**Inspired by OUTLANDER - Daily releases starting 4/09 -- 480+ pages complete** Following the events of ACOSF, the Valkyrie must answer for their victory in the Blood Rite and face trial before the Illyrian Tribunal in Windhaven. Corporal punishment is certain, but there is one way around it for Gwyneth Berdara: Marriage. "As Gwyneth Berdara's husband, I invoke the right to accept whatever punishment is determined on her behalf." Slowly, the three Magistrates' heads swiveled to Gwyn. The priestess swallowed hard. "Miss Berdara," Crispin said, "You can confirm that you are the wife of Spymaster Azriel?" She did not hesitate. "Yes." Celio's brows furrowed, while Crispin exhaled heavily. "Thank you, for confirming, Miss Berdara," Fabius said, his voice slick with mock amiability. "Please note that we reserve the right to call your union into question if we find justification." He shifted his attention to Azriel. "Sustained, Spymaster Azriel." A special thanks to Avery (@freckles_and_fiction on tiktok), Sarah (@rosebudmode on tiktok) and Taylor (@taylorsbooktoks on tiktok) for beta-ing this fic.

550 pages complete - daily updates coming 7/18 The insinuation didn't make her mad. It didn't comfort her. But it did strike a chord. "My instincts are the only reason I'm alive. They're why those children in Sangravah survived." Azriel descended to the grounds of the river house. "Then perhaps you should listen to them." He set her down gently and the moment she opened her mouth to retort, he cut her off. "I told you I would wait. I meant it." His words rendered her dumbfounded. They were the words of a male devoted. A male who knew her far longer than Azriel had. But she didn't reject them, because her tears over his broken body had been the tears of a female who had lost a part of their soul. A female bound to him. "Shall we?" said Azriel, gesturing up at the river house. And Gwyn nodded, for she knew no words. *cover by lowkeystruggling*