#did someone ask for gwynriel moments

[venusin-aries]

Excuse me while I appreciate that most of Gwynriel’s interactions so far have been playful. I know I like to use the first two to compare how competitive they are, but it’s all so downright playful. They met under awful circumstances and this:

Gwyn asked Az, her teal eyes bright, “What do we get if we finish the course?” Az’s shadows danced around him. “Since there’s no chance in hell any of you will finish the course, we didn’t bother to get a prize.” Boos sounded. Gwyn lifted her chin in challenge. “We look forward to proving you wrong.”

&

Gwyn threw Azriel a withering stare as she strode past him. “See you tomorrow, Shadowsinger,” she tossed over a shoulder. Az stared after her, brows high with amusement. When he turned back, Nesta grinned. “You have no idea what you just started,” she said. Az angled his head, hazel eyes narrowing as Gwyn reached the archway. “Remember how Gwyn was with the ribbon?” Nesta winked and clapped the shadowsinger on the shoulder. “You’re the new ribbon, Az.”

&

“Happy Solstice,” she said, as much a dismissal as it was a holiday blessing. He snorted. “Are you kicking me out?” Gwyn’s teal eyes flashed with alarm. “No! I mean, I don’t mind sharing the ring. I just…I know you like to be alone.” Her mouth quirked to the side, crinkling the freckles on her nose. “Is that why you came up here?” Sort of. “I forgot something.” He reminded her.  “At two in the morning?” Pure amusement glittered in her stare. Better than the pain and grief he’d spied a moment before. So he offered her a crooked smile. “I can’t sleep without my favorite dagger.” “A comfort to every growing child.” Azriel’s lips twitched. He refrained from mentioning that he did indeed sleep with a dagger. Many daggers. Including one under his pillow.

&

She angled her head, hair shining like molten metal. “Do you sing?” He blinked. It wasn’t every day that people took him by surprise, but… “Why do you ask?” “They call you shadowsinger. Is it because you sing?” “I am a shadowsinger — it’s not a title that someone just made.” She shrugged again, irreverently. Az narrowed his eyes, studying her. “Do you, though?” she pressed. “Sing?” Az couldn’t help his soft chuckle. “Yes.”

It's all so playful and teasing and I can't help but think that this is what SJM means by her couples having banter. I love this dynamic for both of them. It comes out so naturally on page.

That's why I adore the Valkyrie's as a found family, as well. It's serious and deep, but it's loving and playful. I think they help heal each others inner child. Nesta thinks she's unforgivable, Gwyn offers acceptance and music to her. There's unconditional acceptance between the three of them.

That's what I want for Gwynriel. I think Azriel needs someone to stop himself from taking everything so seriously. To him, it's like- "it's either this or nothing. It's either this or death" Instead, I want Gwyn and Azriel to stay playful and teasing and feisty.

I want him to have his own person who offers no judgement, but will hold him accountable. Someone who offers him comfort, but can protect him the way he tries so hard to protect others. I want Azriel to understand why Gwyn feels unworthy of the invoking stone, but believe in her worthiness more than he believes in the Mother.

Azriel is fucked up, he's capable of terrible things and I think he needs someone who's witnessed that from the beginning and knows he's not just the terrible things he's done.

[sunshinebingo]

Gwynriel fluff

One of those days

Feeling tired and numb, Gwyn seeks comfort in Azriel's arms.

800 words

The door opened before Gwyn could knock. Not that she would have done it anyway. Azriel had reminded her enough times that the door to his rooms would always be open for her. Even the House made sure of it when it let her inside in his absence, no doubt knowing how much it helped her to be in his space when she missed him.

The shadows were the first to greet her. They circled her excitedly until they noticed how she looked. Their joy turned into concern. Gwyn smiled at them in way that she hoped would reassure them that she was fine. But just like their master, they often saw through her.

She ignored all of their whispered questions and, with footsteps that sounded heavier than usual, walked straight to Azriel who was already waiting for her with open arms even though his eyes did not immediately leave the papers on his desk. Gwyn did not say a word as she settled on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. She placed her head on his shoulder and nuzzled his neck, inhaling his scent that she could recognise among a thousand.

Azriel pulled her as close as he could with a hand on her thigh while his other began massaging her scalp with slow, soothing motions.

“Are you alright?���

Gwyn opened her mouth, thinking of a few possible replies to his question. But nothing made it past her lips. She was so tired that she didn’t even have the energy to speak. Perhaps she had lost it on one of the endless stairs between the library below and his office.

She let out a heavy sigh. “Mhmm,” was the only response she could come up with.

She felt the shadows caressing her cheek and the exposed part of her legs where her robe had risen up a bit. She felt Azriel’s thumb drawing circles on her thigh. She felt his fingers gently pulling at the roots of her hair. She felt the vibration of his skin when he spoke again.

“Are you not alright but telling me you are just so I won’t worry?”

Gwyn smiled before she realised she was doing it.

“Mhmm,” she replied again.

What was the point in lying when he knew her too well. It was annoying at times honestly. But she was too tired to share her opinion on it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Azriel asked, and Gwyn was certain that, had she had the energy to lift her face from his shoulder, she would have been able to read the question in his eyes without him having to voice it.

She wrapped her arms tighter around him. If Azriel was starting to suffocate, he didn’t complain about it. Gwyn shook her head. She knew that he would understand and read her gesture as, ‘Not now.’

Azriel’s following, “Later then?,” confirmed it.

She nodded.

She would open up and talk about everything eventually. Everything that had caused her mood to gradually go from buoyant to sad, from sad to numb. But right now, what she needed most was his silent support. She needed his familiar scent and his comforting embrace; the steady rise and fall of his chest and the sound of his beating heart as she held on to him.

“Do I have to kill someone? Or kindly threaten perhaps?”

Gwyn’s laugh said what she did not with words. ‘It’s not that serious.’ That, and her tug of a fistful of his hair, might have also contained a hint of, ‘You’re an idiot, Shadowsinger.’

Azriel chuckled as his hand left her thigh to cup her face. Gwyn released another sigh when he pressed his lips to her forehead for a kiss. He asked nothing else, ready to give her the time and space that she presently needed. Although she had already decided that hogging Azriel’s personal space was how she wanted to spend that time.

He didn’t seem to mind that at all. With one of his arms around her and securely hugging her, he picked up his pen from the desk, and resumed his work.

Gwyn closed her eyes and let the worries of the day float away as she filled her mind with the little things that this moment was made of. The sound of pen scratching on paper, the shadows’ cool touch against her skin, Azriel’s soft hair between her fingers, one of his wings protectively curling around her. And soon, she fell asleep.

When she awoke, it was on Azriel’s bed, with the covers all the way up to her chin, her head still buried in the crook of his neck, and his strong arms still around her.

[mycadences]

Edit: HOFAS spoilers ahead! Tread carefully!

Azriel has had two bonus chapters so far -- and what did they share in common?

HOFAS bonus chapter: "And with each mile onward, she could hear Azriel humming softly to himself. The rolling, wild melody of "Stone Mother" flowed off his lips, and she could have sworn even the shadows danced at the sound."

ACOSF bonus chapter: "Azriel entered the warmth of the stairwell, and as he descended, he could have sworn a faint, beautiful singing followed him. Could have sworn his shadows sang in answer."

Still don't see it? Then let me ask you:

Who is Gwyn?

"Across the hushed, cavernous space, it was easy to hear Gwyn’s soft singing as she flitted from table to table..."

"Gwyn turned from the desk where Nesta had found the priestess singing softly to herself..."

"Gwyn’s voice soared like a bird through the cavern as she started the third song with a solo..."

Yes, she is a priestess-Valkyrie who sings.

And now, who is Azriel?

"Do you sing?"

He blinked. It wasn't every day that people took him by surprise, but... "Why do you ask?"

"They call you shadowsinger. Is it because you sing?"

"I am a shadowsinger -- it's not a title that someone just made up."

She shrugged again, irreverently. Az narrowed his eyes, studying her. "Do you, though?" she pressed. "Sing?"

Azriel couldn't help his soft chuckle. "Yes."

He's a shadowsinger... who also sings (a bit of a "duh" moment but pardon me, it's meant to be dramatic lol).

With how intense the ship wars are, and based on SJM's interview lives, I'll say she has a strong inkling that readers would be analyzing HOFAS -- in particular the bonus chapter centering on Azriel -- for clues on the next ACOTAR couple

Notice that she chose, yes she CHOSE, to highlight Azriel singing when we all know how music is Gwyn/Gwynriel's thing.

Gwyn is literally associated with music/singing the way Nesta is with dancing, Feyre is with painting and Elain is with flowers.

And I don't see any flowers in this bonus chapter.

What I do see, however, is Azriel sharing the same hobby as Gwyn, something that was purposely emphasized in this scene, and with SJM having said that she looks at compatibility for her couples... Well, I'm feeling pretty hopeful. More than hopeful, actually.

(Also kindly remember that Gwyn is a Carynthian (one of the only two females in history), which makes her Azriel's equal.)

Another thing of interest is that both Az's bonus chapters referenced his mate, but that's a juicy tidbit for another day.

And that's what you missed on Glee! ;)

[acourtofthought]

❝Let's also not pretend Az would have shown any real interest in Elain had she not been the "third" after he watched his two brothers pair up with her two sisters, after he started coming to terms with Mor never wanting him and her sudden absence before and during SF leaving him with less time to obsess over her.❞

You know very well that your interpretations of these events drastically differ from sjm's but what can you do other than twist canon to make elucien seem possible. "the third" is just a way of putting a logical argument forward and nothing else. But eluciens and gwynriels are famous for grasping at straws cuz sjm gave them nothing. He risked his life to rescue Elain and then carried her all the way from hyberns camp to their camp when she wasn't injured in the slightest and his wings were shredded and bleeding. Even after returning to safety he cared more about removing the chains on her than his wings wounds. That happened in acowar. Nesta and Cassian themselves didn't know they are mates before acosf, how could Azriel know that in acowar?

Az was attracted to Elain from the beginning not because of Mor's "sudden absence" but because of how Elain is as a person. And everything we know about Azriel's feelings for Mor is from other people not from Azriel himself. I'd wait for his pov to know what he truly feels/felt towards Mor.

Az was attracted to Elain from the beginning because of how she was as a person.

Was that when he cared little for her person as she was being thrown into the Cauldron?

Was that when he cared such little for her person as she spent weeks wasting away and he drew straws to avoid guarding her?

Was that when, after Elain stabbed the king and kicked the hounds Az liked her personality so much he didn't think she could handle searching for the Trove?

Was that when bragging to Bryce about how they defeated the king he gave Nesta full credit? Never mentioning the sister who Nesta had just mentioned the paragraph before?

Give me one single line from the book that tells us what Az likes about Elain as a person.

He risked his life for Elain? Ummmmm.... He hid in Feyre's shadows to rescue Elain while she did the most dangerous part, it's actually in the text. He ended up risking his life for Feyre when Feyre ordered him to get Elain out and he disobeyed her orders to stay behind for Feyre. He put Elain's life at risk for Feyre. He then wanted to risk his life again by going back into battle while injured and only sat out because Mor begged him too.

"everything we know of Az's feelings for Mor is from other people"

So Mor with her gift of truth is fooling herself by telling Feyre how he tried to confess his feelings for her?

Feyre misinterpreted the heat and hunger on Az's face for Mor? It must have been gas, right?

Az's best friend Cassian must have been completely mistaken when he spoke of how Az loved Mor the moment she walked into that Illyrian camp. Because he couldn't possibly know, right?

And Az's silence on Mor, his chance to prove he didn't actually have feelings for her before hooking up with Elain at Rhys's worry and Az just decided it wasn't important to reassure him?

His brother was worried Az was using Elain like a prostitute while still in love with Mor and Az couldn't tell him otherwise. 😂😂😂😂😂. But yeah, he was just overcome with love and emotion for a female he chose to avoid for a year even though she didn't ask him to stay away, even though she clearly could have used a friend and someone to believe in her. Az cares so much for Elain he put himself first because he doesn't like the smell of a bond that Elain will never not have.

We had Az's pov and he didn't speak / think a single line about who Elain was as a person or what he liked about her outside her beauty and the scent of her arousal. Not her growth, not how she made him laugh, not her strength or her kindness.

You come onto my page accusing me of twisting the events when you're standing on a house of cards that fell down halfway through SF and was never built again.

That ship has sailed after Azriel's pov confirmed he's not ready to talk about Mor and how he never truly thought much of Elain outside of what her sex face might look like.

You cry about it all you want. I'm well versed in having a preteen daughter who insists that she's right and I'm wrong because she likes her version of things.

But guess what? Just because she's convinced herself of something doesn't make it true, just as you've convinced yourself of this oh so epic love story between Elain and Az.

I didn't misinterpret that Az never thought of a future with Elain beyond his sexual fantasies.

I didn't misinterpret that he was able to think of the growth Gwyn had, how he showed admiration and encouragement for Gwyn, how he thought of Gwyn's charming irreverance.

I didn't misinterpret that there isn't a single canon sentence before, during or after Az's pov that explains exactly why he likes Elain beyond a pretty face and the scent of her arousal.

"Sarah gave Elucien's and Gwynriels nothing"

I mean sure, if mating bonds, unwavering loyalty, the only love interest to acknowledge Elain's bravery in the war and meet her father, sparks in the chest, playful shadows, admiration and encouragement are nothing than I guess we have nothing. I'll take our nothing over daggers, potato steam and Elain being used only for spank bank material any day.

[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!

[dawneternal]

Just a Favor

✦ A Gwynriel first kiss one-shot (turned into multiple parts after requests for more)

✦ Inspired by a true story 🫣 when I started dating my wife in high school I had never been kissed before and she kept very politely asking if she could kiss me and I kept getting too nervous and saying no. That went on for like two months and then I finally told her to kiss me without asking or I'd keep saying no lol and she did. The end

✦ Word Count: 1.7k

✦ AO3 Link / Masterlist

"I have a favor to ask you," Gwyn's voice pulled Azriel from his thoughts.

She sat across from him at the kitchen table, half-eaten plates of lunch in front of them. The Valkyries had stayed for lunch after training, Gwyn lingering after Cassian had left to fly Emerie home. Nesta had excused herself to find a book for Gwyn, leaving the pair alone.

Azriel had not thought anything of this sequence of events, but now that he was looking at the Gwyn, head tilted to the side with an inquisitive gleam in her eye, he was finding it all suspicious.

"It's kind of an unconventional thing, so prepare yourself." Gwyn continued. He took note of her fingers fiddling with a buckle on her leathers.

"Okay," Azriel said slowly, resisting the urge to furrow his brows. Or maybe run away.

"Are you prepared?"

"Yes, I won't react."

"I want to be kissed."

True to his word, Azriel's face remained unchanged. Though his stomach had done a flip and his heartbeat thundered.

"Okay, you can react a little," Gwyn cried, indignant and incredulous.

"Are you asking me to kiss you?" Azriel surprised himself with his own calm tone.

"Either that, or help me find someone. Because I trust you to help me find someone who isn't an asshole." She had shrunk into herself a little, like her confidence had waned. Her gaze drifted down to her plate.

"Why me, though?" The corners of his mouth quirked up just a touch.

"Nesta hates everyone, Emerie only knows Illyrians and they hate Valkyries, Cassian is Cassian, and I'm not asking my High Lord or Lady to find someone to kiss me."

They were all fair arguments. He didn't bother asking why she wanted to be kissed so desperately. All of her actions pointed toward wanting to move on. He'd overheard the Valkyries several times encouraging Gwyn toward what they called 'the last step' - moving out of the library.

"I'll do it," Az said, cursing his voice for cracking. How could she unnerve him so?

She was just a woman. Except that a singular word could not fully capture what Gwyn was. Priestess, Valkyrie, Carynthian, she was something incredible. The most brightly colored thing in his life. Copper hair, turquoise eyes, white ribbons, auburn freckles.

Gwyn cheered and gave him a triumphant, toothy grin. He could not help smiling in return.

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, unsure how to proceed.

"I just want you to kiss me like you would anyone you really liked," Gwyn was blushing, now. Eyes a little wild, like she hadn't expected to get this far.

"That doesn't really tell me what you want," Azriel protested.

He picked at a leftover sliver of sandwich to give his hands something to do. His shadows buzzed with energy, darting to far corners of the room and reporting back about the dust that lived there.

"Well...what was your first kiss like?" Gwyn asked. She smiled at one shadow that approached her outstretched hand like a shy kitten.

"Probably not what you'd want," Azriel flashed a sheepish grin, still embarrassed by the centuries-old memory, "It was pretty bad. This will be your first kiss?"

"Yes," Gwyn kept her gaze on the tendril of shadow weaving through her fingers. "I think maybe I don't want you to ask me first,"

"I always ask before I kiss someone, no matter how I feel about them."

"Well, the problem is that if you ask, I might chicken out and say no," She sighed, "So I may need you to just do it."

"Ah," Azriel grinned, "I see. You want me to make it a moment."

Before she could answer, he stood and crossed to her in a few strides, turning her chair to face him and bracing one hand on the back of it. Gwyn looked up at him, eyes wide, lips parted. He leaned in close, nose a few inches from hers. Somehow, her nervousness had cancelled his out and returned his confidence. At the very least, he knew he was capable of making her first kiss better than his had been.

"I have no qualms with a surprise, if that's what you want." He said, deep voice rumbling in his chest.

"Yes," Gwyn whispered, heart hammering in anticipation.

This close, she could count every freckle scattered over his bronze skin. There was a beauty mark she had never seen before right on the edge of his full bottom lip, and glimmers of gold in his amber eyes. She hoped desperately that he could not hear the catch of her breath.

Azriel stayed still for a moment, gaze fixed on hers, letting her wonder if this was the moment. A part of her hoped that it wasn't, just so she could feel this again, have another chance to memorize his features. To breathe his piney scent, feel his shadows caress her skin.

Perhaps she should have just asked him to help her find a stranger.

Azriel straightened, flashed an insufferable smirk, and walked out of the room. Gwyn heard his footsteps echo down the hall, leaving her alone in the silent kitchen. She felt as though a summer storm had just rolled through her world, dark and alluring and thrilling all at once.

Nesta, with her brilliant intuition, returned a moment later, squealing when she took in Gwyn's red cheeks.

A few nights later, after a family dinner at the River House, a little group set out to the far corner of the estate. There, a little branch of the Sidra curved through the meadow before pouring back into the sea. A small stone bridge crossed over it, leading to an ivy covered gazebo. Azriel, Cassian, Nesta, and Mor all set out to get a moment of fresh air and a glimpse of the moonlight dancing on the water.

Gwyn followed, giggling with the group at Mor's tipsy stumbling and Cassian's booming voice declaring that he could definitely skip a rock father than the rest of them. This, of course, illicited a challenge and they all began a search for perfect rocks. Gwyn was particularly skilled at skipping stones and giddy at the idea of surprising the group with her talent and wiping the smirk from Cassian's face.

But just as she stepped over the little stone bridge, a hand grasped her arm and whirled her around. She found herself in Azriel's arms, among the swaying grass and delicate flowers. They stood halfway down the bank of the stream, Azriel's boots braced against the slope, holding them upright. The mossy stone bridge hid them from sight, only the tops of their heads visible if the rest of the group bothered to look.

It took Gwyn a moment to register what had happened, to calm her heart and adjust to the feeling of the shadowsinger's arms wrapped around her waist. He smiled down at her, moonlight gleaming in his hazel eyes. This was the moment.

Azriel softly placed his hands on her face and pulled her in a little closer. He was silent, giving her long moments to stop him if she wished. But she tucked herself into him, hands resting on his chest, fingertips just brushing the skin above his collar. She blushed deep red, looking up at him through lowered lashes, though the glimmer in her eye was eager.

Azriel could not help but notice how perfectly she fit in his hold, like her face and his hands had once been a single block of marble, the curve between them cut with a single motion. Something about it so familiar, so deeply rooted it felt almost ancient. Sacred.

And Gwyn could not help the feeling that bloomed in her chest when he brought his lips to hers. Soft, sweet, reverant. His touch was warm, every place where they connected sent sparks through her body.

She knew, deep down, was no fleeting feeling. This was the feeling of something beginning. Perhaps this was a spectacularly stupid idea, after all, as she was certain that no other kiss would ever feel this way.

Azriel pulled away, thumb brushing over her cheek. The moment he met her eyes, he felt it. It was nothing like he thought it would be. Neither pain nor pleasure, something so unique there was only one thing that it could be. Gwyn glowed before him, her aura golden. So bright, the star his whole being now orbited.

He knew he looked like a fool. Gasping, chest heaving like her kiss had hurt him. And the concern on her face stung, because it meant she had not felt it, too.

"Azriel?" She whispered, her rose-tinted stupor fading. Azriel let go of her, hands dropping stiffly to his sides. His skin burned, already craving more of her touch.

"How do you feel?" He croaked, though he knew the answer. She did not feel as he did, no matter how much she had liked it.

"Are you okay?" She asked, instead of answering. Her hands still rested against his chest, and now her fingers curled around his shirt collar, holding tight. He looked like he was beginning to panic.

Azriel shook his head, wings spreading out with a snap. It was too much. The sorrow, the longing, the roaring joy. Subtle hints of her own emotions drifting down the newly forged bond.

Mind swirling, he placed a hand on his chest and stepped back. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Just staring at the dazzling girl before him, who had been so shy about being kissed. Surely she would not be happy about such an intense bond, not be ready. And she had asked him for a kiss because she cared so little for him. She had hoped for a kiss that would not matter. No, she would not want this.

He could only think of one word and it was likely the only thing he should not say. Instead of saying anything, he shot upwards into the sky, disappearing as a dark smudge in the night. A single streak of blue in the darkness.

Gwyn was left alone, hands hovering where he had been. Confused, concerned, and entirely unaware of the bond singing in Azriel's chest.

[elainsgirl]

This is azriel thinking that Gwyn is charming: "A warrior sizing up an opponent, all traces of that charming irreverence gone." Yet he only thinks of Elain sexually.

Hey anon, I rlly appreciate the fact you took the time to give me a canon quote disproving what I said,

however on that note, I wouldn’t exactly be jumping up & down with glee - Anon, irreverence means to show disrespect to someone/something that is regarded and treated with respect. In this content, Gwyn was charming with Az as she is with everyone but didn’t you get the vibe she didn’t exactly want him there? From her early dismissal to her mundane answer when Az asked about her solstice - she wasn’t exactly giving, “omg Az is here with me! Im so happy!” Vibes. The only thing about Az that held her interest was the shadows and his title *cough* even to the end, Gwyn was focused on cutting the ribbon, not once looking back at Azriel.

Its like when you run into your teacher after school. You put on this fake, “miss im so glad to have ran into you!” attitude, but deep down you want to run the other way from the awkwardness of unexpectedly running into her. Then you both stand around for a good 5 minutes making polite conversation whilst secretly wishing it was over, you talk about school, maybe ask your teacher how she’s doing or ask a vague, general question about something in her personal life she’s shared, “Miss, how’s your dog charlie? You mentioned she was poorly,” in which she responds, “oh, he’s better now darling”. You stare at each other and cue your exist to leave whilst making a mental note not to go to that shop anymore at the time you did to avoid such an awkward interaction from happening again.

Thats the vibe Gwyn gave Az in the bonus. To the last part of your comment, anon, the bonus was one present moment of Azriels life. Its not his entire thought process. It won’t show his full feelings and opinions, only the ones he’s feeling at the moment the bonus takes place. I don’t know how long you’ve been in the fandom for - but before acosf, so pre-2020, the biggest anti elriel arguement was Az doesn’t view elain romantically. He has no attraction towards her and sees her as a platonic sibling. Then the bonus comes along and completely annihilates this arguement. Sjm disproved it & established Elriels relationship as romantic with a side of attraction. These new ACOTAR books are NA therefore anon, the male Li will have explicit thoughts about his LI. Its not a bad thing.

Sjm didn’t need to spend her time convincing us Az cares abour elain, she’s done that multiple times over the course of 4 books. She didn’t need to spend her time telling us why Az likes elain - you can 1) deduce that from the books and bonus 2) this is saved for the main book where the mmc during his grovelling monologue will tell the fmc all the reasons he’s obssesed with her.

Sjm however did need to categorise elriels relationship into it being romantic or platonic and with the way the bonus went, she made it the former. Just like she did with Nessian in their bonus, she categorised their relationship immediately into romance, so when you read Nessian’s scenes, you read them with a romantic tone. The same can now be said for elriel, everything Az did for elain from acofas to acosf, can now officially be read under a romantic tone erasing the idea of elriel being platonic. Sjm successfully ended one of elriels biggest anti arguement.

Idk why Az having explicit thoughts about elain has you clutching your pearls, you do know if gwynriel is endgame, he will have the same thoughts about Gwyn? Ig Lucien most also only want elain superficially since he also had explicit thoughts during his monologue. Have you read wings & ember? Azriel’s bonus is a parallel to it

[manonblackbaek]

Moonlit Promise

Gwynriel — One-Shot

In the moonlight, Gwyn and Azriel confess what is burning within them and a promise is made to soothe their souls.

Word count: 1.431

a/n: keep in mind that this work is deeply inspired by M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Village’ (2004), and was made for the Gwynriel Weeks 2024 @gwynrielweeksofficial (doesn’t follow a specific prompt tho)

hope you like it <3

Gwyn doesn’t hear him arriving. His wings are silent, and his feet are light. But she knows he’s outside her bedroom chamber.

His light shines differently than the moonlight. It’s just as tenuous and pure. But more bluish. Not exactly cobalt like his siphons, but teal—like her eyes. Like Nesta, Azriel has a light that surrounds him that only Gwyn can see. She doesn’t understand that aspect of her powers yet, but that is something friends and her are trying to unveil. Nesta’s light is ruby-fire. Beautiful and fitting for her.

But his light through her stained-glass windows makes wonders to the colored glass. Instantly her room is a rainbow of colors. Instantly, she’s restless. Instantly, she can’t force herself to sleep.

Gwyn walks out, barefoot with only a shawl over her white night dress. She moves toward Azriel who sits on the balcony railing, overseeing Velaris, the City of Starlight. She’s still not used to the view, and is amazed by it every time she comes up the House of Wind. In her heart she hopes to never take that beauty view for granted.

He turns as she sits down next to him, throwing her legs over the railing.

“I heard the Inner Circle is going to have an inquiry tomorrow. Each member of Velaris is to be questioned in the meeting hall,” she says.

“Yes,” Azriel says. “To see how the border was breached.”

His breath turns to smoke as he speaks. There was an attack that afternoon, creatures attacked the city and some suspects that someone inside might have invited them in. That’s why she’s spending the night at Nesta’s house.

Gwyn shivers, but she isn’t scared—not with Az here—and doesn’t feel cold. Something inside her is burning, glowing.

“It is cold outside,” Azriel says. “You ought to go in.”

She pulls her shawl closer. “Why are you on this balcony?”

“It is not safe.”

She smiles. “There are other balconies.”

There is a moment of silence. She notices that he’s tense and disturbed by what happened earlier, so Gwyn searches for something to say, to distract him and help if she can.

“Nesta and Cassian’s mating ceremony was beautiful. I’m glad I went. I’ve always loved music and singing, but I fell in love with dancing that night. Cassian danced with me. He’s a good dancer and taught me some of his techniques.” She laughs quietly, remembering how happy she felt having fun with her friends. “You’re a good dancer too. I saw you dancing with Nesta and the High Lady.”

“Did I?”

“You did. But you didn’t dance with me.”

He doesn’t react. She isn’t surprised.

“I met many people that night. I liked that too. The priestess and the acolytes are good company, but I miss meeting new friends. Nesta’s sister was there, she’s very sweet—and her mate was there as well. They were acting very oddly, but I understand. I’m sure they’ll sort things out in no time.” Gwyn looked at Azriel, and whispered. “Do you know how I know?”

He shook his head lightly, “How?” he asked.

“Sometimes we don’t do things we want to do, so that others won’t know we want to do them.” The wind is the only sound around them as Azriel’s shadows dance around her feet, curling around her ankles and calf. “They never touch,” she says, quietly. “They didn’t even dance that night. And their eyes never met, one would stop looking right before the other turned to look. I guess they’re scared to act on what they feel, scared to reach a point of no return. All mates must feel that way, don’t you think?”

Az considers for a moment and says, “I can see that.”

Azriel must be thinking of Nesta and Cassian and how long it took them to accept the bond between them, as well as with the High Lord and Lady of the Night Court, as she was told. When she looks sideways at him, he’s staring at her, and she feels completely exposed before his eyes. They had never once talked about mates and… about them.

The moment is so intense she can’t breathe properly. So she blurts out, “Do you find me too much of a tomboy?”

Azriel frowns and shakes his head lightly, “No.”

In all fairness, it is a ridiculous question, but hopefully it’ll whisk his attention away from the previous topic. Gwyn has always been prone to be talkative whenever nervous.

Gwyn looks up at the sky. Hearth hammering, cheeks red, and says, “I do long to do boy things,” she confides. In a whisper, she says, “Like that game the Illyrian boys play at the stump at the camp. Cassian told us that they put their backs to the woods, to the creatures that might be there, and see how long they can wait before getting scared.” She leans forward and looks at the immense height beneath them. “It's so exciting.” Gwyn glances sideways towards Azriel, he’s not looking at her anymore, but his wings are higher, ready to fly—ready to catch her if she falls. There’s a little smile on her lips when she continues softly, “I understand you hold the record. It will never be broken, Cassian said.”

Azriel gives a small shrug. “It's just children's games.”

Gwyn rests her face on her shoulder and looks directly at him. “How is it you are so brave when all the rest of us are fearful all the time?”

He meets her eyes, and says, “I do not worry about what will happen. Only what needs to be done.”

She opens her mouth to say more, but he speaks before she can utter another word.

“How did you know I was here?” Azriel asks.

“I saw your light through the window.” He blinks, and she sees the curiosity in his eyes. “No, I won't tell you your color.” Gwyn smiles, “Stop asking.”

The wind blows stronger, and she sees snowflakes move all around them. One of his shadows darts forward fast to touch one, before coming back towards her to play with the end of her braid.

It’s a beautiful sight, she thinks. How his light and his shadows dance around as one. The burning sensation in her chest intensifies at the image before her. The beautiful winged male with shadows and lights dancing around his body, as he bathes in moonlight at her side. She feels more content and brave than ever.

In a moment of recklessness, looking at the shadow playing with her hair, she says, “When we are mated, will you dance with me?”

He chokes and looks at her, eyes wide. He doesn’t say anything.

She doesn’t meet his eyes when she says, “I find dancing very agreeable.”

Gwyn counts her heartbeats as she waits for his answer, for something, whatever it may be.

He doesn’t say anything.

Impatient and shyly, she asks, “Why can’t you say what is in your head?”

“Why can you not stop saying what is in yours?” Azriel says abruptly.

Gwyn is surprised by the strength in Azriel's voice. She looks at him, his face is flushed with color and his eyes burn with something she cannot name.

His shadows pause, listening and waiting.

“Why must you lead, when I want to lead? If I want to dance, I will ask you to dance. If I want to speak, I will open my mouth and speak. Everyone is forever plaguing me to speak further. Why? What good is it to tell you, you are in my every thought from the time I wake? What good can come from my saying I sometimes cannot think clearly or do my work properly? What gain can rise from my telling you the only time I feel fear as others do is when I think of you in harm?”

She can’t breathe. Azriel looks as if he can’t either.

“That is why I am on this balcony, Gwyneth Berdara. I fear for your safety before all others.” His confession makes her insides burn. He looks at her as if something in him is burning too. “And yes,” he says softly. “I will dance with you at our mating ceremony.”

As Gwyn sits in the moonlight, unable to move, to say anything, tears stream down her cheeks. A scarred hand reaches out and wipes a tear. His touch causes more tears to fall.

So Azriel strokes the end of her braid and leans forward and kisses Gwyneth Berdara on her bedroom balcony at the House of Wind.

thank you for reading <3 you can find me on ao3 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/54568846

[nikethestatue]

I always found the birthday argument to be stupid; mainly because, if you listen to the Gwynriels argument, it doesn’t make logical sense. The Live in which Steph asked SJM to give Azriel’s lover her birthday was streamed a month BEFORE the book was released into the world. And I don’t know if people know how publishing works, but I am sure Bloomsbury didn’t wait a month BEFORE the book was set to release for them to print millions of pages of the book. And even if Bloomsbury did wait a month before the release to print the book, I doubt the book was still receiving rounds of edit, which would’ve given SJM room to go back and add that into Acosf.

I don’t know SJM personally, but I don’t think she would’ve gone back to add something to an already done manuscript just because someone asked her to. I definitely think the time was too short for anything to be added to that book. Maybe it’s just me. I don’t know how publishing works, but if I were the gywnriels I wouldn’t rely on it because it’s based on a WILD assumption.

Exactly. It was a spur of the moment thing during the Live. You can see it. It wasn't pre-planned. SJM was clearly kind of taken aback by the request and was like 'okayyyy...suuuure'.

So obviously she wasn't thinking of Gwyn's birthday and how it would somehow lead to Azriel? It's just so bizarre.

Like they built a whole theory on a throwaway comment in a Live, which had nothing to do with the books. The energy it took to go and find Stephs birthday and then do all these WILD and incorrect calculations only to convince themselves that Gwyn was born in January or whatever, when it's clearly isn't the case. God, the amount of time and energy that they spent on ridiculous things is flabbergasting.

[lovemyromance]

Idk why this is a hard concept to grasp:

Anything that would move the plot or character development forward.. is included in the book.

Major developments that move the plot forward - included in the book.

Character interactions that are important to the integral plot - included in the book.

Plot points to set up for future overarching plot - included in the book.

Therefore it makes absolutely no sense to have an entire couple that has been foreshadowed for 3 books now to break up in a bonus chapter.

That would leave readers confused. They will ask "oh, weren't Az & Elain a thing?" They will wonder about all the moments they read between the pairing in the last book.

It also makes no sense to include a new love interest in a bonus chapter.

I know people love to bring up "Have you read the bonus chapter?" any time someone says they don't know where Gwynriel came from. I think it's funny, because if Gwynriel was foreshadowed in the actual book, don't you think they'd be asking "Well, did you read the book?" Why is the first question "did you read the bonus chapter?"

That's what Elriels ask, btw, if someone even says they don't know where Elriel came from (very rare occurrence). They don't point to a BC where Azriel is explicitly showing desire for Elain (though that would be too easy), they point to the 3 books of canon text.

Gwynriel doesn't have anything outside the bonus chapter. And that bonus chapter is also heavily skewed based on their interpretation of the text. Most people still do not see romance between the two even after reading the gwynriel's beloved 2nd half of the BC.

My point is, if someone opened the next ACOTAR book and it was Azriel suddenly head over heels for Gwyn of all characters, people would be confused. Yes the bonus chapter is available, but most people haven't read it, and even then, it's not a very solid foundation for a whole BOOK of their romance.

SJM is not going to write something to cause more confusion with the plot in a bonus chapter. She's not going to suddenly break up the couple she's been foreshadowing for 3 books and insert a new love interest in a limited edition version of the book only found from one bookstore in the US.

And I know there are people that are like "Oh well SJM has written full marriages in the BC."

I assume they are referring to singular occurrence of that in the HOFAS BC.

*SPOILER ALERT*

Ruhn & Lidia get married in a BC. That's true. But their marriage and that BC occurs at the end of the book. After the main conflict has been solved, and it is essentially a happily ever after epilogue type bonus. It is not a major development of the plot nor a shock or twist to anyone. They were already mates and together. Them getting married in the bonus chapter was just a fun wholesome way to add to the series. In fact, the entire event was so lowkey Ruhns mom wasn't even mentioned as being there.

There were no questions raised after that BC. SJM could write a 4th CC book, and their marriage would likely not have any relevance to the overall plot of that novel. She could have never published it, and it wouldn't have changed a thing.

Thats the difference. BC do not cover major plot development, they sow seeds for the future and are sometimes just for fun. They are often not needed or relevant for the plot in the book at that time. So they are not included in the book. That's it. She doesn't write bonus chapters to cause even more confusion.

But I thought it was obvious 🤷🏻‍♀️

[elliemarchetti]

Gwynriel Weeks Day 14

This was meant to be published two days ago but a horrible headache prevented me from doing so (or doing anything else that wasn’t lying as still as possible in my bedroom with the shades closed) so here we are, with something NSFW to end this @gwynrielweeksofficial in style

Prompt: Free Day

Warnings: When I say NSFW I mean EXPLICIT. We’re talking about loving, consensual, descriptive sex scenes but someone may be uncomfortable. I don't know, it's up to you to judge, but it's nothing different from what can be found in canon

Words: 953

Mate, mate, mate. Gwyn couldn't think of anything else as Azriel's lips finally descended on hers, full of desperation. He needed her, he needed to get closer, to cancel every obstacle between their bodies, be it clothes or the air he didn't seem to need to live. Something about the way he moved, the way his shadows blotted out every source of light in the room, told her there was a lot he didn't want to talk about, but if in any other situation she would’ve taken a step back, asked him to make her aware of what was troubling him, at the moment the availability of her body seemed the best remedy to his worries.

She let his rough fingers slip under the straps of her nightgown and slide them off her shoulders, the fabric falling fast to the floor, pooling at her feet, revealing her in her most primal nakedness. Azriel, who was still fully dressed, looked pleased, and for some reasons his expression made her braver, more uninhibited. She backed away until the backs of her knees hit the mattress of her bed, too small to accommodate them both, and she watched intently as he knelt before her, opened her legs with methodical control, and lightly caressed the insides of her toned thighs.

“Tell me to stop,” he said in a hoarse voice, halfway between an order and a plea. But Gwyn wasn’t going to do that, she wasn’t going to let fear and inexperience deprive her of what she wanted. For a while now she had thought she was on the verge of going mad if she didn’t have him, but if the situation was serious when she was awake, it was even worse in her dreams.

“Tell me not to touch you,” he went on, now so close she could feel his breath on her belly, where a beast of primal magic roared, begging for the male to worship her like a forgotten hedonistic deity, to silence her thoughts and satiate her desire. To stop herself from saying all this and more, she bit her tongue so hard she made it bleed.

“Tell me to go away,” he murmured, when he was too close to her sex to not know how much she wanted to finish what they started.

There was no shame in the moan that escaped her throat when his tongue finally began to taste her, nor did she refrain from grabbing his black hair when the sensation he was causing became so intense she thought she would explode. At one point, Azriel forced her to lift her legs and rest her heels on the metal of the bed for better access, and for a moment, Gwyn thought she couldn’t take it any longer, but that was before he pushed a finger inside her. It was a pleasant invasion, one around which her muscles tightened almost instinctively, and one that made Azriel’s eyes roll back.

“More,” she murmured into the darkness as warm, thick liquid began to leak out of her, dripping onto the covers. Azriel complied with her request, and continued his ministrations, this time with two fingers.

“More,” she almost screamed, but this time her lover didn’t oblige, instead, he raised his head to meet her pleading gaze, and in the blink of an eye his lips were on hers again, soft and smooth against split and swollen. Not that she had anyone else to blame but herself: it was her own teeth that had sunk into her tender flesh, an extreme attempt to force herself to silence.

“Do you taste how sweet you are?” he asked, when he was sure that every muscle in her body was now abandoned to pleasure. Gwyn shook her head, but they both knew it was a lie. She could feel her sweet flavour mixed with Azriel’s on her tongue, together with the metallic tang of blood and something else she attributed to the mating bond only she was aware of. A part of her brain, the rational one, was convinced she should’ve told him before letting him touch her like that, while the more unhinged one could only wonder how he would’ve claimed her if he felt it too. Maybe he would’ve marked her, covering her in his scent and love bites she would’ve shown off with pride, so no other male could even think of getting close…

Her reverie was interrupted by a new sensation on her lips, battered skin caressing and pushing to open her mouth. In a burst of resourcefulness, she sucked the finger stained with her juices until she felt the tip in her throat, prompting Azriel to make a guttural noise, which she would’ve expected to hear if she had her lips wrapped around something else, maybe the bulge hidden by his trousers, against which she was rubbing herself mindlessly.

Mate, mate, mate, her heart screamed, wanting nothing more than to feel his twin beat wildly against her chest.

“Azriel…” she murmured, as she tremblingly undid the laces of his tunic, and when they were finally both naked, and what would happen seemed inevitable, a tear of joy quickly escaped from her right eye, sliding from her temple into her hair. The Illyrian misunderstood, and instantly froze, apologies for what he allowed himself to do and words Gwyn didn’t want to hear ready to come out of his perfect mouth. So, even though she had never done it, even though he was immeasurably stronger than her, the priestess took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately.

“Tell me what you want,” he whispered, when he found himself beneath her, his wings crushed between his powerful back and the mattress.

“Everything.”

[yennas-stuff]

Whats your ship? gwynriel/elucien 🥰

When was the moment you shipped them?

What are your top 3 reasons why you ship them?

What is one thing you'd love to see in their book?

Hi anon!

I absolutely love this ask. 🫶

1) What's your ship?

I would definitely say I ship both, but I am mostly an elucien shipper. I just love Lucien so much and think he would be an amazing romantic lead. I think Elain has a lot of potential to be a great pov.

When it comes to gwynriel, I love Gwyn's character. We've only had one book so far with her, so I need to know more. Azriel, tho... I have many conflicting thoughts about him, haha. I just don't know much about him, so in order not to project my own bs on him, I can't claim him as my favorite yet. The most we had of his character was in the bonus chapter and some people might hate him for it and criticize his kinda toxic way of thinking, but I have to be honest, I thought it was perfectly aligned with his character and what I thought about him before I read it. I love that he's not a perfect guy. He is disturbed and dark and needs a lot of healing. And that's what i like. The potential of it all.

I also think elucien is my preferred ship because... I like it when men lead the romance and woo their partners. Sue me, lol. I already know that Lucien is charming but full of self-esteem issues and doubt. And I'm sure I will thoroughly enjoy him being down bad (in a romantic angsty way) for Elain.

2) When was the moment you shipped them?

For Elucien, it was just before Elain was dropped into the Cauldron. The tension was already there for me when Lucien behaved the way he did and when Elain looked at him.

With Gwynriel, tbh when they first saw each other during the training. I just never felt anything from E/riel. I always thought they were so obviously boring and lacking chemistry. Sorry. And I love the "like calls to like" rule of Sjm's world. They never gave me that, so when I saw someone new in Azriel's periphery, I was hooked. And then we got the ribbon scene, and I was sure they were endgame. No bonus chapter needed.

3) What are your top 3 reasons you ship them?

For both of these ships my 1st answer would be

✨️it's all about the potential✨️

Elucien is the perfect romance for me. The reluctance on Elain's part and the fact that she's still such an enigma only makes it sweeter. When we get her POV, it will feel like such a reward.

I love the compatibility of these two pairings. I love that they can make each other into the best versions of themselves.

Elucien also has this amazing thing of being undervalued and looked over. Nobody realizes their potential for greatness. They can discover their powers t o g e t h e r, at the same time. They are truly equals in that sense. Lucien with his Day Court powers, and Elain with her whole seer thing. They are both extremely loyal. They look for the good in people others deem worthless or irredeemable.

They just fit each other like the enchanted glove fits Elain's hand.

Gwynriel is all about finding your worth and seeing the light in your own darkness. The religious vibes and singing are just a cherry on top of that.

Are these 3 reasons? I have no idea, I can't count these jumbled thoughts, sorry.

4) What is one thing you would love to see in their books?

Elucien = Elain realizing she loves everything about Lucien despite the bond, SLOW BURN, yearning. Very heated moments, meaningful looks, and a chance to see Lucien being a badass and standing up for her.

Gwynriel = Azriel healing, him fixing his approach to beautiful women lol, friends to lovers, BANTER, Gwyn being confident and smooth af, Azriel being flustered and out of his depth.

Thank you, Anon! Sorry for yapping this much. I would yap more, but I doubt anyone would read it.

[acourtofthought]

I recently saw a post claiming that there are no obstacles standing in the way of either Elucien or Gwynriel while there are obstacles standing in the way of E/riel.

I do agree that at the moment there are no external obstacles to Gwynriel, their ship and possible mating bond is very new and SJM usually takes more than a book to develop a story involving a mating bond. Their current obstacles are more personal in nature, working to overcome past traumas.

But what obstacles are standing in the way of E/riel?

Lucien???

"And then I'll ask your mate how he survived it - knowing you were engaged to someone else. Sharing another male's bed."

That is what Lucien said about Elain before he met officially met her. He already resigned himself to the fact that his mate was in love with engaged to someone else, that he was going to have to live with that.

He sat in a room with Elain as she spoke of Graysen, how Graysen saw her before, how she was supposed to be married and Lucien accepted that Elain did not "love him, want him, need him."

He left to find Vassa after realizing he was not needed in the Night Court because Elain wanted Graysen. He only entered the Night Court to ensure that she wasn't being harmed and once he saw that she was safe he walked away because he acknowledged that she still wanted her fiance.

If Elain wants to be with Az, Lucien will step aside just as he did when he thought she wanted Graysen. Just as he's done for the last two years, allowing her to do whatever the fuck she wants to do and asking nothing of her.

And Rhys as an obstacle?

All Az needed to say was that he was over Mor and that he'd never felt about anyone the way he does for Elain. Rhys is not an obstacle, all Rhys is is the protective brother-in-law who was honestly convinced that Az just wanted to use Elain for a night of sex.

Beron is an obstacle to Az being with Elain?

First off, Az is nothing to Beron. As we canonically know he's not a fan of lesser fae, Beron wouldn't consider Az worth his time (since certain people in the ACOTAR world consider the Illyrians lesser fae) and I highly doubt he'd care about Lucien losing his mate when Beron hates Lucien.

When Beron has tormented Lucien his entire life, why would he HELP him get his mate from Az? And if by some chance he did call the Blood Duel, I would bet money on Lucien putting a stop to it, stopping Beron so that Elain could be happy and that only leaves Lucien looking like the hero in an E/riel book (and we all know the hero gets the girl).

There are no obstacles to an E/riel endgame except Azriel's inability to have a conversation which would have easily cleared up any of the "misunderstandings" in SF. If that's what they actually were, I am of the mind that Az refused to answer because he knows he didn't actually have a response that Rhys would have been happy to hear. That he was in fact willing to sleep with Elain though he's still not over Mor and does not in fact have a plan to be with her beyond his sexual fantasies.

So what are the Elucien obstacles? I mean, aside from the fact that she was in love with someone else when her bond snapped and Elain has been fighting against the bond from book 2? Obstacles that have kept her from getting to know Lucien for how many books now? (I mean really, what obstacles were there for Nesta and Cassian getting together except Nesta's personal trauma?).

We are reminded on 4 different occasions that Beron had Lucien's lover slaughtered, 2 of them in Silver Flames alone.

We are reminded on multiple occasions of how much Beron and his other sons detest Lucien. Hell, Beron sent his brothers after him as recently as ACOWAR when he and Feyre tried to cross through Autumn.

We know Beron has his sights set on the weakened Spring Court.

In SF, SJM tells us that Elain's scent is not only a promise of Spring but that the Spring Court had been MADE for someone like her, that Nesta would have told her to visit if they weren't fighting. We're told the IC needs a strong ally in the Spring Courts forces, that Tamlin isn't getting better and he's neglecting the people.

You're telling me that if Elain ends up in Spring and she's involved in helping restore the Court to it's former strength, Beron would not want to stop her as she's interfering with his plans to take over it's lands?

Beron also wants to ally with Koschei now that Briallyn is dead. We know Elain has a connection to Koschei because of her visions, that she is connected to the Trove as she's Made and is also Nesta's sister, and that Koschei has his sights set on the Trove so he can free himself.

We're also told in SF that all it would take to gain the alliance of these villains would be to hand over a certain Archeron sister (Briallyn failed with Nesta). Beron going after Elain to gain Koschei's alliance creates obstacles to an Elucien endgame because Lucien can't end up with his mate if she's kidnapped or dead. We're told that as Beron was willing to murder Jesminda and torture his own sons, what wouldn't he be willing to do so I think it's safe to say that Beron is a much bigger threat to Lucien's happiness and Elain's life (considering she's Lucien's mate as well as an Archeron sister) than anything involving Az.

There are a lot of exciting directions SJM could take an Elucien story, filled with not only the internal obstacles they've both been dealing with but external obstacles as well.

The only obstacles that stand in the way of E/riel are ones they've created themselves. And those "obstacles" would only lead to hurting others who are blameless like Gwyn (when Az decided to give her the necklace dragging her into the mess for no reason if he's going to end up with Elain) and Lucien (who has given Elain the freedom to do whatever she wants).

[starsreminisce]

Sjm laid the personality groundwork for Elain perfectly, she doesn't have to retcon anything to make Elriel plausible.

"you don't think he deserves to be with someone whom the cauldron deemed his equal"

He deserves to be with who he loves and has feelings for. And how are you so sure that Elain isn't his equal when we haven't seen the full force of her powers yet?

Lastly, the stark contrast of emotions between "I'm getting her back" and "we trained them well, Cassian. Trust in that. It's all we can do." Makes it clear that gwyn is not Azriel's mate.

Ah, yes, the classic Elriel comeback: "How can I be so sure?"

Elain doesn't like violence, has shown no interest in spying or being a fighter, needs sunshine and, his shadows tend to disappear when she's around.

Perfect match.

If Azriel truly loves Elain as much as some claim, why didn't he express that to Rhys when he asked about Mor? Why did he avoid the question altogether?

Cassian, Feyre, and Rhys all seem to understand that Azriel won't move on unless he lets go of Mor.

I expected Azriel to fight for Elain's affection, even against his High Lord. I expected him to speak more passionately than just playing the "I'm the third brother, why not me" card. He should have conveyed that he and Elain are better suited for each other, emphasizing her preference for him over her own mate. He should have declared his love for her and challenged Rhys's perspective. He should have called Rhys's bluff on any potential demotion.

After their meeting, I expected Azriel to seek her out, explain himself, and offer a proper apology with the kiss he had promised her. He should have kept the necklace, intending to give it to her when the time was right.

At the very least, he should have addressed her by her name rather than continuing to refer to her as "the third sister," especially if his love for Elain runs as deep as you suggest.

But wait, silly me, because the bonus chapter isn't truly canonical for Elriels, at least not the part where he's with Gwyn.

So, I anticipated that Cassian and Nesta would drop more hints about Elain and Azriel's undeniable connection.

I would have expected them to question why Azriel couldn't seem to stay away from her, why he chose to move to the river house, why he danced with her so frequently during the Hewn City solstice, and why he remained by her side throughout the river house solstice. I wondered why Azriel didn't offer comfort to Nesta regarding Elain's desire to assist her if they were confiding in each other. And why did Azriel maintain such intense eye contact with Elain and look at her with longing?

However, none of these details were present in the story so far, were they?

And, of course, some Elriels can't help but interpret Az's efforts to get Elain back, while not pursuing Gwyn, as "proof" of their ship, even though it's what solidifies Gwynriel for me.

This is what Azriel did when he rescued Gwyn the first time:

He closed his eyes, as if reeling his rage back into himself. “I heard that Mor had brought one in. Azriel was the one who made it out there first, and he killed any of the Hybern soldiers left, by that point …”

Azriel slaughtered all of them within moments. He didn’t hesitate. But I could barely move, and when I tried to get up … He gave me his cloak and wrapped me in it. Morrigan arrived a few minutes later, and then Rhysand appeared, and it became clear some of the soldiers had gotten away with the piece of the Cauldron, so Azriel headed after them.

THAT IS MATE BEHAVIOR. Azriel typically leaves a couple for interrogation, especially when it's part of his job.

Azriel's trust in Gwyn's abilities during the Blood Rite, even though it posed a higher risk to her life compared to allowing Elain to search for the trove, strongly resembles mate-like behavior.

Kinda sorta like Rhys trusting Feyre to go into Spring Court? or hold out her own against the weaver?

After all, show me a mated pair who wouldn't permit their female counterpart to pursue something they desired, and who would openly express their disagreement to their face.

Lastly, I will leave you with this:

And I wondered if love was too weak a word for what he felt, what he’d done for me. For what I felt for him.

I've read every argument for Elriel to understand the pairing. And I just don't because there is a very solid counterargument that you're just not accepting.

Az's bonus chapter was the final nail to that coffin.

Enjoy your ship. Stop trying to convince me that it'll happen because only SJM would.

And if you don't like Elucien and Gwynriel because it's "same old wash rinse repeat" then that's you having a problem with SJM's writing and favored tropes.

[dawneternal]

Just a Favor | pt 2 | Gwynriel

✦ cause so many people asked for more lol enjoy 💛

✦ Warnings: mostly fluff a bit of angst

✦ Word Count: 1.2k

✦ AO3 Link

✦ Masterlist

Is that you or some other shadowsinger flying over my house? 

Rhysand's voice pierced through the storm of Azriel's thoughts.

Something happened. Azriel responded, knowing his brother could likely hear his panic. 

Do tell. 

House of Wind?

Meet you there.

Thus, Azriel found himself sitting at the long, empty dining room table, knee bouncing as he waited for Rhys. 

It did not take long for Rhysand to appear above the balcony, landing with barely a sound. He joined Azriel at the table, a gleam in his eye as he took in his brother's anxious fidgeting.

"Is this a good something or a bad something?" Rhys asked, conjuring a bottle of scotch and two glasses.

"I have a mate," Azriel said, eyes wide. Rhys stopped pouring, eyebrows rising. 

"Who?" 

"You know who, don't you?" Azriel tilted his head. Indeed, Rhys's violet eyes glowed with something knowing and gleeful.

"The redheaded Valkyrie you follow like a lost puppy?" Rhysand grinned and slid a glass to Azriel.

"I do not," Azriel frowned. 

"You do, and it will only get worse if she is your mate," Rhysand took a sip and winced at the burn, "Is she?"

"Yes," The shadowsinger breathed, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. His lips parted like he was still in awe of it.

"So then tell me the story," Rhys prodded, grin only growing.

Azriel rubbed the back of his neck, turning his gaze to the marble floor. He hadn't considered the fact that the High Lord may not be very happy about his agreement with the valkyrie. 

"Well...she told me that she wanted to have her first kiss," As predicted, Rhys's eyebrows drew upwards as he listened.

"She asked me to either kiss her or find someone nice who would," Az continued. 

"And you kissed her?" Rhys's face was unreadable.

"I did."

"And as her teacher, you thought that would be a good idea why?"

"...because she is pretty?" 

Such frivolous reasoning from the solemn spy master. Rhysand tipped his head back and roared with laughter. His cheeks had turned pink, eyes gleaming with happiness for his brother. Never in their long lives had someone rattled him so.

"You kissed her and the bond snapped?"

"Yes, and I don't think it snapped for her," The anxiety returned to Azriel's eyes, his smile faltering, "What am I going to do?"

"Stop for a minute, Az," Rhysand said softly, leaning forward to grasp Azriel's shoulder, "Just celebrate for a moment. You have a mate. An incredible, formidable, beautiful mate."

Azriel smiled. There was such deep relief in it, the weight of centuries lifting. Tears glistened in his eyes, a couple spilling over onto his rosy cheeks. His body felt strange, unsure what to do without the ache of longing. He thought his shadows would be a swarming mess but they were utterly still.

"Yeah," Az croaked, looking at his brother with such joy that it brought tears to Rhys's eyes as well. "I have a mate. She's my mate."

***

Nesta found Gwyn crouched on the bank of the stream, elbows propped on her knees as she watched the bubbling water in the moonlight.

"Gwyn?" Nesta asked softly, trying to catch a glimpse of her friend's face behind the curtain of copper hair. 

Gwyn turned to her, face pale and eyes wide, freckles stark against her skin. 

"He kissed me," She whispered. Nesta settled next to her, resting her bare feet on the rocks at the edge of the water. 

"Was it bad?" Nesta's brows furrowed. 

"No," Gwyn breathed, a hint of smile gracing her features, "It was really good. But then he freaked out and flew away?"

Nesta's eyes widened, lips drawing into a thin line. 

"I know," Gwyn whispered, mirroring Nesta's expression, "You don't think...." 

"Maybe," Nesta searched her friend's eyes, the same color as the bobbing flowers growing among them. Gwyn was scared, worried...but there was something else gleaming there. Something that wanted it to be true. 

"I guess you'll have to wait for him to tell you," She said, reaching out to twirl a strand of her friend's hair. 

"What if he doesn't?" Gwyn asked, chewing her bottom lip, "I don't want to get my hopes up."

"I can pry," Nesta grinned, "If he tells Cassian I can get it out of him easily."

"No," Gwyn smiled and shook her head, "I want to know from him."

They settled into silence for a long moment, listening to the water rush over the rocks as it reached toward the ocean. Nesta wrapped an arm around Gwyn's shoulders and tucked her in close. 

Gwyn's thoughts whirled. She felt a giddy, fluttering hope and a terrifying nervousness when she remembered the shock on Azriel's face. And the idea that she might be wrong produced a bitter ache in her chest. If she was right, when would she feel it, too?

"It was good?" Nesta sang, drawing out the last word, pulling Gwyn from her contemplation. Gwyn smiled, blushing so deeply it spread to the points of her ears. 

"It was...everything."

When Nesta and Cassian landed at the House of Wind, Azriel was alone at the dining room table. Rhysand had gone back to the River House and left the scotch behind. 

Nesta smiled to herself at the sight of the shadowsinger. He stared at nothing, eyes glazed over and a faint, happy smile on his face. They had found him in this position before, alone and brooding. But this time he did not appear to be sulking. He seemed...light. His shadows ambled around him like sleepy bumblebees.

She looked at Cassian and nodded toward the table, then silently scurried away to her room. 

"Hey," Cassian said, pulling out a chair. 

"Hey," Az murmured, pulled from his love-sick stupor. 

"What happened to you?" Cassian chuckled, picking up the half-full glass Rhysand had left. 

"I kissed Gwyn," Az answered, looking up at his brother. 

"You agreed to that whole thing?" Cassian laughed and took a sip of scotch. 

"You knew about that?"

"Nesta told me," Cassian waved his hand, "But anyways. You kissed her and you're smitten now?"

"I kissed her and the bond snapped," Azriel said, eyes alight. 

Cassian stared for a moment, glass paused halfway to his lips. Then the glass clattered into the table and Cassian was up, lifting Azriel into a hug. He spun the shadowsinger around and planted messy kisses on his cheek. 

"A mate! You have a mate, brother!"

"Put me down, you oaf," Az muttered and wiped his face, but he was grinning. 

"I'm so happy for you," Cassian croaked, a lump in growing in his throat. 

"I just have to figure out how to tell her," Azriel said. 

"Don't wait too long," Cassian nodded gravely, "We all saw what happened to Rhys."

Then his grin broke through again and he hopped from one foot to the other. "Berdara is your mate! I can't say I didn't see that coming."

"What do you mean?" Azriel demanded, reminded of Rhysand's similar sentiment.

"Come on," Cassian shook his head, giggling, "You're obsessed with each other."

"She's obsessed with me?" Az perked up at this, eyes sparkling. 

"Oh brother. You need to talk to her. Let's sit and brainstorm," Cassian pulled the chair out to sit again. 

"No thanks," Az chuckled, "I'm going to bed. But if you come up with any brilliant ideas let me know tomorrow."

Though Azriel already had a plan. He would do what Cassian should have done and ask Feyre what she wished had happened for her. He would make it perfect. For Gwyn, for his own centuries of waiting, it had to be perfect.

[aldbooks]

Finally came home from work not wanting to immediately crash into bed so worked on the Gwynriel Starfall drabble I mentioned the other day.

So here, have your pain. Be prepared for tears.

TW: discussions of grief, allusions to self harm/thoughts

---

A hush fell over the gathered crowd as the lights dimmed and everyone's gaze turned skyward. It was then Azriel noticed that Gwyn was no longer among the crowd.

Truth be told, he'd been somewhat surprised she'd accepted the invitation to the annual Starfall party Rhys- and now Nesta- hosted at the House of Wind. The Blood Rite the prior year had clearly shaken the priestess, which he did not fault her for in the slightest, but the result was that- according to her friends- some of the progress she'd made towards leaving the Library and the priestess hood behind had regressed. This party was meant to be a reintroduction of sorts to life outside, reacquainting Gwyn with what it feels like to socialize with new people.

She would be safe here, he knew that. Even with all the visiting guests from other courts, between himself, Cassian, Nesta, Emerie and even Rhys and Mor, someone would always be looking out for her should she find herself overwhelmed. Yet, when he looked around a moment before, he had see Nesta, and Emerie chatting with Cresseida, Cassian had been having a lively discussion with Helion, Rhys and Feyre were showing off their son to group of adoring admirers, and Mor and Amren were drinking and laughing in a corner with Vivianne. Everyone was accounted for- except Gwyn.

But he hadn't seen her leave.

He could sense his shadows urging him back inside and he allowed them to lead him as they propelled up through the House and up the stairs to the training ring. There, laying on one of the training mats that had been left out from the morning, with her dress fanned around her legs, was Gwyn.

She didn't make a sound as he approached, just lay there, arms splayed out at her sides, staring up at the night sky where the stars had begun to fall. She didn't even acknowledge him as he crouched to sit beside her but, as he got closer, he noticed a lone tear glittering on her cheek.

Instantly concerned, he reached out to gently swipe it away, growing evermore concerned as she continued to ignore his presence as though she were not aware of him.

"Gwyn," he asked softly. She did not look at him but he saw the slight flicker of her eyes that said she'd heard him. "Are you alright?"

Her lips parted but all that escaped was a choked breath. His shadows immediately slithered towards her, wrapping consolingly around her arm. Some unnamed feeling sparked in his chest at her obvious distress by he tamped it down. "May I join you?"

Carefully, he stretched out beside her, the tips of his fingers a bare inch from hers and for a long moment, neither of them spoke while they watched the sky.

After what felt like hours while his mind swirled with concern, wondering what had upset her so badly, she said-"It's been four years."

He blinked, momentarily nonplussed.

"I haven't watched Starfall properly in four years, since before-" She didn't finish the sentence, but she didn't have to.

Since before the attack on Sangravah. Since those brutes had abused her. Since she'd come to the library.

Since she'd lost her sister.

Somehow, he knew it was the last point that bothered her the most.

He said nothing, allowing her to speak her thoughts in her own time. Slowly but surely, she did.

"At first, it was because it had only just happened. I'd barely been in the Library a month. Time- or rather, the passing of it, I suppose, still didn't seem real. Nothing felt real."

There was a painful constriction in his chest as he listened to her and familiar guilt rose in him. She was yet another person he'd failed to save. Sure, she was alive and well now, but he hadn't been able to spare her the pain and indignity of what those bastards had done to her. Had not been able to spare her the horror of watching her twin die in front of her. Hadn't been able to save any of the many of other priestesses who'd lost their lives that terrible night.

"After that I- I stayed in my rooms, didn't even look out the window. It was a punishment of sorts, I think. Because I was here and she wasn't." Her voice became choked, and he knew she'd begun crying again. "She would never see these things again, why should I?"

Azriel felt a stab of pain at her words. Had that not been the exact thought he and Cass and Mor had had that first year without Rhys? Knowing he was locked under that mountain, unable to see the stars they all loved so much, why should they be allowed to enjoy it? Of course, Rhys had eventually come home... Gwyn's sister never would.

"That first year was the hardest," she continued through her tears. "The holidays and celebrations were the worst I think. Catrin and I had always shared them together just like we shared everything. And then I was suddenly alone, and I felt- I felt so lost. Sometimes I hated her for it. For leaving me here with all these memories and all this pain- she left me alone-"

Her breath stuttered as she held back a sob and Azriel felt his throat grow tight.

"There were nights- dark nights- when I thought about- when I wanted to join her...."

Azriel's heart stilled, his body going cold all over as something roared inside of him, screaming in fury at the thought of never knowing this woman. Of not watching her grow and flourish into the warrior he now knew. But he couldn't say the feeling she described was foreign to him.

He may never have lost someone so precious to him that he felt compelled to join them in the beyond. Indeed, he often had to acknowledge how blessed he was that every single soul he cared about was still on this earth. But there had been times if he'd wondered if perhaps they might all be better if he were not there.

He said none of this out loud. He wasn't ready to acknowledge those thoughts, not now. But... one day... She understood, he realized, she would understand, she would not judge him. Perhaps one day, he'd tell her what he'd never told anyone else.

Her soft voice brought him back to the present.

"It wasn't until that first Solstice without her, when I was attending service and the priestess spoke about darkness giving birth to light, and the renewal of the Mother, that I realized I had found solace in those moments int he chapel. In song, in prayer, in reflection... And I realized, she would not have wanted this for me. For me to remain hidden away from the world. She would have wanted me to live..."

She sucked in a shaky breath and when she spoke again her voice was broken. "She would have been so disappointed in me-"

Azriel's heart ached unbearably. He inched his hand to the side, his fingers seeking hers, seeking permission to touch and she allowed it, wrapping her hand around his and squeezing tightly.

"I couldn't bear it- I was disappointed in myself as well. Disappointed that I wasn't ready, that I could barely stomach the thought of leaving this place that had become my haven- my safe port in a storm..."

"It wasn't until I met Nesta- and Emerie- and Cassian.... and you- that I started to feel like I didn't need that port anymore. I could be my own anchor. But I was- am, still scared..."

Azriel was incapable of speaking with the well of emotion in him, so he just squeezed her hand back, trying to convey without words that it was ok that she was still scared. That whenever she was ready, Nesta and Emerie, Cass and himself would all be there to catch her when she jumped.

He would always be there to catch her.

He'd thought his heart had broken as he listened to her describe her grief, but it was the stark regret in her next words that shattered him.

"What if I missed her?"

He didn't know what she meant at first, until he realized she wasn't just looking up at the stars that streaked by. She'd been scanning them, as though looking for something.

"When her soul passed through from this world, what if I missed her while I was hiding away in my room like a coward? I- I never got to say goodbye- what if I missed her?"

Azriel squeezed his eyes shut, unable to hold back his own tears any longer. After a moment, he managed to say. "So say it now. Say goodbye. I'm sure- wherever she is, she hears your heart. She knows." He turned his head to look at her and found her looking back at him with a fathomless expression that begged for absolution. "Goodbye isn't for her, Gwyn. It's for you. So say it now, if you're ready to."

Fresh tears filled her eyes, making them glisten in the starlight, almost like they were glowing. Her chin wobbling slightly, she turned back to the sky, squeezing her eyes shut as her lips moved in a silent prayer until sobs overtook her.

With a slight tug on her hand, she rolled into his side, pressing her face his shoulder as she sobbed and he held her quietly through tears of his own until the stars faded and they drifted into sleep together, still clinging tightly to one another.