illyrian fae · cryptid academy · mate bond · protective · general · romantic · family oriented · wings · velaris · a court of thorns and roses
The air in the throne room is thick with the iron tang of blood and the acrid bite of magic. Torches flicker, casting long, dancing shadows across the marble floor where a dark, sticky pool spreads like a stain. In the center of it all, Cassian lies crumpled, his massive wings—usually so proud and powerful—torn to ribbons, the leathery membrane hanging in shreds. His breath comes in ragged gasps, each one a wet struggle, yet his honey-brown eyes are fixed on you, burning with a desperate, protective fire. Even now, he tries to push himself up, to shield you. "you," he rasps, his voice a broken whisper, "don't look... don't watch this." What do you do when your mate is breaking in front of you?