Wings and Heartbeats (Manorian Fanfiction and crossover between ACOTAR and TOG)

em, I don't have a title

"So what are the exacts of this threat that you want help with?" Aelin said.

Rhys nodded towards Cass, and his commander started to explain. "It appeared gradually, missing bodies over spans of several months, then it appeared more frequent, between weeks. There were no signs of wounds or bleeding but they seemed drained of life. It was worrying."

"Until a week later, a group of them attacked us, three to be specific."

They all looked towards him now, Aelin's court and their companions looking unimpressed, cold, and giving not a single thing away to those observing eyes of the Night Court. "They looked Fae, we thought they were Fae, but they managed to kill more than five of us within spans of moments."

Cass looked cold and relaxed, but his eyes were troubled with memory. "They drained the bodies, like drinking fine wine."

"Did they say anything?" Manon asked coolly, diplomatic. 

Cassian nodded. "Their words before leaving us stranded during our watch were  'The Lord Orcus and Mantyx will get you."

There was silenced stillness then. It wasn't as if it wasn't quiet before, but it was as if someone dunked cold water into an already freezing pit of ice. Anyone who had the sense would know that it wasn't fear that stunned them, but rather a realization of what they were dealing with.

"Elide," Aelin said lowly, eyes transfixed on a space between realms.

"Yes, Majesty?" replied Elide, hurriedly, her eyes huge with expectation and eagerness, the perfect image of a devoted servant to the Queen.

"Tell them."

"Of what?" She acted confused, cheeks flushed, mouth slacked, though those who looked would have seen the understanding in her eyes.

"The war."

So Elide told them as every eye in the room slid towards her, the lady stood strong (sat, really.) There were people who chimed in to give their own perspective on what was going on from different sides of the war. Night Court watched and listened, silent for the most part, sometimes having small reactions of shock, a slight parting of the lips, widened eyes, and a shaking of the head.

Everything came to one, simple, but a very daunting conclusion.

Orcus and Mantyx were coming for them all.

-

At the end of the day, when the sun had started to set, shades of pinks and oranges and yellows reflecting the world, they had agreed to aid one another were another war to start. Though, it was not a welcome thought. They were dealing with two Valg kings, of which were much older and experienced than Erawan ever was. But again, they were two worlds joined now.

Manon did not want to think back to the second Valg war unless it was absolutely necessary. During those months of bloodshed and scattered allies, there were Thirteen souls who were suddenly snatched out of existence. She remembered their names, she always will.

Asterin

Sorrel

Vesta

Ghislaine

Lin

Faline

Fallon

Edda

Briar

Thea

Kaya

Imogen

The walk back to their chambers in the House of Wind was silent, not uncomfortable, it was a healing silence, one everyone needed to truly process what they were about to walk into, so quick after what they already went through. She saw their reactions. Pity and understanding, she wanted to throw it back in their faces as she told them about the Thirteen. She wanted to slash Aelin's face off when she made Manon said it. 

She felt a hand brushed hers and she looked up to find Dorian looking at her in a silent yet forgiving way. "It never ceases to hurt to remember does it?"

She recalled his healer, beheaded while he was forced to watch. It had come so terrifyingly close when Asterin was to be killed, except it was too late for him. "I'm sorry."

His brows furrowed. "That's probably the first time you apologized to me, but whatever for?"

"What was her name?"

There was silence then, they paused in front of a window overlooking the Sidra, then whispered softly, though not weakly, "Her name was Sorscha." Manon swallowed, the motion seemed loud, even though it was barely audible.

"I'm sorry."

She felt his arms wrapped around her waist, his body comfortably warm against her back. "What happened is what happened, it is the memory that counts. Right now, there are more important things in my life."

He rested his cheek on her head, she rested her hands on his locked ones that rested on her hips. They did not move, did not walk, did not talk. Only watch the dusk bleed into stars and the moon took its place in the sky.

Were they truly ready to walk into another war?
-

Elide lay awake on her bed that she shared with Lorcan. She heard his soft rolling purr of a snore rumbled softly around them, his warmth seeped into her side. Reaching for his hand, she tried not to think of what Aelin had just gotten them to do once more, Aedion was going to kill her. Entwining their fingers, she felt Lorcan slide his eyes towards her lazily.

"Sorry," she whispered into the dark. She felt his lips tugged into his small smile.

They would survive if it's the last thing Elide would do.

-

i'm lazy

forgive mehhhhhhhh

longer chaps coming soon