ToG/ACOTAR Oneshots (previously Empire of Shadows)

The Torre Cesme

At the top is what I pictured the Cesme looking like☺️
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I open my eyes in a room that is warm and see a blanket covering my body.  Im laying in...in a bed.  Not cold iron walls or an iron mask on my face.  I look around the room.  There are candles lit all around the room and a large bay window where i see someone sitting.  I notice his silver hair first.  A small cry escapes my lips and he faces me.  "Rowan?"  I gasp.  He rushes over to my bed.  "Aelin!"  He exclaimes.  I sit up and wrap my arms around him tight.  "I...you...i missed you."  I stutter.  Rowan holds me tight to his chest.  "Its ok Fireheart your safe now."  He whispers.  I begin to cry.   Rowan rubs my back in comfort.  I cry for him, i cry for the fact that i will die soon being the promised one, i cry for the future children i'll never have with him, and lastly i cry for the two years of darkness.   "The healers started working on you two days ago.  They have two healers in here at a time.  One of them works on your back, and the other works everywhere else."  Rowan says to me between my raking sobs.  I was out for two days?  "Two days?"  Rowan nods.  "Yes it was a long two days but still we managed to get through them."  We?  Rowan smiles.  "What you didn't think i was the only one here did you?"  I shake my head in disbelief.  That's when the door opens and all of my friends walk in.  Dorian, Manon, Elide, Lysandra and Evangeline, Chaol–who is now walking–and Nesryn with him.  "Hello Aelin."  Dorian says.  I get off of Rowan and run to them all.  But that plan fails as i faceplant onto the floor.  Rowan rushes to me and helps me up. Dorain laughs. "Careful Aelin you don't wanna end up like Chaol!" Chaol grumbles. "It was one time and now everyone laughs!" I begin laughing and so does everyone else. Well except Chaol he is still pouting. Rowan stands me up and helps me walk over to my friends. "I missed you all so much." I tell them. Lysandra runs and hugs me. "A-Aedion where is he?" I ask Lysandra. She gives me a grim look. "Aelin...Aedion is...um he isn't here right now." No. Nonono! "Where is he!" I shout. Rowan tightens his grip on me slightly. "Aedion is gone in the North. He hasn't said anything to us in ages. I...we don't know what he's doing. The war is almost over and Erelia is in one piece but...Aedion keeps trying to bargain himself to the Gods in your place." Lysandra says. I feel like I'm going to faint. "W-what?" Dorian steps forward. "He has tried and failed but...well there is one option left. Me. I know it's supposed to be you but what if they took and equally powerful king? What if instead of an Heir of Fire they get an Heir of Ice?" I shake my head. "Dorain no." He gives me a small smile then points to his forehead. There is a faint scar. No not a scar. The mark of the bastard born. Brannon's mark. "I already did...well in part. I bargained with the gods. Half of me and...and half of you. You won't have as long of a life as you once would have but...well you aren't dying soon either. I will give up half my power and life. Then to complete the lock...half of your power and life." I begin to cry again. "Dorian...why would you do this? You have so much to live for. You are not mortal but you aren't immortal either. Your life won't be as long as it could be if you do this." He sits beside me on the bed. "Aelin we both have things to live for, we just have to enjoy it while it lasts. I wanted to give myself wholy but...well Manon wouldn't let me." He looks to the witch and she gives him a Farrel grin. "That's right Princling." He smirks at her. "We'll discuss this later, Witchling." Manon leaves the room and everyone else follows. Except for Elide. And Rowan of course. "Hello Elide." I say with a smile. She breaks down crying. "Aelin. I...i never thought i'd get to see you again!" She wraps her arms around me. "How on earth did you make Lorcan Salavarte your bitch?" She wipes away her tears and laughs. "I'm honestly not sure." She begins to tell me about her journey to find myself and my court. She tells me about the Ilken and joining a traveling circus. And about how after i was taken she wouldn't talk to Lorcan. She stopped talking to him for six months. Not a single word. Then he pretty much forced her to talk and the first thing that happened was him kissing her.  They've been together since then.  "So you're used to the 'territorial fae bullshit' as i call it?"  Elide laughs.  "Pretty much."  We continue talking about what happened to us for 10 years and all Elide learned in Morath.  "So about you being a witch..." I say.  She smiles.  "I am still little Elide but with a bit more bite for my bark.  Lorcan and Rowan have taught me a few tricks of the trade.  And Manon showed me how to use these."  She clicks her iron teeth and nails into place.  Holy shit!  "Elide that's amazing!"  I say.  She retracts them and gives me a cocky grin.  "We should spar sometime."  I return her smile.  "Agreed."  She holds out her hand and i shake it.  "Well i've gotta go.  Lorcan and i have a training session."  I hug Elide goodbye and watch as Rowan closes the door behind her.  He sits down beside me on the bed.  "How do you feel?"  He asks.  I shrug.  "I don't really know.  Elide is a full blood iron teeth witch, Lorcan sounds like he found his mate, i've been returned to my Mate only to find out my life has been sliced in half because of some shitty mistakes my ancestor made and so now one of my friends feels the need to share that burden."  Rowan grunts.  "Let's not worry about that now."  He whispers in my ear.  He moves me onto his lap.  "For now all i want to worry about is you."  I tell him.  He smiles against my neck amd drags his canines along it.  I shiver.  "Hmm..." He teases.  I drag my arms down his back.  Rowan kisses my neck.  "Not here.  Not now Fireheart.  You need rest, and I don't want an audience when i make you moan."  I kiss him.  "Buzzard."  I murmur against his lips.  Rowan just laughs.  The two of us lay down.  I curl up to Rowan's side and he holds me tight.  I missed his pine and snow scent.  I missed him.  "I love you."  I whisper as i drift off.  Rowan kisses my forehead.  "I love you too Fireheart."  I hear him say as i fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.