The Stars that Listen (10/21)
War is coming to Prythian and to save his world, Rhysand must call on a prophecy he only half-remembers in the person of a beast who looks like a beauty.
Emma and Killian have traveled the world, eternal and deeply in love. Now they are called back to Faerie and asked to give everything up to save a world that never loved them.
A Captain Swan crossover with ACOTAR based on the Orphan of Arcadia fic series.
Catch up on Tumblr: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9
There was no dancing with the Court of Dreams that night. After the Lady had her say, she flew away out the dark windows, lost in the night sky in a moment, for all her glowing whiteness.
Cassian carried Hook back to the townhouse in silence. The High Lord and Lady remained in the tower, but Hook had no desire for their company.
He could not be sure that Swan had returned to the townhouse. If she was not there, he would next go to the Jolly Roger. If not there, he would wish himself to the Underground.
She was in their room, seated on the floor with her silk skirts spread around her like a pool of blood.
Hook crossed and knelt before her, taking her face into his hand and hook.
“We can go even now,” he said softly. “Go into the city and round up the men, leave in the Jolly by dark of night. Put this place to the rudder and never look back. You owe them nothing.”
“Amren has put it into my head that I could stop this war before it begins,” she said, her voice soft and high. “If I do not, is all the blood of the war not on my hands?”
“It is not,” he said definitely. “This is not your war, Emma.”
She met his eyes, and if she were as human as she looked, they would have been full of tears.
“Would you have me go, Killian?” she asked. “Would you have me run and leave these to their fates? I’ll do it if you say and never count the cost, for it is your neck in the noose as much as mine.”
He could not tell her to go. She was proud and valiant and honorable, and he could not ask her to be a coward for his sake.
“Tell me to run, Killian,” she whispered, begging. “Tell me to put these creatures to my back and go home to Henry and Jacinda and Lucy and hold them close and forget I ever knew the Lord and Lady of Night.”
“I can’t. I know you too well, sweet Emma,” he murmured against her lips. “The dead would haunt your dreams for the rest of our days.”
“I’ll stand it,” she said. “I’ll stand it if you are the only price that can be paid. If there is an alternative… I may do it for them, but if your life is the only coin by which I will buy their freedom, I will be a miser and hoard all my treasure to me. I swear it my love.”
“You need not swear to me. We’ve had a hundred years, my Emma. So much more than some. A hundred years of sea and stars and magic and love. We’ve had our reward.”
“I’m not ready for it to be over.”
He smiled, though tears nearly choked him. “You never are, Sweet. Not until the moment comes, you’re never ready.”
