When the stars align - rhysand x male!oc

chapter 1

rhysand found himself in the middle of the forest again. the only difference this time was that he wasn't alone. the men he considered brothers, azriel and cassian, stood beside him while the moonlight softly shone down on them. just like 60 years ago  the forest seemed to hold its breath. no rustling of leaves, no animal in sight.

"are you sure this is the right place?", asked cassian. he was a little skeptical about this whole thing. traveling to another world? it sounded absurd to him but he trusted his brother with his whole heart. his brother was not only his high lord but also his trusted friend, who he knew since they were kids.

rhysand had an almost unnoticeable smile gracing his lips. "yes. this is the exact same spot".

and so the two illyrians watched their high lord perform the ritual. they watched with furrowed eyebrows as rhysand drew strange symbols on the ground, said words neither of them could understand. but their skepticism quickly turned to surprise once the ring of light stood before them.

the same house at the same lake came into view.

nothing changed.

without hesitation the high lord stepped through the portal on the other side and took in the fresh breeze. unlike last time it was daytime and the summer sun mercilessly shined down on them. but they payed the heat no mind as the three of them walked towards the house.

knock knock

a feeling of nostalgia hit rhysand as he heard footsteps approaching. an older looking woman opened the door.
"who is it-?", she dropped the mug of coffee she was holding when she saw him. her hands went to cover her mouth as she attempted to stop the sob that wanted to escape her.

"is this real? is it really you rhysand?"

rhysand was surprised. the witch he visited 60 years ago had surely already died of old age. so this had to be-

"margaret"
the high lord grinned at the woman. he wasn't sure if she would remember, she was still a child at that time.

margaret introduced herself once she noticed he didn't come alone and welcomed them in. cassian was the one to explain the situation they were in and that they needed help against hybern. the woman went quiet as she looked at the fae with an apologetic expression on her face.

"i would love to help you. i really would but with age my magic has weakened and i wouldn't be of much help. i'm sorry"
she took a deep breath. "but i know a young woman who could help."
she told how this young woman was adopted by her around 20 years ago when margaret found out she couldn't have children of her own.

without wasting more time margaret drove them to the city where they stopped in front of a tattooing shop. daphnes ink was written on the door and the big window in fancy cursive letters. they entered the shop and were met with music softly playing in the background and the buzzing of a tattoo gun coming from the next room. the room was well lit and decorated. the walls were painted a soft grey with baby blue accents here and there. tons of pictures lined the walls up, some designs but also photos of customers showing off their newest tattoo were giving the place a professional but friendly atmosphere. in the right corner was a lounging area with leather couches and chairs, a black coffee table sitting in the middle with magazines and a middle sized flower pot decorating it. bigger flowers stood in almost every corner and gave the shop a more lively look. on the left side there was a big counter with signs promoting the shop or simply some funny lines.

a bell chimed as they opened the door. the buzzing stopped.
"i'll be with you in just a second!" a woman's voice called from the room and they heard a conversation taking place there. just moments later a young woman with tattoos littered across her skin showed up. her jet black hair was adorned with a red bandana which complimented her red lips. she was breathtakingly beautiful.

a tall man a bit older than her followed her out to the counter. she explained to him how to take care of the tattoo and when the man payed for the service, he left.