“i poisoned my skin, my lips. so that every time he touched me—every time he kissed me, he took sickness into his body. i had to purge it from my skin, then heal the burns the lye would leave. every single time. it was well worth it.”
Elain sat on the bank of the river, chiffon skirts pulled up above her knee. Toes dipping in the cool clear water. Flexing her toes as the water flowed around and in between them. Fingers busying themselves in the soft blades of grass. Fresh and alive in the springtime air. She could feel the warmth of afternoon burning into her gown. With ease, she could move to the tree across the way. Complete with an overhang of leaves high above, keeping her from the heat of the sun.
That was too close. Far too close to Lucien. This proximity was too close as it is. Whereas mere months ago Elain avoided him for her selective reasons. Which consisted of grieving the loss of mortal life and adjusting to an immortal one. Once Elain discovered the two of them healing from their pasts was easier together she deemed her distance selfish. Lucien had only called it necessary. They may have never reached this level of comfort and affection had they forced themselves.
Now Elain avoided her mate for want. A silly reason to be sure. Elain had the vision of the two of them accepting the bond. She didn't have to know the exact location. When her visions came to life there was a tingling sense of recognition inside her mind's eyes. The sensation did not strike thinking of tackling him here by a riverbank as he hunted for fish. Instead of moving closer, she would sit watching him and enjoying the pleasant view.
But damn the cauldron and the mother it was not easy. Not when he stood in the water looking like that. Her gaze once again drifted to the reddened hue of his hair. Pulled back and up with a leather strap. Was it intentional it was the same color as her eyes? Elain wasn’t sure. It caused her cheeks to turn a shade of deep pink regardless. Similar to the deep blush of her gown. A few strands of those fiery locks she enjoys braiding, fell away dusting along the cream-colored tunic he wore. Elain focused on Lucien, rolling the sleeves up to his elbow. The fabric secured around his arm, showing off the toned muscles in the lower half.
Her mouth parted a tinge watching how his arm flexed, muscles tighten and loosening readying himself to snatch down and grab another fish. After every fish he caught, Lucien had the utmost audacity to groan and roll his head side to side exposing his neck. A neck she wanted her lips on in the worst way. Did he taste of autumn she wondered? Of cinnamon and crisp apples or something more robust? Small embers inside her desperately ached to be a roaring fire consuming her entirely.
Elain continued her exploration of the stunning view. Noticing how the crystalline waters splashed against the fawn brown slacks. Causing the fabric to stick against his skin. Elain could not help but notice the muscled thighs underneath. Heart racing wildly inside her chest. Sweeping her tongue along her lips as Elain shifted her weight, brushing her thighs against each other. A silly, feeble attempt to ease that wanton ache.
“Would you like to help flower or continue to admire the view?” Lucien quipped, a taunting grin on his features. A deep russet eye met her own. Embers flickered in his eye. Yet his metal eye stayed focused on the waters.
“Who said the view was anything worthy to admire?” Elain retorted. At the rapid turn of his head, Elain held in a giggle. Lucien blinked once, twice before laughing.
His laughter warm and bright like daylight itself burst out from him. It was one of her favorite things about him. The way he tilted his back and his shoulders shook when he laughed. Lucien’s hands resting on his waist when he did so. It never ceased to bring brightness in her smile, warmth to her chest. The sound was unlike anything she’d ever heard. One she was perfectly content with hearing until the end of time itself.
Shortly after the two passed the awkward stages of being around one another, they quickly fell into step with jabs and remarks. It was a side of her not many witnessed. Though they bantered daily, he always blinked as it caught him off guard. As if this were a mere dream. Typically she would lay a hand to his arm, a gesture signaling this was real.
Lucien turned in the river, wading through the water towards her, “Well if that’s the case.” Elain kept her eyes locked onto his ready for his next move as he approached. A grin wide like a fox as he settled himself next to her. Brushing her warm brown tresses off her shoulder, the heat of his breath against her lobe. Elain took a calming breath ignoring the way her skin prickled at the sensation, “then there must be something amiss with your scent, Elain.” his tone dropped at her name on his lips. The goosebumps and throb below increased from that. As much as a gentleman she knew her mate could be. Times like these made her think of shoving him into the rushing river. If only to gather her wits.
"You can try to shove me in the river 'Lain. You will fail." He teased.
"You don't know that." Elain huffed.
"Oh but I do."
She turned fully facing to argue her point. Elain's mouth opened and closed several times, seemingly losing the ability to speak. Focusing on how close Lucien was. A mere breath away from her, feeling the heat of his body within this proximity. Dancing embers in his russet eye burned with intensity fixated on her. Elain could only stare, marvel at the goldenness of his skin. Even the scar on his cheek held a gruesome elegance. Her gaze drifted to the smirk pulling up in the corner of his mouth, the firm yet softness of his lips. Elain bunched the fabric of her gown, resisting the urge to take his face in her hands and kiss him soundly.
“Nothing is wrong with my scent.”
“No?” he chuckled with amusement.
Elain glared her cheeks a deep shade of scarlet. The seer could form words icy enough to match Nesta. When it came to haughty expressions, she failed. Humorously at that. Lucien sniffed the air around them. “Of course not.” adjusting the rolled cuff of his sleeve. Elain zeroed in on the action. "You only want me. And denying yourself due to a vision." Lucien stood heading towards where he was last in the river.
"That's not fair!" She stood to follow him. The water soaking her gown instantly. Threatening to slow her pace as the skirts became heavy twisting around her legs. Elain prevailed, reaching him in seconds.
Lucien paid her no mind. Staring at the river. "You're right. It's not for either of us. Now." He lifted a finger to his lips. indicating to be silent. "You'll scare the fish."
"I don't care." She hissed. "You're the one who's… who's...Riling me up!"
That pulled his attention. "I was fishing. You're the one sitting in the grass fantasizing." Her cheeks burned. "Unless you want to help me. Go back to the bank and we can finish this later."
She didn't want to wait. "Fine." Elain grabbed her skirts moving to Lucien. "What do I do exactly? Stick my hand in the water?"
His metal eye whirred, brows rising in surprise. "You wanna fish?" She nodded. "Come here then" the velvet smoothness of his tone faded into gentleness as he said. "Watch the rocks."
Elain did as instructed, paying close attention to the rocks on the ground. Feeling the slick and sharpness of them poking her feet. Lucien extended a hand to her. She took it, slipping her palm sliding against his well-worked one. Ignoring the way her heart sparked at his thumb brushed along her knuckles. Lucien tightened his grip, helping Elain the last few steps placing herself in front of him. Steadying her with a firm grasp on her waist.
"We just...look at the water?" She whispered, staring at clear waters, noting the mud, rocks, and the few fishes swimming about.
"For the most part." His chin grazed against her shoulder. Leaning over Elain, peering into the river, "it's about timing. Knowing the path, the destination. It doesn't matter how the fish gets here. Only that it does and then you snatch it."
"Why do I get the feeling you're not speaking of fishing."
He chuckled again. The sound would be her undoing. "Because I'm not." He paused. "Well not fully." Elain let out a small laugh. "Fate has been designed. It can't be altered. The road may change but the destination remains the same. It doesn't matter if we accept the bond whenever we wish or according to your vision. It's your choice Elain. I support it. Whether today, the vision or in a hundred years."
"Thank you." It was all she could say. At the moment Elain didn't trust herself to speak more.
"You're welcome." They were silent for a time. Listening to the gurgling of the river and the gentle breeze bristling through the leaves. "We can have sex without accepting the bond."
"Lucien!"
"Stating a fact flower."
"I know." Elain swallowed, losing herself to the heat of his touch on her waist. The tips of fingers gently tapping her side. His scent swirling around her, like autumn leaves in a breeze. And his face a kiss away from hers. She refused to turn in his arms, no matter every part of her screaming in protest. Opting instead to place her hand over his, sliding her fingers in between. Instinctively leaning into his chest.
What were they doing? right. Fishing. They were fishing. Supposedly.
"Fishing."
"Right. It is about timing and patience. Knowing when to strike. See that one?" The hand on her hip splayed on her stomach. Keeping Elain flush to Lucien as he pointed in the distance to a grey fish swimming towards them. She gave a brief nod. "Count to ten in your head then drop your hand and grab. Eyes on the fish."
Lucien started the countdown from ten. With each number, his splayed fingers curled against the soft gown. His voice lowered and lowered his cheek gravitated to Elain's. The warmth of his body pressed to hers. By three she gave in. Turning in his arms only to find Lucien wasn’t looking at the fish or the river at all. But her.
"You're supposed to be watching the fish." He said fingers trembled to find a home beneath her chin.
Elain's shrugged, "Slow learner." Her lids fluttered close briefly, Lucien lifting her chin.
"Indeed." Inching closer. An eye flicked to hers concern laying in them as he searched her eager wanting ones. "Do you want me to stop?"
"No."
His lips slanted over hers. Slow, tenderly claiming her mouth. Elain tugged on his tunic, deepening the kiss as the fire inside her glowed brightly. Hands traveling up around the base of his neck. His tongue brushed against her mouth. Elain parted her lips with a blissful sigh granting him the access he's craved so long. As Lucien wrapped Elain in his arms, holding her tightly. She felt it. The sudden weariness in their bond echoing the nerve stricken heartbeats. As if they stopped he'd wake and this would all be a beautiful nightmare. Elain sent loving thoughts down the bond in reassurance. That she chose him. Now and forever.
It was all the encouragement Lucien needed to sweep her in his arms and carry her to the riverbed. Elain peppered kisses along his jawline up to his scar. "I hate her," she murmured against his cheek.
Lucien halted Elain still in his arms both of them snapped to the voice being cleared ahead of them, "Yeah me too. Try being stuck in a ring on her hand." Jurian commented leaning against the bark of a tree. A foot tapping the barrel with fish inside. "I see hardly any fishing was done."
"Go to hell Jurian." Lucien commented winnowing them away. As Elain held on, she felt the tinge of recognition in her mind.
a/n: hellooooo friends. this lil number here was born of a morning discussion about pegging with @vanserrasvalkyrie @oversizedbats @vmiae @ladyvanserra @illyrianvalkyrie @booksandlewks @arielle-reads and @nina-zcnik. you know, normal things. don’t worry, there are no acosf spoilers! this is pure filth, so i hope y’all like it lol enjoy!
content warning: hella explicit sexual content. obviously.
Celebrating Winter Solstice at Feyre and Rhysand’s riverside estate has been tradition for as long as Elain could remember. Ever since it was built, they celebrated here. Even after she officially moved to the Spring Court with Lucien on the other side of Prythian, she still came back to celebrate with her sisters and their growing families.
It was hard at first, being so far away from them. She missed them terribly, but at least she knew she could see them whenever she wanted. She’s been so happy being close to her sisters again, especially knowing that they’ll have centuries to grow together.
These last few weeks, however, didn’t leave her with much time to miss them. Ever since her mating ceremony to Lucien, they haven’t spent much time outside their manor, let alone their bedroom. Almost a month later, and Elain is still itching for gifts to be exchanged and dinner to be eaten, so that she can take her mate to bed.
From where she sat alone on the bay window, Elain felt a tug on the bond deep in her heart, and immediately sought her mate out in the crowded sitting room of Feyre’s home. He had just moved to the bar cart to refill his drink, a reprieve from whatever conversation he had been having with Cassian about the latest Illyrian training regiment. Elain rarely knew a word coming from the Illyrian’s mouth. Most of the time she only smiles and nods until she’s able to step away politely. A quick scan of the room showed her that Cassian had returned to Nesta’s side.
Returning her attention to Lucien, her blush deepened when she caught his eye, a knowing smirk gracing his lips. He knows what she has been fantasizing about from the moment they left the comfort of their bed in the guest wing. She merely cocked her head to the side. The picture of feigned innocence. Lucien narrowed his eyes as though to say, Challenge accepted. He crossed his arms and brought a hand to his chin. An innocent gesture until he flicked his tongue against the pad of his thumb, pretending to wipe something away from his bottom lip.
Elain almost regretted forgoing her undergarments as she clenched her crossed legs tighter, knowing the action is futile in the presence of High Fae and skilled soldiers, but either her family is far too drunk already or have chosen to ignore the scent she’s sure to be releasing. No matter, she supposed. They all deserved it for their own newly-mated episodes. Elain felt Lucien’s chuckle and turned to glare at him before Mor exclaimed, “Rhys! Presents! Now!” Elain laughed as Rhysand rolled her eyes, grateful for the distraction from her own arousal.
With a wave of his hand, the presents appeared before the roaring fireplace. One by one, they were distributed, and Elain watched with a smile on her face. She was watching Nyx play with his new training dagger from Azriel when a present and a card appeared on her lap. She knew without looking up that it was her mate in front of her.
“I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts until later,” she accused, cheeks reddening once again as she remembered what they had promised.
Lucien sat down and effortlessly pulled her sideways onto his lap. “It’s not from me. It’s from my… father.” Elain looked into his russet eye, finding the emotion within that came from acknowledging Helion as his father. She cupped a hand to his face and gave him a quick kiss, just because she could. “I’m not sure where he ran off to, but he told me we need to open it together.” Needing no further explanation, Elain tore into the white and gold wrapping paper, as Lucien read the card to her. “For fun,” was all it said.
Together, they lifted the lid of the box. Elain gasped and Lucien choked as they beheld a variety of gadgets to use in the bedroom to play. There was every toy Elain could think of, but her attention snagged on one particular device. Her eyes traveled along the straps and buckles until they reached the attached appendage. She looked at her mate, his metal eye whirring. No doubt he knew exactly what she was thinking before she had to say it. “Can I…” She swallowed, her voice thick with arousal. “Would you be okay with this?”
Lucien licked his lips and whispered, “Do your worst, Flower.” Elain exhaled through her nostrils, imagining her mate on his knees in front of her, his face buried in the pillows and silks of their bed. She bit her lip and involuntarily rocked her hips on his hardening length. Lucien hissed and gripped her tighter by the waist. “We still need to eat dinner, my love.” He leaned in closer, his breath tickling her ear, “But my Solstice present to you is letting you do whatever you want to me tonight.”
Elain shot up from his lap, leaving him laughing behind her. She sought out Nuala and Cerridwen to see if they needed help completing dinner. They told her it would only be a few moments, but she helped them anyway.
Dinner was the usual, Nyx throwing food at his Uncle Cassian, Nesta scolding Cassian for throwing food back. Amren ignoring Mor’s bargain for her jewelry. Feyre and Rhys talking mind to mind as though they think no one knows they’re actually fucking in there at inappropriate times. Like at the dinner table. But Elain didn’t care because she kept stealing glances at Lucien, her mate staring at her right back.
As soon as they were done eating, Elain bid a quick farewell, pulling Lucien behind her. She ignored the cheering that came from Rhysand and Cassian. She was beyond caring at this point. That primal need to take her mate wherever and whenever was still strong. When they reached their room on the far end of the estate, Elain wasted no time pushing her mate against the door and claiming his mouth with hers.
Lucien’s gift to her was for her to take charge, and that was exactly what she planned to do. She reached between them to his belt, pulling it free without breaking the connection of their lips. She palmed him through his trousers, eliciting a groan from both of them. He was already hard, already ready for her.
Next came the buttons of his shirt. Elain began at the top, trailing kisses down his neck, lingering on the wild pulse beneath his skin. With each pop of a button, her lips moved lower and lower. She traced her tongue along the ridges of his chiseled abs. Elain straightened and removed his shirt before pulling him towards the bed.
The bed was already equipped with leather straps tied to the headboard, set up earlier when she excused herself to freshen up. Lucien looked from the bed to Elain, eyes wide with confusion--and need. Elain only pushed him to lay down on the bed and said, “Happy Solstice, Lucien.”
Once he was settled in the center of the bed, Elain straddled him, hissing as her bare center made contact with his chiseled abdomen, her dress pooling around her. As she made quick work of the straps around his wrists, Lucien growled, “Were you not wearing underwear all night, Elain?” He growled as she nodded in confirmation. “Take off your dress, love,” he commanded.
But Elain wasn't having that.
“Uh uh,” she tutted, lifting herself to her knees. “No talking.” She silenced him completely, gripping the headboard with one hand, her dress in the other so that she could sit on his face. Her mate didn’t hesitate, plunging his tongue deep into her molten core. Elain didn't bother suppressing her moans as he devoured her like a starved man. She rocked back and forth, the feel of his mouth on her igniting the fire in her veins.
Elain ground harder, chasing the release that was already so close after a night of teasing. Her mate must have known she was already on the precipice of falling because he sped up his ministrations.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she panted, “Make me come, Lucien, I need to come.” He made a long swipe of his tongue from her ass to her clit, nipping at her sensitive nub with his teeth. The pain mixed with pleasure sent her crashing over the edge. She screamed through her release, but Lucien’s tongue never stopped helping her ride the wave.
Breathing heavy, she climbed down and kissed him deeply, groaning as she tasted herself on his lips. Already, she was wanting more, aching to be filled. She adjusted her hips until she felt his rock hard length against her entrance. Supporting herself with her arms, she stared down into her mate’s russet eye as she sank down, down, down, filling her completely with his cock. They both groaned in pleasure, the bond between them lit with the wanton need for each other.
Seeing his eye filled with molten desire only for her, Elain couldn’t help but lean forward and kiss him again as she moved her hips up and down, faster and faster. Every slip in and out of her molten channel elicited wanton noises from her throat. “Elain, fuck,” he breathed as she used her inner muscles to clench tight around his cock.
She sat up again, bracing herself with his hands on his solid chest. Despite his hands being tied, Lucien still bent his knees to pound up into her, meeting her thrust for thrust. She cried out when he hit that particular spot that had never been hit before she found her mate. Without breaking rhythm, she finally shed her dress, throwing it haphazardly to the floor.
Lucien’s metal eye whirred, taking in every detail of her perfect, cream skin. Elain reached over to their new box of goodies and returned with a small device that vibrated in her hand. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile as she brought the toy to where they were still joined, still moving. She could hardly describe the sensation that came when the vibrations made contact with her clit, her screams filling the room as her body tensed with her release. “Elain!” Lucien roared as he followed her into the abyss, filling her with his seed. Lucien struggled against his bonds, squirming against Elain as she held that vibrating device between them until she could no longer handle it.
Elain collapsed next to Lucien, breathing hard and groaning at the emptiness she felt. “That was…” she trailed off.
“Amazing,” her mate finished for her, breathing just as heavily.
Elain propped herself up on an elbow and leaned forward to claim Lucien’s lips with her own. Through their kiss, she could feel all the love he felt for her and channeled it right back. His tongue demanded entrance and she happily obliged, opening her mouth to deepen the kiss. They were a clash of tongues and teeth until Elain reached up and undid the straps restraining her mate.
But before he could grab her and pull her close like he so desperately wanted, she grabbed his wrists and whispered, “Did you think I was done with you already?” Without waiting for a response she climbed off the bed, commanding him to get on his hands on his knees. He raised his brow at her, but listened. He moved slowly, she noticed with no small amount of pleasure.
She felt powerful, taking what she wanted from him. They are equals in every way, including in their bed, but the feeling of being in control of each move has caused her to be aroused all over again. Elain reached for the box from Helion, feeling Lucien watching her as she lifted that contraption of straps and buckles. She made quick work of securing it to her waist before climbing behind her mate on the bed.
Using a tube of lubricant she found in the box, she lathered the rubber length, and then used her finger to tease Lucien’s rear end. He stiffened at first, but didn’t pull away as she inched the tip of her finger in. Lucien moaned, and Elain told him, “Let me know if this is too much, okay?” Lucien nodded and pushed back on her fingers. After pumping one in a few times, she added a second--and then a third. “Are you ready?” she asked, removing her fingers.
Lucien lifted up on his arms and looked over his shoulder at Elain as she lined himself up to his back entrance. She made eye contact with him, waiting for him to give permission. She may be in charge here, but she wasn’t going to go any farther if he didn’t want to.
But her mate, her wonderful, sexy mate said, “Fuck me, Elain.” And so she did.
Guiding herself in, she went slowly at first, stopping when Lucien dropped to his elbows when his ass snapped around the head of rubber. He was panting, so she stayed still, searing this image of her mate on his knees before her into her mind. After a few seconds, Lucien adjusted and pushed back, urging her on.
She pushed in more, more, more until she was buried all the way to the hilt in her mate’s fine ass. “How does it feel?” she asked.
“Full,” he laughed, then moaned from the movement. “But… I think I like it.” He looked over his shoulder and repeated his words from before. “Do your worst, flower.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. She pulled out almost all the way and pushed back in, faster this time, again and again until she found a pounding rhythm. Her earlier vision came to life as Lucien yelled into the pillows, clenching the soft sheets in his fists.
Powerful--this was power. She gripped her mate’s hips and increased her speed, snapping her hips against his. Elain leaned forward and pressed kisses to his spine, the way he likes to do to her. In this position, she formed a wicked idea in her head and reached around his body. Finding his cock, unsurprised to discover it’s hard again, she worked him with her hand as she fucked him from behind.
Lucien’s screams intensified as he approached his impending orgasm. She grabbed a fistful of his red hair, forcing his back to bend. “Do you want to come, my love?” He grunted in response, but she said, “I need to hear you say it.”
Lucien turned his head to the side against her grip, panting, “Please, Elain. I need to come.” He locked eyes with her, his pupil dilated further than she’s ever seen. “Please.”
Satisfied, Elain cupped his balls and squeezed before stroking him again in time with her thrusts. In no time, she felt Lucien’s body seized beneath her, spilling his seed onto the sheets with a groan. She milked his cock with her hand until she was finished and pulled out, eliciting a strained moan from her mate. She let go of his hair so that he could until he could collapse on his stomach, careful to avoid the puddle of fluid left behind.
Quickly removing the strapped contraption, Elain joined her mate on the bed, happily falling into his outstretched arms. She peppered his face with kisses to coax him down from his high. Eventually, he opened his eyes, the metal whirring as his brain tried to function once more.
“Good?” she asked demurely.
“We’re doing that again,” he growled.
And two more times that night, they did. When they were finally satiated for the time being, Elain fell asleep in her mate’s arms as he whispered, “I love you,” against her hair.
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