Eris Week | Day 2 | Childhood | There had been joy, too.
"His mother, who had adored dancing and hired musicians to perform at the Forest House. Her flames had once been a rosy gold when she lit the nursery’s hearth, a blanket to warm their shivering faeling bodies after a day at the swimming hole...It was melted down chocolate and hazelnut on a crisp morning." --Just Enough Light to Cast Shadows
Thank you to the talented Poppy for creating JEL's Amma and young Eris for me.
Art by @/poppypola and commissioned by me for @erisweekofficial
Okay I have like a slightly out of pocket request/idea that I don’t think I’ve seen before and if this is not your cup of tea you can straight up IGNORE but it’s taken over my brain 😂 let’s pretend in this story that eris and mor are mates but it’s a rejected situation bc obvs mor isn’t into males. And helion and the lady of autumn are also mates. This is post Hybern, maybe during or after ACOSF. Beron (I know ew right but stay with me now) ends up finding HIS mate. And she’s like the sweetest thing ever and she’s terrified of him. (Beron is infatuated with her because of whatever power she may have but he’s still an asshole don’t get me wrong this is not a beron redemption request) It becomes public knowledge that beron found his mate and he plans on marrying her. eris REFUSES to let another female be subjected to what his mother went through so this is what spurs the whole murder beron and become high lord plot. I have no thoughts on what happens between but eris succeeds and becomes high lord in the end, but falls in love with beron’s mate during the process and it’s mutual love and it’s angst with a happy ending. Usually fated mates is my jam but I just needed every mating bond to go wrong in this one LOL. Except for Helion and LoA of course 🫡
A Game of Fate
Eris Week - Day 7 - Free Day
Summary - After the bond between Beron Vanserra and Eris's hidden lover makes itself known, the cycle of tyranny in Autumn is put to the test
Warnings - assassination, poison, Beron, mentions of abuse, food and sleep deprivation, beron x reader mating bond.
A/n - I've been holding on to this, and I am so sorry 😭. I played with it a little bit, but I this ultimately was the version I am happiest with! Happy last day of @erisweekofficial . It feels like I'm like leaving a long-distance friend after too short of a visit.
The Cauldron was wrong. Eris understood Azriel's claim in every sense now. The Cauldron had to be wrong.
There was no other explanation for why his father was currently signing papers to end his marriage because you were his mate. Sweet, kind, soft spoken you. You dreamed of far-off places, peace. You once told Eris you liked to imagine what the stars whispered to each other late at night.
You were a dreamer, and you were his. Eris had hidden you in plain sight since you became his peace. You were there for him after Mor rejected the bond. You were there for him after every beating, and you loved him through everything.
And now your father had to go and ruin it. You were 505 years old, and he finally felt the need to present you as a lady to the court to be married off however Beron saw fit.
If it was a massive payout your father wanted, he had it. Everyone knew what had happened the second the High Lord of Autumn laid eyes on you. The reactions ranged from jealousy to sympathy to shock. And now, two months later, the reaction was silence.
Without even speaking, you had changed the course of Autumn's history. You had ruined Helion, Rhys, and Eris's plans. You had freed his mother at the cost of yourself and your safety. Your words behind those closed doors would haunt Eris until he died, "I will marry you only if Lady Autumn is freed and allowed to leave to wherever she sees fit, safely and with your blessing."
Eris sighed as the other two High Lords, the inner circle, and his brothers all sat in Helion's war room. Eris's boots banged with each anxious and angry step, "Any ideas," he asked. "I would have to outright declare a blood duel now, which requires gaining the support of the rest of the courts beforehand, and we do not have time for that."
"We can not declare war," Rhysand contemplated. "No other court had claim to the girl, and you have no known claim to her."
"Even if he did, Autumn court law says the mating bond trumps it," Eris's mother, Anala, said. "Especially when it is between two members of the Autumn Court. Our laws allow males to claim their mates without her accepting the bond."
"Well if that isn't misogynistic-"
"Let me know when you actually ban wing clipping, and you can bash my court's laws," Anala spat at Rhysand. "You know, as well as I do change doesn't come overnight with a dictator."
Rhysand blinked at the former Lady of Autumn before glancing at Helion. You entered the room at that moment. The air seemed to tense as you did, but Eris rushed to you, holding your elbows. "Are you alright?"
Beron has been trying to manipulate you for weeks. He played games with your mind no long talks with Eris could prepare you for. Beron was a monster, and this was only your second week continuously being with him.
Helion stared to his love, his long lost mate, and stood, "Give me a week with your mother, and I will do it." The silence was screaming as the former Lady of Autumn shook her head. "There are no other answers, my love." Helion knew the look in Eris's eyes, the ache, the desperation, and the struggle.
He knew immediately what you were to Eris and what you could be to Autumn. Helion, much like Eris, knew he could not let you fall victim next, but you had no intentions to. He had watched his mate suffer for far too long, and the rumors of Beron's so-called adoration for the female in front of him did not mask the concern the Lord of Day felt.
You and Eris held eye contact. The room noticed the wordless communication. It was a bond that could only have been built through love, trust, and years of understanding. "I can not risk you like that."
"I would be careful," your reply was so soft but filled with confidence. "He won't even know if we use small amounts."
Eris couldn't help but hold your arms a little tighter, "I will not risk you." His eyes were pleading for you to reconsider to think this through.
"Would anyone mind including the rest of us in this... touching conversation?" Rhysand picked a piece of lint off his jacket before crossing his arms.
You spoke before Eris could, "There is a plant that grows in a certain place. It is highly poisonous and undetectable. The symptoms are no worse than an allergy. It can cause death within 2 weeks."
You watched as Anala shook her head at Helion, "I know of no such poison."
"That's because I made and grow it," Eris flinched at your admission and the questions it would bring.
Helion started to laugh, "You made it?"
Eris glared at the Day Lord, "y/n has a certain.. gift.. from the Mother."
"I can combine poisons," you rolled your eyes at Eris playfully. "Create new ones with no antidote or cures." Rhys and Helion turned to each other, clearly not assumed by the new information. "I only used it once. And they deserved it."
Anala's whiskey eyes went wide, "The human smuggler. You killed him?"
"Eris did. I just provided the supplies."
Rhysand pinched the bridge of his nose. "Eris, why was this information not provided to any of us earlier? Do you understand how useful she is?" You shook your head toward the red-haired male. He seemed to calm down instantly at the sight of you. "Ah, I see. She's your lover. Not just your friend."
His mother seemed stunned at this information, "But Morrigan?"
You flinched at the mention of her name. "Has the same taste as I do, mother," Eris was only looking at you. "And I do not support this idea," his grip on your arms grew tighter. "He is not a common idiot."
"Nor am I," you declared. "I would be smart. I'll be close enough to him to make sure he gets it every day. Even after just a week-"
Rhysand finished, "He'd be weak enough to call an emergency meeting or for one of us to declare the blood duel."
You nodded at the Lord of Night, not even stopping to admire his dark beauty with the grace of Autumn and Mother Nature stood before you in Eris's eyes. There was no world where you planned to be without him, no world where you could see yourself in arms besides his.
But for a week you would not have a choice. For a week, you would play the part you were expected to, and it began before you even had breakfast the next day. You were woken up by two handmaiden ripping you from your bed in the former Lady of Autumn's private chambers and throwing your half awake and now naked self into a bath.
Every inch of you was scrubbed almost raw before your hair was washed and scented to Beron's preference of roses. You were dried and dressed in almost no time, the heavy traditional gown feeling like shackles on your figure.
No cotton dresses if this failed.
No more nights in Eris's sweaters and nothing else.
Once your hair and makeup we're finished, you were not taken to breakfast. You were taken to lessons. Beron had assumed you knew nothing of formality, nothing of etiquette. You had not been presented to his courts, so what other assumption could he have made as you were retaught the differences in dinning utensils.
You would not see food until that even came, and then the mood quickly fizzled away as the table for two was filled. The only sound in the room was meat being cut, your breathing. You knew not to speak before the High Lord addressed you. You knew he was testing you with silence.
You did not see Eris in this male. There was no sign of the life that burned in Eris's eyes. No freckle of Beron's seemed to mimic the night sky the way Eris's did. There was nothing special to you about Beron Vanserra. Not even the bond was strong enough to make you want him.
"How were your lessons," his voice was falsely sweet. "I assume based on your manners they went well."
"They were lovely, High Lord," you responded. "A good refresher for everything my mother had already taught me."
Beron glanced at you, "Are you inferring you did not appreciate me setting you up with the finest tutor in my court?"
Eris would be whispering to you to tread carefully. Beron's very body language told you this was beginning to enter dangerous territory. "No, my lord," you said softly, "But I would hate for you to waste time and resources on me when I am sure there are better things to put them towards."
Beron leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips as he cocked his head, "You know how to play. I'm going to thoroughly enjoy breaking you, mate."
And you thoroughly enjoyed watching him drink the whiskey laced with 3 drops of poison.
The next day was different. Beron himself was dragging you places without food right away this morning. He was showing you off to different advisors all day, bragging about your beauty, your ability to manipulate flowering and fruiting plants into harvests sooner.
You had used your magic so much to show off for him that you could hardly stand as he affectionately held your chair out for dinner. "You did wonderfully today," he began eating after forcing you to say a prayer to the Mother.
He didn't get to hear the silent plea you sent her. The silent begging for mercy.
You sid get to hear him start coughing as he drank his tainted whiskey that night, though.
Eris was worried for you the third day. You had been sent to bed late, awoken early. Once again, not allowed food. He had stayed by your and Beron's side in meeting that day.
His amber eyes never left your form. He was openly staring at the way you couldn't help but lean on Beron in your exhausted state.
And when Beron stole you for dinner, Eris made sure to add extra poison to his drink, watching as you played the part of the perfect mate, rushing to help him as he began to cough up blood.
Illness among the fae was rare, but when it struck, it was deadly. By the end of day 4, the Forest House was a much quieter place. Beron was bed bound due to Eris's choice to expose him to the poison morning, noon, and night.
You had warned him that this poison was aggressive in large doses. He had also tested it on more brutal lesser fae tracking to attack innocent children to see that. It was brutal, focusing on getting into the smallest cells of blood before shutting down major organs quickly and painfully. You were sat beside his father, crying, playing the part, and Eris beside you, a distraught son.
Day 5 Eris slipped the poison in a high dose into Beron's pain medication before finding you. He had cornered you into a hall closet. You had been forced from bed far too early again, forced to skip meals again.
Eris knew this tactic. Had Beron been healthy, he would continue this until your brain associated Beron's presence with food. It was a way to make you comply, to rely on him.
Eris put an end to it right that moment. He ordered you to be given food, then rest. His father refused the tea Eris offered him that night. Took weak to even open his eyes.
You had underestimated yourself and your powers, or perhaps the smug male above you had more to with it than he let on, bit day 7, Beron was unresponsive. Eris held you down on the bed you two had shared so many times before, kissing your neck and whispering words of how he'd move the very foundations of this world for you when the knock came on his door.
He quickly hid you, allowing a healer to enter. Eris faked his reaction perfectly. He fell to his knees with a strangled cry, hand on his heart as the healer moved to comfort the young heir.
Beron was unresponsive.
And by night fall, Eris truly fell over. His very blood felt as if liquid fire had been poured into him. His hearth grew brighter, hotter.
It wasn't until your heart-wrenching scream came that Eris knew without doubt what had happened. No one had prepared for the outcome of you losing your mate. No one had even questioned what it would do.
They had been so focused on saving you that they had forgotten the most important part of the bond, Beron was the other half of your soul. Grief. Guilt. Joy. Anger. You had never felt like this. You had never imagined a world where you could feel so deeply it ached and made you sick.
You pushed healers away as you held Beron's hand. You pushed Eris away as he came to kneal beside you. You didn't want to feel this, yet you did. You did as he forced you up and out of the room. You did as Beron's body was burned before his ashes were given to the trees. You did as you watched Eris take his place.
The grief only stopped when Eris concerned you that night, his hands on your hips, and he led you to another room where a separate celebration took place. Anala stood in Day Court attire, laughing as Helion dipped her, laughing as Lucien smiled at her from across the room, Elain safely tucked to his side.
Eris's middle brother stood dancing with his male lover, the two of them just swaying. Mor was there with Emerie, lips by her ear gossiping. "I ache too at times," Eris looked at her, a longing in his eyes as he did. "I wonder if I made the right choice to let her go on my loneliest nights. Then I see you."
Eris kissed your knuckles, "I see you, and I regret nothing. Not even what I did in secret."
You looked at him then, "Eris?"
"I stole the black poison. The one you never tested. Every time he and I ate together, I slipped him that one as well."
Your face fell, "You-"
"Weren't going to risk it. Not with the female I am in love with being involved," Eris drank his wine slowly as he studied your reaction.
"So no big fight needed?"
"Oh, trust me, I wanted that," he clarified. "I didn't realize it would work as quickly as it did. I wasn't sure what you had been crafting. He died before I could challenge him, but before he could break you."
The two of you continued watching Helion and Anala, continued watching Lucien and Elain, his brother, Mor.
The grief did linger, but as you took his hand, it faded more. "Let's go dance, High Lady," he whispered into your ear.
And with each spin, every dip, the raise in laughter, the ache continued to fade.
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An injured Eris finds his way to the place he needs most, but are some wounds too deep?
Let's start out @erisweekofficial day 1 with a heavy dose of Azris angst! Read a snippet below, or read the whole fic on AO3.
Soft muted light danced across the streets of Velaris through the rainfall. The faelight reflected off puddles of water, glinting like fireflies as the new drops fell. It was a beautiful sight, Eris thought before he dragged his boot through the puddle. But he had a habit of ruining beautiful things, himself included.
Liquid from the bottle at his side sloshed to join the clear water, a puddle of amber dissipating out in concentric ripples. Beside the drop of amber fell several drops of a darker liquid, thick and rich. Whiskey in, blood out. The thought made a very drunk Eris chuckle as he continued to stumble along the dark alleys of the town he wasn’t supposed to know existed. It wasn’t far now until he reached his destination. Just a few more… Eris stumbled, falling nearly face first onto the wet cobblestones.
He felt the water run in the ditches between the stones, the cool patter of rain across his skin washing away more of what had been done to him as the liquor cleansed his mind. Needing to get further from his thoughts, Eris pulled the bottle up toward his lips but there was nothing there. His fingers wrapped around the neck of the broken glass, the shattered base of the bottle now glinting like gems amongst the stones. More blood trickled down Eris’ arms from the deep gash the broken glass has left in his palm.
What was more blood, at this point?
Keep reading here on AO3!
Thank you to @iftheshoef1tz for betaing this fic! She pulled me back from a much darker ending, so you can all thank her for that.
Let me know if you want on or off the taglist! @pippsmcgee, @born-to-riot, @chunkypossum, @bubybubsters, @queercontrarian, @yanny-77, @fieldofdaisiies, @iftheshoef1tz, @secret-third-thing, @jules-writes-stories, @the-darkestminds
Summary: Three snapshots of Eris, pianist, and Azriel, a cellist who Eris thinks he loves. Written for @erisweekofficial 2024, Day 4: Traditions | Hounds.
Rating: T
Pairing: Eris/Azriel
Notes: This is set in the same universe as Auld Lang Syne, though you don’t really need to read that one to understand this one. As the tags say, there are some references to alcoholism, including drinking in inappropriate places/times, as well as graphic depictions of music theater majors. I’m not sorry. Special thanks to @queercontrarian for reading this over quickly for me, and thanks to the very busy @acourtofladydeath for still taking the time to create the beautiful banner for this fic!
The competition weekend begins, strangely, with Mor. She hasn’t spoken to him in nearly a decade, not since the lengthy court battle and Beron’s definitely-not-suspicious death.
It’s the past, and therefore Eris doesn’t bother with it.
But Mor, she straddles the line between that non-existent past and his present when she turns to look at him. The first time she does it, he ignores her, assuming it was a passive-aggressive glare. Yes, how dare Eris Vanserra walk the hallowed halls of this conservatory; how dare he step into this sacred rehearsal hall with a face that dares to look so much like his father’s!
The second time she does it, it’s impossible to ignore. She’s doubling piccolo on this concert, and her seat is closest to Eris and the piano. She hooks her left elbow over the back of the chair at the same time she crosses her legs, one long leg hooking over her knee. Her golden hair spills over her bare arms and the flute in her hand.
Summary: You were one of Beron’s top spies, your assignment, Eris. Little did you know how complicated that was going to get…
Warnings: Beron being awful, burning, violence + injury
WC:2.7k
Divider by @tsunami-of-tears
You woke up to find the other side of the bed already empty. This has become the new normal for you. The past few months you would go to bed wrapped around Eris and come morning he would be gone. It was really for the best.
Even if he was doing it to protect your image. something he didn’t need to worry about in the slightest. Eris believed you were nothing more than a newly appointed lady, and didn't question your sudden arrival into the court. The very opposite in fact, he had approached you first. Took you riding less than a week after first introducing himself. You never expected to enjoy his company so much, never intended on sneaking off into hidden corners of the palace to press his lips against yours.
It had all happened so quickly that you were still struggling to wrap your mind around it. Every time the guilt threatened to eat you alive. But as you rolled over and barrier your face into a pillow that still smelt of cloves and pine, you couldn’t find it in yourself to put a stop to it.
A knock on the door had you quickly tugging your discarded dress over your head. It cracked open to reveal one of Berons men.
“You’re needed.” Was all he said, voice clipped and annoyed. You fought the urge to roll yours eyes
-------
Beron’s office was one of your least favorite places to be, second only to the tunnels of dungeons he has hidden under the forest palace. At Least those places didn’t hide what they were used for. Didn’t try to go through all the pomp and posturing that had no one fooled. Berons office was covered in dark mahogany wood, lush and dark velvets. If it was anyone else in the room it would be homey. But with Beron’s anger like a pulsing heartbeat in the room, it felt like walking into a tomb.
“Report.” He barely looked up from the papers in front of him.
”There’s nothing to report.” You told Beron as you stood across from his desk.
“I’m not paying you to sleep with my son. I’m paying you to find out what he’s up to.”
You didn’t back down, didn’t break his stare. “You told me to do whatever it took to get him to talk, to trust me. And I’m telling you, he hasn’t told me anything.”
”Then keep looking.” He waved his hand in a clear dismissal. You gave a curt nod of your head and exited the room without looking back.
You traveled down the hidden passages of the palace, wanting to avoid contact with anyone that would be more than happy to sell the information of you leaving Beron’s office. The paths were designed for servants to travel without being seen, which was more than fine with you. After all, you were no different than a servant for Beron. YOu mind was spinning, replaying the conversation. Keep looking. It was such a ridiculous notion. You spent every minute you could with Eris but Beron refused to believe that he simply wasn’t up to anything at all. Convinced that his son was plotting something he just didn’t know what or who with.
Nevermind that you had noticed that Eris was going somewhere, but it wasn’t worth drawing attention to until you had more details. You found a small part of you that didn't want those answers. Didn’t want to pry information out of the sweet redhead that was slowly starting to consume your thoughts.
The passageway opened up right next to the door to the garden and you decided a walk would be the perfect way to clear your head. The crisp autumn air always helps you relax. The slight bite that reminded you of each breath.
Soon enough, the perfectly manicured lawns gave way to winding pathways and thick forest. You could hear the sounds of birds flying in the high branches, animals crunching on the fallen leaves. A pair of hands at your waist had you spinning quicker than you could process, your arm braced against their throat as you backed them against a nearby tree. Warm amber eyes were open wide in shock.
“Oh my gods.” You scrambled and stepped away from a rather surprised Eris.
He rubbed his neck lightly with a hand, “Remind me to never sneak up on you again.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He wrapped a hand around your front, pulling you tight against him.
“I think I can maybe forgive you. If…” He trailed off. YOu rolled your eyes but couldn’t keep the smile off your face.
“If?” You raised an eyebrow at him, head slightly inclined up to look at him as he pressed himself closer.
“I’ll think about forgiving you if you kiss me.”
“I’d kiss you even if you didn’t.” You rose onto your tiptoes, pressing your lips against his. When you tried to pull away he placed his free hand on the back of your mouth, pushing him even closer against him. You smiled into the kiss, lips tugging up as he pulled away, starting a slow trail along your jaw.
“I love you” He whispered against the skin of your neck. You felt your whole body tense at the words, his hands freezing their path along your waist. no.no.no.no
“Eris. You can’t mean that.” Your voice was desperate. Begging him to take it back.
“Why can’t I? I'll be high lord someday. We won't have to hide from my father then.”
“You only just met me.”
”And in all of my long life I have never felt this way about anyone.”
The mother had to be playing some kind joke. In any different lifetime, in any different world this would be the greatest thing you’ve ever heard. In a different life you would have shouted the words back, wrapped your arms around his neck and loved him without abandon. But this was not another world and the mother had always been cruel. You pulled away despite every nerve telling you to pull him closer.
“ You can’t because I don’t love you. Eris,” The words felt so wrong, you focused on anything but the way his face dropped. “How could I ever love you? I would be stuck in this awful court forever.” You tried to make the words sound sincere, prayed he wouldn’ pry and push because you couldn’t say them again. Your heart couldn’t take it.
”I’ll change it. I would change it all for you. Please. You can’t mean this.” Tears lined his gorgeous eyes, cheeks already reddening. You could only shake your head. You pried yourself out of his grip, putting distance between the two of you.
“I thought I could do this. But I..I can’t. I’m so sorry.”
The cold air that had just been refreshing seemed to be tormenting you as it bit at the skin of your cheeks,stinging the wet skin. You pushed into the palace and didn’t pause as you opened the hidden door, slinking in the dark hallway until you were at the entrance right outside of your room before collapsing into your bed.
-------
“Find someone else.” You slammed your palms down onto the wood of Beron’s desk. The glass figure on his desk wombling slightly at the force.
“I don’t think I remember asking for your opinion.” He rose from his chair, his guards hands went to rest on the swords by their sides.
“He isn’t going to tell me anything anymore.”
“And how, pray tell, did you manage to mess up that badly.” He snarled out at you.
“He said he loved me. I, of course, said I didn’t. No way in hell he tells me anything anymore. So find someone else if you want information that badly.”
“I gave the job to you.”
“And I’m telling you I don’t want it.”
“You believe you have a choice in all of this. Do I need to remind you that I own you, you wokr for me. And you certainly do not get to tell me what you will and won’t do. So I will remind you of my request from when you started. Do what you have to.”
Metallic blood filled your mouth as you bite your tongue to hold back the curses you wanted to spew at the High Lord in front of you. Scream at the world for putting you into this position in the first place. But instead, you merely gave Beron a deep mocking bow and turned to walk out of his office.
You had the plan hatched before you had even arrived back to your room. It was simple. Something Eris had joked about in passing. Beron was never going to let you go, so you would have to leave. Before you did, you would need to see eris one last time. Explain to him what had really been going on the whole time. And hope it would only take a kiss this time for him to forgive you.
The door to his room was slightly open which was unusual for him. It was closed whether he was in it or not. Dread filled your stomach as you pushed open the door. The smell of burnt fabric quickly filled your nose, the rug on the floor burnt and melted at the edges. There had been a struggle. The perfectly organized table besides Eris’ bed had been overturned, books strewn across the floor. The glass rose you had given him lay shattered beside them.
Picking up the edges of your skirt, you sprinted down the hallways, running so fast your lungs hurt with each stride but you had to get to him.
You barreled through the doors of the throne room and were greeted with Beron casual sprawled out on the blood red chair.
“Ah you decided to join us. Clever little fox.” Beron’s slow claps filled the air as you walked closer.
Kneeling on the ground with guards surrounding him, was Eris. He struggled against the guards, heavy blue tinted manacles hung from his wrists.
Eris opened his mouth to speak as his father raised a hand to him.
“I would consider your next moves very carefully.” Beron’s voice was like ice. the words crept over your skin, horror rising in you as he raised a hand to you.
“Maybe you don’t have enough motivation.” Every single step you took echoed around the throne room. “I believe the two of you have met before. But allow me to do the proper introductions. (Y/n) is one of my newest spies.”
Eris struggled against the chains on his wrists. Eyes flickering up to you, honing in on the possessive hand his father had laid on your shoulder.
“You’re lying.” He spit out at his father.
Beron’s cruel laughter rang through the room. “Why don’t you ask her? But it's a shame, really, she won’t tell me anything… I wonder if she just needs some motivation.”
That was when you saw it, one of Beron’s guard standing, a wreath of flames around his hand. “No. Please.” You felt a slap land on your face.
“Then talk.”
“He didn’t tell me anything. I swear.”
“Such a shame.” Beron nodded at his guard. The man didn’t hesitate to rip the back of Eris’ shirt.
“Stop.” But your screams of protest were blocked out by the sound of flesh sizzling. Eris ‘ body went tense, the muscles in his face contorting. He didn’t release a single sound as the guard repeated the action. You went to move but someone was already there, pinning your arms to your side. You were forced to watch him place his hand over and over again onto eris’ back.
“Please. It’s me that failed, don’t punish him fo-”
“You think I’m doing this because of you?” Beron shouted down at you, rising from his throne. “My son is hiding things from me, that’s why I’m doing this. I could give a shit about your or his attraction.”
Beron took a step, grabbing your chin with his hand. A motion that had you baring your teeth at him.
“I think it goes without saying that you no longer have a position in my court. I’ll grant you the courtesy of an hour's head start.” He turned to his men, who were already looking at you with feral grins, “Then the hunting begins.” He shoved your face away from him, his guards releasing their hold on your arms. They screamed in pain but as you looked at eris, panting and half conscious on the ground, you didn’t feel the pain. Only the rippling anger as you looked at the male you had grown to love in a very short amount of time.
Beron and his men filed out of the throne room, not sparing another glance at you or Eris. Leaving the heir of autumn to struggle to remove the chains himself. You moved with ease, catching him right when his feet slipped out from under him. He recoiled from your touch like it had burned worse than the guard.
You caught a glimpse at his back and tried to fight back the burning tears. You managed to unlatch the cuffs, letting them fall to the ground with an echoing clatter. You pushed them away with your feet, keeping your eyes trained on Eris’ back. The skin red and leaking, you could feel the heat coming off in waves as you tried to lift him to his feet. When you couldn’t you helped him onto his front, cradling his head, running your fingers through his hair.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this. You weren’t supposed to love me, and I wasn’t supposed to love you.” You spoke into his hair, bent down with your face pressed against the side of his neck.
“How could I not?” His voice was hoarse and quiet. You let out a soft laugh, tears sliding down your cheeks.
“I’ll kill him for this.” You said, pulling Eris’ head into your lap. Leaning down, you placed a kiss on Eris' forehead and started planning how you were going to make Beron pay for what he did to Eris.
Your mind was racing with ideas of how to make him pay for every shred of pain that he had made his sons feel, for the terror he reigned on his court. And found a small smile tugging at the edges of your lips as you thought of how much you would enjoy it.
posting my moodboard I made for fun cause it fits the prompts
Lucien's eyes, Eris has betrayed him as a brother over and over again, from everything that happened with Jesminda's murder, hunting him to Spring and from hunting him through Winter, even if he was acting for his father. Their relationship has been strained to say the least.
But as we see in Acosf, with Eris visiting the Band of Exiles, their relationship could be it's way to being bettered, I'd like to think they would soon be well on their way to heal their broken brotherly relationship, especially after Beron will kick the bucket and Eris will be HL of Autumn.
