Thus Kindly, I Scatter

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

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in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

A sweet, crooning sigh wisped from her lips as Winter’s voice fell into her very spirit, igniting warmth, comfort, reassurance.

I feel…so whole…

Summer silently shifted her leg over both of Winter’s, her gown’s lace pooling around their waists and draping off the bed. Her hand never left Winter’s throat, and the breath that rattled her chest was so deep that the strain…hurt. Distantly, she realized that her heart was throbbing in a more literal sense; not dangerously, but the attack had left her…fragile.

She wasn’t used to experiencing her emotions with such surety, so fully. It went deeper, touched her nerves until they were raw-and all she could think to want was more.

Her other hand joined the first, cupping Winter’s throat on either side, petting her face with soft strokes of her thumbs, falling into her after the long seconds of aching looks had finally began to feel like enough, even if it never would be, nuzzling cheek to cheek with a shuddering sigh of finality.

“…The night we met…I could have died for you. I…could even kill for you. Either way…what bliss.”

She sank her fangs deep, her lashes flitting to a slow close as the heat of her body enveloped her inexperienced fangs, the pulse jumping in response-

“Mmhh…”

Her entire body felt like a live wire, the first pull falling into her like color to a monochrome world. She held Winter carefully, even as her fingers twisted for purchase in the back of her shirt, as she herself threatened to sway as the dizzying sensation took her.

…It’s heaven…it’s heaven…

“…hhh…vennn…”

The blood flowed, so sweetly, as though rushing to greet her like an old friend, and her heart crashed in her chest-did she-deserve something, so good, so right as this-?

I don’t want to let go…

Winter’s hands rose as Summer mounted her lap, fingers spreading over the planes of Summer’s delicate back. She grazed bandages and drooping material, the copper-burnt smell of what had transpired shortly. She trembled beneath the tender weight of Summer’s gaze, and tears rose, unexpectedly.

How…many times have I–nearly lost you?

How many times did your life slip from the two of us–

Snap. Crackle. Through a connection that lingered, Winter thought she understood. Poised at the very edge of her consciousness: a phantom visitation, of herself in blood streaked hunter’s clothing–old, old hunter’s garbs, too–holding a broken Summer, porcelain and white lifeblood pooled around them.

They were gone when Winter blinked, eyes focused back to Summer’s.

I won’t…let it…ever, ever again…!

And Summer’s fangs sank into her neck, piercing her with care, with love. A moan left her as her face turned to the ceiling, heal unfurling in her body.

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in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

Winter sat beside her, the words she’d just spoken registering as though in slow motion.

“…again…” Summer repeated, something winding tight inside of her at the thought.

She shifted forward, the look in Winter’s eyes spellbinding, the fit of her body against the side of Winter’s, ethereal. Summer breathed in deeply, fragrant herbs and earthen blossoms tinged with coppery sweetness, and sank closer, nails grazing lightly down Winter’s lower back, the column of her spine, treading the shape of her bones like a revered instrument of ritual.

The other hand stroked the backs of her fingers, feather-light, up the arc of her cheek, then dropped down her opposite arm as she spoke, winding their fingers together.

“…You’d offer me the sky and the stars, when my very world is already right here-” Her breath was shallow, but did not falter, “-that you would want…to be so profoundly bound with me…” Her hand dropped to the bed behind Winter, the fingers of the other spreading and trailing along the fan of her fingers with an expression so purely of longing.

“…Already, I love you, with everything. It’s enough to live to say those words, and you-you’d give me…”

Her cheek rolled against Winter’s shoulder, brows knit as she nuzzled her nape as though in worship, slow, sluggish strokes of her face against Winter’s neck, her hand dragging back up Winter’s arm to trace the gentle flex on the opposite side of her throat, her body pressed closer with every moment.

“…M…Maybe…” Her voice trembled, “…just…once more…? Right…here…?” She swallowed, breathing out over her throat, warming the skin with as gentle a kiss as she could give.

–when my very world is already right here–

Winter sighed in simple pleasure, eyes fluttering shut as Summer touched her with the gentle reverence saved for only the most priceless treasures. It was telling, so telling, of both Summer and her family of a coven that even with permission to drink, not a one was simply consumed with slaking their thirst.

All they cared for…was the health and wellbeing of those they loved. And they loved Summer, adored her, even Raven who disagreed ninety percent of the time. She wished Summer could see it for herself, the depth of that love, that loyalty…

But the coven wasn’t exactly on Winter’s mind, at the moment. Little was, in fact, save the hot glide of Summer’s breath against her neck, her little kiss. Winter shuddered from scalp to sole, toes curling.

With trust born from lifetimes of it, Winter’s neck dropped into Summer’s hand, baring her throat openly.

“I want you to,” Winter whispered.

A sweet, crooning sigh wisped from her lips as Winter’s voice fell into her very spirit, igniting warmth, comfort, reassurance.

I feel...so whole...

Summer silently shifted her leg over both of Winter’s, her gown’s lace pooling around their waists and draping off the bed. Her hand never left Winter’s throat, and the breath that rattled her chest was so deep that the strain...hurt. Distantly, she realized that her heart was throbbing in a more literal sense; not dangerously, but the attack had left her...fragile.

She wasn’t used to experiencing her emotions with such surety, so fully. It went deeper, touched her nerves until they were raw-and all she could think to want was more.

Her other hand joined the first, cupping Winter’s throat on either side, petting her face with soft strokes of her thumbs, falling into her after the long seconds of aching looks had finally began to feel like enough, even if it never would be, nuzzling cheek to cheek with a shuddering sigh of finality.

“...The night we met...I could have died for you. I...could even kill for you. Either way...what bliss.”

She sank her fangs deep, her lashes flitting to a slow close as the heat of her body enveloped her inexperienced fangs, the pulse jumping in response-

“Mmhh...”

Her entire body felt like a live wire, the first pull falling into her like color to a monochrome world. She held Winter carefully, even as her fingers twisted for purchase in the back of her shirt, as she herself threatened to sway as the dizzying sensation took her.

...It’s heaven...it’s heaven...

“...hhh...vennn...”

The blood flowed, so sweetly, as though rushing to greet her like an old friend, and her heart crashed in her chest-did she-deserve something, so good, so right as this-?

I don’t want to let go...

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

“Yes-” She answered automatically, eyes swimming with profound intoxication, “-So very.”

Her eyes slid to the door, noting the runes, then back to Winter’s curiously.

“…Oh-” She realized softly, eyes crinkling as a musical giggle rang out, just the faintest bit mischievous, “-you…you liked it. Did you not…?”

Her voice lowered slightly, more out of her own shy hesitation than anything else-

“…Not as much as that, first time…right?”

Winter felt herself blossom with a little bit of pride. She’d heard…well, she remembered, more concretely, complaints during her capture about members of the coven able to taste the venom left behind, how it soured the blood, and only made them…more angry. More inclined to hurt Winter for it, anyway.

But hearing Summer say it…having her so obviously enjoy it–

Winter felt her stomach leaping to her throat, her body responding to the memory of…

Summer’s fangs, in my throat…

Her body, pressed to mine…

“Y-you weren’t biting me,” was all she could manage, walking forward, to sit beside Summer. “S-so…so no…no. I didn’t…like it as much as I’d like it, if you bit me. If…if you took my vein, again.”

Winter sat beside her, the words she’d just spoken registering as though in slow motion.

“...again...” Summer repeated, something winding tight inside of her at the thought.

She shifted forward, the look in Winter’s eyes spellbinding, the fit of her body against the side of Winter’s, ethereal. Summer breathed in deeply, fragrant herbs and earthen blossoms tinged with coppery sweetness, and sank closer, nails grazing lightly down Winter’s lower back, the column of her spine, treading the shape of her bones like a revered instrument of ritual.

The other hand stroked the backs of her fingers, feather-light, up the arc of her cheek, then dropped down her opposite arm as she spoke, winding their fingers together.

“...You’d offer me the sky and the stars, when my very world is already right here-” Her breath was shallow, but did not falter, “-that you would want...to be so profoundly bound with me...” Her hand dropped to the bed behind Winter, the fingers of the other spreading and trailing along the fan of her fingers with an expression so purely of longing.

“...Already, I love you, with everything. It’s enough to live to say those words, and you-you’d give me...”

Her cheek rolled against Winter’s shoulder, brows knit as she nuzzled her nape as though in worship, slow, sluggish strokes of her face against Winter’s neck, her hand dragging back up Winter’s arm to trace the gentle flex on the opposite side of her throat, her body pressed closer with every moment.

“...M...Maybe...” Her voice trembled, “...just...once more...? Right...here...?” She swallowed, breathing out over her throat, warming the skin with as gentle a kiss as she could give.

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

Summer opened her lips slowly, her jaw quivering as the haze ebbed and flowed. Her eyes closed as she leaned her cheek into Winter’s palm, and when they opened again, they were frosted silver-still exhausted, but given energy and shine.

A deep breath in, then out. Her gown was slouched and still torn, but she made the necessary adjustments for modesty as she sat up under her own power-or as much under her own power as she could claim, as Winter and Raven made to brace her from either side regardless.

A small, intimate smile tilted her lips as she met eyes once more with Winter.

“I…am well enough to walk, I believe…” She slowly, deliberately linked arms with Winter, though she leaned moderately into her. Another elder tended to Winter’s arm as she lingered, gaining her strength.

Everyone had…shown so much trust in her. The least she could do was to reaffirm it through action, show them that she would try to keep strong. Winter would be the only one who knew otherwise, who would feel the weight at her side that she hid from all others. Summer…was alright with that.

She lowered her head, her voice and manner truly, completely humbled by the faith she’d been shown.

“…Thank you, everyone. You are each the reason we have what we do. Thank you. Thank you for your strength. I’ll not squander it. Now or ever.”

Her vow spoken, she let Winter lead her to their room, seated herself on the bed as they approached, the door locked behind them. As Winter stood before her, her arm sliding back, her fingers caressed the inside of her arm on the way down, trailing over the bandage that had been wrapped there. Her heart seemed to pound thickly as she wet her lips, tasted her again, and swallowed. Lacing her fingers with Winter’s, her other hand caressing through bandages, she looked up, eyelids heavy as the deep, dark red flooded her irises once more.

“…Did I hurt you, Winter…?” She turned her glance to the side, heat in her cheeks. “…I’ve…never felt anything like that in my-in my life-” Her voice shook and her legs felt stiff, tense, toes curling as she worked through the feeling, “-in front of everyone, too…It’s…it feels about the same as if I’d…been undressed, in front of them…”

Her reddened eyes were cloudy, unfocused at the mere suggestion of it, of realizing how intimately she’d been seen. Unhinged immediately off the first taste of Winter’s blood; her hunger, slaked so thoroughly for what felt like the first and only time…

…Everyone had watched, eagerly, though in an innocent context. Knowing how she truly felt made her burn, shy and reserved.

“You’re the one who nearly died,” Winter laughed, though it came through like a sob, “yet you’re asking me if I’m the one hurt? My darling. I’m alright. I’m more than alright, seeing you so…so hale, after everything…”

She shook her head with a smile, endeared. It felt…almost like it should be wrong, to be so nonchalant like this, yet part of her felt transcendent. She’d killed Summer’s attacker; their home was safe; Summer was safe, and from the look of her…

Rosy cheeked and rosy eyed, too, stroking over Winter’s arm. Winter swallowed and felt the first signs of allure rising; crackling around Summer like an aura. She freed up one hand to gesture briskly at the door. Around the frame, within the stone itself, light blue runes etched themselves into a temporary ward of silence.

“Was it–” Winter hesitated, flushing. Shyly, she asked, “Did…I…d-did I taste nice?”

“Yes-” She answered automatically, eyes swimming with profound intoxication, “-So very.”

Her eyes slid to the door, noting the runes, then back to Winter’s curiously.

“...Oh-” She realized softly, eyes crinkling as a musical giggle rang out, just the faintest bit mischievous, “-you...you liked it. Did you not...?”

Her voice lowered slightly, more out of her own shy hesitation than anything else-

“...Not as much as that, first time...right?”

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

“HhhhaaaAAAHHH-!” Summer howled, shaking as the arrow slid through her breast, miserable with pain, body bent back over Raven’s arm.

The moment she scented Winter’s blood, her pupils dilated, huge with an instinct she’d never partaken in.

“N-No…n…n…o…” Her protests were feeble, and the reality of everything caught up to her.

If…if they were to do this…

The fabric of their reality would warp. The foundation of their coven-

Tears burned in her eyes as she realized, suddenly.

They would give it all up. Not to anoint another, but…to save me…

A bitter voice argued that it was only a misplaced loyalty, a desire to save what they were used to, just to avoid the new, but it fell to silence the moment Winter’s arm was at her lips.

Her eyes darkened to the sanguine, blood-red of over-ripened fruit, almost plum as hunger woke, bone-deep. Irresistible.

Just being near it made her strong enough…to tip herself forward, lips catching softly, then pressing firmly against the skin, her tongue following the wound, spreading wide and flat as her eyes went half-mast with the euphoria of her first blood.

Her first, her Chosen’s…

Nothing…hurt anymore. She was weak, exhausted…but the agony had stopped. Distantly, she felt Raven pull the other end of the arrow out: it felt like little more than having her hair cut, and the implement that had but moments ago spelled her doom was voided of its power over her. She didn’t think of it anymore.

Nothing else, nothing else mattered, but the slaking of this thirst, so intoxicating, bringing the world back into crisp focus. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes opened fully, awake, alive, and her gaze caught Winter’s as she drank, never letting go. Her hands trembled with reverence as she spread her fingers to draw her arm closer, a throaty, desperate groan croaking out as she drew back only to swallow, heedless of how the blood matted her hair to her chin and cheeks as she lowered her mouth again, not caring who saw the ardor illuminating her expression with a seductive light.

So sweet…so cold…I can’t get enough…it’s perfect…

I know how it will feel like, Winter thought. Lips and tongue and teeth at her wrist; an old hurt, but one Winter was too familiar with. With Summer it would be different, she knew, but she still braced herself either way.

She was glad she did, but not for the reasons she’d anticipated. A startled breath punched its way free from her lungs and she jerked–not to pull her arm away, but to press it harder against Summer’s mouth, eyes widening. Around her the coven whispered relief, that Summer was drinking and growing stronger. Even Raven didn’t seem to notice the deep charge in the atmosphere, simply bending her head to press a kiss against Summer’s temple.

Where Winter expected jealousy, she felt…nothing. Of course Raven would show this affection; she and Summer were friends, nearly family separated only by the fact they were not blood.

“Let’s get her wounds wrapped,” Raven murmured, and elders moved to obey. Bandages and herbs were pressed into Summer’s back and chest to keep the bleeding from continuing. All the while, Summer fed from her wrist; all the while, Winter fell into the gaze of her eyes, hungry and crimson.

She’s beautiful, Winter thought dazedly. She lifted her free hand to cup Summer’s face adoringly, her smile watery and bright. She’s beautiful and alive and safe, she’s safe, oh thank God–

“You two need rest,” Raven interrupted softly. “The prisoners will be dealt with.”

That made Winter pause. She cleared her throat; “Don’t kill them. Or torture them–”

“We don’t intend to. They’re the ones who surrendered upon seeing we had young.”

Winter swallowed. “The others?”

“Tried to chase said young down,” Raven growled. “They were dealt with swiftly. The ones in our custody are bound, but not unkindly; we’ll be giving them food and water as soon as our wounded are tended to.”

Winter huffed a laugh, and turned her gaze back to Summer. She stroked over her cheek again.

“Stop, darling,” she whispered. “I’ll carry you to bed. But you need to stop, now…”

Summer opened her lips slowly, her jaw quivering as the haze ebbed and flowed. Her eyes closed as she leaned her cheek into Winter’s palm, and when they opened again, they were frosted silver-still exhausted, but given energy and shine.

A deep breath in, then out. Her gown was slouched and still torn, but she made the necessary adjustments for modesty as she sat up under her own power-or as much under her own power as she could claim, as Winter and Raven made to brace her from either side regardless.

A small, intimate smile tilted her lips as she met eyes once more with Winter.

“I...am well enough to walk, I believe...” She slowly, deliberately linked arms with Winter, though she leaned moderately into her. Another elder tended to Winter’s arm as she lingered, gaining her strength.

Everyone had...shown so much trust in her. The least she could do was to reaffirm it through action, show them that she would try to keep strong. Winter would be the only one who knew otherwise, who would feel the weight at her side that she hid from all others. Summer...was alright with that.

She lowered her head, her voice and manner truly, completely humbled by the faith she’d been shown.

“...Thank you, everyone. You are each the reason we have what we do. Thank you. Thank you for your strength. I’ll not squander it. Now or ever.”

Her vow spoken, she let Winter lead her to their room, seated herself on the bed as they approached, the door locked behind them. As Winter stood before her, her arm sliding back, her fingers caressed the inside of her arm on the way down, trailing over the bandage that had been wrapped there. Her heart seemed to pound thickly as she wet her lips, tasted her again, and swallowed. Lacing her fingers with Winter’s, her other hand caressing through bandages, she looked up, eyelids heavy as the deep, dark red flooded her irises once more.

“...Did I hurt you, Winter...?” She turned her glance to the side, heat in her cheeks. “...I’ve...never felt anything like that in my-in my life-” Her voice shook and her legs felt stiff, tense, toes curling as she worked through the feeling, “-in front of everyone, too...It’s...it feels about the same as if I’d...been undressed, in front of them...”

Her reddened eyes were cloudy, unfocused at the mere suggestion of it, of realizing how intimately she’d been seen. Unhinged immediately off the first taste of Winter’s blood; her hunger, slaked so thoroughly for what felt like the first and only time...

...Everyone had watched, eagerly, though in an innocent context. Knowing how she truly felt made her burn, shy and reserved.

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

Even as her coven stormed the room, gathering around her and alighting to Winter’s side in equal parts, she knew that the only thing keeping her conscious…was the scent of blood bursting out of her assailant.

In terms of survival, it was as though she were adrift alone in the sea, her head tipped up for air. A small kindness, but ultimately, a delay to the inevitable, something that she couldn’t keep up for long. And the fear drowned from within.

Her coven couldn’t even lay a hand upon her: her body shivered under the course of silver poison, betraying the danger she tried even now to mute for the benefit of all.

Summer’s eyes were sliding ever closer to a close, and her breath was shallow through bloodstained lips.

If I die quietly…no one will have to suffer as they look upon me…

But…

But I want Winter-here at the end…is that selfish?

Her voice groaned out, unbidden, unstoppable.

“W…in…ter…”

The world was…dark. Darker, darker.

I can’t leave it like this…

“…l…et…me…bleed for the-li…lies…” Her mouth barely moved as she spoke, “…my…daughter-wants…and, I…can deny her n…oth…ing…”

“Summer-!” Raven growled, red tracking down her cheeks, “You-you must take a human vein-! You-you’ll…otherwise, you’ll-”

“…I…know…”

“Then please-!” Another voice entreated.

“There’s not a moment to lose!”

“Please, just-!”

Summer shuddered, let her chin drop to the side in wordless refusal. Raven dropped to her knees.

“E-Even now-you’d cling to the pact-but what does it matter if we lose you?!” Raven roared and brought her fist down on the altar. “…Fuck-!”

“…Win…ter…” Summer murmured, losing herself more with every passing moment, “…wi…nt…er…w…wh…”

It hurts so much. Please. Please. All I want…at the end…is you. For this to mean something. I’m sorry. I wanted to live to meet your family. Wanted to give…so much more. Can you hear me? It’s…hard…it’s harder to…to even…do this…just wanted you. Only…only…only…ever you…

Her last thoughts, her dearest wishes, the final selfishness she now allowed in herself as she faced certain death-

-it all bled into their connection.

I wanted…to look up at you, from within your embrace…I wanted to…let myself feel as worthy as you saw me. Memories to cherish together…and pain to endure. The joys and pains of this broken world…I wanted a life together. A family…with you…I didn’t want to hurt anymore. I…wanted to endure the pain at your side…until we could bear it together…I wanted…to breathe…

…I…want…

…so much…

Her fists were halted only by the desperate clinging of her–of Summer’s–coven, scuffed guards and an elder pulling her back by her arms and waist. It was a testament to the blinding nature of her own furious heartbreak that she didn’t even feel fear as vampires tugged and manhandled her; Winter even, dare she she admit it, felt safe.

The hunter was pulp. His body had broken beneath her fists–her hands were swollen and tender, even as the magic that had protected them flickered and died–but she was splashed with his blood, and the heels of her boots kicked against the marble.

Over her head, she heard them sobbing– So strong, can barely hold her back, and –fights like she’s lost her Chosen, almost feral for it–

“Winter!”

But it was Raven’s desperate voice that cut through the noise. Winter’s eyes focused, the world snapping back into reality; she gasped in a breath as if she’d been underwater, head swinging over.

“Hurry!” the captain begged.

She was bustled forward, dropping to her knees beside Summer. The pact means they can’t drink blood–

“Can we make a new one?” Winter asked, voice breaking. “A new pact, here and now.”

Raven’s eyes bored into her own. “Only the coven’s heads can. If you put it forward, as her Chosen, you can’t return to your human world. You’d be duty bound to this coven for the rest of your mortal life.”

Winter stared back, without fear. “Then let me be bound, Raven.” She rose her voice; “I–invoke, my right as your matriarch’s Chosen! Let a new pact be made, here and now! A vampire within this coven may take a human vein, if you have their unfettered consent. No allure is to be used, no coercion, no threats, no violence. Their blood is a gift; not yours to take for power.

“Do you agree?”

The answer came desperate, but unified; “We agree; thus let it be.”

Winter could not feel the tingles of magic as the vampires could. Frankly, she didn’t care. “Raven, a knife. Please.”

“Here.” A dagger was laid in her hand. Winter pulled Summer up, gentle, and cut away bits of her dress–not enough to threaten her modesty, but enough to free the edge of the arrow. She closed her eyes and pushed it through a little more, enough to let her cut the cursed arrowhead off.

A bucket of solvent was laid close by; Winter dropped the arrowhead in, and heard this hissing, crackling bubble as the silver began to corrode within.

“Here, hold her,” she asked Raven, who wasted no time in bracing Summer up. Winter cut away her own bracer, and shuffled on her knees. With a quick flash, she’d sliced open her skin, blood streaming down her arm.

“Drink,” she whispered under her breath, putting the wound to Summer’s slackened mouth, “please, please, please love, drink. Drink for Ruby, for Yang, if not for yourself. Don’t drink for me, because even if you go beyond, if you pass, I will follow you. I won’t let you brave the dark by yourself, never, never. So please, God, please please please–”

“HhhhaaaAAAHHH-!” Summer howled, shaking as the arrow slid through her breast, miserable with pain, body bent back over Raven’s arm.

The moment she scented Winter’s blood, her pupils dilated, huge with an instinct she’d never partaken in.

“N-No...n...n...o...” Her protests were feeble, and the reality of everything caught up to her.

If...if they were to do this...

The fabric of their reality would warp. The foundation of their coven-

Tears burned in her eyes as she realized, suddenly.

They would give it all up. Not to anoint another, but...to save me...

A bitter voice argued that it was only a misplaced loyalty, a desire to save what they were used to, just to avoid the new, but it fell to silence the moment Winter’s arm was at her lips.

Her eyes darkened to the sanguine, blood-red of over-ripened fruit, almost plum as hunger woke, bone-deep. Irresistible.

Just being near it made her strong enough...to tip herself forward, lips catching softly, then pressing firmly against the skin, her tongue following the wound, spreading wide and flat as her eyes went half-mast with the euphoria of her first blood.

Her first, her Chosen’s...

Nothing...hurt anymore. She was weak, exhausted...but the agony had stopped. Distantly, she felt Raven pull the other end of the arrow out: it felt like little more than having her hair cut, and the implement that had but moments ago spelled her doom was voided of its power over her. She didn’t think of it anymore.

Nothing else, nothing else mattered, but the slaking of this thirst, so intoxicating, bringing the world back into crisp focus. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes opened fully, awake, alive, and her gaze caught Winter’s as she drank, never letting go. Her hands trembled with reverence as she spread her fingers to draw her arm closer, a throaty, desperate groan croaking out as she drew back only to swallow, heedless of how the blood matted her hair to her chin and cheeks as she lowered her mouth again, not caring who saw the ardor illuminating her expression with a seductive light.

So sweet...so cold...I can’t get enough...it’s perfect...

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

“…Watching me…” Summer echoed, bespelled, “…watching you…”

What’s…happening to us…?

Destiny was weaving the fabric of their lives together, right before their eyes.

-Every single thread was red.

To say it was intoxicating could not have begun to describe it. Warm static reverberated in the back of her skull as she parted her lips, memories, visions piecing themselves together.

A younger self, with dirty knees and a gown soaked by rain, her pinky linked with a young Winter’s as she gave her a promise and a smile. Years later, the both of them grown women, Summer tossing rocks at her window of the mansion until she opened it up, then putting a finger to her lips and stretching her arms out, waiting to catch her.

Another shimmering form emerging, of herself as a dancer, ankles and wrists decorated in bangles, a veil over the lower half of her face, her hair decorated with flowers as she draped over a colder Winter, whispering stories long into the night.

And another, dropping a basket of berries with a startled gasp as a beautiful, darkened fae emerged from her shadows in the trees. Later, they would speak of how she’d once had wings, large enough to trail the ground as she’d walked…

Her heartbeat thundered as their palms touched, and Summer brought the other up to find its twin, eyes starstruck, watering.

But it never met its mark.

Every beautiful vision that had emerged vanished into mist, leaving only stark reality behind. The color itself seemed to drain from the room.

Summer didn’t feel it, at first. Had not heard the whistle of a silver-tipped arrow slicing space-

-to bury itself through her back and out the front of her chest.

Eyes huge with disbelief, she lifted her unstained hand until it started to shake, nearing the presence of the silver, her horrified eyes never leaving Winter’s even as her pupils trembled, and as though she were begging an angel for salvation, until finally she dropped her chin, stared at the blossom of red staining her white dress.

Red and white…red and white…

A single, choked wheeze coughed its way out of her throat, and blood flecked out of her lips, cold.

It was inside her heart.

I’m…dying…

Her expression crumbled, and she staggered forward, shaking as she collapsed into Winter’s arms. Even falling forward those few inches felt as though her body had shattered into a million pieces. Every ounce of protection she’d had was stripped by the silver. It was as though her very skin had been flayed away, and the raw heat of her body was burning against frosted snow.

“Wint…er…” She croaked, fingers scrambling for purchase in her shirt before going slack, limp, light fading from her eyes.

At the moment Winter had seen the bloom of red, her heart had stopped. Genuinely ceased to beat for a second, a stutter step deep inside of her chest that left her dizzy with despair. She caught Summer but only barely, her breaths coming in sharp and fast, whimpers, as she lowered them to the floor.

“Summer–Summer! No! No no no no, Summer, no! SUMMER!”

Desperately she cradled Summer’s cooling body to her own, rocking back and forth. She shook as if hit with lightning, her thoughts scattered to the farthest winds. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t–

–The silver. It’s pierced through.

She tugged Summer’s dress away to check it, and saw that the arrow head was just beyond the prison of flesh. The poison was already in, already working, but if she was fast enough–

“–The Fang’s had more than enough of this farce, Madame Schnee.”

Winter’s eyes turned toward the thread, narrowing. The male was dressed as a mercenary would be, but the curving horns on his head revealed his status as a shifter. A werecreature diametrically opposed and yet similar to vampires; he’d have killed Church hunters as easily as he had–tried, just tried, he hasn’t killed her, i won’t let it end like this–with Summer.

Her heart hammered in her chest.

He hurt Summer.

She stood. Magic crackled in the palms of her hands. The shifter frowned, stepped back.

He hurt my beloved–

With a scream that pierced through the night, Winter lunged.

Even as her coven stormed the room, gathering around her and alighting to Winter’s side in equal parts, she knew that the only thing keeping her conscious...was the scent of blood bursting out of her assailant.

In terms of survival, it was as though she were adrift alone in the sea, her head tipped up for air. A small kindness, but ultimately, a delay to the inevitable, something that she couldn’t keep up for long. And the fear drowned from within.

Her coven couldn’t even lay a hand upon her: her body shivered under the course of silver poison, betraying the danger she tried even now to mute for the benefit of all.

Summer’s eyes were sliding ever closer to a close, and her breath was shallow through bloodstained lips.

If I die quietly...no one will have to suffer as they look upon me...

But...

But I want Winter-here at the end...is that selfish?

Her voice groaned out, unbidden, unstoppable.

“W...in...ter...”

The world was...dark. Darker, darker.

I can’t leave it like this...

“...l...et...me...bleed for the-li...lies...” Her mouth barely moved as she spoke, “...my...daughter-wants...and, I...can deny her n...oth...ing...”

“Summer-!” Raven growled, red tracking down her cheeks, “You-you must take a human vein-! You-you’ll...otherwise, you’ll-”

“...I...know...”

“Then please-!” Another voice entreated.

“There’s not a moment to lose!”

“Please, just-!”

Summer shuddered, let her chin drop to the side in wordless refusal. Raven dropped to her knees.

“E-Even now-you’d cling to the pact-but what does it matter if we lose you?!” Raven roared and brought her fist down on the altar. “...Fuck-!”

“...Win...ter...” Summer murmured, losing herself more with every passing moment, “...wi...nt...er...w...wh...”

It hurts so much. Please. Please. All I want...at the end...is you. For this to mean something. I’m sorry. I wanted to live to meet your family. Wanted to give...so much more. Can you hear me? It’s...hard...it’s harder to...to even...do this...just wanted you. Only...only...only...ever you...

Her last thoughts, her dearest wishes, the final selfishness she now allowed in herself as she faced certain death-

-it all bled into their connection.

I wanted...to look up at you, from within your embrace...I wanted to...let myself feel as worthy as you saw me. Memories to cherish together...and pain to endure. The joys and pains of this broken world...I wanted a life together. A family...with you...I didn’t want to hurt anymore. I...wanted to endure the pain at your side...until we could bear it together...I wanted...to breathe...

...I...want...

...so much...

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

“-Edgar.”

A prompt caw signaled the bird’s alight to her wrist, and she stood at the center where circles were cast. Opening her palm, she bid the creature to plunge his sharp beak, piercing the pale skin. He slid his form through the pool of it her hand, and with a wave of outstretched arm and the intonations of a dead language, Summer’s eyes slid closed as he flew in an arc around her, trailing a circlet of her blood around her.

“Crimson lights, the sky…the bird still asleep…”

The melody swelled within her, blessings passed through voice pouring out.

“Like a dream, it shines, from heaven’s safe keep…”

She could hear bells, as clear and loud as though she were ringing them herself. The sound magnified, folding again and again on itself, tethering her to the earth, memories flowing along her blood tracked along the floor.

“Children’s songs, we sang, as soft as the breeze…

Endless fields, our home, I long for those days-”

The bells kept ringing. Echoing…

The sound melded impossibly with her voice, her heartbeat almost bursting in her chest, leaving her breathless as she swayed with the song’s cadence like a puppet.

“I call out these prayers to the sky, heavy with thought, see yo-”

Her eyes slid open, only a crack.

But enough to see that it was not a circle Edgar had drawn.

Infinity. Ouroboros. One loop around herself, the other-

-around Winter.

“-ur…face…”

She understood suddenly, as the connection sparked to life again in her veins, lighting her every nerve and cell with clarity.

“I carry these memories inside-” She sang, the trembling, bloodstained hand reaching for Winter, as her voice brimmed, overflowing with the memories they’d shared across lifetimes, “-thoughts of a soul, colored by love-!”

The final word stretched, calling for its namesake to join her.

Their hearts were racing, together. Echo chamber, inescapable, inseparable.

In the infinite space between one refrain, and then the next, Winter stood at a crossroads. In the all consuming darkness, Summer stood across from her; her red and bloodied hand stretching forward, pleading. Beckoning.

Between them, the symbol etched in Summer’s blood. Glowing. Swaying in an unseen breeze. And it wasn’t just her Summer alone; somehow, somewhere, in some point of time–

This..has happened. Again, and again, and again.

A songstress in white, her trembling hand extended. Summer? The song that tumbled from her lips was different, and yet nostalgic–

“–God give me courage to show you, you are not alone–”

–And from Winter’s own side, a weary and beaten phantom stumbled, as if summoned. A phantom with Winter’s face, burned to disfigurement on the right side, but from the way Summer stroked the old injury, with no fear, no disgust, it didn’t matter.

From Winter’s left, a white beast prowled forward–A Grimm? She’d never seen them in ivory! But what frightened her more was how it shifted, morphed, left Winter’s own shape in its place, how this life took a shaken Summer into her arms, like she’d die if she didn’t.

A soldier that was never quite a soldier at all, and the flower maiden with a secret. A lonely vampire with no coven, and a mother turned huntress. A simple business woman, and a ghost.

Yet, it was all the same story. Summer reached for her, and Winter answered.

The second ticked forward. The lights returned in Winter’s eyes as she sucked a breath in.

“…See me grow wings and fly high, passions will die down below.”

How could she possibly know an invocation like this? It had to be old, old magic, and yet so easily did it come to her.

“I burn in a basin of fire, watchers look on as they dance in their merciless sky.”

She reached out, and took Summer’s hand, as she had thousands of lifetimes ago, as she always would. The slide of her blood was baptismal, dripping off of Winter’s fingers.

“Watching me,” she sang, eyes wide with understand, “…watching you…”

“...Watching me...” Summer echoed, bespelled, “...watching you...”

What’s...happening to us...?

Destiny was weaving the fabric of their lives together, right before their eyes.

-Every single thread was red.

To say it was intoxicating could not have begun to describe it. Warm static reverberated in the back of her skull as she parted her lips, memories, visions piecing themselves together.

A younger self, with dirty knees and a gown soaked by rain, her pinky linked with a young Winter’s as she gave her a promise and a smile. Years later, the both of them grown women, Summer tossing rocks at her window of the mansion until she opened it up, then putting a finger to her lips and stretching her arms out, waiting to catch her.

Another shimmering form emerging, of herself as a dancer, ankles and wrists decorated in bangles, a veil over the lower half of her face, her hair decorated with flowers as she draped over a colder Winter, whispering stories long into the night.

And another, dropping a basket of berries with a startled gasp as a beautiful, darkened fae emerged from her shadows in the trees. Later, they would speak of how she’d once had wings, large enough to trail the ground as she’d walked...

Her heartbeat thundered as their palms touched, and Summer brought the other up to find its twin, eyes starstruck, watering.

But it never met its mark.

Every beautiful vision that had emerged vanished into mist, leaving only stark reality behind. The color itself seemed to drain from the room.

Summer didn’t feel it, at first. Had not heard the whistle of a silver-tipped arrow slicing space-

-to bury itself through her back and out the front of her chest.

Eyes huge with disbelief, she lifted her unstained hand until it started to shake, nearing the presence of the silver, her horrified eyes never leaving Winter’s even as her pupils trembled, and as though she were begging an angel for salvation, until finally she dropped her chin, stared at the blossom of red staining her white dress.

Red and white...red and white...

A single, choked wheeze coughed its way out of her throat, and blood flecked out of her lips, cold.

It was inside her heart.

I’m...dying...

Her expression crumbled, and she staggered forward, shaking as she collapsed into Winter’s arms. Even falling forward those few inches felt as though her body had shattered into a million pieces. Every ounce of protection she’d had was stripped by the silver. It was as though her very skin had been flayed away, and the raw heat of her body was burning against frosted snow.

“Wint...er...” She croaked, fingers scrambling for purchase in her shirt before going slack, limp, light fading from her eyes.

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

Summer had leaned into the embrace, their touched foreheads, heart aching with reverence, with love, for the woman who would think to forgive her.

She did not notice something was amiss until she was already on the ground beneath her. Unquestioning, she did exactly as Winter said, curled close, closed her eyes to the brightness even as she struggled to speak.

“A-An attack…?! I-need to get to the atrium, it’s at the center-most place in the castle…” Summer winced as she buried her eyes into the darkness of Winter’s shirt, “…the matriarch’s duty is to ensure the song reaches the coven-for protection-”

She breathed hard. her fingers curling against Winter as hideous understanding dawned on her.

“My-my nightmare-” Summer intoned, dazed, “-it is upon us…”

Something sparked behind her vision and she startled-

A scene flashed before her mind’s eye, then another, another, swelling and ripening into something recognizable, something precious.

Fruits from the tree of Yggdrasil…?

She was falling from the sky as a witch cursed her, into Winter’s arms.

Another time, another place-

Singing to the sky in the dark as a phantom embraced her, watching tears track down the curve of her throat.

Time and places long forgotten, far-removed…

Something hummed in her spirit, as though trying to resonate these events with their other half. Responding to the dire need in the situation by…bridging the connection.

Aah…stop-I don’t want her to get sucked in-

It curled back towards her consciousness and she felt the blurred sounds of fighting shift back into focus.

Yes…I need to focus.

Her voice steady with conviction, she entreated her, “W-Winter…when it’s safe to move, can you-take me to the atrium? It’s-hard to open my eyes, but if you take my hand…”

For a second, her heart pulsed in time with Summer’s.

For a second, that bridge…that connection…

It existed.

Almost immediately, Winter understood. Felt the weight of destiny and the infinite grind of fate so tangible that it felt like wires over every inch of her skin, pulling her apart in a thousand different directions. Her gaze went unfocused above Summer as she gasped, choked on her words.

She was the predator, running through moonlit fields. Behind her, the huntress gave chase. The smell of ichor and heart’s blood reeked thick in her nose–

Blink.

She was sinking fangs into Summer’s neck, holding her as tenderly as any lover would. Yours, she was thinking, I will be your fangs, your sword, all yours–

Blink.

Summer leaning over her in the sunlight, silver eyes wide. The ruined ceiling of a church lingered above her head. Flowers cradled her aching body.

“–Fuck,” Winter managed, as her heart raced, bringing it out of tune with Summer’s. She panted, weakened and energized all at once, eyes watering.

Just…how many lives have we lived together? Winter marveled weakly until the faux sunlight faded, and the ever present thrum of battle finally trickled to her ears. “Fuck, fuck.”

She had no sword, nothing of use. But she would get Summer to that atrium. She swiftly stood and, without another word, plucked Summer up into her arms.

“I’ll get you there,” Winter vowed and took off without another word. The castle was in chaos, servant folk ushering the elderly and youngest toward the underground for safety; anyone brave or able bodied were gearing up in armor and weaponry; she could hear Raven roaring orders.

There was the lingering tang of burning flesh on the air. Winter’s teeth ground as she thought of those who were no doubt caught off guard by that sloppy magic.

Goddammit. God, Goddammit! How could I not see–

It didn’t matter! Winter did not halt her stride until she was shouldering through the doors of the atrium, setting Summer down as they closed behind her with a thud.

“We’re here,” Winter barked. “What next? Summer?”

“-Edgar.”

A prompt caw signaled the bird’s alight to her wrist, and she stood at the center where circles were cast. Opening her palm, she bid the creature to plunge his sharp beak, piercing the pale skin. He slid his form through the pool of it her hand, and with a wave of outstretched arm and the intonations of a dead language, Summer’s eyes slid closed as he flew in an arc around her, trailing a circlet of her blood around her.

“Crimson lights, the sky...the bird still asleep...”

The melody swelled within her, blessings passed through voice pouring out.

“Like a dream, it shines, from heaven’s safe keep...”

She could hear bells, as clear and loud as though she were ringing them herself. The sound magnified, folding again and again on itself, tethering her to the earth, memories flowing along her blood tracked along the floor.

“Children’s songs, we sang, as soft as the breeze...

Endless fields, our home, I long for those days-”

The bells kept ringing. Echoing...

The sound melded impossibly with her voice, her heartbeat almost bursting in her chest, leaving her breathless as she swayed with the song’s cadence like a puppet.

“I call out these prayers to the sky, heavy with thought, see yo-”

Her eyes slid open, only a crack.

But enough to see that it was not a circle Edgar had drawn.

Infinity. Ouroboros. One loop around herself, the other-

-around Winter.

“-ur...face...”

She understood suddenly, as the connection sparked to life again in her veins, lighting her every nerve and cell with clarity.

“I carry these memories inside-” She sang, the trembling, bloodstained hand reaching for Winter, as her voice brimmed, overflowing with the memories they’d shared across lifetimes, “-thoughts of a soul, colored by love-!”

The final word stretched, calling for its namesake to join her.

in the merciless skies//@snowstormsnowqueen

summerwby‌:

Summer didn’t know what to say.

Part of her was overjoyed that Winter could trust her with so much. Envisioning being able to come together with her family…to know more about her.

But at the same time, a poignant realization settled in her heart.

Winter was her soulmate-she accepted her, yes.

Would anyone else be so willing? In a family dedicated to the fight against her kind?

But…Winter looks so happy imagining it. I…don’t want to ruin it…

“…Maybe…someday…” Summer murmured cautiously, her frame tense. “…But I’m…not…”

Suitable. Normal.

“It’s been…so hard. To be calm, to think about the future, at all-” Summer hiccuped, “-even if I were to be accepted-by your family…” She laid her head against her chest, weary, exhausted from the things she knew, “…something will happen. I know not yet specifically what-but it haunts my dreams again and again, between the nightmares of-that monster-” She curled her fingers, hiding her face against Winter, “-and of disappointing-the one I love most-”

A keening, fragile sound broke out of her throat.

“I’m…not ready…” She admitted, but it was hard-fought to get even so far, “…I’m afraid, I’m selfish-I just want to rest, to-to have just your love, the certainty of it-just a little…before anything more. I would love it-I just-I’m so…”

Broken-how can I trust that anyone else would ever want or love me, like I am now? Only you, with your depth to forgive so deeply…

“I’m sorry. I wanted…to be more honest, but-” The skin on her back crawled with the unbearable phantom sensation of a swarm of insects feasting at her spine, the guilt manifesting, gnawing at her in the shape Salem had left, “-it’s-so hard, breaking bad habits several lifetimes too long…”

“Summer…”

Her heart broke quietly in her chest, a songbird slowly tucking a head beneath a wing. To hear, to feel Summer’s panic and guilt was like a slow burning poison in her veins. Winter stroked over her back, trying to banish away the ghosts that chased the both of them.

It wouldn’t work, not instantly. That much she knew. So she maneuvered an arm behind her, pushed them both up with strength alone until Summer was half sitting on her lap.

“You’ve told me over and over,” Winter began cautiously, “that I was allowed to say no. To anything, everything, that happened here. That my choice was as important as my consent, and I wouldn’t be judged for the answer. That…that goes for you too, you know?”

She stroked Summer’s cheek reverently.

“You can have me all to yourself for a while yet,” Winter hummed, resting her forehead against Summer’s. “I’m not going anywhere.”

…A frown crossed her features as she heard a sharp, pitched cry ringing from the sky. She turned her gaze up, and felt her stomach drop. A ball of light was being sent up…the odd trail it left behind, the sloppiness–

Yet, she recognized the spell. It was a common church tactic, but clearly a beginner’s work–

“–Get down!–”

Winter lunged, tackling Summer down and rolling them into thick grass just as light burst into the mimicry of sunlight. It was small, and wouldn’t last long, but Winter could feel the heat of it burning even her back. So she guarded Summer with her body, shading her entirely as she heard the distant shouts of pain, and then, further still, battle.

“Don’t move!” Winter shook. “It’s not that strong. It will fade in minutes. Don’t you move, Summer!”

Summer had leaned into the embrace, their touched foreheads, heart aching with reverence, with love, for the woman who would think to forgive her.

She did not notice something was amiss until she was already on the ground beneath her. Unquestioning, she did exactly as Winter said, curled close, closed her eyes to the brightness even as she struggled to speak.

“A-An attack...?! I-need to get to the atrium, it’s at the center-most place in the castle...” Summer winced as she buried her eyes into the darkness of Winter’s shirt, “...the matriarch’s duty is to ensure the song reaches the coven-for protection-”

She breathed hard. her fingers curling against Winter as hideous understanding dawned on her.

“My-my nightmare-” Summer intoned, dazed, “-it is upon us...”

Something sparked behind her vision and she startled-

A scene flashed before her mind’s eye, then another, another, swelling and ripening into something recognizable, something precious.

Fruits from the tree of Yggdrasil...?

She was falling from the sky as a witch cursed her, into Winter’s arms.

Another time, another place-

Singing to the sky in the dark as a phantom embraced her, watching tears track down the curve of her throat.

Time and places long forgotten, far-removed...

Something hummed in her spirit, as though trying to resonate these events with their other half. Responding to the dire need in the situation by...bridging the connection.

Aah...stop-I don’t want her to get sucked in-

It curled back towards her consciousness and she felt the blurred sounds of fighting shift back into focus.

Yes...I need to focus.

Her voice steady with conviction, she entreated her, “W-Winter...when it’s safe to move, can you-take me to the atrium? It’s-hard to open my eyes, but if you take my hand...”