#sjm is looking at those ideas right now and saying no thank you!

[gwandas]

it’s going to be pretty funny when fanon elain and canon elain end up being nothing alike. I don’t think any of us are ready for the consequences of an entire fandom spending 3 years living inside fanfiction having to deal with SJM’s reality

[burningfairytales]

Just saw your answer. Can I ask, why do you love Haikyuu, All for the Game, and Throne of Glass? I think those 3 media are unique (because they're so different from each other) and I love to read your writings.

Hey! :)

Of course you can ask!

I know, they're all super different; it's weird.

Starting with Throne of Glass - I love the growth of the whole book series a a whole? In both the characters but also the writing itself.

You can really tell that SJM was young when she started writing it, and I think it's fun to see how her writing evolves with time.

(Fun fact - I couldn't finish the first one when I picked it up the first time. I thought it was horrible. I gave it another chance after reading ACOTAR though, and everyone is right: It does get so much better. Now I think it's cool to compare the writing in the first book to the writing in the last one.)

I like the storyline, and I LOVE the characters. I think every single character is well-rounded. They're flawed and they all learn and grow.

I also have to say that by now, I prefer ToG to ACOTAR because, well. The first three books were great! After that it felt like they solely existed for smut purposes. Not that there's anything wrong with that - it's just not my cup of tea.

In Throne of Glass you did have some scenes that bordered on spice, but it felt fitting. Like it was there for a reason - a natural continuation of the characters becoming intimate with each other both physically and mentally. It didn't feel like there was smut just for the sake of it being there, if that makes sense?

In general I just felt like the characters and their interactions and relationships felt very natural to me.

As for All for the Game - I mean.

I was part of the fandom when we were still 20 people and a cardboard cutout, you know? There were very few of us, but we loved those books fiercely. And as there was barely any fan-content out there at the time, we had to go out and make it ourselves.

I met some people in that time that I will never forget - people I wish all the happiness in the world for, even if we don't talk anymore.

I also met one of my best friends through those books. Now imagine - this was almost ten years ago, and this year, she officiated my wedding.

So those books will always, always be special to me.

As for the story itself - I had no idea what I was about to read at the time. Someone on tumblr recommended them to me and she generally had great taste, so I tried them. I mean, if she had told me I was about to read "Sports Manga Goes to America And Also The Mafia Shows Up" it might have stayed on my to-read list forever.

It does sound pretty ridiculous.

But this whole theme of all these damaged kids coming together and having to figure things out together, and helping each other heal?

That kinda gets me everytime, and Nora did it especially well.

It was like, never once was an issue talked about like it meant nothing. People tend to handle trauma like it comes with an expiration date, you know? Like there is just a certain point after which you're expected to be over it.

Well, some things you don't get over. Ever. And they get easier to deal with, with the right tools. And the right people. But that doesn't make them lesser-than. I think that's a theme that just spoke to me.

Also, I mean, the whole relationship between Neil and Andrew. I mean. Yeah. Perfection.

As for Haikyuu - which is perhaps my oddest choice, and also my latest obsession...

I went into expecting nothing. I knew it was a sports anime that people talked about a few years ago, and I always meant to check it out, but never got around to it.

And then it was on Netflix, and I thought, hey, y'know what, I haven't watched any good animes lately.

Look, I didn't go into it expecting to cry because Hinata managed to receive a stupid ball. I didn't expect to cry because of "thanks for getting me into volleyball."

I may have expected crying about "It's time I became an ace. Period." if I'd known it was coming, but I DIDN'T SO THERE'S THAT.

Thing is, I cannot, for the live of me, think of a single character I don't like. There are characters I really wanted to not like (I'm so sorry Tendo, you deserved better) and characters I am still midly annoyed by (look as hilarious as that snake guy was he was just in too many scenes, okay. I had the same problem with him that I had with the one guy from Laketown in The Hobbit 3. You know which one I'm talking about. Like three main characters DIED and you didn't get to mourn them because apparently an executive decision was made to underminde that tragedy by forcing a guy to wear a dress and expect the audience to laugh at that.

It's been years. I am still bitter.)

(Ahem.)

But yes, I just love every single character so, so much. They're all so intricate with their own desires and flaws and dreams and ways of thinking. I rarely even liked a main character as much as I love Hinata.

I love the relationship each team displays among its members. I love their dynamics. I love the dynamics the teams have amongst each other.

Ah - another scene that had me choking back tears. Daichi's and Kuroo's hug. I mean. After all those "I'm going to break your hand"-handshakes?? Yeah, there were tears.

Haikyuu might not have the depth that for example Throne of Glass has when it comes to its plot, but that's not necessary - it wins in other aspects.

I'm telling you that when I'm having a Bad Day (capital letters necessary), Haikyuu is a show that will cheer me up. Sometimes it doesn't need much. Sometimes a few dorks with a volleyball will do. It's just a very feel-good show - or a feel-good manga series of course.

So I guess, maybe these three things aren't completely different - they all overlap in the part that matters most to me: people finding each other. Strangers becoming a team, a family, and choosing to help each other through life.

Found family, man. That will never not get me.

[acourtofthought]

Good afternoon! Or whatever it is wherever you are! I don’t know what it is but the idea/concept of Elain and Az being a couple just makes me scrunch my nose and cringe a bit. Their dynamic feels very off. At first glance yes, it’s cute and their little moments are nice, sure. But after awhile you really look into it and it feels very imbalanced and superficial. Not like the makings of what could be a real, deep soul connection ya know? I don’t know, I tried understanding the other side’s POV in the beginning because I like Az and wanted him to find love. But at the end of the day, I realized very quickly that it just felt like the makings of a relatively shallow and superficial relationship. Like their core and foundation as people do not create for one where the other person could truly grow and become better.

Did that make any sense? 😅

Thanks for listening! Love love love your blog 💕

Hello from me, currently in Eastern Standard Time!! 😊

And thank you for comments, it always makes me day knowing that I've managed to write thoughts that others enjoy.

You pretty much nailed everything about E/riel.

I read nearly every kind of romance. Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Bully Romance, MMC who struggles with self worth and loathing ending up getting the girl he's always wanted Romance, Traditional Romance, YA romance, Alpha Male Romance, BDSM Romance, CNC Romance.

And Az and Elain as a "couple" are very easy to place into certain tropes.

If this were another author in another series, I'd find it hot. I have read books similar to the way E/riel currently comes across and I've enjoyed them because I'm on board with that authors writing style.

But as you said above and I agree with, E/riel makes me cringe. Because SJM is the storyteller here and she has made it very evident through her writing of Tamlin and Feyre that certain traits in her characters are meant to be viewed as problematic.

K. Webster writes so her MMC have extremely questionable morals and when I'm reading her books, I'm "ok" with those behaviors because in that particular book and in that world, I know the author is giving the green light. Of course we'd never condone those actions in real life but in that fictional world, that guy still gets to end up the hero and with his love interest as she accepts that he's demanding and dominant and forceful.

SJM is NOT K. Webster and that's great. Because she deserves to write in a way where her characters behave the way she wants them to. She deserves to tell us what is healthy and appropriate for her fantasy world and what is considered the pinnacle of an amazing relationship (in her book).

And Az and Elain are not It. SJM doesn't do the shy quiet girl falling for the broody, domineering Male. She doesn't do the forbidden angsty love where the two characters have to sneak around (on page) and have it end up as Endgame (Aelin and Chaol ring any bells?) She definitely doesn't like when the MMC tries to prevent the female from being more involved in the action. She doesn't write endgame relationships for the shaky nervous girl when around the boy she likes. She definitely doesn't pair two characters who are unable to talk about the real and the raw stuff and she MOST definitely doesn't do a combination of all of those things.

The same could be said of Elain and Lucien right now but the difference is, Elain is refusing to actually engage with Lucien. The way she is with him now is not the way she'd be if she were actually open to his advances. It's different with Elain and Az because (even if it's not for the right reasons), she IS currently willing to get close and be physical to Az. THIS is E/riel's "Love" story (I say love with a very small grain of salt). Elucien has yet to begin their love story.

Az saying that Elain still doesn't know him after all this time, that he's never thought of a future for them, and the fact that we've never gotten indication that Elain has spoken to Az about Graysen and he to her about Mor is pretty much setting their ship on fire. Elain and Az are like two 15 year old's with a first crush. They don't understand how to act like two grown adults around one another and tackle the very real issues that they're currently facing in their lives. They amount to a "Do you like me, check Yes or No" note.

SJM likes her females to be bold and strong when they're beside their endgame (minus the initial depressed stage Feyre and Elain found themselves in). Once Feyre began to heal, she started fighting back with Rhys. Even through Nesta's worst moments, she still clapped back at Cassian. And now that Elain has begun her recovery, you think we'd see a little fire in her interactions with Az since they actually have conversations (whereas she's still fighting like crazy to ignore her bond with Lucien). But that shy, innocent song and dance going on between she and Az? 🤢 SJM doesn't write like that for her endgame couples and as a result, I can sense how wrong Elain and Az are for one another.

You wrote it above and I agree, at first glance it seemed SJM was heading in that direction. But looking a bit closer you find that it really does come across as a superficial pairing and the longer you look, the more holes keep popping up.

Bravo to SJM for not making it so obvious to the casual reader. And I think that's the beauty of her writing, she manages to hide things in plain sight and they'll only stand out the more time you invest in the series.

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC Review: To Charm a Dark Prince by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

3.25/5. Releases 8/18/2023.

For when you're vibing with... campy Arthuriana feels, a very light shade of gray "dark" heroes, interdimensional antics, and talking cats.

Suddenly transported to Avalon, Gwen is kept held captive by Mordred, the Prince in Iron. Though feared by many, Mordred is gentle with her--but with with secrets and her life at stake, Gwen doesn't know if she can give in to their mutual attraction. Which might be a good idea.

I loved Kathryn Ann Kingsley's Tenebris trilogy--but I don't know if I've quite found the right followup in her work yet. She has such a big backlist, however, that I'm willing to try more; and if you're looking for something a little dark that skews somewhat younger (while definitely not being YA) this could be right book for you.

Quick Takes:

--Tonally, for the sake of comparison, Kingsley's Tenebris books are a bit gory, solidly dark (if funny and at points a little campy), and feature everything from tentacles of "my lover is possessed by a million monsters and I'm in love with all of the above and collectively they penetrate all my holes". This book is more "magical girl has magical adventure, Quest for Camelot But with A Lil Sex, and there's some morally gray stuff but it's pretty light".

--What I think that can be compared to is ACOTAR. I definitely got the Sarah J. Maas vibes with this one. Now, that's not a bad thing, necessarily; there's a reason why SJM and her work is so popular. Does it work for me? Not quite. It gives the a work a really young vibe--not so much in content, but in feeling. Gwen is nineteen, yes, but she's honestly a very young nineteen. Another fantasy heroine I've read recently was twenty, and read so much older than Gwen. Yes, you're nineteen, but this is life and death; to me, that would provoke some quick growing up, but that's not for everyone.

All of this makes sense, as the book is comp'd directly to SJM. The other author mentioned is Danielle L. Jensen, whose work I liked a lot more back in the day. I see both comparisons, and the book is definitely heading for a similar sweet spot that doesn't feel quite adult, YA, or new adult to me.

--Part of why I requested this was the mention of Mordred. If you're super into King Arthur and retellings, I wouldn't say this is for purists. I'm not a purist, but it's just very much its own thing. I appreciate the creativity, and it does go a long way towards making Mordred more approachable as a softer love interest.

--The story does feel both rushed and slowed in a way, to me. It's the first in a series and ends on a cliffhanger, which I expected. But you still cover a lot of relationship ground for Gwen and Mordred--a little too much for the length, to me. He doesn't give her much shit and is very quickly entranced with her; she doesn't really put up much of a fight with him. It's fine, I just could use more angst and indecision.

The Sex Stuff:

As per a Kingsley slow burn, there's not much sex in this one. It happens, and it's explicit. It's nothing crazy (I hate to mention this again--the first Tenebris book also had relatively little sex, but what there was.... was hot, and not very tender) but it's good.

So yeah, I appreciate the effort and creativity here, but I do hope that Kingsley will eventually lean back into something a little darker, a little less YA-coded. I'll happily look for that book if it exists! Until then, I do recommend this to those who are looking to scratch that SJM itch--I think you'll be pleased with this.

Thanks to Netgalley and Second Sky for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[riddlecrux]

What is past is present: Azriel and Elain, Helion and Lady of Autumn Court

This post is going to be a long one. I will be talking about parallels between Helion - Lady of Autumn Court - Beron and Azriel - Elain - Lucien situation. How their relationships mirror each other, how the blood duel mentioned in ACOSF and ACOWAR will come to an end, but also how the first triangle was used as a plot device in ACOWAR. I believe it is not a coincidence that SJM decided to put these scenes and histories in the same book with such a short span of time passing between things happening on the pages of their story. I would like to say that this post is a pro Elriel meta, so if they are not your cup of tea please scroll past this. Many thanks to Gardening Tools, especially @silverlinedeyes !

We are going to start with the Lady of Autumn Court and the scene at the High Lord’s council. She is there with her husband, Beron and as the conversation surrounding Hybern increases in intensity, we are presented with a bit of background information about the Lady.

Lady of the Autumn Court had 2 sisters that died during Hybern's soldiers' attack. We got to see another family of three sisters, two of them dying for their sister. What's even more important is a mention of Hybern's war camps and how it's very unlikely for anyone to survive their time there.

Here Beron taunts Kallias by telling his mate that Hybern and his people probably torture and abuse women before killing them. (Please be sure to remember that because we're going to go back to this notion later in this post.)

Another big insight about Lady's life and this particular accident comes from no one else but Helion.

Few things that are very important to mention: - she had already given birth to a few of her children - Hybern directly attacked the estate they were in - her sisters let her run away because they loved her - she tried to fight and stay with them till they convinced her to run - the beasts sent by Hybern tailed her and finally cornered her in a trap

What Feyre says in this particular scene - about Helion knowing too many details holds great importance for the further quotes. We also get to know that, in fact, it was Helion who rescued the Lady - not only saved but found her. The setup, the build-up and the fact that it wasn't her "husband" that came for her are the main things I wish to bring attention to, as we are going to analyze different scenes from the same book with this knowledge.

He could have ended it differently, yet he didn't. Why? The question seems to be imprinted in Feyre's mind as she tries to connect the dots and points she was given, just like us readers. I do believe that what we are being presented with is the notion of the mating bond. Helion's rage at Lady's attack projects typical mate behavior - such as unnecessary violence against the ones who dared to hurt their mate. It also goes with the information of him finding her - how was that possible? Her husband wasn't there, it was Helion who essentially knew that something was wrong. How? Well, by applying the mating bond in this picture we can easily deduct few things: Helion probably felt her distraught through the bond, was able to locate her and save her.

Another insight given by Helion is about Lady's relationship with Beron. Not only it gives us information about her young age (cue to Rhysand's mother and how her young age was also brought up as something very disturbing and not in favour of some mating bonds), but also we get to know that her marriage was arranged. Just like the reader, Feyre is left with these very personal insights and detailed descriptions - so she presses Helion more, to speak, to see if her suspicions are correct.

Another person jumps into the conversation and it is Mor who hands the information of a possible romance between Lady and Helion. We learn that both of them met at an equinox ball before she was proposed with an arranged marriage with Beron. Feyre's curiosity is evident in the way she perks up at Mor's words. Helion on the other hand counter-attacks and provides us with the political background of the story. The Lady was basically left without a choice when it came to her love life.

Helion saved Beron's wife during the war. And Beron didn't know and still doesn't have an idea that it was Helion who saved the Lady.

Feyre tries to fish for more information - and Helion seems to be very reluctant to answer her question about his relationship with the Lady. It makes us think that, in fact, their relationship was somehow forbidden, being kept in secret. Moreover, what's even more interesting is the fact that we suddenly have a shift of focus on another person - Azriel. We are deliberately made aware of the fact that Azriel is listening to this important conversation.

We are starting to see Helion becoming slightly less humorous - Feyre can spot the difference between his usual self and the way he delivers his question. It suggests that the relationship and potential mating bond is a very touchy subject for him.

Their forbidden relationship went on for decades. They were secret lovers till Beron found about them. We see that contrast between the Lady with Helion - all brightness and smiles, Lady with Beron - withdrawn, timid, scared.

I clenched my teeth. “If you were her lover, why didn’t you stop it?” The wrong thing to say. Utterly wrong, by the dark fury that rippled across Helion’s face. “Beron is a High Lord, and she is his wife, mother of his brood. She chose to stay. Chose. And with the protocols and rules, Lady, you will find that most situations like the one you were in do not end well for those who interfere.”

Helion reacts with anger at Feyre's inquiry about his lack of participation in the case of the Lady's wellbeing. "Dark fury rippling across Helion's face" is also an interesting word choice. Again we are reminded that their romance was meant to end that way due to the notions of choice and politics.

“Beron never called you out for it?” “To publicly do so would be to admit that his possession made a fool of him. So we continue our little dance, these centuries later.” I somehow doubted that beneath that roguish charm and irreverence, Helion felt it was a dance at all.

Helion reminds us about politics that bind different Courts - in this case, we can easily see that the matter of choice in this example ends with Lady choosing duty over love. It also supplies us with an idea that if Helion would have wanted to fight for Lady he would need to participate in a blood duel. Yet, the Lady chose Beron - we don't know why Helion probably was left alone with the same question. However, by analyzing this situation I believe that Lady knew about the possibility of a blood duel happening she didn't want her potential mate to be hurt. So, in the end, she opted for a life in a loveless marriage with Beron. Furthermore, we have Rhysand and Feyre coming to the conclusion that Lucien is Helion's son - and he is the fruit of the loving relationship between Helion and the Lady.

What does this mean, though? Nothing—ultimately nothing. Other than the fact that Lucien might be Helion’s sole heir. And that … it changed nothing in this war. Especially not with Lucien on the continent, hunting that enchanted queen. A bird of flame … and a lord of fire. I wondered if they’d found each other yet.

The usage of the word "this war" is not a coincidence, as well as Rhysand's poor prediction of the future. Because as we know, right now - it changes a lot. Elain being his mate bounds him to the Night Court, so losing that relationship puts the Court at risk. Especially now, when Lucien doesn't know that Helion is his father. Another very important addition is the part about Lucien and Vassa. Feyre has prophetic tendencies and her thoughts about both Vassa and Lucien always focus on their... relationship. Not to mention that it was brought up after that whole conversation with Helion. With all these things above, I would like to move on to Elriel parallels. Starting with the Cauldron kidnapping Elain. Please bear in mind that this scene happens after the meeting with Helion, after learning about the story of Lady's and Helion's romance.

But Azriel asked softly, “What about Elain?”

The one who noticed that Elain was absent was Azriel, we can speculate whatever it was his intuition, his shadows, or perhaps some kind of feeling that made him aware of her absence. Yet, it's not a coincidence that another male character, the one who doesn't have an official mate is the only one who either felt/realized that she was taken. That's the first parallel I would love to bring to your attention - Helion was the one who found and rescued the Lady. Now, the situation is almost identical - Hybern attacks via Cauldron takes Elain to the war camps.

And what Hybern would do to Elain, might already be doing— From the shadows near the entrance to the tent, Azriel said, as if in answer to some unspoken debate, “I’m getting her back.” Nesta slid her gaze to the shadowsinger. Azriel’s hazel eyes glowed golden in the shadows. Nesta said, “Then you will die.” Azriel only repeated, rage glazing that stare, “I’m getting her back.”

Azriel reacts with rage, a silent debate raging within him. He is battling something deep inside him, which is obstructed from the reader's point of view. I wonder why? He is the one who swears to find her and rescue her. Also, worth mentioning how Feyre seems to realize the graveness of the situation - as if she can remember the conversation she had with Helion about what happened with sisters of the Lady of Autumn Court. War camps. Nobody would walk away from them alive.

We looked to Rhys, to Cassian and Nesta, to Mor—right as she appeared, breathless, between the tent flaps. Her eyes went to me, then the shadowsinger, and flared with shock and fear—

In this scene we also have Mor. Mor was present during Helion's conversation and gave input about their love and forbidden relationship. Mor that possess the power of Truth. Is it possible that Mor knew about the mating bond between Helion and the Lady? Is it possible that Mor knows about the truth of the mating bond between Lucien and Elain? Does Mor know about the potential mating bond between Azriel and Elain? There are so many questions and we don't get an answer. Mor keeps secrets, which is understandable yet it provides a whole new aspect of Mor being the one who realizes what's happening. (Not to mention that Mor is always present when Elain is with Lucien, assessing them.)

Screaming. A shadow gripped my shoulder, reminding me not to run. Ianthe would not run—would not show alarm. My mouth went dry as that scream sounded again. I couldn’t bear it—to let it go on, to see what was being done— Azriel’s shadow-hand grasped my own, tugging me closer. His rage rippled off his invisible form.

It is Azriel who reacts once again with - rage. At the thought of Elain being tortured, abused, or being killed. Feyre can't stomach the idea of what is happening to her sister in this war camp.

I could feel Jurian’s smile against my ear. “She’s in his tent. Chained with steel and a little spell from his favorite book.” Shit. Shit. Perhaps I should have gotten Helion, who could break almost any—

The mention of Helion is such a beautiful parallel. We, as readers, are amidst a rescue mission. A situation that was very similarly described few chapters before, a situation in which it was Helion in Azriel's shoes. In the past it was - Helion and Lady, here in the "future" we have - Azriel and Elain. The same circumstances - Hybern attack/Hybern powers, three sisters, and the only one is targeted, a savior that isn't husband/mate finding and rescuing the girl.

Azriel gently removed the gag from her mouth. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head, devouring the sight of him as if not quite believing it. “You came for me.” The shadowsinger only inclined his head.

I could write a whole meta about this quote because it's ridden with such enormous parallels and foreshadowing. Let's start with the simplest one, which is the word "devour". It has very strong connections to physicality, it basically means that Elain greedily took him in, he was her focal point at that moment. Also, the following addition of her not quite believing that, in fact, it is Azriel who arrived before her - she hadn't expected him to rescue her and you may be wondering why? It all beautifully goes with the idea of two mates/true mates theories - what is making me say this with so much certainty? Well, first of all, ACOWAR is full of descriptions of how a healthy mating bond works, for example, Feysand one. It's a bridge connecting two souls through which our emotions, thoughts can be perceived for the other person.

Find me, find me, find me, I tried shouting down that bond. But my mate’s wry voice didn’t answer. There was only the roaring void.

This happens at the begging of ACOWAR when Feyre tries to communicate with Rhysand through their mating bond. I find it very interesting that throughout the whole book the trope of "finding your true love, significant other" is very persistent. This brings me back to the theory that both Azriel and Helion heard their mates' cries of help and that's how they were able to rescue them and find them. In addition to that Elain's "you came for me" is striking so many questions. What does she mean? Why is she so docile and peaceful? As if she somehow had an idea that someone will come for her - did she perhaps inwardly call through the mating bond? This, again, brings us to another parallel - Beron doesn't know that it was Helion who rescued the Lady. Lucien doesn't know that it was Azriel who saved Elain - which, we really don't know if he even felt/knew that something has happened.

The hounds closed in, two breaking away—to cut to the side. To herd us. For that was a cliff at the other edge of the camp. A cliff with a very, very long drop, and unforgiving river below.

I'm bringing this up because the setting is oddly familiar with the run of Lady of Autumn's one. The isolated place, a trap etc.

Azriel’s roar echoed off the rocks as the hound slammed into him, dragging those shredding talons down his spine, his wings— The girl screamed, but Elain moved. As Azriel battled to keep them airborne, keep his grip on them, my sister sent a fierce kick into the beast’s face. Its eye. Another. Another. It bellowed, and Elain slammed her bare, muddy foot into its face again. The blow struck home. With a yelp of pain, it released its claws—and plunged into the ravine.

Parallel on parallel. We have Hybern's beasts, we have a similar setting again and fight. What is different, however, is that in Helion's case it was solely him that destroyed beasts while rescuing the Lady. Here, however, it is Elain that fights against beasts - she who had never trained, she who is a gardener is fighting against evil. She is kicking as the beasts hurt Azriel. She took the initiative and killed the beast at that moment when they previously hurt Azriel. Also, the most beautiful comparison in my opinion is the fact that after Elain knocks the beast it falls down the ravine, dying. It is somehow very symbolic that Elain kills the beast that falls into the ravine, whereas Lady of Autumn is stuck in the ravine as beasts approach her and it is the moment when Helion saves her.

The gray light of morning had broken over the world, mist clinging to our ankles as we headed into that camp, Azriel still cradling Elain to his chest. He dripped blood behind him the entire time—a trickle compared to the torrent that should be leaking out.

After that intense battle, they arrive in the safety, but Azriel still holds on Elain even if he himself is bleeding all over the place.

Rhys lunged for Azriel, taking Elain from him and gently setting my sister down. Azriel rasped, swaying on his feet, “We need Helion to get these chains off her.” Yet Elain didn’t seem to notice them as she rose up on her toes and kissed the shadowsinger’s cheek.

Another mention of Helion in that very parallel setting. He was very present during the rescue mission, which is a neat way of showering the audience with foreshadowing. If I wanted to indulge even more in the symbolism of this scene, I would point out that the chains on Elain are very symbolic as well. They could either mean the restrain of her powers, but also the chains of the "lack of freedom", "lack of choice". Being freed by both Azriel and Helion is something that I believe is very important to remember while waiting for the next book. Because even if Elain is a mirror to Lady - Elain will change the course of her story. Elain is going to choose love over duty, she will choose Azriel - which ends with them discovering that, in fact, the bond was there from the beginning. Helion getting rid of those chains is also a metaphor for what is to come. He will break Lady's chains by fighting with Beron during the blood duel. In this timeline, Azriel and Elain are symbolism of healthy love, mating bond, freedom of choice. Lucien doesn't mirror Beron, because he himself doesn't want to be with Elain since both of them don't feel comfortable with each other, they are making each other miserable. Not to mention the fact that their mating bond is... very weak and through the ACOWAR and ACOSF we see that it is different from the true mating bonds that are present in the universe. Azriel-Elain-Lucien triangle will break the past wheel of unhappiness and forced love, changing it by their own rules of free choice. As for Helion-Lady-Beron love story, if I may be so bold, the blood duel is going to happen and Beron will die - freeing Lady and Helion from him and politics that kept them away. If you are still not sure if these two situations are foreshadowing I would love to put this quote as the ending of this very long meta.

Azriel shrugged. “We—Rhys, Cass, and I—will occasionally remind each other that what we think to be our greatest weakness can sometimes be our biggest strength. And that the most unlikely person can alter the course of history.”

And as you can guess, that very unlikely person who altered the course of history in ACOWAR was Elain when she killed King of Hybern.

[manonblaqkbeak]

How We Met

here it is, my last fic for rowaelin month! thank you so much to everyone that’s read, liked and commented on my fics, it’s been so much fun reading and writing these last four weeks! i’m glad to know that i’m not the only one that is in dire need of more rowaelin content (srsly, i would pay sjm a truck load of money for a strictly rowaelin book bc i miss them sm)

here’s part 4 for the little series i had going on. i was so tempted to make this an angst piece but held back lol.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

cw: none

1.8k words

enjoy and thank you again!!! :) 💕💕💕💕

Gathering the ingredients for the cake that she and Ophelia were going to make for Rowan, Aelin plopped them down on the kitchen counter and tied her and her six year old daughters hair back. Even in the kitchen light, Ophelia's hair was a vivid shade of silver and when she turned to look at her mother, the golden ring in her eyes were just as bright.

“Up, mama!” Ophelia asked, pointing to the step ladder that Olive made for her little sister in her woodshop class at school. Getting it off from atop the fridge, Aelin and Ophelia started their baking session for today. It wasn't often that Aelin baked cakes from scratch but it wasn't every day that her firstborn turned sixteen—not that Aelin could really comprehend that her Olive was sixteen—but Aelin wanted to do this for her, wanted to make something special.

She hoped that it wasn't going to taste as bad as the last cake she baked. Rowan had been sick afterwards and didn't go to work the next day.

That was five years ago, so surely with gaining wisdom as people said when others got older, her baking skills grew too.

“Where did everyone go?” Ophelia asked, her little tongue poking out as she helped Aelin sift the flour.

“To get dinner for tonight. We're having Ollie's favourite.” Which was cuisine from the Southern Continent, there was a restaurant that specialised in the spicy food, and Aelin couldn't wait—she and Rowan often tried to recreate their favourite recipes, but it was never right, so Olive wanted to have the genuine stuff for her birthday and not her parents shoddy attempts.

Not that Aelin could blame her.

They continued making the chocolate cake, Ophelia babbling on about her day at school, when her little one asked, “How did you and papa meet?”

Aelin blinked at the sudden question, but answered it nevertheless. “At the grocery store.”

Ophelia furrowed her brows, and with the way her nose scrunched up, she looked so much like Rowan that it made her heart sing. When Aelin first realised that she was pregnant, she was nervous, they had only been married for seven months and while they spoke about having a child of their own, she didn't think it would happen so quickly—but Rowan's enthusiasm melted away her fears. She would never forget his tears of joy when she showed him the pregnancy test, his beaming smile when they heard her heartbeat for the first time. Aelin would walk through hell, as long as Rowan was by her side, or waiting for her at the end.

It wasn't always perfect, however, they had their ups and downs like every long-term couple, they had moments where it felt like they were walking on tightrope, either because of their own personal issues or marriage issues, or when Egan was fourteen and completely lashed out at Aelin, accusing her of replacing his mother—but she worked with her son, telling him that she had never intended to do that, that Lyria would always be the woman that brought him into the world, and that Aelin was raising him. Her heart broke in two at his pain, but she understood, he grew up with photos and stories of Lyria.

Or when they had the awkward conversation when Olive was eleven and asked why she didn't look like Rowan, and Aelin had explained her story, about Sam being her biological father, but he had given them space for Rowan to raise her instead. That had lead to brooding silences and confusion, but otherwise, Olive still saw Rowan as her dad, but she did ask from time to time about Sam, what he was like and what he was doing (the last update Aelin received from him via email that his wife was pregnant with their second child. Aelin was so happy for him that he was able to have a family, a feat that was made easier since Arobynn had been dead for years by this point) and that she would like to meet him properly one day; Aelin had kept that to herself, not wanting to tell Sam in case Olive changed her mind—Aelin hoped that she wouldn't.

Overall, their life together was what she needed, she went to bed each night loved and fulfilled. It was better than what she might have had with Chaol all those years ago, she was fairly certain that if she had married him, it wouldn't have been a long marriage.

“How did you meet at the food store?” Ophelia asked, her brow still furrowed as she and Aelin stirred the cake batter. It surprisingly smelled good.

“I needed something from a high shelf,” Aelin said, “and I couldn't reach it. Your papa was only a few feet away from me, so I asked him to get it for me.” She might have also subtly ogled him as his shirt exposed his tanned skin, and Aelin had damned near swooned at the sight of his six pack.

“Did you get married at the food store?”

Aelin laughed at the question. “No, we got married at the beach. And then you arrived not long afterwards.” Sometimes they wanted another, but things financially were going so well that they didn't want to jeopardise that by adding another mouth to feed.

“Can you have another wedding?” Ophelia asked, looking at her mum with wide eyes. “So I can go? Please?”

“I'll talk to your daddy about it, but I like the sound of that.” Kissing her daughters forehead, they continued. Just as they were putting the cake in the oven and the icing mix in the fridge, the front door opened and three booming voices infiltrated the house and the mouth watering goodness of food.

Aelin's eyes widened at the amount of food that Rowan piled on the table. It looked like they were feeding a small army and not a family of five.

Ophelia helped her older brother set the table, Egan ruffing her hair as he recounted their little adventure to the restaurant.

As they sat down, Aelin mentioned Ophelia's request. Rowan pretended to mull it over as their daughter pleaded, giving her best puppy dog eyes. It didn't take for Rowan to relent—he really had trouble saying no to her—saying that a second wedding was a great idea.

Ophelia squealed in delight and squealed even more when food was placed in front of her (she was very much like Aelin in that regard).

“How did the conversation of another wedding start?” Rowan asked as they all started eating.

“Phia here wanted to know how we meet.”

Olive snorted. “Yes, the ever romantic story of meeting in the toilet paper aisle.”

“It was not the toilet paper isle!” Aelin protested. “It was the cereal aisle.”

“At least you kids have inherited my manners,” Rowan said, “your mother didn't even ask nicely. She just came over to me and said, 'You're tall, could you get that box for me?'” It had taken him a moment to realise he had been spoken to, too focused on deciding what box of porridge to get when Aelin showed up, wearing a faded band shirt and shorts, pointing to the box of cereal that had far too much sugar to be healthy. He had said 'yes' because it was the nice thing to do, and had stayed behind, talking to her for so long in the aisle that his vanilla ice cream had started to melt.

It was the best decision in his life back then, he never thought he would have gained a friend in the grocery store—and that the friend would become his wife.

“I have manners. I said, 'Excuse you' first before I told you what I needed.”

“That's not really using manners there, ma,” Egan said, smiling as poked her tongue out. He looked so much like Lyria that it was almost scary—he still loved flowers and plants too, and was currently studying to become a florist and then one day horticulture. The backyard was full of flowers and plants thanks to him, making into a little wonderland instead of the barren plain it used to be.

“I did say 'thank you' afterwards.”

“You said 'thanks',” Rowan interjected, laughing as Aelin threw a chunk of her flatbread at his head. Ophelia's cute laughter rent through the air.

“It's the same thing!”

“If you say so, love,” Rowan muttered, his lips twitching. Aelin rolled her eyes in the dramatic way Rowan was used to, but he saw the mirth behind the movement.

“Like I said Phie, it's very romantic,” Olive said drily, sounding very much like Rowan. She had even inherited his scowl, which she was wearing now as she sniffed at the air. “Is something burning?”

Aelin had never run so fast as she did right then, the kitchen filling with smoke as she took in the blackened cake. Swearing viciously under her breath, Aelin chucked the cake into the bin, apologising to Olive as she did so.

“It's okay, mum, dad got me an ice-cream cake earlier today anyway.”

Aelin narrowed her eyes at her husband, who simply gave her an innocent smile in answer.

Rejoining her family, they talked well into the night, helping Aelin to forget her failed baking attempt. Ophelia asked more questions about their time in the grocery store and how that moment lead to friendship, to pining for the other without realising it, to a life together.

And to think, Aelin almost didn't go to the grocery store that day.

Rowan thanked the gods that he had remembered at the last moment that he had no porridge left, otherwise, he might not have met Aelin at all. Might not have had this life, this family. Part of him would always be sad that things had gone so wrong with Lyria, and he would always miss and love her. But he learned in therapy that it was good to have a life, and Rowan was glad that he heeded that advice.

He thanked the gods all the time.

And thank the rutting gods he did right now for the umpteenth time that Aelin deemed him tall enough to get her food for her, to stay in that aisle with him as they got to know each other.

Rowan was a very happy man indeed as he and Aelin went to bed that night, the smiles still on their faces at Olive's unrestrained joy at the sight of the car they spent weeks looking at second-hand dealerships at, hunting for the perfect car for their daughter.

Thank the rutting gods for all those moments in the past, present, and future.

Rowan couldn't wait to marry her again, and neither could Aelin.

Life was good.

[fktonofwhatnow]

ok hold on. acomaf is my fave book out of the whole series (it's mostly out of emotional value, i read it when i was younger and didn't have a real understanding out trauma and abuse only that i saw a character i loved getting out of a bad situation and getting happy) so obviously i didn't mind feysand being endgame and the development all of the characters had. i can accept tamlin turned out like that is realistic due to his trauma, i can accept feyre had to flee because it wasn't right for her, but the thing is after acofs i see no point to feyre leaving tamlin when rhysand ends up doing everything they told us tamlin was evil and unredeemable for. hiding the risks of her pregnancy, putting on shields on her, having feyre need to compromise over it. i honestly felt so betrayed by that. i'm not saying feyre and tamlin were good for each other, but it doesn't feel worth it to dismiss the potential they had for what we got with feysand.

also, sarah learn to treat "ugly" trauma with respect challenge. no they don't need to learn to physically fight to fight it. no they don't need a love interest to overcome it. yes the behaviors acquired from trauma and abuse aren't pretty but that doesn't mean a person is undeserving of kindness and compassion.

i think i had a point somewhere but i can't get to it. so hope you don't mind my rambling. anyway i loved your meta about tamlin i think he deserves better too

HOLY SHIT THIS ONE IS SO GOOD OK IM SO EXCITED

Bro you are so fine, I'm the one who doesn't make any sense and I totally get what you're trying to say. (Acomaf was actually my favorite book in the series too ngl)

BUT FUCK YEAH LETS TALK ABOUT RHYSAND.

I don't think it's a secret that Rhysand is one of my least favorite characters in media, probably ever? (How do I even put this into words) He is a bad character and to me, laughably so. You know how if you've ever written a character, there's that little phase that's like "what if people don't like this character' and then you're sad for a little bit? That's how Rhysand feels to me. He feels like SJM looked at this character and thought "I can't stand the thought of people not liking this character because I love him so much" and then did everything in her power to make sure we know how great he is.

Idk if this is just me screaming into the void, but I get to this place with my characters where like, especially if they are a little more morally gray or their decisions have negative impacts, I understand that I don't need the audience to like my main character. they can stand on their own, they can own up to what they do and they can grow from it. Thats what a good character does. That's how you keep your audience rooting for them. You gotta knock them over sometimes.

SJm doesn't knock Rhysand over. She doesn't push him to make mistakes, apologize, own up and move on. Rhysand has never made a decision that ended poorly for him. Everything goes the way he wants it to, because SJm wants us to know how cool and great he is. People who are cool and great don't make bad decisions! SJm doesn't let Rhysand fail, and she doesn't let him suffer his own decisions. Everyone else suffers his decisions, not him.

Rhysand's reputation as a good person hinges entirely on the audience liking him and/or thinking he's hot. And then what happens when the audience thinks neither of those things? Ya get a rly long post like this by a lil enby who is mad all the time. Rhysand loses all credibility when you look at him through a critical lens. Not a single thing the man does makes any goddamn sense. Here I thought acosf would give us a different perspective on Feysand and I was desperately hoping that Nesta would tell us what she really sees in them and how people around them really feel, I hoped that SjM would throw us for a loop and tell us that hey, she does know that Feysand are fucking toxic as hell and ruin the lives of people around them and she wants to show us that from an outside perspective but noooOoOOOoOoOOOO...

Instead we get Nesta hating herself because Rhysand told her that she shouldn't tell Feyre that Feyre could uh die in childbirth. Hey what the fuck.

Now I don't actually ship feylin, I kinda always sorta knew, even without spoilers, that it wasn't going to work out. Tamlin isn't sjm's idea of a good partner because he's not charming and witty and dark and handsome ya know? We met Rhysand and I knew that I was going to fucking hate this romance. Which sucks because I found Rhysand so intriguing in the first book. Ngl all the time spent in the spring court was kinda boring and every time Rhysand showed up to throw dead faeries at Tamlin I was like "oooooo" and I wanted to know more about why Tamlin, this awkward, blunt and kinda shy dude had beef with this super duper sly and shady man from another court.

I don't know if I've ever said this before, but SJm doesn't let her love interests grow. Rhysand doesn't change over the course of the story because he was already a good guy and his motives were for Feyre's sake I swear, the same goes for Rowan in TOG. SJm doesn't give Rhysand room to change. She needs to get to the part where they fuck make sure everyone knows that Rhysand is a good guy and actually he was good all along so that we like him more than Tamlin. It backtracks on everything bad Rhysand has ever done because you know... He had a good reason! It's fine!

I know it's probably just because SJm doesn't actually know how to write a good character growth arc but... Like can you imagine if Rhysand stayed the bad guy? Or at least remained the bad guy through acotar and acomaf? And then when Rhysand comes to take Feyre for his bargain it really was only to spite Tamlin? What about Rhysand, taking Feyre to the night court with him once a week every month for a long time, if only to see Tamlin's eyes grow darker and emptier every time he goes, and then he really starts to fall in love with Feyre. He's been a monster all this time, angry and cold and cruel and then he actually starts to fall in love. And then to get Feyre to stay he really does try to change, he stops antagonizing Feyre, he stops throwing dead faeries at Tamlin, and he stops harassing the Spring court. He starts spending genuine quality time with Feyre, he starts to learn about her and all the things she likes and he stops trying to get her to come with him just so Tamlin will be mad. He starts asking her to come with him because he wants to be around her and he prays that someday she'll want to be around him too. What if SJm let him grow.

But nahhhhhh instead we have a character who always knows the right answer to things, and he always knows how to fix every issue, and he is always so innovative and outside the box except that he isn't. We get a character who does the same shit as Tamlin but it's ok because he had a good reason not to tell Feyre that she could very well die in childbirth. Uhhhh don't know what that is but uhhh I know he has his reasons because all he has are his reasons.

It would be so easy to hold a mirror up to Rhysand and say "look at this. Look who you are. Do you not look just like Tamlin right now?"

But nooooooooOoOOOo Rhysand doesn't get to be wrong. Rhysand doesn't get to look like Tamlin because Tamlin is evil and Rhysand is definitely NOT I SWEAR.

But yeah I think the point I'm trying to make is that Sarah thinks so highly of Rhysand that he could never do wrong. He could never be like Tamlin, despite the narrative literally telling us the exact opposite.

Like you said, we lost the potential of what feylin could have been if SJm didn't suddenly decide that her audience needs to love Rhysand as much as she does. I think feylin could have been slow and sweet and a story of true healing and learning about one another. I think it would have been kind and steady and lots of "are you ok"s and "I'm sorry"s and "talk to me"s. Everything about Feysand feels rushed and hard and fast and the rest of the world doesn't have time to catch up. It's fucking exhausting to read it ya know what I'm saying.

(also can we talk about Rhysand like dying and Feyre finding the suriel and learning he's her mate and then instead of being like "k let's put a pin in that and fuckin save his life first" she like throws him around and everyone is like "wtf woman" and she's like I neeD tO Be alOnE these people have no idea how to prioritize)

Truly, I think it's innocent to a degree. There is absolutely no harm in wanting people to like your character. The harm comes when you destroy another character with no reason or explanation other than you want people to like a different character. Villain arc? Completely out of left field. You gotta build to that shit or like... Make it so that when you look back you slap your forehead and yell at a wall "OF FUCKING COURSE I SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT"

anyways, SJm treat "ugly" trauma with respect challenge SECONDED.

WELL IM SO SORRY THIS TOOK ME WEEKS YO WRITE IM HAVING A HARD TIME I know it probably doesn't make any sense I can't find my braincells BUT thanks for the ask @xelly

Tell me all your acotar things I love yo hear them !!

[bookofmirth]

only going off reading acosf my guess is the novella may be about mor and her time away from court to set up her return to the narrative or about vassa/jurian/lucien. book 5 will be az and gwyn as the dual pov. i could see mor and emerie being relegated to supporting couple in this book. book 6 i think elain and lucien will be the dual pov with vassa/jurian as supporting couple. just my speculations. i may be 1000% wrong. may i ask who you think each book will follow?

Okay so @ricekrispy and I were having an extended discussion about this earlier while I was working, and we came up with a general plot outline for the next two books and novella, assuming elucien, gwynriel, and moremerie. Emorie. Memorie. And Jurian/Vassa, aka jurassa (thanks @symphonyofbleedingshadows I did a spit take at Welcome to Jurassa Park.) It fits with exactly what you were saying!

In a slightly related note, there are so many characters that we know we need to learn more about, that I’m leaning towards at least the next book being more split-POV in the way that ToG was towards the end. So even if Az is the focus of this next one and Elain the final one, we’ll still get to see and hear from others in their own POVs. Just a guess. 

In acosf Nesta mentioned combining Illyrian and Valkyrie techniques. When she did this, the book tells us that Nesta, “had meant it in jest, but the words rumbled through the space, as if she’d spoken some great truth, something that made fate sit up. Azriel turned fully this time, eyes narrowed. Like those shadows had whispered something to him.” Based on this, the situation in the Spring Court, and Koschei, here is our theory. 

Book one:

First, Azriel, Gwyn, Nesta, and Cassian are training more Valkyries. They start to combine their techniques, and to create a more egalitarian system between the Illyrian warriors and the Valkyrie women.

During this process, Az will deal with his past, his hatred of the Illyrians, and perhaps Ramiel will come into play. 

In the meantime, the Spring Court is melting down. 

Az and Gwyn go there with other Valkyries and Illyrians (I’m going to call them Valkyrians from now on) to serve as military support to ensure that the High Lords looking at the Spring Court lands like a piece of meat don’t attempt to stage a coup.

If there are *any* changes or improvements to be made chez the Illyrians, it needs to come from Az. Not Rhys. Azriel is personally invested and similar and it would avoid the whole “white savior” thing that I reeeeally don’t want to happen.

Elain also goes to Spring because 1) Feyre doesn’t want to for multiple reasons, and 2) because Elain wants to spread her wings and experience more of the world. She wants to prove herself, and so a diplomatic post makes sense. She’s been hanging around listening to Night Court happenings so she’s well-suited to represent their interests. 

Lucien is also in the SC because of his ties to Tamlin. He is attempting to help Tam get his shit together, showing him why the Valkyrian force is important, and how he needs to work with the Night Court and others to save his lands and also stop the impending Koschei threat.

Perhaps we find out what the fourth Dread Trove item is and why Koschei wants it (was this canon or my headcanon idk) and what purpose it serves. 

When the importance of that item is revealed, it will end with a big climax linking us to the next book.

During this process, Az and Gwyn will work closely friends-to-lovers, Az will try to reconcile with his past and the Illyrians, and Lucien and Elain will see sides of one another they had been unable to before. 

Novella:

Mor and Emerie. That’s all I got. In acosf Mor said that she wanted to return to the Valkyries and work on training with them, so perhaps we focus on them and this budding relationshiop.

Final book. Our idea for this book was much fuzzier because so much can happen in between. But we think that:

The showdown with Koschei is the main conflict.

Lucien finally helps to deal with him and Vassa’s curse. 

Vassa and Jurian by this time are together and desperate for the curse to be broken. 

Gwynriel will be a thing.

Elucien will be/become a thing.

Lucien will become High Lord of either Spring or Day (we couldn’t decide). 

At the end everyone will be paired off and happy in true sjm fashion.

Can’t wait to see how wrong/right we are in 2-3 years 🙃

[riceball1759]

Reading Tips from your Hyper Librarian

"So many books, so little time", right? If anyone understands this, it's us bibliophiles and librarians (and publishers) -especially someone like me! My interests are super varied and many times, I'll start reading a few chapters in a book that REALLY REALLY interests me...but then, I have that ADHD SHINY moment and the poor thing is forgotten. Seriously, this is a constant struggle. Being a librarian makes this even more important that I know what I'm recommending. And I do! I just can't get the focus to actually read them>< I'm part of a committee that is assigned reading every year for 3 months (give or take) and -you guessed it- I get that done. Why? It's got a deadline and I churn through them like nobody's business. It also helps that I didn't choose them and they aren't always what I normally like to read. It gives me an edge when helping certain patrons look for something I normally don't read. Not that I don't have an idea already -it's just more cemented than usual since I actually read that particular book. Though I kinda gave you one of my tips in this blurb, I'll rehash later!

A little more on my SHINY moments and then we'll get to my tips! Like I said before, SHINY really takes a toll sometimes on my goals, but it also helps. How? Situation: I hear all this buzz about this upcoming book (debut author/fresh voice/intriguing plotline/etc.). I either miraculously get an ARC or I'm waiting with bated breath, for the dang thing to get shipped to my library so that I can "steal" it for the weekend before it gets catalogued (I tell everyone I'm borrowing it, so don't judge me!). If all goes according to plan, I DEVOUR it within a day and come back exclaiming all the virtues of reading said book. I might even write a glowing review (if I had the capacity at the time). This has happened with a few books in the past years: Stay Gold, Wicked Fox & Vicious Spirits, Ember in the Ashes, Invisible Differences, and a few others, but I can't remember right now. Point: it's super hard for me to get the reading I want done, actually done.

AND NOW, for the star of our show: The Hyper Librarian's Reading Tips!

Please remember, these are things I remind myself of when I'm having a hard time getting through my TBR (the library-books-out-that-are-due TBR). Some lead into or are extensions of others, but being specific is necessary for me. You can adapt them to your needs or or just copy/paste them into your life :)

1) It's ok to DNF. So you gave this book the 'old college try' and just can't do it -it's becoming torturous and you're at risk of going into the dreaded slump... Just stop already and save yourself more grief. Another reason is that you're just not in the mood to finish, so don't. Why torture yourself (again -I seem to like using this word, but it's so accurate at times!) by seeing a book lying close by that you wish was anywhere but? Some of us (incl. moi) have a shelf on Goodreads just for those pesky things. Let's cut the drama and move on! I find it therapeutic as well as final.

2) You are your own censorship committee. We all have that verbal content line where ~once toed/crossed~ our tolerance, belief, comfort level, etc., is compromised to the point where there's no enjoyment because of that one or more 'tidbits' giving you grief. Sometimes, I'll scan several reviews before starting because I want to make sure I don't get any 'surprises'. Most times, I get to that proverbial part that has me slamming the book closed, never to be opened again (dramatic, yes, but sometimes very true!). {{Point}}: you are the only person keeping you from reading something you don't like!

3) Be picky! You are as unique as your fingerprint. Why wouldn't your reading habits follow? If you get a rec that is absolutely not your thing, say no (thank you). It's not fair to you if you're just going to trudge through it anyway for the sake of being polite to friends/family/librarians/coworkers/etc (publishers, I'm sorry). If you like vampires, werewolves, and all things paranormal (like me) don't despair of the current books coming out -look back to the '90s and '00s! Reading is one of the most personal things we experience in our lives. {{Please, for the sake of your sanity}}: read reviews, look for trigger warnings (if that applies to you), verify that historically under-represented voices are portrayed correctly (misinformation is our greatest threat). For example: I won't buy a book about LGBT+ characters without verifying the plot as authentic (i.e. all fluff and no real problems vs real problems with a happy ending). I need to know that the book about that Transgender girl is written by someone who is either also Transgender or very well-informed.

4) Own your reading preferences. Just own it. I read somewhere in a journal interview that the concept of "guilty pleasure" shouldn't exist. So you like SJM's ACOTAR and are all about that fan community life, but are afraid to talk about it even though it's basically a mainstream subculture now? {{Point}}: Stop feeling guilty for what makes you happy! If people judge, that's their problem. I read romance for stress relief and because I just happen to like happy endings. Seriously, people need to stop shaming romance readers and self-shame is a huge part! Don't shame yourself, "SHUN THE NON-BELIEVERS"! (Charlie the Unicorn, RIP in Youtube history)

5) It's ok to read more than one book at a time. If you're anything like me (the Attention Deficit part), you probably have up to 5 books going at the same time: that paperback at home, the ebook on your phone, audiobook in the car, hardcover in your office, etc. (I know that's not 5 -I ran out of ideas!). Point: it's only natural you're in the mood for something different at certain periods of the day, week, or whatever. They'll get finished eventually. Just spare a thought for the 1 or 2 that are a little extra "dusty" cuz that might mean you need to DNF...just a thought.

6) Book clubs are your friend! They can be your enemy, too; but here's what you do: choose one that reads almost everything you want to in a specific genre. I'm not talking the next bestseller (unless that's you). I'm talking genre-specific and something you researched before joining. Online or in-person, this is has the potential for changing your reading habits for the better because you'll actually want to interact and read the books! I decided to join a book club so I could finally talk about a niche genre that is one of my favorites: Christian fiction. No one around me reads this (anymore) and I have no one to talk to (regularly) and trade recs with, so I joined a Facebook group and it's really nice to chat about all these great books and authors I've recently read with others who do the same:)

7) Book journaling. Yes, you may have heard of these things. There are so many ways to journal about your reading: bullet journals, the blank ones where you can let loose your creativity, the ones like from Moleskin where you just fill in the pre-determined spaces (aka: reading log), lined journals for writing your heart out, themed reading planners and TBR journals... Just look it up, the interwebs has you covered. The key is to use them as a tool for expanding and enriching your enjoyment or education (nonfic). I don't journal for everything, but I do like to do it for the ones I know I'm going to review later or for general reflections as I read. I started doing it by chapters, but that doesn't cut it when something jumps out at me from a random page and I NEED to write about it immediately. So, I make note of the page # and we good! I'm very personal in my writing (if you can't tell) and it can turn into tangents, but that's how I roll. I don't do that artsy stuff because that takes away from the reason I'm doing this in the first place. I write about anything regarding my reading -incl my reading slumps. I love it.

Wishing you Happy Reading! Thank you for reading:)

[redisriding]

I finished ACOSF last night, and I absolutely loved it. It didn’t go in the direction that I thought it was going to go in, not that I really had a strong idea as to where the story was going to go, and honestly, I was just happy to read anything about Nesta and Cassian.

I do however have some thoughts:

Spoilers below…

- I think the book could have done with a better edit. A long time was spent at the House of Wind, and maybe this slow progression towards the climatic 100 pages or so is to reflect Nesta’s own slow struggles with dealing with her mental health, but compared to ACOWAR which covered SO MUCH ground, this was a little slow for me.

- Related to this, I think there were some scenes that SJM put in just because she wanted Nesta and Cassian in those situations rather than things happening to be integral to the plot.

- Actually, I found the plot a little lacking, both in the fantasy side and the romance. Again, some of the scenes just seemed loose strung together than driving the story in any real direction.

- That said, I think this book did a lot of leg work for the set up in the next books, so WATCH THIS SPACE.

- In respect of Nesta obtaining the Mask, Harp and Crown, I thought those scenes moved a little quickly, I would have loved to have had some more drama/suspense in these elements, maybe making the scenes longer and cutting back a little on all the House of Wind training session scenes.

- This is particularly true in respect of the last 100 pages in the book. If the Blood Rite was going to happen I would have loved to see more of it. It all just seemed a little easy for Nesta, Gwyn and Emerie having only trained for a few months up against Illyrian warriors who had been training for years, and it being something that Rhys, Cass, and Az really struggled to achieve. Again, I would have had this section of the book extended, maybe making up the last 200 pages of the book (and really ramping up the tension) at the loss of some of the training scenes.

- Connected to this, Cassian and his espionage with Az while Nesta was in the Blood Rite. I would have loved a little more internal dialogue here, to see Cass really suffering knowing that his mate was in the Blood Rite, but again, this was rather glossed over.

- The scene however when Cassian hugged Nesta and then whispered into her hair that he had to kill her was PHENOMENAL. My heart honestly skipped a beat when I read that. Again, would have like an extended battle scene - student beating the master kind of thing.

- Speaking of my heart skipping a beat…I love a slow burn, and actually think some of the Nesta/Cassian scenes in ACOWAR were more tension building than the scenes in ACOSF. That said, maybe a slow burn was never going to be on the cards for this pair, it just doesn’t really suit their personalities (Elriel, anyone?) and I certainly wasn’t complaining about all the spicy hot scenes of them fucking each other. After a while though, I needed some more emotional investment, and Gods did I get that with the solstice scene. Again, wish it had come a little earlier in the book, but I have no real complaints.

- I wish we’d been in Cassian’s head a bit more for when that mating bond finally “snapped” for him and what it felt like to actually know what he suspected for a long time. They were both crying as they “made love” so this was indication enough, but again, would have liked some more explicit feels.

- This really is a fantasy romance than a romantic fantasy, but I love love love romance and am excited to see where SJM goes with the rest of this series in a new direction.

- The banter in the middle section of the book had me grinning like an idiot at the page, and I LOVED it.

- I wish the relationship between Nesta and Mor had been developed a bit more. Mor said some really cruel things to Nesta at the start of the book about her reminding her of her family, which she most certainly is not. Mor should be able to see the wounded animal that Nesta is at that point. Later in the book Mor teaches Nesta the traditional fae dances, but it’s all off the page. I would have liked to see this dynamic. 

- I felt some of the characters were written a little thinly. I’ve seen some people complaining about Gwyn and while I enjoyed her presence she didn’t really “click” for me until the second half of the book. Honestly I thought she was going to die in that last scene in the Rite but alas.

- Merrill is Miranda Priestly though, can we all agree on that?

- Eris at one point makes a comment about the Illyrian’s not being brave enough to look under Ramiel to see whether it has tunnels carved under it. I really thought that this was going to come back and have something to do with how Nesta and the other’s got through the Rite, but that never came. I wonder if it is a set up for another book.

- Baltasar anyone?

- Overall, I’m not sure I love the whole Nesta becoming a Warrior and trying to build a new legion amongst the priestesses (I think I would have preferred it if she tried amongst the Illyrian women) but if it’s just a “hell yeah we’re badass strong women” than actually fighting in another war then I’m into it.

- That heartbreaking scene with Feyre almost dying was beautiful. Again, wish it had been longer and more suspenseful. I still cried.

- The ending was really beautiful, but I think I would have enjoyed an on the page reconnection of the sisters and each saying things to each other. Presumably we just have to take Nesta’s “I love you” to Feyre as proof of this happening.

- Rhys only really coming around to Nesta after she saved his mate and son’s lives. Not the best, but unsurprising. I thought that Nesta was going to be the one to save them as soon as that plot point was introduced. Still enjoyed it though.

- And her altering her pelvis so she can have Cassian’s babies one day…what better way could she tell him that she loved him? (Certainly not with a stale biscuit). The question remains, did she afford Elain with the same curtesy knowing how Azriel feels about Lucien. Heck, how Elain feels about Lucien.

- I would have loved a little more internal anguish were they both realise that they love the other and are too afraid to tell the other. This does happen, but it’s not as explicitly on the page as I would have liked.

- The ending, they’re getting mated, in front of all of their friends and family. It’s the most beautiful sentiment and they both deserve to stand up and declare the love, that they kept hidden for so long, to everyone.

Wow, I didn’t realise that I had so many opinions on ACOSF but apparently I do (thanks for reading this far, if you have!)

Overall, I really, really, enjoyed ACOSF. I love Nesta and Cassian so much and it was so great to finally read their story. The book wasn’t as crushingly “this is perfection” as I felt about ACOMAF but it was still pretty fantastic.

Right now, I’m heading off to begin my reread of ACOSF (every SJM book has to be read twice as soon as it comes out - this book series brings true comfort to my soul and makes me sob like a baby and I LOVE it). I’ll be back on Tumblr (properly) from this weekend and CANNOT WAIT to see all of the takes, memes, fan art, etc about this book. Feel free to slide into my DMs or Asks if you want to chat.

Speak soon,

Red

[bookofmirth]

Anon I love you so much! Thank you for being out there fighting the good fight!

I think Kara is right in saying that people use that word as a synonym for "hint", but it's not a perfect synonym. Because something that is foreshadowed is not only hinted at: that hint is followed through and we know exactly what it means. The things people are pointing to now, we are only *guessing* what they mean. So they are saying "foreshadowing", but really they mean "possible hint".

And I agree with what Kara said here:

Because even though we don't have confirmation right now of what is or isn't foreshadowing SHE knows what is foreshadowing in ACOWAR, ACOFAS, and ACOSF. Some of the things currently in her books ARE foreshadowing and time will tell which of our theories turn out to be right.

It's just currently a crapshoot which things those are, because sjm can and will take random details and make them important later. So imo, I think that sjm does have a sense of what she is foreshadowing, but the fandom has taken that as a license to say that nearly every single word in the books is foreshadowing.

The thing with this word, and with a lot of literary analysis/criticism concepts, is that they were NOT intended to be used in the context that the fandom is using them - to predict what's coming next. Foreshadowing is absolutely possible within one book, in a standalone, because foreshadowing is not about trying to figure out who is going to bang next! And it's certainly not about where the plot is going to go in a series written by a publicly admitted pantser. A writer who throws things in because they seem cool, and then sometimes, after the fact, decides to make them mean something.

Basically the concept of foreshadowing is a tool, and it's being used the wrong way, which like you said anon, is going to lead to some pretty shitty results. Imagine trying to use (physical) colored pencils to create digital art. People are using the wrong tools for the job* and they're going to make a mess of it, and ultimately, does it really matter? No, because these characters are fictional and the world will move on and we will all be just fine. But it could lead to some super awkward conversations if people ever end up in a classroom or talking to people who use these concepts professionally, and they use the definition of "foreshadowing" that fandom has settled on. They'll get some odd looks, and will probably be corrected. But again, it's not the end of the world. It's just super annoying to witness lmao

And just to clarify one thing, I am not trying to make anyone feel bad for having used these terms in a less-than-accurate way, because I know that I learned about these in a classroom, which is a privilege not everyone has. There is a long, complex history with the way these ideas were developed that can't be encapsulated in a random tumblr post (including my own) but that's why it's also good to have these conversations!

*my side note here is that there aren't really tools for this particular job of predicting future plots or ships, at least none that would get you an A on a paper in an English class. That's where fandom views of a book and the classroom study of a book diverge. The classroom is not about making predictions, and given that The Author is a fickle, fickle beast who is going to do whatever the fuck they want, I'm not sure those tools would ever be reliably developed.

I have read some of @bookofmirth posts and I came across those posts that talk about "forshadowing"

The fandom gets very desperate and believe everything that makes sense TO THEM and they call that "forshadowing". But all the things el/riels, gwynriels and eluciens have pointed at and claimed as "forshadowing" are not forshadowing for anything.

The mating bond language in Azriel's bonus chapter? That doesn't forshadow anything. Elain being able to move silently? That is not forshadowing for spy Elain nor for Owl shifter Elain. NOTHING in these books and bonus chapters forshadow anything because if the confirmation didn't happen that how would anyone know this or that is forshadowing for something?

For example: You wrote your final exam. Even though you have a good feeling about it and there are high chances you pass, since you studied so much for it, it is NOT CONFIRMED that you'll pass. It is not a 100% clearity. You could've studied in a wrong way or studied some things you actually didn't need for the exam or you didn't study what you needed, or you misread a few questions in the exam and wrote down something that was not asked of you.

And then when you get the results, it's either you passed but not the grade you hoped for (-> Elucien happening but they won't end up in the Spring court for example) or you didn't pass.

Before acomaf, no one could've guessed that the Suriel telling Feyre to stay with the High lord was a hint for Feyre to stay with Rhys, not Tamlin. Only after acomaf were we able to say it was forshadowing because you can clearly see that Sjm has planned on basically reusing that scene.

But we don't even have a clue on which ship is going to have the next book because we simply don't have acotar 5 in our hands yet. So all the little theories that we made about some things that happen in the books can't be "forshadowed" for anything, if we don't even know Sarah had intended on throwing in those hints.

All the things that we pointed at and called "forshadowing" are just potential hints. We can't call something forshadowing when we don't even know this or that is actually going to happen.

And that is also where the confusion and anger starts after Sjm confirms the ship, because after all these false claims about how this or that is "forshadowing" in the different sides of the fandom, people BELIEVED those claims but then they will have to sit there and think "But that shouldn't be right! This has to be fanservice- there's no other explaination."

I think people in this fandom need to realize that Sjm does NOT do fanservice and that she will take the route that feels right TO HER. She might as well never had planned on this or the other route and no one has the right to be mad just because they thought they had Sjm all figured out.

If it was truly clear on what is going to happen in the next book, the fandom wouldn't be so devided.

Ps: This ask isn't a attack, just to clarify something to everyone.

I think people do realize that nothing is confirmed until it actually happens and what they (and myself) are referring to as "foreshadowing" is simplified way of saying "I believe this is hinting at". Because that starts feeling like a mouthful every time you write it out or it starts feeling redundant. Synonyms for foreshadowing are:

Hint Suggestion Prediction Suggest Point To (and so on) So I don't think anyone is under the impression that just because we call it foreshadowing it means we're promising to anyone who follows our blogs that this is DEFINITELY the route SJM is taking. It is us saying, "because Feyre's conversation with the Suriel foreshadowed her ending up with Rhysand, I think Az's conversation with Gwyn could also be foreshadowing his endgame potential with her". It doesn't mean we can't be wrong but our blogs are predicting that we think something will eventually turn out to be foreshadowing by the time the series is done. And no, at the time no one realized what Feyre talking to the Suriel meant but that's because it was in book 1 and we had no idea what patterns SJM was putting out there. But now that we're heading into book 5 and we have a better understanding of the hints and tricks SJM uses, we can better predict things. Of course we could end up being wrong but we're simply applying her past formulas to the future of other characters. I never think SJM will write something based on fanservice especially if there's no politically incorrect undertones surrounding something (since some do say she changed the direction of Mor and Az in order to be more inclusive though that's not so much fanservice as realizing there may have been the need for diversity). But that doesn't mean we can't try to get into her head and see what things she's written that she intended as foreshadowing. Because even though we don't have confirmation right now of what is or isn't foreshadowing SHE knows what is foreshadowing in ACOWAR, ACOFAS, and ACOSF. Some of the things currently in her books ARE foreshadowing and time will tell which of our theories turn out to be right. That's all we're doing, making guesses as to what will turn out to be foreshadowing.

[theladyofdeath]

In the Bleak Midwinter {14}

A Throne of Glass Period AU: 1920s.

Summary: 2 years after Arobynn Hammel is killed by Rowan Whitethorn, Maeve has returned from Eyllwe with a vengeance. Meanwhile, Rowan is getting married, Lorcan is a father, and Lysandra is finally ready to give her heart away. There’s been peace in The Cadre’s Orynth for 2 years, but peace never lasts.

A/N: That’s right - a happy chapter! x

All characters belong to SJM. I am no more than a fan with a plot.

**Warning: mature content - language, alcohol use, drug use, sex, murders and shit.

Links & masterlists:

Fanfic Masterlist

Ask me

The Cadre - 1920s AU {TOG}

In the Bleak Midwinter {The Cadre, Part 2}

A soft knock came to Aedion’s closed bedroom door as he was looking at himself in the mirror. “Come in!”

The door crept open and Aelin peeked in. “How’s it coming, cousin?”

The way she said cousin had him rolling his eyes. “Fine, I guess.”

Aelin’s smile faltered as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. “For someone about to finally marry the woman he’s been wanting to marry for half of his life, Fine, I guess, does not sound very comforting.”

Aedion turned back to the mirror and cocked his head. “I look like shit.”

Aelin snorted and came up behind him. “Turn.” He did as he was told, and although Aelin was nearly a head shorter than he was, she had no problem judgmentally sizing him up. “Well, the reason you look like shit is because you were up all night getting drunk with the other assholes in this house.”

It was true. The boys had thrown him a night out...or, well, in, and they had gotten a little carried away. The Cadre, as well as Ren, Chaol, and Dorian, had started a bonfire just outside of the back door of the kitchens, and stayed awake for most of the night drinking until they couldn’t walk, or think, straight. 

“My husband looks like shit today too, though, if that makes you feel any better.”

Aedion huffed a laugh. “It does, actually. Rowan thinks he’s a fucking god, it pleases me to be told that he’s human.”

Aelin rolled her eyes but her lips were pressed together to suppress her grin. After attempting to straighten his collar, Aelin sighed. “Alright, strip down, this isn’t working.”

Aedion blinked. “What? This is my best suit.”

He hadn’t left, per Rowan’s request, to get anything for the wedding. No, they’d be using what the estate had, which was great, considering they planned a wedding in three days. Then again, it would only be family, and the estate’s staff, that would be attending. The only people coming from off the estate’s grounds were Rhoe, Chaol, Dorian, Ren, and the preacher. 

“It’s wrinkled,” Aelin said, already walking away from him to throw open his wardrobe. “You’re not wearing wrinkled clothes to your wedding, Aedion, gods, I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

Aedion sighed, even though she was right, as he began yanking off his tie, then his jacket, his vest, his shirt, and, finally, his trousers. When he was standing in his underclothes like a child in the middle of the floor, Aelin began tossing things back at him. 

First was a pair of charcoal trousers, which he quickly pulled on before his cousin could mock him for being in his undershorts - which sounded like something she’d do, without a doubt. She also tossed him a new, white button down shirt, a vest, and a jacket that matched his trousers.

His fingers were shaking so desperately from the nerves that he was having trouble buttoning.

Aelin’s smile softened as she approached her cousin and swatted his hands away.

“You need a smoke,” she declared, helping him button up his shirt.

“I need a fucking bottle of rum,” he challenged.

Aelin buttoned his shirt up to the neckline, then buttoned both of the cuffs of his sleeves. “An entire bottle?”

“Yes,” Aedion said, in all seriousness, as he tucked in his shirt and pulled on his vest. 

Aelin buttoned those buttons, too. “Why the hell are you so nervous?”

Aedion closed his eyes and threw his head back. “Because I’m pretty sure I was dreaming when she said yes.”

When he opened his eyes again, Aelin was holding out his jacket, which he slipped on without any hesitation. There were hardly any buttons, but Aelin reached out to button them, anyway, without being asked. “You have no idea how madly in love that woman is with you, do you?”

Aedion didn’t answer. He just looked down fondly at his cousin as she stepped back and observed the outfit she had thrown together. 

“Sit,” she ordered, gesturing to the chair that sat by the little table by the window. Aedion did so, plopping down in the wooden chair with so much force that it creaked. Aelin went to the dresser and took a hairbrush before standing behind him, and brushing through his shoulder-length, golden hair. “Aedion, you were Lysandra’s light in the darkness, her only light, for so long. You’re her best friend. When I left here to come tend to your sorry ass, she was practically jumping out of her skin she was so excited.”

Aedion smiled, but all he managed to say was, “I thought you were her best friend.”

“Hush,” she said, yanking through the knots in his hair. “I was trying to encourage you.”

“Ow! Fuck, take it easy,” he muttered, gripping the edge of the table.

“Oh, grow a pair,” she muttered, then pulled a small twig out of his hair. “Okay, seriously, what the hell did all of you assholes get into last night?”

Aedion laughed, mostly because he couldn’t remember. Once his hair had been smoothed, Aelin pulled it back into a knot at the back of his head, and retrieved his shoes, in which she placed at his feet.

He caught her hand as she began to walk away and gave her fingers a squeeze. “Thank you.”

Aelin’s smile was sweeter than it usually was when she said, “You’re welcome.”

The bedroom door cracked open. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah,” Aedion called, and Gavriel slipped in, smiling at Aelin.

“You look lovely today,” he said, nodding his head as she swept by him in her shimmering navy blue dress.

“I know,” she said, hand on her baby bump, and shrugged. “Thanks, Uncle.”

It was all she referred to him as now.

Gavriel chuckled as Aelin left, then stuck a cigarette between his lips as he leaned back against the door. 

“You look like you’re about to puke,” Gavriel said, then pulled a flask out of his jacket pocket and tossed it to Aedion.

He caught it, effortlessly, and wasted no time unscrewing the top and taking a sip. Rum burned its way down his throat. As he screwed the top back on and was about to toss it back, Gavriel shook his head and held up a hand. “Keep it,” he said, blowing a puff of smoke into the air. “You need it more than I do today.”

Aedion didn’t argue. He simply slipped it into the inside pocket of his jacket before turning to take a final glimpse of himself in the mirror, with his hands in his trouser pockets.

“You look good,” Gavriel said, coming up behind his son and brushing off the shoulders of his jacket, his cigarette hanging loosely between his lips. 

“Aelin’s work, I won’t take credit.” 

After taking a step back, Gavriel chuckled as he pulled something else out of his jacket pocket. “As you know, I, uh, don’t have a lot of your mother’s, but I thought you should have this for today.” 

Aedion stilled in surprise as Gavriel opened up his hand, where a small pearl bracelet sat in his palm.

“I’ve never seen that before,” Aedion said, quietly. “I didn’t even know you had it.”

“She gave it to me before…” his words drifted away, and Gavriel shrugged. “Well, before everything happened all those years ago. I’ve kept it in a little box with some other stuff that’s important to me.”

When Aedion didn’t take it, Gavriel stepped forward, grabbed his son’s hand, and put the bracelet into it.

“I can’t take this,” Aedion whispered. “It’s important to you-.”

“It’s important to me that you have that to give to your wife.” Gavriel took his cigarette out of his mouth with one hand and pulled out his pocket watch with the other. “Which, you’ll have in half an hour, so put the bracelet in your pocket and take another swig of rum. You still look like you’re going to puke.”

The bracelet was beautiful, simple, delicate. Aedion ran his thumb across the pearls before he did as his father instructed, and put it safely into his breast pocket. “Thank you.”

Gavriel only nodded, then smiled, gently, as he pulled his son into a hug. There was a time when Aedion didn’t think he’d ever be able to hug either of his parents. Yet, here was Gavriel, his gangster of a father, smoking a cigarette by his ear and giving him a full flask to calm his nerves.

The thought made Aedion laugh as he hugged him back.

~~~~~

Rowan padded up the stairs and down the hall until he made it to Lysandra’s door and pounded his fist against the thick wood.

When she didn’t answer, he knocked again. “Come on, Lys, it’s time.”

The door slowly opened, mid-knock, and Natalia’s stubborn face appeared. 

Rowan blinked. “Everyone’s waiting.”

Natalia’s lips pursed as she pushed her way around Rowan and went down the stairs.

“Damn,” Rowan muttered, pushing the door open further.

When he caught sight of Lysandra, his hard demeanor softened. She wore a lavender dress that reached just past her knees, one that he thought looked all too familiar.

“Aelin bought it for your wedding,” Lysandra said, seeing his gaze sweep over her dress. “You know, before she found out she was pregnant and could no longer fit it in.”

Rowan chuckled, nodding from where he was leaning against the doorway. “Well, it looks beautiful on you.”

Lysandra arched a brow as she met his gaze. “I’ve known you for a long time, Rowan Whitethorn, and it still surprises me when you give out compliments.”

“Very funny,” Rowan muttered.

Lysandra’s grin widened as she went to the vanity and picked up a waist-length, matching lace veil. “Mind helping?”

Rowan reached for the veil, careful not to snag it with his rough, calloused fingers. Once Lysandra turned, Rowan hesitated, looking for the right part to stick the comb into her hair. Lysandra’s hair was short, but it had been twisted and pulled back for the veil, by a grumpy Natalia, no doubt.

Carefully, he slid the comb into her hair, right where it knotted at the base of her head, then stepped back. “There.”

Lysandra turned to look in the mirror and smiled brightly at her reflection. “Good?”

Rowan nodded, crossing his arms. “Beautiful.”

“Two compliments in one day?” she asked, those thin brows arching, once more. “I should get married more often.”

Unable to help himself, Rowan laughed and held out his hand. “Alright, bride, come on. They’re waiting.” 

She looped her arm through his and neither of them said anything more as they left her room and started down the hall. 

It wasn’t long ago that Lysandra was an enslaved woman who thought herself unworthy of anyone’s love. Now, seeing her beaming, grinning ear to ear as she went to get married to a damn good man, Rowan couldn’t have been happier for her. 

Everyone was gathered in the ballroom. It was a strange, simple ceremony, no music, no chairs, just Aedion standing on the far side of the room, surrounded by a semi-circle of flower arrangements, and everyone else gathered in two seperate groups, leaving an aisle between them for Lysandra to walk down. 

The second they rounded the corner into the ballroom, everyone’s eyes snapped up to them, to Rowan escorting her into the room. Aelin was already sobbing uncontrollably, holding onto Vaughan’s arm for support, who was handing her a handkerchief. Natalia was staring at Gavriel in hopes that he’d return her longing gaze.

He didn’t. 

Even Lorcan had soft eyes as he looked at Lysandra. Fenrys, too, even though his cap was still pulled down nearly past his eyes. 

Rhoe, Chaol, Dorian, and Ren all looked at their old friend, the boy who Rhoe practically raised, and to the bride, who would soon be a part of their family, too.

And then there was Aedion, standing next to a preacher, the same one who had married Rowan and Aelin. Aedion’s eyes were bright, his smile wide. He was practically bouncing where he stood, and Lysandra picked up her pace, unable to wait any longer.

The preacher asked who would be giving her away.

After Rowan said he would, he walked to Aelin’s side, who flung her arms around him, nearly knocking him over before she cried into his chest. 

It was not a good time for pregnancy hormones to be making their appearance. 

Per the couples request, the ceremony was kept short and sweet and simple. Ten minutes after it began, they were saying their I-do’s and kissing each other for the first time, as man and wife. Then, they were walking away, down the aisle of the ballroom, hand in hand, married.

Aelin watched, those tears still in her eyes, as she whispered, “It’s about damn time.”

~~~~~

@mariamuses  @garnet-29  @writer-reader-traveller  @rowaelin-cressworth  @space-buns-arsinoe  @negativenesta  @empress-ofbloodshed  @the-regal-warrior  @starseternalnighttriumphant  @westofmoon  @sammyjojaaaa  @theoverlyenthusiasticwriter  @carbconnoisseur @acer6437  @lorcansalvatearupmyheart  @cool-ish-nerd  @mynewdreamwasyou  @mourning-razorlust  @thespiritualrider  @rowaelinforeverworld  @didsomeonesayviolin  @gloriouspaintercreatorbandit  @yeah-just-ignore-me-thanks  @queen-of-glass  @the-dark-swan  @http-itsrebecca  @holdingon-21@babycardan @tswaney17  @mollycateoc  @chemicha  @bat-wing-rhys @exersize-me-i-dare-u @thespiritualrider  @luna-the-little @morebooks-pls  @shyvioletcat  @hermajestyanna  @a97girl  @stardustsroses  @queenofthemoon22 @alifletcher2012  @awkward-avocado-s  @faerie-queen-fireheart  @cwheart  @lovemollywho @emilyrose111294  @nerdperson524  @sleeping-and-books @cursebreaker29 @flora-and-fae @feyrethedarklady @the-dark-swan @rowaelinforeverworld @sjmsstuff @januarystears @mis-lil-red  @acourtofmoonlight   @rowaelinforeverworld  @courtofmaasdestruction @jjellybean  @thewayshedreamed  @wind-drinker  @aelin-rowan-whitehorn  @starseternalnighttriumphant  @hurema @http-itsrebecca  @lorcansalvatearupmyheart  @cityofchelsea16 @januarystears  @iliketoasterstrudels  @lightitup-bryce  @yikesitsmaddie @feyrethedarklady @i-love-all-books  @keshavomit  @sleeping-and-books @scarznstars  @http-itsrebecca @cat5313 @moondancer-204  @booklover242 @belamoonbeam @they-call-me-cuatro   @b00kworm  @mu-si-ca-l   @thegayerpotato  @abraxos-is-toothless  @keshavomit  @musicdreamer003   @superspiritfestival  @sailorsassley  @mymultiversee @alxanxah @viviaannvu123  @mysweetvillain @theghostlyharrypooperfan @highqueenofelfhame​  @shyvioletcat @maastrash @the-third-me​ @rinad307

[starbornvalkyrie]

prom dress

Prompt 6: “that was impressive” Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas {next-gen Nessian} Rating: T Warnings: N/A 

A/N: I wrote this in my soccer moms au (read the original story here), again in the POV of my OC, Cassian’s daughter, Joana. Enjoy!

“Hey, dad!” Joana called through the house. “I’m biking to Cheska’s house!”

She was in the process of opening the front door when she heard him yell, “Wait!” Joana closed the door and listened as her father’s heavy footsteps thudded towards her. “I’ll drive you.”

Joana rolled her eyes. “Dad, it’s a less than ten minute bike ride to the other side of the neighborhood.”

“Sure, but I’m offering you a sweat-free mode of transportation.” Joana analyzed his face. Something was off. 

“You just want to see Aunt Nesta,” she accused. 

Her dad just flashed her his trademark grin. “You bet I do.” He winked. 

“That's disgusting. Whatever, let’s go,” she mumbled as she turned away from the front door and went to the garage. She hopped up into the passenger seat of his truck and waited. And waited.

No less than ten minutes later, her father finally walked into the garage. When he got in the car, Joana gawked. “Do not tell me you changed into a fresh polo and fixed your hair just to see Aunt Nesta.” To her amusement, the hardest Commander of Prythian’s Air Force blushed. 

He still denied it. “My work shirt smelled bad,” he shrugged.

“Dad, Aunt Nesta shared a car with you after that one summer picnic when it rained and you and Uncle Rhys wrestled in the mud. I don’t think she'll mind you smelling like an office.” It’s been a month since she and Cheska walked in on them making out after their soccer game, and it was still a little weird. They still bicker like no tomorrow, they wouldn’t be “Aunt Nesta and Uncle Cass” without it, but it’s less like frenemies and more like an old married couple. Humorous and nauseating at the same time.

But if Joana were being completely honest, not all that much had changed. The Soldatos frequently infiltrate the Archeron’s and vice versa it’s as if they all live in both houses. She has to admit, the visits are more peaceful now that they don’t have to tiptoe around their parents when they’re in their fighting moods.

Five minutes later, Joana jumps out of the car before her dad even turns off the engine and runs up the front steps. She lets herself in yelling, “Honey, I’m home!” The answering squeal sounded like it was coming from the kitchen, so she made her way in that direction.

She finds Cheska and her mother in the middle of mixing ingredients for some type of pie. Banoffee, from a glance at the ingredients. Joana kisses Aunt Nesta on the cheek and swipes her finger through the batter Cheska was whisking, eliciting a “hey!” from both parties.

“This is delicious,” she said, her voice muffled around her finger.

“And off-limits until we’re done,” her best friend scolded.

“What’s the occasion?”

Cheska shrugged, and said, “We just felt like it,” and went back to whisking. After a little bit, her mom gave a pointed cough. “Oh! I almost forgot! Our prom dress came in!” Aunt Nesta groaned when Joana shrieked.

“What’s all the commotion?” The three women looked towards Joana’s dad in the kitchen archway when he spoke. Aunt Nesta put down the knife that was slicing bananas and met him for a kiss. Their daughters dutifully gagged; the adults chuckled.

“Prom dresses,” was all Aunt Nesta said.

“Say no more. Why don’t you girls go try them on? I think Nesta and I can take it from here.”

Cheska immediately jumped at the opportunity and shoved the bowl of batter in her uncle’s arms. “One condition: there is to be absolutely zero parental make out sessions within a fifteen foot radius of the pie. I’m looking at you, Soldato,” she warned before dragging a cackling Joana by the arm and up the stairs. Cheska chattered the whole way to her room.

“I couldn’t wait, so I took the dresses out of the box but left them in their bags, and oh my gods, Jo, you are going to look amazing in yours. Together, you and I are going to be the talk of prom. I know somebody is for sure going to ask you to dance.” At that, Joana pushed her friend, almost making her fall down the stairs.

“Shut up, Cheska. Even in the most bombshell of dresses, he’s not going to see me as anything other than Izzy’s ‘kid sister’.” Aunt Elain’s son, Isaiah, is on the boys’ varsity soccer team at their school. He and his friends are one year above Joana and Cheska, and Joana has had the same crush on Izzy’s best friend since she learned boys didn’t actually have cooties but was too nervous to do anything about it. Guys usually went gaga over their cheerleaders, not other soccer players.

“I’ll maybe listen to you after you try on your dress,” Cheska bargained.

When they walked into Cheska’s room, Joana was stunned. Even bunched up by the clear protective bag, her dress was gorgeous. “Fine,” she agreed, “Let’s do this!” Joana grabbed the gown and went to Cheska’s closet to change.

The dress: perfection.

How Joana looks in it: average.

“Ches, I don’t know. Does this look a little… flat to you?” She asked as she stepped out of Cheska’s closet. The gown she chose was a stunning red with a slight pink undertone. It was strapless with a form-fitting bodice that opened into an A-line skirt from the waist. The dress was meant to bring out a woman’s curves, but too bad Joana didn’t have any. “I’m a soccer player, not a model. Maybe I was a little too ambitious, I don’t think I can pull this off.”

Her best friend circled her, analyzing her from head to toe. “Hmm… I have an idea.” In her own gown--a simple, black strapless piece with a mermaid cut that, of course, looks like it was made for her--she walked out of her room to call for her mom’s help.

When Aunt Nesta saw Cheska, her eyes lined with silver, but before she could gush about her baby girl in a prom dress, Cheska pointed at Joana and said, “Fix it.”

In a similar way as her daughter moments before, Aunt Nesta circled Joana, assessing her. She left and came back with some pins, placed them in different places, then ordered Joana to slip out of it so she could work on it.

Joana remembered the stories about Aunt Nesta helping Aunt Elain with her clothes after their mother passed away, and she wondered where Aunt Feyre was at those times. While they waited, Cheska changed out of her own dress. They laid on her bed watching Gilmore Girls and talking prom details until Aunt Nesta came back.

“Try this on,” she ordered. The moment she stepped into it, Joana could tell it was a masterpiece. Zipping it up confirmed that. Aunt Nesta must have magical powers. Joana walked back into the room so she could look in the mirror. Cheska squealed, again.

Aunt Nesta had cinched the top of the skirt and added a belt to add volume around her hips, making it look like she had a bigger butt than she actually did. But what really made it the perfect dress was the slit she cut up the right side so that when she walked, it showed off her muscular legs.

“Aunt Nesta,” she breathed, her eyes lining with silver, “this is beautiful.”

“Seriously, Mom.” Cheska glanced at the clock on her nightstand. “Oh my gods you did that in less than an hour, that was impressive.”

Aunt Nesta just smirked. “Well, I had to do something to help that Snow boy see what he’s been missing out on.”

Joana whipped her head at her, eyes wide. “Wha- How did you--” she stammered.

“Mother knows best,” was all she said. With a wink, she left to join Joana’s dad in the kitchen once more.

Joana tried her best not to cry. She never had anyone to call “Mom”, but Joana couldn’t help but think that she wouldn’t mind that person being Aunt Nesta.

---

my full masterlist

---

A/N pt. 2: No, her crush is not a Snow from the Hunger Games lol. It’s Kallias and Viviane’s son.

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to be added to/taken off my general SJM tag list just send me an ask! i’m very good at losing them in the comments. love y’all!

@maddymelv​ || @lucy617​ || @tillyrubes10​ || @faerie-queen-fireheart​ || @tottenhamboys20​ || @the-third-me​ || @superspiritfestival​ || @rolltide7​ || @courtofjurdan​ || @sleeping-and-books​ || @aelinchocolatelover​ || @julemmaes​ || @sorrehnotsorryy​ || @courtofjurdan​ || @acourtofaelinbryceandfeyre​ || @darlinminds​ || @lucieisabooknerd​ || @queen-of-glass​ || @jlinez​ || @abookishfreak​ || @stardelia​ || @ladywitchling​ || @rockgirl321​ || @sjmships​ || @thewayshedreamed​ || @mamakramer​ || @meowsekai​

[elriell]

Going to answer a bunch of questions under the read more, since I took like 2 days off a LOT built up and I don’t want to flood anyones dashboards. If you sent a question in and have been waiting have a quick scroll and check! I will have to do two part I think ♡

Thank you and I apologise for the wait. I am just going to preface this for the future and say, I am not always going to be rapid at answering DM’s or Inbox, I do what I can, but I am not going to be on tumblr 24/7 and a lot of the times I am not on my laptop, I hope you can kind of understand and give me a little leeway! ♡ 

(That being said no one has been mean or impatient I am just super conscious of how long it takes me to reply... and I need to give myself some slack.)

Hey, I know for sure I have answered it somewhere but god knows where in the quantity of replies I have answered, if you are brave enough to have a look! I think it completely intentional on SJM’s part but definitely not for Gwynriel, if people think that scene (regifting and then reusing a thought) is romantic to each their own but that is not how it reads to me. I think as I said before, there is some projecting going on and it will definitely be explored in their book.

But in short, no I do not think reusing a line specifically using in Elain’s gift is a sign of Gwynriel endgame. But hey, that’s just me!

Oh 100%!!! They love chaos and I said earlier, unfortunately even bad publicity is considered good publicity. I doubt they care about the havoc, they are reaping the benefits of being discussed on all sides as apposed to just one. 

If anyone thinks the fact that a large portion of the fandom hate Elain is going to discourage her I’d direct you back to three years ago when people despised Nesta and she still got her book and SJM did not give one shit that she was controversial, she even said in a recent live she wanted her to be that way, to ruffle feathers.

There is lots of buzz indeed!

This kind of goes hand in hand with the last one I answered but yes I think she knew it would stir the pot! I think it is very intentional, just as the subtle additions of say Emerie in ACOFAS had a few people in a tailspin though perhaps not as much.

At the end of the day SJM loves a good build up and twist, making the characters you are not expecting the big ones, Rhys obviously a big example, now Eris redemption ARC on the horizon. I think she cares little for what peoples judgements are because she know push comes to shove most those people though bitching will buy the book anyways.

(Example: The intense hatred for Nesta and now she is NY Times Best Seller)

She knows how to play the long game, this isn’t her first rodeo, shes created drama and tension, she has EVERYONE speculating and talking about it... Like I said it is smart business. We might not like the chaos but that is life.

Thank a million!♡ I am glad it has calmed you down, even if only a little bit.

I think everyone had that initial shock period for sure, but if you step back and actually read between the lines and compare it to her previous books there is not much to be worried about.

I am not sure about actually being related, hmmm, I feel like that would be a long shot. Though I do believe they will have a mentor/mentee relationship or something alike, the way those interactions were described felt that way to me personally. Although everyone will read a situation differently ofc...

I do think her connection to the Autumn Court, having red hair, and the random redemption on Eris are strangely in line. I think it is far more like she is connected to a Vanserra perhaps! 

I don’t mind, go ahead!

Honestly I think I have answered this already in full here with basically the same thoughts as you, but I would like to add these two newer little posts that are also relevant to this question!   THIS ONE ABOUT SCENT & THIS ONE ABOUT ELAIN !

I am so glad you too didn’t feel it was that big of a deal, I think moreover it is a bit of a whiplash because we have rarely any idea what is going on so outside of our own preconceived notions it was hard to pin point so unless we magically guessed right a lot was going to feel strange. 

I am not going to lie to you I got that feeling reading Nesta’s POV in ACOSF just because our only view of her really was Feyre and it was so different inside her head. But different doesn’t mean bad, I think people need to give him and chance and more than one singular chapter! 

I couldn’t agree more, I cannot wait to see his story and healing begin. ♡♡

Not that I have heard personally! Though SJM does have some siren pins on her board for sure, I have seen some Little Mermaid retelling theories that are sweet but I think that is more Gwynriel ship parallels than thinking she is actually a siren.

The only thing along these lines I have seen is the lightsinger theory! Hmmmm I definitely think there is something there for sure, something beyond her just singing well. I really need to do a re-read soon to see if anything was missed the first time round!

I am going to be honest with you, I have no idea. Like none, hahaha No theories, no recollection of when it occurs (I remember the line) just not when, so the context is a little vague for me... If I could remember when this was I might have a better idea, I am sorry! Perhaps on my re-read I will be able to answer better, or someone in the replies can for me!! ♡

Alrightyyyy that’s the first lot! 

[elains]

BOOK REVIEW: HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD, Crescent City Book I, by Sarah J. Maas.

First off, my sincerest thanks to @scraphim, who listened to my comments and rants with the patience of a saint and encourage me to put them down. Second, english is not my first language, so my apologies if there's anything confusing or awkward.

General Rating: ★★ 1/2

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A CUT HERE OUT OF COURTESY BUT TUMBLR MOBILE IS BEING ITS IMPOSSIBLE SELF SO DO MIND THE RATING BEFORE CONTINUING.

Congratulations, Sarah J. Maas. You got me to sit down and write a review for a book, something I hadn't done (officially, anyway, might as well count the endless conversations with my friends) in a long while. Unfortunately, House of Earth and Blood was one more disappointment in an ever-growing list, and this review was born not out of pure, simple enjoyment, but of how much reading this bothered me.

Let me start by saying that I wanted to like this book. I did. I don't buy books which I don't think there's a chance I will not enjoy, I have way too much to do with my life and little money to spare on that. I hoped Sarah would go back to the early days of ToG, when the writing wasn't so choppy I kept questioning what is her problem with commas and when the characters weren't more and more of the same. Or perhaps that she would go back to ACoMaF, which at the time I loved reading.

Silly, silly me. The thing about having an eye-opener to something is that you can't go back. It's not so simple to close your eyes and pretend the bad doesn't exist, doing so feels irresponssible. I'm not sure her books have changed much, perhaps it was just me, the reader, whose perspective changed.

Let's go into the detail, then. Warning for spoilers of her previous books:

• THE LENGTH. It. Is. Ridiculosly. Long. I would say that length itself it's not necessarily a bad thing, something can be long but engaging. HoEaB's problem is that it drags on, to the point I had to put it down I don't know how many times out of frustration that nothing relevant happened. The infodumps do not help AT ALL, making the whole experience even more tiresome. I'll talk about worldbuilding separately, but jesus, so much unecessary information whose only purpose was to add to the wordcount and could have been woven into the story more organically. Readers are not dumb, they can make simple inferences, you don't need to explain every little detail.

The story only picks up and runs like the devil itself is chasing it in the last like, 20 chapters or so. Considering there are 97 of them... Yeah. It could have been a shorter, more direct and overall just more engaging.

• THE WORLDBUILD. I'll give Sarah J. Maas a point: it is more elaborate and refined compared to ToG and ACoTaR, whose worldbuilding are in general quite shallow and in the later's case, nearly nonexistent. However, the use of names blatantly lifted from real-world mythology and places bothered me to NO END. In a book which is built around those mythologies as their main source of inspiration, I can understand. Not here. Look, Maas can come up with original fantasy names, there are even some in HoEaB itself. But unless it's meant to be purposeful and Crescent City is to be Earth All Along, it's just jarring and feels lazy. It's not something new— refer back to the Illyrians and the Myrmidons.

Archean? Valbara? Pangera? Hel? REALLY? And those are just place names. Might as well name something Proterozoic. Or Laurasia.

The Roman inspiration, which was supposed to be a big thing from all her talk felt extremely loose and barely there. Oh sure, there are legions, a governor, the SPQR/M, and some names which to me, a portuguese speaker, where so cringy I had to laugh (Like Gelos and Cervo. You know, literally Ices and Stag or in that case Hind), but they did not feel Roman to me, naming aside. You could literally have named them anything else and it'd still have worked.

We studied Rome (mostly the government and the legal system) in our first semester of College and it might be the student in me, but I kept wanting to see more of the government structure, the politcal system itself. In a book that dealt with law enforcement and figures in places of power, this was a part of the worldbuilding that felt lacking, and a wasted opportunity to expand on the Roman inspiration.

What gets me is that some interesting concepts could have been explored better. I kinda like the idea of the Asteri, the rifts, the summoning salts.

• HUMANITY'S PORTRAYAL. Ahahaha. Where do I even begin with this one? In KoA, I hated that Aelin loosing her human side was seen as such a big sacrifice when the Fae were repeatedly shown to be "superior": stronger, more beautiful, immortal, the list goes on. Aelin herself preferred the Fae-side, so it felt a completely pointless sacrifice. In Crescent City, it gets even worse. Humanity is oppressed, trying to fight for their freedom and their inherent rights as sentient beings, and the books keeps going on and on about the Vanir.

Forgive me, but I'm supposed to be sympathize with the Vanir? To see the Vanir main-characters go on and change the world and make it better for everyone? I'm sorry but I'm not here for that. Bryce's mother and stepfather and Briggs aside, the HoEaB could have definetely used a human PoV or just. You know. ONE THAT DOESN'T FAVOR THE VANIR IN EVERYTHING. So yeah, I'm here cheering for the humans.

• THE CHARACTERS. I like Ruhn. He read like a concerned older brother, I could relate to that, not a possessive alphahole and I was baffled when Bryce kept insisting that. Oh, he has his flaws, but overall, I like him and his friends. They're nice. Danika, too. I would have liked to see more of Juniper and Fury, and them together, instead of using their relationship as kind of a surprise. Hypaxia is another Yrene/Sorscha. I also liked Lehabah, she was a sweetheart (Also I'm sorry am I supposed to think Bryce witholding the news on her freedom to throw a party WASN'T a WTF move? That Lele just knew because she looked at the documents???)

Now, to our main duo. I found Hunt boring. Simple as that. There was nothing in him that I found captivating, nothing new in terms of SJM's Love Interests. How he kept sexualizing Bryce in the most inappropriate of moments pissed me off. His and Bryce's relationship felt to me as Rowaelin 2.0, just as they themselves read as another versions of them, and not very different ones. He is not supposed to be an "alphahole" but... I didn't feel it. Hunt felt as just more of the same.

Now, Bryce Adelaide Quinlan.. Is it so much to ask for a main character who isn't gorgeous, super special, and super-powerful? I get the appeal of the trope, I'm no so hypocritical as to say that I've not indulged in it myself, but with Sarah, it feels overdone. When all characters are beautiful, special, so powerful it... kinda loses its meaning. However, that's not what bothered me about Bryce, no, it's the fact that she could be read as PoC (Golden, Tanned skin, two very ambiguous terms. My white cousin gets golden skin when she stays too long outdoors ffs), and as a PoC myself, reading her into those situations bothered me so, so much I cannot even begin to tell you.

Her curvy, sensual, bug boobs and butts are easily one of the more sought after where I live. People would go to great lengths for such a body and no, it will not hinder your dancing career. We have a word for it roughly translates to Hot, but having men call you that as something laid out on a table for their pleasure, objectifying you is horrible. And that's what most characters do in HoEaB: sexualize Bryce again and again, playing into harmful stereotypes.

My skin crawled reading those passages. I felt uncomfortable. And it wasn't even just the nameless, countless side-characters: it was Hunt himself. Every single move Bryce made was sexualized and I hated, hated it. "She's a Queen who owns her body and doesn't care for anyone else's thoughts" is all well and good, but women like me already have the stereotype of whores, sluts, homewreckers, and it was handled in such a tone-deaf way that it touched ALL of my wrong buttons. It was just uncomfortable, and cringy.

Two and a half stars, like those bad movies we still watch god knows why.

[cinaja]

Before the Wall part 13

An acotar fic on the time of the War. For summary and the entire fic, click here.

Disclaimer: Acotar and the characters belong to sjm

A/N:  I finally stopped writing this in bullet points! This is almost 40k words long now, so I decided it was past time to write it ´normally`. I hope none of you mind.

Either way, I just wanted to thank the people who are reading this and leaving likes and comments, it really means a lot to me❤ And if you`re a silent reader, it would be really great if you could maybe leave some kind of sign, because so far, I don`t have really many readers (that I know of)😉

----

*Seven months later*

The past months have been going great for the Alliance, and especially for Jurian`s army. They have been winning battle after battle. By now, there are rumours going around that their enemies` magic has little effect on them. Some soldiers even whisper that the gods (whichever ones they worship) are on their side, that they have blessed the human armies and are keeping them from harm.

Jurian wonders what they`d say if they knew the truth.

With a mixture of amazement and jealousy, he watches Miryam draw a symbol on the hilt of another sword. It glows softly, then vanishes into the hilt. It is the middle of the night and they are alone in the armoury, something Jurian made sure of in advance.

Getting Miryam to actually use her powers even in such small capacity has been a struggöe that lasted almost two months, but it was well worth it. The impatient part of him wants to push her to do more, to use her power in the way rumour claims witches are able to. (If he was the one born with this power, he certainly wouldn`t hesitate. He hates to admit it, but sometimes, he is almost jealous.) Jurian doesn`t push, though. Of course he doesn`t.

“You don`t have to watch every time, you know?”, Miryam says, “Surely it is boring for you.”

“Your company could never be boring.”

Jurian steps closer to Miryam to gently put his arms around her waist. Miryam laughs and Jurian presses a kiss on her neck. He`d love to continue this, but the time for their nightly activities is limited, so he lets go of her.

“You could teach me, you know”, he says.

Miryam stiffens ever so slightly, as she takes up the next sword. “No.”

“Why not?” Jurian has been thinking about that question for quite some time. Ever since he saw the kind of difference even a spell as simple as that, a bit of protection against the Fae`s magic, can make. “You told me that some spells can be used even by humans.”

“If you overstep your limits, you die. And the magic takes your soul as a price.” Miryam doesn`t look up from the sword she`s just working on. “I won`t be responsible for that.”

Jurian is about to argue that he`ll be careful when another thought occurs to him. “Wait. But that doesn`t mean it`s dangerous to you, right?”

“Don`t worry. I`ll be fine.” Miryam puts down one sword and takes up another one. “Do you have any idea what that emergency meeting tomorrow is about?”

"You're the politics experts", Jurian says, "I'm just around to give those Fae pricks a good beating."

"You give yourself too little credit."

Jurian laughs. "Now that's something I've never been accused of. Would you feel better if I said that I'm a better commander than half of these pointy-eared bastards."

Miryam smiles and says lightly, "As the local politics expert, I'd feel better if you'd stop insulting our allies."

"How about you get me an aerial army and I learn to hold my tongue?"

It isn't an outrageous demand. Helion and his soldiers had to leave almost two months ago already (not that Jurian had minded. Miryam had been growing quite a bit too fond of Helion with his constant flirting). And two weeks ago, the soldiers from Sangravah were pulled out, too. As annoying as the Fae can be, they fight well and Jurian's army is short a few soldiers without them.

"I'll try", Miryam says. As one of the councilmembers in charge of the organisation between camps, she is certainly in a position to do it, but moving troops is always complicated.

Miryam turns back to her work, but she seems tense. Like something is wrong. Jurian wrecks his mind for what it might be, but with her, there are many options.

Finally, he says, "You don't have to worry about the meeting. If it was something bad, we'd have heard already."

Miryam frowns. "They don't call meetings with the entire alliance easily. Usually, it's just whoever is needed or can be bothered to show up."

Which means that usually, Miryam is there and Jurian isn`t. With the alliance now in place for a while, fractions have formed and Miryam is... well, maybe not the leader but certainly one the most important players in one of those. Jurian only bothers to go to meetings if he knows something important will be discussed.

“If anything bad had happened”, he says, “we would have heard. They wouldn`t wait until the meeting to tell us.”

Miryam looks relieved, at least a tiny bit. Sighing, she puts the sword she was working on back into its place.

“Done for tonight”, she says, “Want to go somewhere?”

“Another moonlight walk? You know how well the last one went.”

Miryam narrows her eyes and Jurian grins at her.

“Let`s go. You know I love courting danger.” Jurian loops his arm through Miryam's and leads her out of the armoury.

Together, they walk through the camp. In the middle of the night, it is quiet here. The few soldiers on guard quickly look the other way as they pass, some of them hide grins. (Their relationship is a favourite subject of camp gossip - not just here, but through the entire camp. Their sneaking around will likely be known to everyone around by morning, but the true reason will remain secret.)

There is a small river running next to the camp, just far enough away that the guards won`t be able to see them. Miryam sits down on a stone. She pulls off her shoes and lets her feet dangle into the water. Jurian sits down next to her and she leans her head against his shoulder.

“I`m scared”, she finally says.

“Of what?” He hesitates. “Her?” (Speaking Ravenia`s name, he learnt, is just as bad an idea as asking after Miryam`s past.)

After the incident with the bounty hunters, they haven`t heard anything from Queen Ravenia again. Well, they heard plenty of her armies, slaughtering their way through the Southern Continent, but nothing related to Miryam. Apparently, the bounty hunters didn`t tell anyone about Miryam. They got lucky and so far, there is no sign that things are about to change.

“No. Not... her.” Miryam shakes her head. “I don`t know. It`s stupid, really.”

“I`m sure it isn`t.”

“My life is going great”, she says quietly, “I have somewhere I belong, and friends and you. But that means I have so very far to fall, too. I just keep expecting something to go wrong.”

Jurian pulls her closer. “That`s life, Miryam”, he says, “Nothing is ever certain, everything can be lost. But that just makes it more precious.” He thinks of all the soldiers he saw die while he was working his way up through the ranks of the rebellion. Of his parents, dead before he was old enough to truly understand the word. He takes Miryam`s hand. “But I can promise you one thing”, he says softly, “As long as I`m alive, you won`t ever lose me.”

----

Taking the Callian Pass may have had a large strategic advantage for the Alliance as a whole. However, for the Seraphim aerial army, it turns out to be a rather unfortunate choice. Because for the past seven months, they have been stuck there.

Drakon has written (well, signed) fifteen letter to the Alliance already, asking them to have someone replace them. The answers have been pretty phrases that all held the same meaning: No. One of the disadvantages, apparently, of having one of the only aerial armies on the Continent.

“What a bunch of crap”, Drakon mutters, frowning at the papers before him and crosses out a paragraph, “Won`t work.” He reads the next one and crosses it out, too. Half a minute later, the entire paper ends up in the bin.

 Groaning, Drakon takes out a huge, leather-bound book and flips it open. There has to be some kind of precedent. There is always a precedent or at least something you can use as a starting point.

Sinna, as usual, enters without knocking. When she sees the papers and book strewn around the room, she rolls her eyes.

“We`re in the middle of a war, and you`re spending your time with a bunch of books?”

“We`re in the middle of a war and I`m trying to find a solution to the problem that causes it.”

“Problem: Slavery. Solution: Free the slaves. It`s that simple.”

“Problem: Slavery and half the Fae believing that humans are worth less than animals. Say we win this war and free all the slaves, that mindset will remain. If we don`t find a way to solve that, there will be another war. And another. Maybe not in a year, but eventually.”

Sinna sighs. “And how do you know that?”

Drakon points towards the books lying around. “Historical precedent and people who are smarter than me and were nice enough to write their ideas down. The only issue is that while I have found tons of examples of how things didn`t work out, I`m still looking for some precedent of a situation like one ending well.”

“Then I have good news for you”, Sinna says.

“Oh?”

“Given how things are going, this war is going to take a few years at least. So you have plenty of time to find a solution.”

Drakon glares at her. "Not funny."

"Kind of funny, actually”, Sinna says, sitting down on a chair, "Come on, just look at yourself. You've really got the confident, charming Prince down by now. Your people love you - someone has to make sure you don't get over-confident. After all, the history is littered with arrogant asshole royals."

"Hardly any danger of that", Drakon says, "I'm well-aware of what most of the Continent thinks of me."

"Yes", Sinna says, "And you may become the best ruler Erithia ever had, but no one beyond our borders will notice if you keep hiding."

Drakon walked right into that, really. Another proof that he's absolutely horrible at politics.

"I'm not hiding", he says, "I'm focusing on what I'm good at and taking care of my people."

Sinna crosses her arms. “It`s an emergency meeting. Would it really kill you to go? Just this once.”

“I went to the Black Land just once and look what it got me”, he snaps.

Sinna glares. Drakon glares back. He`s getting better at that, too. After a few seconds, Sinna sighs.

“Fine. Your choice.” She nods towards the papers. “Planning to get those published again?”

“Once I`m ready.” Which may just take a while yet. But, as Sinna said - this war is only just beginning.

----

The meeting room is stuffed. It`s an emergency meeting, which means that most of the important Alliance members appeared personally. (Well, except for Prince Drakon, who seems determined to become the only ruler not to turn up at a single Alliance meeting. Miryam has begun a letter to him thrice now and thrown it in the fire each time without getting more than a few words written down.)

Miryam is almost halfway through greeting everyone by now. The High Lord of the Night Court approaches, dressed head to toe in midnight black, his expression stern. 

“Milord”, Miryam says and nods to him.

He gives her the barest incline of his head. “Lady.”

They never really got over their rough beginnings. The High Lord is not the kind of male to ever forgive having his hand forced by an eighteen years old half human. And perhaps Miryam is not the kind of female to ever like a male who allows a place such as the Hewn City to exist, either. But they made it work - mostly because Miryam has too much influence for the High Lord to risk an open confrontation.

“How does your court fare?”, she asks, “I heard that Hybern still gives you trouble.”

He nods gravely. “Due to those Spring Court bastards, no doubt. But if they think the Night Court will fall so easily, they are sorely mistaken. Even with some of our soldiers fighting on the Continent, we are still strong.”

Miryam refrains from saying that without the thousands of soldiers the Alliance sent, things would look much different. If anything, it's the Alliance helping out the Night Court, not the other way around, but like most of these royals, the High Lord would likely rather eat his sword than admit that.

Before she can think of anything to say, Noctus, the High Lord of Summer, joins the discussion. He nods to Miryam, then turns to address the other High Lord.

"Is it true that the Alliance had to send ten thousand troops to help defend your lands?"

The High Lord straightens. And just like that, Miryam is forgotten and the only thing the two males seem to care about anymore is their pissing contest.

Prythian males. Just typical.

Miryam takes her chance and sneaks off to find better company.

“Having fun?”, an amused voice asks from behind her.

Miryam turns around to Helion (technically also a Prythian male, but one she likes.) “I`ll never understand why you males can`t take your pissing contests outside.”

“Ah, but where would the fun be in that?” The heir of the Day Court grins at her. “I heard a rumour that the gods have blessed your armies and are protecting your soldiers from peril. Met any gods recently?”

“Ass”, Miryam mutters, softly enough that no one but him can hear her.

Helion laughs and winks at her. Apart from Jurian, he is the only one who knows the truth behind the rumours the soldiers have come up with. He even helped her test the spells she came up with before she wove them into the weapons. Beyond that, he was little help, unfortunately. The Guild is secretive, meaning that hardly anything about their powers is known to the outside. So Miryam has to figure everything out herself. (She`s getting better at it. By now, she has the basics of the language mastered.)

“Any idea what this meeting is about?”, Helion asks.

“No.” And it annoys Miryam to no end. Usually, she knows whatever is going on in the Alliance, but this time, there was no getting the information. “I heard a letter arrived, but Queen Nakia got hold of it first and refused to let anyone else see it. Not even Andromache was able to find any information.”

“You`re pissed.”

“Worried.” Miryam learned early on that missing vital information is a quick way to die. Usually a gruesome death. (Not that there were any other kinds of death in the Black Land.) So she prefers to have all the information and prepare accordingly.

“Well, we`re about to find out”, Helion says and nods towards the clock standing in the corner. “We should take our places.”

Miryam gives him a tight smile and slides into her seat next to Jurian. He puts an arm around her shoulder and begins absentmindedly toying with her hair. In spite of everything, Miryam relaxes a bit. 

It is Nakia who begins the meeting this time, smiling like a snake. Miryam has no doubt the female enjoys the power being the only one with vital information gives her.

“Yesterday”, the Queen says, “I received a letter. From the Loyalists.” She draws out each word, savouring it. “They request a meeting to discuss this war. A possible end to it.”

“An end?” Jurian snorts. “The only possible end is them freeing their slaves. If they`re unwilling to do that, they can shove their offer up their ass for all I care.”

A few people nod in agreement, but most - especially the Fae - remain silent. This is not good. Because these Fae may be ready to fight for human freedom, but in the end, they have no stake in this fight. If the Loyalists make a good enough offer, who knows what they`ll do. And Nakia, the damn fool, doesn`t even realise what that message might do. She just relishes the power.

That is why Miryam doesn`t like losing control over a situation.

“It`s not that easy”, one of the Fae says, “Such an offer should not be rejected without thought.”

“You`ve got to be kidding me”, Jurian mutters.

The Grand Duke of Sangravah says softly, “He has a point, you know? If we reject a peace offer without even letting them speak, it will make us look like the bad guys. And there are some territories still considering their alliance in this war.”

Worse than that, there seem to be some people at this very table contemplating their alliance. Likely the Loyalist`s intent. To strew discontent.

“We should agree to the meeting”, Miryam says, “Send a delegation, hear what they have to say. But one thing should be clear from the very beginning: There will be no peace unless slavery is abolished.”

There are nods and murmurs of agreement, but Miryam marks the faces of those who remain silent. The High Lord of the Night Court is among them.

Helion asks, “Do we know who will be leading the Loyalist`s delegation already?”

Miryam knows the answer. She knows the answer even before Nakia says, “Queen Ravenia of the Black Land.”

Miryam hates the fear that shoots through her at the name. How can the mere mention of the female still have such power over her?

“And who will lead ours?”, the Erithian emissary asks.

Miryam knows the answer to that question, too. And just this once, she cannot play the part. She does not know the right thing to say - Cauldron, she can barely contain her panic.

“I could do it”, the Grand Duke says. Miryam wonders if she`s the only one who notices that he is saying it to protect her. (Quite possible, since the identity of her former owner is still a closely guarded secret.)

But Andromache shakes her head. “I mean no offence, but surely you understand why this is unacceptable to us. The one representing our Alliance in this war cannot be Fae.”

Indeed, none of the human Alliance members look pleased. A few of the Fae, in turn, seem offended. Jurian is too busy watching Miryam with barely-concealed worry to look angry.

“You still don`t trust us?”, one of them hisses.

“This isn`t about trust”, Andromache replies, “but about the message we`re sending.”

Another Fae shrugs. “Why are we even discussing this? We all know the answer.”

The High Lord of the Night Court frowns. “While I certainly respect Lady Miryam`s abilities as an emissary”, he says, “she is still a girl of nineteen and in no way qualified to head a meeting this big.”

Miryam barely listens to the discussion raging around her, even though she`s now the one at its centre. She doesn`t want to go. She can`t. Ravenia will be there and she will recognize her. Memories flash through her head, blood and death and suffering. Fire burning her skin.

She cannot do this. Impossible. She may sacrifice everything, do everything for her people, but this is too much.

The argument is now turning into a full-fledged fight. And suddenly, Miryam can see it. The rift that is already beginning to form between them. It will only widen after the meeting. Fae territories will leave - not all, but some - and then, the tide will turn.

She closes her eyes and for once, she allows herself to remember. That last day, standing in the sand just beyond Ravenia`s palace. The vow she made. She ran afterwards.

She won`t run now.

She opens her eyes. “I can do it”, she says.

Everyone turns to her. Miryam lifts her chin.  

“You don`t have any qualification or authority to represent us”, the High Lord drawls.

Miryam holds his stare. “I have been representing this Alliance, Lord, for weeks before you ever joined. And I said: I can do this.”

“Miryam, you don`t have to...”, Jurian whispers, but she shakes her head.

“You`re wrong. I have to do this. And I will.”

She looks around, meeting all of their gazes. Daring each of them to object. No one does.

----

Mor is covered in dirt and sore, but she feels alive. Like there`s lightning in her veins and she can do anything she wants.

It is always like this after battle. Even if the battle isn`t a real one but just a skirmish. It calls to some part of her. Some great, ancient beast that has perhaps always been living under her skin and breaks free whenever she fights.

In the seven weeks since Jurian has allowed her to fight her first battle, she has fought enough to know that the feeling will pass. It will pass and she will be left behind empty, her hands covered in blood that isn`t hers. Then, lying awake at night, Mor won`t feel great anymore. Not at all.

But for now, there are still adrenaline and magic thrumming through her veins. Mor takes a bowl of water from the table in her small tent and begins to wash her hands. Blood turns the water pink and she unceremoniously unfastens her dirty leather armour.

She has only just put one some light linen clothes when she hears a noise coming from behind her. The sound of a heartbeat. Mor whirls around, diving for her dagger. She stops when she recognizes Az standing in her tent.

He looks changed. Older, somehow. Azriel, of course, was never carefree like the rest of them, but now, there are shadows in his eyes that Mor never saw before. And a coldness that she doesn`t recognize.

“Az!” She dashes forward, closing the distance between them to hug him. His shadows lighten and Mor`s own gift whispers of his feelings. She pulls back. The last thing she wanted was to give him hope where there is none, but she hasn`t seen him in months and the reaction was instinctive.

“Are you all right?”, she asks, scanning him from head to toe. A part of her is itching to read him, but he won`t.

“I don`t have much time”, Az says, like he hasn`t heard her question. “The High Lord doesn`t know I`m here and I have to be back before he finishes the meeting. But I need your help.”

“Anything”, Mor says without even thinking about it.

Az dips his chin. “The High Lord sent Rhys to a camp in the South. It`s led by a commander named Pelior who has a grudge against nobility. He hates Rhys and without his father`s protection...”, he trails off.

“What can I do?”, Mor asks.

“Get him out. And fast. Pelior is making Rhys and his soldiers fight on the frontlines every time. Each battle might be the last.”

Dread tightens Mor`s stomach. Still, she says, “I don`t have the power to do such things. I can`t transfer his army.”

But Az shakes his head. “Cassian is a grunt soldier in one of the armies and I can`t do anything without the High Lord`s orders. It has to be you, or Rhys dies.”

“But-”

“I have to go.” 

Without waiting for her reply, Az vanishes. Mor remains standing in her tent for a moment, thinking through the possibilities. There are few enough. And something tells her she should hurry.

Mor frowns. The thought running through her head is reckless, near-crazy and relies entirely on her ability to lie. Not to mention that should it go wrong, she will be knee-deep in shit. But it is her only idea.

Still, Mor feels dirty when she sneaks into Jurian's tent. There are wards, but those allow Mor in. Carefully, she shifts through the desk until she finds his Alliance council seal.

Mor takes an empty paper from the desk and writes a letter, changing her writing enough that it won't be recognized. Then, she seals the letter and presses the seal into the wax.

Carefully, she puts the seal back to where she found it and leaves the tent. As soon as she is past the wards, she whispers a quick prayer to the Cauldron and winnows.

----

A/N: This isn't really a cliffhanger, right? Originally, this was supposed to be longer, but then, it would have been a real cliffhanger, so I decided to let it end here. That means that the next part is already halfway done, though, so it should be up more quickly than this one