#azriel is a switch confirmed

[emmitaaa4]

You ever think about Azriel “tilting her face the way he wanted it” and just know he would wanna look at your face as he has his way with you and talks you through it—

WOW WHO SAID THAT

… *bites lip*

[shadowsatdawnx]

i really need people to understand that if the POVs for the next book are confirmed to be elain and azriel, that means that they are endgame. SJM said herself that each spinoff book will be the POVs of one couple and their HEA.

it’s not going to be some ToD bait and switch. that’s not how this series has been structured. TOG was a fantasy-forward series, ACOTAR is a romance-forward series; she isn’t doing crazy switch-ups for the sake of the shock factor. the endgames for all of the archeron sisters have been clear since ACOWAR (hell, i’d even say ACOMAF) if you understand how storytelling works.

i already see people claiming that even if the next book is elain and azriel’s POV, it doesn’t mean they will be endgame, but that is categorically false. SJM is not wasting a whole book where half the romance is them “getting each other out of their system” just to run to their actual endgame. any way you look at it, that would make for a god awful romance.

hell, people are already doing this with nessian; they truly believe that SJM wrote an entire book focused on nesta and cassian’s love story, just to tear it all down later and have nesta and eris end up together, and that is just… so absurd.

just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean it isn’t true. nessian is endgame, and if the next book is elain and azriel’s POVs that means they are endgame too. it’s better if you come to terms with this now.

[heycasper22]

Acotar long theory - Rhysand & Gwynriel.

Spoilers all SJM books

Rhys Knows about about the mating bond between Gwyn and Azriel.

This is a theory that I can really get behind anyway and here's why. 

Staring out with SJM retconning the events surrounding the raid on the temple in Sangravah. In ACOMAF Rhys states he had to wait for confirmation from Azriel that Sangravah had been raided, Mor also appears to be shocked by this news so we can take for granted that Azriel was either there or obtained the info to pass on to Rhys.

In ACOSF however SJM changed this to Azriel definitely being there, first and slaughtering all the Hybern soldiers, then Mor a few minutes later and then Rhys arriving in person. 

This is actually the part of the recton that I find the most interesting. That Rhys himself turned up. Sarah could have retconned it so Azriel then Mor and Cassian winnowing in together with less tampering with what she originally said. Rhys often delagates tasks/missions to others.

Having Rhys present leads me to believe that there would be some purpose in his being there, Mor I think could be accounted for as a female presence to help the priestesses. Gwyn even specifies what the characters do, Azriel kills, Mor heals but not what Rhys did. 

So what purpose could Rhys have had in that scene?

Was he put there just so that he was already introduced to Gwyn and could snipe at Nesta when he sees them together in the training ring? He already knows why all the Priestess are at the HoW library, he could have sniped at Nesta wether or not he knew her personally or not. 

For this I'd like to look at some examples of Rhys talking about his own power, the particular way he describes what he was doing with his power while UTM

"I made a web between all of them, actively controlling their minds every second of every day, every decade, to forget about Velaris, to forget about Mor, and Amren, and Cassian, and Azriel." - ACOMAF

"anyone flying or traveling near Velaris would see nothing but barren rock, and if they tried to walk through it, they’d find themselves suddenly deciding otherwise." - ACOMAF

“Amarantha didn’t know they existed. And when someone tried to tell her, they usually found themselves without the mind to do so.” - ACOMAF

We know that it is in Rhys' wheelhouse to make people forget and importantly to make people switch tack when their mind strays towards a subject he wishes to remain a secret. Imagine you wish to tell someone something but suddenly all it slips away and now you're just wondering if you left your oven on. 

So if you will, go on this journey with me, and we say for instance, a mating bond snapped into place for Azriel and Gwyn upon their first meeting, how truly, truly terrified might she have been in that moment. After everything she'd just been through.  

Gwyn says that Azriel "slaughtered them all" 

Could his rage have been something to behold even for Rhys to know what it was? As Ruhn can tell when Hunt goes into a Mates rage in HOSAB?

Could Rhysand have snatched Azriel's mind in that moment, and made him forget? Just tied a little knot in his mind and held onto it all this time?

I suppose a good question is would Rhysand do that, because we know that he could. 

In ACOWAR there's a scene that's brought up frequently in regards to ships and has been gone over quite thoroughly but I'd like to go over some bits and pieces that interest me for this theory however.

The conversation Rhys and Feyre have before leaving for the Hewn City chapter 24.

Feyre feels guilty for entering Lucien's mind without consent, albeit she did this because of her deep concern for Elain. 

'Would you have done it? '

'Rhys considered. Yes. And I would have felt just as guilty afterward.'

Rhys confirms he would go into a friend's mind, and that he would feel guilty for doing so.

He then goes onto assuage Feyre's guilt, determining that she had a good reason to do what she did.  A 'for the greater good' sort of reasoning. 

We see this reasoning resurface in Rhysand in ACOSF where he makes a poor choice in hiding the real risk of Feyre's pregnancy to her. He didnt wish to upset her, and wanted a solution to hand before he informed her. This isn't necessarily about the really poor choice he made more that he believed he had sufficient reasoning. 

To go back to ACOWAR ch24:

Feyre asks if Rhys thinks Lucien and Elain are well suited, he doesn't really give and answer except to say that Lucien is loyal and fiercely so, and then we get this interesting choice of words:

“So is Azriel.”

“Azriel,” Rhys said, “has been preoccupied with the same female for the past five hundred years.”

Not in love with Mor, but preoccupied, distracted by. 

Then immediately afterwards Rhys, who never really tells Feyre what to do, basically asks her not to get involved in Azriel and Mor's business. As though he really takes no issue with his brother being 'preoccupied' with Mor. 

Rhys also does not offer any comment about Feyre's thoughts on Azriel and Elain as a couple. 

As for Azriel's ACOSF bonus chapter, a lot of people where mad at Rhys, either for him interrupting an Elain/Az kiss and meddling in their business or just for the simple fact he seemed to be 'throwing his weight around' a little bit. 

Rhys' surface level explanation of this as a Ruler makes sense, but let's look at a potential different angle. 

"What if the Cauldron was wrong?"

Rhysand blinked. "What of Mor, Az?"

Azriel questions the Cauldron and the first thing Rhys does is to bring up someone he knows Az is preoccupied with, a 500 year distraction to keep him chasing his tail. 

"The Cauldron chose three sisters. Tell me how it's possible that my two brothers are with two of those sisters, yet the third was given to another"

Rhys' face drained of color. 

Rhysand does not pale easily. From my checking, that descriptor for him seems to be reserved for if something really upsets him or freaks him out (like Feyre talking about her death)

So for him to drain of colour, that sentence has to have really really bothered him, guilt perhaps at something he has done? 

We know a mate bond can never truly be broken or go away, but for the males it can "drive them mad" 

Could this be concern over Azriel's mental state not just because of the rash decision to kiss Elain where anyone including Lucien could see, but for what Rhys thinks might happen to a mated male when he does not remember that he is mated or who to?

"You believe you deserve to be her mate?"

This could be Rhys looking for that reasoning, has he done the right thing or made a huge mistake. 

"Allow me to make one thing very clear. You are to stay away from her." 

This seems pretty extreme, unless however you alone understand how truly messy things could become, aside from all the explanation he gives about Lucien, including the blood duel (Which is odd for Rhys to mention as he knows Lucien is Helion's son) 

Gwyn is Nesta's friend. Azriel is already physically spending time in Gwyn's presence, perhaps Rhysand is hoping he'll be able let go soon. How mad you might be at your brother being so close to everything he ever wanted and him fucking it up, even if it you had a part to play in it. You would put your foot down. Hard. 

"So you will leave Elain alone. If you need to fuck someone, go to a pleasure hall and pay for it, but stay away from her."

Where is the: 'Hey brother I know how you must be feeling but dont worry, there must be a special someone out there who loves and deserves you, get out there and look!' ?

The options he confronts Azriel with are, hey what about the girl we all know you're never going to get with or failing that, pay for a sex worker? Seems like Rhys might actually be limiting Azriel to people he believes he won't form an serious relationship with doesn't it?

"Snarl all you want."

"But if I see you panting after her again, I'll make you regret it."

This actually stuns Azriel out of being angry, Rhys doesn't do this sort of thing normally. 

So if you add this up with Rhys saying Elain would have the full support of the Night Court should she wish to reject her mating bond, why would Azriel have to stay away from Elain forever? If that's what she wanted and he wanted. 

Something so out of character for Rhys it shocks Azriel, just to set up a forbidden love trope? 

As mentioned some were pissed at Rhys for all this.

But SJM likes to do this to us, she likes for us to BE ANGRY at characters, and then give us an explanation that breaks our heart or at the least helps us understand later down the line. (If I factor in my long Elain theory we might even be thanking him for interrupting!)

Because Rhys would have done this for Gwyn, not for Az, but to protect her, to try and offer her some peace while she heals.

If this theory where true, I'd like to imagine that he had a conversation with her and let her know that full stop that Az wouldn't try and pursue her unless she was ready wether that be 2 years, a decade or never. 

But again what we have seen is Rhys being down right horrible sometimes, if he believes it's for the greater good, then we usually get the actual explanation for it later. 

Further on in the BC Azriel obviously interacts with Gwyn. 

"For a heartbeat their gazes met. He blocked out the bloody memory that flashed, so at odds with the Gwyn he saw before him now" 

Did he block it out? 

Or did he just get too close to remembering everything.

Did Rhys yank on that leash?

"I just. . . I know you like to be alone." 

Gwyn most definitely could have perceived that about Azriel, but in theory she also could have asked someone who knows him to tell her about him. 

'Azriel dipped his head in a sketch of a bow. something restless settling in him. Even his shadows had calmed. As if content to lounge on his shoulders and watch.

But--- sleep. He needed to at least attempt to get some.'

'He wouldn't go so far as to call Gwyn a friend, but...'

These buts... These sort of... interrupted thoughts, paired with sense that Azriel isn't entirely sure why he's doing some things. It does give the sense of other forces at play.

I know some people like to go in for the Gwyn is lightsinger theory, personally I don't (I address this in my long Elain theory) Especially with the points at where these thoughts are cut off. 

I know some also like the 'fake bond' theory like Aelin/Rowan/Lyria. Maeve of course having similar powers to Rhys, I'd find it much more likely however that Rhys would use his power to 'hide' a bond for good, than to fake one, for evil. Or even to fake one full stop. 

Mating bonds are powerful things though as we see in ToG even with an altered mind Rowan is still attracted to and still falls in love with his actual Mate.

Does Rhys really have the power totally control everything about Azriel's bond to Gwyn now that he's actually interacting with her? Perhaps they'll fall in love before Gwyn and Rhys fess up to having known all along.

One would think though that Rhys trying to keep a hold on such a powerful and primal force might affect Azriel though...you would expect to see something more than interrupted thoughts, something more physical like oh, I don't know...

Headaches? 😉

Again this is just a theory, theories are fun and we all like to rummage through the text and try and figure stuff out through this long wait. I can't believe it ended up being this long even though I really tired to stick to the topic at hand! Plausible or not plausible? If you got this far, thanks

[sjmgirlie]

I saw these comments and it got me thinking..

Why was Lucien so sassy and compelling in the first novel and then fell off after?.. As mentioned by the commentators?

Lucien originally was meant to be Nesta’s mate. SJM confirmed this.

There are posts already made (myself included) that highlight that Nesta would have rejected Lucien immediately if she were to be mated with him after the cauldron. Elain, on the other hand, would not be. She is a people pleaser, and RHYS calls this out in the ACOSF bonus chapter everyone omits from their memories.

This was an intentional switch because again.. a rejected mates trope was in SJM’s mind when she had Feyre say in ACOWAR: “why not make them mates?…. Who decides it?… What if that is what she NEEDS?”

But why else has Lucien’s character fell off in the sense he isn’t really the Lucien we saw before? The one we all loved? (Other than obvious trauma)

Because Lucien is not meant to be the male lead in Elain’s story.

Will he be in it? Yes of course. He is her mate. But will we get his POV? No.

Without getting into Elain’s head, we had a POV of how Elain is seen by Feyre and Rhys. Without getting in Elain’s head, we got a POV of how Azriel views her (much like Cassian��s POV in ACOMAF and ACOFAS).

We didn’t get Elain because it would give away too much. Also Nesta never got a POV before ACOSF either because it would give too much of her away.

Lucien’s story is intertwined with Elain’s, but it does not end with hers, it ends with the Band of Exiles. Where he has been since ACOSF. It’s about him finding a true home, a place to stay that he made of his own, not Autumn, not Spring. Wherever he ends up (hopefully at Day), that is his journey. Elain is not leaving the Night Court.

[acourtofthought]

What Azriel's shadows did in ACOMAF and ACOWAR doesn't matter.

What Sarah told us about Azriel's shadows in the bonus (in his own words) and SF do.

Sometimes she writes certain things without knowing the direction she's going to be taking a character but once she does and it's clear that the newest information presented is where she wants your focus to be, the rest is irrelevant. Because of that, , those long posts providing excerpts on what the shadows previously did around Elain and Mor in past books are wasted especially as it's only someone's interpretation of what the shadows were doing and why (not the actual character who said shadows belong to confirming it).

It's no different than book 1 Lucien versus book 2 Lucien. I can't argue that Lucien is a white MMC simply because it's what she told us in ACOTAR when it's clear Sarah changed his arc after that to become a POC, once she switched up his heritage after realizing who his mate would be.

The only things that now matter in relation to Az's shadows are that they tend to vanish around Elain, he considers them his companions therefore he's not looking for them to disappear, they are often afraid of sunlight (Elain is full of light and craves sunshine), Gwyn is the only one who treats the shadows as separate from Az, the only one who acknowledges them as their own beings, and the shadows in return have only ever showed curiosity towards her and / or her breath.

All suggesting a possible mate for Az in Gwyn and a mate for the shadows in Gwyn's own song / power.

[starsreminisce]

I’m honestly afraid of sjm. Like i could imagine that she would introduce gwyn just to build another obstacle for elriel. And if she does that i will never forgive her for it. I will never pick up another book of her. Like no girl you already had lucien/az/elain there is no need for another person. And for that person to have such a horrible past where az is also a part of. So i just really hope it will be gwynriel

I can imagine the fear, as SJM does like to bait and switch her endgames. I know a lot of people were banking on Hunt not being Bryce's endgame because of her penchant for first loves not being forever loves.

But you're right, it doesn’t make sense for Gwyn to be an obstacle for E/riel when Azriel is already an obstacle for Elucien. The grave Azriel dug by calling her a mistake, leaving without apologizing, and giving her present to another girl who made him feel more settled to the point of contentment than Elain ever did is practically a tunnel to Tibet.

Nesryn wasn't even an obstacle for Chaolrene.

It's evident because there were no moments between Elain and Azriel after the Solstice.

E/riel has more stacked against them: the tropes SJM likes, the tropes she doesn’t, how she feels about forbidden romances, the way she believes a male ought to act towards the female, fourth wall hints through interviews, and pins on Pinterest. Shit, even her Pisces Venus gives us more ideas of what she values.

Of course, this is her world, her characters, her imagination. As much as people are sick and tired of her writing fated mates, I’m equally tired of reading about triangles where the only convincing thing that pulls a female to the "darker" version is simply because they are drawn to them "for whatever reason."

She did that already. It was Feysand. Rhys was her mate so it's a damn good reason for being drawn to him.

I think I’ve given enough chances and read enough Pro-E/riel metas that I’m still not convinced why Azriel, who treats Gwyn more like the other males treat their endgames in her other series, would end up with Elain over Lucien. We don’t have a Gwyn equivalent for Lucien, and Vassa is no longer a factor now that Lucien knows she has little time left and decides to come up to Velaris for Solstice.

It’s like what you said—SJM had the opportunity in HOFAS to give us a way to let go of Elucien/Gwynriel, but she dug deeper into her mating lore. The Cauldron had been refashioned into the world's kill switch, but we know that all mating bonds come from a higher being. Bryce didn’t see her own mating bond while holding Truth-Teller, so how is Azriel going to cut Elucien’s? Slicing the air between Elain and Lucien? lol.

So, with all that, if Tamlin-Feyre-Rhys, Ithan-Bryce-Hunt, and Dorian-Celaena-Chaol are her examples of triangles, we know she has a clear demarcation line of when one relationship ends and another begins. She made Ruhn and Hypaxia pretty clear they weren’t endgame, and let me tell you, my fake-dating heart was broken with Bryce and Cormac (they didn't even fake date!).

SJM loves her bait-and-switches and surprises when it comes to endgames, but she’s been consistent in showing the "why" behind each pairing. She doesn’t let someone go without the female having an epiphany, and if you remove the mating bond from any couple, there’s still that "Like Calls to Like" foundation between them.

I was shocked when Elain and Lucien were revealed as mates in ACOMAF, and ACOSF just confirmed that they’re still developing. I don’t need to know how Elain and Lucien are doing in ACOSF when I know Azriel had a difficult time with Elain, only to end the bonus chapter happy with Gwyn.

If SJM retcons that, then I’d seriously question her planning, and I might be better off letting the series go altogether.

Thanks for asking! I hope this was helpful!

[thevalkyriesshadow]

@valkyrieappreciationweek

Day 7: Free Day/AU

Nest Friends

canon setting | omegaverse AU | 3,845 words

Inspired by a headcanon I saw where pregnant omegas will nest in one big, fluffy pile of blankets together and share tips and stories of their pregnancies with each other. I thought of our Valkyries immediately and had to write this! Read my omegaverse!valkyries AU under the cut or here on Ao3!

Dividers by @adornedwithlight and @strangergraphics-archive

Emotions were running high and everything was falling apart…well at least for Gwyneth Berdara, that's what it felt like.

Azriel, bless him, had landed himself one feisty omega. A fact that was only further confirmed when they found out Gwyn was pregnant. Since then, Gwyn had been on high alert, moody, snappy, picky with everything you put in front of her, and overall, a typical omega – but tenfold. 

She was ten weeks pregnant and in the belly of morning sickness, dizziness, and unpredictable mood swings and of course today she was tasked with getting the nest set up for her, Nesta, and Emerie's weekly nesting session – a task that really wasn't that demanding, but with Gwyn in this stage of pregnancy…

“Az!”

“Azzzz – AZRIEL!!”

Azriel was at the door by the second time Gwyn had called out his name. “Yes – Yes, Gwyn! What is it – Gwyn, what’s wrong, love?” He rushed to her side.

Gwyn started sobbing, holding up strands of different colored strings, “I – I forgot the charms for– for the bracelets!” She covered her face with her hands. “I've ruined it…”

Azriel wrapped his arms around her shoulders, nuzzled his chin against her head, and said – in a calm, collected voice, “You haven't ruined anything – you can still make the bracelets –” He was going to say without the charms, but he stopped short at the glare Gwyn gave him. So instead, he squeezed her tighter and added, “-- I’ll go grab the charms. You stay here and keep setting up.” 

He let her wipe her tears (and probably some snot too) into his sweater before dashing back to their cottage by the water.

Gwyn turned back and sighed as she looked around the room and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. Perhaps she overreacted…but those charms are a necessity when making bracelets. How could they possibly make bracelets for their first brood if they didn’t have charms?! She needed them.

Gwyn continued to set up the nesting room The House had constructed for them. She changed out the string lights, switching the multi-colored faelights they previously had with softer, yellow lights. Their last nesting was more on the active side with yoga and a dance-out-the-nerves session. But after talking to Nesta and Emerie at dinner last night, they decided something relaxing and creative was in order.

Gwyn made sure they had their coziest blankets and pillows and random garments in stock. She peered around the room at her handiwork and rested a hand on her belly as she took a deep breath in and sighed out, soaking in the scent of her and her best friends.

She’d never forget the look of excitement on their faces when she told them she was pregnant. The three immediately started amicably talking about all the things they were going to do together, from being there for each other during these ten months, to raising their children together. From that moment on, her, Nesta, and Emerie agreed that they wouldn't endure their pregnancies alone. That they'd do it together, like everything else in their lives. 

They had gathered and asked The House to create a cozy room with a large, soft bed, extra blankets, pillows, billowing curtains, soft fuzzy rugs, and food of any kind available.

It was their little nesting getaway for when the alphas were being, well, alphas. A moment for them to enjoy the book they're reading or tea they’re sipping without their alphas, quite literally, sticking their nose into everything.

The Valkyries, of course, loved their mates with all their heart, but when an alpha *Cassian* thinks it’s a good idea to sniff around their omega during their private smut reading time – then it’s time to set some boundaries.

So now, the three omegas could read, nap, and eat to their heart's content without the alpha reading the nutrition label to make sure they’re getting enough folic acid. Or checking they were still breathing, waking them from the deepest, most wonderful naps. (Emerie said she’d lashed out a little too harshly at Mor for waking her from such a deep slumber, but apparently Mor was concerned because Emerie had breathed funny…)

The Valkyries liked to start with a clean bed, no blankets or pillows, and they’d add the heavily scented stuff first, then the newer stuff, wanting to mix the scents in as much as they could. They’d do this on a rotating bi-weekly schedule – unless of course someone’s bladder incontinence wins them over. Then everything is washed and they start anew.

Gwyn had just finished turning on all the twinkle faelights when the door to the nest opened. In walked – or rather waddled – Emerie and a glowing Nesta.

“Gwyn!” Nesta squealed. “How are you doing? Ten weeks yesterday, right?”

Emerie groaned, “Ugh, to be ten weeks again.” Emerie was the furthest along of all of them. Twenty six weeks and she had all the struggles – back pain, practice contractions, headaches, constipation. You name it, Emerie had it. 

Gwyn smiled – and then started to cry. Nesta and Emerie were by her side as fast as their waddling feet would allow.

“Oh, Gwyn – you’re alright –” Nesta put a hand around Gwyn, rubbing soothing circles across her back.

“I know –” Gwyn shuddered a breath, “I just…I can’t stop cryyyinggg….” Gwyn wailed and wiped at her face hurriedly. 

Emerie took Gwyn’s freckled hand in hers and kissed her knuckles, “The emotions are almost always the hardest. What do you need?”

Gwyn sniffed and looked between the two Valkyries sheepishly, “Ice cream.” 

A thunk behind them told them The House was listening and waiting to serve the omegas as needed. 

“With candy chunks,” Gwyn added. 

Another thunk.

The trio gave each other mischievous looks, and the ordering began.

Fifteen minutes later and a mountain of food, the Valkyries could finally begin adding the finishing touches to the nest.

Nesta went to her drawers of the room and tossed a huge, fluffy red blanket down first. Emerie added a silky golden wrap, and Gwyn a teal blanket she’d knitted. Then they threw a bunch of pillows into the nest. Emerie appeared with a handful of bags then, announcing she had gifts. Gwyn and Nesta rushed over, excited to see what Emerie had in her bags. She reached into one and pulled out a fluffy, white pillow with the words Gwyn’s Nesting Pillow embroidered with teal lettering. Nesta’s was black velvet with silver writing. Emerie made herself one too, an emerald green suede pillow with golden stitching.

“Oh my gods, Em! They're amazing!” Gwyn hugged her pillow tight, squeezing it in her muscular arms. 

Nesta inspected the embroidery on hers, “Emerie this is beautiful work.”

Emerie blushed, “Just another weekend project. You guys are worth it.” She pulled Nesta and Gwyn into a group hug, their pregnant bellies bumping together. 

After blubbering and giggling together, they gathered their food and new pillows, and retreated to their nest.

Their nesting area was a half circle bed that sat at just the right height for easy sitting and standing requirements. Perfect to crawl into without needing to exert effort or make a fool of themselves and topple into it. 

And the smell…

A mix of all three of them, cinnamon and cloves, willow and rosemary, and fire and steel. The blankets and pillows they had were rich in these scents, melding together to create a cozy cottage feel.

As they did for all introductions of new fabric or pillows, they stripped down first so that their scents could rub off onto the new items. 

So the three ate their snacks, stark naked, and passed around the pillows, cuddling and curling into them. 

Nesta was rubbing her chin on Emerie’s pillow when Gwyn said, “Ness how do you look so – radiant. More radiant than me when I sing.” 

With her eyes closed, Nesta nestled into the pillow and smiled, “It's that second trimester glow. I may look radiant, but Cassian won't stop staring at me and it's driving me up the wall.”

The girls fell into giggles. Emerie, who was trying to balance Gwyn’s pillow on her perfectly round stomach said, “Mor’s the same. Every time I turn around BAM Mor is staring at me and then smothering me with kisses.”

“Truly insufferable,” Nesta said. She craned her neck to look up at the copper-haired priestess, “How’s Az handling it? I bet he stalks you in the shadows.”

Gwyn smirked, “Only when we’re feeling frisky.” She winked, then her face fell. A seriousness washed over her features. “Seriously though, I caught him doing just that two days after we found out I was pregnant.” Gwyn shook her head and rolled her eyes. A genuine smile crept across her lips. “But he’s been great…really…” She choked up, “- Sorry,” she sniffled. 

Nesta glanced around the room, “You’re sure he’s not in here right now? I think I feel a heat coming on…”

“We’d smell him, no?” Emerie asked around a mouthful of artichoke hearts.

Gwyn shook her head, “His shadows can hide his scent, but –” Gwyn stood, her still naked body showing off the just tangible swollen belly. She wasn’t showing much, but Gwyn still placed hands on her stomach, her natural motherly instincts on high alert. Azriel would never overstep such a boundary, but to put her friend at ease, Gwyn would do anything.

Nesta watched her circle the room and let out a low whine before nestling further into the sheets.

“All clear. He’d know I’d kick his ass if he came in here without permission,” Gwyn finally said. She made her way to her nearly panting friend and sat next to Nesta on the bed, pushing strands of hair that fell from her braid back from her face. “Do you need a private heat room?”

“Yeah,” Nesta answered. The House instantly made a separate room for Nesta, a place with blankets and clothing items that no doubt reeked of Cassian. (Thankfully, The House knew how to mask scents too.)

Emerie and Gwyn took turns napping and braiding each other’s hair while Nesta was tucked away in her private room. 

When Nesta came out they indulged in their new strange eating habits. Emerie preferred pickled foods, but foods that one doesn’t usually pickle…like squash and strawberries….Nesta wanted salty and savory, and lots of it. This time opting for the umami flavors of sesame and soy sauce. Gwyn was a sweet tooth, but a very strange sweet tooth…she wrapped dates in strips of chewy, gummy candy and popped them into her mouth, joyfully.

They were sharing their constipation stories and what they’ve been doing to relieve it when a soft thud echoed throughout the room. The trio looked behind them and towards the door where a giant golden box wrapped in royal blue ribbons sat.

Nesta furrowed her brow and stalked over, her silver eyes pining the wrapped boxed with a piercing death stare. Gwyn and Emerie joined her, the three of them sniffing around and inspecting the box.

“There’s a tag,” Emerie pointed out, slipping a white card out from under a section of ribbon. “From Helion – a present to you and your broods.” She read the card and flipped it over. “That’s it. That’s all it says.”

“Well…it doesn’t smell like anything. Has The House been holding it until it didn’t smell like the Day Court and its High Lord?” Gwyn asked, flicking the voluptuous bow that sat atop the box. 

Nesta shrugged, “It’s intuitive like that.” As if in answer and thanks, The House turned on the water in the separate baths room. The scent of fresh lavender drifted into the nest room, playing on the steam filling the large porcelain tub.

Emerie moaned, “Oooh lets get this opened so I can bathe. My back needs that bubbly goodness in there.”

With wide grins, the trio bent over the box and tore the wrapping from it. Paper flew over their heads. Nesta wrapped the ribbon around Gwyn’s belly. Then the box was falling open and –

The Valkyries screamed and squealed in delight as miniature stuffed pegasus of all colors and types pranced and flew from the box. A gray and black mare bounded towards Nesta. A cinnamon-brown male nuzzled Emerie. And a wild, speckled mare pranced around Gwyn. The other multi-colored pegasus all circled their respective omegas, their collars all bearing the Valkyrie brood they belonged to.

The door to the nest slammed open suddenly, revealing three wide-eyed and frantic alphas. And one very unsure beta.

Emerie snarled. 

Nesta’s claws came out. 

Gwyn crouched, standing in front of her pregnant friends. Her eyes glowed with her magic.

“What are you doing?!” She snapped. Her sneering gaze bored into them. Azriel in particular.

The alphas seemed to shrink in on themselves. The omega’s feral-like states heightened enough to intimidate the harried alphas.

Azriel said, “We thought you were in distress –” 

“I told them you were okay, but –” Balthazar, the level-headed beta, stepped in.

“You can’t possibly know that beta –” Cassian growled, interrupting him, 

Mor turned on Cassian, shoving his shoulder, “Call him by his name, Cassian, or so help me gods –”

A snarl issued from deep within the chest of each of the omega’s, the sound rippled through the room. Quieting everyone’s bickering.

Despite being pregnant omegas, and naked, the three Valkyries were terrifying. But beneath that terrifying presence, was a mother-to-be, nervous for the safety of their brood – and the safety of each other’s broods. With teeth bared they crouched, growling and bristling at the imposing group of alphas in the doorway.

“Get out!” Gwyn said through gritted teeth, “You're breaking the one rule we've established for you to follow.”

Emerie put a hand on the feral Priestess, “Leave now, unless you want Gwyn to rip you to shreds –”

“She won't hesitate – and neither will I,” Nesta added, her iron nails beginning to slide out.

Emerie tried pulling Gwyn back, but to no avail. “We're fine. Just surprised by a gift for our broods.” A couple of the Pegasus peeked out from behind the box, whinnying softly. “Now please, before I have to peel Gwyn off of one of you…leave,” Emerie demanded.

The group in the doorway took a step back, all of them eyeing Gwyn as her hormone fueled rage radiated off of her in waves. They mumbled apologies and turned to continue their work on the communal nursery in The House. 

Azriel doubled back. Keeping his distance he held out a container, raising it like an offering, and slowly placed it on the ground, “Gwyn…your charms.” 

Gwyn narrowed her eyes, but took the box, scowling. She whisked them away without a word, slamming the door behind her. 

“Well you could've at least said ‘thank you’,” Nesta said with a snicker. 

Gwyn glared. Then cracked the door and yelled, “Thank you!”

Azriel’s muffled voice yelled back, “Anything for you, Priestess!”

Gwyn growled, but smiled regardless and turned back to her friends.

“Bracelet making while we take a bath?” 

“I think I'm going to have two alphas and one omega…it just feels very alpha-y in here,” Emerie circled her hand around her belly between braiding her second bracelet. Her first was green, gold, and brown. Her second one was purple, gold, and silver.

“Two alphas?!” Nesta huffed, finally settling into her braiding after shoving her face with noodles. “I think I have at least one alpha in here.” She picked up black, red, and silver threads.

Gwyn furrowed her brow, “Despite my emotions being all over the place – I sense calming energies.” She plucked a few strings from the box after Nesta passed it to her. Orange, black, and teal. “Every time Azriel lays his head on my stomach he falls asleep. He must feel it too.”

Nesta snorted, “Azriel is going to be an insufferable male if your entire brood are omegas. All their future partners better hope he doesn’t stalk them from the shadows.”

“Mor and Balthazar can’t decide who will take care of the alphas. I keep telling them to work together – but that only makes Mor huff and brood for the next hour. Balthazar broods too, but in the garden shed – Oh! I forgot to tell you guys, he’s building little bassinets for the brood!”

Netsa and Gwyn squealed, the three of them then sharing all the things their partners had been preparing. 

Cassian started constructing a backyard sparring and training center. Nesta thought it was a bit early for it, but of course Illyrians start training as soon as they can walk. Illyrian alphas as soon as they start to babble.

While Balthazar was building bassinets and other furniture for the brood, Mor was planning all their holidays and celebrations for the year. She started buying their solstice presents and setting up organization in the house. 

Azriel was reading every book on pregnancy and parenting while curled protectively around Gwyn. Being so early in the pregnancy, they were just enjoying cuddling up in Gwyn’s massive nest together. Though Azriel did start on the nursery early. He had big plans for a detailed painting that would depict everything from the night sky to deep sea creatures to adorable woodland wildlife. 

After their bath and bracelets, the omegas dried off and settled back into the nest. All three of them cuddled up close. With paintbrushes in their hands, they created art on each other’s bellies with homemade paint made from blueberries, strawberries, turmeric, matcha, hibiscus, and coffee. 

They drew little leaves and flowers along their stretch marks. Nesta and Emerie tried to make little stars around as many of Gwyn’s freckles as they could. Emerie painted detailed swords for everyone and their brood vibes. Gwyn scrolled words like beautiful and strong along their bellies.

She was just finishing up the word queen above Emerie’s navel when tears started to well in her eyes again. 

“Gwyn,” Nesta cooed, “You are extremely emotional…more than I was –”

“Same,” Emerie added.

“Maybe you do have at least one alpha in there,” she poked at Gwyn’s smaller belly gently.

Gwyn wiped at her tears and said, “I was just thinking how grateful I am for you two. And how much Catrin would’ve loved my brood. How she’d be the best auntie…” Fresh tears poured from between closed eyelids, clinging to her lashes.

Emerie handed her a tissue and put an arm around Gwyn’s shoulder, pulling her into her side, “Try mind-stilling, Gwyn. It’s honestly the only thing that saved me from the emotional roller coaster. Make Az do it with you. I made Mor and Balthazar do it with me and it makes the emotional roller coaster more manageable –”

Gwyn took a deep breath and began her mind-stilling. Emerie breathed with her, Gwyn’s head resting on her shoulder, Emerie’s head atop hers. Nesta joined them. Scooting over she wrapped an arm around Gwyn, their bellies pressed up against one another.

A calm silence fell over the room as the Valkyries went through the motions of feeling everything, together, and then letting it go. All the stress of their pregnancies, their lives as Valkyries, their every day worries and intrusive thoughts – were all breathed in, acknowledged, and let go. 

Mind stilling became a ritual for the Valkyries. They would do it when they woke, before meetings started, after training, before bed…

But the one thing mind stilling didn't seem to help?

Gwyn shot up from her spot on the couch, startling Nesta and Emerie. “Gwyn what –”

She was already gone and heading straight for the bathroom where she vomited into the toilet.

Her friends came running in to check on her. “Oh, morning sickness, huh?” Nesta knelt beside Gwyn, holding her hair back as Emerie rubbed soothing circles across her freckled back. 

Gwyn spat in the toilet water, “Why – does everyone say this is such a beautiful experience?” Gwyn sat back, resting against the tub next to the toilet. “I can't stop crying…my morning sickness is the most wretched thing I've ever experienced…” She trailed off, as another wave of nausea hit her and she was back in the toilet. 

“It sucks now, but once the morning sickness subsides, we promise, it’ll be worth it,” Nesta said, her voice soothing, like a mother’s. 

“Can we get you anything, Gwyn?” Emerie asked, her hand a constant, reassuring pressure.

As much as Gwyn was enjoying this time with her fellow Valkyries, she knew once her sickness started, she’d be glued to a toilet or bucket for hours. So right now, the only thing she really needed was rest, and to curl up in her own nest with Azriel.

“I’m going to have to leave our nest early…” She closed her eyes tight against the roil of nausea that rose up in her. “I’m sorry –” Her head was back in the toilet.

“Don’t apologize, Gwyn, we’ll have an extra long nesting session next time. I’ve been eyeing a few new Sellyn Drake novels that I think will be perfect for a read-aloud.” Emerie patted a cool, wet cloth to Gwyn’s neck and forehead.

Despite her upset stomach and terrible taste in her mouth, Gwyn smiled at that, “I can’t wait.”

Nesta and Emerie cleaned up the nest, while Gwyn laid curled in a private room, wrapped in a deep blue blanket that smelled of cedar and night-chilled mist. 

When they’d finished cleaning, her friends helped her out into the hall, where a worried Azriel was already waiting. He scooped her up and gave Nesta and Emerie a nod, “Thank you, for taking care of her.”

They smiled as Emerie wrapped an arm around Nesta’s shoulders, “Gwyn did the same for us, of course we would take care of her.”

Gwyn moaned and whined into Azriel's chest, her face contorting in the tall-tell I’m-about-to-throw-up scrunch. Azriel held her closer, his arms curling around her. “I should get her back,” he said, then he pressed a kiss to Gwyn’s forehead.

“Oh – wait! Before you go…” Nesta turned and rushed back into the nesting room before emerging with an armful of things – a myriad of friendship bracelets, leftover food, and prancing toy pegasus that swerved and swooped around the items in Nesta’s hands. “The stuffed animal pegasi are a gift from Helion,” she said with a smile. The speckled mare leapt out of Nesta’s arms and into Gwyn’s where it curled up against her chest and neck. 

Azriel chuckled, “I’ll be sure they’re taken care of – All of them.” He nuzzled into Gwyn’s hair, breathing in her scent.

They said their goodbyes. Then Azriel took off from the training grounds at The House and brought Gwyn back to their cottage where the new pegasi pranced and trotted around Gwyn’s nest of blankets in search of their own corner. Azriel stayed tucked in beside her, curling around his omega and comforted her with soft belly rubs and feather-light kisses.

Gwyn drifted off to sleep, replaying over and over the wonderful nesting session she had with her sisters and how fun the next one was going to be.

[silverdreamscapes]

So the minute we read Azriel’s bonus chapter and finally get in his head and his pov…that’s when he becomes out of character??

Please be serious. We never had his pov. He barely spoke two sentences together. But the second it’s confirmed he wants Elain and desires her romantically and sexually that’s when you decide he’s out of character lol?.

You convinced yourselves that he never wanted Elain. You “interpreted” every interaction between them as a “sibling” vibes. That he was only being “nice” and didn’t actually care about her in a romantic sense.

And when it was finally confirmed that what elriels had been saying all along was the truth and that Elain and Azriel were attracted to each other and wanted each other sexually and romantically…suddenly it’s out of character?

What would be out OOC at this point would be Elain suddenly wanting Lucien, when she’s clearly avoided him and has been uncomfortable around him for multiple books. What would be OOC is for Azriel to switch from Elain to Gwyn in a single night, when he spent 500 years obsessed over Mor and didn’t stop obsessing until he met Elain (not Gwyn). Forget Azriel supposedly saving his “mate” Gwyn, falling for and obsessing over Elain (the first woman to actually get him over Mor). Like what kind of mate bond is this? That Azriel is obsessed over two females who aren’t Gwyn?

That’s not romance. That’s not how Sarah writes romances. She never would have written a bonus that was supposed to signal the building romance and next couple of ACOTAR by having him obsessing, desiring, and tormented over the thoughts of another woman.

[sadiegirl2021]

I think the main purpose of Azriel x Elain and the bonus chapter was to show us how they unknowingly helped each other and set up their future books.

Elain said she didn't want male, but quite clearly would have slept with Azriel in the bonus chapter. I'm think Azriel fucked his chances when he said "this was a mistake" rather than literally anything else, because Elain obviously took it as a rejection and closed the door on that relationship by returning the necklace. But now she is in fact open to a relationship with a male, which is a huge step for her. Lucien has a chance, but let's see if he's the first. My crack theory is Elthazar happening before Elucien. Balthazar is basically an Illyrian Lucien. He fights with his words and is against unnecessary violence, plus he saved Nesta so there's his in with Elain. Its a perfect spanner because if Azriel's getting his own book/mate, then there needs to be a new obstacle for Elucien. Also, imagine the chaos if SjM made this happen and sparked a new ship war before the last book! The carnage.

For Azriel, he needed to go after Elain to show that what he felt for Mor wasn't actually love. It was infatuation and he was so easily able to switch it to Elain. He's chasing a mating bond because not having one confirms he's unworthy, and what happened in his childhood was his fault. So much trauma. He needs to meet someone who understands his pain, who feels unworthy too, so they can help fill the broken pieces of each other. Its codependent but most relationships are in romance books! So then, how fun for the second part of the bonus chapter to put his mate right in front of him, but he's too traumatised to see it. Gwyn wasn't given such a fleshed out, tragic back story to be shoved aside. And the spark in Azriel's chest was unnecessary if they aren't in fact mates. In HOFAS, Azriel states he has no mate and no partner, which works fine for Gwynriel because friendship can developed off book, but romance (in a romance series) cannot. So, time skipping forward with a recap on how "he couldn't imagine he once questioned if they were friends" is enough back story to continue forward. We'll get a friendship to lovers/healing story with the obstacle being themselves!

Well, I'll stop now! If you made it this far, then happy Friday! Hope all your dreams come true 😆

[readychilledwine]

Paradise Lost - Cat and Mouse Prequel Part 2

Cat and Mouse Part 1 Part 3 Part 4

Summary - After your first treatment with Helion and Rhysand, the only thought on Azriel's mind is revenge.

Warnings - discussions of torture and murder, implied PTDS, reader dealing with guilt, trauma, and her self worth

A/N - our next part is going to be longer and really diving into what all happened to reader (along with a physical therapy session between her and Azriel). I wanted this to focus on Azriel more to ensure that it touched into @azrielappreciationweek and the Day 2 Prompt.

The Silent Isles were exactly what their name described. Silent and surrounded by water. Azriel had been flying them for the past 2 weeks while he waited for y/n to recover from the first session with Rhys and Helion. 

What Rhysand saw in her mind was enough for Azriel to realize freeing her was not enough. He wanted blood. He wanted to watch her keeper's life drain from his eyes. He wanted to hold his body until it went cold and stiff. Then, he wanted to burn that damned place to the ground. 

She had not woken up since that session. Her mind was lost in a jungle of memories blurring and swirling together, all blending so deeply she couldn't find a way out. Rhys was with her constantly, walking her through those pathways until his own nose would bleed and he'd have to pull out of her mind. 

Azriel pulled the hood of his cloak up higher, watching as two of the spies he had figured out were higher up in the chain moved outside. "Go," he commanded his shadows in near silence. 

"So if she's not back within the month," The larger blonde male shrugged.

A red head high fae male sighed. "We kill her. They have her in the High Lord's Palace right now. We got confirmation."

Azriel froze as the message was relayed to him. "And if they move her?"

"Then we find her. Velaris isn't that hard to get into. We've been doing it for years."

Azriel didn't bother flying back home. Instea,d he collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily from the effort he used walking through his shadows to get him home as quickly as possible. Mor rushed to his side, supporting him as he stood up. "Where's Rhys?"

Mor ushered him to a chair before answering. "With y/n. She just woke up."

Conflict set in, squeezing his heart like a vice. "I have to interrogate her, Mor." 

Rhys entered, as if on cue and stared towards Azriel as if he had grown a second head. "Why?"

He replayed the dream for him and Rhysand sighed, leaning against the wall. "She already told me, Az. She also told me you flying there was a waste of our time. There's no way in and no way out."

Dead silence fell over the room. "How?"

"Because the building isn't actually there, Az. It's everywhere. It's already in Velaris, in Spring, in Rusk. She described it as a connection of gates, not a true place. She isn't even sure where they're truly at when they're there."

Rhysand moved, watching the faelights of his court. "If one of us were to try to enter it, it could drop us Mother knows where. She's jumped to different worlds, Azriel. Different timelines. This isn't some bullshit organization of kidnapped kids. This is an incredibly powerful being taking other powerful beings and turning them into cold blooded killers."

Mor sat slowly, drinking her full glass of wine and refilling it, hee eyes wide as she processed. "So she's a key, but if we send her in-"

"They will kill her on the spot by blocking her ability to leave." Rhys said calmly. "All we can do is break the gate between Velaris, our allies, and them, but even then-"

"They can use magic to switch their faces, their scents, and they know their victims stories due to targeting the low class, alone, and lesser fae for their faces," Azriel said. "So destroying the connection won't stop them from entering because they already have faces that the shield knows and will allow in." 

All Rhys could do was nod. "We moved her back to the House of Wind. Helion traded me silence in exchange for something I can't discuss," Rhysand examined the sun bargain mark adorning his left inner ankle again. "Until we know she's safe, she does not leave there unless one of us is with her." 

Azriel nodded. "Can I see her?" 

"If you'd like to." 

Cassian walked him silently to the room Rhysand had moved her to. She no longer had a balcony. Only windows that were damn near impenetrable. Her door was now warded and shielded, appearing to just be part of the wall. Not even her bathroom had floor to ceiling windows allowing her a view of the mountains or city below. 

"Good luck," Cassian said softly. "Approach slowly."

Y/n was sat on her bed, dark hair a curly mess as if it had not been brushed and was constantly being tugged and played with. Her eyes had dark bags under them, which was almost comical for how long she has been unconscious. She was rocking back and forth, her knees tucked to her chest and picking at her nails. 

If Azriel had not known better, he would have assumed his mate was coming down from a high provided by some street potion sold in a dark alley. 

"Hellcat," he moved to her slowly taking a seat with him and sitting across from her. "Y/n, what's wrong? Talk to me."

He poured love and comfort down the bond to her, watched as she slowed her movements down and accepted it. "I've hurt so many people." Her guilt hit him like an arrow, striking deep in his own heart. "I never want to hurt anyone ever again." 

Azriel moved to sit besides her, pulling her into his chest and holding her. "You were forced to do those things, y/n. That doesn't define who you are, what we do once you're free of them does. You've already told Rhys about a huge security risk to our home, you came here willingly when the bond snapped, you've confessed to every assassination you've taken part in."

"But what if that's not enough, Azriel? What if I can never do enough to erase this part of my history that affected thousands of families and sometimes whole kingdoms? What if I simply am not enough?"

The question stung, bringing tears to Azriel's eyes as he forced her to look at him. "I torture fae for a living, little hellcat. I have killed countless people on Rhysand's orders, on his father's orders before him, and simply because they were blocking my way to a target."

Azriel took a deep breath before continuing. "I've ordered executions just based on the world and trust of my spies. I've killed king's guards, royals, lesser and greater fae. Trust me, I can empathize with your feelings, my love. I understand them better than anyone here, and that's why I need you to understand you are worthy. You are enough. You are good."

He forced her head towards his again, kissing her forehead softly. "You did not do those things by choice, y/n. Just remember that." Azriel pulled her close again, burying her head into his neck.

He gave zero fucks in that moment what Rhys had said regarding the Silent Isles and the spy network building. He was going to find them, he was going to skin them alive, and he was going to let you watch or bring you their heads one by one until every single last fae who made you feel this way was no more than a speck of dirt under his boot.

After two more weeks fighting off darkness, you sighed heavily as Helion and Rhys sat across from you. "Are you sure you're ready?" The Day Lord spoke smoothly, "It's only been a month."

You nodded. "I want to get it over with."

"Then let's begin."

[gwynsazriel]

Why i’m 99% sure Azriel’s (and gwyn) book is next.

I genuinely think she heavily set up his storyline in acosf, he was one of the characters that was most heavily involved in acosf (beside nesta and cassian obviously), and sjm genuinely seemed to highlight things about him and delve into more personal things about him (more than we’ve ever seen before in any other book). Azriel has always been the mysterious one that we know nothing about, the quiet one, etc.. but i’ve realized starting acosf, sjm has been slowly making the readers aware of his personal struggles and genuinely just throwing out more random info about him.

i also think sjm is setting up a heavier and deeper valkyrie storyline. it was made clear by the end that their journey wasn’t over. as well as adding lingering questions here and there ( “nesta wondered if they’ll ever see battle”), nesta telling cassian that she’s thinking about leading the valkyries, introducing pegasus to the story (where pegasus are known to be heavily prominent in valkyrie’s mythology as they used to ride them into battle) and already connecting the pegasus to gwyn, nesta, and emerie. (and also confirming that we’ll see more pegasus in the next book and future books!!)

and then gwyn expressing her want to leave the library but by the end of the book she ends up going back there. the illyrians being pissed and are threatened by the fact that gwyn and emerie won the blood rite. her own personal storyline, and the storyline of the valkyries AND illyrians is clearly not over. but not just that, sjm made those topics heavily mentioned and prominent in acosf, (imo) clearly setting them up for the next book. like i’d be genuinely surprised if she threw those topics aside for the next book and then going back to them after, when they’re already set up and fresh in the readers head.

what i think really sealed the deal for me and what convinced me that azriel’s book is next is when sarah said that to her, it was “obvious” who the next book is about AFTER READING ACOSF. like that told me EVERYTHING. she was practically screaming who it was.

like when she said that how can you not think of azriel. she specifically said “after reading acosf”.

he literally got his own bonus chapter. he was one of the most heavily involved characters in acosf.

im sorry but elain was barely involved at all, and that’s quite surprising considering how nesta and elain’s relationship was even closer than nesta and feyre’s in previous books but elain was barely even present. so it would not be “obvious” at allllll if elain was next. and when sjm was asked if we’ll see elain next book she literally said

“we’ll see SOME of elain” ?? does that seem like the next main protagonist to you? yet she was gushing about how excited she was to write azriel’s journey

and to counterargue the argument about “azriel’s bonus chapter doesn’t matter”, i remember when steph (sarah’s best friend) was first reading acosf back in 2021. sarah SPECIFICALLY told her to read azriel’s bonus chapter before she gave her any thoughts about the book. that bonus chapter is clearly important to sarah.

and also another fun fact, steph was a hardcore el/riel before acosf, and after she read acosf and the bonus chapter she switched to gwynriel (then she was bullied mercilessly by e*riels so she just stopped talking about ships)

i just think when sjm said it was “obvious” who the next book is about, it really told me all i needed to know, especially also with the continued comments of her saying she’s excited to write his journey.

i just wanted to make this post because i know people are still going back and forth with who they think the next book will be about (even with some eluciens still believing elain will be next), but i just wanted to clarify my opinion and why i think the way i think!

also my first language isn’t english so i’m sorry if i said something wrong in grammar or spelling or whatever :)

also i want to make a more detailed post with more information about this!! this is just the gist of it and what i can think of at the top of my mind rn

[nikethestatue]

I follow a podcast of sisters who are current deep diving ACOSF and they did an extra episode on Az’s Bonus Chapter. I’m not sure if they are purposely being mindful given the large and loud GA crowd but they literally started off the episode saying how the second half of the bonus chapter convinced them of Gwyn and Az. I’m literally mind blown. Midway, mentioned how maybe Az is just responding to someone (Elain) bc she reciprocates back. Like wow, way make Ariel’s character into a weak minded man who doesn’t know what he wants. I couldn’t listen to the rest of the podcast bc it was so clearly biased. But as a fellow Elriel, are we missing something with the second half of the bonus? I mean there was a reason why it was NOT included-it’s not supposed to change the trajectory of the story. It’s obvious that Gwyn has some LS powers at play so why is everyone so confused?

No, we arent missing anything. What we are, is conditioned to take things online as facts and as 'correct'. The deal with all these podcasters or anyone who wants to make a name for themselves online in the Bookish (or any space) is that they are doing things for clicks and views. The easiest thing to do is to play both sides in this case. Because if they say 'oh Gwynriel is next' then they know that all the GAs will listen and will trust their opinion, because look! these sisters know what they are talking about. They confirmed a bias. BUT, the cool thing for them is this--when Elriel does happen, then they can always shift and say, well, it was always a possibility'! That's it. It's as simple as that. They don't need to sound stupid or misinformed. They can always say 'there was always a 50/50 chance for either couple' even if the chance was never there. Because it cannot be verified.

Now, the question is--did they do the same 'deep dives' into Feysand's bonus? Perhaps the 27 bonuses for HOFAS? Or is it just the very special Azriel's bonus, which didn't even include an FMC in it. Did they address the lack of Azriel's interest in Gwyn post Solstice? Did they explain the lack of the all-mighty necklace on her neck? Did they speak about him being upset 3 days later, and even more withdrawn than usual? Did they ponder on why Azriel hardly reacted to Gwyn being in the BR? Because Cassian CERTAINLY reacted to Nesta being stolen.

I bet none of this happened.

Also, how low can your self-esteem as a woman be when you are gagging over a guy who, in the span of 16 hours or so, can go from gagging over one woman's pussy to switching to another woman?

Basically, the issue with everything is the same as we've discussed before--pick n choose. Pick Azriel's bonus and choose what you want to concentrate on. Don't pick Feysand's bonus and don't choose to talk about what we learn there.

Anyway, it's all just talk.

[yazthebookish]

Here's the thing about speaking on canon especially when it comes to an incomplete series:

Canonically, Celaena and Chaol fell in love.

Canonically, Celaena and Chaol kissed and slept together.

Canonically, by the end of Crown of Midnight Celaena tells Chaol she will always choose him.

If you hold on to that quote especially if you didn't get to Heir of Fire or Queen of Shadows yet, you'll assume Celaena will return because she said she will always choose Chaol.

Did she in the end? No.

The next book planted the first seeds of a potential relationship with Rowan that came to fruition by the following book and specifically towards the end of Queen of Shadows.

This is a big example of how the author is in control of what happens in canon and can shift canon to her own liking (which she did multiple times).

So, when talking about future scenarios and dismissing theories and opinions based on the recent canon information we get (ACOSF) in favor of the canon information from books that were published years ago, that comes off as being selective. That is like choosing to cling to what Celaena says about always choosing Chaol and dismissing the crumbs that are sprinkled in Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows because you're not a fan of the eventual outcome that is Rowaelin (that explains the Chaolena vs Rowaelin ship wars back then from what I was told were quite aggressive).

Just because it's canon that Azriel with Feyre saved Elain (as he did others) or carried her bridal style (which he did with Lucien and I mean she was barely a living being in his arms) or staying up late to discuss garden plans whether people take it as platonic or romantic, but let's take it as romantic—it doesn't mean that it eliminates any future changes in canon from a romantic perspective for Azriel and Elain ending up with different people. Just because people use it as canon doesn't mean it's set in stone especially if the series is incomplete.

Knowing what was foreshadowed in canon can't be done until the series is complete and you get the bigger picture of how the author wrote it. @bookofmirth has an excellent post on foreshadowing and I'm one of the people that fell in the trap of calling things already foreshadowed when it didn't actually happen, that's a theory until proven true to be a foreshadowing.

Readers are not in control of canon, the author is. So people might get disappointed if they cling to past canon to the point they'll be upset if the author decides to take a different direction than what they expected because—again—the author is in control of canon and what she decides to write is what becomes canon and not what the readers assume (even myself).

It doesn't mean past canon does not matter but there are certain plot points such as romantic interests that are easy to switch if the author decides it regardless of what she established canonically in the past—Sarah as an author is known for this it should not come as a surprise. She herself says that she doesn't confirm any couples until she writes the book because she is surprised by where the characters lead her, and in another interview she says she could be in the middle of writing a book and a ship pops up and she sinks the one she originally intended in favor of that. No ship is safe.

So using canon as a defense mechanism is not really that effective when it comes to a future romance until the book for that couple is written on paper.

Also, @acourtofthought did a brilliant post explaining canon that you should check out! This sort of is inspired by hers 🫶🏼

[gwyns]

E/riel’s are saying they can’t wait for Gwynriel’s to be disappointed when the E/riel book is revealed. If SJM said it’s one couple getting together per book, and it’s confirmed both Elain and Azriel are getting their own books, then how does that make sense? There is no way Elain isn’t going to be the MC in Azriel’s book and vice versa. And I like Elain, but there is no way she’s getting two books. As for Nesta, I don’t think she’s getting another book either, but I do think she will play an important part in Azriel’s book. The eight-pointed star/the Prison/Gwydion, but it’s still Azriel’s book. I think the other pov for his book will be Gwyn. It would make sense with Nesta/Valkyries/etc. The other book isn’t going to be Vassa/Lucien or Mor (I really think the novella will be hers) or even Helion/LoA. If it’s one couple getting together per book and Azriel is getting is own and Elain also, then the math isn’t mathing. I think that’s why some E/riel’s are so against/angry Azriel getting his own book. They keep denying it, because Sarah doesn’t write male povs (laughs in Tower of Dawn).

to be fair to the gremlins, sjm has never officially confirmed anyone's book outside of elain's, but she has said that in addition to elain, she's excited to write mor and azriel's journeys so to me that's basically a confirmation lol. she also very recently said she's been digging into azriel deeper or something, i believe she was on set for her today show interview so uh yeah!! seems like she's inside az's head right now. yes, i agree! people have thought for years that elain and az will get the two final novels and mor will get the remaining novella. i feel people often forget that we got a mor pov in acofas so like... she's going to have some arc, we still don't know wtf is going on with her

like picture it, acotar 5 is gwynriel feat the valkyries with emorie as a subplot that then carries over into the novella. then we have elucien for acotar 6 with a jassa subplot. see how it all fits together?

i will never understand the "sjm doesn't write male povs or male leads!!!" thing. she's been doing that since her debut. are you going to sit there and honestly tell me that chaol and dorian weren't male leads? be so for real. not to mention that cc was like 95% male povs. this argument is so stupid lol no decent writer would have issues writing from the perspective of the opposite sex

i remember pre acosf when his bonus chapter was announced they were all so excited for an az book (funny how they didn't scream about elain getting a book then) but once gwyn entered the picture they vehemently denied the possibility. it's so amusing how fast they switch up

[acourtofthought]

Hi! I love your blog! I came into the fandom a bit late and kinda liking Elriel (their art was cute!), but they don’t really do it for me anymore & I think Elucien and Gwynriel would have more interesting journeys. An argument I’ve been seeing a lot since Azriel’s POV chapter is that the series is about the sisters, and Azriel would never have his own book (I’m guessing because an Azriel book would kinda rule out an Elriel endgame). But then a lot of the same people go on to say Lucien and Vassa would have their own book, which then comes across as pushing Lucien into another relationship to get him out of the way… so idk.

I thought the original three (and a half?) books were about Feyre’s journey and then SJM expanded the series and decided to explore different characters with two POVs per book. I feel like this was said in an interview, but I don’t have it on hand. I enjoyed reading about Nesta; and I do think Elain is getting a much needed book, but that still leaves at least one more novel and a novella. I could see the novella being multiPOV like ACOFAS, but I would imagine the second upcoming novel would follow characters that aren’t Archerons (if not Azriel, then maybe Mor? There’s still a lot to discover with her!). Sorry for the rambling & if you addressed this before. At the end of all this, my question is: has it been stated the series is only about the sisters? Or is that born out of specific shipping preferences?

Hey there!!

I actually started off in the fandom like you did, thinking E/riel was going to be a thing but when I went back and really dived into the books I switched up my preference.

I'm not sure whether it's selective memory or whether certain people only share certain snippets of these interviews and that's when the rumors and misinformation runs wild.

I do think the sisters inspired her to realize there was more to the ACOTAR series than just what was going on with Feysand:

But we know for a fact that the spin offs were never only going to be about the sisters:

She confirmed each spin-off would follow one new pairing and as there were two sisters and three new full length books, I don't know how anyone can claim the series was only ever about them. She said there were various stories she was deciding on for the third book, one that might even take place before the events of ACOTAR. There's also an interview where she says, "and I say three but" there are so many stories she wants to tell so while we know with certainty that Elain and Nesta were always getting a book.....

...she never planned on stopping there and I think that's proven by the recent announcement that she is now contracted for an additional 4 books beyond the two she still has left in ACOTAR (some of those 4 could be additional ACOTAR ones).

Maybe the debate is more centered around who was getting the first two spin-offs? That they feel it should be the sisters because her plan since ACOMAF was to always continue on with their journeys?

To that, I do see the point they're making because if SJM originally thought the third spin-off was going to be a prequel then logic would be that Nesta and Elain got the first two books. SJM obviously drew them into the series in a major way by introducing them to their mates all the way in book 2.

But the problem with the other side is they are convinced that means Az will be getting a shared pov when what's more likely is that Elain was to have a shared pov with Lucien.

Say the third book was going to be a prequel and that meant we only had two books left in the current world of ACOTAR. In ACOWAR, who had more unresolved plotlines which would make sense for a pov in the second spin-off, Az or Lucien?

Az had open ended storylines for sure, his unrequited love for Mor and his hatred of the Illyrians.

But who was the unknown heir to the Day Court with unknown powers? A brother who wanted to reconnect with him? Who had been chased out of his home in Spring and has no real home right now? Who had recently suffered SA and abuse? Who had an unresolved mating bond? Whose father was still abusing his mother and refusing to allow him into Autumn to see her? Who befriended a female with a still unbroken curse and traveled to the continent where Koschei is? Who had traveled with Elain's father before his death, a big deal when you consider how close she was to him?

Lucien had just as much setup as Elain and I think that means SJM knew he and Elain were the book she was sure about while deciding on who was getting the third. Because again, there was a chance the third was going to have nothing to do with the current cast if it was to be set in the past. To me that means she was planning on wrapping up Lucien's storyline in the second, along with Elain's. I find it impossible to believe that he's played a starring role since book 1, had trauma after trauma thrown his way, was shocked at finding out he had a mate after believing he had already lost her (a MMC storyline for sure when you consider Rowan), only for her to just forget about him in favor of E/riel being the second book.

I think, in trying to prove their ship is happening, some pick and choose specific lines from her interviews that support their narrative. We all do this in our interpretation of them to some degree but the problem comes when people manipulate the interviews, sharing single lines while cropping the rest and passing that around the fandom as the whole story. Or paraphrasing her actual words in a way that twists them in their favor rather than supplying the actual interview.

[princess-tulip-writes]

Could I ask for some sleepy azzy content pls,

thank you x

“you okay, baby?” you asked softly. your fingertips played with his soft raven hair, massaging his scalp gently.

azriel groaned slightly at euphoric feeling of your fingers grazing the sensitive skin, his eyes drooping closed. “just tired.”

you hummed in agreement, sympathy coating your voice. “want to go to the bed, baby?”

he snuggled into your body closer, his wings tucking behind him tightly as his face nuzzled into your neck. your arms wrapped around him instinctively, careful for his wings.

“no. i just want to stay here with you and snuggle.” he mumbled against your skin, shaking his head.

you smiled lightly to yourself at his tired clingy habits, soaking up the rare occasion. azriel was affectionate towards you, yes, but not like this. you usually were the one to cling onto him, and be held. it was nice to switch things up.

you noticed how his body melted under your touch, and his breathing slowed after a moment or two in your arms.

“azie?” you asked quietly, wanting a confirmation if he dozed off or not.

when you were greeted with silence, you smiled to yourself while looking down at him lovingly. the unique sight made your heart beat a thousand times more.

a long leg of his was tossed around the both of yours as his arms holding onto your torso loosely but securely. his head was laid upon your breast, but his face hid in your the crook of your neck. everything about this moment felt so perfect, so serene, but the look on your love’s face was the most perfect of all.

a small, very faint pout was placed on his pretty lips, his bottom lip jutting out ever so slightly, and if you hadn’t already memorized his every feature, you would’ve missed it. his eyes were gently closed, as if they were painted on by a god. the long eyelashes of his, kissed his cheeks, and a little spot on your jaw.

in this moment, he wasn’t azriel shadowsinger, or the spymaster — he was yours. this side of him was only for you to see, no one else.

“i love you so much.” you mouthed to him, before placing a gentle featherlight kiss on his forehead.

everything felt so perfect. just like him.