#ld tsoa

[acourtofladydeath]

WIP Wednesday

I'm back with my yearly installation of this fic! (I'm sorry it's taking so long - I swear I'm committed to it, this one just takes a lot of time.)

Catch up on what you've missed of the series and read a snippet of book 3 below.

“This boy has a stain upon him, Eris. You are to be a god. For years I have urged companions on you. Again and again you have denied me this.” The anger in each word beat down upon Azriel like the sun's rays on the hottest summer day, burning his soul instead of his skin. “Why.” The word was a demand, for answer, not a query. There was no choice but to answer.  Eris did not shy away. Azriel heard him step forward, sandaled footsteps echoing as they moved away from him across the sand-dusted rocks.  “He is surprising. You told me to choose. I have chosen. Consider your wish fulfilled.”  “And if he ruins you?”  “I won’t let him.”  The room was silent for a moment, even the sand stopping it’s trail across the stones.  “Let your decision rest on your shoulders then, and the consequences wrought tenfold. You and your therapon will apologize to Amphidamas. I expect you to inform your mother thus.” There was a pause for a moment, the weight of the king’s words settling heavy on the boy’s shoulders. His voice was softer, a sadness Azriel could not understand lacing the tone when he added “I wash my hands of this. May the gods guide you.” 

[acourtofladydeath]

Azris Week 2026 Day 7: Free Day

It's finally here! Book III: Therapon & Thetis - A burgeoning relationship, a mother’s love. Just in time for @azrisweek free day.

Catch up on the series, read a snippet below, or read the entire chapter on AO3!

The floor beneath his knees was hard and uneven where Azriel knelt. His eyes traced the dust that scuttled across the rough hewn stone.  “Father, I have come to ask your pardon.” Though he did not see it, Azirel felt Eris’s eyes as they cast over his freckled shoulder, exposed just slightly beneath his tunic, to gaze briefly at his form. “What have you done?” Azriel felt the harsh question land like a blow.  “I was remiss in informing Amphidamas that I had taken Azriel as my Therapon, and  that he will only train with me.”  Though his eyes remained on the sand slowly trickling by in the gentle breeze from the open stone arches, Azriel felt the hostility radiating from the throne and the man atop it. Through the oppressive animosity, he could not help but savor the way his name had sounded off Eris’s tongue. Instead of letting it roll together in a hurry to be rid of the sound, he rang each syllable: Az-ree-el. The relishment did not last long. “This boy has a stain upon him, Eris. You are to be a god! For years I have urged companions on you. Again and again you have denied me this.” The anger in each word beat down upon Azriel like the sun's rays on the hottest summer day, burning his soul instead of his skin. “Why.” The word was a demand, for answer, not a query. There was no choice but to answer.  Eris did not shy away. Azriel heard him step forward, sandaled footsteps echoing as they moved away from him across the sand-dusted rocks.  “He is surprising.”

Finish the chapter on AO3.

Let me know if you want on or off the taglist! @born-to-riot @chunkypossum @bubybubsters @queercontrarian @yams-77 @fieldofdaisiies @iftheshoef1tz @secret-third-thing @jules-writes-stories @the-darkestminds @climbthemountain2020 @amalhe-kofee @molcat07 @sleepyy-ollie @astra-aeterna @popjunkie42 @tegantales

[acourtofladydeath]

Eris Week 2025: Free Day

After a full year of working on this chapter, it's finally here! Just in time for @erisweekofficial2 2025. Thank you to my betas @iftheshoef1tz, @lizardrunclub, and @chunkypossum. This fic is an epic beast and I'm so excited to be continuing it.

Azriel’s past repeats itself, changing his future forever. The Princes meet again, though only one still bears the title.

If you're unfamiliar with this fic, I recommend you start from the beginning of the collection. You can read book II on AO3, or read a snippet below!

Upon his return to Opus the healers had come to Azriel’s room, fussing over his torn skin, crusted with dirt and donkey hair from the journey. Azriel bit down on the rod they stuck between his teeth, bitter and dry. It sucked whatever liquid had been left in his mouth from his tongue and cheeks, but it did nothing to dull the pain. He could still hear the crack of his teeth and the splinter of wood as they’d worked. After uncountable long, excruciating minutes of them scraping the detritus away, he’d finally escaped into blissful sleep.  When he’d woken, it was to fresh bandages and strict instructions not to train until they’d given their approval. Not an hour later, Menoitius’ guard arrived at Azriel’s door with two metal blades and orders of his own: the king would not speak to him in his disgrace, but there were expectations to uphold. There would be no reprieve, not for the damaged, useless son that he was. Azriel had expected nothing less.  For months he trained from sunup until just before sundown, channeling his pain into rage, and his rage into movement. Time started to hold no meaning, and it’s passing came and went without count.  At the end of the days, when he could hold a blade no longer, he found his way to the ashen ruins of the house that still burned in his dreams. While Apollo carried the sun to its rest each night, streaking the sky in vibrant orange and red two thoughts warred in Azriel’s mind: the fire that licked at his sister’s skin, taking her life, and the red-headed boy who had made it easier for Azriel to breathe.  As the colors melted to an ashen purple and charcoal dusk, Azriel hated himself for both. 

Finish the chapter on AO3.

Let me know if you want on or off the taglist! @born-to-riot @chunkypossum @bubybubsters @queercontrarian @yams-77 @fieldofdaisiies @iftheshoef1tz @secret-third-thing @jules-writes-stories @the-darkestminds @climbthemountain2020 @amalhe-kofee @molcat07 @sleepyy-ollie

[acourtofladydeath]

WIP Wednesday: TSOA Book 2

The Song of Azris, Book II: Dice & Fics is well underway! I'm excited to share the next installment of this fic when it is finished.

TW will include death, blood, and attempted assault. Allusions to this are found in the snippet.

The acolytes' eyes were open, staring toward the moon. Azriel stared between the pair of communing maidens and pleaded with the gods. He just needed one more chance. He could make this right, he wouldn’t fail Phoibe again, he wouldn’t- On the sand beside his knees, the girl's hand fell open as if in offering. A pair of dice rolled to the sand. Three and two, together making five. Duplicity and luck all wrapped up in a new beginning. His sister had taught him to read dice, and he recalled her lessons so acutely in this moment his head throbbed.  Screams echoed through his mind as well. It took Azriel too long to realize they were his own. Soon, they were joined with other shouts. The distant yells became louder, closer. Men running from the barracks would arrive quickly, swords in hand and ready to defend. Azriel hung his head. He placed the acolyte gently on the ground, fixing her hair so the wound was covered. Beautiful, he thought as he did so. Just like my sister. Before he ran away from the bodies, Azriel grabbed the pair of dice. 

[acourtofladydeath]

Happy to report that Book II of " The Song of Azris" is FINALLY FULLY DRAFTED!

So excited to have figured out where I was going with this baby. It needs a beta, a polish, and then it should be ready for @erisweekofficial!

[acourtofladydeath]

WIP Wednesday: TSOA Book 2 #3

So happy this chapter is finally fully drafted! This is the third snippet for this chapter, click to view the first and second.

In Book 2, Azriel's past repeats itself, changing his future forever. The Princes meet again, though only one still bears the title.

If you haven't read the fic yet, start from the beginning of the TSOA collection. Read the new snippet below, and stay tuned for @erisweekofficial!

“What is your name?” The question did not register. Azriel focused on the delicate freckled fingers, still dancing with unhurried ease across the strings.  When the question came again, colored with demand, Azriel remembered his place. No longer was he a Prince, but an exile. It would do him well to remember that. Bowing his head slightly, his eyes leaving the lyre for the first time since he entered the room, he replied. “My name is Azriel.”  Turning away, his gaze finding the ceiling above him, the Prince paid Azriel no further mind. It was the treatment he deserved after all the people he’d let down. Understanding the dismissal, Azriel turned for the door.  His hand pressed against the door. Beneath his scarred fingers the wood grain felt overstimulating. The repeated hurt and healing had left his hands sensitive. It did not bother him most days and he had no explanation for why he felt it now.  Something unfamiliar but not unwelcome skittered down his spine as the Prince spoke once more. “Welcome to Phthia.” 

[acourtofladydeath]

New Year, New Projects!

Now that "Take These Broken Wings" (my beloved) is complete, it's time to look toward the next piece. And so I ask...

What would you, dear follower, like to see from me next?

🏹 The Song of Azris, Chapter 2 (already started)

🌅 Ogygia (Azris dead dove - outlined)

🗡 Draetos sequel (FW fic)

👀 Something else (let me know in the comments!)

Voting ended onJan 7, 2025

You've got one day... Make it count!

[acourtofladydeath]

WIP Wednesday: TSOA Book 2

Aaaaaaaannnd we're back!! Just a little taste for you all as I work on the second book of "The Song of Azris." This is going to be another emotionally rough one, but well, the source material should give you an idea of just how far this fic will go. Part of this book was written many months ago, and I started by rewriting it all. I'm excited with how it's coming along now!

He fought, channeling his pain into rage, and his rage into movement. For months Azriel trained from sunup until just before sundown. Each evening, he found his way to the ashen ruins of the house that still burned in his dreams. While Apollo carried the sun to its rest each night, streaking the sky in vibrant orange and red two thoughts warred in Azriel’s mind: the fire that licked at his sister’s skin, taking her life, and the red headed boy who had made it easier for Azriel to breathe. As the colors melted to an ashen purple and charcoal night, Azriel hated himself for both.  Why should he have it easier? That boy, Eris, he’d been so young, so unaware. Burns did not make Azriel a warrier. The healing skin was calloused now, having adjusted to the brutal training Azriel endured. But maybe if he trained more, worked harder, he could become the hero that boy thought he was. The one his sister had deserved.  The charcoal grey darkened to an inky black, blue wisps of cloud covering the moon left in the sun’s wake. Stars dotted through, carrying hopes, dreams, and the true heroes of their world. Azriel sat beside the toppled brazer, the only piece of his sister’s sanctuary that remained, and watched them blink into existence. His mind began to replay the events of that night, as it often did. The screams were so vivid, Phoibe’s voice reverberating through his memories…