#ld ttbw

[acourtofladydeath]

Unnamed Characters Weekend D1: Significance

The one time Azriel, Cassian, and Rhysand's mother's meet.

This piece is inspired by T.S. Eliot's poem, "The Hollow Men". It is part of the"Take These Broken Wings" universe. You do no need to have read that fic to enjoy this one, but the most context exists in chapter 6.

Written for @nameless-acotar-weekend day 1, significance. Thank you to @climbthemountain2020 for reading, betaing, and helping me persevere emotionally to write this fic! Read a snippet below or the whole fic on AO3!

Wind whipped through the Illyrian mountains. It tugged at her heart, pulling it from its tight braids beneath the wrap she wore. Her skirts became caught in the storm as well, tying around her ankles as she tried to walk through the camp.  Devira didn’t know where she was going. It didn’t quite matter. The tug of the wind was strong, but the missing hole in her chest meant she didn’t feel anything except its absence. He’d given her nothing of their son, her son. She wasn’t even sure why the male insisted on keeping the boy he insisted was a worthless bastard. But she was an Illyrian female, and they weren’t married. No matter how either of them were treated, he owned them. And he had decided that Azriel was his.  Her son's screams echoed in the wind. “It’s okay, little one.” She’d tried to keep her voice steady and hopeful while she prevented her own tears from falling, a smile on her face as she reassured him while his father carried him away. The little wings on his back flapped so fiercely they hit his father in the face, and Devira had winced when the man shoved and pressed them against his back roughly, not caring how the tendons strained and Azriel screamed. “I’ll be back! I love you!”  She screamed it at the walls of the keep long after the male had shut her outside the gate. Eventually she’d found the strength to walk away, but the screams still echoed in her wake. Azriel was only two. He didn’t deserve this treatment. A child needed their mother, and a mother needed her son. 

Continue reading 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

[acourtofladydeath]

"Take These Broken Wings" Chapter 6

Hello loves! This update has been a LONG time coming, so let's start with recap of Chapter 5, "You Were Only Waiting".

Nesta had a #moment in the bathroom, the past few days too much for her to handle without her old vices. After being found by Feyre, the Valkyries helped Nesta start to address the mess of feelings she's had since Cassian's attempt and the reveal of her new bond to Azriel. Cassian and Azriel had it out, discussing what Cassian did, why, and how their history may have been a factor. Rhysand drops by his brothers’ to be supportive, only to get told off and go on a journey of his own. At the end of the chapter, Nesta is being cared for by her friends, Az and Cass are sleeping peacefully, and Rhysand has faced some demons. And that's what you missed on glee TTBW.

In Chapter 6, our trio reunites, Cassian faces a broken promise, and everyone begins to heal. Alternate title: "The One Where Everyone Gets A Mom".

Feel free to reread the fic from the beginning, read a snippet below, or start the new chapter on AO3!

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The first thing Nesta thought when she woke up was that she felt warm - not just physically but emotionally. Nestled between her friends, she knew she was safe there. Soft light shone through the gauzy curtains, and as Nesta looked toward the rays, the House drew them back a little further.  The sun added to the contented haze Nesta found herself in for a moment longer. She breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of her friends and the chocolate croissants the House had conjured. This was what it felt like to be whole, she thought.  But she wasn’t whole, not yet. The bonds in her chest were stirring, twined together as if they embraced each other. Nesta yearned to tug on the strands, pulling the males toward her, especially the new shadowy tethers tenuously strung between herself and Azriel. Broken hearts, the both of them. She’d begun to heal with Cassian; could Azriel learn the same?  That thought sent her reeling out of the calm morning’s embrace. Cassian had been healing her, but she hadn’t considered his pain. Self-loathing crept in, an old friend she knew well, threatening to overwhelm her senses as it closed in around her.  With her breaths coming shorter and faster, Nesta carefully climbed out of bed. The panic that had been her constant companion for so long returned, beat by beat, louder and louder as she walked through the House. She followed the bonds pulling tight within her constricting chest; her eyes closed tight against the swarming darkness that threatened to overwhelm her.  She’d been calm, but how long had she had peace when Cassian had not? Had she been so blind to his trauma? Or was she not as healed as she’d allowed herself to believe? Possible answers swarmed her mind, but she dug deep, feeling the cool stone beneath her bare feet. The sensation helped still her mind long enough to focus on her goal and Nesta focused on the anchors in her chest. She traced the back to the source, thankful they pulled in the same direction, and began to walk.

Read the rest of the chapter here on AO3!

Thank you to @chunkypossum, @queercontrarian, and @pippsmcgee for helping beta and develop this chapter!

Please let me know if you would like on or off my taglist! @pippsmcgee @born-to-riot @chunkypossum @bubybubsters @queercontrarian @yanny-77 @fieldofdaisiies @iftheshoef1tz @secret-third-thing @jules-writes-stories @the-darkestminds @amalhe-kofee , @molcat07 , @climbthemountain2020 , @the-darkestminds

[acourtofladydeath]

Cassian Week D7: Lullaby's Flight

Hello all!! Long time, no see. But I'm back to celebrate my favorite bat boy, Cassian, during @cassianappreciationweek .

In Illyrian culture, it's tradition for mother's to massage their baby's wings as they train. On a cold, stormy night, Cassian learns about the tradition from Rhysand's mother, Adira.

This short piece is a continuation of the "Take These Broken Wings" universe and should be read after the first two fics for the best impact (read - the most emotional damage). Enjoy a short snippet below or read the full fic on AO3!

Wind howled outside the cabin and Cassian shivered. He wasn’t cold, the fires and numerous blankets Rhysand’s mother had sewn made sure of that, but he hadn’t been able to shake the memories. This was only his fourth Illyrian winter indoors, and he’d spent twice that huddled in a broken tent on the best nights, snow drifts on the worst. Those memories still left him chilled to the bone.  Cassian knew he should sleep. He was exhausted, wings nearly dragging along the wooden floor while he snuck down the hall. His brothers, or friends, or whatever the other boys who lived in this cabin were to him, would wake him before dawn to get to the training ring before the other children. They were the underdogs, the outcasts, the “ones to watch” all at the same time. Cassian might only be twelve, but he knew how life worked, especially for Illyrian men. He had no choice.  But he couldn't sleep. Not with the snow. Sleeping in a storm like this meant certain death. Knowing that was the only reason he’d survived as long as he had. And now it felt wrong to sleep in their cabin, with these boys, with her. 

Continue reading on AO3.

Thank you to @climbthemountain2020, @nocasdatsgay, and @lady-of-tearshed for for supporting me and helping beta this fic!

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]

TTBW Chapter 7: And Learn to Fly

And so this story comes to an end, as all things do.

In the final chapter, Emerie helps Cassian meet a new training partner, and the future of Illyria is discussed.

Start the fic from the beginning here, catch a new snippet below, or read the whole final chapter on AO3. Listen along to the playlist as you read!

It had been several weeks since Emerie had talked to her best friends. She’d ensured that the town stayed clear of Cassian and Nesta’s cabin once they returned to Illyria. Though the mates may not have known it then, she could tell they were about to “seal the deal,” so to say. The flashes of red and blue that night had been bright enough everyone chose to heed her warning. They would come out when they were ready. Whether the town would be ready for them was a different story.  Emerie occasionally walked by to drop off supplies for the newly mated trio and check on their progress from a very, very far distance that she deemed safe. Nesta had constructed a small hutch to communicate and leave things for each other.  Some days, when Emerie walked by to plant supplies, she spied the trio working in a small training ring they’d constructed by the cabin.  Each time, Cassian would be flanked by his mates, helping him regain his strength and learn to balance again. His wings' new range of motion greatly affected his ability to move, and he’d toppled over more than once. Each muscle in his back and shoulders had to be retrained to compensate for the new way his wings hung, slightly lower to the floor - one off-kilter from center after his attempt to remove it completely.  One day, Emerie was packing up a care bundle for her friends and readying to leave it at the waypoint when the bell above her door rang.  “Be quick,” Emerie said, “I have to run an errand.” She got enough business that she didn't care about pissing off a few customers; sometimes she even enjoyed it.  “I don’t think that errand will be necessary anymore.” Nesta’s voice was warm - her smile evident in each word. 

Finish the chapter on AO3.

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 @climbthemountain2020 @amalhe-kofee @molcat07

[acourtofladydeath]

TTBW Baby BABY!?!?!?!?

I mean I did open and close the fic with baby talk... But how would Cassian deal with not being able to teach his kid how to fly? How do the three of them handle who the father is? Do they know? Do they NOT? How does Nesta deal with motherhood? WHEN do they take this next step?! Honestly this outline is more questions than answers but I'm feral for it already.

All I know is I'm never letting this series die.

[acourtofladydeath]

It's Poll Time!

What do y'all want to see me write next?

🏛️ The Song of Azris: Chapter 2

🦇 Take These Broken Wings: Chapter 6

⛰️ Return to the Hewn City: Chapter 3

🍼 And So Our Life Begins: Chapter 5

🔪 Dead Dove Azris One Shot

Voting ended onOct 12, 2024

I'm curious which of my works y'all want to see most! TBAV is intentionally not on this list, I'll be doing a separate poll with options for that series! If you have a priority list you want to share, please feel free to add it in a reblog or the comments!

[acourtofladydeath]

TTBW Ch 5

In "You Were Only Waiting" Nesta handles the events of the previous day the only way she can think of, and the Valkyries come to her aid. Cassian and Azriel discuss what happened, and Rhysand must face his demons.

Thank you @secret-third-thing for helping me beta this!

New CW for the chapter include drinking and alcohol. Read a snippet below, or start the full chapter on AO3!

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Nesta didn’t know how long it had been since she’d fallen asleep, but she did know she’d woken between Gwyn and Emerie in an unfamiliar room. She remembered Azriel. His hands had been her tether, keeping her from falling apart completely until they’d arrived. But now, he was gone, and her friends were asleep. 

She didn’t want to wake them. Nesta couldn't fathom being more of a burden than she already had been. Numbly, she walked out of the library and made her way back to her and Cassian’s room. The halls were quieter than she expected. She didn’t know why she expected more hustle and bustle. The general had just been injured. Even worse, the general had hurt himself. That mattered, he mattered. Nesta thought there should be a lot more commotion. 

When she arrived at their room, Nesta opened the door as if everything were normal. It banged slightly against the opposite wall with the force of the motion, bouncing back softly into her outstretched hand. She hadn’t expected to see much the same as yesterday - no - hadn’t wanted to see the same. 

Cassian’s braces lay across the end of the bed, the note resting like a beacon between them. The bedside table drawer was still open, its contents strewn about. She approached the note cautiously as if the words on the page might rearrange themselves into something more seemingly, something she wanted to hear. But no. Everything was the same. 

I’m so sorry. It’s the only way. I love you both. 

The words hit her like a physical blow, and Nesta crumpled to the ground. She held the note in her hand like a delicate piece of glass. If she tried to get rid of it, crush it between her hands, it would hurt. So she cradled it like an injured bird. Maybe if she cared for it, for him. If she just tried harder…

But what Nesta really needed was a fucking drink.

Finish the chapter on AO3!

Please let me know if you would like on or off my taglist! @pippsmcgee @born-to-riot @chunkypossum @bubybubsters @queercontrarian @yanny-77 @fieldofdaisiies @iftheshoef1tz @secret-third-thing @jules-writes-stories @the-darkestminds

[acourtofladydeath]

WIP Wednesday: TTBW Ch 6

TTBW is BACK! I still have every intention of finishing this fic by the end of the calendar year, and it has officially entered its healing era.

Check out the snippet of "Take These Broken Wings" chapter 6 below!

Nesta ran for the bed, her nightdress disheveled and hanging off one shoulder. Her hair, always so neatly bound, now hung loose and frazzled down her back. As she reached Cassian’s side, she stopped abruptly, eyes roving across the bandages that seemed to cross every bit of his skin. They stopped, fear blowing out her pupils, as she spotted the bits of blood that seeped through the dressings at the base of his wings.  Her hand trembled as she covered her mouth, tears still falling in their own caress down her face. She lowered her shaking fingers far enough to speak clearly as her gaze finally landed on Cassian’s pain-filled hazel stare. “I’m sorry,” she whispered softly, but her voice quickly grew in strength and conviction as she continued. “I should have seen it, should have known sooner. This is all my fault and I-“ Azriel's arms wove around her, cutting her off as they pulled Nesta’s back against his firm, warm chest. With a wince he failed to hide, Cassian reached forward and grasped Nesta’s hand. “Don’t start with that. I’ve told Azriel, and I’ll tell you now, what I did was no one’s fault but my own. No one could have stopped me.”

Thank you to @queercontrarian for helping me pick this snippet of the upcoming chapter! Stay tuned on my tumblr for specific post dates.