#hawthlain

Chapter 26 - The High Lord of Autumn

In the first chapter of Part II, our heroes deal with the fallout from Beron’s death. There’s one thing on everyone’s mind: Where (and who) is the new High Lord of Autumn?

“Beron is dead.” Rufus’s brandy colored eyes stared into her. “I have not ascended to the throne, as you so blatantly pointed out earlier, and neither has Ren or Neriya. So obviously, finding Lucien and Eris is of the utmost importance.” Rufus smirked at her. “We can’t have a Court without a High Lord.”

This post is a little different than others because this chapter is a little different than the rest. Ten months ago, I went through a serious illness. This chapter was written during the most difficult period of my emotional recovery. The things Eris says and thinks are the things that I said and thought. Let this be a warning for possible triggers in this chapter including, serious injury, PTSD, depression, self-hatred, misplaced anger, and more. This is not meant to demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms, instead reflecting the responses of someone who desperately needs help.

I want to give a huge shout-out to @iftheshoef1tz and @poisonivy206 for sticking with me and weathering the storm as I was going through it. The two of you have no idea how much you've done to help me get to this point. I can share this chapter today, in a much better place than when I wrote it, because of the friendship you've shown me. I don't know what I did to deserve it.

Here we are, 13 months, 24 chapters, and 126,312 words after starting this fic and you still put up with me and all my crazy, unhinged ideas.

I know the best is yet to come.

Chapter 24: Eris Ascending

Summary: As Eris heals, he and Azriel struggle in the aftermath of Beron's dungeons. They deal with it in the only way they know how: harsh words, impulsive actions, and sex.

Excerpt:

Rhysand sat at the table and beckoned them both to join him. “Now, can you both please put some pants on?”

I'm not even going to pretend to be reliable anymore. I'll post when I want.

Chapter 23 A Flicker in the Dark

Summary: Things are starting to pick up for our heroes. The frat boys train with the bat boys one last time before Flynn returns to Midgard for training with the fates. Meanwhile, Lucien remains in the dark about Eris's whereabouts back home while Flynn chats with Honeycakes and Declan contemplates same-sex mates. Everything comes to a head when Azriel feels something through the mating bond.

Read ATOFAF on AO3: Chapter 1 | Chapter 23

Word Count: 118,231 | 6,051

Thanks to @iftheshoef1tz @poisonivy206 @korrinamoe and Crysania for beta reading. I love you more than you know. And thanks to all my readers for sticking with me while I try to get my shit together.

Excerpt:

@headcanonheadcase challenged me to find four words in my WIPs: Summer, Happy, Eat, and Party. I found these across two fics: A Tragedy of Fawns and Fate (my CC/ACOTAR Crossover fic) and PBTDL (my unpublished Tharion meatloaf AU).

ATOFAF

The hot summer sun beat down on them, just as it had throughout that morning’s training session. Declan Emmet hoped he didn’t burn. Apparently, sunscreen didn’t exist in Prythian. With his light complexion, that was going to be a problem. He should have asked Lucien and Bryce to bring some when they crossed the rift.

Tristan had never seen this look on the male’s face before. He hadn’t been sure his father had been capable of emotion like that. It was almost like he was young, and happy, and carefree.

“Now you,” Cassian said, pointing at Azriel, “are going to eat something, then take a shower. You smell like an overripe onion that’s been left in the hot sun all day. And I’m expecting you at training tomorrow.”

PBTDL:

The Pearl and Rose

Summary: Tristan and Renei make an important decision about the future of their relationship over dinner at the Pearl and Rose. Afterward, Tristan finds himself reeling from the consequences of their decisions.

Read ATOFAF on AO3: Chapter 1 | Chapter 21

Notes: Happy Birthday to my long-time editor @iftheshoef1tz.

Word Count: 105,247 | 5,602

Excerpt:

“I meant more like this.” He hoisted her up, dropped the flowers, and kissed her deeply. It didn’t matter. They were already crushed, and he could always grow more.

A cough sounded behind them. Jefferies. They broke apart. “If you keep this up, you’re going to be late.”

“If we keep this up,” Tristan whispered against Terenei’s ear, a smile on his swollen lips, “then I’ll have no choice but to throw you into the back of that limo and mess up all that beautiful hair of yours.”

because life got in the way...but ATOFAF comes back tomorrow! What's next for our heroes?

Chapter Title: The Bro Code