Fic Promo: Tamlin's revenge Part 2: a Court of Fallen Crowns
Tamlin week 2026 Day 7 : Revenge
Part 2 of Tamlin's revenge:
A Court of Fallen Crowns
Synopsis:
3 years ago his court was fallen and ruined. It took a year but Tamlin has managed to rebuild it and regained the trust of his people. His revenge continues and tensions rise between the courts of Pyrinthia as it seems it is inevitable that war will come.
Dark forces lurk behind the scenes, pulling strings and making deals. To defeat it, the land they love must be cleaned of Tyranny first.
Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 now posted on AO3.
I don't know if I'll post the entire chapter in Tumblr but if you want to be tag when I post updates feel free to message/comment on this post.
For those who haven't read it yet and enjoy slow burn revenge, please read the first part as well.
Part 1 of Tamlin's revenge:
A Court of Withered Roses
Synopsis:
Tamlin had only wanted to grieve his sentries and people who had passed but when Rhysand came to twist the knife he chose revenge. 2 years since Hybern's ambush, Tamlin forced himself out of his beast form to rebuild his court, regain the trust of his people and fix spring court's reputation at the cost ruining night court's. Tamlin wants his enemies to face consequences, especially the enemy who aided in the destruction of his court, Feyre.
He doesn't want forgiveness, he wants to see them fall from grace.
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Tamlin trying his best to support his mentally ill fiancee 💔
Noticing her being overwhelmed UtM after saving everyone and being turned fae, taking her (and himself) away from the emergency High Lords meetings into a spare room to be alone.
Not wanting to stress her out with politics
Trying to cheer her up with hobbies
Dismissing the courtiers (his friends) so she feels more at ease in her own home.
Acknowledging and not judging her symptoms, trying to protect her from it.
Trying to protect her from those who would take advantage of her (unfortunately too late)
It's not always helpful to isolate and avoid discomfort but, my guy is trying so hard. He loves her so much and is doing what he thinks is going to help her heal. (Maybe it's what would help him heal?)
Like he just gets it. The social anxiety, the stress.
He's not perfect and fails and let's his emotions get the better of him (also doesn't help that the narrative is stacked against him) but...I love this kind man. I do think it's all coming from a good place. It's too bad that his relationship was already doomed and it all backfired on him.
Happy Birthday @lifeisabiscuit!!! Inspired by our many chats I wanted to do something fun with all the inspiration you are always shooting my way. Sending you a little slutty camboy Tam to enjoy on your special day ❤️
Outfit inspo from the queen Tree herself under cut
How do y'all write the other high lords/rulers of Pyrinthia?
To fanfic writers, how do you guys write the other HLs aside from Tamlin and Feysand. I tend to put them into archetypes and follow it
1. Beron Vanserra: capitalist control freak. I like writing him the most. I envisioned Beron not as a conquerer cause war is wasteful and time consuming so he rarely goes to war unless needed. He instead loves using loans and debts to entrap others, he isn't the richest court but his court is the most indebted to both in and out of Pyrinthia. Beron is a threat he has too many people indebted to him and if he decides to go to war he can call various types of kingdoms for aid. Especially those he made deals with. He's neutral with everyone but dislikes Tamlin due to his policy and for humiliating him in front of his court. He doesn't hate but sees Rhysand as a threat that needs to be removed, he's too much of a political Timebomb.
2. Tarquin: sheltered prince with a good heart. My belief is that his family really tried to protect him under the mountain and give him an education there despite how many decades. He's been in UTM more than he's alive so he's a bit naive on how the world works and tends to trust people too quickly. He wants to make a difference, make his court better for everyone in it and wants to prove himself but he lacks the practice, connection and political power to do so. His court believe he's too young, Varian and Cressida sometimes make decisions without him (Varian calling NC) and his people don't fully support him. After the theft and him taking away the blood rubies the nobles and his people have been losing trust in him, he has been losing trust in Varian. Kinda good relations with Tamlin cause he helped his people in UTM but unsure how to connect with him, underestimated by everyone else and is wary/dislike the IC.
3. Viviane and Kalias: the queen and her general. No I don't care for Retcons, Viviane was outside dealing with the winter court while Kalias was stuck in UTM. Viviane is a high ranking noble lady who rose up to become the leader not by choice but force. She saw the chaos of her court during Amarantha's reign and used her wits to hold the fort. She has many titles due to these (unmoving mountain, winter queen, snow owl). Her magic is above average in comparison to average winter court combatants but she shines better in negotiations, trickery, reading people, economy and city planning. She plays naive social butterfly as a mask. Kalias didn't expect to be winter HL so soon, he did take his studies and duties before seriously but he always had others to fall back on. He's a better fighter and an expert in winter court magic, reserved and stoic. He's learning to rule through Viviane and collaborates with her in decisions. The two are only lovey Dovey in private but super intense during work especially when it comes to protecting their people. The people respect Viviane more than Kalias, Kalias loves his mate for it. Winter's
4. Thesan: the logical peacekeeper. Thesan is a bit of a push over who tries to avoid war at any cost. He tries to appear logical and chooses the right option not counting morality but counting on which will lead to a peaceful resolution. His court is pretty detached spiritually and they're not very emotional focusing on products and achievements leading to a very advanced but emotionally stunted court. Thesan is second in book smart and shines in conflict resolution and law, he's connected to every court because they need his medicine, healers and tech. Out of the courts, dawn is the most safe due to their insistence on being healers during war. That way if anyone tries to attack dawn they'll end up without a healer and facing advance technological weaponry. Thesan's relaxed but he worries a lot of doing the right thing, he just wants to avoid massive death again.
5. Helion: the average high lord. So remember when Tamlin warned the previous high lords and they didn't listen leading to a few being killed, trapped and their powers sealed? Yeah. My belief is that most high lords or high Fae in general have faerie traits that make them more prideful, vain and even overconfident than the average Fae. Helion is what I believe most high lords acted like. They care for their court but justify their actions as thinking for the needs of many/to keep the nobles support/to avoid losing and angering allies. He's reasonable and definitely book smart but he thinks he's the smartest and most cunning in the room(like most high Fae believe). Not to say he's bad, just arrogant and he's definitely a planner. Trying to find a way to get LOA out of Autumn and he does known Lucien is his son or suspect it.
What about other writers here? How do you guys write the high lords?
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Summary: Shel is interrogated after poisoning Tamlin, archie and others funeral rite was done. Mor complains about having to do her and not being able to attend Feyre's ball. Elain is lucid during the ball and talks to lucien who's trying to save her. Almost a year of planing comes to fruition.
Author's notes: Go listen to midnight sun. Also longest chapter.
"You will speak the truth in return for nothing." Tamlin offered the deal hand extended towards Shel in her dryad form. The two were seated on a wooden chair in a room with walls made out of willow tree branches softly illuminated by fae lights floating around like stars and stone floors. The room had a bed which Shel won't use and a table with books. It felt almost cozy for a dungeon.
"You knew the consequences yet you still did it, why?" Tamlin inquired eyes narrowed and for a moment his eyes shifted into slits like a feline.
Tamlin watched as she shook his hand. It's been awhile since he saw her like this. Brown wooden skin, hair like vines and dressed in leaves. She looked like a child, a dryad meant to sing not to advise.
"I accept this deal," She replied calmly. She couldn't help starring at the male in front of her, she had never seen him without his beastly features. Sun-kissed skin, bulging muscles, soft forest green eyes, sharp facial features like a wolf and beautiful golden locks finally clean and braided with flowers complete with a simple clean white tunic and brown pants made for lesser fae to wear not a high fae. He looked soft, not a beast waiting to strike but a prince pretending to be a commoner. A sentry in full armour stood beside the prince guarding him but the tightened grip he had on his halberd and the sparklers of light made it clear who stood beside the high lord.
"Would you have regretted killing all those fae?" Shel asked back.
"You committed treason, Shel. You can be lawfully executed for this."
"For spring, for my home I'd gladly give my life." Shel answered and jumped when a blade nearly reached her face.
"DON'T YOU DARE USE HIS WORDS! ARCHIE WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN THINK OF KILLING TAMLIN!" Houyi shouted as he tried to stabbed her only being stopped by Tamlin's hand gripping the halberd's handle.
Tamlin struggled gritting his teeth as the blade inch closer and closer until he growled at the sentry, "stand down. Leave."
Houyi eyes cried glowing tears visible through the gaps of his helmet and let out a sharp exhale of air before pulling back. He glared at the dryad one last time before leaving, walking through the willow branch walls.
Tamlin shakily sat back down, the paralytic ashwood poison still affecting him. "I won't... I won't execute you nor torture you. You are my creation after all, you're barely an adult just a dryad less than a hundred years old. Had I....had I chosen different maybe you'd be different. I am sorry for that." He took a breath to prepare for the final blow, " by my decree you are stripped of your status and assets. You will never be able to leave spring court nor hold any official position until the war has ended. Do you have anything else to confess."
"I am in contact with Lucien Vanserra, his mate is under daemati and he intends to rescue her soon. I gave him the lightning mind ward to help. I also planned to kill Alis, your former maid who knew of Feyre's intentions and warned no one. I didn't but I made the guards forbid her and her blood from entering spring for life." Shel confessed without hesitation.
Tamlin sighed he expected that much, " of course you did." He relented and rubbed his forehead for a moment. "You'll be here for awhile until deemed safe enough, you won't be able to attend Archibald's funeral...I'm sorry." He uttered tired and stood up to leave.
"Do you still... do you intend to continue with your spell of unleashing living death?" She asked gripping her leaf skirt.
"No...I do not. I promise." He left through the willow leaf wall. The dungeon wall finally opened the wall turning into leafy bars showing the opposite side filled with shadow wraiths kept inside by glowing wards. They starred at Shel and she simply ignored them.
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The funeral procession was different from Liliana's. It was a mass funeral for the many performers who died including Archibald's. Tamlin wore a white tunic with a checkered cloth wrapped from his right shoulder to his left waist while he wore a green brown checkered kilt. Many of the wulvers and those with hybern blood wore something similar.
Tamlin held Archie's halberd while bag pipes were played as the group headed to the cemetery.
Rows of satyrs and nymphs followed carrying their own wrapped in shrouds. Tamlin help burry them and arranged the grave offerings with the others. It was finally time for a speech and prayer which Tamlin was supposed to lead but he didn't have the energy to not with his weakened state. Houyi volunteered.
The high fae peacock fae hybrid stood on a podium made by Bron's wood magic. He walked up and placed his hand on his throat closing his eyes for a moment before using the voice volume increase spell like Tamlin had thought him. He exhaled and opened his eyes to face the crowd in front of him from the many sentries wearing kilts, the nymphs and satyrs awaiting his words.
"Believe it or not, I knew many of them. I listened to their songs, danced with them and maybe tried woo them. Obviously they rejected me." Houyi began.
A few in the crowd snickered at the joke but most listened. Tamlin in particular forced a smile at the joke.
"Truthfully I am terrible at serenading and dancing much to my fathers disappointment but drunks don't care about dancing in the pubs as long as everyone was having a good time... Bruce, Willow, Magnolia...I remember dancing while they performed, basically helped me tricked Archie so I could smash pie into his face." Houyi continued looking down at the podium with a gentle smile. He could do this, just talk about Archie.
"Archie as many called him or old as I say...he had a stick up his arse. He... he had old beliefs and we both didn't always get along...but after awhile he changed, brothers in arms. He..." Houyi struggled gripping the podium until it cracked. "He was fucking murdered..."
The crowd became wide eyed and looked at Houyi in shock.
"Those fuckers threw his body into some pit! We couldn't even burry his body!" Houyi yelled, sucking in a ragged inhale. The others weren't fast enough before he let out a pained scream and blasted the podium with a powerful gale.
The sentries quickly summoned their wooden shields defending the fae behind them as wooden shards flew threatening to hit. When they drop their shields houyi had sunk to his knees covering his mouth as he wept.
Tamlin went to him and pulled him up, only for the younger fae to wrap his arms around the other. "I-i couldn't...I couldn't save him... I couldn't." The younger fae spoke between sobs as he pushed his face into Tamlin's shoulder.
The rest of the funeral was a blur as others spoke. For the future of their children taken from them, lost love, old tales reminisced and comfort in grief. Eventually Tamlin separated himself from the crowd and headed to Archie's grave for one final act to end the funeral. Archie's grave had no stone, nor name. It only had his weapon stabbed into the earth, a place holder until his body arrives.
The high lord kneeled and his hands barely glowing green as the plants reached out to wrap around his hands before others followed surrounding the graves of family, friends and lovers.
He pressed his palms to the dirt and began to pray, "Tha sinn ag ùrnaigh riut, a Mhàthair Mhòr, a tha an-còmhnaidh coibhneil agus tròcaireach. Tha sinn ag iarraidh ort ar luchd-tuiteam a ghabhail a-steach don uchd bhlàth agad. Thoir dhaibh a’ choibhneas nach tug an saoghal dhaibh, agus gun tèid againn air coinneachadh riutha a-rithist anns an ath-bheatha. Dèan dath air na fearannan seo le dathan na beatha agad, agus gun cuimhnich sinn orra eadhon nuair nach eil iad an seo tuilleadh."
The moment the prayer ended the fae released the magic they were holding, releasing a pulse of green that washed over the land causing flowers to bloom, plants to grow and the land to shine for a moment. It wasn't as powerful as Liliana's funeral nor did it wash all over spring court but the land felt it's grief.
Tamlin remained until the end passing aid and compensation to the families of the fallen. He forced smiles and try to appear sympathetic but it was a lie.
No tears fell from his eyes, no nightmares came, no shouts nor doubt in his mind. Only complete silent and emptiness in his chest. He waited for the pin drop, for the dam to burst but even now looking at Archie's empty grave he felt nothing. He'd feel guilty if he could, maybe he'd smash his room again and again but he didn't. He felt absolutely empty like a heaviness settled in his chest and pushed everything away. He was just...empty.
"My lordship, you're needed in the western forest." A high fae appeared just as Houyi left.
He looked like a performer to Tamlin. Pure white long fluffy hair tied into a messy ponytail with white lilies growing out of them, eyes a deep green and pure brown skin unblemished nor scarred. He wore a loose long sleeve white tunic with the back open exposing his back that had patches of green that grew on his spine, the only proof he was existed due to a union between a forest nymph and a high fae. To complete his outfit was a pair of black pants and above the ankle leather boots. He was no doubt muscular and lean but he carried himself like a singer or a dancer even while carrying a staff.
"General Hans... they've arrived." Tamlin states almost like a question. When Archie died and he was poisoned, it took him a few days to get back on his feet but Hans held the fort ordering his armies to keep guard. Archie made the right choice choosing them as his lieutenant, now he was general of the spring court. There was no ceremony in his rise in rank, not when many grieved Archie's death.
Hans looked to him and nodded. "As expected...I can do this alone if you want to rest. Even with your resistance to poison you're still mortal."
"No...no. this is the first of many who'll come. I need to be there to greet them." Tamlin replied hastily.
The general was silent but bowed taking Tamlin's hand before their surrounding blurred into colours as they winnowed to the western forest.
When Hybern attacked more 4 years ago, they spread their destruction from west to east before heading north. Had the curse breaker not sabotaged his defenses the death toll and the damage would have been less than what had transpired. Many believed his reasoning of growing the dark forest was to heal the land by turning the ravage land into a huge forest but only a few of them knew the truth. Tamlin had glamoured the forest to hide what he, Archie, Hans and Shel grew. They worked together tirelessly to make thick forest canopies that barely let any light pass through, they shape the larger trees into multi level temporary homes, Wells for water and other accommodations needed for a village. Dusk had come bathing the dark forest in mid summer hues of orange.
As Tamlin arrived he noticed Hans had taken a more feminine appearance, becoming slightly shorter and having a more hourglass figure. He knew of their desire to remain fluid so he didn't question it.
"I didn't want to appear like a threat." Hans commented as the two headed off to meet with several autumn fae surrounded by hundreds of small dark brown wyvern carrying baskets on their back filled with darkness.
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"Morrigan you need to go to Hewn City when autumn comes," Rhysand ordered as he entered the living room of the house of wind. Feyre, Amren and Moriggan were lounging on the sofas talking amongst each other while Elain was on the floor with Nyx playing with him, her eyes dazed.
"Wait what?" Moriggan question standing up, "I went there months ago, besides me and the others need to go shopping for new dresses for the fire night ball."
Rhysand glared at her causing her to squirm under his gaze, "did you read any of the complaints or sightings lately?"
Moriggan huffed like a child, "of course I did. The workers have been slowing down per usual due to the lack of food, more of our merchandise aren't being sold, more fae are dying to starvation, more noble houses are ignoring us. Revolts are low because of what you did but also because the people are too tired. There's some minor damages to the wards around the mountain but they're not big enough for escape, the living statues said they saw lights there during heavy storm but there was no other trace." She answered with a deadpanned expression.
"And what off the sales?" Rhysand asked walking closer to intimidate her.
"Are the lords of hewn city that desperate for wine and fine dining? Half a year have already passed since spring court denied food sales, you'd expect they've gotten used to eating like commoners." Amren commented taking a sip of her red wine.
"Always greedy. We should just ignore them Rhys, let Mor enjoy the ball. We've been planning this for weeks now." Feyre pleaded. She was proud of herself, a big ball to show the people they care and feed them. She suggested it after she saw most of everyone in the city not even acknowledge her and her painting classes attendance dropped since the nobles wanted to train their children other ways.
"Feyre darling, I can't. Besides, I've already fixed Elain for you. Mor needs to do this." Rhysand states firmly leaving no room for arguement.
"Why? It can't be that serious." Mor whined.
"You are the overseer of Hewn city, yet you fail to notice the sudden increase in trade this two weeks. Flour, grain, wood, even certain autumn flowers according to intel from our allies below. Keir intends to throw a celebration of fire night for 3 days in his mansion. Open to all. Don't you find that suspicious?" Rhysand continued. "Further, he had sent a formal meeting with you."
Mor was silent, then bewildered. "That place doesn't celebrate fire night. At least not to this extent." She sighed and looked to her relative, "I'll go later that day. I just need to prepare."
Satisfied the high lord left, he's been sending letters and preparing for war. They intended to attack spring court next winter when they're at the strongest. Trying to gather forces with the other courts but also allies past the seas but it's been fruitless and Lucien has yet to reply to his letters.
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Time passed like dreams for Elain, there were times where she was lucid enough to actually be aware. She realised months ago that her body was no longer her own, she had tried to scream but in dreams your waking body rarely listen to you. The only time when she was truly awake from the night mare was when she received visions, the flood of information flooded her mind overwhelming the daemati.
She had played babysitter the past few weeks, she had fawned over Feyre's paintings and agreed on everything they wanted to hear. She was made to greet and dance with others at the party. She awoken half through a dance as visions of fire in the sky flooded her mind.
She hated it.
She had escaped the party and headed to the gardens. She sat by a quartz bench and watched the fields until something warm pressed into her neck. She reflexively touched it and turned around to find an unfamiliar high fae but she felt it. She knew him. Through the glamour she saw him, her mate. "Lucien..." She breathed almost relieved.
The male behind her was black haired, pale skinned and eyes grey like moonstone but immaculately dressed in black but she saw through it. Like images fusing.
"Breathe Elain breathe. We do not have much time, we have to leave." Disguised Lucien pleaded.
"I...I don't feel Rhysand hand in my head anymore." She uttered bewildered and looked to the golden necklace Lucien had put on her. Simple golden threads wrapped around a clear gem carved into a flower with trapped lightning inside. "What did you do?" She asked relief washing over her.
Lucien felt his heart fluttered at the sight, the dress didn't suit her too dark, too tight but her relief? That pulled his heart strings. He breathed in shakily, "it's a daemati ward, the most effective one but we have to leave now. Rhysand is distracted " He pleaded offering his hand.
Elain looked to the outstretched hand then to the disguised male, "I can't...I can't leave my sisters."
"...Elain if you stay they'll bury your mind deeper. You'll lose yourself." Lucien argued.
"I wasn't the best sister to them but I need to be here...for them at least. Nesta is going to die soon and feyre will follow her bringing Rhysand... it would be cruel to just leave." She breathed and walked around the garden touching the flowers gently, "I'm sorry...for Archibald. I warned them...I warned them time and time again that if they murdered him...they'll bring forth destruction. The end of high lords and fae." She murmured almost dazed, her eyes looking to eastern sky.
Lucien fell silent, he couldn't take her against her will not when he made a deal to stay loyal to her. "Elain... there's still time." He says but he was unsure. The future was far but he trusted his mate, even now.
Elain picked out a wilted flower and crushed it, "no...we don't." She replied and turned around with an empty smile, "I wish...I wish we had more time. Maybe...then I could actually apologise for what I said....to learn to move on and maybe....just maybe learn to fall in love again. It wouldn't be fair to you if I try with you when my heart still belonged to another." She spoke as a few tears slip past her eyes. "Tonight the sky will light up as if there was a midnight sun."
Lucien wasn't sure what to say but he didn't have the time. When the ground began to shake violently until it cracked, he quickly rushed in to protect Elain.
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The fire night ball was going to plan, the nobles were talking amongst themselves socialising in the ballroom while the peasants and workers were at the house of wind grounds enjoying the event as much as they could. Rhysand walked towards the balcony over looking the outside ballroom but also the house of wind grounds.
"Citizens of Velaris! Behold the high lord of night court! Night personified! Protector of the rainbow! Saviour of Pyrinthia and killer of Hybern!" Amren announced on cue after Rhysand gave him the cue.
Rhysand walked further and waved his hand regally at the fae watching. He looked charming wearing his usual black attire with a crown of darkness. Feyre stood behind him dressed in a dress made of chains of diamonds like she was a star while she held Nyx who babbled holding a plushie.
"My citizens, I'm sure many of you have heard rumours and falsehoods. All of us have suffered greatly because of them, this lies...spread by the spring lord himself. Our arts denied, our town crumbling and our wealth stolen but no more! Come winter, I and my mate will lead our armies to spring court and destroy our enemy once and for all!" Rhysand cheered and raised his glass to the crowd as they joined in.
"He will not win..." Rhysand ended and took a sip from his glass before he dropped it in surprise. He stumbled back in pain much to Feyre's horror.
"Rhys, What's wrong?!" Feyre shouted in a panic as she held him up with Amren's help.
He sank to his knees doubled over his forehead on the cooling floor and one hand on his chest as blinding pain rushed into him from a bond long neglected. It felt like his skin was peeling and his heart burned as if he was being cooked alive. It was too much so he did one thing he could. He yelled in agony while the ground trembled.
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Hewn city was different, far too different for Morrigan's taste. She remembered Keir's mansion, a sprawling construct of black stone and sharp edges but today of all days it was covered in flower wreaths with crowds of fae heading in. If it were just nobles she could have turned a blind eye but what shocked her was seeing lesser fae and high fae dancing in the court yard together kicking red flour on the ground. That was too suspicious.
Mor was thankful she at least had spent time with the girls and went to Feyre's ball even for a bit. It helped relaxed her nerves but she wondered if she should have pushed her discomfort aside and allowed Azriel to accompany her down as a guard. It didn't matter, the illyrian was probably overseeing the ball for traitors.
She was dressed in a striking red dress embedded with golden sparkles. She walked in confidently as if she owned the place and shivered when she passed through the front gates. What hit her nostril was the intense smell of flowers then the amount of red flour dust in the air.
She looked back and saw the vibrating lines of magic wards accompanied by electric. Keir had improved the wards, she had never seen anything like this before. He was preparing for something she didn't know but she didn't care, if anything happened she could save herself. Not that anyone would harm the relative of the high lord. Everyone here was afraid of him and by extension her.
That was what she believed yet everyone walked pass her and even bumped into her without a care. Like she didn't exist.
Inside the manor was the different, water ways of fae wines were made for the party allowing guest to enjoy a fae wine river boat ride and also drink from it. She saw familiar faces already drunk and getting handsy with others. It felt too outlandish for Hewn city.
"Daughter. How kind of you to grace us with your presence, I thought you'd be in Velaris enjoying your high lady's ball." Keir greeted appearing in front of her with a grin.
"Maybe she was asked to leave, you know they hate us hewn city fae." Thanatos teased standing beside keir.
Red gold sparks formed around Mor's fist, "don't be absurd I am nothing like you two drunks." She snapped.
"Hear that, she's nothing like us." Thanatos commented leaning against keir.
"I heard, she believes she's different. If it weren't for your magic he wouldn't waste a second on you, that's the reality." Keir goaded and chug wine from his goblet.
"Enough games! Because of you two I am here instead of spending time with my family and if I were you I wouldn't invoke Rhysand's fury further after your last failure." Mor threatened arms crossed.
"Always so hasty, so unlady like.." Thanatos commented and stepped back.
"One final question...centuries up there and you never attempted to help us. Tell me the truth, why." Keir demanded and summoned the veritas, the orb shining as Mor's truth was revealed with images floating around.
Mor didn't hesitate to touch the veritas as the truth shined around her. She's had enough of the disrespect, the loathing and the annoyance of overseeing Hewn city. She would rather burn this entire place down than spend another second here.
"You want the truth? The truth is that you're a spiteful old male who enjoys torturing anything alive while flaunting your power and status! You and everyone here is the same, stuck in old traditions incapable of change. None of you are dreamers who can envision a better world. I am better than you, because I am Moriggan! The only dreamer of Hewn City and all of you...deserve to burn." She seethed her magic over powering Keir's. "Now show me your truth, what are you planning." She ordered anger spilling through her voice.
The veritas shined as images changed and sound followed. "I keir of hewn city accept this deal. To save those who wish to leave hewn city in return for freedom from the night, Tamlin." Keir's voice echoed as images of the dark forest, fae escaping and more appeared. It was overwhelming, they were escaping right under their noses.
Before Mor could process the older fae had stabbed her with a dagger through her lower abdomen. The blade quickly grew like a branch inside of her pushing several spikes outward the back and sides of her body.
Thanatos quickly followed by blasting her away to the other side of the room with dark magic that felt too heavy.
Mor managed to shield herself but the clear red shield cracked like glass, "You...you traitor!" Mor shouted holding on to her abdomen. She tried to return fire only for a spark to shoot which the two evaded with ease.
"Careful...that's an ashwood blade courtesy of spring court and...potent faebane poison courtesy of Beron." Keir commented while checking his nails.
"You...you can't do this! As long as the highlord doesn't interferes you may govern yourself! He won't allow this! You're dead keir!" Moriggan shouted as she pulled herself up using the wall.
The two males laugh, "look around...that deal is void. We don't care if he governs hewn city. He'll be the king of ash...and we'll be free." Thanatos replied.
Mor was going to shoot another blast until a familiar red hair appeared behind them belonging to their so called ally in the autumn court, Eris Vanserra. He didn't wear fine fabric but instead darker simpler clothes with a dark brown wyvern on his shoulder. A bored expression on his face.
"The last of the wyvern are leaving, there's no one else to take." The autumn male informed looking at Mor with disinterest.
"Traitor!" Mor shouted with the last of strength as she tried to stand without leaning against the wall. "We'll kill all of you! You hear me!" She shouted almost delirious as the poison dampened her magic.
Thanatos rolled his eyes, "ugh... you could have just slit her throat but you had to leave a message. So dramatic, Keir."
"As long as that half breed reads it who cares." Keir replied and the two drank weird liquid from a small vial. For a moment nothing happened until a cloud suddenly enveloped them and shrunk them down. Eris wasted no time to do the same before the wyvern perched down, the three going into the basket on its back before they flew away.
Mor struggled to stand, the faebane was messing with her magic. She screamed in her head for Rhysand but he couldn't hear her as if her thoughts couldn't reach him. She couldn't winnow as well. She had to return another way. "You! I order you to take me to the moonstone palace" She ordered a random fae infront of her who didn't even react and continued to talk with their friend.
Mor grit her teeth her magic sparking weakly, "didn't you hear me! I ordered you!" She shouted once more but none of the fae around her moved towards her as if she didn't exist.
Anger boiled in her gut spilling into her hands. "I SAID TAKE ME TO THE MOONSTONE PALACE!" She roared and released a burst of red gold magic, the power of truth washing through the cavern.
The glamour sustaining the fae melted away leaving wooden mannequins moving mechanically. The few actual fae in the party were lords and ladies that Mor knew were allied with Rhysand. They were drunk out of their minds, useless. She wouldn't fall here, she had to tell Rhysand they were betrayed by scum who she allowed to live. She kept her hand on her wound using what little magic she had to heal her as she staggered forward.
How much time passed she didn't know, she had walked away from the mansion and had finally reached the stairs heading out of the palace. In the time she was there she reasoned that keir or someone had broken the wards outside of hewn city, small holes so the wyvern could escape without them noticing. How long had they been doing she couldn't tell but it was long enough that the majority of hewn city had left. The place was practically empty.
She leaned against the cavern walls, she was too far to see the opening. She was tired, Rhysand still hasn't appeared and blood dripped from her wound. It was too much, adrenalin had faded and she felt the pain. She wanted to cry, to scream but it would be pointless. The cavern path leading outside was covered in a thin layer of red flour dust, the flower smell still lingering.
She looked to the opposite at the entrance, dark as always until a moment she saw flashes of bright red. A second later a thunderous boom echoed loudly through the path, Mor had to cover her ears to block out the sound as the entire space trembled.
No.
No. This can't be happening.
Panic filled every fiber of her being, adrenaline kicking in once more as she pushed herself away from the wall and began running upwards leaving foot prints. She felt heat behind her as the cavern continued to tremble more violently as time passed. The further she moved the more unstable her visions became, black spots blurred her sight as struggled to breathe.
She wouldn't die here. She was Moriggan, the only dreamer of Hewn city. She wil survive. She ran but the fire was faster eventually reaching the cavern path she was in.
The fire burst at the end of the path as Moriggan desperately ran, it climbed up the stairs faster than she could run. She realised too late she couldn't outrun and quickly summoned what's left of her magic burning through her reserves to summon a shield to protect her. It held for a moment but heat transfered causing her skin to flush angry pink. She screamed in pain until the shield cracked from the heat and she was finally consumed by fire.
Burning alive as a human was painful, your nerve endings scream until you felt nothing, your eyes would melt and your organs would try until it gave out. Burning as a high fae was worst, your body would desperately attempt to regenerate itself with magic extending this torture. She screamed until the very end.
Moriggan once wished Hewn city to burn, it was granted. She just had to burn with it alongside the allies of Rhysand and those who couldn't leave.
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From summer to early autumn, the spring court, the autumn court and the citizens of hewn city worked together. Moving the citizens slowly from their cavern prison to their temporary homes. The lesser faes, the majority, the labourer, the weak and the useless went to spring court where they reside in the dark forest while the nobles including the rich went to Autumn court. Beron could never pass up a chance to receive favours and night court's ores and gems.
The moving started small with the lesser fae and lesser nobles being transfered out. The lesser fae were easy, they only had to shrink themselves but the nobles had to find a way to move their assets.
The intense spending from the night court was to move their fortune out through trade without being caught but it was the main reason why moving them took so long. It angered Tamlin but it was Beron's wishes so he allowed it. Spring became a temporary bank for their riches unfortunately.
Calanhaf had passed and the last of the wyvern had arrived to the dark forest. They poured out from the baskets and were sprayed with the cure before they returned to their normal sizes.
The lesser fae kept close to each other, they've never been to another court let alone be welcomed to one. They were ready to attack, to defend each other but what they didn't expect was to be personally greeted by the high lord of spring court.
A silhouette of a half beast lord was seen in the shadows but what stepped out was an unfamiliar lord accompanied by other lesser night court fae. The high lord looked tired with bags under his eyes, wearing a shabby clothes with dead forest green eyes.
"Welcome to my court. I hope the trip was fine." The lord greeted as he walked forward.
An oread quickly pulled her daughter behind herself as the high lord got close. She assumed the worst, that the half beast would eat them but instead the high lord kneeled on one leg looking at them with tired eyes softly. "I promise you, no harm will come to you or your loved ones. I know what it's like to be afraid, to not know what's will happen but I assure you. You're amongst friend."
The oread slowly let her guard down seeing other night court fae there. Dark bringers, shadow wraiths, trolls, imps and so much. They didn't seem afraid.
"My name is Tamlin. No need to call me lord or high lord. May I know what your name is?" He asked gently.
"Theseia." The small oread answered peaking out from behind her mother.
"Nice to meet you." Tamlin replied gently and watched as the others slowly eased. He understood why, he wasn't in any rush.
"My lord...Tamlin. Is this it?....The sanctuary?" One of them asked hesitantly.
"This is the border. Close to it, I wouldn't throw you all into some uncivilised forest." He replied and stood up, "I have to inform you, many of the spring court citizens do not know you're here. In due time all will be revealed to them which is why to ensure the safety of my people but also the safety of all you. I offer you all the same deal. I Tamlin of spring offer you sanctuary. You will be treated fairly, live in peace and in return you shall follow the conditions I have set. Do all of you accept?"
The lesser fae looked amongst each other they didn't believe him fully but they couldn't deny. The nigh court fae knew not to cross a high fae or they'll be whipped so they accepted.
A rose tattoo formed on their chest like many other night court fae there. He had done this to every single of them.
The group were led deeper into the forest eventually reaching a village filled with night court lesser faes. The oreads had a path leading underground for their homes, the dark bringer and shadow wraiths lived in grown houses. It was peaceful but busy with many of them still moving. It was weird, they were being monitored but the few sentries there weren't armoured, they were helping other fae move and prepare.
The group was shocked. Each home was made for a small family, completed with furniture, cotton beds and even clothes for them. The shelves were filled with food and even a welcome card that they couldn't read because many of them didn't know how. They had never experienced such luxuries.
Tamlin helped them one by one before eventually meeting with keir and the other Hewn City nobles at the spring-autumn border just as dawn was about to arrive. The sky still cloud and dark with blue linings.
"As agreed upon our deal, Lord Tamlin. Those are the last of hewn city fae who can leave and willing. Of course those allied with Rhysand are left and cauldron willing. They'll never be heard from again." Keir informed. He expected many things from the half beast lord, a warrior, a political genius but what stood in front of him was a tired looking fae with no lights in his eyes. He couldn't fathom how someone so disheveled, commoner looking and lesser looking could make such a plan.
"Lord Keir, Lord Thanatos, everyone. It is my pleasure to formally invite you and your people to spring court and the autumn court. I take it Lord Beron has been treating you well. Where is he?" Tamlin inquired voice tired and heavy.
"Preparing a celebration in our honour, your lordship. You look... far more tired than we expected but your plan was a grand success." A high fae replied. Young, skin so pale veins could be seen at their arms, thin build with short curly golden hair and sharp brown eyes.
"He looks.... very different from our mirror meeting." Keir commented quietly.
Tamlin forced a chuckle to appear polite, "it's been a tiring few months. Moving both the citizens and the assets of nobles hasn't done me any favours... you look familiar. State your name."
"Lord Ciaron. Son of lord Keir, leader of the dark bringer brigade known as bort wall." The curly golden haired high fae replied and saluted the other.
Tamlin appeared confused for a moment before his eyes widened. "It's great to see you again, I remember you and your brigade holding strong against Hybern during the war. Thanks to you, the autumn and spring army managed to intercept. Be proud, you protected these lands from invaders and you are a great warrior."
Ciaron was silent, he didn't expect anyone to remember him but he felt his heart swell. No one ever complimented him this way. "It's...it's my honour." He replied with a genuine smile.
"Lord keir. This plan would have failed without your cooperation and your suggestions. Thanks to you, many fae here are able to be free of a high lord who hates them and will not suffer under a mountain cage. They'll be safer and live better here until the time comes to take back their home. You should feel honoured, you saved them. Not just the nobles but the others as well." Tamlin praised voice tired.
Keir was silent, he didn't expect to be praised because he was never praised for his achievement only for surpassing expectations. He stretched his magic to find lies but all he found was genuine.
"You....you care for them. For us. You genuinely care... but we are not your people. So...how?" He questioned.
"Ignore my him, lord Tamlin. He's clearly unwell due to the trip." Thanatos quickly interrupted. Questioning a high lord usually meant death but not here.
A tired smile etched itself on the high lord's face, "all of you have never seen sunrise have you. You've been trapped so long you do not know what simple connections mean. You've survived not lived, let this day be a new beginning for you... a gift." Tamlin waved his hand sending a gust that cleared the sky of clouds in seconds.
"I have other duties to attend, fare well for now." Tamlin said and winnowed away.
The nobles should have said more, invite Tamlin to the celebration but they couldn't. They were mesmerised as the sun rose turning the eastern horizon gold fading to blue towards the west. They were only brought out during war so this was a luxury they never felt. Some reached out feeling the warmth of the sun for the first time in their lives. A few shed tears while others felt angry, robbed of ever feeling something everyone felt almost everyday. It was cruel.
Keir looked to the spring borders, he thought he had done right in burning hewn city to the ground but now he worried if he'd lose the trust of the high lord who just praised him.
Tamlin walked through the farmlands heading to spring manor, each step he took felt heavy as crops grew bigger around him. He placed his clawed hand on his chest hoping the heaviness in it would lessen like before. He had help others, saved them, provided them a better life and more yet... he still felt empty. He used to enjoy this so why didn't it bring him joy. Was he ever this broken? He didn't ponder for long returning to rejuvenating the farm lands before he headed back to the manor for work. He didn't have the time.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The ball began after dusk and the court of night mares burned after. No one knew how long it burned from the inside or when the snow on the mountain melted away into rivers but many felt the rumbling as the ground broke and saw an enormous blazing mushroom break through the eastern night court mountains. The night had turned to day as the fire rose into the sky.
Rhysand fought through the pain of feeling another's death and made a wall of darkness to protect Velaris. He only dropped the wall when the blazing cloud was gone.
Hours the mountain burn, what once was an underground city was now rubble, melted rocks and cooling obsidian. They had to wait until the late morning before heading there to search.
The inner circle and the guards of Velaris moved through rubble and withstood the residual heat to find her. After pushing through stone and obsidian they finally discovered the cavern path from the moonstone palace heading to Hewn City and what they found inside pained them. Azriel was silent fist so tight it bled, Cassian looked away unable to bear it, Amren couldn't even make a comment, Feyre cried into Rhysand's chest while the high lord stood starring down at Moriggan's charred remains with a brach like sword with glowing words still embedded into her corpse. The mountain darkened as he read the words.
We choose to die free than to live in your cage. Hewn city is yours but not it's people. The deal is void.
End notes:
1. The spring court doesn't have a lot of crime so the dungeon isn't always used. It's underground and basically the walls are leaves that can shape into bar, privacy room or other stuff. The dark bringer and shadow wraith who attacked spring to act as a distraction so the inner circle could kidnap archie are all there.
Also introducing hans. They're gender fluid based on white lily cookie and they focus more on magical combat unlike archie who's more focus on close quarters combat. Hans is the new general of spring court.
2. I really hope I'm describing Tamlin's thoughts well. He's on auto pilot, he feels nothing currently. Just heavy and empty.
3. There was supposed to be a scene where tamlin, keir and thanatos talk and make a deal using mirror communication like those mirror box from castlevania.
4. The plan was to move the fae little by little to spring and it took months from early mid summer to early autumn. The sun bombs beron made blew the wards outside which gave them an out, the places they bomb had natural small cave opening which the wyvern can get in and out to fly out and to make sure no one else knew tamlin made the deals. Keir also had a few talented daemati read peoples mind so those allied to rhys are left.
5. Here's my question, was hewn city destruction planned by keir or Beron, any guesses why they did it? Did mor deserve to die or did the punishment not fit the crime?
Summary: Shel is interrogated after poisoning Tamlin, archie and others funeral rite was done. Mor complains about having to do her and not being able to attend Feyre's ball. Elain is lucid during the ball and talks to lucien who's trying to save her. Almost a year of planing comes to fruition.
Author's notes: Go listen to midnight sun. Also longest chapter.
"You will speak the truth in return for nothing." Tamlin offered the deal hand extended towards Shel in her dryad form. The two were seated on a wooden chair in a room with walls made out of willow tree branches softly illuminated by fae lights floating around like stars and stone floors. The room had a bed which Shel won't use and a table with books. It felt almost cozy for a dungeon.
"You knew the consequences yet you still did it, why?" Tamlin inquired eyes narrowed and for a moment his eyes shifted into slits like a feline.
Tamlin watched as she shook his hand. It's been awhile since he saw her like this. Brown wooden skin, hair like vines and dressed in leaves. She looked like a child, a dryad meant to sing not to advise.
"I accept this deal," She replied calmly. She couldn't help starring at the male in front of her, she had never seen him without his beastly features. Sun-kissed skin, bulging muscles, soft forest green eyes, sharp facial features like a wolf and beautiful golden locks finally clean and braided with flowers complete with a simple clean white tunic and brown pants made for lesser fae to wear not a high fae. He looked soft, not a beast waiting to strike but a prince pretending to be a commoner. A sentry in full armour stood beside the prince guarding him but the tightened grip he had on his halberd and the sparklers of light made it clear who stood beside the high lord.
"Would you have regretted killing all those fae?" Shel asked back.
"You committed treason, Shel. You can be lawfully executed for this."
"For spring, for my home I'd gladly give my life." Shel answered and jumped when a blade nearly reached her face.
"DON'T YOU DARE USE HIS WORDS! ARCHIE WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN THINK OF KILLING TAMLIN!" Houyi shouted as he tried to stabbed her only being stopped by Tamlin's hand gripping the halberd's handle.
Tamlin struggled gritting his teeth as the blade inch closer and closer until he growled at the sentry, "stand down. Leave."
Houyi eyes cried glowing tears visible through the gaps of his helmet and let out a sharp exhale of air before pulling back. He glared at the dryad one last time before leaving, walking through the willow branch walls.
Tamlin shakily sat back down, the paralytic ashwood poison still affecting him. "I won't... I won't execute you nor torture you. You are my creation after all, you're barely an adult just a dryad less than a hundred years old. Had I....had I chosen different maybe you'd be different. I am sorry for that." He took a breath to prepare for the final blow, " by my decree you are stripped of your status and assets. You will never be able to leave spring court nor hold any official position until the war has ended. Do you have anything else to confess."
"I am in contact with Lucien Vanserra, his mate is under daemati and he intends to rescue her soon. I gave him the lightning mind ward to help. I also planned to kill Alis, your former maid who knew of Feyre's intentions and warned no one. I didn't but I made the guards forbid her and her blood from entering spring for life." Shel confessed without hesitation.
Tamlin sighed he expected that much, " of course you did." He relented and rubbed his forehead for a moment. "You'll be here for awhile until deemed safe enough, you won't be able to attend Archibald's funeral...I'm sorry." He uttered tired and stood up to leave.
"Do you still... do you intend to continue with your spell of unleashing living death?" She asked gripping her leaf skirt.
"No...I do not. I promise." He left through the willow leaf wall. The dungeon wall finally opened the wall turning into leafy bars showing the opposite side filled with shadow wraiths kept inside by glowing wards. They starred at Shel and she simply ignored them.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The funeral procession was different from Liliana's. It was a mass funeral for the many performers who died including Archibald's. Tamlin wore a white tunic with a checkered cloth wrapped from his right shoulder to his left waist while he wore a green brown checkered kilt. Many of the wulvers and those with hybern blood wore something similar.
Tamlin held Archie's halberd while bag pipes were played as the group headed to the cemetery.
Rows of satyrs and nymphs followed carrying their own wrapped in shrouds. Tamlin help burry them and arranged the grave offerings with the others. It was finally time for a speech and prayer which Tamlin was supposed to lead but he didn't have the energy to not with his weakened state. Houyi volunteered.
The high fae peacock fae hybrid stood on a podium made by Bron's wood magic. He walked up and placed his hand on his throat closing his eyes for a moment before using the voice volume increase spell like Tamlin had thought him. He exhaled and opened his eyes to face the crowd in front of him from the many sentries wearing kilts, the nymphs and satyrs awaiting his words.
"Believe it or not, I knew many of them. I listened to their songs, danced with them and maybe tried woo them. Obviously they rejected me." Houyi began.
A few in the crowd snickered at the joke but most listened. Tamlin in particular forced a smile at the joke.
"Truthfully I am terrible at serenading and dancing much to my fathers disappointment but drunks don't care about dancing in the pubs as long as everyone was having a good time... Bruce, Willow, Magnolia...I remember dancing while they performed, basically helped me tricked Archie so I could smash pie into his face." Houyi continued looking down at the podium with a gentle smile. He could do this, just talk about Archie.
"Archie as many called him or old as I say...he had a stick up his arse. He... he had old beliefs and we both didn't always get along...but after awhile he changed, brothers in arms. He..." Houyi struggled gripping the podium until it cracked. "He was fucking murdered..."
The crowd became wide eyed and looked at Houyi in shock.
"Those fuckers threw his body into some pit! We couldn't even burry his body!" Houyi yelled, sucking in a ragged inhale. The others weren't fast enough before he let out a pained scream and blasted the podium with a powerful gale.
The sentries quickly summoned their wooden shields defending the fae behind them as wooden shards flew threatening to hit. When they drop their shields houyi had sunk to his knees covering his mouth as he wept.
Tamlin went to him and pulled him up, only for the younger fae to wrap his arms around the other. "I-i couldn't...I couldn't save him... I couldn't." The younger fae spoke between sobs as he pushed his face into Tamlin's shoulder.
The rest of the funeral was a blur as others spoke. For the future of their children taken from them, lost love, old tales reminisced and comfort in grief. Eventually Tamlin separated himself from the crowd and headed to Archie's grave for one final act to end the funeral. Archie's grave had no stone, nor name. It only had his weapon stabbed into the earth, a place holder until his body arrives.
The high lord kneeled and his hands barely glowing green as the plants reached out to wrap around his hands before others followed surrounding the graves of family, friends and lovers.
He pressed his palms to the dirt and began to pray, "Tha sinn ag ùrnaigh riut, a Mhàthair Mhòr, a tha an-còmhnaidh coibhneil agus tròcaireach. Tha sinn ag iarraidh ort ar luchd-tuiteam a ghabhail a-steach don uchd bhlàth agad. Thoir dhaibh a’ choibhneas nach tug an saoghal dhaibh, agus gun tèid againn air coinneachadh riutha a-rithist anns an ath-bheatha. Dèan dath air na fearannan seo le dathan na beatha agad, agus gun cuimhnich sinn orra eadhon nuair nach eil iad an seo tuilleadh."
The moment the prayer ended the fae released the magic they were holding, releasing a pulse of green that washed over the land causing flowers to bloom, plants to grow and the land to shine for a moment. It wasn't as powerful as Liliana's funeral nor did it wash all over spring court but the land felt it's grief.
Tamlin remained until the end passing aid and compensation to the families of the fallen. He forced smiles and try to appear sympathetic but it was a lie.
No tears fell from his eyes, no nightmares came, no shouts nor doubt in his mind. Only complete silent and emptiness in his chest. He waited for the pin drop, for the dam to burst but even now looking at Archie's empty grave he felt nothing. He'd feel guilty if he could, maybe he'd smash his room again and again but he didn't. He felt absolutely empty like a heaviness settled in his chest and pushed everything away. He was just...empty.
"My lordship, you're needed in the western forest." A high fae appeared just as Houyi left.
He looked like a performer to Tamlin. Pure white long fluffy hair tied into a messy ponytail with white lilies growing out of them, eyes a deep green and pure brown skin unblemished nor scarred. He wore a loose long sleeve white tunic with the back open exposing his back that had patches of green that grew on his spine, the only proof he was existed due to a union between a forest nymph and a high fae. To complete his outfit was a pair of black pants and above the ankle leather boots. He was no doubt muscular and lean but he carried himself like a singer or a dancer even while carrying a staff.
"General Hans... they've arrived." Tamlin states almost like a question. When Archie died and he was poisoned, it took him a few days to get back on his feet but Hans held the fort ordering his armies to keep guard. Archie made the right choice choosing them as his lieutenant, now he was general of the spring court. There was no ceremony in his rise in rank, not when many grieved Archie's death.
Hans looked to him and nodded. "As expected...I can do this alone if you want to rest. Even with your resistance to poison you're still mortal."
"No...no. this is the first of many who'll come. I need to be there to greet them." Tamlin replied hastily.
The general was silent but bowed taking Tamlin's hand before their surrounding blurred into colours as they winnowed to the western forest.
When Hybern attacked more 4 years ago, they spread their destruction from west to east before heading north. Had the curse breaker not sabotaged his defenses the death toll and the damage would have been less than what had transpired. Many believed his reasoning of growing the dark forest was to heal the land by turning the ravage land into a huge forest but only a few of them knew the truth. Tamlin had glamoured the forest to hide what he, Archie, Hans and Shel grew. They worked together tirelessly to make thick forest canopies that barely let any light pass through, they shape the larger trees into multi level temporary homes, Wells for water and other accommodations needed for a village. Dusk had come bathing the dark forest in mid summer hues of orange.
As Tamlin arrived he noticed Hans had taken a more feminine appearance, becoming slightly shorter and having a more hourglass figure. He knew of their desire to remain fluid so he didn't question it.
"I didn't want to appear like a threat." Hans commented as the two headed off to meet with several autumn fae surrounded by hundreds of small dark brown wyvern carrying baskets on their back filled with darkness.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
"Morrigan you need to go to Hewn City when autumn comes," Rhysand ordered as he entered the living room of the house of wind. Feyre, Amren and Moriggan were lounging on the sofas talking amongst each other while Elain was on the floor with Nyx playing with him, her eyes dazed.
"Wait what?" Moriggan question standing up, "I went there months ago, besides me and the others need to go shopping for new dresses for the fire night ball."
Rhysand glared at her causing her to squirm under his gaze, "did you read any of the complaints or sightings lately?"
Moriggan huffed like a child, "of course I did. The workers have been slowing down per usual due to the lack of food, more of our merchandise aren't being sold, more fae are dying to starvation, more noble houses are ignoring us. Revolts are low because of what you did but also because the people are too tired. There's some minor damages to the wards around the mountain but they're not big enough for escape, the living statues said they saw lights there during heavy storm but there was no other trace." She answered with a deadpanned expression.
"And what off the sales?" Rhysand asked walking closer to intimidate her.
"Are the lords of hewn city that desperate for wine and fine dining? Half a year have already passed since spring court denied food sales, you'd expect they've gotten used to eating like commoners." Amren commented taking a sip of her red wine.
"Always greedy. We should just ignore them Rhys, let Mor enjoy the ball. We've been planning this for weeks now." Feyre pleaded. She was proud of herself, a big ball to show the people they care and feed them. She suggested it after she saw most of everyone in the city not even acknowledge her and her painting classes attendance dropped since the nobles wanted to train their children other ways.
"Feyre darling, I can't. Besides, I've already fixed Elain for you. Mor needs to do this." Rhysand states firmly leaving no room for arguement.
"Why? It can't be that serious." Mor whined.
"You are the overseer of Hewn city, yet you fail to notice the sudden increase in trade this two weeks. Flour, grain, wood, even certain autumn flowers according to intel from our allies below. Keir intends to throw a celebration of fire night for 3 days in his mansion. Open to all. Don't you find that suspicious?" Rhysand continued. "Further, he had sent a formal meeting with you."
Mor was silent, then bewildered. "That place doesn't celebrate fire night. At least not to this extent." She sighed and looked to her relative, "I'll go later that day. I just need to prepare."
Satisfied the high lord left, he's been sending letters and preparing for war. They intended to attack spring court next winter when they're at the strongest. Trying to gather forces with the other courts but also allies past the seas but it's been fruitless and Lucien has yet to reply to his letters.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Time passed like dreams for Elain, there were times where she was lucid enough to actually be aware. She realised months ago that her body was no longer her own, she had tried to scream but in dreams your waking body rarely listen to you. The only time when she was truly awake from the night mare was when she received visions, the flood of information flooded her mind overwhelming the daemati.
She had played babysitter the past few weeks, she had fawned over Feyre's paintings and agreed on everything they wanted to hear. She was made to greet and dance with others at the party. She awoken half through a dance as visions of fire in the sky flooded her mind.
She hated it.
She had escaped the party and headed to the gardens. She sat by a quartz bench and watched the fields until something warm pressed into her neck. She reflexively touched it and turned around to find an unfamiliar high fae but she felt it. She knew him. Through the glamour she saw him, her mate. "Lucien..." She breathed almost relieved.
The male behind her was black haired, pale skinned and eyes grey like moonstone but immaculately dressed in black but she saw through it. Like images fusing.
"Breathe Elain breathe. We do not have much time, we have to leave." Disguised Lucien pleaded.
"I...I don't feel Rhysand hand in my head anymore." She uttered bewildered and looked to the golden necklace Lucien had put on her. Simple golden threads wrapped around a clear gem carved into a flower with trapped lightning inside. "What did you do?" She asked relief washing over her.
Lucien felt his heart fluttered at the sight, the dress didn't suit her too dark, too tight but her relief? That pulled his heart strings. He breathed in shakily, "it's a daemati ward, the most effective one but we have to leave now. Rhysand is distracted " He pleaded offering his hand.
Elain looked to the outstretched hand then to the disguised male, "I can't...I can't leave my sisters."
"...Elain if you stay they'll bury your mind deeper. You'll lose yourself." Lucien argued.
"I wasn't the best sister to them but I need to be here...for them at least. Nesta is going to die soon and feyre will follow her bringing Rhysand... it would be cruel to just leave." She breathed and walked around the garden touching the flowers gently, "I'm sorry...for Archibald. I warned them...I warned them time and time again that if they murdered him...they'll bring forth destruction. The end of high lords and fae." She murmured almost dazed, her eyes looking to eastern sky.
Lucien fell silent, he couldn't take her against her will not when he made a deal to stay loyal to her. "Elain... there's still time." He says but he was unsure. The future was far but he trusted his mate, even now.
Elain picked out a wilted flower and crushed it, "no...we don't." She replied and turned around with an empty smile, "I wish...I wish we had more time. Maybe...then I could actually apologise for what I said....to learn to move on and maybe....just maybe learn to fall in love again. It wouldn't be fair to you if I try with you when my heart still belonged to another." She spoke as a few tears slip past her eyes. "Tonight the sky will light up as if there was a midnight sun."
Lucien wasn't sure what to say but he didn't have the time. When the ground began to shake violently until it cracked, he quickly rushed in to protect Elain.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The fire night ball was going to plan, the nobles were talking amongst themselves socialising in the ballroom while the peasants and workers were at the house of wind grounds enjoying the event as much as they could. Rhysand walked towards the balcony over looking the outside ballroom but also the house of wind grounds.
"Citizens of Velaris! Behold the high lord of night court! Night personified! Protector of the rainbow! Saviour of Pyrinthia and killer of Hybern!" Amren announced on cue after Rhysand gave him the cue.
Rhysand walked further and waved his hand regally at the fae watching. He looked charming wearing his usual black attire with a crown of darkness. Feyre stood behind him dressed in a dress made of chains of diamonds like she was a star while she held Nyx who babbled holding a plushie.
"My citizens, I'm sure many of you have heard rumours and falsehoods. All of us have suffered greatly because of them, this lies...spread by the spring lord himself. Our arts denied, our town crumbling and our wealth stolen but no more! Come winter, I and my mate will lead our armies to spring court and destroy our enemy once and for all!" Rhysand cheered and raised his glass to the crowd as they joined in.
"He will not win..." Rhysand ended and took a sip from his glass before he dropped it in surprise. He stumbled back in pain much to Feyre's horror.
"Rhys, What's wrong?!" Feyre shouted in a panic as she held him up with Amren's help.
He sank to his knees doubled over his forehead on the cooling floor and one hand on his chest as blinding pain rushed into him from a bond long neglected. It felt like his skin was peeling and his heart burned as if he was being cooked alive. It was too much so he did one thing he could. He yelled in agony while the ground trembled.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Hewn city was different, far too different for Morrigan's taste. She remembered Keir's mansion, a sprawling construct of black stone and sharp edges but today of all days it was covered in flower wreaths with crowds of fae heading in. If it were just nobles she could have turned a blind eye but what shocked her was seeing lesser fae and high fae dancing in the court yard together kicking red flour on the ground. That was too suspicious.
Mor was thankful she at least had spent time with the girls and went to Feyre's ball even for a bit. It helped relaxed her nerves but she wondered if she should have pushed her discomfort aside and allowed Azriel to accompany her down as a guard. It didn't matter, the illyrian was probably overseeing the ball for traitors.
She was dressed in a striking red dress embedded with golden sparkles. She walked in confidently as if she owned the place and shivered when she passed through the front gates. What hit her nostril was the intense smell of flowers then the amount of red flour dust in the air.
She looked back and saw the vibrating lines of magic wards accompanied by electric. Keir had improved the wards, she had never seen anything like this before. He was preparing for something she didn't know but she didn't care, if anything happened she could save herself. Not that anyone would harm the relative of the high lord. Everyone here was afraid of him and by extension her.
That was what she believed yet everyone walked pass her and even bumped into her without a care. Like she didn't exist.
Inside the manor was the different, water ways of fae wines were made for the party allowing guest to enjoy a fae wine river boat ride and also drink from it. She saw familiar faces already drunk and getting handsy with others. It felt too outlandish for Hewn city.
"Daughter. How kind of you to grace us with your presence, I thought you'd be in Velaris enjoying your high lady's ball." Keir greeted appearing in front of her with a grin.
"Maybe she was asked to leave, you know they hate us hewn city fae." Thanatos teased standing beside keir.
Red gold sparks formed around Mor's fist, "don't be absurd I am nothing like you two drunks." She snapped.
"Hear that, she's nothing like us." Thanatos commented leaning against keir.
"I heard, she believes she's different. If it weren't for your magic he wouldn't waste a second on you, that's the reality." Keir goaded and chug wine from his goblet.
"Enough games! Because of you two I am here instead of spending time with my family and if I were you I wouldn't invoke Rhysand's fury further after your last failure." Mor threatened arms crossed.
"Always so hasty, so unlady like.." Thanatos commented and stepped back.
"One final question...centuries up there and you never attempted to help us. Tell me the truth, why." Keir demanded and summoned the veritas, the orb shining as Mor's truth was revealed with images floating around.
Mor didn't hesitate to touch the veritas as the truth shined around her. She's had enough of the disrespect, the loathing and the annoyance of overseeing Hewn city. She would rather burn this entire place down than spend another second here.
"You want the truth? The truth is that you're a spiteful old male who enjoys torturing anything alive while flaunting your power and status! You and everyone here is the same, stuck in old traditions incapable of change. None of you are dreamers who can envision a better world. I am better than you, because I am Moriggan! The only dreamer of Hewn City and all of you...deserve to burn." She seethed her magic over powering Keir's. "Now show me your truth, what are you planning." She ordered anger spilling through her voice.
The veritas shined as images changed and sound followed. "I keir of hewn city accept this deal. To save those who wish to leave hewn city in return for freedom from the night, Tamlin." Keir's voice echoed as images of the dark forest, fae escaping and more appeared. It was overwhelming, they were escaping right under their noses.
Before Mor could process the older fae had stabbed her with a dagger through her lower abdomen. The blade quickly grew like a branch inside of her pushing several spikes outward the back and sides of her body.
Thanatos quickly followed by blasting her away to the other side of the room with dark magic that felt too heavy.
Mor managed to shield herself but the clear red shield cracked like glass, "You...you traitor!" Mor shouted holding on to her abdomen. She tried to return fire only for a spark to shoot which the two evaded with ease.
"Careful...that's an ashwood blade courtesy of spring court and...potent faebane poison courtesy of Beron." Keir commented while checking his nails.
"You...you can't do this! As long as the highlord doesn't interferes you may govern yourself! He won't allow this! You're dead keir!" Moriggan shouted as she pulled herself up using the wall.
The two males laugh, "look around...that deal is void. We don't care if he governs hewn city. He'll be the king of ash...and we'll be free." Thanatos replied.
Mor was going to shoot another blast until a familiar red hair appeared behind them belonging to their so called ally in the autumn court, Eris Vanserra. He didn't wear fine fabric but instead darker simpler clothes with a dark brown wyvern on his shoulder. A bored expression on his face.
"The last of the wyvern are leaving, there's no one else to take." The autumn male informed looking at Mor with disinterest.
"Traitor!" Mor shouted with the last of strength as she tried to stand without leaning against the wall. "We'll kill all of you! You hear me!" She shouted almost delirious as the poison dampened her magic.
Thanatos rolled his eyes, "ugh... you could have just slit her throat but you had to leave a message. So dramatic, Keir."
"As long as that half breed reads it who cares." Keir replied and the two drank weird liquid from a small vial. For a moment nothing happened until a cloud suddenly enveloped them and shrunk them down. Eris wasted no time to do the same before the wyvern perched down, the three going into the basket on its back before they flew away.
Mor struggled to stand, the faebane was messing with her magic. She screamed in her head for Rhysand but he couldn't hear her as if her thoughts couldn't reach him. She couldn't winnow as well. She had to return another way. "You! I order you to take me to the moonstone palace" She ordered a random fae infront of her who didn't even react and continued to talk with their friend.
Mor grit her teeth her magic sparking weakly, "didn't you hear me! I ordered you!" She shouted once more but none of the fae around her moved towards her as if she didn't exist.
Anger boiled in her gut spilling into her hands. "I SAID TAKE ME TO THE MOONSTONE PALACE!" She roared and released a burst of red gold magic, the power of truth washing through the cavern.
The glamour sustaining the fae melted away leaving wooden mannequins moving mechanically. The few actual fae in the party were lords and ladies that Mor knew were allied with Rhysand. They were drunk out of their minds, useless. She wouldn't fall here, she had to tell Rhysand they were betrayed by scum who she allowed to live. She kept her hand on her wound using what little magic she had to heal her as she staggered forward.
How much time passed she didn't know, she had walked away from the mansion and had finally reached the stairs heading out of the palace. In the time she was there she reasoned that keir or someone had broken the wards outside of hewn city, small holes so the wyvern could escape without them noticing. How long had they been doing she couldn't tell but it was long enough that the majority of hewn city had left. The place was practically empty.
She leaned against the cavern walls, she was too far to see the opening. She was tired, Rhysand still hasn't appeared and blood dripped from her wound. It was too much, adrenalin had faded and she felt the pain. She wanted to cry, to scream but it would be pointless. The cavern path leading outside was covered in a thin layer of red flour dust, the flower smell still lingering.
She looked to the opposite at the entrance, dark as always until a moment she saw flashes of bright red. A second later a thunderous boom echoed loudly through the path, Mor had to cover her ears to block out the sound as the entire space trembled.
No.
No. This can't be happening.
Panic filled every fiber of her being, adrenaline kicking in once more as she pushed herself away from the wall and began running upwards leaving foot prints. She felt heat behind her as the cavern continued to tremble more violently as time passed. The further she moved the more unstable her visions became, black spots blurred her sight as struggled to breathe.
She wouldn't die here. She was Moriggan, the only dreamer of Hewn city. She wil survive. She ran but the fire was faster eventually reaching the cavern path she was in.
The fire burst at the end of the path as Moriggan desperately ran, it climbed up the stairs faster than she could run. She realised too late she couldn't outrun and quickly summoned what's left of her magic burning through her reserves to summon a shield to protect her. It held for a moment but heat transfered causing her skin to flush angry pink. She screamed in pain until the shield cracked from the heat and she was finally consumed by fire.
Burning alive as a human was painful, your nerve endings scream until you felt nothing, your eyes would melt and your organs would try until it gave out. Burning as a high fae was worst, your body would desperately attempt to regenerate itself with magic extending this torture. She screamed until the very end.
Moriggan once wished Hewn city to burn, it was granted. She just had to burn with it alongside the allies of Rhysand and those who couldn't leave.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
From summer to early autumn, the spring court, the autumn court and the citizens of hewn city worked together. Moving the citizens slowly from their cavern prison to their temporary homes. The lesser faes, the majority, the labourer, the weak and the useless went to spring court where they reside in the dark forest while the nobles including the rich went to Autumn court. Beron could never pass up a chance to receive favours and night court's ores and gems.
The moving started small with the lesser fae and lesser nobles being transfered out. The lesser fae were easy, they only had to shrink themselves but the nobles had to find a way to move their assets.
The intense spending from the night court was to move their fortune out through trade without being caught but it was the main reason why moving them took so long. It angered Tamlin but it was Beron's wishes so he allowed it. Spring became a temporary bank for their riches unfortunately.
Calanhaf had passed and the last of the wyvern had arrived to the dark forest. They poured out from the baskets and were sprayed with the cure before they returned to their normal sizes.
The lesser fae kept close to each other, they've never been to another court let alone be welcomed to one. They were ready to attack, to defend each other but what they didn't expect was to be personally greeted by the high lord of spring court.
A silhouette of a half beast lord was seen in the shadows but what stepped out was an unfamiliar lord accompanied by other lesser night court fae. The high lord looked tired with bags under his eyes, wearing a shabby clothes with dead forest green eyes.
"Welcome to my court. I hope the trip was fine." The lord greeted as he walked forward.
An oread quickly pulled her daughter behind herself as the high lord got close. She assumed the worst, that the half beast would eat them but instead the high lord kneeled on one leg looking at them with tired eyes softly. "I promise you, no harm will come to you or your loved ones. I know what it's like to be afraid, to not know what's will happen but I assure you. You're amongst friend."
The oread slowly let her guard down seeing other night court fae there. Dark bringers, shadow wraiths, trolls, imps and so much. They didn't seem afraid.
"My name is Tamlin. No need to call me lord or high lord. May I know what your name is?" He asked gently.
"Theseia." The small oread answered peaking out from behind her mother.
"Nice to meet you." Tamlin replied gently and watched as the others slowly eased. He understood why, he wasn't in any rush.
"My lord...Tamlin. Is this it?....The sanctuary?" One of them asked hesitantly.
"This is the border. Close to it, I wouldn't throw you all into some uncivilised forest." He replied and stood up, "I have to inform you, many of the spring court citizens do not know you're here. In due time all will be revealed to them which is why to ensure the safety of my people but also the safety of all you. I offer you all the same deal. I Tamlin of spring offer you sanctuary. You will be treated fairly, live in peace and in return you shall follow the conditions I have set. Do all of you accept?"
The lesser fae looked amongst each other they didn't believe him fully but they couldn't deny. The nigh court fae knew not to cross a high fae or they'll be whipped so they accepted.
A rose tattoo formed on their chest like many other night court fae there. He had done this to every single of them.
The group were led deeper into the forest eventually reaching a village filled with night court lesser faes. The oreads had a path leading underground for their homes, the dark bringer and shadow wraiths lived in grown houses. It was peaceful but busy with many of them still moving. It was weird, they were being monitored but the few sentries there weren't armoured, they were helping other fae move and prepare.
The group was shocked. Each home was made for a small family, completed with furniture, cotton beds and even clothes for them. The shelves were filled with food and even a welcome card that they couldn't read because many of them didn't know how. They had never experienced such luxuries.
Tamlin helped them one by one before eventually meeting with keir and the other Hewn City nobles at the spring-autumn border just as dawn was about to arrive. The sky still cloud and dark with blue linings.
"As agreed upon our deal, Lord Tamlin. Those are the last of hewn city fae who can leave and willing. Of course those allied with Rhysand are left and cauldron willing. They'll never be heard from again." Keir informed. He expected many things from the half beast lord, a warrior, a political genius but what stood in front of him was a tired looking fae with no lights in his eyes. He couldn't fathom how someone so disheveled, commoner looking and lesser looking could make such a plan.
"Lord Keir, Lord Thanatos, everyone. It is my pleasure to formally invite you and your people to spring court and the autumn court. I take it Lord Beron has been treating you well. Where is he?" Tamlin inquired voice tired and heavy.
"Preparing a celebration in our honour, your lordship. You look... far more tired than we expected but your plan was a grand success." A high fae replied. Young, skin so pale veins could be seen at their arms, thin build with short curly golden hair and sharp brown eyes.
"He looks.... very different from our mirror meeting." Keir commented quietly.
Tamlin forced a chuckle to appear polite, "it's been a tiring few months. Moving both the citizens and the assets of nobles hasn't done me any favours... you look familiar. State your name."
"Lord Ciaron. Son of lord Keir, leader of the dark bringer brigade known as bort wall." The curly golden haired high fae replied and saluted the other.
Tamlin appeared confused for a moment before his eyes widened. "It's great to see you again, I remember you and your brigade holding strong against Hybern during the war. Thanks to you, the autumn and spring army managed to intercept. Be proud, you protected these lands from invaders and you are a great warrior."
Ciaron was silent, he didn't expect anyone to remember him but he felt his heart swell. No one ever complimented him this way. "It's...it's my honour." He replied with a genuine smile.
"Lord keir. This plan would have failed without your cooperation and your suggestions. Thanks to you, many fae here are able to be free of a high lord who hates them and will not suffer under a mountain cage. They'll be safer and live better here until the time comes to take back their home. You should feel honoured, you saved them. Not just the nobles but the others as well." Tamlin praised voice tired.
Keir was silent, he didn't expect to be praised because he was never praised for his achievement only for surpassing expectations. He stretched his magic to find lies but all he found was genuine.
"You....you care for them. For us. You genuinely care... but we are not your people. So...how?" He questioned.
"Ignore my him, lord Tamlin. He's clearly unwell due to the trip." Thanatos quickly interrupted. Questioning a high lord usually meant death but not here.
A tired smile etched itself on the high lord's face, "all of you have never seen sunrise have you. You've been trapped so long you do not know what simple connections mean. You've survived not lived, let this day be a new beginning for you... a gift." Tamlin waved his hand sending a gust that cleared the sky of clouds in seconds.
"I have other duties to attend, fare well for now." Tamlin said and winnowed away.
The nobles should have said more, invite Tamlin to the celebration but they couldn't. They were mesmerised as the sun rose turning the eastern horizon gold fading to blue towards the west. They were only brought out during war so this was a luxury they never felt. Some reached out feeling the warmth of the sun for the first time in their lives. A few shed tears while others felt angry, robbed of ever feeling something everyone felt almost everyday. It was cruel.
Keir looked to the spring borders, he thought he had done right in burning hewn city to the ground but now he worried if he'd lose the trust of the high lord who just praised him.
Tamlin walked through the farmlands heading to spring manor, each step he took felt heavy as crops grew bigger around him. He placed his clawed hand on his chest hoping the heaviness in it would lessen like before. He had help others, saved them, provided them a better life and more yet... he still felt empty. He used to enjoy this so why didn't it bring him joy. Was he ever this broken? He didn't ponder for long returning to rejuvenating the farm lands before he headed back to the manor for work. He didn't have the time.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The ball began after dusk and the court of night mares burned after. No one knew how long it burned from the inside or when the snow on the mountain melted away into rivers but many felt the rumbling as the ground broke and saw an enormous blazing mushroom break through the eastern night court mountains. The night had turned to day as the fire rose into the sky.
Rhysand fought through the pain of feeling another's death and made a wall of darkness to protect Velaris. He only dropped the wall when the blazing cloud was gone.
Hours the mountain burn, what once was an underground city was now rubble, melted rocks and cooling obsidian. They had to wait until the late morning before heading there to search.
The inner circle and the guards of Velaris moved through rubble and withstood the residual heat to find her. After pushing through stone and obsidian they finally discovered the cavern path from the moonstone palace heading to Hewn City and what they found inside pained them. Azriel was silent fist so tight it bled, Cassian looked away unable to bear it, Amren couldn't even make a comment, Feyre cried into Rhysand's chest while the high lord stood starring down at Moriggan's charred remains with a brach like sword with glowing words still embedded into her corpse. The mountain darkened as he read the words.
We choose to die free than to live in your cage. Hewn city is yours but not it's people. The deal is void.
End notes:
1. The spring court doesn't have a lot of crime so the dungeon isn't always used. It's underground and basically the walls are leaves that can shape into bar, privacy room or other stuff. The dark bringer and shadow wraith who attacked spring to act as a distraction so the inner circle could kidnap archie are all there.
Also introducing hans. They're gender fluid based on white lily cookie and they focus more on magical combat unlike archie who's more focus on close quarters combat. Hans is the new general of spring court.
2. I really hope I'm describing Tamlin's thoughts well. He's on auto pilot, he feels nothing currently. Just heavy and empty.
3. There was supposed to be a scene where tamlin, keir and thanatos talk and make a deal using mirror communication like those mirror box from castlevania.
4. The plan was to move the fae little by little to spring and it took months from early mid summer to early autumn. The sun bombs beron made blew the wards outside which gave them an out, the places they bomb had natural small cave opening which the wyvern can get in and out to fly out and to make sure no one else knew tamlin made the deals. Keir also had a few talented daemati read peoples mind so those allied to rhys are left.
5. Here's my question, was hewn city destruction planned by keir or Beron, any guesses why they did it? Did mor deserve to die or did the punishment not fit the crime?
WHEW sorry for the long wait guys, being employed is no joke.
AMAB Reader/Mahoraga, smut, Intersex anatomy (Mahoraga has a P and a V), Reader is a Zen'in/tamed Mahoraga, can be read as M or GN reader.
Overview: After years and years of your predecessors failing to tame the beast that the Divine General Mahoraga is, you've successfully tamed the beast, and for a new, much more perverted reason too.
You could count the number of Zen’in clan members that had faced Mahoraga off your own hand, because after a certain number, they had given up.
The “untameable”, the dog that bites the hand that holds its leash. A great power nobody could wield.The greatest waste of talent, just floating around unclaimed within the 10 Shadows Technique.
Until you, of course.
Notably, there had been a few great tries. Some sorcerers had managed to get a gritty hold upon the beast before being inevitably flung off, and the Fushigurou boy had been smart enough to use its vicious and undefeatable presence as something other than a controllable weapon. And of course, before the fall of Sukuna, Mahoraga had been given a chance to feel the thrill of being handled and owned by a winnowed master. The greatest appeal of Mahoraga -demonstrated so destructively by Sukuna- was his adaptive technique. Anyone would die to get their hands on it, so much that it claimed the lives of several clan members who were greedy enough to try and have a taste.
A shame, you muse to yourself. The narrow-minded reach of the Zen’in’s astounded you. They really thought so little of the magnificent creature Mahoraga was. Bloodshed? Victory in combat? All great only if you were a mule of war and shallow ego. To your utter delight, you’ve found the shikigami has a knack for just about anything if you put him and his wheel to it.
You were the curious type, and it's a wonder you haven’t killed the cat with how much you’ve been toeing the line. Your body is burning, muscles taught and bruised all over from your previous tussle, but you had wrenched the genie’s lamp out of the devil's lair, and now was the time to enjoy your three wishes.
Perched so politely between your legs, on his knees, was none other than the hulking presence of Mahoraga himself.
The shikigami is two and a half times your size, a bulking mass of muscle and power, and he’s all yours to play with, as you had so successfully managed to tame him. As if he’s just a scolded dog, you nudge him at the cheek with your knee, enjoying the way he shivers a little.
When Mahoraga is tamed, he practically becomes one with its master, a deep and irreversible bond. He is you, and you are him. Of course, this explained why Sukuna was so successful in wielding him in combat, other than his own set of skills in jujutsu sorcery. And also why your sweet shikigami was acting so shy.
He knew, through your now unbreakable bond, exactly what you wanted to do with him.
Gently, you reach a hand out to cradle him by the jaw, tracing your pointer finger down the sharp outline and stopping close to his chin. Obediently, he follows your touch, leaning into it subtly and chasing after your fingertip.
You’re sure the many men who have tried to claim him would call him pathetic if they knew the state their most prized weapon was currently in, but to you? This was beyond any kind of physical prowess on the battlefield. Here, with Mahoraga kneeled and keening at your touch, you couldn’t possibly ask for a better reward.
The fight had been hell, but with the way Mahoraga watches your hand fall away from his face reluctantly, you feel the pain and strife was absolutely worth it.
Even without eyes, you can tell he’s watching you, trained on your movement, and he makes a sound when your hand finds his face again, this time playing with the sprouting wings at his sockets, distracting him gracefully as your foot moves to press between his legs.
He jolts at first, and all 10+ feet of shikigami twitch. His hands are around your waist, immediately clutching to support himself, but when you tut at him, he releases his hold on you reluctantly with a little whine. You’d been teasing him for a while now, little gentle touches here and there, and you’d even given him a little kiss, teeth against teeth, pulling away before he could really get a taste and watching with utter delight as you watch the Shikigami slowly unfold from arousal right in front of you.
The Zen’in’s couldn’t have possibly thought of using Mahoraga for anything other than useless dick-measuring contests against other sorcerers. You would be the first to actually experiment, and so far, your little creative idea has sprouted nothing but good results. As if eager to prove himself of his obedience, the Shikigami had tentatively rolled his hips forward, tensing up when you push the blunt of your foot down on the poor thing’s crotch, the contact making him tight like a ball of fresh yarn. As skilled and threatening of a Shikigami as he was, it still took time for the adaptation to kick in. It didn’t come from no-where, or else the Divine General would be a walking cheat book. Sukuna would’ve blown up the world in the few hours he had access to him with power like that. But you weren’t disappointed, no, quite the opposite. This would only mean you’d get to take all the time in the world training your sweet little pup.
You had already begun to unravel him, and with another purposely stroke of your foot, his hesitant rolls of his hips become more purposeful, more eager, and soon enough he’s breathing shakily, a damp spot wetting the fabric of your sock as he shamelessly humps you like an animal in heat. Those massive clawed hands are bundling up your bedsheets at the sides of your thighs, staying true to your action of commanding him not to touch you unprompted. You didn’t even need to say it, but Mahoraga already knew what you wanted. A little more, and you were sure he’d be perfectly in tune to give you just what you need.
You’ve been marvelling since you’ve had him under your control, from the moment you summoned him. It was almost a painful distraction, to not pop an embarrassing boner mid-battle from the sheer beauty of him finally real and in front of you. The tail-like appendage that sprouted from the back of his head curls around your ankle almost affectionately, and you wonder if he’s even conscious of how attached he’s starting to become to you, or if it’s that bond between you and him that has him acting like this without him entirely knowing.
How cute.
Using your hand to motion him to back away, you stand up from your bed, watching with amusement as Mahoraga sulks while he pulls away from you, clenching his legs together almost like he’s embarrassed. A stark contrast to how he’d been so eagerly chasing his arousal against your leg just seconds ago. You think maybe he’s too shy to continue, accidentally making a blushing virgin out of a dangerous Shikigami, but then you watch as he kneels back on the floor to reposition himself, one hand disappearing between his legs, and he looks up at you with an expression you swear is something pathetic as he starts to palm himself. The sound of the Shikigami’s shaky pants that are soon accompanied with a wet squelching of his fingers sinking into himself all go straight to your dick.
He’s preparing himself. For you.
“Now where’d you learn to do that?” You muse, taking the cue to start undressing, slipping off layers of robes until you’re bare, and Mahoraga whines at the sight of you.
Hypocritical really, when the pornographic view is clearly the Shikigami himself, who’s thighs are starting to shake from the pace his hand is going at between his thighs. He stops then, suddenly, sensing your desire, and slowly, he crawls towards you, on all fours, slick dripping down his thigh and leaving a wet trail in his wake.
Taking his hands into yours, you guide the massive creature to where your makeshift bed is, pushing him down to the spread of blankets and pillows you’ve made. You’re like a bird herding its mate to his nest, eager to press Mahoraga into it and breed him full with your seed. He sprawls awkwardly for a moment, arms out like a bit like a starfish and wings fluttering at the side of his head in a flustered movement, but then he parts his legs, tail-like appendage flicking towards you, almost like he’s beckoning you forward.
And it’s more than enough of the confirmation you need.
You’ve been restraining your patience for so long, trying to be a good role model for a Shikigami still learning how to take cock, but no more of that. As soon as you’re on top of him, you’re pressing another kiss to his mouth.
You kiss him like waves crashing against sea-rocks, abrasive and hungry and parting away only to come back for more, again and again. His fangs clash against yours in a messy fit, but as soon as he finds a rhythm against you, he’s learning, adapting, changing himself to suit you. Speaking of change, you’ve noticed that Mahoraga has quite a few assets for you to take advantage of. The Shikigami is huge, much like the rest of himself, thick cock tapping against his abdomen in full arousal the more you kiss and explore him with your hands. The girth would please you if it weren’t for the fact that you weren’t the type to be putting it to any use. Which Mahoraga didn’t seem to mind at all, as he eagerly guided your hands past his bobbing cock, and amidst your curiosity, you heard the resounding click of the wheel above his head turning in one motion. Gently, he presses your fingers against a warm and pulsing slit.
Adaptation was indeed his finest skill, and the Shikigami had chosen to hone it to craft an aching cunt for you to fill and breed.
He jolts when your fingers sink in, just two for now, dipping in to test the waters, and he makes a hoarse cry as you slowly stroke the entrance, pressing deep to play at sinking in, only to pull back. It doesn’t take long before his hot breath is fanning over your throat, clinging to you like he’ll die if he lets go and desperately rocking his hips down three of your fingers, soon to be four.
Your wrist movement is practiced, a repetitive stroke of how you’d imagined it in your mind ever since you had been bestowed the 10 shadows technique. Your ancestors would smite you down for defiling their most prized Shikigami, but you couldn’t give a lesser damn, not with the great Mahoraga whining for your cock, at your disposal on your bed.
You move him closer to you just slightly, letting his hips sit against your thighs so you can comfortably line up the tip of your cock to kiss his wet pussy lips, and he says a garbled mix of your name and “please” before you’re snapping your hips forward to thrust in.
Four fingers were nothing compared to your cock, but Mahoraga wasn’t exactly just any virgin. For a moment, his walls flutter and clench desperately, taking the intrusion shakily, and the shikigami’s back draws up into an arch, muscles twitching with tension, but then he’s slick and easy to slide into after a couple thrusts, and the wheel clicks again as you bottom out, fully sheathed in the tight embrace of Mahoraga’s cunt. He tightens around you. Arms and legs wrapping around you and even pressing his head to nuzzle against the top of your head before he tries to move, but you beat him to it. Your first full thrust is experimental, but when the Shikigami doesn’t falter from the rut of your hips, you pick up the pace, going from an eager fuck to a pounding rhythm.
His whiny pants turn to full blown moans, claws sinking into the meat of your back, threatening to tear. A particularly mean thrust that gets the tip of his cock rubbing between your abdomen and his clit pressed up against you has him keening, a pleased sob tearing its way out of his throat as his cunt tightens threateningly around you, close to an orgasm.
“Not yet.” You snarl, hands digging into the flesh of his hips, and you’re maneuvering him down to greet each thrust.
For such a big Shikigami, he seems so small against you like this, and you are handling him surprisingly well. He’s achingly vulnerable, grinding down to meet each time you fuck into him, and his mewls are becoming shaky, breathily higher in pitch, and as hard as he seems to be holding on for you, the poor thing is drastically close to orgasm.
Click.
Changing position, you push him down into the soft layering of blankets and pillows across the floor, and he follows you easily, a fluid motion. He calls your name between whines, wet folds clenching rapidly around you, and you switch the pace, brutal and animalistic like it’s your mission to have him bred, and it doesn't take long before he’s cumming instantly, wet slick gushing from his cunt and thick white ropes spurt from the tip of his cock simultaneously, coming untouched with a wail. The wings at his head are flared out and taught with pleasure, trembling through his orgasm and softly panting.
The wheel has turned several times but you’d not been counting at this point, burying your face into the crook of his neck just as your own cock bursts deep inside him, heavy thick seed spilling into his womb. Mahoraga shudders, clamping around both you and your cock, not wasting a drop of what you have to offer. Your back is scratched raw, dried blood crusting at the corners of some of the deeper wounds, and he almost seems apologetic with the way he traces the edges of them with a clawed finger.
It’s a gorgeous sight, looking down at the strongest thing your entire clan has slaved away to dominate, only for you to succeed and claim him like this. The Shikigami’s chest rises and falls heavily, taking in as much air as he can get, thighs fallen to the side and covered in slick and sweat. From his shoulders-up he’s a rosy flushed colour, wings pink at the tips and joints, and shyly folded, as if trying to cover his face.
Beautiful.
When you try to pull out however, instead of complying, his legs tighten suddenly around you, hands coming to paw at you almost pleadingly. His wings have unfolded slightly, and though eyeless, it’s like he’s peering at you.
“Again?” He pleads.
A/N: I have alwayssss considered Mahoraga as an option but no one's written it so I figured I'd be the first to step up. Never limit your freakiness my friends.
white people really cant give a shit abt anyone but themselves unless held at gunpoint or smth huh?
“what about the poor little white kids just trying to have fun?” what about the poor little kids of color made to feel unsafe and unwelcome in a space that was supposed to be fun?
“why can’t poc just make their own redesigns and we can keep these ones” why cant you realize that your actions have consequences and that you should maybe try to not enforce racist stereotypes??
like ofc its ideal to have VARIETY among both villains AND protagonists, its when your characters look like this
that the issue arises
scratch “can”, white people are encouraged to reblog
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Look girl dad tam is cool and all but I think it’s kinda born from the idea that his issue was misogyny and raising a daughter would force him to reconsider that flawed mindset even though his issue was never misogyny. Him having a son is more interesting to me; it would force him to face the circumstances under which he, a son in a patriarchal monarchy, was raised. He’d have to figure out how not to pass on his flaws to his male kid, who he’d more easily see his younger self in.
That's my idea too, I love boy dad Tamlin not because it's cuter but because it gives him a chance to actually face something.
"I love my son. I wouldn't let anything hurt him....so why did my father and brothers hurt me. Why could my own mother project me...? " Kinda way
He would show his son he loves him but he's riddled with anxiety from repeating his father's and mother's mistake.
Honestly there's also the pressure of raising him into the next high lord since he's likely the heir. Tamlin would want to raise his son normally, without having to prepare him to be a leader but he knows he has too so he'll raise him normally as long as he could then prepare him.
Bonus point if his son isn't pure high Fae like him but he's a half breed with either a lesser Fae or a human. His son would be subjugated to racism from outside of spring court same way Rhys was when he was young.
Author's note: So I did the math, I've been writing longer unintentionally and I use the notes app for fanfic writing.
The notes end up to 20+ pages, that means to keep up weekly updates I need to write 3-4 pages a week.
Summary: After Feyre and Rhysand was humiliated they decided to take revenge much to the misfortune of the spring court
Velaris was covered in snow as the last days of winters arrived. The streets weren't as joyous with more and more buildings showing neglect. Potholes weren't being filled, food variety was low just beans and meat. It felt dead but Rhysand's study was different it was filled with living rage as the High lord starred down at the members of the inner circle.
Rhysand sat at his table looking at all of them tapping his fingers, "Centuries the night court stood unchallenged, my title unchallenged but in a matter of a year everything has gone to shit. Our coffers are bleeding, food is scarce, other courts and kingdoms barely buy from us anymore and worst of all? All of you failed! How is it we're being outsmarted by a male who spent years as a beast?!" Rhysand questioned his cabinet his voice becoming louder as he spoke. Just days ago he was humiliated by his enemy and worst he realised just how badly he was played.
Everyone was silent and stood uncomfortable except for Amren who was seating leisurely drinking red wine, "I told you'd regret sparring him." She commented earning a glare from the high lord.
"You're a useless failure." Rhysand snapped and waved his hand as tendrils of darkness grabbed Amren forcing her to stand. "I kept you because you were useful once. You could stop armies and had knowledge now... you can't even get our seer to work!" Rhysand scolded as a tendril wrapped around her neck, "I want you to find a solution or you're done." He seethed then looked to the others.
"If Lucien hadn't been there. Things might have went differently," Morrigan defended herself with her arms crossed.
"If? Do not blame your failures on the only fae in this entire court who's actually useful. He at least managed to keep us afloat." Rhysand snapped at her.
"You trust that traitor?" Azriel questioned only for unfamiliar dark tendrils to rise from his own shadows binding his limbs including his mouth and forced him to kneel.
"You do not get to speak...you lied. You told me he made a deal with you to not hurt me and my mate. Now she's lost the powers of spring....your incompetence lately has left much to be desired. Do you even deserve to stand by my side?" Rhysand seethed as he walked towards the other his clawed finger under Azriel's chin forcing him to look up.
"Is anyone here worthy of being by my side?" Rhysand questioned his eyes on all of them as his wings spreading to make himself larger.
Cassian who's been standing at the back silent slowly walked forward, "the general of spring court, Archibald. If we have him we can weaken that golden bastard."
Rhysand folded his wings in and narrowed his eyes at the male, "I'm reluctant to hear out your plans, Cas. Considering you've been struggling to control your mate but I'll allow it. Speak."
"I may have lost my wings but I am still General. I know the amount of males, the weaponry and strategies that my court uses. The general of spring is the same, if we interogate him we can weaken that golden bastard's army before war." Cassian explained.
"And...can you plan such things?" Rhysand pressed.
"A diversion and Azriel will be needed but I can do it. I can still be of use to you." The general expressed almost pleading.
Rhysand was silent almost judging, "do not disappoint me, brother. I cannot appoint you general but I can make you my court's strategist if you succeed."
"I won't let you down." Cassian replied and bowed.
"I want to see the exact detail of the deal. Stay put." Rhysand warned and placed his hand on Azriel's forehead. Rhysand scanned through the deal but it felt weird. One moment Azriel was bleeding and then he was suddenly fine making deals with Tamlin. It took him a few times to understand what had happened before Azriel was released from the shadow binds.
"You didn't lie." Rhysand huffed and stepped back, "that bastard glamoured your memories. Made you think you did. If you want to prove yourself... to redeem your honour I suggest you help." Rhysand dismissed them. Everyone left but the two illyrians brothers left one stomping and the other with shadows curling around him.
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"Stay away from my son!" A satyr shouted inside a hall his eyes on the shadow wraith holding his son hostage a blade near his chest.
"You should have never sang for your high lord," the wraith spoke and stabbed the child through it's heart.
At the spring court Tamlin who was in a meeting with his court members suddenly clutched his chest as pain flooded the high lord's bond. The blonde haired lord grit his teeth head pressed into the table while he clutched the table hard until it cracked.
"By the cauldron- lordship I know you dislike the idea but hear me out please. If we do this you do not have to shoulder the burden Calanamai alone, others could join-" "send order to every performer, get everyone home. Now!" Shel defended her reasoning only to be interrupted by Tamlin.
"Princey? Did someone die?" Archie was the first to ask and the high lord child only nod.
"A child." He answered clutching his chest tightly. That answer had everyone moving but the pain didn't end there. For weeks the torment continued as the fae he sent out died one by one. Some managed to survive by fighting back or escaping, a few managed to kill the wraiths but each death sent a wave of pain towards Tamlin's heart. It wasn't as strong as before but each death made his knees wobble and chest feel like it was stabbed.
"Most have returned your lord ship." Shel informed looking at the mess Tamlin had become. He looked restless eyes bloodshot and hair unkempt. "You should rest."
"Most... why not all? I told all of them to return yet why do a few choose to continue? It doesn't make sense." Tamlin complained rubbing his forehead.
"The night court is like a cornered animal, doing anything and everything even murder. It doesn't care if they're breaking fae law by assassinating spring performers in other courts but... this feels off. As if they want to hurt just to hurt." Houyi pondered.
"Why doesn't matter. Shel send in the birds, force them to get back to spring no matter what." Tamlin ordered.
"Why- Tamlin ye overgrown arse. What do you mean why?! You gave these fae homes. Honoured the dead and spend time with them. They'll gladly lay down their lives for ye and this court! Does their sacrifice mean nothing to yer?" Archie scolded offended on behalf of the performers.
"I DON'T WANT THEM DIE!" Tamlin roared getting up from his chair as a blast of wind scattered papers around them. The lord growled and sighed. "I don't want my people to die." He repeated.
"Princey..." the older fae breathed. He felt sympathy but he also knew the burden of being a leader. Before he could offer more comfort one of the guards rushed in just as Tamlin felt piercing pain in his chest, another death for him to feel.
"Emergency! We're under attacked! Dark bringers and shadow wraiths seen at the northern borders! Less than a hundred but they're scattered " Bron shouted frantically.
Silver liquid flowed out of Shel's body to her hand turning into the mirror of everywhere, her ember eyes scanning the images on the surface quickly. "At the western borders too. I can count roughly 40 maybe less at the north but about 8 at the western borders. They're attacking the farmers." She informed then looked to Tamlin.
The high lord glowed gold for a moment as golden leaves grew all over his body and turned into his armour. " Houyi, with Archie. I'm headed to the north. Archie head to the west, take a small group. If he or any of his trusted butchers are there you retreat. That's an order." The high lord ordered as he summoned a halberd far thicker than the normal ones.
"We're not done. Ye come back safe, lad." Archie demanded as the high lord left.
The night was brutal for the citizen's of spring that day. They were supposed to be resting, to get ready to work or leisurely spend their time before dawn breaks but instead of sleeping the farmers were running, barns were being burnt and chaos spread at the northern and southern spring court lands.
It took hours for the threat to be contained but before the sun was up all the night court fae had been captured yet it wasn't over. Those who were alive were captured, bound by plants that glowed so they couldn't escape into the shadows.
They were brought to the southern spring court lands at a forest edge. It was dark with only the light of the plants tied around the night court fae dimly illuminating the place. They were brought there for interrogation.
"Where is he?" A tall looming figure obscured by the darkness with sharp antlers, sharp talons for fingers tips, feline like legs and mix matched wings asked. The darkness hid him and the only proof he was there was his beastly emerald green eyes that seemed to reflect light.
The dark bringer kneeling in front of the half beast scoffed. He had enough confidence despite his hands being tied up behind his back, held down by a sentry and made to kneel with the glow of the binds showing his dark grey skin. "You think you scare me? I am loyal to the nigh-" He couldn't even finish talking before his face cave into his head by a simple push of a hand by the shadowy figure.
"Where is my friend?" The figure asked again this time to a shadow wraith being held by
"We-we...we don't know. Please...please don't kill me." A shadow wraith begged terrified but a second later a gold glowing taloned hand crushed her head with a sickening crunch.
"Where is Archibald?!" The half beast finally roar as thunder cracked behind him illuminating the dark forest for a moment.
The sentries tensed a few visibly tightened their hold on their prisoners as Tamlin walked to the next victim. He was no torturer, if they didn't answer he'd kill them. He had no time to waste and didn't care if others hated him for this. His only focus now was to save Archie because he knew the night court and he couldn't afford to lose anymore of his people.
The half beast lord was about to cave another night court fae's face in until a flash of light stopped him as Houyi appeared infront of him.
"That's enough!" The half peacock fae hybrid pleaded placing himself between his high lord and the prisoner. He was afraid, more than anything because he didn't know if he was talking to the guy he splashed apple cider at or the beast that the high lord kept in check. He could hear his own beating like a wild drum but he forced himself to look. "Please.... you told me you want to help them...so please stop. Shel we'll find him...please...stop." The hybrid begged unable to stomach the cruelty or the piling of dead bodies after each question.
The high lord growled at the other but turned away, "send them to the dungeon. Now!" He barked and the sentries moved quickly dragging the night court fae away.
Houyi stood there unmoving for a moment before he finally sank to his knees holding on to his chest. He was afraid but more than that he was disgusted. He looked to his side and watched silently as a spriggan dragged the piles of bodies away leaving a trail of blood that the plants would no doubt feed on. He didn't care for the night court fae, he didn't even know them but to execute them one by one like that, he couldn't stomach the brutality.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The inner circle had planned this kidnapping for days. It started with the murder of spring performers for daring to speak against their high lord and high lady. It was to strike fear in Tamlin's heart and when everything was falling apart they attacked.
Cassian planned everything with some suggestion from Azriel and Feyre's help. They trained the dark bringers and shadow wraiths to stay hidden within shadows before sending them out to spring court at the north and western gates with autumn flame seeds. Getting in was easy, they only had to hide themselves in the shadows of those entering but escaping was hard. Cassian ordered them to steal from and burn the farms then to escape. Of course they failed after being sealed in by the ashwood wall and the layers of wards, not that the inner circle cared. They were pawns for the real mission. A diversion.
The real plan happened at the western borders. It was Cassian's revenge for having his wings taken away, Azriel's revenge for having his memories tampered and Feyre's revenge for the recent trick.
They hated him and they would succeed as usual. They knew Tamlin would charge into battle to protect their people and he would send others to deal with the smaller battle at the west. They only had to wait.
Azriel flew towards Spring court's skies with Feyre carried by him. Feyre used Autumn's as well as Day's magic to carve a hole into the wards in the sky just as the shadow wraiths and dark bringers began rampaging. The two waited in the sky hidden in the darkness until they descended like winged death. The two striked when Houyi, Archibald and their conroi of sentries arrived armed with shinning weapons that weakened the night. Azriel wanted to get even, to capture both the emissary and the general but he couldn't get close especially when Houyi was already shooting light daggers at him. In the end he had to divert Houyi's attention while Feyre subdued the general.
"Tell him i did it, i want him to know it was me." Azriel spoke as the two clashed before he disappeared with Archibald. The three sinking into shadows before disappearing.
Azriel left with a smirk but he will cherish the the peacock fae's shout as he reached out to save his general.
Unfortunately his prisoner refused to scream. The general, Archibald as he learned was resilient in more ways than one. He had noticed the spring court fae's legs in wooden braces and decided to them away first. He had broken the male's legs shattering bone, skinned them and finally cut them up piece by piece yet the high fae kept strong. Rhysand visited but the prisoner's mind was hard to read and Moriggan was called.
"I said show me the truth!" Moriggan shouted standing in front of a legless Archibald holding out the veritas orb towards him.
The stone dungeon was barely lit, not that Archie could see. Azriel had carved one of his eyes out and had punched the other swollen leaving him visibly impaired. "Is that it?! You're as useless as meh mother's weights yer snot haired bampot!" Archie baited even as blood spilled from his lisp.
Around her Moriggan was surrounded by images of the truth. Spring court but it was filled with celebration with every common folk including Hewn city and illyrians celebrating. She shined the veritas closer to Archie's face.
"Tell me the truth! What is Tamlin's plannin-AHHHH!!!" Moriggan let out a high pitch shriek as the injured high fae bit into her wrist hos fang like teeth digging deep into her flesh.
Azriel who's been standing behind on guard quickly moved and sucker punched the spring fae's head with all his might. Moriggan staggered back dropping the veritas on the stone floor holding onto her injured arm, the hand connected to it dangling as if already disconnected from her body as it dripped blood all over the dungeon floor.
Moriggan looked disgusted at the spring fae while Azriel punched his face. "How dare you," punch. "Hurt my moriggan!" Punch.
Moriggan felt uncomfortable as the illyrian punched the prisoner. Not because Azriel was going too far but because the spring fae was smiling like a madman. "Go on! Hader yer noodle limbed gobshite!" Archie shouted even as Azriel punched but his face didn't seem that affected as if his bones were iron and his flesh was hardened clay. Moriggan left soon after.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
"Have you found any traces of him?" Houyi asked entering Tamlin's study as Shel stood infront of a mirror her log like arms swiping it causing the images on it to change.
Shel shakes her head causing her droopy leaves to rustle, "no. Wherever they took him, it's a place without any plant life." She replied and was silent for a moment, "where is our dear High Lord this morning?"
The sentry sighed, "guarding the borders...he hasn't slept in almost two weeks. I told him to clean himself up..." he answered and looked down for a bit, "do you...do you think Archie is still alive?" He asked hesitantly.
"He is, if he wasn't I would have felt him die." Tamlin interrupted as he walked in. He looked terrible. Eyes bloodshot, his hair unkempt, his beastly features seemed to extend further through his body and his clothes were a mess with some of the fur poking out at the shirt cleavage as well at his sides. He looked like he lost some weight.
"Rest, Tamlin." Shel ordered but her words carried no weight, she didn't seem rested at all.
"Any news from the spies?" The lord asked curtly.
"No."
"Keep loo-" Tamlin suddenly staggered and dropped to his knees holding his neck. His face turned red, the veins on his forehead bulged while his neck became a map of gnarled veins as if he was being choked.
"Tamlin!" Houyi and Shel shouted as they rushed to him just as a deep line formed around his neck. This was the price of being a high lord who is one with his people.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The dungeon floor was splattered with blood, scraps of flesh with shattered pieces of both bone and teeth on the floor as well the wall. Azriel was thorough with his work as torturer. He had skinned, broken bone, stabbed, cut, deprived senses, humiliated and unmanned him. Rhsyand finally visited when he was sure the prisoner was broken.
"How are you finding our hospitality, Archibald?" Rhysand purred standing infront of the bloodied spring male tied to a chair with Azriel by his side holding a sledge hammer.
Archibald stayed silent his body leaning against the side barely able to support his weight, only the shadow binds around his waist kept him upright. In the past the older male would spit at his feet or insult him but Azriel had taught him better. The night lord wasn't sure if he could still speak with bloodied drool slipping pouring out of his mouth.
"Good dog, I know you'd finally be able to follow orders. Now... tell me what Tamljn is planning and i promise you. You'll be free." Rhysand offered leaning down to speak.
Archie's eyes were dazed like he wasn't fully there. It wasn't until he felt a stabbing pain in his head forcing his weakened body to seat upright did he finally look at the high lord. The spring fae let out an involuntary growl, his mouth felt light enticing him to speak more. For a moment Archie resisted until Azriel raised the sledgehammer and slammed it down his nailess hand breaking it in the middle making it L shaped as it dangled off the arm chair. Archie muffled his screams eyes glaring but his focus was interrupted allowing the daemati to invade.
"... 2 minutes... to speak only the truth... that's all I ask for." The spring fae struggled to speak resisting even now.
Rhysand stood back up and tilted his head to the side before nodding slightly, "it's a deal. Now... what is the truth?" Rhysand seethed sinking his claws deeper into the others mind regardless if the spring fae felt pain.
Archie gasped in pain as he doubled over. He breathed shakily and closed his eyes. "The truth....the truth is... I love Tamlin. Aye die for him time and time again if aye could... aye raised him since he came to the war band... he's an idiot....with a good heart."
Rhysand's smile dropped before he nodded to Azriel, the illyrian didn't hesitate to raise the sledge hammer and slamming it down on Archie's other arm breaking it. Archie screamed for a moment before laughing.
"I don't have to make myself clear. What is he planning, mutt?" Rhysand seethed.
Archie smirked flashing his bloodied broken teeth, "to save everyone... from tyrants. To save the night from monsters like you... he isn't planning for war... not yet. He intends to protects the innocent from you."
"What is he planning with Beron?" Rhysand questioned again.
"Aye told ye...to save innocents from ye." Archie huffed with a bloodied smirk.
The room darkened as if the fae lights stopped illuminating, "oh mutt..you know I can just dig deeper...push my claws until you're an empty husk... I know what you fear... I can make you live your worst night mare again and again without killing you." Rhysand threatened putting a clawed finger under the male's chin forcing him to look up.
A weak chuckle escaped Archie's mouth, "aye not afraid....of tyrants....especially ye...you've lost. Ye just can't see it..."
"You should be afraid." Rhysand replied and a wave of darkness slammed the spring fae towards the wall behind him. In the quiet dungeon only his laboured breathing and the sounds of bones breaking under the pressure could be heard. "Tell me the truth." Rhysand seethed as years of frustration spilled out.
Archie struggled to breathe, he could feel his own bones stabbing into his lungs. His chest felt like it was on fire but he only grinned. "I....I am Archibald... blood of hybern.... son of the forest.... I swore to protect my boy....to protect Tamlin and my court.....and I....I do not fear you, Night lord."
Rhysand charged into him as he was covered in darness, claws pushing into Archie's head digging deeper. "WHAT IS HE PLANNING WITH BERON, ANSWER ME!" The high lord shouted his inches away from the other as he pushed daemati further not caring if he'd break the spring fae's mind. He saw glimpses but nothing made sense, Rhysand realised too late that Archibald knew nothing. Only preparations.
His days here were hell, his body was broken and they uses ashwood dust to torture him. Archie barely had anything left but he could do this. His brain felt like glass starting to break but he didn't think. In one moment his face contorted as fur and sharps fangs grew in before his head reached forward to bite into Rhysand's throat.
The night lord reacted quickly pulling back just enough to swing his arm sending a slash of darkness that cut through the prisoner's throat and left a giant cut on the dungeon wall behind him.
Rhysand back away holding his neck his heart thudding as the darkness left the dungeon. Two thuds was heard, one in front of him belonging to a headless corpse and one behind him. He slowly turned but what he saw wasn't the head of a high fae. It was the head of a wolf bleeding out on the floor.
Everything clicked in place. Why daemati couldn't work on him or Tamlin. Fae brains and animal brains worked differently, no wonder he couldn't understand the prisoner's mind. He was a wulver, a wolf man of spring.
He breathed in and out for a few seconds, "I freed him from his life... get rid of it." He ordered Azriel before leaving.
The illyrian didn't say a word as he grabbed the wolf head and the corpse dragging it out leaving a trail of blood. He unceremoniously threw it towards a large hole connected to the dungeon where thousands of rotten bodies were at the bottom. He left soon after not staying to watch as what's left of Archibald's corpse began to grow white roses.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Elain was seating on the ground while Feyre was beside her holding nyx the two finger painting, a forced smile on her face. She was a porcelain doll to control and she was barely aware of her own existence until visions flooded her mind once more.
The seer threw her head back violently as she gasped her eyes turning white. "Silver fire snuffed by water and ice. The night stabbed through the heart and his love stabbed with salt." Elain announced before she sat properly again.
"Elain? Did you have another vision?" Feyre quickly asked holding onto her shoulders.
Elain let out a weak laugh before she began to cackle like a witch. Nyx frowned and tried to hide himself away from Elain. "We're going to die feyre....all of us... we're all going to die..." She spoke between laughs before she violently grabbed Feyre's shoulder shaking her. "Nesta will drown! Your mate will die with a sword in his chest! You're going to be filled with salt! All of us are dead! We're dead! We're dead! We're dead!" Elain shouted like a madwoman.
She was dragged away by servants while laughing away from her sister all while she repeated the same phrase again and abqin, "were all going to die."
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Night time at spring court felt heavier as if the air itself had become denser the moment the high lord of spring felt another's death. In the high lord's study the brownies, flower sprites and Houyi were panicking slightly, a few of them assumed he was suffering a heart attack like lesser faes forgetting he's a high fae and unable to be inflicted with common sicknesses. Only Shel knew what that pain indicated, after all through the plants she learnt just how dangerous the high lord's bond is.
The mess of bulging veins on Tamlin's neck and forehead slowly disappeared as he came to but his eyes weren't like before. There was no determination to find his general, just dark forest green eyes that looked lifeless.
"Tamlin, Are you alright ?" Shel asked extending her log hand to help him get up.
The high lord stood silent eyes downwards on the floor for a moment before looking up at her, "I need the mirror, its full form." He requested his voice devoid of all emotions.
Houyi who was previously panicking took a half step forward, "did....did you find Archie?" He asked afraid yet hopeful.
Tamlin remained silent as the doors of the study closed while silver liquid poured out of Shel's body and flowed upward to become a reflective wall at one side of the room. "Mirror mirror of my land...show me where archie stands." Tamlin uttered barely louder than a whisper.
The large silver like mirror wall's reflection changed. Once the image of the three, what they were looking at was a pit filled with corpses suffering various degrees of decay. It was barely illuminated but houyi and tamlin could see using magic.
The high fae peacock hybrid winced at the sight, "is this where they throw lesser fae corpses...where's Archie?" He questioned but his breath caught in his throat when he saw something familiar.
A wolf's head with white roses growing from it. They were looking at their friend through the flowers growing on his corpse.
Tamlin kneeled down gently caressing the image of Archie's decapitated head like the older fae used to do to him. Houyi's reaction was more immediate, his hand spark like fireworks and his chest heaved before he shot a blade of light at the image trying to shatter it. The mirror reflected the light blast causing it to fly past Houyi's head and hit the book shelf behind him.
"FUCK!" Houyi shouted storming out just as tears threatened to spill.
Shel stood at the back unsure how to feel. She's seen a thousand deaths and lived through every plant in spring yet this was her first time losing someone close to her. She expected tears to fall maybe but she felt numb, maybe because she expected it. "Tamlin?" She asked her voice brittle as she reached forward but pulled away when she heard a stiffle from him.
At first it looked like the high lord was stifling his sobs with his clawed hands, his body shaking but then she heard a chuckle. "He's dead... they killed him...they bloody killed him..." Tamlin spoke between empty cackles before the absurdity in front of him. He promised to protect them and now his general and countless of his performers were dead. He tossed his head back letting a thunderous laugh pulling his hair back in disbelief. He looked like he had finally lost it.
Shel said nothing. She was tensed as a statue as the other laugh. It wasn't funny in the slightest. She felt offended for Archibal but what Tamlin spoke next made her wooden body run cold.
"I'm going to do it...I'm going to kill all of them."
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Grief takes shape in many forms. Some needed more times than others to process it. A few retreat to violence throwing blades of light. A few pushed their emotions aside to prepare a funeral. A rare few choose violence.
It's been less than a week since Archie died yet the high lord was filled with rage. Not grief of losing his long time friend but pure unadulterated rage that filled his mind with thoughts of turning the night court into a blood bath. Thoughts of those who Feyre and Rhysand loved in front of them slowly. Here he sat in his study alone going through books while a brownie occasionally came in giving Tamlin a cup of tea, his only source of food for the past few days.
"Tamlin?" The door to his study opened as Shel stepped inside, "I've prepared funeral arrangements for Archibald and the perform- what are you doing?" She asked concerned.
"Shel... just in time. You have access to the plant spell grimoires bring them here." Tamlin requested coldly.
"Your lordship... I... we've suffered. Put aside the work for now. Please." Shel reasoned until her ember like eyes scanned the piles of papers on the table. "You're making...more ash wood beast?" She asked noticing the ashwood plant types, the spells and night court map on the table.
"No...I told you I intend to kill them all." Tamlin answered and tapped his claw on the night court map. "This heinous court... is riddled with corpses and death. It'll be used to feed the ashwood. It will disrupt the land's magic. Kill them all slowly and make a monster they've always fear-"
"-its efficient."
"It's genocide."
Shel looked at the male in horror and took stepped back. This wasn't the benevolent lord she knew, this was a male blinded by grief willing to commit murders of thousands if he wanted. He wasn't thinking straight.
"Tamlin... please. If you unleash that spell. You'll kill the millions we wanted to save. You'll turn night court into infestation of living ashwood that tear everything apart... if you do this you wont just destroy the night...youll make an enemy out of the other courts." She pleaded.
"What about our people torn apart by hybern! What off our people they slaughtered for simply singing!" Tamlin countered as he stood from his chair.
"There are innocents in those places!" Shel argued.
"There are no innocent!" Tamlin shouted and slammed his fist on the table breaking as a burst of air exploded from him shaking the room, rustling Shel's leaves and cracked the window glass.
"You do not care of the others outside of spring, so why stop me?" He asked coldly.
"I don't... but you do. You're grieving, tamlin. You'll regret it if you continue. Please reconsider, there's no rhyme or reason for this." She begged taking another step further back.
He outstretched his palm towards her, "give me the to atraxia's vault. If I syphon the silver flames, it'll be enough to kill that cauldron forsaken court."
Shel clutched her chest and backed into the wall, "no...no! The reason we kept it is because such powers could lead to ruin! If you fail you wouldn't just end yourself, you might take spring's magic with you. If you succeed you'd burn a court forever more."
"Give me the key. As your high lord... I command you."
Her body hardened as her woode chest unraveled revealing a key beside a silver mirror but it closed quickly, "I...think this over tea. Please."
Tamlin dismissed her with a wave and Shel quickly walked out but rather than heading to the kitchen she went to her room. She quickly tied a golden flower themed necklace around a wooden bird figure with a fox head letting it fly out of the window heading to an autumn male in the human lands and burnt a piece of paper, the smoke headed to a Prince of autumn. She kneeled down touching a piece of a floor in her room causing it rise revealing a secret compartment filled with vials each one labeled differently like nightshade, 20% concentrated ashwood, 50 concentrated ashwood and more. She was panicking, hasty. She hesitated for a moment before grabbing the curare vial and the 70% concentrated ashwood.
If she had a heart it would be pounding right now but she didn't. She was only a spirit that a tree had given life too. A brownie fae jingled down the hall it's tiny body carrying a cup of tea for its high lord.
"I'll take it, thank you." Shel feigned a smile as her branch hand extended grabbing the cup. She walked away while mixing the vials into the cup and mixed it before she stopped in front of the study room doors.
If she did this, it would be treason. She'd die there was no doubt about this but if she didn't, a court would fall because her high lord was consumed by grief. Thousands would die and whatever came from that spell would give other courts reason to attack her home.
She loved her home, just as Archie loved it. She pushed the fear out and walked in.
"Drink." She demanded and handed the high lord the cup which Tamlin chugged. He looked thinner, his hair was a mess, his clothes torn and his horns sharper. She wondered if he slept at all, maybe that's why he barely noticed the change around him.
"The key, Shel." Tamlin demanded opening his palm as he stood in front of the now fix study table.
Shel closed her eyes for a moment to steel her resolve, "If you do this...all the work you've done to save Hewn city...to weaken night without bloodshed would be for nothing. My lord....you would prove them right. That you're a heartless monster." She pleaded keeping her hand close to her chest.
"They killed enough...I won't let anymore of my people die because of my mistake! I want to tear them apart, make them feel what I feel then put them in chains! I want to show the world that they were right about me!" Tamlin raised his voice as his body grew as more of his beastly features grew.
"You're not a killer...." shel argued back and her chest unravelled once more the wood opening like a sacred chest revealing the mirror and key. "This weapon, that spell... it won't bring Archibald back." She uttered as she grabbed the key holding it out for the high lord.
"But it'll avenge...him." he reached forward and tried to grab the key but his hand miss. He tried a second time only for his hand to barely reach, confusion filled his face before his knees buckled under his own weight like jelly. He dropped to the floor struggling to breathe let alone move and reached desperately for Shel.
The dryad springgan hybrid, the advisor of spring and one of the most trusted in the court watched as the male consumed by rage struggled to breathe. The poison was paralytic and ashwood would concentrated would hinder Tamlin's natural healing magic. He could survive this if she acted now but she didn't move. She just watched. She noticed how his beastly features faded away leaving only a broken high fae on the floor.
She'd burn for this. If the others found out what she did she'd be given a painful death but it didn't matter. She'd rather both of them die then for such a horrid spell to be released into the world.
She won't let Tamlin become a monster and she won't let her home be destroyed not as long she lived.
"Somebody help! Our high lord has been poisoned!" Shel finally shouted slamming the door open for help to call. Shortly after help came and she confessed her crimes. She was taken into custody soon after but maybe this would be enough. To keep her high lord sane and force him to grieve.
End note: To those confused about Tamlin's spell. The ashwood spell wasn't his father's creation but Tamlin's creation.
His father's spell was the spriggan army creation spell (the same one he used to give winter a small army of pine forest tree spriggan in the previous chapters) while Tamlin improved the spell to create the ashwood beast that now act as a trump card for his army (ashwood beast like the serpent that attacked Feyre during the last meeting)
This spells gets stronger the more dead it has to feed on. If tamlin had cast the spell on the night court and figured out how to syphon Nesta's silver flames from atraxia, he would have done worst than what feyre did to his people.
The spell would have cause an infestation of ashwood plants all over the court disrupting the magic in the land which would weaken feysand but also kill millions of their people due to blind grief. Whatever created with that spell would continue to grow as more and more death would feed it and it'll eventually spread to the other courts causing imbalance which can also lead to day and dawn working together to take down spring. It's basically a plant version of releasing a slow moving nuke explosion.
That being said, did Shel intended to kill Tamlin? Sorta. Her main goal has always been about protecting spring and she knew if tamlin didn't stop he'd might actually kill millions. The poison was enough to temporarily subdue him for a few days forcing him to think but she also knew it had a chance to kill him. To be honest she cares for tamlin but she won't let him commit mass murder.
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Emerie grew up in a deeply sexist society, whose practises left her physically disabled. She knows that Rhysland and the rest are trying to change things. Not instantly (despite Rhys's supposed immense power) but they're making an effort. She is trying to change things too. She is building a life for herself, she is paving the way, going against the abuse of her family to run her own life.
Morrigan also came from a deeply sexist society, one that physically abused her. She got out. Now, if Morrigan decided to wash her hands entirely clean of Hewn City and everyone inside, that's totally fair. She was abused, and a clean break is totally her right.
But Morrigan was given an important role in the running of Hewn City, and has done nothing for the women still living there, still being abused there.
If Morrigan didn't want to help the women and other victims in Hewn City, then Morrigan should resign her post.
Don't pair Emerie up with Morrigan, SJM. Don't pair her up with Morrigan because they're the only two female leads who are attracted to female characters. Don't do that to Emerie.
