in our youth

One: Rhysand

A/N: Hi babies! Here's some opening smut ;). I have so much in store for this one, so I really really really hope you enjoy it! Leave me your thoughts! Your comments help me decide which story to update next!! A reminder that this is placed very early in Rhysand's rule and long before UTM, so characters will be a little different just for lack of that life-changing trauma occurring yet.

A loud crash from the kitchen startles me awake. I swear under my breath, attempting to wipe the sleep from my eyes as I rise from my bed, scuffling my feet along the cold floor to see what had caused the commotion. It was likely one of my brothers returning home from a night out. I'd still been in recovery from the night before and had chosen to sit this one out to sleep off a pounding headache. Luckily, it had worked.

"Shh, c'mon babe, it's fine I'll clean it up later," Cassian hissed, chuckling quietly. I flipped the kitchen light on, squinting at the sudden brightness. Cassian's face heated, looking caught. As if I didn't see him bring home a female every other night. Rarely ever the same ones.

"Shit, sorry, Rhys," he said, voice apologetic.

The small brunette's eyes flicked up to mine, holding my gaze for a second longer than I'd anticipated. Her warm-toned cheeks tinted pink. I flicked an eyebrow up at her, the corner of my mouth tilting up in a smirk.

"And who might you be?" I asked her, my voice a low vibration in my chest. She bit her lip, looking at Cassian, who remained entirely neutral. I wish I could say it wasn't something I'd ever thought about before, sharing a female with one or both of my brothers.

"I-I'm Venus," she said, a shy smile covering her sweet features. She had big brown doe eyes. Full lips, too. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't imagining what she'd look like on her knees with my cock in her mouth.

"Hi Venus, I'm Rhysand," I grinned, still not looking away from her. I could feel how nervous my eye contact made her, and I was eating it up. I loved the way she was squirming under my gaze already. She knew who I was, of course. Since my dad's death, I'd become the highly feared leader of the Night Court. I suppose she hadn't expected that when she'd gone home with my General.

"Hi Rhysand," she squeaked.

Finally, I looked up at Cassian, whose eyebrows were raised at me. I shrugged slightly. Couldn't blame me for trying. It was highly possible the bastard's ego was too frail to push the boundaries we'd never clearly set but that had always seemed implied.

Suddenly bored, I walked past them to open the cabinet by the sink, digging inside for anything that might sound appetizing. I'd slept most of the day and would likely be up most of the night.

Cassian tugged Venus' hand, pulling her down the hall to his bedroom in the Townhouse. Settling for an apple, I walked to the couch and plopped down onto the cushioned surface, sinking immediately into its pillows. I sighed, grabbing the mirthroot I'd left half-smoked last night from the coffee table. With a pleasured groan, I lit the mirthroot, placing the filter of it at my lips and taking a deep drag.

It hit me almost immediately, muddling my senses and softening the edges of everything. I sighed as I exhaled, the billowing smoke filling the air above my head. I leaned my neck back until my head hit the pillows and took another hit, closing my eyes as I soaked in the effects.

"Can I have a hit?"

A sly grin covered my face before I even opened my eyes to look up to see Venus standing closer to me than she needed to. I watch her as I slowly take another hit, passing it to her as I exhaled the cloud of smoke from my lungs.

Her hands shaking slightly, she gripped it in her hand and pressed it to those plush pink lips of hers, taking a drag without breaking eye contact with me. Cassian walked up behind her, looking down at me with a look I couldn't place.