No.
Yes.
No.
He arched one brow. "I'm not doing this with you right now."
"Doing what?"
"What do you think?"
She sighed and turned her back to him. How many times had she told him she didn't need to sleep? She had killed gods, for mercy's sake. She had no use for trivial indulgences such as rest.
"Are you still standing there?" She asked, even though she knew without a doubt Rowan was right behind her. "Come on," he said softly, "you need to sleep. We're going to see Elan and the kids tomorrow, so there's no reason to stay up doing work. You know Mira in particular will want you at full strength so she can smack you halfway to Rifthold." Aelin chuckled, thinking of the young girl who had requested lessons in self-defense lessons before her parents could stop her. Every month, the queen and her consort would check in on Orynth's inhabitants and refugees. They would oversee the rebuilding efforts, which were directed by Elan, a rather exuberant older man who had been an architect before he fought in Theralis. After a few months, the city's children had taken advantage of their queen strutting around the streets, and gathered to watch her. Mira had been one of the more outgoing ones, just walking up and starting a conversation with Aelin. Aelin had talked back, until the girl's parents had pulled her away with wide eyes and unspoken apologies. The others followed Mira's example, and soon, there had been quite the crowd of small heads circling her like ants.
"I just need to finish this letter," Aelin murmured. "I'll come to bed when I'm done." Rowan looked at her disbelievingly, but turned and walked out of the study. "You have 5 minutes...."
Aelin awoke as something warm and soft scooped her up. She heard the faint creaking of floorboards as she was deposited onto another warmer, softer surface. She felt a puff of air against her face as a blanket was draped over her shoulders, and a thump as someone else laid down on the other side of the bed. She sunk into the pillows, and let a deep sleep drag her into oblivion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is my first......whatever you would call this. I tried to write it without ignoring anything about Maas's series that I wish hadn't happened, like Aelin losing her powers. Comment so I know what to change and what to keep! Here I go →
YOU ARE READING
A Better World
FanficShort story set after Kingdom of Ash. Written in a less formal manner than Sarah J Maas's original series, but it is a realistic adaptation of what could happen post-ToG. Rowaelin mostly, Aelin PTSD. Warning, spoilers. Mild content.
