đȘđđđđđđ đđ đđđđđ is the first of two standalone spinoff novels set in the world of the bestselling đ»đđđ đȘđđđđđ trilogy by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.
While itâs a loving spotlight on a fan-favorite character from the trilogy, you donât need to have read the original books to dive into this magical, high-stakes adventure (though I highly recommend them!).
With unforgettable characters, breathtaking romance, and an enchanting world, đȘđđđđđđ đđ đđđđđ sets sail on April 24th, 2025. Will you be joining the journey?ââšïž
đđđ«đąđ§đš đđđ đđŹđą: The dashing captain of the đđȘđłđŠđŻ'đŽ đđŠđ€đłđŠđ”, Marino is a man of the sea through and through, but his heart aches for something more. When his beloved sister falls gravely ill, he sets off on a perilous journey, desperate to find a cure. But as time runs out, Marino sails farther than ever before, only to lose his ship in a devastating wreck. Stranded on Solvora, a mysterious island kingdom cursed to keep anyone from leaving or arriving, Marino's survival is thanks to a curious saviorâa mermaid whose presence lingers in his thoughts, like a song he cannot forget.
đđąđ«đ đ§đ»ââïž: A creature of the sea, Kira and her mer sisters have long been at odds with the people of Solvora. But when a shipwrecked captain falls into her waters, something about him calls to her in a way sheâs never felt before. Against her sistersâ warnings, she defies their rules to save Marino. As their paths intertwine, Kira begins to feel emotions she never thought possible: yearning, curiosity, and a desire as deep as the ocean itself. But why does the captain keep searching for her, even as heâs drawn into the world on the island?
đđđ§đ đđđ°đ§ đ„: Born and raised in Solvora, Lana has never set foot outside the cursed kingdom. A self-made baker running her own shop, Lana dreams of a world beyond the shores of her island. When Marino stumbles into her bakery with tales of a sister in need and a quest for magic, Lana sees her chance. She agrees to help him find the cure for his sister and solve the mystery of Solvoraâs curseâon one condition: once the curse is lifted, she wants a place on his crew. As they embark on a dangerous quest together, Lana and Marino uncover secrets about the islandâs magic, the true nature of its king, and if their meeting was mere chanceâor something far more fateful.
Three lives intertwined like the threads of a sailorâs knot. The ocean whispers secrets to those who listen, and beneath the surface of their journey, there is something untoldâsomething waiting to be uncovered. Who guides whom, and what role does the sea play in their tangled fates? âïžâšïž
đ„Meet Seraphine and Ransom, two unforgettable characters from đ»đđ đ«đđđđđ đđđ đđđ đđđđđ by Catherine Doyle!
Are you ready to step into their world?
I promise, youâre not! With only one month left until September 26th, get ready for the first book of đđĄđ đđąđđČ đšđ đ đđ§đđšđŠđ to blow your mind.
If you crave dark aesthetics, family secrets, high-stakes cat-and-mouse games, intricate world-building, and unique magic systems, this book is for you!
And donât even get me started on the charming side charactersâespecially one I cannot wait for you to meet and obsess over. Oh, and did I mention an animal sidekick? đŸ
~đ„~
âą art by the amazing @minshugart
âą commissioned by me, @bookish_rival
âą Characters: Seraphine Marchant and Ransom Hale belong to Catherine Doyle
ăăPLEASE DO NOT REPOST!!ăă
~đ„~
Huge thanks to the amazing @minshugart for bringing this scene to life!
The details are stunningâRansomâs shadow marks, Seraphineâs brown spot in her blue eyes, and the tension between them⊠itâs EPIC!
I canât do it justice; youâll just have to dive into the story yourself. âïžđ„
đ»đđ đ«đđđđđ đđđ đđđ đđđđđ by Catherine Doyle releases September 26th, 2024.
đ„Meet Seraphine and Ransom, two unforgettable characters from đ»đđ đ«đđđđđ đđđ đđđ đđđđđ by Catherine Doyle!
Are you ready to step into their world?
I promise, youâre not! With only one month left until September 26th, get ready for the first book of đđĄđ đđąđđČ đšđ đ đđ§đđšđŠđ to blow your mind.
If you crave dark aesthetics, family secrets, high-stakes cat-and-mouse games, intricate world-building, and unique magic systems, this book is for you!
And donât even get me started on the charming side charactersâespecially one I cannot wait for you to meet and obsess over. Oh, and did I mention an animal sidekick? đŸ
~đ„~
âą art by the amazing @minshugart
âą commissioned by me, @bookish_rival
âą Characters: Seraphine Marchant and Ransom Hale belong to Catherine Doyle
ăăPLEASE DO NOT REPOST!!ăă
~đ„~
Huge thanks to the amazing @minshugart for bringing this scene to life!
The details are stunningâRansomâs shadow marks, Seraphineâs brown spot in her blue eyes, and the tension between them⊠itâs EPIC!
I canât do it justice; youâll just have to dive into the story yourself. âïžđ„
đ»đđ đ«đđđđđ đđđ đđđ đđđđđ by Catherine Doyle releases September 26th, 2024.
AHHHHH the synopsis is out!!! (The first one at least, there'll be more detailed versions closer to the release date!)
I'm so excited where Marino's quest to find a cure for Celeste will lead him! Also, the illness must be pretty bad if not even the healer witches are able to help Celeste.
At least she'll get a cameo! Maybe Anika as well? And the mermaids ofc!! I'm so intrigued!!
Who else is excited for this standalone novel?! đâïžâïžđ
And a beautiful young wrangler who will make Alarik's heart melt!!! Can't wait to meet her!!!
With Tor gone from Gevra, I had a feeling Alarik would need a new wrangler/soldier for his army. And I was right!! A female wrangler!!
Even though I don't know anything about her, I STILL LOVE HER ALREADY!! Maybe even more than I ever liked Wren!!
I will support this novel with all my might!!
Alarik and his girl will have a swoony and epic romance and i cannot wait to read it!!
Ofc it's still a very long way to go, but if we get official art this or next year, I'll definitely commission MANY artworks for them!! Tehy are my OTP now!!!
BURNING CROWNS SPOILERS under the cut!! đ„đ„đ„
"For what it's worth, Wren, you were never broken to me."Â ~ Alarik Felsing
ăăăăăâĄăăăăă
He came to her side, resting his head on his elbows until they were both slumped over the side of the pool, looking at each other. Alarik took a deep breath, and Wren did the same. In and out, in and out, until they fell into sync with each other.
He reached over, peeling a strip of wet hair from her eyes.
"How do you feel now?"
Gingerly, Wren lifted her head. "A little better."
~ BURNING CROWNS
ăăăăăâĄăăăăă
âȘïž art by the amazing & lovely @lamonyo â€ïž
âȘïž commissioned by me
âȘïž Characters: Queen Wren Greenrock & King Alarik Felsing belong to Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.
ă Please DO NOT repost! ă
~â~
đïž This artwork is a beautiful fusion of two of my favorite scenes from CURSED CROWNS & BURNING CROWNS, ingeniously intertwined to create a mesmerizing parallel narrative.
It's truly amazing how art can encapsulate the magic of storytelling, and I'm beyond thrilled to share this masterpiece with all of you.
âïžThis illustration shows two scenes of King Alarik comforting Wren when she most needed it.
As enemies or allies bonded by a deadly curse, these two have been through a lot together and witnessing their unique friendship and bond form was an incredible adventure!
~âĄ~
âšHere's to the authors who craft worlds worth getting lost in, and to the fans who keep the magic aliveâš
âââââââ
⥠This artwork is to celebrate the final book & the characters featured, so please keep comments respectful, thank you!Â
Oonagh swung Wren around to find the king of Gevra standing at the edge of the cliff, looking worse than Wren had ever seen him. And that really was saying something. Yet, despite his weakness, she could tell be the smudges of dirt on his cheeks and the grass stains on his trousers that somehow, Alarik Felsing had dragged himself up those cliffs.
Wren felt herself smile.
Alarik, for all his suffering, smiled back.
~ BURNING CROWNS
ăăăăăâăăăăă
âȘïž art by the amazing @im_arcâ€ïž
âȘïž commissioned by me
âȘïž Characters: Queen Wren Greenrock & King Alarik Felsing belong to Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber
âȘïž clothing design by @im_arc -> she also made a beautiful Wren portrait for @stephdaydreams and was kind enough to use the same design for my commission as well! đ«¶đŒ
ă Please DO NOT repost! ă
~â~
I am VERY excited to share this wonderful piece with you all!!
For those who don't know by now, I might be VERY Alarik biased đđ (I mean how could I not?! Do you see this face?!! đâïž)
Let me tell you, I BAWLED my eyes out when I read this scene because it was so simple, yet so beautifulđ and immediately went to find an artist who could bring it to life!! And @im_arc was the perfect choice!
I hope this illustration will push many other readers to go and read the final installment of the Twin Crowns Trilogy!! đ
But do not worry! This might be the conclusion to Wren and Rose's story, but two spin-offs about two known beloved characters are on their way!!
We will return to this world in the future!! âšïž
â€ïžâšHere's to the authors who craft worlds worth getting lost in, and to the fans who keep the magic aliveâšâ€ïž
⥠This fanart is to celebrate the final book & the characters featured, so please keep comments respectful, thank you!
Art by the amazing @gessueter and commissioned by the lovely @StardustSteph(Twitter) aka @leiaamidala
A short fanfic of Wren x Alarik from the books Twin Crowns, Cursed Crowns and Burning Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber
Pairing/Ship: Queen Wren Greenrock, King Alarik Felsing
Trope: Enemies to Lovers, Rivals To Lovers, Fluff, Angst
Warning: Mention of characters death, cursing
Summary:
Queen Wren needed some fresh air during festivities held at Grinstad Palace, hosted by Royal Family of Gevra. While taking a stroll through the quiet hallways together, Wren and Alarik noticed a Mistletoe hanging above them. Wren is given a choice. To either kiss her mortal enemy (once again) or walk away, ignoring her growing feelings for him.
WARNING! This story takes place after the second book, so HUGE SPOILER ALERT FOR BOTH BOOKS!
This is my first EVER story Iâve written and posted here. The Twin Crowns series has captured my heart for some time now, and only after reading the second one did I start imagining my own stories for these characters.
The books are absolutely amazing! I cannot wait for the third and final book of this trilogy.
I therefore tried to come up with my own little scenario.
A few things in advance: This is my first fanfic I wrote and English is only my second language, so there might be a lot of mistake in there. I also used exact parts from the books to fill in the flashbacks, so if some parts sound familiar than thatâs because itâs 100% copied from the books hahaha.
I also didnât know how to set the scene and mood correctly, so it starts of with a fast summary of the books (so big spoilers) as it explains why Wren happened to be in Gevra once again. Thereâs a big jump into the story as the two were already walking together. I didnât know how to start off, so if it feels a bit rushed Iâm sorry.
Please show more support to the authors of this series and I hope that you will enjoy this little oneshot.
The Christmas season is coming to a close and every year the royal family of Gevra holds a huge feast at Grinstad Palace to celebrate.
This year however, the Twin Queens of Eana, Rose Valhart and Wren Greenrock, as well as their best friend and strongest ally King Shen Lo of the Sunkissed Kingdom, have been invited as honorary guests by King Alarik Felsing of Gevra himself.
The cold hearted King of Beasts invited them after a long exchange of letters with the Queens.
Their last meeting included the second death of the Kingâs younger sibling, Prince Ansel.
After he died in Eana, Wren was forced to bring him back with forbidden blood magic which caused him to return as a living corpse more than a real resurrected human being.
After multiple attempts of warning King Alarik and his sister, Princess Anika Felsing, about the dangerous outcome, they later agreed on letting their brother rest in peace.
The Felsing siblings asked Wren to perform her healing magic to send Prince Anselâs body in a peaceful slumber, but it didnât work when she tried.
Later, her sister Queen Rose took on the task and gave the Prince the peace he wanted, and his family the peace they needed.
The exchange of letters with the Gevran King also involved a specific evil witch, that holds a dangerous threat to both their kingdoms. The festivities are a perfect chance to talk about forming an alliance to fight this threat together.
Thatâs why, even though the twin Queens feel a chill running down their spines just thinking about traveling to Gevra, they still accepted the invitation. Hoping to officially bury the hatchet with the icy realm and additionally, build an alliance between Gevra and Eana, as a gift to their people.
*End of Summary*
The King of Gevra, and the Queen of Eana left the noisy ballroom behind, as they walked through the hallways of Grinstad Palace.
Alarik suddenly stopped under a door arch, as he noticed something on the ceiling. He looked up amused.
âWhatâs so funny?â Wren said as she looked up suspiciously, trying to see what got the frost-hearted Kingâs attention.
At first she didnât realize what she saw, but then she remembered the Gevran tradition, Princess Anika told her about. The so called âMistletoeâ, saying two souls whom stand beneath one, will have to peck their lips or be cursed for life.
Wren mumbled swear words while nervously looking around if anyone can see them, hoping, even a tiny bit, that their privacy will be interrupted and her complicated flame of desire for the ice cold king wouldnât develop and confuse her any further. Dammit. Thatâs exactly the reason, why she was avoiding private moments with him.
Suddenly, her head got clouded in the memory of the first and last kiss they shared.
The time they made out in the middle of her self made blizzard, outside of Grinstad Palace.
She remembers the moment Alarik smiled into the kiss, not being afraid of the witch in his arms or the blizzard at his back. Both trying to find release from their own grief, and finding it, in each others embrace.
She shock her head, trying to get rid of those memories before they overtake her actions.
Only after gazing back at the Kingâs face did she realize that she mustâve looked absolutely pathetic, looking around for people, turning all shades of red trying to distract from the mistletoe hovering above them.
âI am not kissing yo-â
âToo bad, itâs tradition.â King Alarik stepped foward, cutting her off. She immediately looked away trying to hide her red face.
Wren couldnât take it, she was looking like a fool in this moment. Trying to get the upper hand in this, she took a stride towards him, facing him directly.
âWhereâs your mother? Iâd rather kiss her.â
A chuckle escaped his throat. âThatâs very low. Even for-â
âA witch?â Wren crossed her arms.
â-you.â Alarik finished.
âSame thing.â
Another low chuckle. âYou may be a witch, having your own kind of spellsâŠâ
Alarik glided even closer, making Wren tilt her head to look in his shining blue eyes.
âButâŠâŠif you break a Gevran tradition, youâll end up being cursed for life. Is that what you want?â
ââŠ.Are you blackmailing me right now?â
âPerhaps.â
âI feel honored, your Majesty.â Wren said while sarcastically curtsying to him.
âBut with all my, none existing, respect for you⊠I will NOT be kissing you.â
A smirk came across her lips, thinking she finally turned the conservation around.
Alarik hummed in response.
âOh donât worry, your HighnessâŠâ His sarcasm mirrored her own.
âI never said anything about you having to kiss me.â He said while slowly decreasing the distance of their bodies, causing Wren to retreat backwards until her back hits the wall of the arch.
âW-What?â Wren hated how intimidated her voice sounded. Alarik was so close that she could feel his breath on her face.
âWhat made you thinkâŠâ His right hand caressed her silvery strand of hair, until he reached her cheek. He wasnât touching her cheek, his hand was just levitating beside her face. Wren could only feel a light touch, because her trembling would cause her face to slightly brush against his hand.
Her eyes darted to his left hand that had found itself gently placed on her waist, his thumb soothingly drawing circles over her skin, sending even more shivers up her spine.
ââŠthat You will be the one initiating the kiss.â He whispers, almost afraid that someone will hear them, even though it was obvious that they were completely alone.
Wrenâs eyes met his, immediately getting trapped in his gaze.
Once again the memory of their past kiss slipped itself into her mind.
She knew Alarik Felsing can kiss. His quiet ferocity to his passion, the way he held her tightly against him, how he angled her head to claim her mouth and the way she let him back then. The moment his lips seizing hers, the spark being ignited and them being consumed in its fire.
The Gevran King closed the distance further, pulling the Queen out of her thoughts. She slammed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the feeling of his soft lips against hers once again. Deep down feelings of uncertainty and guilt creeped up. But the touch of his lips never came.
She opened her eyes again, trying not to let any signs of disappointment from her gaze betray her feelings to him.
Alarikâs eyes werenât closed. They were mainly focused on hers, like he never closed them in the first place, making it seem like he never intended on kissing her at all.
Her confusion grew with every millisecond the King wasnât moving.
The Gevran King, Alarik Felsing, was a powerful, selfish man. He could get everything he wanted, he couldâve captured her lips right then if he so desired and yet, here they were. Not kissing.
Just staring in each others eyes, as his hands continued to ghostly hold her waist and hair, not daring to capture her with more force. And additionally, Alarik didnât show any interest of wanting to close the remaining distance. He did not move, and he was not going to move.
The Witch was held loosely in the embrace of the Icy King, free to step away from him and leave any building feelings for the King behind, or capture his lips herself, if she so desired.
Wren couldnât believe it. Was he messing with her?
Was it all just a game? Finding the perfect time and spot to make her vulnerable and then mess with her? Slowly, but surely, the old feelings of anger and disappointment towards the cold-hearted King of beasts returned. Deep down Wren had a feeling that, sooner or later, Alarik would tease her about the heated kiss they shared in the past. It was obvious that he was gonna be the one whoâd bring it up again. He enjoyed it, for some sick reason she doesnât really wanna know.
But she didnât enjoy it. She never wanted to kiss him. She hated him. They hated each other.
The blizzard of her confused feelings clouded her mind mind that day, she wasnât thinking straight. The kiss was a mistake.
Her now furious eyes flickered at his gaze, trying to find some truth in his annoyingly shining blue pupils. Then, a sudden thought overtook her mind. The moment she threw herself at him in the heated moment, appeared before her.
It was snowing in the courtyard as they held each other, both screaming at each other, as Wrenâs new magic created a snowstorm around them, pushing them closer, due to her emotions raging inside of her. Snowflakes landed all over their clothes, hair and a single one stopping on AlarikÂŽs bottom lip.
âI hate you!â Wren hissed. âI hate you more than anyone Iâve ever met!â
âAnd you think i care?â Alarik sneered. âI hate you too.â
âTyrant.â
âBrat.â He shot back.
âWretch.â
âWitch.â
âSo what?!â Wrenâs gaze fell to that single snowflake on his lip.
Alarik held her face in his hands. Trying to hold her still and stop the blizzard going out of control around them.
âWren.â He said with a serious tone. âStop. It.â
âMake. Me.â And then, they were kissing.
Wren didnât know why she licked the snowflake from his bottom lip. Or why he opened his mouth to seize the kiss. But it happened.
She initiated the kiss.
SHIT. She kissed him.
If not for that damn snowflake on his impeccable lips, it wouldnât have happened. But it did. And now it was gonna happen again.
This time, however, she was thinking straight. Sheâs able to stop the kiss and the forming of any more complicated and uncertain feelings for the man infront of her. Guilt, grief, anger, frustration, disappointment. Those feelings were just a few snowflakes in the blizzard of suffering roaming inside her, at this time. Wren couldnât stop the blizzard now, nor ever, she feared. But she is able to keep someone else from getting drawn into her storm.
She had to stop this. To protect herself, and him, from more complications between each other. To protect them both from another mistake.
âToo closeâŠâ Wren swallowed as she looked into his eyes.
She was sure that deep inside his gaze, was a spark of hurt and disappointment, before his eyes turned to an understanding look, as he slowly retreated his face from hers. Giving her space. When his hands left her body, she trembled from the lost feeling of his closeness.
This happened before.
She was broken. Too broken to see someone elseâs feelings. Too broken to see her own feelings.
To see, to feel, what she really wanted, what she needed.
After failing to heal Prince Ansel a few months ago, she ran away, breaking down in her room. She couldnât do to. She couldnât heal the Princeâs soul and give him the peace he desired. Wren couldnât. No matter how much she wanted to. And she did, want to. She wanted to fix her mistakes. By using forbidden magic, she poisoned her own soul.
She cursed herself. She was broken.
âYou are not broken, Wren.â
Alarikâs voice reached her memory. She wasnât alone with her grief, that day. There was someone else next to her.
It was Alarik. He ran after her that day. He saw her in her weakest moments. In her most pathetic moment. And yet, he had no intention of making fun of her.
âYou are not broken.â Alarik said.
âYes, I am! What the hell do you know?!â
âI know that if you can bring yourself to care about something beyond yourself, you are not broken.â
He raised his hand, curling a strand of her hair around his finger.
When he lifted it, Wren saw that it was bright silver.
âSee how much you care, Wren.â
Alarik traced the single black strand in his summer wheat hair, which developed after his fathers death.
âMy father once told me that to know grieve is to know love, and you cannot love something if youâre irretrievably broken.â
Back then she was staring at the King, trying to figure out where this version of him had come from, or if perhaps it had been there alll along, hiding beneath his icy facade.
âYou once told me that love is a horrible business.â Countered Wren sobbing.
âIt is.â said Alarik âBut why does that have to change anything?â
Her shoulders sagged under the weight of the truth.
âI canât fix Ansel, I canât even fix myself.â
âYou donât need to be fixed. You just need time to heal.â
Wren closed her eyes, feeling his grief as her own.
He stepped back.
A small, wayward part of her wanted to reach for him, at that moment.
To curl herself in his embrace and distract herself from the crack in her heart.
âGo home. Find your healing witch.â
Sheâll never forget his soft and fleeting smile. The way a moment of peace in a lifetime of war was given to her, by the man she called her enemy.
He stood back then, and the moment slipped away. He stood back now too.
âButâŠâ Wrenâs broken and timid voice reached Alarik in a second, as he once again searched for her eyes. She looked at him, her vision slowly decreasing as tears developed in her eyes.
Wren let the last moment to slip away. But she wasnât gonna let this one slip away.
She grabbed his belt and pulling him closer, his nose inches away from crashing into her forehead. Her hands were trembling while holding onto the fabric of his shirt, almost turning white due to her fierce grip.
âButâŠâ Her eyes slipped a little further down and land on his lips once again. ââŠnot close enough.â
âWren...â Alarik whispers, softly, before she pressed her lips against his. Immediately, he melted into her.
Different than their past lip debate, this was a different sensation. Sweet, not hasty or needy. Soft, tender, sincere. Things she never expected from the Gevran King.
This time, the kiss didnât develop into a fierce battle of emotions, it stayed as a diligent touch, lingering long enough for both of them to adapt their breathing until their chests were heaving in synchronization. Alarik gently moved his right hand though her hair, while the one on her waist continued to massage her tender flesh. It made her lightheaded, forming an empty space in her mind with no room for doubt, grieve, or any other feeling other thanâŠ.this.
Once again, it was the selfish and fierce King with an ice block as heart, that gave her even the tiniest bit of peace in the battle she was fighting, the one in her country and in herself. This second of vulnerability from both her, a witch queen, and the gevran king, made her feel at peace. Even if it didnât hold long.
Her feelings were just as confusing and complicated as the man she was embracing. Alarik was a complicated man indeed. Last time she discovered new side of him, it that twisted her stomach. Wren didnât like how it cast Alarik in a different light, not as a brutal king but as an ordinary young man. She didnât want to think of him like that. Every time she spares a thought for him, good or bad, it gets intertwined with guilt. It would slowly start to eat her from the inside, until she couldnât tell if itâs right or wrong. She didnât want to feel too much, she didnât want things to get mixed up and grow more complicated. After all, the only person who gets more insecure about their own indefinite feelings, is her.
Due to her thoughts, the young Queen unintentionally squirmed in his hold, which caught Alarikâs attention. As if he could read her mind, and feel her building doubt, he slipped his tongue through her lips, surprising her so much, that a squeal and moan escaped her at the same time.
She broke away from his hold, trembling more with embarrassment than fury.
âYou slipped a tongue in there, you fuckin-â
âWell, you were making weird noises so clearly you enjoyed that.â He joked, showing off his canines. She offendedly pushed him backwards, so her back wasnât pressed against the cold stone wall anymore.
âThis changes nothing. I still hate you.â
âDidnât seem that way a second ago.â
âI-â
âYou kissed me.â
âShut up.â
âThat was-â
âThat never happened.â
âWren, I donât think this ego lift is ever going to fade.â
She attacked him with a punch. Like he saw it coming, Alarik caught her wrist and pulled her into his chest, holding her hand against his heart.
âStill hate me?â
âDefinitely.â
âJust as much?â
âHmmâŠmaybeâŠâ she reached her other hand infront of his face. Her fingers pressed strongly against each other, not leaving a gap between the tips. âThisâŠless.â
Alarik smirked, distancing himself once again as he lead her hand towards his face.
âIâll take what I can get.â He pressed his lips to her hand. Wren silently gasped as the feeling of his lips left her skin.
âI need a drink.â
âWhatâs the magic word?â Alarik said, jokingly.
âOh, yeah nevermind. Iâll get it myself.â She scooted past him, hearing a faint chuckle erupt from his mouth.
Together, they made their way back to the festivities, shoulders brushing softly with each step, as the sound of their footsteps, just like their feelings of distrust towards one another, slowly quiet down.
Art by the amazing @gessueter and commissioned by the lovely @StardustSteph (both on Twitter)
A short fanfic of Wren x Alarik from the books Twin Crowns, Cursed Crowns and Burning Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber
Pairing/Ship: Queen Wren Greenrock, King Alarik Felsing
Trope: Enemies to Lovers, Rivals To Lovers, Fluff, Angst
Warning: Mention of characters death, cursing
Summary:
Queen Wren needed some fresh air during festivities held at Grinstad Palace, hosted by Royal Family of Gevra. While taking a stroll through the quiet hallways together, Wren and Alarik noticed a Mistletoe hanging above them. Wren is given a choice. To either kiss her mortal enemy (once again) or walk away, ignoring her growing feelings for him.
WARNING! This story takes place after the second book, so HUGE SPOILER ALERT FOR BOTH BOOKS!
This is my first EVER story Iâve written and posted here. The Twin Crowns series has captured my heart for some time now, and only after reading the second one did I start imagining my own stories for these characters.
The books are absolutely amazing! I cannot wait for the third and final book of this trilogy.
I therefore tried to come up with my own little scenario.
A few things in advance: This is my first fanfic I wrote and English is only my second language, so there might be a lot of mistake in there. I also used exact parts from the books to fill in the flashbacks, so if some parts sound familiar than thatâs because itâs 100% copied from the books hahaha.
I also didnât know how to set the scene and mood correctly, so it starts of with a fast summary of the books (so big spoilers) as it explains why Wren happened to be in Gevra once again. Thereâs a big jump into the story as the two were already walking together. I didnât know how to start off, so if it feels a bit rushed Iâm sorry.
Please show more support to the authors of this series and I hope that you will enjoy this little oneshot.
The Christmas season is coming to a close and every year the royal family of Gevra holds a huge feast at Grinstad Palace to celebrate.
This year however, the Twin Queens of Eana, Rose Valhart and Wren Greenrock, as well as their best friend and strongest ally King Shen Lo of the Sunkissed Kingdom, have been invited as honorary guests by King Alarik Felsing of Gevra himself.
The cold hearted King of Beasts invited them after a long exchange of letters with the Queens.
Their last meeting included the second death of the Kingâs younger sibling, Prince Ansel.
After he died in Eana, Wren was forced to bring him back with forbidden blood magic which caused him to return as a living corpse more than a real resurrected human being.
After multiple attempts of warning King Alarik and his sister, Princess Anika Felsing, about the dangerous outcome, they later agreed on letting their brother rest in peace.
The Felsing siblings asked Wren to perform her healing magic to send Prince Anselâs body in a peaceful slumber, but it didnât work when she tried.
Later, her sister Queen Rose took on the task and gave the Prince the peace he wanted, and his family the peace they needed.
The exchange of letters with the Gevran King also involved a specific evil witch, that holds a dangerous threat to both their kingdoms. The festivities are a perfect chance to talk about forming an alliance to fight this threat together.
Thatâs why, even though the twin Queens feel a chill running down their spines just thinking about traveling to Gevra, they still accepted the invitation. Hoping to officially bury the hatchet with the icy realm and additionally, build an alliance between Gevra and Eana, as a gift to their people.
*End of Summary*
The King of Gevra, and the Queen of Eana left the noisy ballroom behind, as they walked through the hallways of Grinstad Palace.
Alarik suddenly stopped under a door arch, as he noticed something on the ceiling. He looked up amused.
âWhatâs so funny?â Wren said as she looked up suspiciously, trying to see what got the frost-hearted Kingâs attention.
At first she didnât realize what she saw, but then she remembered the Gevran tradition, Princess Anika told her about. The so called âMistletoeâ, saying two souls whom stand beneath one, will have to peck their lips or be cursed for life.
Wren mumbled swear words while nervously looking around if anyone can see them, hoping, even a tiny bit, that their privacy will be interrupted and her complicated flame of desire for the ice cold king wouldnât develop and confuse her any further. Dammit. Thatâs exactly the reason, why she was avoiding private moments with him.
Suddenly, her head got clouded in the memory of the first and last kiss they shared.
The time they made out in the middle of her self made blizzard, outside of Grinstad Palace.
She remembers the moment Alarik smiled into the kiss, not being afraid of the witch in his arms or the blizzard at his back. Both trying to find release from their own grief, and finding it, in each others embrace.
She shock her head, trying to get rid of those memories before they overtake her actions.
Only after gazing back at the Kingâs face did she realize that she mustâve looked absolutely pathetic, looking around for people, turning all shades of red trying to distract from the mistletoe hovering above them.
âI am not kissing yo-â
âToo bad, itâs tradition.â King Alarik stepped foward, cutting her off. She immediately looked away trying to hide her red face.
Wren couldnât take it, she was looking like a fool in this moment. Trying to get the upper hand in this, she took a stride towards him, facing him directly.
âWhereâs your mother? Iâd rather kiss her.â
A chuckle escaped his throat. âThatâs very low. Even for-â
âA witch?â Wren crossed her arms.
â-you.â Alarik finished.
âSame thing.â
Another low chuckle. âYou may be a witch, having your own kind of spellsâŠâ
Alarik glided even closer, making Wren tilt her head to look in his shining blue eyes.
âButâŠâŠif you break a Gevran tradition, youâll end up being cursed for life. Is that what you want?â
ââŠ.Are you blackmailing me right now?â
âPerhaps.â
âI feel honored, your Majesty.â Wren said while sarcastically curtsying to him.
âBut with all my, none existing, respect for you⊠I will NOT be kissing you.â
A smirk came across her lips, thinking she finally turned the conservation around.
Alarik hummed in response.
âOh donât worry, your HighnessâŠâ His sarcasm mirrored her own.
âI never said anything about you having to kiss me.â He said while slowly decreasing the distance of their bodies, causing Wren to retreat backwards until her back hits the wall of the arch.
âW-What?â Wren hated how intimidated her voice sounded. Alarik was so close that she could feel his breath on her face.
âWhat made you thinkâŠâ His right hand caressed her silvery strand of hair, until he reached her cheek. He wasnât touching her cheek, his hand was just levitating beside her face. Wren could only feel a light touch, because her trembling would cause her face to slightly brush against his hand.
Her eyes darted to his left hand that had found itself gently placed on her waist, his thumb soothingly drawing circles over her skin, sending even more shivers up her spine.
ââŠthat You will be the one initiating the kiss.â He whispers, almost afraid that someone will hear them, even though it was obvious that they were completely alone.
Wrenâs eyes met his, immediately getting trapped in his gaze.
Once again the memory of their past kiss slipped itself into her mind.
She knew Alarik Felsing can kiss. His quiet ferocity to his passion, the way he held her tightly against him, how he angled her head to claim her mouth and the way she let him back then. The moment his lips seizing hers, the spark being ignited and them being consumed in its fire.
The Gevran King closed the distance further, pulling the Queen out of her thoughts. She slammed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the feeling of his soft lips against hers once again. Deep down feelings of uncertainty and guilt creeped up. But the touch of his lips never came.
She opened her eyes again, trying not to let any signs of disappointment from her gaze betray her feelings to him.
Alarikâs eyes werenât closed. They were mainly focused on hers, like he never closed them in the first place, making it seem like he never intended on kissing her at all.
Her confusion grew with every millisecond the King wasnât moving.
The Gevran King, Alarik Felsing, was a powerful, selfish man. He could get everything he wanted, he couldâve captured her lips right then if he so desired and yet, here they were. Not kissing.
Just staring in each others eyes, as his hands continued to ghostly hold her waist and hair, not daring to capture her with more force. And additionally, Alarik didnât show any interest of wanting to close the remaining distance. He did not move, and he was not going to move.
The Witch was held loosely in the embrace of the Icy King, free to step away from him and leave any building feelings for the King behind, or capture his lips herself, if she so desired.
Wren couldnât believe it. Was he messing with her?
Was it all just a game? Finding the perfect time and spot to make her vulnerable and then mess with her? Slowly, but surely, the old feelings of anger and disappointment towards the cold-hearted King of beasts returned. Deep down Wren had a feeling that, sooner or later, Alarik would tease her about the heated kiss they shared in the past. It was obvious that he was gonna be the one whoâd bring it up again. He enjoyed it, for some sick reason she doesnât really wanna know.
But she didnât enjoy it. She never wanted to kiss him. She hated him. They hated each other.
The blizzard of her confused feelings clouded her mind mind that day, she wasnât thinking straight. The kiss was a mistake.
Her now furious eyes flickered at his gaze, trying to find some truth in his annoyingly shining blue pupils. Then, a sudden thought overtook her mind. The moment she threw herself at him in the heated moment, appeared before her.
It was snowing in the courtyard as they held each other, both screaming at each other, as Wrenâs new magic created a snowstorm around them, pushing them closer, due to her emotions raging inside of her. Snowflakes landed all over their clothes, hair and a single one stopping on AlarikÂŽs bottom lip.
âI hate you!â Wren hissed. âI hate you more than anyone Iâve ever met!â
âAnd you think i care?â Alarik sneered. âI hate you too.â
âTyrant.â
âBrat.â He shot back.
âWretch.â
âWitch.â
âSo what?!â Wrenâs gaze fell to that single snowflake on his lip.
Alarik held her face in his hands. Trying to hold her still and stop the blizzard going out of control around them.
âWren.â He said with a serious tone. âStop. It.â
âMake. Me.â And then, they were kissing.
Wren didnât know why she licked the snowflake from his bottom lip. Or why he opened his mouth to seize the kiss. But it happened.
She initiated the kiss.
SHIT. She kissed him.
If not for that damn snowflake on his impeccable lips, it wouldnât have happened. But it did. And now it was gonna happen again.
This time, however, she was thinking straight. Sheâs able to stop the kiss and the forming of any more complicated and uncertain feelings for the man infront of her. Guilt, grief, anger, frustration, disappointment. Those feelings were just a few snowflakes in the blizzard of suffering roaming inside her, at this time. Wren couldnât stop the blizzard now, nor ever, she feared. But she is able to keep someone else from getting drawn into her storm.
She had to stop this. To protect herself, and him, from more complications between each other. To protect them both from another mistake.
âToo closeâŠâ Wren swallowed as she looked into his eyes.
She was sure that deep inside his gaze, was a spark of hurt and disappointment, before his eyes turned to an understanding look, as he slowly retreated his face from hers. Giving her space. When his hands left her body, she trembled from the lost feeling of his closeness.
This happened before.
She was broken. Too broken to see someone elseâs feelings. Too broken to see her own feelings.
To see, to feel, what she really wanted, what she needed.
After failing to heal Prince Ansel a few months ago, she ran away, breaking down in her room. She couldnât do to. She couldnât heal the Princeâs soul and give him the peace he desired. Wren couldnât. No matter how much she wanted to. And she did, want to. She wanted to fix her mistakes. By using forbidden magic, she poisoned her own soul.
She cursed herself. She was broken.
âYou are not broken, Wren.â
Alarikâs voice reached her memory. She wasnât alone with her grief, that day. There was someone else next to her.
It was Alarik. He ran after her that day. He saw her in her weakest moments. In her most pathetic moment. And yet, he had no intention of making fun of her.
âYou are not broken.â Alarik said.
âYes, I am! What the hell do you know?!â
âI know that if you can bring yourself to care about something beyond yourself, you are not broken.â
He raised his hand, curling a strand of her hair around his finger.
When he lifted it, Wren saw that it was bright silver.
âSee how much you care, Wren.â
Alarik traced the single black strand in his summer wheat hair, which developed after his fathers death.
âMy father once told me that to know grieve is to know love, and you cannot love something if youâre irretrievably broken.â
Back then she was staring at the King, trying to figure out where this version of him had come from, or if perhaps it had been there alll along, hiding beneath his icy facade.
âYou once told me that love is a horrible business.â Countered Wren sobbing.
âIt is.â said Alarik âBut why does that have to change anything?â
Her shoulders sagged under the weight of the truth.
âI canât fix Ansel, I canât even fix myself.â
âYou donât need to be fixed. You just need time to heal.â
Wren closed her eyes, feeling his grief as her own.
He stepped back.
A small, wayward part of her wanted to reach for him, at that moment.
To curl herself in his embrace and distract herself from the crack in her heart.
âGo home. Find your healing witch.â
Sheâll never forget his soft and fleeting smile. The way a moment of peace in a lifetime of war was given to her, by the man she called her enemy.
He stood back then, and the moment slipped away. He stood back now too.
âButâŠâ Wrenâs broken and timid voice reached Alarik in a second, as he once again searched for her eyes. She looked at him, her vision slowly decreasing as tears developed in her eyes.
Wren let the last moment to slip away. But she wasnât gonna let this one slip away.
She grabbed his belt and pulling him closer, his nose inches away from crashing into her forehead. Her hands were trembling while holding onto the fabric of his shirt, almost turning white due to her fierce grip.
âButâŠâ Her eyes slipped a little further down and land on his lips once again. ââŠnot close enough.â
âWren...â Alarik whispers, softly, before she pressed her lips against his. Immediately, he melted into her.
Different than their past lip debate, this was a different sensation. Sweet, not hasty or needy. Soft, tender, sincere. Things she never expected from the Gevran King.
This time, the kiss didnât develop into a fierce battle of emotions, it stayed as a diligent touch, lingering long enough for both of them to adapt their breathing until their chests were heaving in synchronization. Alarik gently moved his right hand though her hair, while the one on her waist continued to massage her tender flesh. It made her lightheaded, forming an empty space in her mind with no room for doubt, grieve, or any other feeling other thanâŠ.this.
Once again, it was the selfish and fierce King with an ice block as heart, that gave her even the tiniest bit of peace in the battle she was fighting, the one in her country and in herself. This second of vulnerability from both her, a witch queen, and the gevran king, made her feel at peace. Even if it didnât hold long.
Her feelings were just as confusing and complicated as the man she was embracing. Alarik was a complicated man indeed. Last time she discovered new side of him, it that twisted her stomach. Wren didnât like how it cast Alarik in a different light, not as a brutal king but as an ordinary young man. She didnât want to think of him like that. Every time she spares a thought for him, good or bad, it gets intertwined with guilt. It would slowly start to eat her from the inside, until she couldnât tell if itâs right or wrong. She didnât want to feel too much, she didnât want things to get mixed up and grow more complicated. After all, the only person who gets more insecure about their own indefinite feelings, is her.
Due to her thoughts, the young Queen unintentionally squirmed in his hold, which caught Alarikâs attention. As if he could read her mind, and feel her building doubt, he slipped his tongue through her lips, surprising her so much, that a squeal and moan escaped her at the same time.
She broke away from his hold, trembling more with embarrassment than fury.
âYou slipped a tongue in there, you fuckin-â
âWell, you were making weird noises so clearly you enjoyed that.â He joked, showing off his canines. She offendedly pushed him backwards, so her back wasnât pressed against the cold stone wall anymore.
âThis changes nothing. I still hate you.â
âDidnât seem that way a second ago.â
âI-â
âYou kissed me.â
âShut up.â
âThat was-â
âThat never happened.â
âWren, I donât think this ego lift is ever going to fade.â
She attacked him with a punch. Like he saw it coming, Alarik caught her wrist and pulled her into his chest, holding her hand against his heart.
âStill hate me?â
âDefinitely.â
âJust as much?â
âHmmâŠmaybeâŠâ she reached her other hand infront of his face. Her fingers pressed strongly against each other, not leaving a gap between the tips. âThisâŠless.â
Alarik smirked, distancing himself once again as he lead her hand towards his face.
âIâll take what I can get.â He pressed his lips to her hand. Wren silently gasped as the feeling of his lips left her skin.
âI need a drink.â
âWhatâs the magic word?â Alarik said, jokingly.
âOh, yeah nevermind. Iâll get it myself.â She scooted past him, hearing a faint chuckle erupt from his mouth.
Together, they made their way back to the festivities, shoulders brushing softly with each step, as the sound of their footsteps, just like their feelings of distrust towards one another, slowly quiet down.
Why you should watch âZak Storm: Super Pirateâ (or at least give it a try)!
The Zak Storm fandom has always been small and got overshadowed by Miraculous etc.
But season 2 will be on itâs way, and as someone who loves this series so much I want to show others how amazing und underrated this series is.
Please, give it a try:
âââââââââââ
Reason 1: The Genre
Zak Storm combines Action, Adventure and Science Fantasy all in one.
Reason 2: The Story
Short summary:
FROM THE STUDIO THAT BROUGHT YOU MIRACULOUS
âZak Stormâ tells of the adventures of young teen surfer, Zak â a headstrong and adventurous kid swept into the Bermuda Triangle while surfing.
Once inside, Zak partners up with a enchanted talking sword called Calabrass.
Calabrass allows him to transform into a swashbuckling, renegade hero to fight off the numerous perils of the unique and diverse Seven Seas within the belly of the Triangle.
Young Zak sails the mysterious seas with an extraordinarily living ship, the Chaos, and his crew comprised of; Calabrass the talking sword, Cece an Atlantean princess first mate, Crogar a thick-headed & heavy-fisted Viking, Caramba a neurotic alien space traveler, and Clovis a poltergeist prankster kid!
Can Zak manage the many quirky personalities of his ship & crew in order to lead them past uber villain, Skullivar, and escape the Triangle?
Reason 3: The animation
The animation is amazing, not only when it comes to epic fight scenes but also the amazing shots of the different location throughout the mysterious Bermuda Triangle...
and the special lighting at really emotional scenes:
Reason 4: What does it teach you?
Zak Storm teaches...
âą that being a good leader doesnât mean to be the strongest or smartest. As leader you are never alone, because you have your team that will help you through the hardest times. It teaches you about unity and team work.
âą that neither being afraid of something or making mistakes is something bad. With a group of friends you can overcome any obstacles.
âą that itâs all about enjoying the journey.
Even though their desire to go back to their homes is what brings them together in the first place, itâs all about what they experience along the way. If they succeed or fail. They donât give up and work even harder making this journey a crazy, fun and amazing adventure through the unknown seven seas.
