SJM Next Gen Week is over for 2023. It's been a small turnout, but I didn't expect much popularity for next gen anyways. A big thank you to @shallyne, @starfall-spirit, @azrielover, @jealousveronya, and @panicatthenightcourt for contributing this week!
The account will be monitored from here for a few days following the event just in case there are any late submissions, but by this coming Wednesday or Thursday I ask that you instead submit any questions/concerns to @starfall-spirit's ask box.
I hope everyone has enjoyed participating in this event. I'll see you next year with fresh prompts!
Summary: Nyx, Val, Indi and Griff decide to break some rules. Surprisingly, they get away with it….or so they think.
Warnings: Implied underage alcohol use, implied alcohol use
wc: 840
a/n: Valentina is Gwynriel’s daughter, Indigo is Elucien’s daughter, Griffith is Nessian’s son and, of course, Nyx is Feysand’s son. They’re all between the ages of 16 and 18. Also…yes, overgrown bat is my favorite insult and I will use it everywhere I can.
Free Day for the last of Next Gen Week. Its Feyres POV as a sentimental mama. For @sjmnextgenweek
Words: 920
TW: none
Feyre thinks back to when her children were little. Feat. Kronos and Rhys
Feyre was in a sentimental mood. This happened more and more recently as her children left the nest one after one. Nyx lived in his own house with his wife, Alara. They had married last summer and as happy as she was for them, something was missing in their house now that he didn't walk around the house and squabble with Nemesis. Bragi was barely home, they traveled the world most of the year and only visited every now and then. Carl hadn't officially moved out yet but he spent most of his time in his room at Nyx's house and if not that, then he spent time with Meadow, the girl he just started seeing. Nemesis still lived in the river house but she spent most of the day with her girlfriend, Eirene, and came home late at night. They saw each other at breakfast and for the rest of the time she was gone.
She was incredibly proud of every single one but she couldn't shake the wistful feeling that crept up as she stood in the utterly silent house. It felt like yesterday as small feet padded over the carpet, accompanied by high pitched shrieks and laughter. It felt like yesterday when they stole Feyre's paint and painted on the walls. It felt like yesterday that Feyre read them a good night story and tugged them into bed.
Something hitting her leg threw Feyre out of her daydreams and she turned around, looking at the white furball who shook her head in confusion. "Hey princess." Feyre said as she picked Kronos up, rocking the cat in her arms. She let out an annoyed huff and Feyre rolled her eyes. "I don't have the carrier with me. For not wanting a cat, Rhys spoiled you quite a lot, you know that?" she pressed a quick kiss on Kronos' head and continued her walk through the river house hallways.
She only stopped when she reached that familiar doorway that held so many memories. Kronos purred in her arms as she beheld the different colored markings. Blue was for Nyx, red was for Nemesis, orange was for Carl and green was for Bragi. That is the doorway where they always measured the kids' height. Feyre huffed a laugh when she looked at the last blue mark, how it almost hit the top of the doorframe. She remembered that she had to climb on a chair to mark it. All her kids had outgrown her by now, even her youngest. Everytime they all stood together Feyre looked tiny, even though she was average height, especially as Fae. It became a whirlwind of colors on the doorframe as the years had passed. Blue was the farthest up, followed by orange, then red and then green.
Feyre sat down on a cushioned bench across from the doorway and exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. She stabilized Kronos with one hand and used the other to wipe over her face as tears pricked in her eyes.
"Feyre." her mate's voice sounded softly. Rhys stood in the hallway, his hair slightly tousled as it always was after he winnowed.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm fine." she said.
He sat down beside her with a groan and asked. "How do I look at you?"
"Worried." Feyre replied. "Which there is no reason for."
"You're sad."
"I'm not sad." she countered. "I'm…sentimental. I just–it feels like they were just kids and then I blinked. Now they are mostly out of the house, making their own families. Yesterday I held a newborn Bragi in my arms and now they are out there, exploring the world all on their own. Nyx is married, Rhys. I don't know why I'm like this, I'm happy. I'm genuinely happy and so, so proud but without them the house suddenly feel so-"
"Big?" He finished her sentence. "Silent?"
Feyre sighed. "Yes, both."
Rhys put an arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her temple. "I know, it's hard. I would take thousands more gray hairs if we'd get another month with them together under the same roof." Feyre snorted at the memories of Rhys finding a gray hair and her spending the rest of the evening looking if there were more. "But they aren't gone, Feyre Darling. They are close and they come to visit fairly often."
"But Bragi isn't close." she said.
"Bragi makes the time to visit as often as it is possible." Of course Rhys was right, Feyre knew that. "They have the adventures they always dreamt of." he leaned his forehead against hers and whispered. "Bragi also sends a letter from every place they were. They all know where their home is. They won't leave us."
Feyre let out a shuddering breath. Of course Rhys knew what bothered Feyre deep down before she did.
"I know." she whispered. "I know, you're right, I just–I need a little time to get that into my head."
"Take that time," he said. Feyre placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him. When she pulled away, Rhys smirked. "We should use that time that they won't barge in."
Feyre chuckled and slapped his arm. "Don't make jokes when I'm in a crisis."
He echoed her chuckle. Rhys took her hand and pulled her up, Feyre still held the purring cat in her arm.
"That wasn't a joke." Rhys said, although his eyes were dancing with humor. "It was a suggestion."
It's time for a ceremony to announce the Heir of the Night Court
Nyx Archeron is the oldest child of the High Lady and Lord of the Night Court. Therefore people seem to believe that he would step into his parents footsteps when the time has come but this wasn't the case. His sister Nemesis was born for this role and she knew early on that she wanted to be High Lady of the Night Court someday. Nyx never had any interest in ruling, he couldn't see himself as High Lord, he could barely even stand the weight of the crown on his head when they visited the court of nightmares. Nemesis loved it, she begged for opportunities to wear a crown or learn about ruling and the Night Court history. She looked up to their parents as they ruled and pestered them about details of every meeting they had.
Although the more they told people that Nemesis would take the throne one day, the less they seemed to listen. More people than ever asked Nyx about being heir, ignoring the possibility that there could only be a High Lady someday. It was always a High Lord they said. It was always a male heir getting chosen. They answered Not this time but it was as good as talking to a wall.
Now they stood at the entrance of the court of nightmares and waited for their cue. Their parents already went inside with Azriel in tow. Nyx's hand wandered to the hilt of his sword, Foxglove. He wasn't nervous about the party but everytime they visited Hewn City he felt uneasy. Nemesis didn't have this problem, she never had. Another quality of her that Nyx admired and as he looked back at her, he didn't have any doubts that she would be an incredible ruler one day.
He turned back to the big doors when Azriel came back and nodded, it was now their turn to go out. Nyx looked at Bragi, who stood right beside him, and Carl who was guarding Bragi on their other side. Nemesis would come later, guarded by Cassian. The three of them took a deep breath and then walked inside the throne room. All attention was on them, they walked through the crowd and took their places besides the dais. Nyx only looked quick to his parents on their thrones and then the murmuring began. It was only known that the heir was announced today, so most people expected it to be Nyx until he stopped at the dais beside Bragi and Carl.
His mother gave the orders and the doors opened. Nyx stood straighter and he could feel his siblings do the same as Nemesis walked through the crowd and stopped in front of the dais. She wore the gown that was made specifically for this day, that she had worked so long on the design with the seamstress until it was finally perfect.
Nemesis looked regal as she stood there. She didn't smile but happiness and pride danced in her eyes, especially as their father started his speech. Pride filled Nyx, he was incredibly proud of Nemesis. This was a huge responsibility that she never shied away from, even as she heard about the ugly sides.
Bragi looped their arm around Nyx's and when he looked at his sibling, tears welled up in her eyes. He patted the hand that was resting on his arm and they squeezed.
Hereby I announce you to the rightful heir to the throne
Nemesis kneeled down as their mother took the tiara that was waiting on a pillow and placed it on Nemesis' head. "Rise." she told her and as Nemesis did, their mother whispered something that Nyx couldn't hear.
Then she turned around to the crowd of the Hewn City, who bowed. So did their aunts and uncles and so did Carl, Bragi and Nyx.
"Rise." Nemesis echoed the words that their mother said to her shortly before. As Nyx did, his gaze met his sister's and a ghost of a smile played on her mouth and that was when Nyx saw it. With the tiara atop her head she looked like the personification of night. The future High Lady of the Night Court, it was always supposed to be Nemesis.
Nesta and Cassian’s Only Child
Ayla just recently completed her Blood Rite with her cousin Roxanna. The two are thick as thieves, getting into a little too much trouble with Nyx setting the example as the brother/cousin ten years their senior.
Unfortunately the girls lost their other best friend during an attack during the Rite. In her moment of grief and rage Alya was able to access power that she was unaware of, despite the Blood Rite's laws of power suppression. One of those gifts allowed her to cross worlds, finding her carranam and mate in Terrasen.
Name Translation: Night
Feyre and Rhys’ Oldest Child
36 Years Old
Though the gifts of seven courts passed on to Nyx, he’s prone to using his Night Court gifts, leading some to believe he will inherit his father’s title.
Despite being busy with his many responsibilities as the prince, he is extremely supportive of his younger sister and cousin, going as far as to train them for their Blood Rite Qualifier.
Nyx finds his mate later than his cousin, passing the hundred year mark before finding her on a diplomatic mission securing Rask’s position on the treaty created after Hybern fell.
Name Translation: Little Star/Bright
Feyre and Rhysand’s Youngest Child
Roxanna is a girly-girl. Even still, she knows what dangers linger and she’s trained just as well as her cousin and brother. Essentially, she can kick ass and look good while doing it.
Being significantly younger than Nyx, her magic isn’t quite at the same level, but as they’re both so young she hasn’t been dismissed as a potential heir. Still, with her bubbly personality and wanderlust—as well as some casual flirting with a Winter prince—leadership is the last thing on her mind.
Safira, Princess of Rask
Name Translation: Sapphire
The heiress and jewel of the court, Safira has many weapons in her arsenal, fine tuning the balance of a noblewoman and warrior queen she’d one day be.
Ladylike she may be, but that shouldn’t be assumed interchangeable with a docile daughter. With a hot temper and valiant heart, she’ll kill as fast as she’ll bargain to keep her home and people safe.
And she’ll put a Night Court prince in his place, should he get too arrogant for her taste.
”Oh my—” I jumped as Aelin slammed a hand down on the water table outside the training ring. She jabbed a finger towards Rox. “You’re their daughter. I knew you looked like the female I saw, Ayla. Roxanna’s a spitting image of that male.”
”I’m sorry?” she sputtered.
”Your court lies in a mountain range?” We nodded. “And those wings, I take it you inherited them from your father?” Aelin pushed.
”Yes. And my mother, I suppose.” Aelin hesitated. “She shapeshifts into an Illyrian when she feels like flying,” Roxanna explained. “I don’t particularly care to discuss how the three-quarters Illyrian blood worked out for my brother and me.”
I snickered and she elbowed my ribs. "During the war against the Valg," Aelin continued, "I had to handle the Lock. I won't bore you with the crazy history of that. Essentially, the thing happened and I was falling through the worlds and I saw Prythian. The Night Court, specifically. Your father, I believe, managed to slow my fall. I stopped here, power drained, but home safe. When you girls get back, thank him for me, will you?"
"If," I corrected the queen. "If we get back. I understand this is awkward. If we're overstaying we can travel somewhere else."
"I don't think that's necessary. Yet. Though, Rowan wants to talk to you, Ayla."
"Okay. Should I consider him armed and dangerous."
"Only always. Don't worry. You haven't pissed him off yet."
I gave my cousin an affectionate wing nudge before moving towards the warrior-consort a dozen yards out. "Hello."
"Let's walk and talk." I nodded slowly, unease creeping in as we looped around the training area. "I won't see a repeat of what happened in the throne room."
"I sincerely apologize. I was... frightened. Defensive. A few days into my gift."
"It isn't a matter of what frightened you or what damage was done. It was the fact my mate, son, and soldiers were around you. I don't care what Aelin just told you. If you lose control again you won't have a place here. You start training immediately or find somewhere else to go until you've got a grip on everything."
"And whom will I be training with?"
That's when the smirk came. "Someone else with fire power that doesn't have a kingdom to run yet."
"So, rather than proper training, I'll be undergoing dream analysis."
"He'll play nice. I hope the same can be said for you."
Without another word he shifted, soaring high and to the west. I huffed, stalking back in the direction I came only to be intercepted by the youngest Galathynius. "What?"
"Ready for lesson number one?" A new set of nerves was setting in. I hadn't tried to tap into any gifts beyond my world-crossing. But I felt it there. A pressure in my gut, growing and fading. Pushing back my irritation, I followed him out to a clear field. "A good perimeter if you lose control.” He eyed my wings for a moment, but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. I knew he had seen the scarring. “So, how did you inherit your gifts? What kinds of magic have you noticed beyond that fire?”
“Just the world-crossing. I don’t have any Illyrian magic to master, so it’s just that silver fire from my mother.” We didn’t need to discuss the daemati struggle. “She got her gifts when she was Made fae. A gift from the Cauldron.”
He nodded. "Alright, Ayla. Show me what I've got to work with." I took a breath, reaching in for that temperamental gift. He narrowed his eyes as I summoned the flame, his own magic coming to life in his palm. "May I?"
"What?"
He kept his hand over mine, our two flames centimeters apart. "It won't burn you, I promise. I don't know if you can control burning yet, but I've mastered it and can test for harmful flames. At the moment I can sense yours won't burn either." Intrigued, I gave him a silent go ahead.
Our magic met and flared out as he turned my hands to cradle them in his. The contrasting silver I formed didn't die out, but began to blend, flickering between silver and red as if welcoming his flames to mingle. The iciness in my palm faded and my back warmed suddenly, the perfect opposite of that moment at the Blood Rite initiation. I jerked out of his grip. He seemed just as stunned. "Your back was... Ayla, why was your back glowing?"
I snorted. "Glowing? I mean it was warm suddenly, but your eyes are playing tricks on you out in this sun." Never mind I thought I'd seen the same thing in the mirror, but he didn't need to know that. How it could be bright enough to see through the tunic was another mystery.
"Right." I knew I sounded standoffish, but he moved on anyway. "Another weird thing... Your fire isn't hot."
Colder than ice. Pure death, my uncle had called it. "Does that mean you can't help me?"
"I'm sure we can do something. Especially if it continues to change like that, warming up. Let's try shielding. You'll be reshaping your fire after you summon it. Imagine it as just that. A wall. Something to block an incoming threat. Impenetrable, preferably, but we'll get there later."
It took a few moments to spark a small shield, much to my embarrassment. He was more patient than I expected, not pushing or mocking me. He just told me to try again. Focus on specific things to help bring a controlled form to life.
Life was not the first word I'd use.
The small barrier he expected to see in front of me was not what he ended up getting. Instead I was encased in silver dome, the plants around me instantly shriveling. Disintegrating. My fire wouldn't burn beside Orlon's, but it would kill in it's own way.
A voice snaked past my mind shields, seeming to move like mist, the shields being no obstacle.
At last I may greet you, Child of the Mother.
The daughter of the Prince of Bastards and the Princess of Decay.
So like your mother and yet...
Such potential gone to waste, tossing that power back.
If they were Prince and Princess you shall be a Queen of Ruin.
"No," I tried to snarl, but my voice was nowhere to be found.
She wouldn't train to the extent she should have. You, the Cauldron's last heir will train in this. You will fight with this power. You will burn your own path, two knights by your side, your lives bound for eternity.
Knights?
The voice left me with a haunting question.
My child, after so long without power and coming into your powers at the age of maturity, did you truly think your gift was as simple as the daemati?
The fire went out and the voice vanished. I didn't realize I was falling until Orlon was pulling me against his chest until I could steady myself. Wordlessly, he guided me inside, one arm hovering near my back in case I collapsed again. We got all the way to my room before he said something. "So, you can clearly shield. But who the hell was talking to you?"
I frowned, suddenly feeling cautious. "You could hear it too?"
"What was all that about your parents having titles?"
"My father's a bastard-born war hero. My mother had a crazy power that was identified as pure death. The same flames as mine, but some other stuff too. I haven't tried it."
That question echoed in my mind. My child, after so long without power and coming into your powers at the age of maturity, did you truly think your gift was as simple as the daemati?
I barely kept from shuttering as suspicions started to flood in. "I think I need a bit of rest before dinner. I'll be happy to jump back in tomorrow."
"Right. See you at dinner, Ayla."
I nodded, shutting the door and leaning against it.
You, the Cauldron's last heir will train in this. You will fight with this power. You will burn your own path, two knights by your side, your lives bound for eternity.
Nyx comes to the High Lord meetings even though he is not a High Lord yet. That title still belongs to his father.
And he listens to every discussion, every tale, and memorizes all the details.
"The perfect heir" - that's what they call him.
And Nyx is proud of how well he is doing because only Cauldron knows how hard it is to pay attention to everything being said in those boring meetings while she is right in front of him.
While he can smell her sweet scent.
And so every night, he tells his family he is tired and that he is going to sleep - and in a way he is not lying - eventually he'll sleep, just not in his room.
It would have been a cause of celebration amongst his family had he not fallen in love with Tamlin's daughter.
A forbidden love like this had not been seen in Prythian since his parents. Only, unlike his father, Nyx doesn't have the excuse that is the mating bond,
Today it's all around Feysand's adoptive child: Carl. Enjoy! For @sjmnextgenweek
Trope: Family of Choice
Words: 703
He was a child when he lost his mother. When he met a boy, everything changed.
There once was a little boy born in a city hidden from the world, a city located in the Night Court. A city called Velaris. The boy was perfect, his mother said, everything she had ever wished for. It was just them, the boy and the mother, against the world.
The boy was named Carl, after one of his mothers favorite authors. He had red hair and big, brown eyes that he beheld the world with in fascination. A world so big and full of possibilities that he couldn't wait to explore until tragedy struck and his mother got sick. She died shortly after she started to feel sick and Carl's whole world broke apart. She was his anchor, his best friend, the only person he had trusted with his life.
Carl lived in an orphanage for three years when he met a boy with raven hair and blue-gray eyes. That boy offered him his name and told him his name. Nyx. When Carl's stomach had growled, Nyx took his hand and led him to a bench at the edge of the playground. A lady with long, brown hair smiled at him as Nyx told her that Carl was hungry and she didn't hesitate to give him a sandwich.
From that day on Nyx and Carl often played together and Nyx invited him to his home. It didn't take long until Carl realized that Nyx's mother was Feyre Archeron, the High Lady of the Night Court. It took him by surprise but it didn't seem to change anything between him and his new friend.
One day when Carl was ten years old, he was in his room in his orphanage when Feyre knocked on his door, together with Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court. He remembered how they smiled at him and Feyre asked "Would you like to live with us?"
"Forever?" Carl asked them and they smiled brighter.
"We'd love that, if you want, too." Rhysand said. Carl was never a person who could hide his emotions well, so when he realized that they offered him a home, he burst out in tears. Feyre hugged him as he cried and he held onto her like a lifeline.
It took Carl some time to get used to his new surroundings. When he lived with his mother it was just them. It was only them when they woke up, it was only them when they went to bed. In the orphanage Carl mostly took care of himself, he sometimes played with some kids from the orphanage or a worker looked after him sometimes but that was it. When he arrived in the river house everything was different. It was a house so lively and full of love that it shocked Carl. And then they showed him his room. His room with his own bed and Carl cried again.
Although he was so excited for his own room, he slept in Nyx's room the first three weeks because he was so unused to it. The fourth week they slept together in Carl's room and that's when he was finally and fully lived in.
The first time Carl said it, it was an accident. It just slipped out of him. It was mother's day and he had drawn a little card for Feyre and when he found her, it slipped out. "Mom?" he threw his hand over his mouth but it was too late, he already said it.
Surprisingly she only answered "Yes, sunshine?" and smiled at him. It's what she called them. Nyx was her little star and Carl was her sunshine. He remembered that day so well because on this day Feyre Archeron wasn't only his caretaker anymore but she became his mom.
She was the person that Carl took with her every year on his mother's birthday to her grave. Sometimes when he left, Carl saw her saying something at her grave that he didn't understand before she followed him and they went home. He didn't ask, though. She never asked him what he said, so he wouldn't either.
Now, several years later, he was an Archeron. He was the son of Feyre and Rhys, brother of Nyx, Nemesis and Bragi. Although not only was Nyx his brother but also his best friend, that never changed.
SJMNGW Prompt: Pick a Trope | Big Brother Instinct
Word Count: 665
Summary: After months of waiting, Nyx finally gets to meet his little sister. He knows the second he sees her no one is going to hurt her. He'll always be there to protect her.
AN: I write about kids, but not through kid povs, so excuse the awkwardness. You might all find this terrible, but at least the moodboard is cute.
Nyx was frightened.
Everything had happened so quickly.
Just a few hours ago he had been sat beside his mother, talking about going for a walk down the Sidra after dinner. But then she had frozen, his father and Aunt Elain winnowing into the Riverhouse a moment later. Aunt Elain took him to his room, telling him that his mother would be fine in that soothing way she had. In a few hours he would have a sibling.
“Do you think you’ll have a brother or sister?” his aunt asked.
“I don’t know. I just want everyone to be okay.”
They didn’t think he knew what happened. And they were right in him not knowing much, but the healers talked. So did his aunts and uncles at times. And Nyx had always been quiet and clever. Something dangerous happened when he was born. Aunt Nesta had helped fix it. But it haunted his family. Especially after Madja had announced that his brother or sister would have wings too.
“Can you see if she’s going to be okay?”
His aunt stiffened slightly. She had come to accept her gifts, he knew, but she didn’t love it. “It doesn’t quite work that way, Nyx. But we have no reason to believe the birth will cause any trouble for your mother.”
He nodded, feeling somewhere between wanting to press his aunt to check on his mother and wanting to discuss a different subject entirely. And he knew he shouldn’t be a bother right now. So he’d sit. He’d wait.
~~~~~
“Nyx.”
He straightened with a snort. Uncle Cassian and Aunt Nesta had come to replace Aunt Elain hours ago, as as his uncle opened the wing curled around Nyx’s small frame, he spotted his father in the doorway. “Are they okay?!”
His father smiled. “Everyone is just fine. Your mother is exhausted and sleeping now, but she’s perfectly safe.” He held out his hand.
“Are you ready to meet your sister?”
Nyx grinned. “I have a sister?” He hadn’t realized that would make him so happy. His family still told him girls were gross. But they meant girls you kiss. His little sister wouldn’t be gross. She’d be an angel. “I want to meet her! Now, now, now!”
“Alright, slow down.” Ignoring his fathers offered hand, he bolted towards the Riverhouse’s master bedroom, knowing that was where he’d find his mother and sister. “Quiet now. Remember, your mother needs to rest."
Practically bouncing on his feet, he waited for his father to unlock the door, pouting when he took him by the arm to slow his pace. “Dad,” he whined.
“Walking feet now.”
“Yes sir.”
He made his way to the side of the bed, kissing his mother’s cheek before skipping towards the small bassinet where a bundle of pink and white slept all swaddled in a blanket—just as his parents had taught him to swaddle his doll. Practice for when the baby came. Now he could help take care of her.
“I want to hold her!” he whispered loudly.
“Sit on the foot of the bed, and cradle your arms like we taught you with your doll. That’s it.”
He kept his arms as steady as he could as his father gently set his sister in the cradle he’d made. “She’s so tiny.”
“So were you. She’ll grow, though.”
“Babies grow slow. She’ll need protection.” He stroked the dark fuzz that just peeked out from under her pink hat. “I’ll keep her safe.”
“I know we can count on you for that.” He turned at his mother’s voice, accidentally jostling the infant he held. She began to cry. “Oh dear. Rhys.”
Nyx frowned as his father took her from his arms. Still, he scrambled to the head of the bed, sitting cross-legged to face his mother as she soothed his sister. “What’s her name, Mama?”
“Roxanna. Our little star.”
“Roxanna,” he repeated. He leaned over to kiss her forehead. “I’ll always keep you safe, Roxanna. I promise.”
