#acotarfanfic

[thefandomplace]

I need help finding an Azriel x reader fic!!!

I read it a while ago where the readers under the mountain with Rhys and because Amarantha knows it’ll hurt him, she orders Rhys to keep her in a cell and in a bad condition and he feels awful about it

#acotarfanfic #azrielxreader #rhysandxreader #azrielangst

[illyrian-dreamer]

Make a bargain with me

Rhys x reader angst/fluff one shot

Summary: Your unrequited love for your High Lord has seen you distancing yourself not just from Rhys, but the entire inner circle. Rhys is concerned, and confronts you.

Word count: 2.2k

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You shifted uncomfortably under Rhys’s stare, keeping your eyes fixed the night’s horizon, still with anticipation of starfall that was yet to begin.

“What’s going on Y/N?” he asked softly. 

He had sprung you from your hideaway. It was stupid, really, to think you could escape him, or that he wouldn't follow. 

Tonight on Starfall, when your family and friends were drinking and laughing and toasting to a better year ahead, you had held yourself back, observing from the sidelines, longing to partake as you had each year before.

But things were different now, you were different. It had been a stressful year to say the least – too many losses, too many sacrifices made on missions that you couldn’t come to terms with. Choices made, last words said – the turmoil of your mistakes was a constant loop in your mind, each of your missions weighing heavier than the last, a little piece of you left behind on along the way.

And where you would usually confess or turn to your family for the support you desperately craved, it was all skewed by the devastating, gut-wrenching love you had developed for your High Lord.

You wondered what your friends might say – their snorts and sorry smiles as you dreamed of a life with not just any High Lord, but the High Lord of the Night Court, who was only just finding his feet. 

It was only shy of a decade since Rhys lost his sister and mother, leaving the male to wade through the trenches of grief alone, which were only deepened by the weight of responsibility as he assumed position as High Lord of the Night Court. You hadn't known him before he recruited you to the inner circle, but in your few years of working for Rhys, he had aged, maturing into his title and proving himself as a true and honest leader.

And in those years, not once had you seen him take to a lover or celebrate romance in his life. You knew that your love for Rhys would be nothing more than an imposition – a burden for him to manage in a world where he was not ready to love again, especially not someone like you. 

But concealing your feelings had a very true affect in physicality – you were plagued with guilt, rigid  by unrequited, unconfessed love practically bursting to come out. Skittish manoeuvres to avoid his touch, aloofness at times where you were known to share and console – you had done excellent work to distance yourself from Rhys, and with it the rest of the inner circle. 

Even the blatant probing by Cassian to open up, or gentle suggestions from Azriel to join them on flights went politely declined as you assured them you were fine. And the times where your work was too much, when you needed to tell your High Lord the burdens you were baring and seek comfort from him as a friend – instead you bottled it up, unsure of what you might confess and afraid of the very real affect of someone who was not yet ready to love. 

Rhysand had been particularly observant tonight. Your own behaviour was predictable as of late, but after the first bashful glances to the ground, reddened cheeks where you used to bite back, and the distant, distracted manner in which you watched on – you felt watchful violet eyes on you all evening.

The tipping point had been Rhysand’s speech, a glass of auburn liquid raised high as he spoke to his sincere care and affection for each of you in his circle. He was thankful for all of you, for being the self-made family he could have only ever dreamed of having. But as he spoke to each of the members, starting with his second-in-charge, followed by Mor, Cassian then Azriel, you had slipped from the room before he could get to you. 

Because in that speech - he had shown that he still loved, just not in the way that you craved. And if you had learnt anything through both your career at the Night Court and from Rhys himself – it was that happiness could be stolen in an instant. 

So you fled, heart thumping as you craved fresh air – overwhelmed with cyclical thoughts and foolish amounts of fae wine. 

After a polite ten minutes, Rhys had followed, finding the flattened patch of roof you often sought out after long missions, now stripping you bare under his gaze.

“Y/N?”

“Hm?”

Rhys winced with worry. “I asked what’s going on with you?”

You forced a small smile, keeping your breathing as even as you could. You were trained to stay calm when interrogated, but somehow this was harder than some of the life threatening circumstances you had endured. It was almost laughable.

"Nothing at all," you forced your eyes to his, your stomach dropping at his beauty.

Rhys’s face remained concerned, completely unconvinced. 

“Is it work?”

“No.” A half-truth.

Rhys nodded, a sense of relief that his court was not to blame.

A few moments of silence, you were burning from within, cheeks flushing yet again. You allowed for a moment to imagine his reaction if you were to tell him. Imagined his face as you confessed your feelings for him – your High Lord, your employer. How ridiculous and wildly inappropriate. 

Your face flushed a deeper pink at the shame of it. Rhys’s eyes dotted to your cheeks, not missing a thing.

He leveled a look at you. “You can always be honest with me.” You felt a gentle caress on your mental shields, and it was an instinct you cursed yourself for to seize them higher at his touch.

You moved your eyes back to the horizon, sighing with frustration. He was here, he cared – perhaps you could just, try?

“How did you do it?” you asked ominously, a pained frown pulling at your brow.

Rhys shifted at your question, brows raising in surprise. “Do what?”

You cleared your throat. “How did you let yourself love again, when you know how quickly it can be taken away?”

Rhys nodded slowly, violet eyes softening with understanding.

“Would you believe me if I said it was easy?” he replied.

You gave a small laugh, looking down at your hands. “No, actually.”

“Well it was.”

Another beat of silence. 

“Opening my home to all of you, creating this family is the easiest thing I’ve ever done, because it was meant to be.”

You nodded back. You would never tell him how easy it is for you to fall in love with him too. How quickly it had happened, how natural it felt for you.

“I would risk everything I have to have to keep you all safe and content, even just for one more day.”

His words struck you. Risk – there was too much to lose.

“I would risk everything I have for anyone I love, I think,” he continued. “I know that now, that it’s important to let go of what I can’t control, and let myself risk it all.”

He loved your family so dearly – it felt traitorous to indulge in the idea that your love could evolve past the sincere platonic form that it took now. You were greedy, spoilt.

“But that doesn’t just apply to my love for my court.”

Huh?

“As you know, anyone I care for is automatically a target beyond Velaris. My brothers, Mor, Amren.” Rhys paused. “And you.”

You looked up at him, his violet eyes unreadable as stars winked in their depths.

“I don’t want you to risk what you have for me,” your voice was barely a whisper, and you wondered if he sensed the deeper implication of your words.

Rhys wore a soft, sideways smile as he spoke. “You are well worth the risk.”

You were sure he could hear your fastened heart, no longer able to conceal your feelings. For a year your secret had lived at the tip of your tongue, threatening to ruin everything you had. It was too much to bare.

Silent tears started to run down your cheeks.

Rhys’s eyebrows clenched in concern, and he stepped towards you, reaching to brush them away with a stroke of of his cool fingers. You tried to step away, turning your face in shame – but he held your shoulders, a gentle hand pulling your chin to face him.

Violet beheld you again, and you forced yourself to not look away. Maybe you could face him, face your truth. Maybe, you could be as brave as him.

“You are so beautiful, Y/N,” Rhys said softly, his hands cupping your face as he brushed away your tears. “I don’t think I need to tell you that I’m very fond of you.”

Your heart thrummed, pulsing with instinct. Say it, out loud, risk it! it seemed to shout.

You bought your hands up to his, holding them as you took a deep breath.

“And I am fond of you.”

Rhys’s face lit up as stars twinkled in his eyes. He was devastatingly handsome, and the smile that pulled at his sharp cheek bones threatened your knees to buckle.

You couldn’t help the tears that kept running. You were given in, risking it all, and there was no coming back. 

Rhys leaned in close to your face, his fresh scent filling the air around you. He placed a gentle kiss on each of your tear stained cheeks before licking the salty liquid from his perfect lips.

You stared at him in awe, his beauty enveloping your view.

“Fond, on my behalf, is an understatement,” he murmured, tilting your chin upwards to him. 

A gentle hand snaked behind your back, pulling you against his body. The feeling of him softly pressed to you made you throb, and you continued to stare up at his face, unable to hide your own shock. 

He brushed your hair behind your ear, before cupping your jaw.

“So beautiful,” he said again, before leaning down and placing his lips on yours gently.

The kiss was soft, more attentive than you had ever experienced. You succumbed to it, letting your body relax into his hold as he pulled you in closer with the arm at your back, strengthening to hold your knees truly gave out at his touch.

You own arms naturally made their way to his hair and neck, trying to pull yourself closer.

Rhys chuckled into the kiss, inhaling as he traced his tongue along your lips, asking for permission.

A moan escaped you as you gained Rhys his entrance, his tongue sliding sensually over yours.

Your skin was alight, senses heightened and perked as every part of you ached and begged to never let go.

But a guilty conscience had Rhys pulling away from your lips, a small smirk pulling at your frustrated moan.

“Y/N,” he straightened, suddenly more serious. “I didn't come here to only confess my affection.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did,” you hummed, fingers on your mouth as your lips tingled with his lingering touch.

When Rhys chuckled, you swore it pleased the Gods.

“The others are just as concerned as I am. You’re withdrawn, proper sleep has escaped you for months, and–"

Your mouth twitched, before you flew up to plant a quick peck on his lips, silencing him. “And what of you, High Lord? How much do you burry in that head of yours? It is hard to know how much to burden onto you, when you are already dealing with so much.”

Violet eyes danced between yours in thought. “Make a bargain with me.”

Your brow quirked. “Pardon me?”

“Promise me, to share the things with which you need support so you may not burden them alone. And I will promise to do the same.”

“Rhys,” you breathed, honoured yet anxious at the vulnerability weaved into a bargain such as that. “Do you know what you’re asking each of us to confess?”

Rhys smiled, shaking his head. “With conditions, of course. This will be for those things that you know you shouldn’t keep to yourself, the truths you know the other would want to help with.”

You couldn't help the grin that pulled at your cheeks. “You’re mad.”

Rhys flicked your nose. “I know what it is to rot from within, Y/N. And in a world of magic and power and darkness, I will not let you burden it alone.”

“Rysand…”

Rhys all but moaned, pulling you in for a searing kiss. “Say yes,” he murmured against your lips.

With clenched eyes, you nodded, aware of the itching sensation on your neck as Rhys enveloped you with another kiss, the etching of your bargain searing to your skin. 

A gentle talon stroked at your mind then, hinting with sensuality.

You opened your eyes, forcing your shields down for the first time in years. 

Rhys growled as he entered your mind, pulling you flush against him as he kissed you deeply. And as the night sky became alive with iridescent streaks of light, the beginnings of starfall went neglected as you and Rhys explored a world of your own.

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AN: Hello dreamers, I just had to get out a one-shot, and I had a few requests to write for the most handsome High Lord! I sincerely hope you liked this, I haven't done a one-shot in a HOT minute!! So glad to be back with them. Comment to join my main tag list anytime, MWA!

[mypovkmv]

Where Soft Things Bloom

Chapter 10 - Ours

Azriel and Elain choose each other — not in silence, not in stolen moments, but openly and deliberately. And for once, they allow themselves to fully have it. Without hiding.

READ NOW ON AO3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/83391311/chapters/221787906

[brookeshodgeswrites]

Cradle- Ch 21

Thanks to everyone who has stuck around waiting for this fic while I did a ton of side projects for @elriel-month. Plus starting down a Heated Rivalry rabbit hole of a fic that I never planned to even touch. May has been wild. Like always- you can view this chapter over on AO3- or the full chapter is below the cut!

Cassian sat at the kitchen table, watching as Azriel made another of his mother’s magical soups. It was the only thing either of the sisters could stomach for the time being. When he arrived and heard Elain’s condition- he expected Azriel to kick them out- to leave them with nowhere safe to go. Instead, he had pointed him towards the other wing and a guest suite with two rooms, a small living area, and a bathroom. He heard faint footsteps and looked over his shoulder to see Nesta standing at the entrance to the kitchen, a blanket wrapped around her body. 

Tired. She seemed so tired since they had arrived. He wanted to see the fire in her eyes, for her to snap at him when he pestered her. She was so quiet. She had been so quiet since the sobs stopped. She trained with him each day, but he was careful- he did not push her as hard or invite Emerie and Gwyn to join them. She hadn’t asked for them either, which he took as a sign that she needed this isolation. 

She walked over to him, his arm and wing wrapping around her instinctively. The marks had faded from her body, but he knew it weighed heavily on her soul. A stray shadow moved over to them, nudging at Nesta and he glanced over at Azriel who had settled his eyes on Elain- also wrapped in a blanket, but with shadows scurrying over her skin, happily welcoming his mate. 

“Hi, Nes.”

Steel returned to her gaze and Cassian stiffened. He knew Azriel would not stand Nesta being horrible to Elain, in her own home and they desperately needed a safe place to stay while Rhys cooled down. Nesta did not seem to recognize the real danger they were in. He tilted her chin up to where she would be forced to look at him and tilted his head to the side. Her eyes softened and she nodded before leaning her forehead against his. 

She did not respond to Elain, but also did not pull away as Elain walked over and wrapped her arms around Nesta as well. He could not hear what Elain whispered, but as Nesta’s shoulders shook and she clung to him even tighter- he knew it was something she needed to hear. Elain gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before walking back over to Azriel’s side. Her stiff movements let him know that she was still in the midst of severe pain, but somehow she was on her feet, trying to care for Nesta. 

“Lainey, love- go rest. I can feel-” 

“No, I’ll be fine. You and Cass need to figure out what to do with Rhys. This shouldn’t have to wait for me.” 

*************

Cassian paced Azriel’s office, waiting for him to return from dropping Nesta and Elain off at Haliana’s cottage for the afternoon. He had raged in the House of Wind, but his ire now had solidified into one point and that was one of his best friends and High Lord. He could not forgive Rhys for this set up. For putting Nesta so squarely in the Illyrians warpath. He knew she would get defensive and he left her completely unprotected. 

Azriel appeared in his office and he let out a sigh. His brother was exhausted and he only knew a fraction of the pain he had felt through the bond. He knew Azriel was treading water to continue his duties to the Night Court, but he did it for Elain’s safety. After this latest issue- he doubted that Rhys would keep Elain safe either. 

“Beating the shit out of him will not work, Cass.” 

“I know. I also know the things Nes has done, but Az…she, she–”

“Does he know what she is to you?” 

Cassian locked eyes with Azriel- his warmth and compassion pushed away for the time being. He was standing with the spymaster and torturer of the Night Court at this moment. One of them needed to be rational and it was certainly not him. He still wanted to beat Rhys unconscious again and Feyre was the only reason he had not shown up at the River House to have another go. Something in the way Rhys acted around her made him want to hold back, there was an unknown in play and it stilled his hand. 

“He suspects. Every time I’ve tried to explain it to him, he won’t listen.” 

Azriel stilled. He had never tried to hide from Azriel or Rhys what he felt for Nesta, but he had also never confirmed what he suspected. That she was his mate. He had watched Azriel’s fight with Rhysand over the last decade, he knew he was not ready to fight for Nesta. He knew that she was in no place to even entertain listening to him, much less accepting that she might be his mate. So he stayed close. He tried to help her pull out of the depression she sank into and welcomed, but it had taken her nearly hurting Elain to shake her out of it. 

“Have you known the entire time?” 

A nod. Azriel’s eyes narrowed at him and he felt the shame wash over him. He was not as brave or determined as Azriel. Azriel who had defied his High Lord and been willing to tear courts apart to have even a chance with Elain. His mate deserved that kind of passion and he had only just found it in his heart to try. 

“Don’t, Az. I know. I’ve failed her, but I want- I need to make it right. Rhys has to understand that these games- Nes isn’t part of it. How did you get him to understand? To stop?” 

“I didn’t. I defied him. You know the number of times you covered for me- you think that was all I did? The real question you have to ask is what are you willing to do to protect her from him?” 

Cassian let out a sigh. His chest ached, his body tensed, but Azriel just stared at him- unrelenting. The very definition of defiance and servitude wrapped into an Illyrian warrior who had known too much torture and pain in his life. Could he follow his path? Could he still be the general of Rhys’ armies and want to gut him at the same moment? 

“I can’t do what you’ve done. I need Rhys to promise that she won’t be…” 

“He can’t promise that she won’t be part of his games, Cass. We all are part of his games- most of which have protected Velaris and the Night Court for centuries. We agreed to do what was necessary for this place, for this life- Elain didn’t and neither did Nesta. If I could go back- I would have stopped that meeting, stopped there even being the possibility that she would become a pawn. Rhys has agreed to let her choose. Don’t…don’t let Nesta be used the same way.” 

He studied him, studied the pain that Azriel never let show that bled from his posture, his form. Azriel had always been the loudest about his disagreements with Rhys, had even gone against him on more than one occasion and taken the punishment if it went poorly. It rarely went poorly. His friend had so few regrets, but the one that weighed on him most was failing Elain. He had a chance to not fail his mate, but he would have to do things he had never done to accomplish that. 

“Why didn’t you defy the bargain?” 

“It would hurt her and that…that’s one thing I can’t do. It’s the worst torture I can inflict on myself, but you only know part of what I did. How close I skirted the line, how hard it was to stay away. I pray you will never have to endure a similar fate- but it means making it clear to Rhys what you will do and what you will stop doing if he interferes.” 

“You did that after-” 

“Yes. I still find things that I need to- further clarify- with Rhys, but he knows where the lines are. Feyre knows where the lines are and that I’ll kill her mate if he crosses them. Pick your lines- hold them. And for the love of the Mother- talk to Nesta.” 

“You’re a male of few words- no way you talked to Elain.” 

Azriel’s eyes met his and he turned to leave the office, he nodded to a stack of letters that materialized on the desk. Cassian walked over to them and glanced at envelopes. Lainey. Over and over and over Lainey. He let out a sigh. Azriel might not have spoken, but the mountain of letters spoke volumes. And it clearly stated a challenge- he could do the same- if only he could be so brave.

[writtenbyshama]

Long Way Home [Part III]

[Azriel x Reader fanfic]

Synopsis: Y/n is the daughter of a healer in the city of Velaris. After a small incident, she moves to the House of the Wind to work for the High Lord, Rhysand. Everyone in the house seems to welcome her except Azriel, the second in command. Even though he is just blankly polite and does not acknowledge her much, she can't help but fall for him. Does Azriel return her feelings or remain unfeelingly aloof?

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Read Part 1 here.

Read Part 2 here.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Part III

A few months later, Star fall was to commence soon. 

Excitement was in the air, and I was looking forward to it too. Rhysand and Feyre were going to host a party, and preparations were already underway. Everyone pitched in to help between their usual duties, chattering about the outfits, the food, song and dance.

Mor and Feyre repeatedly asked me about my outfit for the event. I remained evasive, since I had no plans of actually attending the party. I'd be watching the sky from elsewhere. Even though I helped with the preparations as if I was going to attend, I was gradually emptying my quarters and shifting my things to an isolated property outside the city. This property was situated in a river valley backed by the large mountains surrounding Velaris. It was an inheritance passed down in our family, and I had remodelled the villa and the gardens with the help of my dad. It was a perfect place to avoid others, and I loved it very much. Father, on the other hand, didn't like to be alone for long periods of time and didn't visit it much. 

While I was still in the process of shifting my things, I started sleeping less in the nights. I stayed awake at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea, working my anatomy drawings or study notes. The one thing I'd miss when I left was the library, so I tried to make extensive notes and copied important paragraphs from the books I read. 

One night, I decided on a change of scenery and took my materials to one of the many balconies, making myself comfortable on the thick carpet. As usual, I had some tea in my favourite cup and lots of lamps to illuminate my work. 

I had placed the tea-cup along with a glass jar of coloured pencils on a side table so that I wouldn't accidentally knock them off with my elbow. Leaning against the balcony railing, I was copying a detailed anatomical diagram of an Illyrian wing in my journal. 

A sudden gust of wind knocked over the table and shattered the tea-cup and glass jar. I jumped, dropping my journal as I watched the carpet soak up my drink and pencils scattered everywhere. My favourite cup was broken to fragments. 

Azriel appeared before I had the time to think what to do next. 

"Oh, sorry," he pointed at the shattered pieces.

I sighed. The glass jar could be replaced, but the tea-cup was from one of a collection set of my mother's. It hadn't broken into very tiny pieces, though. Maybe I could put it back together, even if it couldn't be used. I could use another cup for drinking and keep this one back in its shelf. 

I unfolded a drawstring pouch from my pocket and gathered all the pieces. Azriel helped by collecting the remains of the glass jar and the scattered pencils. The tea stain on the carpet couldn't be helped.

He didn't leave immediately after we finished, so I offered him a cup of tea while I brewed some for myself. He accepted, and soon enough, we had our own mugs of the hot liquid and sitting next to each other on the balcony floor, looking out into the night.

He cleared his throat. "That cup was important to you."

I nodded. A tendril of his shadow flickered near his neck, and slipped out of sight. "It's from a set that belonged to my mother."

His expression dropped from his usual polite blankness. "I'm truly sorry. If there's any way I can help fix—"

I held up a hand. "It's alright. I'll fix it by myself later on."

I was curious as to why he had appeared here. He had never actually come to a place I was in out of his own volition. I asked him about it.

He did not give a direct answer. "You weren't there in the kitchen. I was looking for you everywhere."

I fell silent, turning over his reply in my mind, unsure of how to proceed. Meanwhile, he laid down his mug and picked up the journal I used for sketching. This journal in particular was just pages and pages of anatomical Illyrian wings with the parts labelled and side information. I had drawn them in every possible angle and technique I could think of. 

He slowly thumbed through the pages, his own wings slightly trembling in the breeze. 

"These are really accurate," he commented as he stopped at one of the pages. His eyebrows went up, and I leaned over a bit to see what he was looking at. 

It was a shaded sketch of a pair of hands, with the palms turned up. And they had scars on them. Azriel's hands, which I had drawn one feverish night from memory. Fuck. 

I straightened, cupping my own mug with both hands and intensely staring at it, determined not to face him or acknowledge the drawing. My ears and neck turned hot with embarrassment. He stayed on that page for a long time before closing the journal and carefully keeping it on the carpet between us. 

"Why the wings?" He asked after a while. 

I shrugged. "I miss having them."

"What happened?"

I narrowed a side glance at him. "I'm sure you know what happened."

One corner of his mouth tipped up. "I do. But I'd like to hear the account from you."

I shrugged. "Nothing much to tell. Father was sent on a mission. Mother was already dead by that time and he had to take me with him since there was nobody else at the time to look after me. The task went wrong, and the enemy soldiers ripped off both our wings and left us to die. Only, we were somehow revived and brought back to life. It was quite a while before I learned how to properly balance myself without my wings."

"This was during the war, yes?"

"Yes."

He turned to me and gave me a once-over. "Your mother was not Illyrian."

I nodded. "She was a high fae from the Summer Court. It's a thing in our family's ancestry. We come from a long line of powerful healers, and not all our mates are Illyrian. She survived my birth, even with my wings, but she died during the second along with the child."

Noticing the sadness that crept into my voice, he changed the subject by pointing at my journal. "Why my hands?"

I blushed, turning away from his inquisitive gaze. "I find them beautiful, that's all."

He opened his mouth to reply, but stood up abruptly, his head cocked to the side as if listening to something. 

"I have to go."

Going like this only meant one thing. "Is Elaine in need of help?" My voice sounded strange to my own ears.

He was on his way to one of the archways, and halted mid-stride. "Yes. Why?"

I shook my head, motioning for him to leave. "It's nothing. Go on. Don't let me keep you."

He took a step towards me. "But—"

"Just go."

He left.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

I took a nap right there on the carpet until the early morning rays warmed my skin. When I was awake, I started gathering all my things to go back to my room. Cassian appeared and waved at me as I stood up, my arms weighed down with the books and the empty mugs. 

"Good morning, my chicken soup."

I laughed. "Morning, Cassian."

During my stay, Cassian had once fallen ill with a stomach problem and wouldn't eat anything and spat out the medicine. I mixed all the herbal concoction in some chicken soup, its flavours masking the bitterness of the herbs and fed it to him until he was better. From then on, he started calling me his chicken soup and always came to me in case of injuries and other illnesses. 

He took some of my books and started walking me to my quarters. "I've fetched you breakfast, its in your room."

"Thanks."

When we reached my room, we unloaded our things on a table and I sat on a chair, keeping the breakfast tray on my lap. He took a seat on my bed and thoughtfully chewed on a piece of fruit. 

His wings were gently fluttering and I couldn't stop staring. 

"How does it feel to fly?" I asked in a low voice. My wings were ripped before I could do so.

His eyes softened. What happened to me and father was not a secret, everyone knew about it. He suddenly grinned as if he had a great idea. 

"What if I show you, instead of describing it?"

I didn't know what to say. "Um, I don't know, I'm a pretty chubby woman, I might be too heavy for you to—"

He groaned dramatically. "Oh, come on. I will be put to shame if I can't carry you!" He stood up. "Finish your breakfast. I'll take you right now."

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Tags:

@kalulakunundrum

@thelov3lybookworm

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Read Part 4 here.

Thank you for all the responses to my previous two parts of the story!

This fanfic can also be found in Wattpad, along with other exclusive parts like playlists and pictures. Here's the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/358573037-long-way-home

Happy reading! <3

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

[sinoramikss]

Hello again, everyone! I’m excited to share Chapter 3 with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing it! As always, your feedback means a lot, so feel free to share your thoughts. And if you have any requests or suggestions for the next chapters, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for all the support and the likes—it truly motivates me to keep going!

FATES BARGAIN

Chapter 3

AZRİEL

I stood back from the lively buzz of conversation, my arms crossed over my chest, shadows curling around me like a second skin. From where I lingered near the entrance of the River House’s courtyard, I had a clear view of her. Sy was with Feyre, Mor, and Elain, the three of them chatting animatedly with her. Feyre’s warm laugh echoed through the open space, Mor’s hands moving in expressive gestures, and Elain’s soft, encouraging smile aimed at Sy as she tried to draw her into the conversation.

But I wasn’t focused on what they were saying. No, my attention was on Sy herself—on the way she responded, the way she shifted nervously under their kindness, as if it was foreign to her. Her body language spoke volumes: the slight stiffness in her shoulders, the way her hands fidgeted with the fabric of her new dress, how she glanced down when the others’ attention turned too directly toward her, as if uncertain how to accept it.

There was something about her that held my attention, something that went beyond mere curiosity. It was a feeling I couldn’t quite place, like a word that hovered on the tip of my tongue but refused to be spoken. I told myself that I was simply doing my job—keeping an eye on a potential threat. After all, she was still an unknown element in our world, brought here by an ancient power with motives none of us could yet understand. That’s what I told myself. And yet...

I couldn’t ignore the way my gaze lingered on the way the evening light caught the subtle highlights in her hair, or how the dress she wore—the deep twilight blue—flowed around her in a way that made her seem as if she belonged to the shifting shadows of dusk. I hated that my attention kept drifting back to these details, these little things that had no bearing on the potential danger she posed. But they drew me in, nonetheless, as if there was a thread connecting us that I couldn’t untangle.

Rhysand and Cassian were nearby, talking in low voices. I could catch bits and pieces of their conversation—plans about the approaching tensions in the north, the rumors of unrest among the Illyrian camps—but the words barely registered in my mind. My shadows should have been trained on them, on the potential threats gathering beyond Velaris’s borders, but they hovered around Sy instead, drifting closer, as if drawn to the same quiet mystery that held my focus.

Cassian’s laugh broke through my thoughts, low and knowing, and I tore my eyes away from Sy just in time to see him smirking at me. He folded his arms across his broad chest, giving me that look—the one that said he knew exactly what was going through my mind, even if I hadn’t put it into words yet. “You’re staring, Az,” he said, his voice laced with amusement. “She’s got you all twisted up, doesn’t she?”

I shot him a sharp look, refusing to let his teasing get under my skin. “I’m watching her, Cassian,” I replied coolly, keeping my tone even, professional. “It’s my job to figure out whether she’s a threat or not. We still don’t know what brought her here, or what she’s capable of. It’s better if someone keeps an eye on her.”

But even as the words left my mouth, I knew they weren’t the whole truth. Yes, it was my responsibility to ensure that she didn’t pose a danger to Velaris, to Rhysand and Feyre, and to all those I swore to protect. But there was another reason I kept watching her, a reason that tangled in the shadows of my own thoughts, making it impossible to look away.

Cassian raised an eyebrow, the smirk deepening as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Right. And all those looks you’re giving her—the ones that seem to linger a little longer than necessary—those are just part of the job too?” He chuckled, his laughter a rough rumble that made my jaw clench.

I shot him a glare, but he wasn’t wrong. Even I could admit that. There was something in Sy that stirred a part of me I hadn’t expected—something that made me want to know what lay beneath the guarded glances and cautious smiles. But I couldn’t let myself go down that path. I couldn’t afford distractions. “Believe what you want, Cassian,” I muttered, turning my gaze back to Sy, trying to ignore the knot tightening in my chest. “She’s different. I’m just being thorough.”

Cassian’s laughter softened, turning into a more genuine, knowing smile. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but not unkind. “Sure, Az. Keep telling yourself that.” He paused, letting the silence stretch between us before adding, more quietly, “Just... don’t forget to let yourself be something more than the Spymaster once in a while. Not everything has to be a threat.”

I stiffened at his words, a familiar defensiveness rising in me. I shrugged off his hand, keeping my eyes on Sy as she laughed softly at something Mor had said, the sound delicate, almost fragile. It was a sound I hadn’t expected from her, and something about it made that knot in my chest pull tighter. “You’re imagining things,” I replied curtly. “I’m just doing my job.”

But even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t entirely true. Because in that laugh, in the way she seemed to carry a weight that matched my own, I saw a reflection of something that felt achingly familiar. A loneliness that I recognized, though I couldn’t explain why. And I hated that it called to me, that it made me want to reach out and understand it, even when I knew that letting myself care about her could only lead to trouble.

Cassian sighed, but he didn’t push the issue further. He turned back to Rhysand, their conversation resuming, but I could feel his knowing smirk lingering, like an itch at the back of my mind.

I forced myself to focus, to remind myself of why I was really here. She was an unknown, a question that needed answering. But as I watched her from across the courtyard, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to understand the full story behind those guarded eyes, and why—despite every instinct that told me to keep my distance—I felt the pull to unravel the mystery of her presence.

And why, as she glanced my way again, her expression softening when our eyes met, I couldn’t quite bring myself to look away.

SY

As the conversation with Feyre, Mor, and Elain continued around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. A tingling awareness crept along my skin, and despite the lively chatter of the three women beside me, I couldn’t ignore the weight of that steady gaze. It was like a pull—drawing my attention away from their words, coaxing me to look up.

So, I did. My eyes met Azriel’s across the courtyard, where he stood with Rhysand and Cassian. His posture was relaxed, arms crossed over his chest, but his focus was entirely on me. Those hazel eyes of his, shadowed and intense, seemed to see straight through me, unraveling secrets I wasn’t even sure I had. The air between us seemed to still, the sounds of the River House and the river itself fading into the background. It was as if, in that moment, the world had narrowed to just the space between his gaze and mine.

For a moment, I couldn’t look away. And it struck me then—just how undeniably handsome he was. I’d seen it before, of course, the sharp angles of his jaw, the strong lines of his shoulders, the way his dark hair fell just slightly into his eyes, giving him an untamed look that made my pulse race a little faster. But there was something more—something about the way he carried himself, a quiet strength that wasn’t loud like Cassian’s but still commanded attention. A charisma that lingered in the shadows around him, making him both mysterious and impossible to ignore.

It was unsettling how easily he could capture my focus, how my thoughts seemed to twist around him even as I tried to concentrate on the conversation with the others. I forced myself to tear my gaze away, turning back to Feyre, Mor, and Elain, who were discussing plans for the next day. I nodded along, but I could feel my mind wandering back to him, wondering what thoughts hid behind those watchful eyes, what made him so intensely aware of me.

I tried to engage in their conversation—Feyre was talking about a new art project she wanted to start, and Elain chimed in with suggestions about the flowers she could use as inspiration. I even managed a few comments of my own, but the entire time, I was aware of the steady beat of my heart, of the way my pulse seemed to quicken whenever I thought of the way Azriel had looked at me.

After a few minutes, curiosity got the better of me, and I dared to glance back in his direction, just to see if he was still looking. I expected to find him focused on Rhysand and Cassian, maybe leaning back into whatever serious conversation they were having. But instead, I caught him again—his gaze fixed on me, his expression unreadable. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes when he realized I’d caught him staring, but he didn’t look away immediately.

A small, mischievous smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it, a silent acknowledgment that I had noticed him watching. Azriel’s reaction was almost immediate—his cheeks darkened with a hint of color, just enough to be noticeable, before he quickly turned his attention back to the conversation with his brothers. He pretended as though nothing had happened, his posture shifting as he murmured something to Rhysand, but I didn’t miss the way he seemed just a little too focused on appearing nonchalant, as if he could erase the moment with sheer willpower.

I bit back a laugh, a warmth spreading through my chest at the thought that I had managed to fluster him, even just a little. It was a small victory, but it left a pleasant flutter in my stomach, a reminder that beneath his stoic exterior, there was still something human—something that responded to me in ways that were beyond his control.

But as I turned back to the girls, I realized they hadn’t missed the exchange either. Mor’s eyes were alight with amusement, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as she tilted her head, studying me with a look that was far too observant. “So, Sy,” she began, her tone teasing, “did you enjoy the view over there?”

Feyre raised an eyebrow, a smile curling the edges of her mouth as she exchanged a glance with Elain. Elain, ever gentle, tried to hide her own amusement behind a polite cough, but the way her eyes sparkled gave her away. “You and Azriel seemed to be having a little... moment,” she said softly, though there was no judgment in her voice, just a kind curiosity.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I tried to shrug off their comments, though my smile must have given me away. “It’s not like that,” I mumbled, feeling a little flustered under their collective gaze. “He’s just... watching me because, well, I’m new here. It’s his job to be suspicious, right?”

Mor let out a laugh, her smirk widening as she nudged my arm playfully. “Oh, sure, let’s go with that. But I’ve known Azriel a long time, and I can tell you—he doesn’t usually get that distracted when he’s supposed to be working.”

Feyre’s smile turned a touch more sympathetic, though her amusement hadn’t faded. “He’s not easy to read, but... maybe you’ve caught his attention in more ways than one, Sy.”

Elain nodded, her voice gentle but curious. “There’s no harm in being curious about someone, after all. It’s... kind of nice, isn’t it? To know that someone is looking out for you?”

I hesitated, unsure how to respond. The warmth that lingered from Azriel’s gaze, from the way he had seemed so focused on me, left me feeling strangely exposed, but not in an entirely unwelcome way. “I don’t know,” I admitted quietly, my voice barely more than a murmur. “I think it’s more complicated than that.”

Mor’s smirk softened, and she wrapped an arm around my shoulders, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Complicated is just another word for interesting, isn’t it?”

I couldn’t help but smile at that, and as the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, I found myself glancing back toward Azriel one last time. He was focused on Cassian and Rhysand now, but there was a stiffness to his posture that hadn’t been there before, like he was still aware of the connection that had sparked between us, even if he was trying to ignore it. And though I didn’t know what any of it meant, I couldn’t help but wonder what might come of it—what secrets might lie behind those watchful eyes, and whether I was as much of a mystery to him as he was to me.

Feyre and Rhysand led me to the room where I’d be staying, their footsteps echoing down the quiet halls of the River House. The room was tucked into a distant wing, far from the heart of the home where the rest of them gathered. It was beautifully decorated, filled with rich, warm colors and thoughtfully chosen furniture, but the isolation was palpable. Feyre offered me a reassuring smile as we reached the door, a smile that mirrored the one she’d given me earlier when she’d hinted about Azriel.

“We don’t want you to think we’re trying to isolate you,” she said gently, her voice sincere. “This is just the only spare room we have, Sy. But the good news is, there’s someone in the room next door who can keep you company if you need it. Maybe you could knock on his door if you ever need anything.” There was a hint of mischief in her eyes, the kind that made my cheeks warm. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who she meant.

I ran cool fingers over my flushed cheeks, trying to dispel the heat that rose there. “Thank you, Feyre, Rhysand,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I managed a quick, flustered smile before retreating into the room, closing the door behind me with a soft click. “Good night,” I added, but they were already disappearing down the hall.

Inside, the room was as welcoming as the rest of the house. A large wardrobe stood against one wall, and when I opened it, I found the clothes Feyre had bought me earlier, neatly arranged alongside a few other outfits I hadn’t seen before. The thoughtfulness behind it warmed me—a reminder that, despite being a stranger, they had treated me with a kindness I hadn’t expected. It made me pause, thinking about the family I had left behind. How were they faring without me? What had become of my body back in my own world? Was it still lying in that hospital bed, or had they already said their goodbyes?

Pushing those thoughts aside, I walked out onto the balcony. The cool night air washed over me, carrying with it the scent of the river and the crispness of the mountain breeze. I leaned against the railing, staring out at the breathtaking scene before me. The Night Court’s skyline stretched out under a sky full of stars, more vivid than anything I’d ever seen back in my world. The mountains loomed dark and majestic in the distance, while the river wound its way through the city, reflecting the starlight like a ribbon of silver. It was so beautiful, so unreal, that I found myself holding my breath, afraid that if I blinked, it might vanish like a dream.

I closed my eyes, letting the night air fill my lungs, trying to center myself, to silence the tumultuous thoughts that kept circling in my head. But then a voice broke through the quiet, low and smooth as the river itself, startling me so much that I jumped.

“Rough day?” The male voice came from my right, and my hand flew instinctively to my chest, trying to steady my racing heart.

Azriel stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe of his own balcony, his arms crossed. He looked relaxed, almost amused, a small smile playing at the edges of his lips as he watched me with that familiar, unreadable gaze. His shadows lingered around him, curling in the darkness like smoke. How long had he been standing there? Long enough to have seen me lost in thought, that much was certain.

I let out a shaky laugh, trying to mask the way my heart still pounded in my chest. “You Illyrian males seem to have a hobby of sneaking up on me, don’t you?” I teased, forcing a smile to my lips, though I couldn’t quite shake the flustered feeling.

He arched a brow, his expression curious. “Males, plural? Who else has managed to scare you?” He didn’t move from his spot, but there was a subtle tension in the set of his shoulders, a tightness in his voice that hinted he didn’t like the idea of me being caught off guard by anyone else.

His handsome features were as still as stone, but I could sense the disapproval beneath his calm exterior. It was as if the idea that someone else might have shaken me irritated him more than it should. I bit my lip, wondering if I’d imagined the edge in his voice.

“Rhysand,” I replied with a small shrug, trying to play it off as casually as I could. “Earlier today, he did the same thing—caught me off guard, just like you did now.” I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to share that with him, why I wanted him to know, but the words tumbled out before I could stop them. Maybe it was the lingering effect of the conversations I’d had with Feyre and the others, the suggestion that there might be more to Azriel’s watchful gaze than mere duty.

He said nothing in response, but the silence between us stretched, thick with unspoken thoughts. His shadows shifted subtly, brushing against the air like whispers I couldn’t quite hear. I turned my gaze back to the stunning view before me, trying to focus on the night rather than the heat that his presence seemed to stir inside me.

I drew in a deep breath, the night air cool against my flushed skin, but my mind raced with questions. Could I have powers here, in this new world? What did Hekate truly want from me? How had I even managed to cross the veil between worlds? And what of my family—were they grieving, or had they already moved on from my absence?

Closing my eyes tightly, I tried to will the thoughts away, to quiet my mind. One step at a time, I reminded myself. Focus on what’s in front of you.

When I turned back around, thinking Azriel might have returned to his room, I found myself inches away from him, my chest bumping against his solid form. A surprised gasp slipped from my lips as I looked up, realizing he hadn’t gone anywhere—he had simply moved closer, quietly as always, standing just behind me. His presence was overwhelming, a wall of warmth and strength, and I felt as if I’d stumbled into a shadowed corner that was both safe and dangerous at the same time.

I tilted my head back, meeting his gaze. His hazel eyes shone like embers in the darkness, flecks of gold catching the faint moonlight. I could feel the shadows circling around us, brushing against my skin like curious fingers, but I was too caught up in the moment to care. A strange warmth coiled inside my chest, a heat that seemed to radiate from the closeness of his body, the nearness of his breath against my cheek. I couldn’t tell if it came from his proximity or from the way he looked at me, as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to look away, as if breaking the connection between our eyes would shatter something fragile.

We stayed like that for a heartbeat—two heartbeats—time stretching out between us until it felt like the world had stopped turning. He studied me with such intensity that it felt as though he was trying to read the secrets I kept hidden, trying to understand the thoughts I wouldn’t share.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry, and somehow managed to find my voice. “Goodnight, Azriel,” I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath, the words shaky with a tension I couldn’t quite name.

His expression didn’t change, but I thought I saw a flicker of something in his eyes—something that matched the uncertainty fluttering in my chest. Then, he inclined his head, stepping back just enough to let me pass. I brushed past him, feeling the warmth of his presence lingering like a ghost as I made my way back into my room.

Once inside, I closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment as I tried to steady my breathing. My thoughts were a tangled mess, the memory of his gaze, the feel of his breath against my skin, playing over and over in my mind.

I changed into the soft nightclothes I’d found earlier, slipping beneath the blankets of the bed. But as I lay there in the dark, the memory of those hazel eyes refused to fade. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them again, the way they had looked at me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

I tried to banish the thought, turning over in bed, forcing myself to focus on my breathing—inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale—but it was no use. Images of Azriel kept slipping into my mind, the way he had seemed both infuriatingly composed and yet... something else. Something more vulnerable, more uncertain.

And as I finally drifted off to sleep, the last thing I saw in the darkness behind my eyelids was the memory of his face, framed in shadow, the hint of a mystery in those eyes that made me want to learn more. It was a dangerous thought, but as sleep pulled me under, I found that I didn’t want to let it go.

AZRIEL

Azriel stood in the shadows of his room, the flickering light from the hearth casting long shadows across the walls. He had been here for a while now, attempting to lose himself in the reports Rhysand had given him earlier—briefings on the unrest brewing beyond Velaris, rumors of trouble among the Illyrian camps. His role, his duty, was clear, and it was a role he had played without hesitation for centuries. But tonight, his mind refused to focus on the parchment in front of him.

Instead, his thoughts kept straying—to her. To Sy.

He had been observing her all day, ever since she had arrived. He had watched her carefully, his attention sharp, cataloging every flicker of emotion that crossed her face, every slight shift in her posture. He had told himself that it was necessary, that she was an unknown, a potential threat to his court. And yet, beneath that excuse, there was a restless curiosity that he couldn’t quite silence. He found himself wondering what lay behind her guarded expressions, what kind of life she had left behind, and what kind of strength had brought her here—strength that he hadn’t expected to find in someone so seemingly fragile.

He could still remember the way her laugh had sounded at dinner, light and uncertain, as if she was testing out how it felt to be part of a conversation again. He could still see the way her cheeks had flushed when she caught him watching her across the table, the way her smile had tugged at something deep inside him that he had long since buried.

Azriel sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to push those thoughts aside. It was foolish—dangerous, even—to let himself get distracted by someone who might be gone from their lives as suddenly as she had appeared. And yet, despite his best efforts, her presence lingered in his mind, like the scent of rain on the air before a storm.

He had almost managed to convince himself to go back to the reports when a faint hint of her scent reached him through the open balcony door. It was subtle, but unmistakable—something warm and sweet, like the scent of a flower blooming in the shadows. Without thinking, he found himself drifting toward the door, drawn by that familiar pull that seemed to tighten every time she was near.

He stepped onto the balcony, the night air cool against his skin, and glanced to his right. There she was—Sy, standing just a few feet away on her own balcony, leaning against the railing as she stared out at the night. Her back was to him, her silhouette framed by the silver glow of the moon, the delicate fabric of her dress shifting in the evening breeze. She seemed lost in thought, her shoulders rising and falling with deep, measured breaths, as if she was trying to calm something inside herself.

Azriel watched her silently, his shadows curling around him like a protective cloak, blending him into the darkness. He knew he should probably turn away, leave her to her thoughts, but he found that he couldn’t. There was a vulnerability in her stance, a weariness that he recognized all too well. It stirred something inside him, something that made his grip on the shadows loosen, made him take a step closer, though he knew it was foolish.

Without thinking, he spoke, letting his voice drift through the stillness between them. “Rough day?”

She jumped at the sound of his voice, her hand flying to her chest as if to steady her racing heart. Azriel couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips, the way her reaction amused him. It wasn’t often that he managed to catch people off guard—not like this.

She turned to face him, and even in the dim light, he could see the flush of color that crept into her cheeks, the way she tried to hide her surprise with a laugh. “You Illyrian males seem to have a hobby of sneaking up on me, don’t you?” she teased, her voice light and playful, though there was an edge of nervousness beneath it.

Azriel arched an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly as he studied her. “Males, plural? Who else has managed to scare you?” He didn’t move from where he stood, leaning against the edge of his own balcony, but he could feel a tension coiling inside him at the thought. The idea that someone else might have shaken her, might have made her feel vulnerable, stirred a possessiveness in him that he didn’t want to examine too closely.

She shrugged, brushing off his question as if it was nothing, but he caught the flicker of something in her eyes before she spoke. “Rhysand,” she said, her tone casual, but he could hear the undercurrent of something else—something that made his shadows tighten slightly. “Earlier today, he did the same thing—caught me off guard, just like you did now.”

Azriel’s jaw clenched, though he tried to keep his expression impassive. He knew it was irrational to feel a flash of irritation at Rhysand’s name—Rhys was his brother, his High Lord, and he had every right to interact with Sy however he pleased. But the thought that she had been surprised by Rhysand in the same way she had been by him, that she might have felt that same shock, that same flutter of awareness—it dug at him, more than he cared to admit.

He didn’t respond, letting the silence settle between them again, and she turned back toward the view, her gaze sweeping across the night-shrouded landscape. He could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her hands gripped the edge of the railing as if she was trying to anchor herself. He wondered what thoughts chased through her mind—what fears and uncertainties haunted her in this strange new world.

She took a deep breath, her eyes slipping closed, and for a moment, she looked so small, so lost, that it sent a pang through his chest. He wanted to reach out, to tell her that she wasn’t alone in facing those shadows, but the words stuck in his throat. He had never been good at offering comfort, not in a way that didn’t come with the sharp edges of his own darkness.

When she turned back toward him, her movements tentative, he realized too late that he had moved closer, that he had crossed the invisible boundary between their balconies without even noticing. She collided with him, her small frame bumping into his chest, and he froze, his breath catching at the sudden closeness.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, her surprise clear in the way her lips parted slightly, a soft breath escaping her. Azriel stared down at her, aware of every inch of space between them—or rather, the lack of it. He could feel the heat radiating from her skin, the warmth of her breath against his cheek. Her scent—something sweet and unfamiliar—washed over him, making his thoughts blur and tangle, like shadows caught in a rising wind.

His shadows curled around her, almost of their own accord, brushing against her skin like curious tendrils. He forced them back, but the closeness, the intimacy of the moment, made it harder to keep them in check. And despite his best efforts, he couldn’t look away from her, from the way her lips trembled slightly, from the vulnerability in her wide eyes.

She looked up at him, and in her gaze, he saw a reflection of his own uncertainty, his own struggle to find the right words. He could have moved back, could have turned away, but something held him there, something that whispered that if he broke this connection, if he pulled away, he might lose a chance he didn’t yet understand.

They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, caught in the stillness of the night, with only the distant murmur of the river breaking the silence. He could see her searching his face, and he wondered if she saw past the mask he wore, if she glimpsed the cracks that lay beneath.

She was the first to find her voice, her words barely a whisper. “Goodnight, Azriel.” Her voice trembled slightly, but there was a softness in it that brushed against the edges of his heart.

Azriel swallowed, forcing himself to nod, even though a part of him wanted to ask her to stay, to keep talking, to fill the silence between them with more than just secrets and shadows. But he let her pass, stepping back as she slipped into her room, her presence leaving a strange emptiness in the air behind her.

He watched the door close, standing alone on the balcony with only the night for company. His shadows whispered restlessly around him, carrying thoughts he refused to acknowledge, emotions he had buried too deep to name. He told himself that this was nothing more than curiosity, that she was an enigma to be solved, a potential danger that he needed to understand. But as he turned and slipped back into his own room, he couldn’t ignore the way his mind kept returning to the feel of her warmth against him, the way her eyes had looked when they met his.

He lay in the darkness for a long time, staring up at the ceiling, and all he could see was the memory of her, the way she had felt so solid, so real, pressed against him. And beneath it all, that quiet, unwelcome thought that maybe—just maybe—he didn’t want to look away.

[lilibookverse]

Random Texts between shy!reader x bf!Azriel 🗡️✨

🗡️🌑✨🦇✨🌑🗡️🌑✨🦇✨🌑🗡️🌑✨🦇✨🌑🗡️🌑✨🦇✨

🗡️🌑✨🦇✨🌑🗡️🌑✨🦇✨🌑🗡️🌑✨🦇✨🌑🗡️🌑✨🦇✨

Pairing : shy!reader x bf!Azriel

You’ve always been the quiet one. The one who overthinks every text, types and deletes a reply at least five times, and somehow always manages to convince yourself that no one really notices you. But what if the Shadowsinger himself did? ✨

✨ Until next time, my loves… Stay possessive. Stay golden. 💛🌟

[acourtofladydeath]

Hello all and welcome to the depths of depravity my masterlist! Here you will find all of my fics to date, which are available to read on AO3. While most of my work is currently ACOTAR based, I write for multiple ships across many fandoms and will happily hear your requests!

✍🏻 indicates a WIP

🌶️ indicates spice

🗡️ indicates depictions of violence, battles, and/or injuries

📚 indicates a multichap fic

💞 indicates fluff

❗ indicates heavy emotion/emotional trauma/death, however this may not be inclusive as every person experiences and reacts to emotions differently.

💤 indicates a hiatus

Please be sure to check all fic tags on AO3 as well as these initial indicators! Many of my fics include explorations of physical and/or emotional trauma.

Azris

All Things End ❗ This fic has an immersive, direct read playlist component that you can read about here!

The Soft Heart & The Shadow 🗡️❗

The Soft Heart & The Little Fox 🗡️❗

One Bed, One Bond, and a Pair of Wings

Enter: Uncle Autumn 💞

Fighting Fire with Fire 🗡️❗

And So Our Life Begins (ASOLB) ✍🏻📚💞

A Second Chance, *part of the ASOLB series

Finding His Shadow: An Azris Peter Pan AU **please note this fic is very aged up from the original material 📚🗡️🌶️ in Ch. 2 only

Fire Alarm

The Wall Comes Down 🗡️

All I Want For Solstice Is You, part 1 of the Winter Cabin series 💞

Forest Fever, Soothing Shadow 💞

To Speak Through Smoke, part 2 of the Winter Cabin series 💞

Pieces of Us, part 3 of the Winter Cabin series 💞

A Wound So Deep 🗡️❗

The Song of Azris series ✍🏻📚🗡️❗

Hope Is A Fickle Thing

My Heart's Aflame, My Body's Strained (But God I Like It) 🌶️

Nessian & Nessriel

In Due Time 💞 (Nessian)

What Happens In The Night 🌶️ (Nessian)

Complications Arose, Ensued, Were Overcome 🗡️ (Nessian)

Take These Broken Wings 🗡️❗📚 (Nessriel)

Just One More 🌶️ (Nessriel)

Hold Me Close, Hold Me Tender 💞 (Nessriel)

Our Greatest Adventure 💞 (Nessriel)

We'll Go Together ✍🏻📚🗡️❗ (Nessian)

Multi-Ship or Other ACOTAR

3 Jewels In The Hewn City 📚🌶️ (Feysand, Nessian, Azris)

Lovers Live & Die Fortissimo (LL&DF)💤✍🏻📚 (Azris, Nessian, Feytamsand, Elucien, HelionXLOA)

Publicly Pleasing, Silently Drowning 🗡️❗ (Eris Vanserra)

How I Met Your Fathers 💞 (Feytamsand)

Stairway Snoops (Azris X Nessian polycule)

Into the Fire 🌶️ (Feytamcien/Lufeylin)

Return to the Hewn City ✍🏻📚 🌶️(Azris X Nessian swinging)

Welcome to the Family the Podfic, part 1 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series 🌶️ (Elucien, Berlain, Erislain, Elain X all Vanserra Brothers)

Rules are Rules, part 2 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series 🌶️(Azris, Berzriel)

The Clause, part 3 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series (Azris, Elucien, Erlain, Luzriel) 🌶️

Birth of an Empire, part 4 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series (Beron X LoA, LoA X Beron's father and brothers) ❗🗡️🌶️

From Me All Things Are Made, part 5 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series (poem)

Tastes of Desire, part 6 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series (Vanserra 2, Vanserra 3, Female OC) ✍🏻📚🌶️

Trades in Lace, part 7 of the "To Become A Vanserra" series (Beron X OC female) 🌶️

And So We Danced (Nesta/Eris friends, Azris, Nessian) 💞

A Walk In The Park (Casris) 💞

The Hollow Women, part 2 of the TTBW series (The bat boys moms) ❗

Lullaby's Flight, part 3 of the TTBW series (Cassian & Rhysand's mom)

Righteous Man (Berlain)🌶️

ACOTAR Drabbles

The Fawn, The Fox, & The Fiend 🌶️(Eltamcien)

Live, and Be Happy ❗ (Feytamsand)

The Wall Comes Down 🗡️ (Azris)

Just One More 🌶️(Nessriel)

The Empyrean

The Quiet Game 💞 (Tairn/Sgaeyl and Andarna)

Baby's First Birthday 💞 (Tairn/Sgaeyl and Andarna)

Last One Standing 🗡️❗ (Tairn/Sgaeyl, Andarna, Violet/Xaden)

Worlds Collide (Drake/Dain)🗡️🌶️

I'll Give It All 🗡️❗ (Brennan/Naolin)

To Create Is To Control 🌶️❗ (VioJack)

Other Universe Fics

A Place Eternal 📚❗🗡️🌶️ in Ch. 5 (TSOA/The Illiad/Greek Mythology: Patrochilles, Hades X Persephone)

Reunited (Dr. Who: Amy X Rory)

The Final Moments ❗ (Torchwood: Jack X Ianto)

The Days We Thought We'd Never See 💤📚 (Spartacus: Agron X Nasir)

Event Week Masterlists

Poly+ ACOTAR Week 2024 🌶️💞

Azris Week 2024 🌶️💞

Eris Week 2024 🌶️💞🗡️❗