Alt version:

And the stupid doodles <3

If you cannot read my handwriting, I have the transcriptions and stuff in the alt thingy (Hope they worked, I’m still such a noob lol)

Anyways—if you are celebrating anything today or tomorrow, I hope you have a happy one! If not, I hope you have some nice holidays <333. This was a blast to make (ah, Tamsand, my home territory) and I hope you like it too!

Prince Rhysand of the Night Court sat mournfully among the tree’s branches. His eyes, which sparkled like the night sky, were trained on the snowy mountains of his mother’s homeland, the Camps of the Illyrians. His wings fluttered behind himself, eyes fluttering slightly.

“Rhysand.” said a familiar voice. Cassian, his oldest friend. He fluttered up to where Rhysand was sitting, wings beating silently in the sunlit sky. “Your parents wonder about you, you know.”

“Do they?” Rhysand glanced up, eyes shimmering. “What worries them?”

Cassian hesitated, thinking about what to say for a moment. “Well, you’ve grown reclusive. Not speaking with anyone, staying here to look in the distance. You look like you lost something?”

“I have.” Rhysand rested his head on his knee, looking back into the distance. “A love.”

“Oh, so you were in love? What were they like?”

Rhysand let out a dry chuckle. “She was… the power of the stars. A curse and its savior in equal measure.” Then he leaned back, looking up. “And she was human, once, before she was fae. She chose to return to her sisters, vowing to remain celibate. She did not love me, as I loved her.”

“Oh, who was she?” asked Cassian, curiosity gnawing at him.

“Feyre, Cursebreaker of the Wilds.”

“She’s from the Spring Court!” said Cassian, eyes wide in horror.

The Spring Court was a longtime enemy of the Night Court. Across the Island of Prythian, the High Lords of both lands had been enemies for as long as anyone could remember, and generations prior. And so were their families and people.

Before Rhysand could respond, a rush of magic flooded the room, and a figure stepped out of the shadows. Azriel, the third of their unshakable trio.

“Rhysand,” he said quietly. He was cloaked in darkness, shadows clinging to his body like a second skin, hiding his presence. His eyes were pitch black, great pools of nothingness. It felt like you would fall through if you stared too long.

“Azriel.” Rhysand smiled at the boy. “How are you?”

“I’m okay.” Azriel looked at his nails for a moment, as if being cavalier about what he had. “Just scored us an invite to the hottest party in Prythian.” He held up three embossed letters. “Calanmai.”

Cassian’s mouth dropped open. “You got us Calanmai invites?” he asked in a hushed voice. People in Night did not get invited to the event, a great beautiful party to indicate the beginning of Spring in the Mortal World, and hosted in the Spring Court.

“Mmmm… not us.” Azriel smiled and his shadows fell from his body, revealing a simple tunic. He slid on a pair of glasses that obscured his eyes and hid his wings, turning them back into simple tattoos on his back. “Us.”

Rhysand and Cassian nodded in understanding, identical smiles alighting on their faces. “When is it?”

“Oh, like an hour, we can winnow there. Once you’re ready.”

Rhsyand stood up and fluttered his wings happily. “Meet back here in forty minutes.” he said, then winnowed back to the castle. He had a party to prepare for.

⦁––⦁

Tamlin was the youngest of the Spring Court’s children. His golden hair stood out in comparison to his brothers, and instead of desiring the throne of Spring, like his brothers, he worked in the army alongside the citizens.

Today was Calanmai, the greatest event in the Spring Court, and an amazing party. The party was meant to fertilize Spring, and bring around its magic for the next year, as well as bring Spring to the Mortal World, and the non-Seasonal Courts.

And the way they did that was through sex.

Tamlin was sitting in his room, applying his makeup for the event. Concealer dotted over his worst scars, a touch of lip dye, and he began to tie back his hair with a green ribbon. Alis, one of his personal maids, entered the room. Her eyes roved critically over him, her bark-like skin hidden behind a glamour for the day.

“Alis.” Tamlin said, glancing behind himself.

“Tamlin.” She moved forward and began to tie his hair up with the ribbon, practiced hands moving neatly. “Your mother wishes to speak with you.”

Tamlin smiled, a genuine smile. The Lady of Spring, Tamlin’s mother, was a kind woman, and a wonderful mother.

“Where is she?”

“In the garden.” Alis said as she stepped back, finished with Tamlin’s hair.

The rose garden was the most important place to the Lady of Spring. She worked on it all on her own, and only her mate, Tamlin’s father, the High Lord of Spring, was allowed to do anything with the garden, and even then, he usually had the Lady of Spring’s supervision. The most he’d ever done on his own was presenting her with a new, exotic, color rose for her birthday.

Tamlin stood from his seat and left the room, shifting into his beast form as he moved down the halls, this form allowing him to move quicker.

They echoed, almost empty as the servants were outside, working on setting up for Calanmai.

As he passed his father’s office, Tamlin slowed down, moving extra quietly so that he wouldn’t be noticed.

Tamlin didn’t fear his father, not really. But he was a strict man, and would disapprove of Tamlin… honestly doing anything. He really did not approve of Tamlin’s choices in general.

Once he was past the office, Tamlin moved quicker once more, exiting onto the grounds and walking around the side of the manor.

Sitting quietly outside the entrance of the Rose Garden, Tamlin transformed back into his High Fae form, dusting off his clothes and hands.

“Tamlin?” called his mother’s voice.

Tamlin smiled and entered the garden.

His mother was dressed simply. Her dress was a plain yellow-ish color, and fell to just below her knees, her boots having a very light heel, but they remained practical, and she wore a pair of thick gloves as she worked with her plants.

Her hair was a golden color, even more brilliant than Tamlin’s own, and it seemed to glow in the sun. Her eyes, a shock of green, were not in fact natural, but something she developed when she became Lady of Spring, at least according to his father.

“Hello Mother.” Tamlin smiled and moved forward.

The Lady of Spring raised her hand and pet his head lightly.

“My dear youngest.” she said with a small smile. She was turned away from the roses, a white rose with pink tips on the petals. Despite this, the gardening tools continued to work, as if they had a mind of their own.

“You’ve grown so much.” she said finally, a gentle smile on her face. “You know, I remember when you were little, you used to beg to help me in the garden. Then you got all scratched up. But that’s why you must be careful with roses, my darling. They can be… deceptively beautiful.” The Lady of Spring spun around, just in time to catch a rose that had been clipped off the bush. “Do you know why I have removed this flower?” she asked, passing it to Tamlin, who took care not to be pricked by the thorns.

Looking it over, it seemed to be a normal rose, other than a small spider web between the petals. “No.” he said finally.

“A spider mite colony has made its home there.” The Lady of Spring reached in and extracted the web of the creature. She smiled, sharp teeth showing, a dangerous look on her face. “They ruin the garden, if left to grow. But, we do not need one bad rose to ruin the whole bush. If you catch them early enough, you can remove the interloper with a simple cut.” She closed her hand around the web, and vines developed, surrounding her hand to cut it off. “When something is harmful, you must remove it.”

With this, her lips closed, smiling becoming kind again. “Remember this, once something has been infested, it must be removed.” She lifted a spider from a nearby bush, taking its web in her hands, and placing it delicately in between the branches of the bush she was focused on. “Otherwise you harm everyone.”

Tamlin nodded quietly.

“Anyway.” The Lady of Spring clapped slightly, and the gardening tools found their way to their home. “Tell me, have you met anyone yet? Your mate, perhaps?”

Tamlin smiled softly. “No, not yet.” he shook his head.

The Lady of Spring sighed, shaking her head. “Honestly Tamlin, you need to start thinking seriously about your future. Well, tonight is an opportunity. You know, I met your father at Calanmai.”

“I know.” His mother told this story often.

“And really, you don’t need to wait for your mate to show up. Maki married a delightful woman from Autumn, and she isn’t his mate.” Maki was his second oldest brother, and his oldest was Amarin.

“I’m just… not interested in anyone.” said Tamlin, flushed at the reminder.

“Well, your brothers will be coming to the ceremony, so be ready for that,” the Lady of Spring said with a sigh.

Tamlin nodded and stood up. As he exited the garden, the Lady of Spring sighed. Tamlin, as a member of the Spring Court Family, could never truly be free from his father. But maybe… Well, maybe he could find a way to a semblance of freedom.

She looked at the rose she had cut, which Tamlin had dropped. With a sneer, she stomped on it, grinding it under her heel. “Useless plant.” she muttered.

⦁––⦁

Rhysand approached Spring, his hair tied back in a short ponytail. He wore a simple tunic, borrowed from Cassian, and he’d hidden his wings. He wore a pair of glasses to hide his eyes, a clear indicator of his origin.

Calanmai was very tame, as it was still relatively early. People sat around the fire and gossiped. The Lady of Spring was alone, sitting in an elegant chair. The High Lord was likely already in the cave, and she would join him later

Beside her were three, far less ostentatious, thrones, for their three sons.

They weren’t sitting up there, which made sense, the party had already started.

Glancing around he saw who he thought was the current Heir, Amarin. He was tall, and he had a crown of thorns over his hair. He was chatting up a Lesser Fae, likely a water spirit of some kind. She was twirling her hair and giggling.

Rhysand rolled his eyes.

The two younger sons, Tamlin and Maki, were nowhere to be seen.

Then again, Rhysand didn’t actually know what any of them looked like. Though, presumably, the second oldest was married. The Night Court had not been invited to the wedding.

Cassian and Azriel were already flittering around the party. Azriel was sticking to the shadows, speaking to the women around the edges. They seemed to enjoy his mysterious appearances. Cassian meanwhile was in the middle of the party, dancing cheerfully. He had his back covered, to cover his wing tattoos, but other than that he was barely covered.

Women were draped all over him, smiling and laughing as he flirted, running their hands over his pecs and groping at his thighs and ass.

Rhysand turned away and made his way to the snack table. Cassian and Azriel were fine without him, and even if they were caught, they weren’t princes, so they would probably be okay in the end.

Probably not, but maybe.

At the snack table, Rhysand picked up a goblet of wine. He spun it around slightly and took a gentle sip.

Faerie wine was delicious. Especially in Spring. Azriel smuggled it a lot.

The Night Court had older wines, cooled in the mountains and aged for centuries. Spring Court’s wine was fresh, and fruity. It was bright and aromatic in comparison to the mellowed flavor of the Night Court’s. Though the fresh wine of the Spring Court was rougher, and less smooth than the Night Court’s.

“Have you never had wine before?” asked a voice behind him.

Rhysand let out a bat-squeak and spun around, instinctively moving out to hit whoever it was.

Standing in front of him was a beautiful blond male. He had long blond hair, tied into a braid, which was accented with a green slip of fabric through his hair. He wore a short green tunic, tied with a simple belt, and black cropped pants.

“Ah, I’m not used to this wine.” said Rhysand, flushing at the attention from the beautiful man.

“Ah, Autumn?” said the male, nodding as if this explained everything. Autumn wines were richer, according to what Rhysand had heard. He'd never really had autumn wine. “Well, that’s okay.” he said with a smile. He picked up his own goblet and swirled it before taking a sip. “Mom doesn’t like it when I drink, so I’m not too used to it either.” He sipped it again. “What’s your name?”

After a moment of silence, Rhysand spoke. “Rhys.” he said, sticking out his hand.

“Lin.” he held out his free hand and Rhysand shook it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Did you come with anyone?”

“My friends, but I think they’re a bit… preoccupied.” Rhysand glanced at Cassian and Azriel. Azriel was already gone, but Cassian was still the center of attention.

“I know the feeling. My brothers are already rushing off being horny. Well, one of them. I guess one is married so he has a right to. They’re pretty committed to each other for non-mates.”

Rhysand drank the wine some more. “That sucks.”

“It’s fine, we’re not super close.” Lin shook his head. “But it doesn’t matter when I have such a handsome male with me.” he winked and Rhysand felt his flush burn harder.

“Oh, umm…” Rhysand glanced to the side. “Thank you.”

“Aww, don’t be embarrassed." Lin winked. “I don’t say what’s not true.”

⦁––⦁

The male was cute. Tamlin wanted to maul him.

Maki said that was normal. Their family, by virtue of their father, were more beast beneath the skin than fae. It was something all of Spring’s High Lord’s and their kin had, since the Mother first created them.

Love, in their world, was a violent affair. They were beasts, so their love was rough. They fought skin and teeth and then patched each other up. They bit and clawed, leaving marks over their lovers.

At least, according to Maki. Tamlin was never quite sure how much he could trust him.

Either way, Tamlin knew that he wanted to tear Rhys apart. Leave evidence of his presence until long after Calanmai.

“Well Lin.” said Rhys, and his voice was sweet enough to melt Winter. “How about you show me just how genuine you are?”

Tamlin smirked and took Rhys’ hand. His hand was calloused, much like Tamlin’s own. Probably a knight of some kind then. A sentry from Autumn.

Dragging Rhysand off to the side, he caught sight of Maki. Maki turned to look at him and his eyes widened. After that, he gave a quick thumbs up to Tamlin. He and his wife then returned to their discussion, feeling all over each other.

In the woods, where the glow of Calanmai could just barely reach them, Tamlin pulled Rhys down.

⦁––⦁

Cassian looked up from where he was dancing, looking at the snack table, where he had last seen Rhysand.

Rhysand was no longer there.

Cassian paused for a moment. He hadn’t seen Rhysand leave.

“Ah, ladies, I’ll need to go for a moment, I’m feeling quite hungry. And I can't perform well if I’m hungry.” Cassian winked and extracted himself from the huddle of females.

Once he was free, he made his way to the snack table.

“Hey.” he said to a Lesser Fae who was setting out some new goblets of Spring wine. “The male who was here, did you see where he went?”

“Yes, he went into the woods with Lord Tamlin.” said the lesser Fae, glancing at him then glancing away.

Tamlin, the youngest son of the High Lord of Spring. Cassian’s stomach dropped. Fuck. Rhysand had gotten himself involved with the Court Family of Spring.

Cassian smiled tightly. “Thanks.” he said, then he walked away, trying to find Azriel. The Shadow Singer was in the shadows with a female, her red hair the only gie away in the darkness.

“Az.” Cassian said, walking over.

“Cass?” Azriel glanced up, the female pouting slightly. “Is something wrong?”

“Rhys went off with Lord Tamlin.” said Cassian, raising his eyebrows slightly

Azriel blinked, the worry coming into his eyes, just barely visible behind his glasses.

The female, however, sighed romantically. “Oh, how lucky.” she said. “Lord Tamlin has refused to take anyone, male or female, in previous Calanmai’s.”

Azriel turned to Cassian and the two had a silent conversation. They weren’t daemati like Rhysand was, but they’d known each other for years, and knew each other like no other, even Rhysand.

⦁––⦁

Rhysand leaned back onto Lin. He was strong, and his stamina was incredible.

“Wow.” it was all he could think, so he said it again. “Wow.”

“Females in Autumn not as good?” Lin asked jokingly. “Or males.” he winked.

Rhysand chuckled. “Well I can say it’s never been that good before.”

“Well obviously.” Lin smiled, a smug look in his eyes. “Maki guided me well.”

A beat of silence while Rhysand’s mind whirred through the post-orgasm fog.

“Maki?” that was the name of the second son.

Tamlin’s face fell. He realized what he had done wrong in that moment.

“You’re Lord Tamlin?”

Rhysand had fucked up. He’d slept with the youngest son of the High Lord of Spring, his greatest enemy.

“Yes, but please, I don’t believe in class, don’t worry!”

Rhysand shook his head, leaning back against the trees. Oh, he fucked up so badly.

“Rhysand!” called a familiar voice. “Rhysand!” Azriel. He melted out of the shadows, wings spread wide is a defensive position against Tamlin.

“Rhysand?” Tamlin looked at him, eyes wide. “Like, son of the High Lord of Night, Rhysand.”

“Like you didn’t know, flower scum.” spat Cassian, following just behind Azriel, wings spread menacingly. “Come on Rhysand, we don’t need to be here any longer.”

Tamlin let Cassian shove him back, falling onto the ground and grunting in pain. He glanced at Rhysand, and Rhysand looked at him before Azriel and Cassian vanished with him.

Back in Night, in the House of WInd, Azriel was muttering angrily under his breath. The House of Wind was cold as sin, even in the height of summer, so Azriel started a fire in Rhysand’s room, and climbed into the bed next to Cassian and Rhysand.

“You were being dumb.” Azriel scolded. “I mean, gallivanting off with Tamlin?”

“I didn’t know he was Tamlin at the time.” Unlike usual, Rhysand was turned away from the center of the bed, showing his back to the other two Illyrians. “He didn’t act like he was the son of the High lord.”

“Did you think he’d be like High Lord Beron’s sons, so stuck up and formal?” Cassian asked.

“He’s friends with Lucian, so it wasn’t unreasonable.” said Rhysand pettily.

Beron’s youngest son, Lucian, and Tamlin’s friendship was the subject of much gossip, considering the High Lords of Autumn and Spring did not exactly get along.

Azriel rolled his eyes and flopped over, falling asleep quickly, and Cassian fell asleep swiftly as well.

Rhysand sighed in relief and climbed out of the bed, being careful not to get caught.

With one last glance at Cassian and Azriel, he winnowed back to Spring.

⦁––⦁

Tamlin watched in silence as Rhysand vanished alongside his friends. He was a member of the night court. Fuck. How could he be so stupid.

Getting up, Tamlin brushed dirt and leaves out of his hair, walking back to the clearing that Calanmai was held in.

His mother was gone from her throne, joining his father in the cave to bring about Spring. Ew. Thinking about his parents having sex wasn’t exactly fun.

Maki and Jeanne noticed him from where they were standing. “Hey little brother.” Maki ruffled his hair. Tamlin, being no threat to the throne of Spring, was not treated with as much hostility as Amarin and Maki treated each other. They still fought as much as any Royal Fae Siblings did, but it was less hostile for him.

“Where’s the cute guy?” asked Jeanne, looking around.

“He was Night Court.” Tamlin muttered.

A series of emotions flew over Maki's face, so quick Tamlin couldn’t decipher them. Then he spun on his heel and marched away, Jeanne following quickly after.

Tamlin disliked Jeanne. She and Maki were perfect for each other, even if they weren’t mates, and for that reason, Tamlin hated her. She was like a viper, lying in wait. He shouldn’t have given her any ammunition, who knew what his father would do if he knew that Tamlin was fraternizing with their mortal enemy court.

Tamlin winnowed back to his room and turned into his beast form, as small as he possibly could. Climbing onto his bed, he nosed his way underneath the covers of the bed and curled up in there.

The moon drifted higher, and the stars, pride of the Night Court, glittered like diamonds above the sky.

Schthwip

Tamlin poked his nose out at the familiar sound of winnowing, attempting to place the scent. It wasn’t something like oak wood and fresh grass, so it wasn’t one of his brothers or his father, and it didn’t have his mother’s cloying scent of roses, that overtook you, and made you feel… stifled and strangled if too intense.

None of the servants entered his room, especially not on Calanmai.

Then it hit him. The scent of snow and the damp earth. Poking his face out, Tamlin’s eyes roved over the figure. It was Rhysand, but his wings, Illyrian wings that resembled and bat’s, were out, making his silhouette more menacing. His eyes were uncovered, and the look in his eyes, like looking into the night sky, was chilling.

“Tamlin?” asked Rhysand gently.

Tamlin let himself transform, body melting into its familiar High Fae form.

“Hello?” Rhysand asked, still looking around. He hadn’t yet noticed Tamlin was there, and the blond put that knowledge to use.

The Night Court was known for their incredible dark-vision, but as Rhysand wasn’t looking, he seemed not to notice and Tamlin let his hand move out, then pulled Rhysand towards the bed, falling to the ground.

“You must be more attentive when in an enemy Court.” said Tamlin with a shark-like smile.

“Ah, there you are.” Rhysand smiled, a sappy look on his face.

Tamlin stared at this fae, who had to be the dumbest bitch he’d ever met.

“You idiot. You shouldn’t have come here.” Tamlin could feel that his face was on fire.

“Why not?”

“I dunno, probably because it’s the biggest Party the Spring Court, the biggest enemy of your court, hosts!” Tamlin hissed. “And what are you even doing here? I thought your friends took you back to Night.”

“They did, but I liked you. You were fun to talk to, and I enjoyed our time together.” Rhysand said.

“Most of our time together was sex.” said Tamlin, though he flushed red at the compliment.

“But before that, you would talk so vibrantly. You told me all about the cat that your brother adopted and the creations you were a part of. That was beautiful. I wanted to appreciate it.”

⦁––⦁

Tamlin was clearly unsure, looking at Rhysand doubtfully.

“Really?” he asked, skepticism leaking into his voice.

“Really.” Rhysand nodded, leaning in and tracing a hand over Tamlin’s jaw.

“I like you, I think you’re cool. I don’t care if our Courts are enemies.”

“You should.” But Tamlin didn’t lean away from the touch, or push him off.

“You could kill my family, and I’d still love you. Probably even thank you for killing my father.” said Rhysand, with all the conviction of a man who didn’t know better.

Tamlin chewed on his lip slightly. “Then stay with me tonight,” he told Rhysand. “And if in the morning, your opinion is the same, we shall be married by the Suriel. He’s a horrible secret keeper, but he’d do it, if only for the gossip.”

Rhysand nodded. He’d heard of the Suriel, a creature that hid in the Western Woods of Spring. Neither malicious nor kind, it would do what it wanted.

Curling up in bed, Rhysand felt Tamlin’s arms wrap around him. His eyes drifted shut as Tamlin’s breathing evened out.

––

When Rhysand awoke the next morning, Tamlin was in his beast form, and he was curled up tiny. The sun was just cresting over the horizon and the warm scent of renewed magic curled around Tamlin, the completed Rite renewing his power.

Tamlin woke up slower than Rhysand did, shifting back to his Faerie form first, his green eyes hidden behind thick blond lashes and sleepy, half-open eyes.

“You’re still here.” said Tamlin, voice slurred gently from sleep. “How novel.” he yawned and pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes. His arms, with rippling muscles just beneath the skin, were up against Rhysand’s back.

Rhysand huffed. “I resent the implication you assumed I would leave.”

“Calanmai has that effect on people sometimes.” Tamlin said with a frown, clambering sleepily over Rhysand and yawning deeply.

“So, are we getting married today?” Rhysand asked cheerfully.

Tamlin paused, clearly racking his brain for what the hell Rhysand was talking about.

“Oh.” he said when he remembered. “Yeah, we just need to track down the Suriel.” he poked his head out of the room. “Hey, Andaras, I’m gonna be busy today. Keep my brothers out.”

“Okay my Lord!” said a sentries’ voice from outside.

Tamlin reentered the room and began to change. He pulled on a simple green tunic that complimented his eyes and black pants. A pair of boots and he was ready. “My parents won’t bother us, and Maki probably won’t either. Amarin’s definitely going to come around and try to bother me though.” Tamlin grumbled quietly. Rhysand thought the sound of his voice, even grumpy, was nice to listen to. “Especially since I had a fling for the first time in however long.”

His muttering trailed off into incomprehensible complaints about his brothers, eyes twitching as he waved his hands for emphasis.

He tossed a few garments at Rhysand, who tucked his wings back into his skin. The tattoos, a sprawling reminder of what he was, were easily hidden under the yellow tunic. He usually didn’t have his wings hidden unless he was visiting the Court of Nightmares, and even then he had the tattoos on display. His mother’s request. She disliked the idea of hiding their heritage as Illyrians. It was not shameful to have wings, as she always said.

However, Rhysand also understood the need for secrecy. He was in an enemy court. Even being here was dangerous.

Tamlin walked to the window and stood there, silent and beautiful. Holding out a hand to Rhysand, which he then took, Tamlin winnowed to the West Woods.

Taking a deep breath, Tamlin spoke. “Suriel!” he called. “The Suriel!”

“You called for me?” said a familiar voice. “Ah, and a child of Night. What are you doing here?”

Tamlin took a deep breath and Rhysand took his hand in comfort.

“I need you to marry us.”

A beat of silence.

“Sorry, but you’re not my ty–”