I have gone back and forth loving and hating acosf, but finally pinpointed the breaking point for me. I hated how the story played out after Nesta told Feyre about the baby. There was so much potential with how that whole situation could be handled. Instead Nesta was blamed for everything, with no one else ever taking responsibility.
Because of that I have decided to try my hand at writing a fanfic starting from that point in acosf. Below is what I would call the prologue and the beginning of the first chapter.
I have never posted anything I have written before, so please be kind. I would love feedback on it and if people are curious I will continue it.
Prologue
Nesta didn’t care. Couldn’t think around the roaring. “Have any of them told you, their respected high lady, that the baby in your womb will kill you?”
It broke something in Nesta—broke that rage, that roaring—- seeing those tears begin to fall, the fear crumpling Feyre’s painted-smeared face.
She had gone too far. She… Oh gods.
Amren said, “I think it is best, girl, if you speak to Rhysand about this.”
Nesta couldn’t bear it—the pain and fear and love on Feyre’s face as she caressed her stomach.
Amren growled at Nesta, “I hope you’re content now.”
Nesta didn’t respond. Didn’t know what to say or do with herself. She simply turned on her heel and ran from the apartment.
Nesta ran into the streets, escaping down side alleys, not caring where she went, as long as it was away. Away from Feyre and her pain, the pain Nesta had just so cruelly added to. Away from Amran, the first friend Nesta had once thought she was. Away from the rest of her sister’s new family.
Nesta had thought she was getting better. She had been trying, with Gwyn and Emerie. With Cassian. She had searched for the Dread Trove, to protect Elain. She had initially followed Rhysand’s order not to tell Feyre about the risk of the baby…
But standing in that apartment, Nesta had realized none of it mattered. Not while Feyre cried and Amran looked at her with such hatred and disgust. For all her efforts, Feyre and her Inner Circle would never like Nesta.
As she ran Nesta couldn’t entirely blame them. She didn’t like who she was either. Didn’t like the things she said, or what she did, or how she felt. She didn’t like her powers either, not when they were a manifestation of all the worst things about her. They were all better off without her.
The realization slammed into Nesta. It was not the first time she had thought it. She had lived in her rundown apartment for exactly that reason, to put space between her and her sister’s family. But they had always dragged her back in with parties and dinners, insisting Nesta be there. They only ever resulted in her once again feeling out of place and giving them all more reasons to loathe her. Until finally they had forced her to the House Of Wind
Nesta came to a halt in an ally that opened up to the Sidra and the setting sun. Her red hot anger from earlier was gone, replaced with that numb feeling that she had lived with for so long, the feeling she had been beginning to forget. How quickly it returned.
Feyre’s crumpled face flashed in her mind. Nesta knew they would be coming for her. Feyre deserved to know the truth about her baby, her body. Everyone had the right to the truth. But Rhysand, Amren, and the rest of them didn’t care about that. They only cared how Nesta made Feyre feel, so they would blame her. Including Cassian.
Cassian who she trusted, who she had let in despite knowing better. No one had ever tried as much as he had with her, but in the end he would always choose Feyre and the Inner Circle. He had continued to talk to them about her and keep things from her because of them.
No matter what he was to her, he was also better off without her. She was a burden he had been handling, but today proved it was all pointless. Nothing and nobody could fix her.
Her powers curled in her gut as she stared at the sparking water. She wanted to disappear.
So do it A voice whispered.
Silver flames sparked at the tips of Nesta’s fingers.
Disappear
Nesta hugged her hands to her chest, letting the cold flames sparkle across her body. Amren has been right. Nesta hadn’t had any interest in her powers. But now they were all she had left. They were the only thing that had made her worth anything to the others. But maybe now they were her answer. Nesta closed her eyes and let her leash slip, let the magic decide. Disappear.
“NESTA!” a distant voice shouted.
A voice Nesta knew in her soul.
As the world twisted in flicking silver, Nesta turned and glanced at the sky. Hazel eyes locked onto hers, and Nesta felt his anger and alarm. His horror. All about her. But not anymore. Nesta felt a single tear escape down her cheek as she allowed her magic to consume her, and let go.
•••••
Chapter 1 (1st part)
Do you plan on coming home soon Feyre darling?
Feyre sent a huff of a laugh back at Rhys. Why? Does somebody miss me?
Two somebodies actually. Rhys replied, Nyx wants to show you how he has improved his flying with Uncle Azriel today.
Feyre smiled at the image of her son jumping off couches to fly around the room played in her mind. She currently sat in her studio, working on a painting of Nyx flying with his father. She planned on saving it for his eighth birthday present in a couple months.
Feyre glanced out the window, where the streets were only illuminated by streetlight on the moonless night. She hasn’t realized how late it had become.
I’ll be home soon, I just have to clean up.
Don’t keep me waiting too long, Rhys rumbled back. A shiver went down Feyre’s spin as she cut off the connection with her mate to concentrate on cleaning.
She walked around the room, turning off most of the lights before going to the back to wash her brushes and pallet. As she stood at the sink, she suddenly felt a cold breeze at the back of her neck.
Feyre froze. She raised her head to look at the paint splattered mirror above the sinks. Through the smudged glass she could see a dark cloaked figure standing behind her.
Slowly, Feyre turned. “Who are you?” She demanded. “It’s not wise to sneak up on a High Lady.”
The figure stood perfectly still. As they stared at each other the temperature in the room seemed to drop. Finally the figure tilted their head to the side slightly. “Well? What do you want?”
An indignant huff came from beneath the cloak before reaching up to pull back their hood.
Feyre’s mind went blank as she took in her sister, whom she hadn’t seen or heard from in over 8 years.
“Hello Feyre.” Was all Nesta said.
Feyre stared at her older sister. Not a day had gone by since that terrible day in Amren’s apartment that Feyre hadn’t thought of Nesta. Not a day she hadn’t wondered, worried. They had searched for her. Had even reached out to the other courts when they became desperate for answers. But there had been no trace of her since Cassian had seen her consumed by silver flames.
Now standing before her, the first thing Feyre noticed was how healthy she looked. Nesta had slowly begun to look better after living in the House and training with Cassian for a few weeks. She had been gaining a little weight and some color back then.
But stepping in to the light cast from lanterns on the back counter, Nesta seemed to glow with health. Her hair was braided in its classic crown, but her face was full and tanned from being in the sun. Her eyes still held the same stormy intensity they always had, but the haunted look she had had was now replaced with a silver gleam.
Although most of her body was covered in a dark cloak, Feyre could see she was wearing fighting leathers— not Illyarian leathers. And peaking out over her right shoulder, was the pommel of a great sword. The Great Sword, the one she had accidentally Made. The sword that, along with the two other Made weapons, had been stolen from where they had been locked in the river house. The same night several priestess disappeared from the Library.
I’m back with another commission from the amazingly talented @jrtart_. This is a scene from ACOSF that I’ve always wanted to see fan art for. The Valkyries working together and sacrificing for each other during the Blood Rite has such a hold on me. Emerie’s actions in particular.
I’m so blown away by how Jesslyn brought this scene to life! Emerie has so much strength and determination.
Reposts are allowed as long as there is proper credit under the art.
“Nesta only said, “Can you carry her the rest of the way?” It would be a feat in itself. “Or at least keep going until dawn?” “I will.” Nesta knew Emerie would find that strength.” - A Court of Silver Flames, Sarah J. Mass
In Norse mythology, a dís (“lady”, plural dísir) is a deity, ghost, or spirit associated with Fate who can be either benevolent or antagonistic toward mortals. Dísir may act as protective spirits of Norse clans. It is possible that their original function was that of fertility goddesses who were the object of both private and official worship called dísablót, and their veneration may derive from the worship of the spirits of the dead.The dísir, like the valkyries, norns, and vættir.
Protecting all that is sacred I will guide you through teaching all you need to know as you become a part of me and I become a part of you walking where others fear to tread we become one on this journey. —– “Spiritwind Wood” I had the wonderful opportunity to make a commissioned painting portrait of this warrior with his faithful wolf . For me this was such wonderful experience and joy to make this so special artwork . Thank you
I’ve been wanting to see a Gwyn art like this, her lineage is fascinating to me, can’t wait to learn more about it.
The flowers are Nymphaeas, the fishes are gobbies, they are freshwater species since she is a quarter river nymph, and can you see the cute blue scales on her neck and face? I’m obsessed.
Please do not repost it, the artist does not allow it
“I wish for us to have the courage to go out into the world when we are ready, but to always be able to find our way back to each other. No matter what.”
“Nesta around Gwyn was a wholly different creature than who she was with the court. They didn’t tease or laugh with each other, but an easiness lay between them that he’d never witnessed, even when Nesta was with Elain. She’d always been Elain’s guardian, or Feyre’s sister, or Cauldron-Made. With Gwyn … he wondered whether Nesta liked the girl because with her, she was simply Nesta. Perhaps she felt that way around Emerie, too.” -ACOSF Chapter 27
Whenever someone asks me why I love the Valkyries I’m just going to show them this quote.
In the Night Court with the IC and even in their old house with the Feyre and Elain, Nesta still had to hold up a certain image because she was so used to that after being around these people after so many years or just because of the things these individuals heard about her.
With Emerie and Gwyn, there’s none of that. Neither of them had any sort of negative reaction to the animosity Nesta displayed.
““He does, but I am …” Fine. If the female could be blunt, so could she. “I’m cut off.” Curiosity flooded the female’s eyes. “Why?” Nesta stiffened. “I don’t know you well enough to tell you that.” The female shrugged.” -ACOSF Chapter 9
“I doubt you’ll enjoy the way I speak to most people,” Nesta said. Gwyn snorted. “Try me.” Nesta looked at her from under lowered brows again. “Get out of my sight.” Gwyn grinned, a broad, bright thing that showed most of her teeth and made her eyes sparkle in a way Nesta knew her own never had. “Oh, you’re good.” Gwyn turned back to the stacks. “Really good.” -ACOSF Chapter 9
Both of these women just understand Nesta and from the very first moment looked past her front. There was no history between them before they met, no Feyre or Elain to talk about their messed up family dynamics, no high tension first meeting, there was nothing but a clean slate for the eldest sister and that’s what she so desperately needed in my opinion. If there’s one thing I adore about Nesta’s journey it’s that she was able to find two friends, two sisters who see, acknowledge, but also look past her faults and love her.
I just absolutely adore these girls and I’m so excited to see their dynamic more in the upcoming books.
We have all been at the receiving end of some unpleasant unnecessary Valkyries hate so I thought what better time to share this little commission based on an incorrect quote by @broodybatboy hope you all enjoy it .
