Along With Rhysand Being Just The Embodiment Of Night, Just Generally Coming Off As Intimidating To People-

along with rhysand being just the embodiment of night, just generally coming off as intimidating to people- and always being somewhat conniving, ect. i do think the mask he had to wear with amarantha is a hard transition to lose. he was forced to do horrible things, and even worse, act like he enjoyed it. after years of enduring this, he really had a lot of self doubt. why was he capable of doing this? yes, it was to protect everyone he cared about, he was doing what he had to. but would a genuinely good person be able to do what he did for so long? was he allowing himself to be turned into what amarantha wanted him to be? obviously, he’ll always carry the guilt of what he’s had to do. but i do think the lines got blurred there, and it’s hard for him to realize that he doesn’t have to act like that anymore. he doesn’t always have to be scheming, or lying, or hiding things - but after wearing that mask for so long, it’s very hard for him to be able to just act like himself again. i think it’ll be a long time before he’s able to drop this act completely, no matter how much he’s aware of it, and wants to stop ( because he feels like he’s letting her win, if he doesn’t. ) a part of that act has bled into who he is, and just a couple years of freedom afterwards is not enough for him to shed that completely.

he takes no pride in his methods, claws caressing every inch of her shield until it bends under his control, violating her every thought to echo his voice in her mind. come on, feyre. if you want me out so badly, shut me out. he doesn't relent with her outburst, even as it takes him right back to under the mountain, to that dungeon: the monster she viewed him as still lurking ... he keeps his composure calculated, no matter how much his heart races, reminding himself that this is as much for her own safety as it is for the safety of prythian. i am helping. you pushed back. a note appears on her desk without any effort, rhysand not bothering to look up from his own paperwork that sits before him. ( it simply reads: that face of yours is too delicious to be pouting like that. ) shield, now.

@rhysie said: ❝  you have a very messy brain.  ❞ (x)

“ GET OUT! ” finally snapping, my pitiful excuse for mental shields slammed shut as quick as they could, a shriek ripping from my throat. “ STAY OUT! ” my brow furrowed and head aching, my hands clawed at my face as if i could possibly tear out the violating grasp he had on my mind. frustration and fatigue wore at me, as i slumped down in my seat. energy depleted, all of the letters had begun to blur together long ago, his aggravating and intruding voice continuing to overpower my every thought. the glaring inadequacies of my own abilities and discipline so terribly discouraging and humiliating. face still buried in my hands, i leaned against the desk, with a hiss, “ you’re not helping. ”

he all but crumbles under her presence, the paint brush a welcomed distraction — allowing her to mark her claim wherever she wishes, a pleased smile accompanying his darkened gaze. he's wrapped up in her, lets his guard down to be completely consumed by feyre, taking it all in. her scent: lilac, pears & paint, their shared breaths, the fire in her eyes that clearly show this isn't over. he leans in closer, giving into all temptation, before there is just a cloud of smoke replacing her presence. " i suppose i taught you too well, hm? " he laughs, lowering her to the ground to twist them around, rhysand now the one with his back against the wall. hands find her hips, easing her closer as he peppers kisses down her jawline & neck, stopping when his lips meet her collarbone, words murmured onto flesh. " it seems you're forgetting our bargain ... " fingers trail to her left arm, running over the ink that stains her skin. he has her right where he wanted her now, his brush coated with black appears in his hand, marking a matching x upon her heart. " we go together. "

i stifle the gasp and look of surprise that threatens to spread across my features, as he appears in front of me, suddenly backing me against the wall. i may have been quick on my feet, but he could always keep me on my toes. his mere presence is overpowering, as i struggle to not become entirely consumed by his raw power and proximity. my chin turned up, “ sensitive and fiendish baby. ” my last, pitiful line of defense -- i hold the brush out in front of me as if it were an ash encrusted dagger. holding his gaze as steady as i could, i quickly paint a pink x over his heart, marking it as mine. my stance eases, if only to let him think that he's won. slowly, the brush trails down his legs, dangerously close to his inner thighs. also mine. leaning forward, i pause for just a moment, ensuring he felt the heat of my breath, before i whispered in his ear, " did you expect me to surrender? " before he can respond, i winnow behind him, snickering as i paint two more x's across his buttcheeks. my arms snake around his neck, as i hop on his back, planting a kiss on his cheek. " you're dead. "

rhys after feyre paints anything that isn’t him: beautiful but where am i? its lacking a certain high lord… are u gonna add me to this? i could add a lot

WHERE SHOULD YOU BE KISSED?

KNUCKLES: it feels as though you have fought every day of your life. sometimes, you cannot even tell how much of the blood on your hands is your own ... & how much comes from those who've tried to hurt those you defend. you deserve the gentleness of a kiss to your bruised knuckles & broken skin, a reminder that you are not only made of violence.

TAGGED BY: @denouemente

TAGGING: @feydarling , @musikensangel , @valkyrd , @deathsconsort , @temptsdeath , & you!!

𝑺𝑪𝑬𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑶  𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺.

↬   OF  MERMAIDS,  MASQUERADES  AND  MAGIC.

scenarios  inspired  by  various  settings,  encounters  &  magic  tucked  between  pages,  fashioned  by  the  author.  tw  for  drowning  mentions.

+   feel  free  to  change  pronouns  /  roles  !

MERMAIDS.

‘  beyond  the  winds  and  past  the  shores,  strange  magic  lurks  about.  ’

‘  will  you  go  to  the  lagoon  with  me  ?  it’s  unsafe  to  go  alone.  ’

‘  they  say  a  siren’s  call  alone  can  drown  a  man  before  she  swallows  him.  ’

‘  quick  !  cover  your  ears.  ’

‘  what  did  you  imagine  as  you  heard  the  song  ?  ’

‘  i  can  feel  a  voice  like  claws  sinking  beneath  my  skin.  ’

‘  one  can  pray  to  the  ocean,  but  the  waters  answer  in  strange  tongues.  ’

‘  careful,  or  we’ll  hit  the  reef.  ’

‘  the  sea-folk  are  flighty  as  their  fins,  and  illusive  as  shimmering  scales.  ’

‘  i  should  like  to  find  myself  a  sailor  fit  for  a  feast.  ’

‘  sometimes  i  wish  there  was  more  than  the  endless  waves.  ’

‘  do  you  see  that  ?  there,  beneath  the  surface  ?  ’

‘  that’s  no  fish,  and  no  woman  either.  ’

‘  what  lies  off  the  edge  of  the  map  ?  ’

‘  the  sea  has  monsters,  but  beauties  too.  ’

‘  i’ve  heard  that  merfolk  make  bargains,  and  trade  in  the  ocean’s  magic.  ’

‘  i’ve  never  seen  a  pearl  like  this  one.  ’

‘  the  ship  will  go  down  if  we  don’t  turn  about  !  ’

‘  what  is  that,  out  there  on  the  rocks  ?  ’

‘  won’t  you  listen  to  my  song  ?  ’

‘  mermaids  love  shiny  things.  keep  a  careful  eye  on  yours.  ’

‘  if  we  hide  in  the  kelp,  we  might  see  them  as  they  pass.  ’

‘  i’ve  heard  the  tales.  to  catch  you  means  to  gain  a  granted  wish.  ’

‘   i’ve  never  seen  your  likeness,  only  heard  the  myths.  ’

‘  come  with  me,  beneath  the  sea  and  foam,  and  be  mine.  ’

‘  some  of  us  live  in  the  ocean,  others  in  rivers  and  streams  and  even  trees.  ’

‘  falling  in  love  with  a  human  is  an  old  tale.  tell  me  a  new  one.  ’

‘  so  you  gave  up  your  fin  for  legs  ?  ’

‘  soon  i  will  be  nothing  but  seafoam.  ’

‘  what  is  a  heart,  but  an  ocean  of  secrets  ?  ’

‘  you’d  let  yourself  be  undone  and  remade  for  someone  you’ve  never  known.  that  is  not  love.  ’

‘  let  your  dreams  sink  to  the  depths.  they’ve  done  you  no  good.  ’

MASQUERADES.

‘  i’ve  never  seen  so  many  unfamiliar  faces.  ’

‘  he’s / she’s / they’ve  been  looking  at  me  all  evening.  ’

‘  would  you  do  me  the  honor  of  a  dance  ?  ’

‘  neither  of  us  need  know  the  other  tonight.  i  prefer  the  mystery.  ’

‘  your  choice  of  costume  is  rather  extravagant.  ’

‘  what  fun  would  it  be,  if  i  took  this  off  ?  ’

‘  i’m  certain  we’ve  met  before.  ’

‘  i’ve  always  longed  for  a  night  like  this.  it’s  something  out  of  a  dream.  ’

‘  won’t  you  come  away  with  me  ?  there’s  a  balcony  just  outside.  ’

‘  i’m  inclined  to  think  we’ve  never  met  before,  and  perhaps  will  never  meet  again  after  tonight.  ’

‘  you  look  like  you  know  how  to  waltz.  care  to  ?  ’

‘  i  must  stand  up  with  someone  this  evening,  and  i  don’t  see  why  it  can’t  be  you.  ’

‘  would  you  stop  staring  so  intently  ?  what  do  you  think  to  find  ?  ’

‘  i’ll  stop  bothering  you  if  you  agree  to  dance  with  me.  ’

‘  please  take  it  off.  i  want  to  see  you.  ’

‘  i’ve  never  been  to  a  masque  before.  ’

‘  it  seems  our  attire  makes  opposites  of  us.  ’

‘  i’ve  never  seen  a  more  hideous  costume  than  that  one.  ’  

‘  i  can’t  stay  much  longer.  you  see,  i’m  not  supposed  to  be  here  at  all.  ’

‘  you’ll  never  know  who  i  am.  ’

‘  people  like  you  always  make  a  fool  of  me.  ’

‘  oh.  i  thought  you  were  someone  else.  ’

‘  i’ll  give  you  three  chances  to  guess  who  i  am.  ’

‘  the  next  time  i  offer  you  my  hand,  you’ll  get  more  than  a  dance  from  me.  ’

‘  i’ve  wanted  to  dance  beneath  stars  like  these  for  as  long  as  i  can  remember.  ’

‘  what  do  you  look  like  ?  ’

‘  that  look  in  your  eyes  tells  me  all  i  need  to  know.  ’

‘  you  won’t  like  what  you’ll  see.  ’

‘  i  recognize  your  voice.  ’

‘  you’ll  know  the  truth  before  the  night  is  up.  ’

‘  i’ve  heard  the  darkest  of  dances  are  the  best  for  falling  in  love  to.  ’

‘  you  don’t  know  it  now,  but  we’re  friends  already.  ’

‘  can’t  we  pretend  a  little  while  longer  ?  ’

‘  it’s  when  the  party  is  over  that  we  learn  to  know  each  other  most.  ’

‘  happily  ever  after  can’t  come  so  easily  as  a  single  night  dancing.  ’

MAGIC.

‘  i’ve  caught  you.  you  have  to  undo  the  spell  for  me  now.  ’

‘  think  carefully  before  asking  for  something  well  beyond  the  reach  of  mortal  power.  ’

‘  i  think  i  know  a  spell  for  that.  ’

‘  i  can’t  help  you.  but  there  are  people  in  other  worlds,  in  the  moors  and  hills  and  trees,  that  might.  ’

‘  you  must  gather  the  necessary  ingredients  for  such  a  potion.  ’

‘  true  love  is  never  the  answer  to  the  riddle.  not  when  so  much  as  life  and  death  is  at  stake.  ’

‘  i’ve  found  and  made  my  way  here  by  right.  you  can’t  deny  me  the  answers  i  seek.  ’

‘  be  warned:  monsters  hide  between  the  trees  and  whisper  in  magic  tongues.  ’

‘  it  always  makes  a  fraction  of  sense  to  be  careful  what  you  wish  for.  ’

‘  i’ve  been  turned  into  an  unsightly  creature,  and  i  need  a  way  of  turning  back.  ’

‘  not  all  magical  stories  happen  in  castles,  or  cottages  in  the  wood.  ’

‘  preposterous.  magic  and  sorcery  do  not  exist  but  in  the  minds  of  superstitious  fools.  ’

‘  get  back  from  that  cauldron  !  it’s  dangerous.  ’

‘  i  don’t  mess  with  things  like  candles  and  the  stars  and  the  moon  after  dark.  it  never  ends  well.  ’

‘  i  am  something  ancient.  my  name  has  been  forgotten  by  mortal  mouths  and  is  found  only  in  their  oldest  texts.  ’

‘  not  all  fairy  helpers  are  kind,  and  not  all  villains  are  ugly,  or  even  cruel.  ’

‘  if  you  want  my  help,  you  must  earn  it.  ’

‘  is  this  something  i  could  learn  ?  ’

‘  i  don’t  want  to  be  ordinary,  and  i  don’t  care  what  the  risks  are.  ’

‘  you  think  to  put  a  curse  on  me  ?  i  will  spend  my  life  defying  it.  ’

‘  stay  back,  witch,  and  keep  your  spells  from  sneaking  past  your  lips.  ’

‘  you  must  chain  a  magician  in  more  than  metal  or  rope  if  you  wish  to  stop  them.  ’

‘  that’s  a  parlor  trick.  show  me  real  magic.  ’

‘  only  you  can  break  the  spell.  it  is  something  you  are  meant  for.  ’

‘  fate  is  nothing  but  an  illusion  placed  in  our  heads,  that  we  might  follow  the  words  of others  and  not  our  own  intentions.  ’

‘  whatever  has  brought  me  here,  i  cannot  turn  back  now.  ’

‘  soon  the  clock  will  strike,  and  nothing  more  might  be  done.  ’  

‘  magic  requires  taking  in  order  to  give.  it  will  keep  demanding  parts  of  you.  ’