Pairings: Mal Volari x Daenarya [Blades of Light & Shadow (Book 2, Chapter 4)]
Word Count: ~ 650
Rating/Warnings: General, angst, hurt/comfort, mentions of (but not in graphic description) canon injuries, bruises, choking, blood
Synopsis: After barely surviving Valax’s attack, Mal and Daenarya cling to a fragile moment of peace.
A/N: Can we just stop and stare and gaze in awe of this incredible masterpiece by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd. It took my breath away! This drabble was not what I planned when I commissioned this art, but the minute I saw the final piece, this idea popped in my head and I had to get it out! No edits. No revisions. Just a raw piece to match how raw and tender this feels.
The river turned pink beneath their hands as they washed their wounds.
They shared a quiet understanding in their weary gaze. His mouth opened to speak, but she shook her head once.
What was there to say?
They were no match for her. They were foolish to think that being a team would save them. The Shadow Court had never left them this... defeated. There was a pause when Nia was taken, but it had only strengthened their resolve. Now?
Now, they were unraveling.
After one fight. One fight. And they were barely breathing.
No. It was more than that.
Physically beaten down, they could come back from. This was something else. Something worse.
Hopelessness.
The river swallowed the evidence of their injuries. The ribbons of pink that surrounded them drifted downstream in the darkness.
His rough hands grazed over her back with restrained tenderness, letting the water drift over her injuries from when her body had cracked against the tree.
Her body trembled beneath him, the memory threatening to rise again.
His touch stilled.
"Daenarya."
Her eyes closed as he whispered her name.
It was softer now.
Safer.
Unlike the last time.
Her eyes squeezed together, a vile taste rising in her throat.
He screamed her name as Valax held her by the throat, dangling above the ground like she was nothing.
Her fingers reached for her neck. Her breathing became ragged.
"I can't—"
Mal shifted in front of her, taking her hands in his own. "It's okay. You're safe. It's okay."
"It's not." She choked to catch a breath. "We can't beat her."
Again, he opened his mouth, but no reassurance came.
No clever remark to make her laugh.
No promise of comfort.
Only silence. A silence that he felt just as she did.
His head dipped a moment. He wasn't used to words failing.
Daenarya tried not to think about fingers crushing against her throat. About how her vision blurred as her breath left her. About the way she heard Mal shouting her name as if from somewhere impossibly far away.
The water shifted softly around them.
Mal reached for her slowly, pushing a strand of hair away from her face.
She flinched, but she didn't pull away.
He rested his forehead on hers, holding her as her breath began to shallow. His lips drifted down, brushing kisses over her eyes, her nose, her lips, down to her throat. His lips paused, hovering over the skin that had yet to bruise from Valax's grasp. Gently, he pressed a kiss to her neck.
Valax could not have any part of her.
She inhaled sharply. The memories threatened to pull her back. She wrapped an arm around him, holding him there with him. Even in the pain. Even with the fear. Even in the hopelessness, he was there. They were together. And even if it could only last a moment, it was a moment she needed to hold on to. Without it, the current would pull her down, extinguishing the last embers of light in her.
She nodded slightly, encouraging him to continue.
His hand cradled the back of her neck as he tilted her head, giving him more room. He kissed her throat again.
Not in hunger.
Not in desperation.
Something softer. Something fragile. Something he was terrified to lose.
His kisses slowed, letting her pulse beat against the warmth of his lips. A reminder that she was still there.
The fear did not disappear, but beneath Mal’s touch, it loosened enough for her to breathe again. It wouldn't replace the nightmares or the bruises that would darken her skin by morning, but in the moment, it was enough. It was her anchor. It would keep her from drifting.
The darkness still waited for her, but tonight, she was not facing it alone. Neither of them was.
A/N #2: I haven't replayed Blades 2 since right before Blades 3 so my memory isn't perfect, but I think this fits the battle with Valax from Chapter 4.
Daenarya is pregnant here but she still doesn't know it. This isn't that long after she returns from the other side and since in my AU time works differently, she was only gone a week (for her) but a year for everyone else. So she's about 6 weeks pregnant maybe.
A/N #3: Again this was written without any rewrites and literly just word vomiting from my head so forgive any typos or things that don't make sense with canon.
A/N#4 that art is so freaking stunning. I am just so so overwhelmed with the emotion in it! I hope this drabble comes even slightly close to matching that love and devotion!
"My sweet girl," he cried, lifting his daughter into his arms. He held her close, relishing her familiar scent. He had missed it so much—missed her. Relief and joy overwhelmed him. He was home to her. He kissed her head, her cheeks, her fingers, and her toes. Every bit of her was beautiful, but more importantly, safe. The weight of it all came bearing down on him like a dam breaking after having held back a flood for too long. This time his knees didn't recover; he fell to the floor, cradling Iliana in his arms. Tears rained down his face as a storm of sobs filled the quiet nursery....
"I'm sorry," he sobbed, kissing his daughter again. "I'm sorry," his gaze shifted to Daenarya. "I'm so sorry."
~ Snippet from Home to Her with art by ArtbyAinna (Insta)
I can't even express how much I am so in love with this portrait! Ughh!!! Ainna truly captured the moment spectacularly! I am just in awe of this and them! Oh my beautiful family!
Iliana is such a precious innocent baby who has no idea what is happening but she is so very, very loved. 😭😭😭😭
If you haven't read the full fic yet, please do! I am really proud of it and would love some support 🫶
[Mal Volari x Daenarya Blades 1 + Beyond] [Mal’s Orphanage] [Mal Volari x Daenarya Blades 2 + 3 AU]
Pairings: Mal Volari x Daenarya (F!OC)
Book: Blades of Light & Shadow (can take place at any time post book one)
Word Count: ~ 800
Rating/Warnings: Teen (heavy kissing, light dominance)
A/N: For the request "a kiss out of lust" by @cadybear420. I think you secretly knew I had art that needed a fic! Lol
A/N#2: This gorgeous portrait is by the amazing ArtbyAinna. She always indulges me in my Mal and Daenarya are once again making out in the woods art.
Synopsis: Daenarya steals a moment with Mal to share a heated kiss and have some fun.
Her fingertips traced teasingly up his forearm, pulling his focus from the noble at the front of the hall—who had somehow turned a speech meant to praise the heroes of the realm into one about his house’s greatness, as if he had ever lifted a finger to help the people starving in the streets. Saving the realm would mean nothing if they couldn’t save the people.
"Are you having as hard a time as I am stomaching whatever this self-important drivel is supposed to be?" He scoffed.
"I stopped listening fifteen minutes ago." She rested her chin on his shoulder, looking up at him, a mischievous glint sparkling in her eyes.
His brow rose, and a smirk pulled on his lips. "I know that look."
"Good. Then you know what I'm thinking right now?" Her fingers still wandered across his skin, tempting him to read between every line.
"Mmhmm." His tongue drew across his lower lips. "Think they'll miss us?"
"Do you care?" She pressed a lingering kiss to his neck; her next words, barely a whisper and just for him, "I want you, Mal Volari...and I get what I want. Wouldn't you agree?"
Her eyes darkened as she pulled back—a look that could make him fall to his knees in reverence, regardless of the crowd surrounding them. It wasn't as if that were an unusual position for him (minus the crowd at least)... but before, there had always been an angle, something he wanted, something he hoped to get or relieve the person of, but with her...with her... he'd give everything for one moment more just to be with her. "After you."
He barely got the words out before she—not so delicately—yanked him forward to a fate he was more than happy to follow.
The manor overflowed with people who had come from across the realm for the celebration, leaving no private corner without guests wishing to steal the ear of the heroes of Morella. To another couple, that might act as a deterrent, a reminder of where they were and the expectations for them, but they weren't another couple and they were not ones to cower to the expectations of others.
Daenarya eyed the treeline at the far edge of the well-groomed lawn and gardens. "That'll do."
They had only just made it under the cover of the lush foliage when Daenarya pressed him back against the trunk of a large tree. Wasting no time, her lips crashed onto his hungrily, claiming the kiss she had craved. The taste of his lips only fueled her desire. Her tongue swept into his mouth, setting a disorienting pace that left him breathless, aching for more. The world around them faded away, the heat of their connection a fire that consumed them.
Her fingers made quick work of the delicate buttons on his silk shirt, revealing his toned torso. She hummed her satisfaction against his lips. Her nails scraped down his chest, eliciting a moan from deep in his throat. His hips bucked toward her, but she wasn't quite there yet.
Her free hand cradled his jaw, a tender contrast to the rough gestures she'd offered so far. The mix made him dizzy. His arms snaked around her, anchoring himself to her. It began as a need to hold on, to ground himself to her, but it didn’t take long for his hands to wander lower, giving her a squeeze from behind.
"Nuh uh—" She clicked her tongue, her eyes darkening as her grip on his jaw tightened. "Did I say you could touch me?" Her voice was low and commanding. Each word a soft warning, full of promise and control.
He attempted to stop the grin spreading on his lips, unable to hide the way his body ached for her. "My apologies."
Amusement flickered in her eyes. Her voice stern but still filled with affection, "Your apologies... what?"
His heart beat faster, enjoying the power she held over him. "My apologies, my Princess." His voice was light, more than happy to submit to her.
"Much better," she purred, rewarding him with a kiss on his nose. Her lips lingered for a moment longer than necessary before leaning in. Her voice dripped mischievously, "Now, if I may continue."
"Of course. Always happy to please you, my lady." He winked, his head resting against the tough bark, waiting for her to make the next move.
“Then, be a good little rogue. Do exactly what I say—,” she whispered against his ear, her breath hot as her fingers tip-toed lower down his stomach. "—and we'll both have our fun."
His body relaxed under her attention. He had never trusted anyone the way he trusted her. She was the only one he could truly be himself with, the person with whom he could let his guard down and know he was completely safe and loved. His voice was low, filled with devotion to her, ready for everything she would offer him, “As you wish.”
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story. 🖤🖤🖤
As for the last line. I'm a sucker, I can't help it, all my fictional men say it. It's a rule, I can't change it.
Mal Volari x Daenarya:
in every realm, no matter the trouble
🗡️ Blades 1 + Beyond
A collection of stories and art taking place throughout Blades 1 and beyond, written prior to Blades 2 introducing MC’s one-year disappearance.
All fics listed before the divider remain canon to my Blades 2 AU.
🗡️ Mal's Orphanage
A collection of stories and art that take place at Mal's Orphanage.
Canon to my Blades 1 + Beyond timeline
🗡️ Beyond the Bravado
A collection of drabbles from Blades 1, as seen through Mal’s perspective
🗡️ Blades 2 + 3 AU
A collection of stories and art spanning Blades 2 + 3, beginning at the start of Blades 2. All Blades 1 stories and art listed before the break remain canon to this timeline.
🗡️ Mal x Daenarya in Art
A collection of Mal x Daenarya art that I've commissioned, been gifted, or created. There may be some missing but I'm working on making sure all art is reblogged at that link.
🗡️ Mal x Daenarya with other pairings
A collection of stories/artworks featuring other pairings alongside Malarya, specifically: Mal x Tyril, Maiele x Daenarya, Nia x Daenarya. (Maiele belongs to lilyoffandoms)
Mal and Daenarya are always poly but these stories are the ones that feature it
