Cinderfella's Adventures in Cordonia - Chapter Twenty - One

An AU of The Royal Romance with a male MC and a bisexual prince.

Masterlist

Callum makes a request.

“Callum?”

“Hm?”  I don’t look up from the herbs I’m chopping, afraid that once I quit moving I’ll start spiraling after that argument with Pops and my grandda.  So for now I focus on a task I know I can handle; feeding my men.

Drake takes a tentative step into my kitchen, Liam right at his heels.  “You doing ok?”

“Yeah,” I answer absently, setting aside my knife and turning to remove a few strips of bacon from a frying pan and setting them on a folded paper towel. 

“Hey… talk to me.”  Drake steps closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.  Liam stands to the side awkwardly, a yearning look on his face, but he ultimately remains at distance. 

I sag against Drake, soaking in his warmth and the comforting scent of his cologne.  “I’ll be fine, love.  It’s just been a long fucking night,” I mumbled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

He snorts out a small laughing and tightens his hold on me.  “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry,” I reply, lightly slapping his ass.  “You’ll be punished later.”

Drake shivers, but the subtle press of his groin into my thigh lets me know he isn’t totally opposed to the idea.  Liam clears his throat softly, interrupting us before my teasing can begin in earnest.

I sigh and gently push Drake towards a seat at my kitchen island.  “Sit down you two and I’ll get you something to eat.”

“We’re not - ” Drake begins, only to be interrupted by an unholy growl from Liam’s stomach.

“That’s what I thought.”  I smirk at the pair.  “Now sit.”

**********************************************************

Liam sits silently on a stool next to an equally quiet Drake, watching Callum butter two small ramekins before deftly cracking three eggs in each, then topping the eggs with a splash of cream and a generous sprinkle of a creamy, herbed cheese.  He places lids on the ramekins and gently sets them in a large casserole dish half full of warm water, then places the entire thing in the oven. 

“So…”  Callum draws out the word as he places several thick pieces of buttered bread into a toaster oven.  “I’m willing to go back to Cordonia with you.”

Drake straightens up, a tentative smile on his face.  “You are?”

Callum reaches into his refrigerator, removing a large contained of cut fruit and a pitcher of orange juice.  “For a few weeks anyway.”

Liam frowns, accepting the glass of juice Callum hands him with a small nod of thanks.  “Have you changed your stance on my… previous offer?”

“No,” Callum says simply, passing a second glass of juice over to Drake.  He moves fluidly through the kitchen, dishing out portions of cut cantaloupe onto two small plates, crumbling the cooked bacon into a bowl, setting various pots of jams and marmalades in front of the waiting men.  “I was serious when I said it was either Madeline or me.”

Liam tamps down the anger that threatens to flare up.  “Then why bother returning to Cordonia?”

“For Drake, you massively egotistical asshole,” Callum snaps.  “Mine isn’t the only heart you’re breaking by marrying Madeline.”

The king winces, glancing over at his best friend and former lover guiltily.  “I didn’t mean to imply - ”

“I know,” Drake interrupts quietly, toying with his glass of juice.  “It’s fine.”

“No it isn’t!” Callum growls, glaring at Liam.  “Why do you let him treat you like - ”

“Callum, stop…” Drake pleads, fatigue written in every line on his face.  “Just let it go.”

Callum opens his mouth again, clearly ready to argue the point, but eventually relents.  He rolls his eyes and gives Liam one last glare for good measure.  “This conversation isn’t over, Your Majesty.”

“Looking forward to it, Mr. MacKenzie.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

Callum turns his back on them, opening the oven with more force than is strictly necessary.  Soon he’s setting steaming ramekins before Liam and Drake.  Callum tops the shirred eggs with finely chopped herbs and a sprinkle of crushed bacon.  He pushes the plates of toast and cantaloupe closer to the pair.

“Go ahead and eat,” he urges.

Despite his annoyance Liam eagerly tucks into the impromptu breakfast, his eyes rolling back in his head as the flavors of the creamy, cheesy eggs combine with the freshness of the herbs and the saltiness of the bacon and explode across his tongue.  Drake lets out a pleased moan next to him, verbalizing Liam’s thoughts.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything?” Drake mumbles through a mouthful of melon.

Callum hums in acknowledgement, pulling a container of cottage cheese from the refrigerator.  As Liam eats he watches as Callum carefully measure one cup of cottage cheese and top with an equally precise half a cup of cantaloupe and begins to eat.  The Callum he remembers would have already been on his second dish of eggs. 

Liam narrows his eyes, carefully studying Callum as the other man leans against the countertop and slowly eats his meager breakfast.  Caught up in all the other drama of the night, Liam hadn’t really taken in Callum’s appearance and what he sees now shocks him.  Callum’s once robust frame is now far leaner than Liam remembers, replaced by smooth, lithe lines of muscle that have clearly been hewn by many hours in the gym.  He wrinkles his nose, Callum’s new diet making slightly more sense.  The shorter haircut just emphasizes the sharp lines of his cheekbones and jaw, making his face look nearly gaunt in the soft light of the kitchen.  Previously unseen dark circles rim Callum’s eyes, the green of his eyes even more vibrant against their bruising.

Callum sighs and sets his spoon in his now empty bowl.  “I meant it when I said I’ll go back to Cordonia for a few weeks.  But if I do this I want Drake to do something for me.”

Liam glances at Drake to see if he knows what’s going on.  His best friend looks equally confused.  His eyes flick back to Callum, curious as to what his request will be.

“Drake, I want you to consider moving to New York after Liam’s wedding.  To moving in with me.  To being with me.  Only me,” Callum says calmly, speaking to Drake but staring directly at Liam.

So many people get Rhysand and Feyre’s dynamic wrong.

Rhys and Feyre are mirrors, they both would and have done the “wrong” thing in order to save the ones they love. They both would rather take on the struggle alone then share the burden. They both don’t view themselves as worthy of what they have, and can only truly love themselves when they love each other. It’s why they work so well, they both mirror the other.

When Feyre says “I see you” to Rhys it’s incredibly powerful because she’s not only seeing him but herself. Feyre only begins to forgive herself for what she did UTM by realizing that she could never condemn Rhys for his actions, because she would have done the same.

Rhys hatred of Nesta over Elain, is because Nesta does not appreciate (at least outwardly) everything Feyre did. It’s not just about Feyre providing for the family and them not, it’s about her treatment she got for sacrificing everything. Rhys knows what’s that like, Rhys has done that and knows what it’s like to be insulted for it. And while he doesn’t ever try to defend himself when insulted he can’t bear to see Feyre insulted over her sacrifices.

It’s the same way Feyre cannot comprehend how people can disregard and insult what Rhys did to save his people. Feyre goes ape shit over any insult towards Rhys, but more or less tolerates Nesta’s abusive comments towards her.

It’s because she’s his mirror, and he is hers.

And if we’re think of in canon, despite all the problems and plotholes with the pregnancy it makes sense that Feyre would be quick to forgive. Feyre would do the same, if she knew Rhys was going to die she would do everything to find a cure before he died. It’s not right, but Feyre takes on the burden of others the same way Rhys does. She understands him and his actions better then anyone else. And he understands her equally as well.

It’s why they work so well and what most people get wrong about them. Feyre does not have “rose colored” glass for Rhys, she understands him. She knows she would make similar choices and she has made similar choices.

Yes to all of that! And this art shows it so well...

REVERSE TROPE WRITING PROMPTS

23,600 NOTES. YOU GUYS?!?!

More spicy Feysand was just added to my AO3 sketchbook :)

"It felt.. strange, like you pulled on a thread tied to a rib."

Feyre, at Rhysand's funeral: I need a moment with him.

Everyone else at the funeral: Of course *leaves*

Feyre, leaning over Rhy's coffin: Okay, listen here you little shit. I know you're not dead.

Rhys, sitting up in the coffin: Yeah, no shit.

A quick sketch of Cas during my work break :) it sucks that ID2 is VIP right now, I miss him very much

Azriel desperately wants his mate. Elain deeply resents her mating bond.

Azriel's work requires him to kill. Elain's gardening brings new life.

Azriel carries out torture. Elain abhors violence.

Azriel lives in shadows. Elain thrives in light.

Neither of them can give any of these up without changing a core part of their identity. They don't need to change. They shouldn't need to change for each other. Their paths are not the same -- not their past, their present, or their future.

Contrast this to:

Azriel thinks he's unworthy of love and believes that his hands are sullied. Gwyn thinks she's unworthy because she failed Catrin and thus does not wear her Invoking Stone.

Azriel is a master strategist and incredibly competitive, as noted by Cassian. Gwyn was determined to be the first to finish the obstacle course, as noted by Nesta.

Azriel answered affirmatively to Gwyn's question of whether he sings. Gwyn has a beautiful voice and sang frequently throughout ACOSF.

Azriel witnessed Gwyn's greatest trauma of her sexual assault which was also the day her twin sister was killed. Gwyn witnessed Azriel's greatest insecurity of what he has to do as the NC's spymaster when he slaughtered all the Hybern soldiers.

Azriel was the first in his year alongside his chosen brothers to reach Ramiel's summit and become Carynthian. Gwyn was the first female in history alongside her chosen sister to reach Ramiel's summit and become Carynthian.

Or even:

Elain said herself that she needed sunshine. Lucien is the son of the High Lord of the Day Court.

Elain has been described as not fitting the Night Court. Lucien is part of the "Band of Exiles", believing he has nowhere to go.

Elain is described as sociable and (prior to her transformation at least) enjoys making friends and attending parties. Lucien was an emissary twice and literally has connections to everyone and everywhere.

Elain is a Seer who sees things no one else can. Lucien's mechanical eye grants him a similar power.

Elain is the fawn. Lucien is the fox.

Or even:

Vassa is one of the mortal queens who has become intertwined with the Fae. Jurian is a former general of a human army who is also involved with the Fae.

Vassa is enslaved to the immortal Death-god Koschei. Jurian was enslaved to the immortal "High Queen" Amarantha.

Vassa's curse binds her to Koschei's lake. Jurian's soul was bound to Amarantha's ring.

Vassa is forced to undergo physical transformations between her avian and human form. Jurian was forced to undergo a physical transformation from an eyeball to a human.

Vassa was betrayed by the other Mortal Queens. Jurian was betrayed (in his eyes) by his lover Miryam.

The parallels between Gwynriel - Elucien - Jassa are really quite obvious. You can't tell me that all of these are unintentional. Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern...

"His name is Lucien" 🤝 "See you later, Shadowsinger" 🤝 "At each other's throats"

You know the iconic scene where Elain is standing in the stairs and Lucien is expecting her to make a move towards him or say something until he realizes she’s not ready and he bows his head hiding his pain and turns around to leave, only for her to actually make that half step when he has already lost hope and doesn’t see it, I often think if this is foreshadowing of what their dynamic will be like in their book.

Elain trying to take that step when Lucien has already lost all hope for a possibility of her actually choosing him.

Hey guys maybe Elain is avoiding Lucien and is "uncomfortable" around him because she is so fucking attracted to him and thinks he is the most beautiful male she's ever seen and is frustrated that she's thinking like that because she doesn't want to be Fae or have a mate so she pushes those feelings down and avoids him maybe that's what's happening, guys 🤷‍♀️ Feyre and Cassian both think about how attractive Lucien is in their POVs and they aren't mates with him imagine what our girly Elain is feeling. Idk man, this mutual pining and forced proximity is going to hitttt in Elucien's book and I'm so excited 😩

Throne of Glass Dust Jackets

Artist: @/diabolical_victorian_art for @pineandash

I blocked the Anti-Rhysand tag a while ago, but I was scrolling through the Pro-Rhysand tag today, and it was like a breath of fresh air. I was like I've found my people. I don't know why lately it's easier to come across negativity surrounding Rhysand or Feyre than posivity, and it was making me kind of sad, so the Pro-Rhysand tag was definitely a good pick me up. It's definitely nice to be reminded that there are still a lot of people who enjoy Rhysand and Feyre.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Page Overlays

Artist: @moranatascia for @imaginebookssshop