...” Immediately Riley ran to her daughter, noting the panic in her eyes the blonde softly grasped her daugthers arms to stabilize her. To keep her here. “Katerina, look at me. Whats wrong with your brother and sister?” And suddenly Katerina’s gaze turned fierce, protective. It was a look Riley knew all too well. It took maybe thirty seconds for Riley to grasp what was going on, to understand the situation at hand. The twins had run off with the likes of Harry Potter and co in order to save his uncle. Something about the ministry. Katerina had been suspicious of what the twins had been up to recently, and had been keeping a close eye. She had overheard the whole conversation, and halfway through running throughout the castle to inform the likes of McGonagall or Dumbledore changed her mind and apparated here. As she recounted her story, Riley’s hands instinctively smoothed through the girls hair. A motion that she knew had always comforted Luca in the past. 

“Okay. Honey, we’re going there and we’re going to get your siblings out.” Riley stated, but she caught her daughters eye before moving away. She knew this was probably terrifying. The idea of going somewhere that the Dark Lord and his army could be waiting. These were nightmares children Katerina’s age had grown up with. Fears of the Dark Lord, dying at his hand. Riley didn’t fear the Dark Lord, she hadn’t for a while. The only thing she felt when she thought of him was a deep hatred. She wanted to watch him suffer, for everything he took from her, her husband and her children. But she knew that wasn’t the reaction most people had when they thought of him. Riley had been through a war, but her children hadn’t. “I need you to be strong. You can be scared, but don’t let that hinder what you do. When we get there, I need you to find your brother and sister and get them out. Bring them here, and keep yourselves locked into this house until you hear from me, your aunt or your father. You are strong, and you can do this.” Taking her daughters hand, Riley squeezed it as they apparated to the Ministry.

Was she nervous? No. For a split second she was fearful of what she’d find, if her children would be on the edge of death, or worse. But immediately that was crushed. Luca was there, she was certain of that. He wouldn’t let anything happen to them. He would die before letting something happen to the twins, and there was no way he had passed. Would’ve known. She would’ve felt it.

Riley appeared in the department of mysteries, long blonde braid flipping over her shoulder like a whip as she searched desperately for those that she loved. And when she saw Luca holding Nikoletta, it was like she could breathe for a moment. Her family stood along side her, scattered throughout the room, clearly alarmed to see her alive and well. The cackle that made her skin crawl rang out and suddenly Riley’s blue eyes hardened, then the room erupted. Luca separated a death eater from their son, and was quick to push Nikoletta behind him. In seconds she was running for Elias, and Riley turned to Katerina with a command on her lips. “GO.” Turning back around to send a cutting spell towards Bellatrix to give her children as much time as they could to escape. And then she found Luca, those three words leaving his lips causing a swell of pride to burst out of her.

She took his hand as they began to fight. Their eyes taking in everything, back to back and free hands clasped as they protected and deflected. White and black smoke running past her vision  Riley was trying to be aware of as much as she could, her eyes always seemed to find Bellatrix, the woman that she hated, even potentially more than the Dark Lord. When she had arrived to see her wand ready and threatening, Riley wanted to kill her. One of the most dangerous things about Riley, is she was healer. She knew how to fix you, but she knew exactly where to send a spell to cause optimal amount of damage. And with Luca’s training from all those years ago, she knew she had become a force to reckon with. Nothing like her husband, who was calculated but fluid. He was alert and elegant and it was these moments she had found him most beautiful. She hoped she made him proud.

Suddenly her gaze caught a flash of movement, of Katerina climbing down through the large rocks to where her siblings were holding each other. A death eater taking note immediately of the three teens. Before he could even full extend his arm Riley had sent spell his way, pushing into him so hard his head cracked against the stone. Was he knocked out or dead, she didn’t know. But it was enough and then she saw her babies disappear. Katerina had gotten them out, and she was able to breathe a bit more now. “The kids are safe.” She told Luca, but in the few moments her focus has shifted, a nasty spell tore up her side. Riley let out something between a gasp and a groan as she clutched her side and sent back her own spell in the direction the previous one had came. One she had learned from Luca all those years ago. 

[briesgifs]

THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY || A HOGWARTS AU

Michiel Huisman as Luca Christensen Deborah Ann Woll as Riley Fitzherbert Halston Sage as Katerina Christensen Colin Ford as Elias Christensen Kathryn Newton as Nikoletta Christensen

Without any thought, without hesitation she pulled the door open to see those standing on the other side. Stepping back into the house, to give them room, to let them set their own pace, Riley waited with baited breath as her children stepped through the doorway, allowing her to finally see their incredible faces in person for the first time since her disappearance.

Katerina. Slender, with stunning angular features and eyes that were completely her fathers. A tensness in her shoulders that Riley had seen Luca carry himself. There was no doubt she was the oldest. She was the protector of the twins, it was obvious with her body language. She walked in first, kept mostly to the side but her arm was still there, between Elias and Nikoletta and the rest of the room.

Elias. Her baby boy. But no longer a baby. He was becoming a man. Currently in that awkward phase where he was growing at incredible rates and that meant none of his clothes fit him correctly. But he had eyes that reminded her of her dear brother Julien. They had sunlight in them, and a slight wetness.

And then Nikoletta. The youngest, but no doubt the fiercest of the three. A mess of wild blonde curls that looked especially like a lion’s mane. Her expression was unreadable, unlike her siblings. She took in the room, in both her parents, but Riley couldn’t read her. She seemed curious, though. Maybe on guard. As if she was expecting for there to be a punch line, or a catch to this whole interaction.

Still, they were all so beautiful. And healthy, and looking at their faces made the blonde’s eyes water. She wanted to reach for Luca, to say “look what we made,” but he had moved into the shadows. Riley’s arms moved to envelop both of her youngest in a hug, and as her cheek rested on her daughter’s forehead, she caught Luca’s eye. Finally. It seemed to say. 

[bvrningsvnlight]

Stepping off the train onto the track of the Orange Line, Riley let out a soft sigh as she pulled her jacket tighter around her and looked at the other passengers getting out of train cars and heading towards the stairs that let to the streets below. She had only been in Chicago for a few weeks, and this was her first time coming to this part of town. She had only heard from her coworkers at the media company that this wasn’t a place she wanted to be at alone, especially at this time of night. But if Riley wanted to finally get out from making pointless articles about this week’s teeny bopper heartthrob or creating clickbait quizzes like “Which Cullen Man Would Date You?” in the year 2020, she had to show her boss that she was serious. And what was more serious than infiltrating one of the most well known, yet most secretive, crime ring in the city? She had heard the big man had dipped his toes in almost everything  you could call illegal. Purchasing and selling weapons that aren’t even necessary on a battlefield, traffic drugs across state lines, and even worse people outside of the country. She wanted to take this man down, and the first thing she had to do was make her way into the inner circle.

An informant of her’s had spoken of a seedy pub a few blocks away from where she was currently walking, saying that many of the guys that hung out in this group often stopped here throughout the week to have some free drinks and hit on any girls that were nearby. So maybe that was where Riley saw an opportunity. She was new to the city and worked behind a computer screen most days, so no one should be able to look at her and think reporter, but just to be safe she had gone to the salon the day prior and asked to turn her golden locks into a nice chocolate brown. It was weird, she had never been a brunette before in her life, but she wanted to pass this off. She had even gone to one of those trashy clothing stores and bought a slinky dress. One that would definitely catch the attention of any straight male in the vicinity. It wasn’t ideal, but she didn’t have any other options right now.

Taking a deep breathe, the brunette pulled open the door of the pub and noticed it was full of a wider collection of people then she expected. Catching he half priced beer special, she figured this was one of the more popular nights. Good, she could use that to her advantage. Not making eye contact with anyone for too long, she scanned the bar, and smiled to herself when she realized a few of the men she had looked up online earlier today were her. Okay, at least she had found a reliable source that knew their hangout spot. Getting to the bar, she shrugged off her jacket and hung it on the hook at the bar before getting comfortable on the stool. “Can I get a vodka pineapple?” She asked, giving herself five minutes to hopefully draw some eyes to herself. If it didn’t happen in that time frames, she’d have to get a little desperate. Maybe accidentally bump into one of them and spill her drink. Thanking the original designer of this pub for putting mirrors behind the bar, Riley made it look like she was checking her hair and makeup in her reflection when she really was watching the men in the back corner. 

Maybe this was a bad idea. She had listened to too many true crime podcasts to know this was also how girls ended up dead. But she had to do it. If not to get the promotion at work, then to at least make sure this crime ring was put an end to.