#sweet nesryn

[acourtofquestions]

End of QoS

Aelin: You're alive!

Dorian: Philosophically, arguable... emotionally not at all...but physically, yes, I suppose I am.

[acourtofthought]

hi, so.. i'm genuinely curious. why do you ship gwyn and azriel? because for me, i don't think gwyn has shown any romantic interest in azriel, and even he himself thinks they're not close enough to be friends. do you think sjm is going to throw all of elriel's moments away in previous books just for a ship built off of a spark in the chest and a private dagger lesson which happened off page?

because if she does, i think it will be fan service. major fan service.

thank you.

You say all the E/riel moments but if you really care about what I have to say (as you felt the need to message me) I hope you'll actually pay attention to the things I'm telling you.

It's not all the E/riel moments. It's all the E/riel moments that were almost instantly followed up by Az's fixation on someone else or lack of true interest on his part.

Az figured out Elain was a Seer? He then went on and agreed that they shouldn't bother following through on her visions.

Az announced he'd get Elain back only after Cassian first said they'd get her back? He went on to disobey Feyre's orders to get Elain to safety so he could stay behind and save Feyre, risking Elain's life in the process. He also said he'd be the one who could also take Briar though it was Elain who helped save her, something Az never acknowledged. Just like he never acknowledged her saving him too when kicking the hounds and Cassian, Nesta when she stabbed the king.

Az gave Elain TT? That's because Mor begged him to sit out of battle. He sat out of the one thing he's known for, being the first to throw himself into danger, because the female he in canon loved at the time had tears in her eyes and asked him not to enter the fight. Also, he didn't bother to check on Elain after the war or provide his condolences for the loss of her father.

Az was so sweet taking the potatoes from Elain's hand? Only a few chapters before he was relieved not to have to get her a gift to help her celebrate her first Solstice after being turned fae and he went on to stare at Mor with heat and yearning while Elain sat in the room with them.

He stared at Elain's headache powder for a year while he imagined what she'd look like during sex? He was pissy towards Helion because of Helion's question on where Mor was. He interrupted Nesta's question to Feyre on whether Elain knew about the pregnancy to ask if Mor knew. And because he STILL looks at Mor with longing glances. "Few and Far between" doesn't equal Zero. It means they still exist though to a much lesser degree......all while he's supposed to be so captivated by Elain. He didn't bother asking Elain how she was doing after her fights with Nesta, didn't bother saying he'd help her train her powers. You know, important things when it comes to endgame couples.

Not to mention Az wasn't remotely affected by Elain's catatonic state, where she was withering away. Lucien was DEVASTATED. Az drew straws so he didn't have to stay behind and guard her. THAT'S supposed to be who I want for Elain? The IC was not allowed to enter the Rite otherwise it would guarantee death to them all. Nothing prevented Az from staying with Elain to guard her.

Did you read the TOG series? Did you see how many moments existed between Dorian and Celeana? Beautiful moments too. Did you see what transpired between Celaena and Chaol? She literally tells Chaol that she'd always choose him, she says that he is her home.

Tell me how anything that happened between Az and Elain is any more poetic than what we witnessed between Celaena and Chaol yet Sarah had no problems chucking that out the window.

How about the buildup between Nesryn and Chaol? Sarah had her travel with him to the Torres Cesme, she was willing to accept him with his disability yet Sarah knocked down that house of cards in Tower of Dawn.

Dorian and Sorscha?

Feyre was engaged to Tamlin for gods sakes.

I truly don't understand how you think buildup means anything in Sarah's books. Unless two characters are mates, Sarah will easily tear down whatever buildup once existed between two non mates.

Theia and Fionn were forbidden lovers yet she went on to stand by impassioned as he was murdered only to later be willing to give up everything for Aidas, her mate.

And though you'll refuse to see it, I think Sarah already ended them on Solstice. Az and Elain were doomed from the start and there has now been 7 months that have passed from Solstice until the events of HOFAS. We are given absolutely no buildup for the E/riel ship in all that time, not since Elain returned his necklace. There has been no on page bantering between them, no longing glances, not even an indiscernible peak out of the corner of their eyes at one another.

"All the E/riel buildup" except it's already gone? E/riels entire buildup amounted to an almost kiss that never happened in a bonus chapter which makes it pretty easy for Sarah to move on from considering she tore down Feyre's engagement to Tamlin within the span of a few chapters. And Feyre and Tamlin had an entire book dedicated to them.

You can ship E/riel still, of course, but you can't honestly act like it would be difficult for an author like SJM to walk away from whatever they had going since she had no issues breaking apart multiple other characters who shared so much more.

Serious question for you.

How many books do you read where at the very start of the novel, the two characters instantly want one another?

Did Claire want Jamie at the start of Outlander? Pretty sure she was married to and in love with her husband. She also tried to escape back to said husband after marrying and sleeping with Jamie.

I just read a book where the guy ends up helping a girl who was homeless and she's worried that he'll expect sexual favors from her as she's seen happen on the streets and he says and thinks "she's not remotely my type" though of course they end up together and she's the most beautiful thing ever.

Off the top of your head I'm guessing you can't tell me 5 books where the endgame couple starts the book already in love or romantically interested in one another. So why would Az and Gwyn not being true friends yet be a problem at all?

As far as Gwyn's interest or lack thereof, I don't even need the bonus but if after 2 years and knowing what Elain did during the war he still doesn't think she's capable of handling the darkness of the trove but after a few months he believes in Gwyn's ability to make it through the Rite, it's pretty obvious who the author is setting up as his love interest. Sarah's writing and preferred behavior for her MMC with his endgame person is not difficult to spot at this point.

While we don't currently have confirmation of physical attraction (something that could easily change with a simple change of pov), we do have confirmation of curiousity on Gwyn's part. And a lot of admiration on Az's side.

How is that not a wonderful jumping off point for these two characters? Az is no stranger to lust for beautiful females but he doesn't often give them credit for standing on their own two feet. And Gwyn's curiousity about Az, a male, after what happened to her, is a huge step forward already.

Gwyn started SF not having left the library in 2 years but by the end she was fine being alone with Az on the top of the roof in the middle of the night. She was teasing him over his title, "Shadowsinger."

I'm not sure how you don't see that as being playful / flirtatious. Does that mean she's in love with Az and wants to jump his bones? No, it's just the first hints we're seeing. I'd rather only see hints of something before two characters are ready to bang one out on page before they've even had a POV and shared any sort of meaningful conversation (which Az and Elain have never done, they have never spoken about anything of true importance). That's the difference between a romance book with sex and a book with smut.

As for Az, I'd much rather wait for his romance to build on page, where he's only focused on one female, rather than the shit-show that has been the Mor / Elain situation. Where he can't even admit to his best friend that he's over Mor in the same chapter he thinks how he's not thought of a plan on how to be with Elain beyond his sexual fantasies.

Elain deserves a hell of a lot better than that. And so does Gwyn. Which is why I'm glad Az isn't romantically interested in her at this point in time. Have you ever liked a guy who was panting over you and another girl? It's really not the romance E/riels like to pretend it is and I'd rather Az truly come to terms with his past with Mor and letting her go (something that he has not fully done) before he shows any romantic interest for his endgame person. But with Gwynriel I see that future potential. The banter already exists, she's a bit bloodthirsty like Az, she's seen him slaughter which means she's seen a little what Az is capable of versus how he's behaved around Elain, and his shadows are happy around her (which is better than how Az notes they tend to vanish around Elain after telling us how they're his companions). Not to mention Az won't suffer being around someone who already has a mate and will forever have that mate.

Crying fanservice because you don't get your way rather than paying attention to the author you're reading is a copout and I hope you respect Sarah's writing more than that.

[infiniteetcetera]

MY TOP 10 SJM CHARACTER RANKINGS:

[Broken up as girls vs boys bc if it wasn’t it’d just be like all the girls and Dorian]

GUYS:

1) DORIAN HAVILLIARD👑: NO ONE IS SURPRISED BUTTTT truly love him so much, no notes at all✨Hot, sweet, kind, respectful?? Amazing character journey??? Served “I’ll bleed whatever color you tell me” AND “you cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love”??? Impossible not to love him

2) Rowan👑: Another angel who just wants to love, respect, and protect his wife✨ his sense of humor is so underrated and he’s just overall a generally good/fun guy

3) Fenrys: I’m actually SO sad we don’t get more of him because he steals every scene he’s in. He’s so charming and fun despite everything he’s been through and his friendship with Aelin has my heart. Also love a sassy man🔥😩

4) Chaol: Hot take perhaps but I love him and his character arc so much. One of the most realistic SJM characters overall and more than any other he just has such a kind heart and genuinely wants to do the right thing and protect those he cares about. Also underrated hottie, smooth AF when he wants to be THERE I said it🔥

5) Azriel: We have so little of him but I love him so much already😭 will probably be higher after his book, I just already love how he’s such a perfect balance of mysterious/hot and gentle/kind. he’s also SOOOO funny??? like one of the funniest ACOTAR characters by FAR

6) Rhysand: Maybe controversial because I feel like most people either love him like #1 style or hate him completely but I think Rhys is SOOO complex and one of SJM’s most interesting characters. He’s been through more than almost any other character and I think if he was perfect after that he wouldn’t be realistic, so even despite his flaws I love him and want the best for this silly sassy fairy boy✨

7) Lorcan: I have my moments with this guy but I do love him😩 he can be a little bit too broody at times but he has others to remind him to cut the nonsense so✨he definitely gets extra points for changing his name to Lord Lorcan Lochan (even though I know Fenrys and Aelin never let him live that down) and just generally loving his wife

8) Lucien: I LOVE my sassy fire boy😩🔥 Book 1 Lucien would be higher but he’s gone missing since then🤧 still love him though and hope we get to see more of his charisma in future books because he’s so fun and deserves a happy ending

9) Sartaq: SOOOO underrated and for why??? Him and Nesryn are SO adorable and he’s just so cool??? Super smart, funny, kind and just a great leader??? literally told the girl he likes “marry me and be my queen or i’ll quit and just be your man” like???? only so low because we get so little of him but TOD is actually one of SJMs best books too

10) Aidas: would have felt rude to put ZERO crescent city boys on this list and this spot wouldddd be Ruhn but he was an absolute dumpster fire in CC3 with Lidia so he’s lost his place🫡✨ but AIDAS I literally kept waiting for more of him the whole series because he’s so cools and suave (and a cat boy😩🔥) and brought this interesting morally grey twang to CC that it was missing. wish they expanded more on him but I love ALL his scenes

GALS:

1) AELIN ASHRYVER WHITETHORN GALATHYNIUS & MANON BLACKBEACK: no you can literally not make me chose they’re both PERFECT. perfect character arcs, perfect stories, perfect vibes, no notes at all✨����❤️ two of the most fun MC’s i’ve ever read and super interesting story arcs. Aelin went through so much and I genuinely FELT her journey and Manon was such a fun heartbreaking insane character to follow too I love them both endlessly

2) Elide: okay I LIVE for this girl and I don’t know why she’s so underrated??? like she’s so smart and cool??? survived this whole series with like -100 health and all odds against her and pulls all the baddies because she’s just that good??? is 50% of the reason they win the war??? so funny and generally STANDS ON BUSINESS, like she got the ick from Lorcan and actually made this man GROVELLLL and I love her for it

3) Yrene: ANOTHER underrated queen, i’m obsessed with her😩 there are so few fantasy characters out there like her and I LOVE that in this series of chaos and violence it’s a healer who saves the day and Yrene is so lovely and fun and smart but also stands on business and gets things done and I LOVE her

4) Nesta: I LOVE her and her character arc, she is another one of SJM’s most real/realistic characters and my heart genuinely aches for her, she deserves all the happiness in the world and the only reason she isn’t higher is bc of her choice in men (free her)🤧✨

5) Lidia: This woman literally SAVED the CC series. I would have DNF’d HOSAB if it weren’t for her and her parts were the only bearable ones (besides Nes and Az) in CC3. such an awesome character and her story is so heartbreaking and done so well for just being in one book really?? she’s incredible, I love her, of course she’s related to the queen and king themselves🔥✨

6) Lysandra: an absolute QUEEN and so underrated even though she saves the day countless times and is just so loyal and kind??? her friendships with Aelin and Evangeline are everything. she literally gave her all to fight for a world that had done nothing but hurt her and she’s so brave and beautiful for that, wish we had more of her🤧❤️

7) Asterin: when I tell you I WEPT at her death like a young lad I just JENDKEND for a side character she’s so phenomenal and has SUCH an impact on the entire storyline. her backstory is heartbreaking and yet she’s so full of light and happiness and love for her sisters. BRING MY BODY TO THE CABIN???? LIKE??? gets me everytime and I would SO read a story about her and her hunter boy or her and manon growing up or just her existing again 💔

8) Feyre: I know this feels low BUT i do love her so much, she genuinely starts this all and saved everyone’s ass, her character arc just feels a little incomplete to me and I wish SJM didn’t kick her to the curb because there’s a lot left to be done with her. truly though, I love Feyre and wish the best for her and hope we get to see more from her in the future✨

9) Elain: we’ve gotten so little of her but IDC I love a flower girl❤️🤧 truly though, she’s so intriguing to me and I can’t wait to read more about her (could DEFINITELY be higher after her book) she’s already so kind and fierce and also HILARIOUS, like I have laughed out loud at so many of her scenes😩 her gifts to Azriel being the best gags??? her LOLing when Nesta calls her a bitch??? I know she’s funny AF and we just need to see more of it

10) Emerie & Gwyn: I couldn’t decide again I love them both✨❤️ but really there two are not just what Nesta needed but what I NEEDED to get through ACOSF. their friendships with Nesta have my heart and they’re both so complex and fun even with so little page time??? I can’t wait to read more of them, I feel like both their stories have SOOOOO many possibilities and I am pumped AF for more

[blodgmonster]

Throne of Glass reread thoughts that no one on earth asked for.

-- Duke Perrington throws her to the floor. IT'S HIM IT'S HIM KILL HIM NOW DONT YOU FUCKING TOUCH HER YOU PRICK.

-- ""Your Highness," Chaol Westfall snapped at her.

"What?" Celaena asked." Responding to 'Your Highness' because she fucking is. Oh, you beautiful, sassy bitch, I love you 💗

-- "Still the image haunted his dreams throughout the night: a lovely girl gazing at the stars, and the stars who gazed back" echoes of ACOTAR

-- If Endovier isn't based on Auschwitz, I'll eat my hat.

-- Celaena chucking a flowerpot at Kaltain. Priceless.

-- "She saw the floor first. Red marble, its white veins illuminated in the light of the sun." Like a children's hospital.

-- Nothung. Dumbass name.

-- obsidian is a favorite of mine, and SJM just runs its good name through the dirt with all these obsidian eyes and the towers.

-- A complaint I've heard about this book before is how often someone sneaks up on Celaena while she's asleep. "She's an assassin! No one should be able to sneak up on her ever!" I'm sorry, are YOU able to control how deeply you sleep? Because I can't. I'll sleep through a thunderstorm and then get woken up by a child laughing outside. Like...it is what it is and I don't think it's something you can TRAIN. Besides which, she's spent a year in a death camp. She probably had to sleep through a lot of horrible noises.

-- "I can act and talk like a lady if it pleases me." Okay, Toph.

-- NEHEMIA

-- Chaol asking about her scars, "What did you do to deserve it?" Why don’t you SHUT THE FUCK UP? How could you ask someone who had been a SLAVE in a DEATH CAMP for a YEAR what she did to DESERVE being WHIPPED? He really is a piece of shit and I will never understand what Celeana and Yrene and Nesryn see in him. How does this grumpy loser keep pulling tens? They can do better.

-- hey look, it's The Walking Dead which had a cameo in Crescent City.

-- "The Duke was ambitious, but certainly not a threat to the castle or its inhabitants." DING DONG, YOU WERE WRONG!!!!

-- sweet baby Fleetfoot!!

-- I understand why Celeana didn't pick Dorian. He's the son of the man who destroyed your world (even if he is handsome, charming, loves books, and gives you a puppy. I'd be a goner for him). But to choose Chaol instead? Ugh. Just wait and hope for better things. Like Rowan. Or even Nox. Like CHAOL after SAM? Major downgrade, babe.

-- Kaltain having a peacock themed gown and mask at the ball reminds me of the wicked stepsister in Ever After. Excellent reference or fun coincidence?

-- "I name you Elentiya, 'Spirit That Could Not Be Broken.'" Oh, Nehemia. You deserved so much better. You deserved to live to see Aelin put things right.

-- "I've never had a pet. I never wanted one." Jesus, what kind of sociopath are you, Chaol?? Ugh. Massive red flag for me.

-- Nehemia giving her the staff. Hell yeah.

-- "it make no difference if my name's Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I'd still beat you no matter what you call me. " THAT'S MY GIRL

-- The plot is so...simple when you compare it to Kingdom of Ash. But it's still SO good.

[idfendyr]

Sweet Nothing's

Borte was the first to come out just as Kadara and Sulkhi landed in the great hall in the quirlet of the night, his Ruk going as gentle as possible. 

“About time you brought her here,” his hearth sister grumbled, though her eyes lit up when her eyes landed on the carrier wrapped securely around his chest. 

Houlun came up behind her just as Nesryn chuckled, a sound that, to this day, made his heart flutter, and began unbuckling herself from her saddle, making him do that same. “At least let them put their feet to the ground, child.”

“You can hardly blame me, they kept us waiting this long.”

His wife dismounted, graceful as a dancer, “You didn’t see the fight we put up just to come here,” she said as a way of explaining as she gave them both a swift but tight hug before making her way over to him. 

“What, did they think the Ruks would eat her,” Borte snorted.

“I was sure they were going to lock her away from us by the end,” he mused as he carefully handed the sleeping babe over to Nesryn before dismounting himself, just as Houlun and Borte came around Nesyn. The babe, their little Ayla, only made a small sound that he was sure was a grumble before resting her head on her mother's shoulder, her arms lightly wrapped around her neck, completely at peace as she slept.

She’d fallen asleep on the flight over. A flight that may not have happened had he not argued endlessly with his family first, then reassured Nesryn over and over that it was safe enough to bring the babe to the Rukhin. 

She tried to argue against it, but he’d seen how much she had needed it. How tired she was, of everything. 

They’d been married three years now, and though they hadn’t talked about children, Ayla had been a surprise, but not an unwelcome one, not at all. Sartaq’s overwhelming joy aside, he’d never seen Nesryn so…happy before. Or happier than she had been. He saw it, since finding out they were having the babe, which nearly took the knees out from under him, to the hard pregnancy in which he’d never seen her so tired, exhausted, to the moment they placed the screaming little girl in her arms. Through it all, she’d had this joy that made him fall in love with her over and over again, each time he saw her.

But the past six months had been tiring. For both of them.

For him, with his responsibilities as Heir, and with taking care of a newborn with many sleepless nights alongside his wife. And for her. Though she never said anything, never complained, but he saw it. Both mother and daughter were attached, so much so that Ayla would get cranky or cry if Nesryn so much as put her down, not that the babe cried often. And Nesryn was just as protective of their little one, but when it came to her duties, it was difficult. 

And as much help as she had with his and her own family, he saw how uncomfortable it made her, how she didn’t seem to like handing their daughter over all day for someone else to handle. It didn’t help that due to the families, there was always someone wanting to hold the child, especially when he and his wife were alone. He’d take in the flash of annoyance on her face, the slight twitches of her hand. And though they both appreciated the help, it got rather… stifling. Suffocating. 

So when he had suggested they finally come to the Rukhin, the relief that had flooded her face, despite her worries, had him arranging for them to leave as soon as they were able. There had been protests, but there was not much they could do to stop them now was there. 

And he saw it now, he was right to bring them here. It seemed as though a weight had been lifted off of Nesryns shoulders, how much more relaxed she looked here than back in Antica. 

“ I would have liked to see them try,” Borte said, as she lightly stroked Ayla’s cheeks, “I was one more week away from coming down there myself. Oh, she’s adorable.” A smirk as she glanced at the two of them, “Thankfully she looks like her mother. It would have been unfortunate if she poor thing took after Sartaq.” 

Nesryn laughed, to which he gave her a teasing glance before being pulled into an embrace by his hearth mother, alongside words of congratulations before pulling away. 

“You two seem like you’ve seen better days,” she said as she looked them over.

“Of rest,” Nesryn muttered. Houlun chuckled. Borte made to say something but was cut off with a sharp glance from her grandmother. 

“Go on, sleep. We can talk in the morning.”

…

Nesryn didn’t know who was nice enough to have a crib placed in their room and she wasn’t going to ask around tonight anyway. She carefully laid Ayla down, tucking her in as gently as possible to not jostle her. 

She wanted at least a few hours of sleep tonight, especially after the long flight here. It wasn’t that her daughter cried a lot, the problem was that when she and Sartaq had to attend to their duties, they had no choice but to have someone else look after her, much to her dismay. Even more so when they had her sleep through the day, making her wide awake at night. And the two of them having to stay awake with her, until she eventually falls asleep with only a few hours for them to sleep through.

To be fair, as much as the two were attached to one another, her Ayla tended to be cranky when she was out of her arms, eventually leading her to cry. So the only thing for anyone to do to calm her was to put her to sleep. It didn’t sit right with her, broke her heart each time her little one reached for her. 

She never complained though. Not even to Sartaq, who she knew felt the same pain each time just as she did, if only because he had enough to worry about as is, but also because he stayed awake with her every night, even when she insisted he could sleep. At one point he just said, “I won’t be the father who sleeps peacefully while my wife stays awake every night. You too are my heart, I can’t rest until you both are.” And that had been the end of it, and so they stayed awake, and she enjoyed those moments the three of them spent together, just them in the quiet of the night. But all of it was certainly taking a toll on both of them, she hadn’t dared to say anything. 

But when Sartaq had suggested coming here, she hadn't put up too big of a fight. At the very least, she didn’t have to consistently worry and be on her feet. She was hoping they could spend some time together, without the constant weight of having to attend to their duties every few minutes. 

She sighed just as the door opened, “Here’s to hoping she sleeps through the night,” she said as she turned to Sartaq. 

He chuckled, the sound making her chest flutter, even after all these years. “She was awake most of the day ride here, I think she just might,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

She closed her eyes, resting her head on his chest as she returned the embrace. She felt him lose a breath, one hand stroking down her back, the other on the back of her head, placing a kiss at the top of her head. She leaned further into him, his hair wet from the bath he’d taken, likely as quickly as possible. 

She wanted to stay this way forever. This quiet, peaceful kind of moment. Just them. In each other's arms. 

“Sometimes I feel terrible,” he murmured into her hair, “For bringing all this upon you.” Another kiss. “This life and duties you never wanted.”

She pulled away enough to look into his eyes. “I knew what I getting myself into,” she whispered, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek. He leaned into it. “I knew what was expected, that things like this would happen. But I didn’t mind it, I still don’t.” 

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to rest his forehead to hers, “I don’t mind any of it, not as long as I have you at the end of it.”

He closed his eyes, eyes she’d gotten lost in so, so many times. “You’ll have me,” he murmured, lips grazing hers, “For as long as you wish. I could deny you nothing, Nesryn.”

She smiled at that, stealing a kiss. “If I remember correctly, you were the one who was rather insistent-”

He cut her off, crashing his lips to hers. She closed her eyes, returning the gesture in kind. Gods, she would have him forever, could never get tired of it. Of the press of his chest against hers as he pulled her tighter against him, the hand tangling itself in her hair, holding her ever so close to him. She let out a little moan, which only encouraged him further, not that she complained. 

His tongue had just grazed hers when a little whine had them instantly pulling away, necks snapping as they turned to the crib. They didn’t dare breathe too loud, but Ayla only twisted a little before settling down once again. 

She turned to Sartaq just as he did before smiling, laughing, albeit a quietly as they could. She buried her face in his neck, trying to stifle her laugh, he buried his face in her hair as he tried to do the same, his chest shaking from the effort.  

Eventually, they calmed down enough. He pressed a kiss to her hair and said quietly, “Best to go clean up while she is still asleep.”

She snorted, looking up at him, “ You make it sound like she’s going to wake up any second.”

He smiled, giving her one last kiss, she’ll never get tired of it, before pulling away. “I’ll look after her if she does. Now go.

She frowned. “That's not what-”

“Shh, I said I’ll do it, my love.”

“You are just as tired as I am,” she argued. 

He only smiled, as if it was a joke. It was infuriating, she thought as he gently nudged her. She sighed, not in the mood to argue this over. At least not at the moment.

…

 Nesryn awoke to soft hands on her face, and a sound that sounded suspiciously close to “ma.”

Ever so slowly, she opened her eyes to find an identical pair of dark brown eyes on her with a smile that could’ve melted the coldest of hearts, the one that turned into a laugh. She couldn’t help her smile at the sight, even more so at the laugh that sounded from the other side of the bed, behind the babe. 

“Look who's finally awake,” Sartaq teased. Nesryn looked over Ayla to find Sartaq leaning on his side on the bed, both dressed for the day, it seemed. 

Nesryn could care less at the moment, not when she finally felt rested after so long. Funny how good one slept knowing they didn’t need to be awake as the sun rises. Though she had woken up once at night, only because Ayla was hungry, after which she went right back to sleep. She was sure she slept in, and would likely get teased by Borte relentlessly, but Nesryn couldn’t find in her to care. 

She stretched out her arms, awake, but not as willing to leave the warmth of the bed, so she wrapped her arms around her babe, who let out those addictingly adorable giggles, and let herself be wrapped in her arms. 

Nesryn pulled her in close, breathing in the baby's soft scent she couldn’t get tired of. Ayla didn’t seem to mind either, she lay content in her arms, head on her chest, and let out that sound that sounded like “ma” again. She knew she would start making those little sounds around now, alongside the little jousts of crawling. She has enough nieces and nephews to know that. 

Even so, she looked over at her husband when she did see it, a smug look on her face. 

He only gave a mock sigh before moving to wrap his arms under her, pulling them both into his embrace in blissful comfort. “I try not to get jealous of that,” he said, feigning hurt. 

She laughed, her voice still raspy from just waking up, and kissed her daughter's hair. “I think your da’s jealous, Ayla,” she mocks whispered. Sartaq pinched her side, making her laugh. 

“How long has she been awake,” Nesryn asked as Ayla sat up on her lap, babbling and grabbing at anything at arm's length.

“I told you I’d take her if she did, don’t worry about it.” Frowning, she glanced up at him but he cut her off before she could say anything. “You were rather deep in sleep, love. The fact that I got her up and ready without you so much as moving was enough.”

She waited for the rush of guilt, but it didn’t come. Maybe because she had wanted that sleep, or she wasn’t fully awake enough to feel anything yet. 

She sighed. “How long did I sleep in?” She was afraid, not really to hear it. 

“It’s a little past noon. Oh, everyone already came and went after meeting her out in the great hall,” he explained, stroking Ayla’s hair, making her pause and look up at him, giving him a toothless little smile before continuing in her little world. 

They smiled at that before he continued. “I know you hate the passing-her-around, so I thought having it done and over with. Also, the teasing is only reserved for me it seems, since no one seems inclined to give you a tough time for sleepin' in.”

She couldn’t help her laugh at that. She felt good about that, maybe even smug, considering the stories he had told her about how relentless the Rukhin had been with him. 

Sartaq tried to act annoyed, but he couldn’t hide the amusement on his, or the smile.

Ayla had no idea what was happening but laughed all the same. Nesryn grabbed her under the arms, lifting her and bringing her down to blow kisses on her cheeks, making her laugh and squirm, the sound making her heart soar in her chest. 

…

“She didn’t fuss much earlier did she?” she asked after changing, standing in front of the vanity as she braided her hair. 

Sartaq, on the bed with Ayla, a picture book open in front of her, said, “No. I think she was more focused on the cap she kept trying to take off.” An amused look at that, “I don’t think she liked being this bundled up.”

She snorted a laugh. “She’ll get used to it. But-”

There was a knock on the door then, and opened without waiting for an answer. Borte smirked at her, “You think you can join us for lunch this time.”

“I was debating a nap just now,” Nesryn said, finishing her braid. Her hair was longer now, past her shoulders, which surprisingly she didn’t seem to mind. 

“Well,” Borte said, sitting down next to Ayla, who looked up at her, curious, “If you're so inclined, but just give this one too us.”

“I think you have your husband for that,” Sartaq teased. 

A snort. “As if the bastard is good for anything.”

Nesryn and Sartaq shared a look that Borte chose to ignore. She never understood how these two worked, only that they did, in their own weird way. Honestly, she'd stopped trying to keep up with them. If only because everything they did changed every other day, after saying something completely different the before. 

“But I still think you could've brought her over sooner,” Borte started. A pointed glance at her as she came towards them, Sartaq sitting up. “You haven't been back in over a year. Instead this one kept coming and going.” 

Sartaq laughed. “Just say you missed me, Borte. I won't tell.” He grinned, then reached out an arm, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her closer to him.

A snort, which made Ayla let out a little laugh. Borte looked over and smiled at her. “As if,” she said, “but just so you both know, I'm holding you accountable for the glares and badgering my dear grandmother is sure to give me.”

“Won't you listen to her,” Nesryn teased her, moving to pick her daughter, who had started to crawl towards her, or was trying to,  the picture book forgotten and shoved to the side, gave her a laugh, the smile on her face contagious as she wrapped her arms as best as she could around her. “I think Ayla wants a friend, don't you, love,” she said, tickling her little cheek, making her giggle as she squirmed in her arms. 

“I think she has plenty back in her little palace.”

Sartaq grinned, “Not one here.” 

The pillow on his face came so fast she didn't even see it, followed by a humph before she got up and left, leaving her and Sartaq laughing. 

She only peaked back inside to say, “Oh just so you're aware, the other clans would be dying to meet their captains child. Better get to it.”

-----

For all the Nestaq shippers like me out there. I'll probably do a part 2 to this. Maybe. We'll see.

[lysandra-emerald]

One thing sartaq observed is , he can't sleep without her , so for now the shining moon is substituting for his neith's arrow, it was well past dinner in the khaganate palace, moon was shining bright in its all aura, wind has been carrying Jasmine's scent from the hanging gardens , soft breeze were making curtains of their bedroom flutter, indicator of an empty bed.

Nesryn was in a meeting with the khajis, for construction of rivers, and Saving of monsoon water , particularly in the tawan mountains

She sweared not one life will be claimed by the hell god due to drought and has been researching since then. The sound of soldiers alerting made his shoulders turn , oh sweet lord finally he can sleep, Nesryn , entering the door muttered " feeling bad love to keep you waiting". With that she grabbed his collar and kissed him, all his complaints dissolved in the comfort of his lover" .

[sarahjswift]

A Terrible Day - Rowaelin Oneshot

I'm trying to expand my writing resume on this app, because all the wonderful creators I follow have these insanely long masterlists with links that lead to more links that lead to more links and it's everything I want to be XD

I wrote this in a frenzy of two hours, including breaks for running and to gulp down some iced tea and eat a slice of cheesecake :D

If you go to my masterlist(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rNsQz959dwBibJ4ydmb6_0fixjSEBXBiVRKVoyd-tQ0/edit), you will see the fics I wrote for the 2023 Aelin Week. Most, if not all of my fics are in AUs but I thought I'd switch it up with a "what happened next" kind of fic, which is what I did for Aelin Week. Not saying I liked it more than my other AUs, but it was just cozy to write you know? ☺☺

If you'd like me to do more of these, let me know! It's a Oneshot for now but we'll see, I could just do short stories of their adventures inbetween my current projects!

This is the most NSFW thing I've ever written and I felt so guilty doing it - I kept glancing around like I had a bomb or something LMAO. It's not even that bad I don't think, but I COULDN'T DO IT *sobs*

How do you fanfic writers do it???

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings: Language, Smut

Summary: Aelin has a bad day and sweet sweet Rowan cheers her up (mostly just fluff)

Tag List <33: @backtobl4ck, @aelinchocolatelover, @renxzs, @blue-bird17, @autumnbabylon, and @luell1q

enjoy dear readers!!

:3

Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius had had a terrible day.

Not like her usual bad days - where Fleetfoot had rubbed mud all over a new dress, or the bakery in Terrasen Square was closed (although she shuddered whenever she thought of those days) - but bad in the sense that she felt her chest constricting. Darrow hadn’t budged on the topic of Aelin’s passion project - a community garden for the citizens of Terrasen. A trivial want, yes, but it was close to Aelin’s heart. 

However, as Darrow had made extremely clear at their meeting; “A community garden is a complete waste of resources. We need to focus on rebuilding Terrasen before we have the time to worry about meaningless projects such as that.” 

Now Aelin was trudging down the hallway, melancholic. At least it’s the end of the week, she thought glumly. She had no more meetings, nothing to work on for the next three days. 

The queen reached her private corridor. Here lay her bedroom, personal library, and office(well, one of many). Aelin often felt guilt over the luxuries that she indulged here, but she couldn't help wanting to live in this area of the castle - her parents had as well, and she could sometimes hear the pitter-patter of her feet running down the hall, her giggles as she raced her father. Remembering these moments was a happy thing, but today it just made her more depressed.

Two guards monitored this corridor - Beor and Alys. Beor was a kind, shy man, and the only time he ever talked was to rave about his wife and two young daughters. Alys was a fierce woman who had clearly been through unimaginable things, which only became more apparent from the vicious scar slashed down the side of her face. She was strong and reminded Aelin of Nesryn. Aelin liked the two guards greatly, but she pitied them occasionally when she was reminded of what…sounds they were witness to, as they were stationed outside her bedroom door during the night. The morning after her birthday, Beor could barely look her in the eye without going beet red. 

Aelin nodded to them as she passed. “Majesty,” they both murmured, bowing briefly. She flashed them a quick smile, all she could muster, before retreating into her bedroom. She faced the door, locked it behind her, and burst into tears.

All the stress from the day caught up to her - Darrow, missing her parents, the strain of the crown. She slid to the floor, not even bothering to turn around as she cried, hugging herself. She prayed Alys and Beor couldn’t hear her, not as-

“Aelin?”

She froze when she heard that deep voice say her name. “Shit.” She knew who it was instantly, but turned around still to find her husband and mate, Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius. He stood there, his face full of concern for his wife, and the sight of it made Aelin sob harder. 

“Hey, hey,” Rowan soothed, advancing toward her in a split second. He held her close, sitting there on the floor with her, and Aelin turned fully toward him, clutching his shirt, crying into his neck. He was so strong, so steady that Aelin felt like she’d been drowning and now she’d found a lifevest. 

Rowan stroked her hair and rubbed her back simultaneously, patiently waiting as she cried it out. Finally, she scooted back, sniffling. “Oh, Gods, I’m so sorry.” Aelin couldn’t meet his eye as she wiped her cheeks, focusing on the floor. She probably looked like a mess. 

“Aelin.” He tilted her face up, piercing green eyes scanning her face. She only realized now he was tense, jaw clenched, filled with a mix of concern and anger that somebody had hurt her, something only a mate could feel. “What happened?”

“I’m fine, first of all,” she sighed. She smiled as he slumped with relief, but it faded as she recounted her day. “Darrow…Darrow is still very against the garden idea. I don’t know, maybe it’s stupid. He sure thinks it is.”

“Wait, why is he against the garden?” Rowan frowned. “I love the idea.”

Aelin arched a brow. “I think you’re just saying that.”

“No, I’m not!” her mate protested. “It’s a great idea, Aelin. Darrow might not see it, but it could help those who were affected - ah, hell, let’s be frank. I think every being in the world has at least some trauma, and I really think the garden could help them. It could help them build something, trust in something.”

“Well, thank you, buzzard. That’s the idea, but it’s too silly to spend money on.” Aelin leaned back into her husband, who immediately encircled his arms around her. She ran her fingers down his muscled arms, pressing down slightly. She snickered as she felt him flex underneath her fingertips. “We need the money to be put toward the library, and just getting our bearings after the war.”

“I thought we were well off.”

“We are - our coffers run extremely deep. I don’t think we will have to worry about money ever again, thank Gods. But that’s us. Our money is different from Terrasen’s money.” 

“Hmm.” Aelin could almost feel Rowan frowning, thinking of something to help her problem. The thought warmed her heart and she tilted her head up, observing him. He is so beautiful, she thought. His bronze skin was smooth, his lashes long, his bone structure immaculate. But of course, she was drawn to his eyes. It was always his pine green eyes. They would always, always be her favorite asset of his. She ran her fingers lightly over his face, tracing it to memory like she’d done hundreds of times, like she’d do many more times. 

“Aelin,” he breathed. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his. He opened up to her and she kissed him deeply, threading her fingers through his hair to tug him to her. She felt his warm hands slip up her shirt and she broke the kiss, biting her lip as she watched him. Rowan leaned in and kissed down her neck. She gasped as she felt his tongue on her skin, digging her hands into his shoulders. 

She kissed him roughly, their lips falling into a rhythm, and she made to unbutton her shirt. “Wait,” Rowan murmured onto her lips, holding her hands firmly in his to still them. She broke away, confused and a little hurt. As if seeing the second emotion in her eyes, he kissed her on the lips quickly - or at least, he tried to make it quick, but Aelin followed his head with her own, prolonging the kiss. As her tongue brushed his, her mate groaned before pulling away again. 

“Why do you keep pulling away?” she panted, resting her forehead on his. Rowan released her hands to stroke her cheeks. She felt him breathe in her scent and smiled, knowing it comforted him as much as his did her.

“Well, for one I’m not taking you on the floor,” he started, chuckling when she smacked his arm. 

It’s not like it’s never been done before, she said to him, mind-to-mind. She felt him freeze and glance up at her smirking face. 

“You’re making this harder,” he grumbled.

“Good,” she snickered. He stared at her confused, before going red as he got the joke. She cackled for the first time today, standing up from the floor. She helped him get to his feet as well, laughing again as he winced and rubbed his back. Her buzzard, ever the old man.

“And two,” he glared at her, “I thought it would help you cheer up if we went to Finlas’s.”

Aelin squealed. Finlas, a kind old man, owned her favorite place to eat in Terrasen - Finlas’s. He served the most amazing dishes, not to mention their desserts. “Yes. Oh, Rowan, you’re the best!”

Rowan grinned, pleased with himself. “Well, let's go then.���

They got ready in a matter of minutes. As Rowan went to tell Alys and Beor, Aelin checked her reflection and groaned. Her face was red and puffy from crying. She splashed cold water on her face and frantically rubbed a jade green marble over her skin, something Lysandra had said would help with puffiness and bone structure. Luckily, it seemed to do the job. Dressed in the simple white shirt and black skin tight pants she’d worn all day, Aelin grabbed her bag and hurried to leave.

The mates walked out of the castle and towards the Square, hand in hand. It was a beautiful early summer evening, the sky darkening to pinks and purples, the humid air cooling to an ideal temperature. The spring flowers were giving way to green, every tree lush and bountiful. Aelin swelled with happiness as she looked around her kingdom, even more so as they reached the Square and saw people milling about, shopping and talking. 

They reached Finlas’s and Rowan hurried to open the door for her. Aelin smirked as she passed. “What a gentleman,” she teased, and Rowan rolled his eyes. To their delight, Finlas himself greeted them and led them to a booth in the back. The back of the establishment was clearly meant for couples, with its dimmer lighting and flickering candles on the tables. Each seat even had a red rose placed atop its plate. As they walked by, people stared and whispered to each other.

“Enjoy your meal,” Finlas said warmly, before bowing and hurrying off to greet the next customer. Aelin settled into the cushioned booth, watching her mate as he did the same. 

“What are you going to get?” Rowan asked. Aelin opened her mouth to respond before he interrupted. “Wait, no - let me guess. A medium-rare, absolutely massive steak with fried potatoes, and a fizzy drink?”

Aelin grinned. “Exactly. Great job, buzzard. Now let me guess; a curry that you will burn your tongue on like you do every single time, an iced tea and some bread?”

Rowan barked a laugh. “Exactly.”

They ordered just that, and enjoyed the meal. Aelin groaned improperly as she took her first bite of steak, sounding enough like another activity that Rowan shot her an annoyed look. 

“Sometimes I can’t tell if food or me gives you more pleasure,” he hissed across the table. 

“Can’t it be both?” Rowan was not pleased with that, and to Aelin’s delight her husband glared at her plate for the next ten minutes, as if it were another man who had stolen her away. 

They talked of their days and their plans for the next coming weeks. Rowan was working every day on the building of the library, which was coming along speedily, most likely thanks to his Fae strength and speed. He’d even begun to help with the design aspect of the building, something Aelin wholeheartedly trusted him with. “By this time next year, you will most likely be picking out books to stock the library with,” Rowan told her. A task Aelin was most excited for, and already planning to enlist Dorian with. 

Finlas brought them a huge chocolate cake free of charge. “Oh no, we couldn’t,” Aelin protested, reaching for her wallet. “It’s really to trouble at all-”

“Stop, Your Majesty,” Finlas said gently. “After what you’ve done for us - you deserve all the food in this restaurant for free.” At Aelin’s confusion, he explained; “I was a victim to a Valg raiding of my village. They took my son for their army, but…Your Majesty made sure he was safe. I have my son back now.” 

“That was all Yrene, not me,” she managed to say, overcome with grief for Finlas. 

Finlas shook his head. “No, Majesty. It was because of Lady Yrene, but you were the one who saved Lady Westfall, and then sent Lord Chaol to the Southern Continent to heal. Because of your kindness, you saved my son, no matter how distant the efforts were.” 

Aelin couldn’t see through the blur of tears, and gave Finlas a watery smile. “Thank you.”

__

They walked back to the castle, the sky even darker. Aelin smiled as she looked around, surrounded by people walking through the city. Laughter filled the air, the type of laughter she hadn’t heard in a while. She pulled Rowan into an alleyway abruptly, ignoring his yelp of surprise. 

“Thank you, Rowan,” she said to him. “My day was shit and now…you turned it into a happy day. You…you truly just know me so well. It still surprises me sometimes.” 

Rowan smiled down at her, his face soft and open in a way she knew it only was for her. “Anything for my Fireheart.” 

He bent his head and kissed her. She drew him down, opening the kiss. She felt him wrap a shield around them and glanced over, giggling when she saw him using his power to prop large slates of wood to separate their alley from the bustling town square. The noise disappeared, the only sound their ragged breaths. 

“I love you,” she breathed, tipping her head back as he pulled her shirt off. His nostrils flared as he took her in, gripping her waist, rubbing his thumb over her skin. 

“I love you too,” he gritted out, his eyes near black. He leaned forward and Aelin couldn’t help her loud moan as he went to work on her upper assets. She felt him huff a laugh onto her skin, and managed to pant out a; “What?”

“I made you moan louder than when you ate that steak,” he smirked, staring up at her with an expression of complete male satisfaction. She laughed, but went quiet as he claimed her mouth. 

Quickly they were both only in their lower undergarments, standing in their piles of clothes. Aelin shifted impatiently, waiting for him to take her against the brick, but he was examining the wall with concern. “What are you waiting for?” she begged.

“This seems...unsanitary,” he frowned. She whined, but he still wouldn’t move - at least, until she dragged her fingers down, down his stomach…

__

Later, he rolled off of her, both of them panting. After the alley, they’d dressed and hurried home before he took her twice more. She should give Beor and Alys a raise, honestly. 

Aelin sunk into the pillows, sleep already overtaking her. She was so glad they’d invested in this luxurious, massive bed. Rowan laid on top of her, his head on her heart, and Aelin’s arms encircled him, fingers toying with his hair. With her mate laying with her like this, the plush mattress beneath her, the soft blankets, and the feeling of happy exhaustion from the pleasure of before, she was in heaven. But just before sleep took her, her mate interrupted the peaceful silence. 

“Fireheart,” he whispered into the darkness, “did you have a good day?”

Aelin smiled down at her mate, knowing the male in her arms was the male she’d worship and adore for the rest of her days. “Yes, Buzzard. Yes I did.”

[shadowqueenjude]

The fandom is so lucky to have you! We appreciate having you here and all that you contribute to it ❤️❤️

1. What brought you into the fandom?

2. What character(s) do you feel the most connected to and why?

3. Out of all of SJM’s books, which one means the most to you and why?

4. Out of all of the SJM couples (fanon, canon, endgame, etc) which one means the most to you and why?

Keep doing you ❤️

This is so sweet! It made my day🥹

1. I finished the ACOTAR series late 2023 and I was devastated to find out that it wasn’t completed! It’s soooooo hard waiting for the next installment in a series. I went through this with The Land of Stories and The Trials of Apollo too 😭😭😭. So yeah I searched online for Elucien/pro Lucien/anti IC content and I couldn’t find shit ANYWHERE. The only place I even saw some decent content was on Tumblr, so I started posting my analyses and rants and writing about ACOTAR and it turned out many people agreed with me! It was such a relief to finally find Lucien stans who also saw holes in SJM’s writing!

2. I resonate with Nesta the most. She’s just so relatable and human to me. First with the parental trauma (real), second with feeling like they’ve disappointed everybody because they weren’t able to do things that no teen girl should have to do, pushing people away because she’s afraid they’ll leave, spitting facts and everybody getting mad at you for it. And Nesta’s modesty: damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I’ll never forgive SJM for robbing her of her modesty, but it’s honestly reflective of how women like her are treated irl. My own family wants me to be more modest (i’m already pretty damn modest) while the outside world wants me to be less modest, and it’s really frustrating being put in a box like that and not being able to be yourself. Nesta’s hard shell soft interior is me-core.

3. I think by far SJM’s best book is Tower of Dawn. The worldbuilding, the romance, the plot, the chemistry between Chaol and Yrene (and Nesryn and Sartaq) was perfection. And Chaol being a genuinely flawed and human character in a world full of Fae feeling useless and learning to grapple with himself and find his purpose and a man who had always prided himself on his body learning to see that he is so much more than that, that he is as much a man with his wheelchair as he is without it, and Yrene, a character who rules by peace and healing, not violence and destruction, showing everybody how strong she is…well, it’s unlike so many of SJM’s books and she didn’t write it to be popular and tropey (Chaol is wildly unpopular in the TOG fandom) which is why it’s so good.

4. My favorite SJM couple that is already confirmed endgame is Elide and Lorcan from Throne of Glass. God, I love them. Elide, the cunning little witch with a limp and innocent eyes, showing just how strong she can be, wielding Lorcan’s axe (😍) and saving him on the battlefield. Manipulating everybody with a few choice words and a flutter of her eyes. Lorcan being utterly mesmerized from the start. Being a menstruation king and taking such good care of her during her periods. Washing her clothes, bringing her dinner…i mean he is so malewife. Elide being a canon ace queen who only engaged in sexual activities after she trusted and loved Lorcan so deeply that she would allow herself to be vulnerable with him. Elide being sassy as hell and Lorcan being into it. Another human, very real character who is a survivor and quite unlike any other character in the SJM-verse.

Aside from that, Ruhnlidia is 🔥 and amongst those which aren’t technically canon endgame yet, Elucien. The political couple. The fashion-forward couple. The charming couple. The regency couple. The brown-eyed couple. The nonviolent couple. They’re the only two who know they’re mates from the start. Arranged marriage forced proximity trope. The tension, the yearning, Lucien as a fucking male lead…gahhhhhhhwodnwksnaklahiknj

Anyway thanks for the ask!

[l-adynesta]

hiiiii guys long time no post 😁 ty for the tag my lovely katya @vigilanteshit !!

last song: semi-charmed life — third eye blind

favorite color: dark/ruby red

last movie/show: honestly cannot remember for the life of me. prob band of brothers

sweet/spicy/savory: sweet & savory

relationship status: in a relationship as of two months ago hehe

last thing i googled: tower of dawn summary (I was NOT about to read about nesryn gallivanting through the mountains with sartaq during my tandem read IM SORRY!!)

current obsession(s): reading, sjm, acotar, BUT ESPECIALLY tog at the moment. I’m on chapter 11 of koa and I already want to kms bc FENRYS 💔 on that note, I can’t forget my new blorpies: lucien, eris (how feyre and nesta didn’t fall for the vanserra bros ILL NEVER KNOW), dorian and FENRYS ❤️

no pressure tags @rhaenyratargayen @rhaenryas

@milfcoded & literally whoever else wants to!!

[theladyofbloodshed]

After reading your and a few other Neris and LucNes fics, I feel that SJM saying she wouldn't work with an Autumn Boi is a strict cop out and refusal to provide valid character dynamics, character growth and plot intrigue. Instead she throws all the sisters together in the NC and expects them each to just be happy because Feyre is (she hasn't but that's another rant). It reflects poorly on an authors ability to challenge themselves. Minor character or no, she gave Nesta an entire book and she truly shined dancing with my sweet, he who can never do wrong, fire Boi and even then it was a ploy by Feyre and Rhys.

Now, I love me a good Nessian fic and story, especially groveling and redemption ones, but I think Neris will forever be my Ship. SJM really dropped the ball on what could have been incredible!

I have two theories why Nesta and Lucien didn't happen.

SJM's writing of couples ACOMAF was released in 2016, by which point she had established a few couples in her series: Rowaelin - full of sexual chemistry and arguing Manorian - full of sexual chemistry and arguing Lysaedion - full of sexual chemistry and arguing Feysand - full of sexual chemistry and arguing The only couple that doesn't really have this is Elorcan so I think SJM just didn't really know how to write a couple that didn't have that hence why Nesta ended up with Cassian because the moment they came together, they could be arguing. ToD was released after ACOMAF and I think that Chaorene and Nestaq didn't have this formula to a degree. Chaorene had arguments but they weren't playful, Yrene just downright didn't like him - and Sartaq was star struck from the moment he met Nesryn. I feel like if Lucien met Nesta, he wouldn't argue with her - even if she tried to instigate it - because he would recognise that she is hurting and blames him. He has a very small role in ACOMAF so it leaves only Elain or Mor to establish a new relationship to be explored. At this point, Moriel was supposed to be endgame so Mor is off the table. Elain and Cassian just would not work. They lack any chemistry - whereas Nesta can have chemistry with pretty much any character, good or bad.

They would escape the Night Court The only thing keeping Lucien as the Night Court's emissary is Elain. He clearly has lots of contacts, he's good at making friends, and would be an asset to many courts. Feyre isn't a good friend, so seeing Elain is the main reason why he returns to Velaris. Nesta might look good in black, but she looks good in everything. She is not suited to the Night Court. Take away a link to Cassian, and the only thing keeping Nesta there is the Valkyries really. She wanted to explore the Continent previously. If Nesta and Lucien were a couple, I firmly believe that they would likely leave the Night Court. It might take Nesta a while to warm to Lucien, but they have similar social backgrounds, they have quick wit, he has good manners, his dad has a crush on her. SJM could not tie to them the night court any other way than by having Nesta be with Cassian and Elain with Lucien.

[acourtofquestions]

Kingdom of Ash Chapter 51

He didn't care, didn't marvel that he was soon to be airborne on one of those incredible beasts. Didn't care that tomorrow, they would all take on the dark army gathered beyond.

He'd fought in more battles, more wars, than he cared to remember. Tomorrow would be little different, save for the demons they'd slay, rather than men or Fae.

Demons like his former queen, apparently.

He had offered himself to her, had wanted her, or believed he did. And she had laughed at him. He didn't know what it meant. About her, about himself.

He'd thought his darkness, Hellas's gifts, had been drawn to her, that they'd been matched.

Perhaps the dark god had wanted him not to swear fealty to Maeve, but to kill her. To get close enough to do so.

Lorcan didn't adjust his cape against the gust of frigid air off the distant lake. Rather, he leaned into the cold, into the ice on the wind. As if it might rip away the truth.

There was no fear or pity on her face, her black hair gilded by the torches and campfires. Of all of them, she'd mastered the news with little difficulty, stepping up to the desk as if she'd been born on a battlefield.

"I didn't know," he said, voice strained.

Elide knew what he meant. "We have bigger things to worry about anyway."

He took a step toward her. "I didn't know," he said again.

She tipped her head back to study his face and pursed her mouth, a muscle ticking in her jaw. "Do you want me to give you some sort of absolution for it?"

"I served her for nearly five hundred years. Five hundred years, and I just thought her to be immortal and cold."

"That sounds like the definition of a Valg to me."

He bared his teeth. "You live for eons and see what it does to you, Lady."

"I don't see why you're so shocked. Even with her being immortal and cold, you loved her. You must have accepted those traits. What difference does it make what we call her, then?"

"I didn't love her."

"You certainly acted like you did."

Lorcan snarled, "Why is that the point you keep returning to, Elide? Why is it the one thing you cannot let go of?"

"Because I'm trying to understand. How you could come to love a monster."

"Why?" He pushed into her space. She didn't balk one step.

Indeed, her eyes were blazing as she hissed, "Because it will help me understand how I did the same."

Her voice snagged on the last words, and Lorcan stilled as they settled into them. He'd never ... he'd never had anyone who-

"Is it a sickness?" she demanded. "Is it something broken within you?"

"Elide." Her name was a rasp on his lips. Lorcan dared reach a hand for her. But she pulled out of reach. "If you think that because you swore the blood oath to Aelin, it means anything for you and me, you're sorely mistaken. You're immortal-I'm human. Let us not forget that little fact, either."

Lorcan nearly recoiled at the words, their horrible truth. He was five hundred years old He should walk away—he shouldn't be so damned bothered by any of this. And yet Lorcan snarled, "You're jealous. That's what truly eats away at you."

Elide barked a laugh that he'd never heard before, cruel and sharp. "Jealous? Jealous of what? That demon you served?" She squared her shoulders, a wave cresting before it smashed into the shore. "The only thing that I am jealous of, Lorcan, is that she is rid of you."

Lorcan hated that the words landed like a blow. That he had no defenses left where she was concerned. "I'm sorry," he said. "For all of it, Elide." There, he'd said it, and laid it out before her. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

But Elide's face did not warm. "I don't care," she said, turning on her heel. "And I don't care if you walk off that battlefield tomorrow.

"I have never heard Lorcan apologize for anything. Even when Maeve whipped him for a mistake, he did not apologize to her."

"And that means he earns my forgiveness?"

"No. But you have to realize that he swore the blood oath to Aelin for you. For no one else. So he could remain near you. Even knowing well enough that you will have a mortal lifespan."

The birds shifted on their feet, rustling their wings in anticipation of flight. She knew. Had known it the moment he'd knelt before Aelin. Weeks later, Elide hadn't known what to do with it, the knowledge that Lorcan had done this for her. The longing to talk to him, to work with him as they had. She'd hated herself for it. For not trying to hold on to her anger longer.

It was why she'd gone after him tonight.

Not to punish him, but herself. To remind herself of who he'd sold their queen to, how profoundly mistaken she had been.

And her parting line to him ... it was a lie.

A disgusting, hateful lie.

Elide turned to Gavriel again. "I don't—" The Lion was gone. And for the cold flight over the army, then over the sea of darkness spread between it and the ancient city, even that wise voice who had whispered for the entirety of her life had gone quiet.

[acourtofthought]

I’ve got this bad feeling that SJM is going to announce the next book as an “Azriel book” only, not giving any other info. It would be the ultimate marketing move, since it hype both the sides of the fandom.

I know that for you the next one will be the Elucien book ( AND IT IS the most rational choice because all the major plot lines are connected to them and their journey), but I fear that it will be Gwynriel.

It’s just that in the last years we had his pov and he featured in Hofas, so I feel that Sarah is setting him as the new main character.

The problem with this is that I can’t really see what his book will be about in terms of development of the story, since his only personal connection with a place in the story is the Illyria. So we could have to read 800 pages of an healing journey with some secondary events on the background that set the next book.

In the meantime, Elain will have a conversation with Az where they understand that between them there can’t be anything, maybe after a period of secret “forbidden” romance. We could also have some Elucien moments across the book.

Personally, I find it a very boring plot, but somehow that woman can make me read anything she writes despite I hate most of her characters ahah. But I fear that this is how she has planned to do.

And if I’m right (hope not), the book will be announced as Azriel’s, and the whole fandom will be on fire.

And that’s it, I just wanted to share my fear with you, since you are the strongest pillar in the temple of “Elucien book next”, hoping you could reassure me that my fears won’t come true and I can sleep sweet dreams.

I love your resilience against E/riel harassers, stay strong!!!💪🏼

I think the biggest discord in the fandom would come from SJM / Bloomsbury announcing that it's Elain's book next without confirming the love interest. If they announce Az being next then I think that would be a big indicator that Gwyn is his sharing in his POV because E/riels, Elucien's, and Gwynriels tend to agree that the debate is between Elain getting the next book (with an Az POV), Elain getting the next book (with a Lucien POV) or Az getting the next book (with Gwyn POV). Most arguments do not claim Az will get the next book with an Elain POV. Though I'm sure there will be those who argue regardless, we've still got people claiming Bryce and Hunt won't end up together.

As far as who is next, I think all opinions are valid because they're based in some sort of logic. SJM definitely gave Az more attention since SF as well as a POV bonus and that's a good reason to think he's next. But.....it doesn't really guarantee it. Eris got a lot of attention in SF too yet he's probably not getting a book anytime soon and Nesta received more attention than even Az in HOFAS and she already had a book. She's connected to both Az and Gwyn so there's a chance that still suggests a Gwynriel book next however she's Elain's sister and the reasons Nesta was built up in HOFAS, her possible connection to the Starborn fae, is something that could indicate Elain and Lucien. Nesta is an Archeron and a Made fae by the Cauldron. Elain is an Archeron and a Made fae by the Cauldron. If Nesta has the Starborn tattoo then it's logical to consider that Elain could share one as well. And we know Lucien, through Helion, probably has a connection to the Trove.

Though Az got a bonus chapter, Lucien had a POV back in ACOWAR. Though Az was built up in SF / HOFAS, Elain and Lucien were built up in ACOWAR / ACOFAS. Some will claim that because Az had recent buildup it means he's next but when we look at the below from an interview SJM did, recent buildup doesn't actually mean anything:

Yrene towers was in a TOG novella, set before the events of the TOG series but she played no part in books 1 - 5. Chaol was in books 1 - 4 but was completely absent in book 5 (same with Nesryn). Yet they were all given main POVs in book 6.

Sarah spoke about how everyone thought she hated Chaol after a time because she suddenly took her focus off him but she went on to say that "No! I always knew the story I wanted to tell for him but I just had to wait until it was time!" That is something that could easily be applied to Elain and Lucien's characters right now. So many have said she's forgotten about them, she got bored with them, she's more excited for Az's story. But what if, just like Chaol and Yrene, she's been biding her time, setting them to the side until it was time to pull them off the shelf? Sure, that could mean they'll come after Gwynriel but it also doesn't exclude them from being next just because Az played a larger role in Nesta and Cassian's story.

As far as plot, I do think Elucien makes the most sense. SF and HOFAS dropped hints as to what Az's book might be about but those things are not actually plot issues at the moment. The Illyrians are not a bigger threat than Koschei. The threat of new villains entering their world from outerspace is now in their peripheral vision but not something that's actually presented itself as a problem. But Koschei stealing Vassa back is a concern. The NC needing Springs army is a concern. Beron is a real concern. Koschei and possibly the remaining queens are a concern.

Unless the Valkyrie and the Illyrians are going to tie into Elain and Lucien's book, I am still unclear on how they'll set up Elucien's story. Unless Koschei is going to be tied into time travel, I'm not sure why a time travel plot in the next book would make sense. And you summed it up perfectly with how you mentioned that once again, another ACOTAR book would feature two characters healing journey's, their individual plots but with "secondary events in the background that set the next book." Elucien's plotlines are already well established, from ACOWAR through SF and they were not resolved in Nesta's book, they played the backdrop to Nesta's main story. Having those same plots play in the background again with no resolution seems extremely drawn out.

To me it would make the most sense for Elucien to restore Spring, bring the life back to the land where it's dying, defeat Koschei, stop Beron and secure peace through the treaty. At that point the IC can turn their focus to the Illyrians, continuing the formation of the Valkyrie and protecting their entire world from threats from outside it.

But.....these are SJMs books and only she knows what her grand vision is for the series so I could be way off base!

Edit: forgot to add thank you! ❤️. I hope you start having sweet dreams again soon!

[sarahnotjmaas]

Here it is, my chaotic note taking as I experienced Queen of Shadows 4.5/5⭐️

I do not trust Arobynn. Why does this woman keep working with this man.

Who is with Chaol?? SHE!?!?

I heard the fandom is full of Chaol haters and tbh I don’t get it. I’m only on the 5th book but not seeing it yet

Chaol is kinda dumb haha and super sensitive and 5 books in has yet to prove he can fight like at all. He killed Cain but it was a single strike and that was like his first kill. Ever.

SJM wouldn’t write another tragic love story right!? Cuz Chaol is in need of character building and Nesryn and him are already giving me Dorian and Sorscha vibes.

Listen in SJM books endgame relationships are slow burbs. They have chemistry to quickly

HE PAWNED THE RING???

Kaltain has a collar too!!

Dorian battling for his life with that demon 😭

Aelin, we’re officially calling her Aelin now, is wasting her time with Arobynn she is capable without he’s gonna double cross her I know it

Her showing up to the shadow markets was dope!

When is Manon gonna for something cool. She has an awesome dragon puppy Abraxos and she’s doing nothing. Low key I love Asterin and she clearly has her back so demoting her was a bitch move

This book has more action, I like it

Sneaking into the party as a dancer, nice.

The smoke, very Harry Potter! I could see this scene so vividly in my head

Chaol is being a jerk a little bit. He acts like the whole rebellion isn’t for Aelin. When you start holding your own then you can talk, Mr. I’ve only ever killed one person, otherwise stop bossing Aelin around……

Oh shit Elide is a witch. So she’s in with the witches meaning when she links back up with her childhood homies Aedion and Aelin they will be a steaming pile of shit in the kings bed! Hell yea

When does Rowan come back 😭oh okay

27 chapters lol

I read pine and snow and my heart fluttered

No she made a bath for him with all her fancy soaps!!! BECAUSE SHE YELLED AT SAM FOR USING THEM!!!!!!

Gavriel is Aedion’s father!?!???

Oh no poor Aedion, the blood oath was sworn to him but also…. Why can’t she have both she’s the queen she can make her own rules

THE NIGHTGOWN!!!!! She better get a fucking good night gown i stg!!

My boy Chaol is BITTER! Damn he fucked up in the second book and is gonna be bitter the rest of the series. He’s giving big soft boy energy. #NiceGuysFinishLast lol but I low key still want the best for him. He’s loyal to Dorian at the end of the day. Period. However if he’s trying to free Dorian doesn’t he think giving him full access to his powers might help him beat that demon in his body… just saying

Rowan’s and Aelin are literally dating

Going to Sam’s grave. Having Rowan go with her😭 I’m welling up it’s too much. I fucking hate Arobynn and it better be the sweetest death cuz I hate him so much

So I’m definitely not a fan of the witch maternity prison ward that’s happening. Everything about that is uncomfy and I need it to end immediately. Asterin seems to be the only sane one.

Rowan wearing the almost oil, power move!

No, not the room where she saw Sam’s mangled body😭HE PUT THE RING ON HER FINGER!!! Is she faking it??I knew it lol wait but why did he say don’t touch me like that 😭well good for Lysandra I guess

This book is an emotional rollercoaster

There is something SO sus about her Manons grandma. She bowed to the king!?!?!? What’s in the trailer?? What did Manon see??????

Hold up!!! The King is just another victim!?!? No fucking way!!!! That’s a twist I didn’t expect

ALL THOSE CENTURIES, I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR YOU fuck me up Rowan 😭

Slamming the door on Aedion’s face was a little rude but his timing is awful. Wait Lysandra and Aedion???? Love that, that’s fierce pair

Still not a Chaol hater and the trio of friendship between Aelin, Dorian and Chaol is so sweet. Is Chaol ever gonna find a woman he lives as much as Dorian lol CHAOL IS PARALYZED!?!? He broke his promise to Nesry cuz he can’t walk! I’m screaming “Let’s have an adventure,Nesryn Faliq” okay cute but am I alone in thinking Chaol needs someone meeker?? Like someone softer because I think nesryn is too much woman for him…….kinda (don’t come for me)

I never know what part of an SJM book will make me cry but making Lysandra a lady and having Evangeline be her heir got me actually tearing up!

Manon and Dorian. MANON AND DORIAN!!!!!!

Crying again cuz Rowan smells like Terrasen!

[blodgmonster]

Part 3 of my EoS ToD tandem reread commentary. Getting to the end of both books so it should be less of a slog now.

-- Yrene pushing Hasar into the pool. Priceless.

-- "I loved you before I ever set eyes on you." SARTAQ!!!!! God, men written by women are just so much better than the real thing.

"' We wait for the Queen of the Valg,' the spider purred, rubbing against the carving. 'Who in this world calls herself Maeve." The fucking SHOCK when I read that the first time. God damn.

-- "' You once asked me where I stand on the line between killing to protect and killing for pleasure.' His fingers grazed the seam of the scar across her abdomen. 'I'll stand on the other side of that line when I find your grandmother.'" DORIAN!!!! FUCK YEAH!

-- Gah, I'm getting confused on what chapters from which book I'm supposed to be reading in which order. And I'm like 85% of the way through both of them.

-- I was right. The Eye is the Lock

-- Hey, Nehemia....

-- It's so funny that all this time Elena has been portrayed as wise and serene. And then we find out she was reckless and short sighted and stupid.

-- "Everything he had done, Aelin had come to rip it apart. Starting with his honor." You did that all by yourself, Chaol. God, get OVER it, you Criston Cole ass bitch.

-- "He only looked toward the dark and smiled. Not broken. Made anew. And when the darkness beheld him...Chaol slid a hand against its cheek. Kissed its brow. It loosened its grip and tumbled back into that pit. Curled up on that rocky floor and quietly, carefully, watched him." What a lovely metaphor.

-- Hell yeah, House Whitethorn

-- Last 100 pages of EoS. Here we fucking go.

-- ABRAXOS AND THE THIRTEEN ARRIVING IN THE NICK OF TIME!!

-- LORCAN, YOU DUMB FUCK

-- "I'll go with you, I'll come with you" ELIDE, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOUL.

-- Aelin being whipped.

-- "Where is my wife?"

-- AEDION, SHUT THE FUCK UP

-- *heavy sigh * That's Eos done. Time to finish ToD.

-- having the Valg be Duva is a fantastic little twist. Sweet, mostly ignored preggo lady.

-- I wonder...will the baby be born fucked up? The Valg was infesting its mother the whole time it was developing in utereo. Will it have been affected?

-- Aelin's self-defense lessons coming through to save Yrene.

-- I think the scar Aelin gave Chaol should have stayed. Maybe that's mean of me but...

-- "I am as much of a man in that chair, or with that cane, as I am standing on my feet." Alright! Chuck that ableism out the window!

-- Oh, shitballs. I forgot that Yrene and Chaol's lives are now tied to each other so that if one dies they both die. Just like Feyre and Rhysand. SJM must think this is suuuuuper romantic. I think otherwise. A suttee is not romantic. Leaving your potential children to deal with suddenly becoming an orphan is not romantic. Leaving your loved ones to mourn not just one but both of you is not romantic.

-- Sometimes she makes it seem like Yrene actually goes INSIDE Chaol or Duva when she's healing them. That can't be right. It's her like...power going inside and fighting what's inside, right? Homegirl does not Magic School Bus her way into the human body. Right?

-- so the fetus is healthy and human. BUT will it be a sociopath or an asshole?

-- Poor Duva. Get her some therapy.

-- I'm so glad Nesryn claimed a ruk

-- Nesryn got a MASSIVE upgrade with Sartaq. And not just because he's the heir to the khaganate. Because he wonderful.

-- SJM like...never writes weddings. They always just get married in some secret ceremony off camera. Very weird.

-- "A gift from a queen who had seen another woman in hell and thought to reach back a hand. With no thought of it ever being returned. A moment of kindness, a tug on a thread..." I hope you feel kind of shitty about all the mean things you said about Aelin, Chaol. She saved your wife.

-- Fireheart. Locked away in the dark.

Well. I don't think I'll do the tandem reread again. But it certainly was a cool experience. A slog, but cool. Onto KoA, destroyer of my heart.

[idfendyr]

Sweet Nothings (2)

I know it's short but I was like, I need to post something. Sorry, but Eid is Eid, you must not work on eid. A cardinal rule. Love you.

A chubby hand came up and pulled on the cap on her head the second after Nesryn had put it on her.

She sighed, reaching up and gently pulling her hand away, earning her a little cry of protest. “It’s cold, sweetheart.” 

But Ayla did not care. She merely pulled on the cap again and tossed it aside. Sartaq, holding her in his arms as they made their way to dinner, merely chuckled at his daughter. 

He already knew no amount of effort and coaxing was going to make her wear it. He'd seen as much this morning when he'd taken her out while Nesryn had slept. The fact that she had slept through them getting ready in the morning had him glad they had come. He would gladly take over and look after Ayla if it meant his Nesryn got to relax. 

And also if it meant he could see the looks of curiosity and awe on his daughter's face. Maybe it was the change in environment or simply because she was in a new place, she was more focused on looking around or fussing over her coat. Which was good, it gave him the little time he needed this morning to take Kadara and then Salkhi out while Ej had taken her, who was more than happy to oblige. He didn’t think the babe even noticed, she looked at ease with Ej when he returned.

“I did tell you she doesn't enjoy being bundled up,” He told her, earning him a half-hearted glare. 

“But,” She said as she picked up the cap. “Nevermind. I suppose we could just sit her closer to the hearth fire?”

The worried frown on her face was adorable, but he wouldn't risk it by saying that. Instead, he placed his free on her back, gently guiding her to the dinner table. 

“The Hall is warm enough as is, my love. She'll be perfectly fine.”

But it did ease her worry, at least not all of it, which was understandable. Sartaq knew she just needed a little time when it came to things concerning their daughter. 

He only hoped her time away from Antica would ease her mind. He didn’t plan for them to leave until then. 

“What if she catches a cold?” she worried. 

He chuckled again, pushing her forward, “I’ll sit with her by the fire, love as long as you stop worrying so much. But just to tell you, there are other children here, Nes.”

“I’m aware, but still. What-”

“Nesryn.”

She sighed. 

… 

“See, she's perfectly fine,” he whispered to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind as he peeked over her shoulder to smile at the almost asleep babe in her arms. 

She paused to look up at him. “I worry, ok?”

He chuckled. “I'm aware. That's why I'm here to put your mind at ease.”

Ayla began to squirm in her arms. She gently rocked her and continued singing to her. This was her favorite part of her whole day. 

Just her and her daughter, her singing the babe lullabies and songs her mother had once sung to her. She thought about her mother more often now. It never failed to hurt, even after all these years. 

Sartaq gave a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving them to take care of something. He'd told her, but she was a little too distracted to pay attention. Though he likely knew that. 

Once Ayla was asleep, she gently set her down on her crib they had moved to the adjoining room. When she was sure her daughter wouldn't spontaneously snap her eyes wide open, she went to get ready for bed herself. 

As much as she had slept this morning, she still wasn't opposed to more sleep, especially knowing she could get away with it. Not to mention she wanted as much rest as she could given the last few months she had. 

She'd just thrown herself onto their bed when Sartaq returned, a letter in hand. 

“I think your friends up North want an excuse to meet her,” he said, handing her the letter. 

She read it, then glanced at her husband. They both knew it was for the peace ball Aelin her every year for their victory in the war. However, Aelin had a very Aelin way of conveying the message. 

“You know,” she started, setting the letter aside, “I wouldn't mind another little retreat later.” 

He smirked, making his way to her. She sat up at the end of the bed as he leaned down to brush his fingers through her hair, the other hand ever so lightly cupping her face. 

“One would think you're trying to run from your duties back at the palace, Nesryn,” he said, amusement coating his voice. 

“And you aren't trying to run from your family?” she fired back, wrapping her arms around his waist, and pulling him closer. 

He grinned, “Aren’t you?”

She shrugged, moving her hands, watching his breath hitch. “I never said no.”

He grabbed her arms, stopping her movements and she fought to hide her grin. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, trailing kisses as he went, leaving her near panting. “Let me know if you say no to this.”

[pearblossommina]

ToG Read-A-Long, Tower of Dawn, day 11

Ch 60

Hafiza has gone missing

Why does this feel so sinister!

Ch 61

Deep in the tombs beneath the library, young, sweet, innocent Duva-the-pregnant-one was the villainess all along?

Oh, Yrene! Can you fix her? Is this the first test of your newfound abilities?

Ch 62

So much information

Yikes

Chaol being a HERO

Yeah! Hell yeah! My hero!!!!

Ch 63

ARE YOU KIDDING ME, she broke his spine AGAIN????

Poor Chaol - omg - after all of that!

Ummmm omg this is intense! He literally almost died, and she saved him with goddess magic

What was the cost?

(She better not have given up her goddess powers)(I’m gonna fucking lose my mind if she gave up her goddess powers)

Ch 64

The cost is convoluted, lol

Well…. All is well. Kind of. Except now Chaol can never fight, shoulder to shoulder with his men, now Chaol cannot die fighting how he always imagined he would, because it would mean she also dies. (And we can’t have that!)

And of course, he isn’t permanently healed. He is only going to be able to walk, and feel strong, when Yrene feels magically strong. (Hopefully that’s more often than not!)

I hope that Yrene can cast the valg from Duva. She got distracted and didn’t get a chance to do it - but hopefully, she still can

And hopefully, that unborn baby didn’t suffer during that intense battle

I hope everything will be alright

Ch 65

She did it!

Everything is alright!

Amazing 😭❤️

And they’re gonna join forces!

And they’re gonna save the world!!!

And Hasar stopped being mean!!!!

It’s a happy ending!!!! (For once!!!!!)

Ch 66

AND NESRYN CLAIMED THE RUK

AND HER FAMILY IS OK

THEY MADE IT TO ANTICA SAFELY 😭😭😭

AND SARTAQ WANTS TO GO TO WAR BECAUSE HE WANTS TO FOLLOW THE WOMAN HE LOVES

(MY HEART IS SO FULL 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️)

Ch 67

This is a pretty sweet little moment with Kashin and Yrene. I love it when you tell a guy you just wanna be friends….. and he actually values your friendship enough to want to do it, too.

Kashin, you’re a treasure.

This whole khaganate is really, really loveable. I hope when we get to the northern continent, we all survive this war, and our friendships last, and our alliances only strengthen through time, and everything turns out… happy!

My heart is full of hope, and I’m ready to fight.

Ch 68

AW! They got married! How sweet.

(Idk why this wedding is treated with more weight than Rowaelin’s)

(I just wanna be happy SJM)

(Thank you for the small moment of happiness)

(I need it)

(Chaol and Yrene need it, too.)

(Because now… we’re gonna save the world.)

(And it’s probably gonna suck, and I’m probably gonna be sad and upset and frustrated a lot)

(But it’s what we have to do….)

(So let’s go!)

This book was perfect! A nice pace, and altogether slower, softer and more emotional. It’s not what I expected at all, but I think it’s exactly what I needed. I tier it up there with my favorites for this series.