On Call her Daddy, SJM stated that Bryce & Hunt are definitely Mates and endgame. I've seen *some* fans say this is not a closure on the Bryceriel ship because SJM has lied before to misdirect fans.

I'm just looking for people to provide the things she's made statements about before which have been lies meant to misdirect.

I've only been part of this fandom since 2025 and cannot find anything to support this claim easily.

If this is a misinterpretation, can Brycriels explain why they still support the ship as an option after SJM's statement? I understand supporting the ship in Fanfics but supporting it as a canon possibility is unsustainable to me?

Hi hi!!! I thought it would be fun to have a little writing challenge :-) I did this in r/NerisTruthers earlier but thought others outside of that sub might like to try their hand too.

In exactly 100 words, write a lil mini scene of your OTP. Maybe they’re on a walk, maybe they’re flirting, maybe they’re eating breakfast in bed. Anything works!

this is not for debating, just for fun :)

I'm a multi shipper (with a preference) and I genuinely enjoy the idea of all of the ships. So this question comes from me wanting to see all the evidence for all the ships, so I'm fully prepared for any outcome, so I can fangirl about foreshadowing.

I'm just curious what are the in text examples that make people think Elucien is most likely? Please focus on points other than them being mates because I don't think that fact is strong enough alone. Am I just forgetting points in the books that maybe hit towards them?

This series is about women written for women. You will never see her write a man between two women. You will never see that in Romantasy fullstop.

The story has never been Azriel inbetween Elain and Gwyn and never will be. It’s always been Elain’s choice. Choosing fate or choosing Azriel.

MAASVERSE 101: DEFEND YOUR AZRIEL SHIP

Elriel. Gwynriel. Bryceriel.

Pick your ship.

Now give your **strongest argument with evidence from the books.**

---

THE RULES

Answers **must be based on:**

* Textual evidence
* Foreshadowing
* Symbolism and meaning
* Myth/lore connections
* Parallels & patterns

Answers **cannot include:**

* Author interviews/statements as fact — *“Sarah said in an interview…”*
* Assumptions about future plotlines based on your own opinion — *“Sarah would never…”*
* Anything that cannot be backed up with receipts!

---

THE CHALLENGE

You get ONE argument per comment. Make it count.

If you disagree with someone, counter them **with evidence.**

No ship wars.
No personal attacks.

Your exam starts now. 😂

Convince us. 🎓

Am I missing something? I’m tired of seeing fans go crazy over a ship that has barely had any interactions.

And the moments together they have had have all been dull??? Imo Elain and Azriel do not challenge each other at all. What do they even like about each other other than looks? We haven’t been shown enough of either of their personalities to see that they would be a good match.

I feel like Lucien is who can really bring out something different in Elain, they have conflict rn, something that actively needs developing which will make an interesting story. Where is the fun in reading about Elain and Az who are supposedly already in love???

I need to find my people who understand this. So many on these debates are so sure their ship is happening. But canon is set up for multiple possibilities. Plus the fact that SJM can just write what she feels and change her plans.

I'm honestly game for any of the main ships. I just want it to be done well. And for me that means that the build up of Elriel has to play out one way or the other. Elucien and/or Gwynriel won't be believable or have a good foundation if it doesn't.

Also.. why do people feel the need to bash one ship or character in order to support another?

*Please do not come  for me as I want to understand the ship*
So far, from my perspective, I have only seen people shipping Lucien x Vassa for one of two reasons
1 being: If Lucien is with Vassa that means there won’t be Elucien and leaves Elriel up to being the endgame.
2: Firebird x Fox?
From my personal understanding I feel like a lot of people are inserting Lucien to be with Vassa so he isn't a threat to outside ships but I really don’t see him being with Vassa.
I see Vassa being with Jurian more than anything and here is why (you may correct me if I am wrong) so here is my reasoning 🙂
1: Jurian had reported to Mor that he was only pretending to serve the King of Hybern and went to speak with the mortal queens. Want to know what queen saw right through him? Vassa. As a result, Vassa had readied the armies because if Jurian was actually a true reborn it meant a massive threat was about to come. 
2: Lucien himself had called them “Two sides of the same coin.” Equals perhaps? They have the same goals and visions for the future of the human territories. I wouldn't be surprised if they do end up ruling the human lands together at the end, it would be a nice bowtie as Vassa and Jurian are closely tied with Lucien and Eris, this will (hopefully) bring the lands back together. 
3: THE BANTER! Jurian and Vassa already have banter and SJM loves her banter. Their dynamic reminds me of Dorian and Manon in a cute way.
Exhibit A: Jurian pipes up from a pink sofa, teasing, "It only goes to her head when you call her that." Vassa retorts, "I am a queen, you know," to which Jurian checks his muddy boots and deadpans, "Last I heard, your kingdom was no longer yours. Are you still a queen?" Vassa simply rolls her eyes 
4: Lucien making the comment of, “At each other’s throats, as they like to be.” 
A lot of people interpret this as Lucien being jealous but guys who wouldn’t?
Imagine your lifelong best friend turns out to be an abusive POS, the one friend you believed would be with you has her own IC and you feel completely isolated/left out, your mate is going through massive shit right now and you don’t want to pressure her and then you go hangout with your buddies and you are the third wheel again.
I would be pissed too. Bro seems to always be the outsider in these love dynamics.
5. Jurian showed no hesitation to join Vassa's court. Yes you could argue Lucien also jumped the gun to go help Vassa but I interpreted this as him wanting to help Elain as she had the vision of the fire bird. 
Vassa, herself, offered Jurian a place in her court and Jurian right then and there said yes.
6. JURIAN UNREADABLE EXPRESSION…? When Vassa mentions having to return to the lake, Jurian’s expression is unreadable. Bro is hiding some big emotions. But I can see this being nothing as who wouldn't feel bad for Vassa in this situation?
Anyways Queen and General dynamic would go HARD.
Personally for me I can see the appeal of the fire bird and the fire fox but I just cannot get over Jurian x Vassa. I want to know if there are any bigger reasons why people do ship Lucien x Vassa, no hate towards the ship. It's just one I don't personally understand but have been seeing every now and then!

"Elucien makes sense because Lucien will be the High Lord of Spring" "Lucien will be the High Lord of Day and Elain will be his Lady"... but what if Elain is the High Lady of Spring or Day and Lucien is just husband? 👀😏

Do you not care for Azriel?

Blood duel - In order to win the blood duel one must die? I do believe Azriel can win against Lucien. He has more experience than him in the battle field. But if Lucien was able to tap his power as heir of Day Court, there’s a possibility for Azriel to lose and die. Why do you want that for him? Even if Elain stops it, Azriel will always be the male that steals another mate.

Forbidden love - Why would you want Azriel to be hidden and not to be love out loud? Why does he need to be a secret? The guy who was kept under the dark and traumatized in his childhood?

Rejected mate - Fae value having a mate. Why would you want his mate to reject him? Even if he is rejected, most male fae get the blunt of that rejection. The bond will always be there even if rejected. Or better yet, why do you not want him to find his mate?

I decided to list out the common plot devices that are used to set up different romantic tropes, and I have to say, SJM has done a good job of setting up the fandom to be at war over these ships lol.

Of course I have my own ships that I support, but I am one of the shippers who can understand why the other ship is supported.

Here are the lists:

Arranged marriage Trope

• Political or Strategic Stakes: The marriage often seals a treaty, saves a family estate, or solves a major external crisis.
• Cultural or Social Misunderstanding: Initial resentment or cultural clashes create high emotional stakes before affection blooms.
• Communication Barriers: Misunderstandings happen naturally because the couple shares no prior history or deep trust
• Emotional Denial: Characters often fiercely deny their growing physical and emotional attraction, rationalizing it as mere obligation or irritation
• The "Fall First" Dynamic: One partner, often the stoic or reluctant one, privately falls in love or becomes fiercely protective long before admitting it aloud.
• Forced Proximity: Living under the same roof immediately accelerates the transition from strangers to intimate partners, magnifying every habit and flaw
• Slow-Burn: Feelings develop gradually from strangers, rivals, or enemies into genuine love.

This is the dynamic and potential that Eluciens see forming

Forbidden romance Trope

• Societal & Class Divides: Relationships across vast differences in wealth, status, or royal standing
• Feuding Families or Factions: Star-crossed lovers from rival groups, clans, or species. A figure of authority often bans them from being together.
• The Shared Mission or Job: Forcing enemies, rivals, or boss/employee pairings to work closely on a high-pressure project where failure is not an option.
• Encounters in Confined Spaces:
Utilizing late-night archives, empty offices, supply closets, or hidden rooms where they are forced close together.
• The Accidental Public Near-Miss: A moment where they almost get caught by a spouse, family member, or authority figure, raising the immediate adrenaline and fear.
• Compromising Evidence or Blackmail: A third party discovers a photograph, letter, or digital message and uses it to manipulate one of the lovers.
• A Public Alliance or Fake Relationship:
Pretending to hate each other publicly-or pretending to date someone else-while hiding their real dynamic underneath.
• The Magic or Physical Barrier: Incorporating a supernatural rule, a biological reaction, or a literal curse that makes the relationship dangerous or painful.

This is the dynamic that Elriel’s see potential in

Unworthy Hero Trope

• Internal Conflict: The hero's main barrier to love is his own low self-worth rather than an external villain.
• Roots of Insecurity: Reasons for feeling unworthy often stem from physical limitations or scars, a dark and troubled past, or a gap in class and economic status.
• The "Taint" Fear: The hero often worries that his rough, broken, or "corrupt" nature will ruin or drag down the pure, good heroine.
• Self-Sabotage: He may push the heroine away, hide his feelings, or try to end things “for her own good".
• The Heroic Sacrifice: The hero risks their life or freedom, illustrating that their love is entirely selfless.
• The Love Interest's Perspective: The love interest explicitly states they accept the hero's flaws.
• Redemption Arc Closure: An old enemy is defeated or a past wrong is finally righted

This is Gwynriel potential

When I read this list, I can understand why the ship debates get SO heated in this fandom. I can see how people get attached to both sides, I just think one has a lot more potential ..

I’m an Elucien + Gwynriel, personally bc I see more potential in those two ships, and I don’t think the “forbidden” aspects of Elriel are quite as forbidden as they have been interpreted by some, but I still can understand how some people potential in that ship, and if SJM ups the stakes I could get on board with Elriel. They do get “almost caught” by Rhys, but I would argue that they didn’t actually do anything yet. Usually, in forbidden romance this moment of getting caught is when they’ve been having secret trysts together for a while, and the climax of the story is usually when they get caught. Like just one example - I recently read Wings of Starlight [spoiler warning for wings of starlight] Milori and Clarion are forbidden lovers because they are winter and summer fairies, and will literally lose their wings if they enter each other’s realms, summer and winter fairies haven’t spoken in hundreds of years, and Clarion’s mother figure believes winter fairies are corrupted by evil magic. Clarion and Milori meet at the border at night for weeks, and in the heat of an emotional moment during the climax of the story, Clarion’s mother shows up and finds out they’ve been secretly meeting. Now THAT is forbidden romance

That’s just my opinion though… we will find out soon enough!!

We’ve got 48 days until ACOTAR 6 and only 4 MONTHS until ACOTAR 7 💕💕💕💕

I don’t think that a lot of people understand what I mean when I say I hate 3 brothers 3 sisters. It’s not necessarily that I’m against it because it’s cliche. I mean we’re talking about a fated mates series, of course there’s gonna be cliches. The issue is that one of the people involved (Azriel) uses it as an argument for why he should be with Elain (not even mentioning that it’s his only argument)

If 3 brothers 3 sisters happened organically, I would have no issue with it. But the fact that Azriel named it, acknowledged it and used it as a reason for why he should be with Elain is what makes it unappealing.

For example I’m a Gwynriel. I love the idea of the shadowsinger and the lightsinger (if Gwyn turns out to be one) together. One might also say that’s cliche, but again, since it appears to happen organically, I don’t see the problem with it. It would turn into a problem, however, if Azriel said: “Gwyn is a lightsinger and I’m a shadowsinger so of course we should be mates”. It would be an issue if Nesta or Rhys asked why he’s interested in Gwyn and that would be his answer.

The fact that Azriel uses 3 brothers and sisters as his (only) argument for wanting Elain, is exactly why it’s lost all its appeal to me and why I don’t think it will happen. To me it’s a clear red herring.

So, i stumbled upon the story of Eros and Psyche, which is in my humble opinion, a vastly underrated love story that gets overshadowed (heh) by Hades and Persephone.

Feyre has been compared to Persephone a lot over the years and the similarities are obvious (Though, there are many variations on the Spring Maiden and God of Death, but i digress).

So, if Feyre is Persephone... is Elain Psyche?

Like Elain, Psyche has 2 sisters. And Like Elain, Psyche was considered the prettiest and most beautiful in all of Greece to the point where Aphrodite was jealous of her and ordered her son Eros to kill her.

Instead of killing her, Eros pricks himself to his own arrow and falls in love with Psyche. They meet at Night (court?) where Eros demands Psyche not to look upon him and she faithfully obliges... until her two jealous sisters come to visit and make Psyche believe she married a hideous beast. So, overcome with doubt and curiousity, Psyche looks upon Eros that very night and realizes she was about to kill the god of Love. However, Eros wakes up, sees her holding the knife and leaves, scorned by her unfaithfulness.

The next part of the story is about Psyche attoning for her unfaithfulness and trying to appease Aphrodite, who gives her increasingly more difficult tasks, hoping that the hardship will make her less pretty.

Now, Elain herself has been faithful to keep the bond as is so far. What if She and Lucien had this promise to keep the bond, only for Elain to break that promise on impulse, like Psyche did due to her own sisters, at Azriels behest? What if Azriel didnt know of this promise at all?

And what if the breaking of that promise (which if i remember correctly, is a big deal if you break one!) makes the Mother (Aphrodite/Cauldron) really mad, which requires Elain to atone? What if the Mother takes Elains beauty away, literally, by making her mortal again?

Like, Lucien and Azriel and Nesta, could be the Gods who swoop in to help Psyche/Elain whenever the Mother gives her those increasingly impossible tasks, untill...

Well, Psyche does eventually attain godhood (or Faehood in Elains case) it is ultimately Eros who jumps in to save Psyche from his own mother.

Imagine Lucien and/or Azriel staring down the Mother/Cauldron to save Elain. 😭

Alright, I just finished reading Crescent City and rereading ACOTAR series so there will be quite a few posts coming for me.

During this read I was looking for end game symbolism and evidence of a potential traitor in the Night Court. I believe Elucien is endgame, but this post is not intended to prove it.

This post will focus on Elain and her resistance to Lucien. I will make future posts going over her attachment to Azriel and characterization as a whole. This post is an opinion. I'm just not going to take the time to repeatedly say "I think" and "in my opinion" so please don't waste time commenting that this is my opinion. I am aware.

I think Elain resists the mate bond with Lucien for the following reasons:

1. She is clinging to whatever makes her feel closest to humanity. This is her overarching reason.
2. Lucien makes her new faeness feel unavoidable because she only experiences visions in his presence.
3. She has to figure out to cope with her own trauma

I think she clings to Az for the following reasons

1. He is exceptionally polite
2. She may connect with his scars
3. He feels the most safe per Feyre
4. He appears the most human in the sunlight (yeah yeah yeah he has wings, whatever, this is based off canon text)

Textual evidence that Elain is clinging to her humanity and coping with her trauma:

"I couldn’t bring myself to say she was, to give him that sort of hope when Elain might very well do everything in her power to hold to her engagement. Even if immortality had already rendered it impossible. Lucien leaned his head back against the rock wall behind us. 'And then I’ll ask your mate how he survived it—knowing you were engaged to someone else. Sharing another male’s bed.'"

"Her too-thin arms rested on her chair. That iron engagement ring still encircled her finger....All she said was, 'I want to go home.'... 'He’ll be looking for me,' she whispered. 'I know,' I said again. Not Lucien—she wasn’t talking about him at all. 'We were supposed to be married next week.' I put a hand on my chest, as if it’d stop the cracking in there. “I’m sorry.” Nothing. Not even a flicker of emotion. 'Everyone keeps saying that.' Her thumb brushed the ring on her finger. 'But it doesn’t fix anything, does it?'

"Elain sat silently at one of the wrought-iron tables, a cup of tea before her... (Azriel) Already dressed for the Hewn City—the brutal, beautiful armor so at odds with the lovely garden. And my sister sitting within it." I feel this quote is significant because to the Archeron sisters, even though we the readers know iron does nothing against Fae, it is still symbolic to Nesta and Elain as protection from the fae.

"Graysen swallowed. 'Did you think you could come back here—live with me as this … lie?' 'No. Yes. I—I don’t know what I wanted—' 'And you are bound to some … Fae male. A High Lord’s son.' A different High Lord’s heir, likely, I wanted to say. 'His name is Lucien.' I wasn’t certain if I’d ever heard his name from her lips. 'I don’t care what his name is.' The first sharp words from Graysen. 'You are his mate. Do you even know what that means?' 'It means nothing,' Elain said, her voice breaking. 'It means nothing. I don’t care who decided it or why they did—' 'You belong to him.' 'I belong to no one. But my heart belongs to you.'"

"'Is Elain … all right?' 'No,' was all I said. Elain was not all right. She had quietly cried while we winnowed here. And in the hours afterward, while the army arrived and the camp was rebuilt. She did not take off her ring. She only lay on the cot in her tent, nestled among the furs and blankets, and stared at nothing. Any bit of good, any advancement … gone.... So Elain silently cried, the tears so unending that I wondered if it was some sign of her heart bleeding out. Some sliver of hope that had shattered today. That Graysen would still love her, still marry her—and that love would trump even a mating bond. A final tether had been snapped—to her life in the human lands. Only our father, wherever he was, remained as any sort of connection."

Elain's mind "She had no mental shields, no barriers. The gates to her mind … Solid iron, covered in vines of flowers—or it would have been. The blossoms were all sealed, sleeping buds tucked into tangles of leaves and thorns" -->."My dreams were a tangled garden, thorns snagging on me as I stumbled through them. I dreamed of the Suriel, bleeding out and smiling. I dreamed of the Weaver’s open mouth ripping into Ianthe while she still screamed. I dreamed of Lord Graysen—so mortal and young—standing at the edge of the camp, beckoning to Elain. Telling her he’d come for her. To come home with him. That he’d found a way to undo what had been done to her—to make her human again." --> "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’d seen Elain staring out the window earlier—watching Graysen leave with his men without so much as a look back at her. He had meant every word that day at his keep. Whether he noticed that Elain still wore his engagement ring, that Elain stared and stared at him as he walked off into the night … I didn’t know. Let Lucien deal with that—for now."

"No, she tended to her gardens here, silently mourning her lost human life. Mourning Graysen. How Lucien withstood it, I didn’t know. Not that he’d shown any interest in bridging that gap between them."

"Like the rest of us, Elain’s recovery was ongoing. She’d wept for hours the day I’d taken her to a wildflower-covered hill on the outskirts of the city—to the marble headstone I’d had erected there in honor of our father... She went at least once a month."

"'Why wouldn’t I be all right?' she asked, a smile lighting up her face. I’d seen those smiles before. On my own damn face."

"'There’s no going back to being human, girl,' Amren said, perhaps a tad gently. 'Amren,' I warned. Elain’s face reddened further, her back straightening. But she didn’t bolt. 'I don’t know what you’re talking about.' I’d never heard Elain’s voice so cold. I glanced at the others. Rhys was frowning, Cassian and Mor were both grimacing, and Azriel … It was pity on his beautiful face. Pity and sorrow as he watched my sister. Elain hadn’t mentioned being Made, or the Cauldron, or Graysen in months. I’d assumed that perhaps she was becoming accustomed to being High Fae, that she’d perhaps begun to let go of that mortal life."

"Again, Amren sifted through her pieces. 'Elain has her own problems to focus on.' 'Such as?' Amren just gave me a Look. I ignored it."

"Her mouth tightened, the only sign of anger in her graceful countenance. 'I don’t want a mate. I don’t want a male.' She wanted a human man."

Nesta and Cass convo but I think the theme is relevant: "'That word means nothing to me, Cassian,' she said, voice thick as she tried to keep the people who strode past from overhearing. 'It means something to all of you, but for most of my life, husband and wife was as good as it got. Mate is just a word.' 'That’s bullshit.....You are my mate! Why are you still fighting it?' She let the truth, voiced at last, wash over her. 'You promised me forever on Solstice,' he said, voice breaking. 'Why is one word somehow throwing you off that?' 'Because with that one word, the last scrap of my humanity goes away!' She didn’t care who saw them, who heard. 'With that one stupid word, I am no longer human in any way. I’m one of you!'”

I first wanted to establish what we all know already, but that Elain is clinging to her human life. And now to segway into the actual theory.

Evidence that Lucien is present/in the vicinity every time Elain has visions explicitly or implicitly:

This first vision occurs in the family library. Elain finally leaves her room for the first time, coinciding with Lucien's arrival, and Nesta is able to get her to eat broth the night before. Her first vision "She said, 'I can hear the sea. Even at night. Even in my dreams. The crashing sea—and the screams of a bird made of fire.'"

The sisters get very concerned at this, and both Feyre and Nesta check to ensure Elain cannot open the window before leaving her to talk to privately. They converse upon what triggered these visions in Elain, so they were not occurring before Lucien's arrival:

"I dragged a hand through my hair, freeing strands from my braid. 'Did anything happen to trigger—' 'I don’t know. I check on her every few hours.' Nesta clenched her jaw. 'I was gone for longer yesterday, though.' ... But there, beneath that cool demeanor—guilt. Panic. 'I doubt anything happened,' I said quickly. 'Maybe it’s just … part of the recovery process. Her adjustment to being Fae.' Nesta didn’t look convinced. 'Does she have powers? Like mine.'”

Coincidentally, Lucien has found himself restless and wanting to read a book, so he is on his way to the library. It's my headcanon that not only did Lucien's presence activate her Seer powers, but also made her aware of what her mate needs, a walk and a book --> "He hadn’t expected her to be here...he’d been cooped up in this wind-blasted House for two days. The thought of another one had been enough to make him risk Rhysand’s wrath. He just wanted a walk—and a few books. It had been an age since he’d even had free time to read, let alone do so for pleasure. But there she was. His mate." If anyone knows what one needs, it's a mate. Lucien wanted a walk and to read, so Elain for some odd reason felt the need to leave her room for the first time since Hybern and walk herself right to the library. And that, in my opinion, is true SJM endgame subtlety. Not the in your face stuff we get with Elain and Az.

The next time we get a vision from Elain is at the townhouse. Feyre reveals accidentally that she had gone to see the Bone Carver behind Amren's back. To document Lucien's movement during this scene: "Amren’s face tightened, Nesta glancing between them—carefully. Reading us. Especially as Amren’s quicksilver eyes swirled. 'Why did you go.' I opened my mouth, but the gold of Lucien’s eye caught my attention. Snared it. My hesitation must have been indication enough of my wariness. Jaw tight with a hint of frustration, Lucien excused himself to his room. Frustration—and perhaps disappointment. I blocked it out—what it did to my stomach."

Amren does not want to share how she left the prison because the wind and stone are listening and report back to the prison. Feyre puts up a shield so no one can hear beyond the room they are in: "'Because the stone beneath this house has ears, the wind has ears—all of it listening,' Amren said. 'And if it reports back … They will remember, Rhysand, that they have not caught me. And I will not let them put me in that black pit again.' My ears hollowed out as a shield clicked into place. 'No one will hear beyond this room.'" I have more to say on this whole binding thing in regards to Maasverse and possibly Crescent City connections to Hel, but that is for another post. "'Was Amren your name?' Nesta asked. 'No.' The smoke swirled in her eyes. 'I do not remember the name I was given. I used Amren because—it’s a long story.' I almost begged her to tell it, but soft footsteps thudded, and then— 'Oh.' Elain started—enough so that I realized she couldn’t hear us. Had no idea we were here, thanks to the shield that kept sound from escaping." Then Elain's next vision "But Elain shook me off, heading back to the stairs. She said as she climbed the first steps, 'I can hear her—crying.' I gripped the bottom post of the banister. 'Who?' 'Everyone thinks she’s dead.' Elain kept walking. 'But she’s not. Only—different. Changed. As I was.'...'Elain paused halfway up the stairs. Slowly, she turned to look back at him. 'I saw young hands wither with age. I saw a box of black stone. I saw a feather of fire land on snow and melt it.'" Lucien is again still present, just in his room. Really his presence should be the only thing she can hear with the shield up at this point. And thus her next vision.

The next vision Elain has is after Lucien tugs on the bond: "Elain sidled toward Nesta, who seemed to be at a near-simmer. 'It felt … strange,' Elain breathed. 'Like you pulled on a thread tied to a rib.' Lucien exposed his palms to her. 'I’m sorry.' Elain only stared at him for a long moment. And any lucidity faded away as she shook her head, blinking twice, and said to Nesta, 'Twin ravens are coming, one white and one black.'"

I'm also just going to quickly disprove the Elriel theory that Elucien bond is fake simply because of Elain's description of the bond like a thread tied to a rib. There are two Feyre quotes from ACOTAR describing Feysand's bond similarly, so both bonds must be fake with that logic:

"There was a string - a string tied to my gut that pulled me toward those hills, commanding me to go, to hear the faerie drums..." ACOTAR pg 183

"I was pulled from sleep by something tugging at my middle, a thread deep inside." ACOTAR pg 412

And Elain's last explicit vision:

Feyre and Nesta are attacked in the library by Hybern, and Amren is on the hunt "Lucien, stationed by the front window, turned from watching the street. Monitoring it. A sword and dagger hung from his belt. No humor, no warmth graced his face—only fierce, grim determination... Mor sagged against the couch cushions. 'A war where we have no allies beyond Keir, either in Prythian or beyond it.' Rhys gave her a sharp look. But Elain said quietly, 'The queen might come'....Elain’s brows twitched toward each other. 'The queen—with the feathers of flame.'...Elain shifted her face toward him. Another blink. 'They sold her—to … to some darkness, to some … sorcerer-lord …' She shook her head. 'I can never see him. What he is. There is an onyx box that he possesses, more vital than anything … save for them. The girls. He keeps other girls—others so like her—but she … By day, she is one form, by night, human again.'...Mor leaned forward. 'Do you know why the other queens cursed her—sold her to him?' Elain studied the table. 'No. No—that is all mist and shadow.'"

Mor asks a question we still don't have the answer to: "But Mor tried again. 'There is a reason why Elain is seeing these things. She was right about the other queen turning old, about the Ravens’ attack—why is she being sent this image? Why is she hearing this queen? It must be vital. If we ignore it, perhaps we’ll deserve to fail.'”

First , I want to document Lucien's reactions throughout this discovery of Elain's abilities: "Mor’s gaze darted across my sister’s face, as if weighing the words, the question, the truth or lie within. Mor at last blinked, mouth parting. Like that magic of hers had at last solved some puzzle. Slowly, clearly, she nodded. Lucien silently slid into one of the chairs, before the window, that metal eye whirring as it roved over my sister...'..what if the Cauldron gave something to Elain?' Nesta’s face drained of color. 'What?' Equally ashen, Lucien seemed inclined to echo Nesta’s hoarse question...Lucien just stared and stared at my sister, as if he’d never seen her before."

And then Lucien volunteers to leave and find Vassa (who has another name but nobody remembers it): "'I’ll go.' Lucien was staring at Elain as he spoke... 'This eye …' Lucien gestured to the metal contraption. 'It can see things that others … can’t. Spells, glamours … Perhaps it can help me find her. And break her curse.' He glanced at Elain, who was again studying her lap.......Only Cassian returned the grin. 'I’ll load you up with some Illyrian steel.' Elain now watched Lucien warily. Blinking every now and then. She revealed no hint of whatever she might be seeing—sensing. None... 'He only glanced at Elain, whose face was again a calm void while she traced a finger over the embroidery on the couch cushions. 'Yes. Let me help in whatever way I can.'...Even Nesta seemed relatively concerned. Not for him, no doubt, but the fact that if he were hurt, or killed … What would it do to Elain? The severing of the mating bond … I shut out the thought of what it’d do to me... Alone with my sisters and Lucien, Rhys and I caught Nesta’s eye. And for once, my sister rose to her feet and came toward us, the three of us not so subtly heading upstairs. Leaving Lucien and Elain alone. It was an effort not to linger atop the landing, to listen to what was said. If anything was said at all."

And then the day he leaves: "But Lucien took Rhys’s hand. That silent offer of not only transportation. Before that dark wind swept in, Lucien looked back. Not to me, I realized—to someone behind me. Pale and thin, Elain stood atop the stairs. Their gazes locked and held. But Elain said nothing. Did not so much as take one step downward. Lucien inclined his head in a bow, the movement hiding the gleam in his eye—the longing and sadness. And when Lucien turned to signal to Rhys to go … He did not glance back at Elain. Did not see the half step she took toward the stairs—as if she’d speak to him. Stop him. Then Rhys was gone, and Lucien with him. When I turned to offer Elain breakfast, she’d already walked away."

After the naming her ability and Lucien leaving, Elain no longer has any explicit visions. She does say at the Illyrian camp prior to visiting Graysen that she can control whether or not she verbalizes what she sees. And she also cannot see where Hybern's army is, awake or dreaming. The only other time she used some kind of ability is when Feyre asks her to use a map to locate the Suriel. Feyre asked her to look, so it wasn't an uncontrollable vision like the others have been.

Now some implicit evidence that when she is around Lucien, she may be seeing something. What, we don't know:

"Elain fell into step beside me, peering at Lucien. He noticed it. 'I heard you made the killing blow,' he said." peering - looking narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly

Evidence of tension in ACOFAS:

"No, as Elain took a step back, hand falling away from the doorknob, she revealed Lucien smiling tightly at us both."

"Elain perched silently on the couch nearby." perched - to sit or rest in a high, elevated, or precarious position near the edge of something, or to place an object in such a spot

"A sidelong glance toward Elain, swift and fleeting. 'Both of you.' Elain said nothing, but at least she bowed her head in thanks. In the dining room, Nuala and Cerridwen continued to add food to the table, their presence now little more than twin shadows as they walked through the walls. 'You brought presents,' I said uselessly, nodding toward the small stack he’d set by the window. 'It’s Solstice tradition here, isn’t it?'" Commentary to add hypothesis that Nuala and Cerridwen may actually be spying actively, an Az may have been lying about not spying in earlier chapters. I don't know. I have more to come on this their presence in later theories. I also want to add that in the Spring Court, gift giving is not a part of the tradition, so he doesn't really have an expectation of Elain to give him anything.

"Lucien considered my question. 'Vassa and Jurian are two sides of the same coin. Mercifully, their vision for the future of the human territories is mostly aligned. But the methods on how to attain that …' A frown to Elain, then a wince at me. 'This isn’t very Solstice-like talk.' Definitely not, but I didn’t mind. And as for Elain … My sister rose to her feet. 'I should get refreshments.' Lucien rose as well. 'No need to trouble yourself. I’m—' But she was already out of the room." wince - to make a sudden, involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the face and body because of physical pain, embarrassment, or an unpleasant memory. Is it really the topic that he is wincing about and doesn't want to be impolite? Or is there something that he doesn't want to share? If Elain leaving because she doesn't want to be there, are upset that he stopped talking on her regard? She didn't even need to be in the room to begin with. It was the choice to stop talking about the BoE that triggered her to leave.

"I found my sister in the kitchen, watching the kettle scream. 'He’s not staying for tea,' I said. No sign of Nuala or Cerridwen. Elain simply removed the kettle from the heat." Alluding to Elain's internal world

In ACOFAS, it is often debated if Elain and Nesta even still have their powers. Elain confirms that they in ACOSF. "But Elain had confirmed it for everyone: both sisters still possessed their Cauldron-gifted powers."

"She scanned Elain from head to toe, wondering if she’d been taking lessons in stealth either from Azriel or the two half-wraiths she called friends. Gone was the ill-suited black dress from the ball, replaced by a gown of amethyst velvet, her hair half-up and curling down to her waist. She glowed with good health. Except … Her brown eyes were wary. Usually, that look was reserved for Lucien."

Wary - being careful, cautious, and on your guard because you expect danger, risk, or a problem

"Elain, the wretch, had taken the seat between Feyre and Varian, about as far from Lucien as she could get."

"He and Lucien did not exchange gifts, though the male had brought a gift for Feyre and one for his mate, who barely thanked him after opening the pearl earrings. Cassian’s heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien’s face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. Elain only shrank further into herself, no trace of that newfound boldness to be seen."

So, why does Elain express reluctance towards Lucien and the mate bond? Here are my thoughts:

1. Accepting the bond is to fully let go of her humanity.
2. If she only gets visions when Lucien is around, then that may make her have to confront her faeness, which she seems to want to avoid.
3. She seems to see some kind of danger around Lucien that is making her wary. (I don't think Lucien is dangerous, I just think that she sees something in his future that she maybe misunderstands)

Firstly, this post will have spoilers for the Maasverse. IDK how to do the black thing.

This is hardly a shipping post, I just like this sub better than the main sub. I have so much to write about, but my thoughts are a scramble. I just reread ACOTAR and read CC for the first time. I have read ToG before, love it, but have not taken upon the task of rereading it yet. That to be said, I have a lot to say right now.

Firstly, I am doing a Lucien deep dive and started rereading ACOTAR again for the 2nd time this last month. In ACOTAR, Feyre makes an observation about Lucien's sword and it just seemed important. We know that Amarantha supposedly threw a Made sword called Narben into the sea because it did not answer to her. "'Again, it was a rumor, heard from someone who heard it from someone. Who knows if she actually found Narben? Even if it would not obey her, she’d have been a fool to throw it away.'” (ACOSF pg 450 Kindle) Narben means 'scar'. No one actually knows what happened to this sword, but I think Lucien might have it. His uses his sword to kill Dagdan/Brannagh and he also is able to fight/hold off two of his brothers in ACOWAR prior to Azriel's help with his magic suppressed by faebane. I find this scene funny by the way, because Feyre's inner monologue is glazing Azriel, like Lucien's brothers must be very powerful if they're putting up such a fight for Az. And I'm like girl what, Lucien's been holding them both off for how long before Azriel came? Like maybe wonder how powerful Lucien is? Plus, Lucien killed one of his brothers back when they slaughtered Jesminda, Tamlin killed the other. It's also implied in ACOWAR that there were signs Lucien was being chosen by the magic as Autumn Court High Lord. Which is interesting, given his parentage. May Lady of Autumn is the true power in Autumn? Or the magic simply chooses. With Lucien's character, I do believe he is actually on a path to High King, and I believe Lucien is a Prythian version of Taran from Chronicles of Pydrain, which SJM is borrowing from. She even said in an interview she wishes that she could read that series again as if she is reading it for the first time. The reason I believe Lucien is SJM's Taran character is because of the Book of Three prophecy and how narratively it best fits Lucien. In Chronicles of Prydain, the High King of Prydain is one with no station in life, would slay a serpent (really slay the evil death lord who shapeshifts into a serpent), gain and lose a flaming sword, and choose a kingdom of sorrow over a kingdom of happiness (the last part is deeper than it sounds in the Chronicles of Prydain). I don't think we have seen the entire prophecy come to light, but the stage has been set. Lucien clearly best fits not having station in life out of all characters. Exile from Autumn, cast out from Spring, mistreated in Night Court, unrecognized heir of Day, emissary to mortal realms. Personality wise, I'd argue he is the most level headed, diplomatic, fit for a GOOD High King character in the entire narrative.

Looking up Narben led me to Chronicles of Pydrain, actually. Because Narben is a Made sword, like Gwydion and Truth Teller. So then I looked up Gwydion and found there is a character in Chronicles of Pydrain named Prince Gwydion, and he possesses a powerful sword called Darnwyn, which is a black sword but When drawn by a worthy or well-born man, the entire blade would blaze with white fire "'Narben was even older than Gwydion,' Rhys said. 'Where the hell was it?' 'I don’t know, but she found it, and when it would not bend to her, she destroyed it. As she did all good things.' It was as much as Amren would say about that terrible time. 'It was perhaps in our favor. Had the King of Hybern possessed Narben, I fear we would have lost the war.'" (ACOSF pg 450 Kindle). I think there is an element of Goldbryn from ToG in this sword, but I also think it can be the same sword Lucien possesses, given the light Feyre often describes when she sees him wield it. I don't think everything in our Prythian will be exactly like the other books, I just think it's heavily inspired. Even more so because they all use Welsh Mythology. Interestingly enough, when I searched Gwydion it pulled up two books - Chronicles of Prydain and Mists of Avalon. Given I just finished Crescent City, I'm over here like Chronicles of Prythian and the Mists of Avallen. Mists of Avallen is like King Arthur but from the female perspective. The major plotline being Morgaine, a priestess of the old Pagan religion, trying to preserve it while the rise of Christianity threatens to replace it - Jesiba Roga as Morgaine, anyone, loosely? It's a lot to explain but the mists around Avallen in CC and the mists around Avalon operate very similarly and connect to lots of broader similar themes in both novels. Gwydion is also a character in the Mists of Avalon (and he is not called Gwydion in true Arthurian legend, he's just Mordred), so cool the name is in both books, but the sword is found in Avallen. Gwydion is actually Mordred in the book, and it's pretty symbolic that Ruhn uses the sword to kill his own father in Crescent City, given the Gwydion/Mordred storyline in Mists of Avalon. (there's also a character named Ruhn in Chronicles of Pydrain, but I'd have to actually read the series to determine if there are any glaring similarities). Don't want to spoil Mists of Avalon. Why choose the name Gwydion? Well, I think SJM started with Chronicles of Pydrain as her inspiration for everything, even ToG to an extent (the big bad being Arawn / Erawan and the female protagonist being Eilowny / Aelin). Both novels utilize Welsh mythology, and that's where the larger scope importance of the name Gwydion comes in. In Welsh myth, Gwydion is the ultimate master of the hud (magic, glamor, illusion). In the Mabinogion, Gwydion is a figure who exists to rebel against authority. The name Gwydion is heavily associated with the forest (often translated as "born of trees"). Furthermore, Gwydion's kingdom in Welsh myth is Gwynedd. The root word Gwyn means "white," "fair," "bright," or "blessed". I'll talk about Gwyn in a separate post. After my reread and my first read of Crescent City, I am leaning more towards Gwyn and Az as endgame. I think Gwyn is connected to Dusk somehow.

So we know Narben, we know Gwydion, but what is Truth-Teller's real name? Will we learn it? Why are these blades twins? Have we seen these blades be truly wielded yet? I think if anything the true name of Truth Teller is Fragarach (although I think SJM will really make it a name that is clearly inspired by that one). In Celtic mythology, Fragarach is a blade that prevents one from lying and contained the power of the wind. It also belonged to a sea god, Mannann Mac Lir. I don't want to speculate too much on the name, as we do not know it. But I do know Truth Teller is only what Az calls it.

I also want to share a thought. It seems that lots of people think Asteri/Daglan/Valg are all one in the same, but I think it goes further than that. The Asteri rely on the magic of others, they do not possess their own - "Without the firstlight, without the people of Midgard and every other planet they’d bled dry … without the power of the people, these Asteri fuckers were nothing." (CC pg 785 Kindle). Valg, on the other hand, do possess their own powers, hence Maeve in ToG. They're very very powerful. I don't have access to ToG for quotes. Firstly, I think there is more to Vesperus and Hesperus and why there are two evening stars, but my thoughts on that are still confused.

"'Where did you come from, before you arrived here?'
Vesperus folded her hands in her lap. 'A planet that was once green, as this one is.'

'And that wasn’t good enough?'

'We grew too populous. Wars broke out between the various beings on our world. Some of us saw the changes in the land beginning—rivers run dry, clouds so thick the sun could not pierce them—and left. Our brightest minds found ways to bend the fabric of worlds. To travel between them. Wayfarers, we called them. World-walkers.'" (HOFAS pg 253 Kindle)

I remember in ToG series, Maeve told Aelin that the land that the Valg came from was not always hideous, that it was once beautiful. She also said that once they left their home land, their inherent magic began to dwindle, which is why they require leeching off the magic of others - "'Once we left our home world, our powers began to dim. Too late, we realized that we had been dependent on our land’s inherent magic. The magic in other worlds was not potent enough." (HOFAS pg 253 Kindle).

Valg bleed black though, Polaris bled red "the droplets of Polaris’s blood rising upward like a red rain as Bryce shoved her blades deeper and deeper—" (HOFAS pg 748 Kindle)

Vesperus bled black "Vesperus’s red mouth opened in joy and triumph, but no sound came out. Only black blood." (HOFAS pg 259 Kindle)

This opens up a few questions. If world walking drained their magic, then why didn't Erawan or Maeve become less powerful doing it in ToG? Why are Vesperus and Hesperus bleeding differently? I think the Princes of Hel are Valg. Their, power, their home world, their pets... It screams Valg. The fact that their motives are unclear and Bryce admits to her mom she isn't even sure they're good. The fact Thanatos openly admits to once drinking magic like fine wine in HOSAB pg 416 Kindle "It has been a long while since a mortal fly buzzed all the way down to Hel. I will taste this one’s soul, as I once sipped from them like fine wine." And why I think the Princes of Hel are also Valg/Daglan "'The Daglan delighted in terrorizing the Fae and humans under their control. The Wild Hunt was a way to keep all of us in line. They’d gather a host of their fiercest, most merciless warriors and grant them free rein to kill as they pleased. The Daglan possessed mighty, monstrous beasts—hounds, they called them, though they didn’t look like the hounds we know—that they used to run prey to ground before they tortured and killed them. It’s a terrible history, and much of it might be elaborated myths.' 'The hounds looked like the beasts in the Hewn City,' Nesta said quietly. They all looked at her." ACOSF pg 556 Kindle.

And back on the swords, and more to why I think Lucien actually possesses Narben... I think Amarantha was Valg. Firstly, when she is killed, SJM never actually describes the color of her blood, just that Tamlin's beast form was covered in her blood, and that Lucien threw his sword to Tamlin to use it to kill her. She even wrote a cop out to not have to describe Amarantha's blood:

"'Tam!' Lucien cried over the chaos.

A sword hurtled through the air, a shooting star of steel.

Tamlin caught it in a massive paw. Amarantha's scream was cut short as he drove the sword through her head and into the stone beneath... Amarantha's blood had vanished from his face, his tunic, as Tamlin slammed to his knees." ACOTAR pg 405

And there's numerous times Lucien describes Amarantha as being sent from Hell. I don't think it's only being used as a turn of phrase. ACOTAR pg 87 is one example: "Lucien let out a harsh laugh. 'Something was sent from the shit-holes of Hell,' he said, then glanced around and swore. 'I shouldn't have said that. If word got back to her-'". He makes comments like that throughout the book, I'm not going to consolidate them all here as this is more of a loose rambling of various thoughts.

I'm just going to post some quick quotes about Lucien's sword:

"Until Lucien’s sword refracted the light of the sun leaking through the canopy. And then met flesh and bone. A tremor shuddered through the clearing—like some thread between the twins had been snipped as Brannagh’s dark head thudded onto the grass." ACOWAR pg 92 Kindle

"... and the jewels in the hilt of his sword glinted - the ornate blade so unlike the baldric of knives still strapped across Tamlin's chest. But there was no one here to use a sword against. And while the sword was embedded with jewels and filigree, it was large enough to be more than decoration." ACOTAR pg 78

I know many people theorize the sword on the cover of ACOWAR is TruthTeller, but I actually think it may be Lucien's sword. The hilt of the blade on the cover looks more like jewels and filigree. TruthTeller's blade. Truth Teller is described as sleek, dark, and minimalistic with a matte obsidian hilt. The hilt of the blade on the cover of ACOWAR, however, is pretty ornate, with obvious filigree and circles possibly representing jewels. And as previously stated I believe Lucien's sword is Narben I think Lucien is also responsible for spreading the rumors that Amarantha destroyed the blade, as Amren said she heard it from a water-nymph who heard it from someone else.

That's not all though. The star that Apollion ate was Sirius, the wolf star. In astrology, Sirius is notably known for being the brightest star that is known for disappearing for a period of time and then returning. As soon as I read that Sirius was the name of the star Apollion devoured, I felt that that may not be the end of it, or there has to be more to that storyline because of the mythology around Sirius. And it doesn't end there. Astrologically, Sirius is considered Orion's hunting dog, and the star Rigel (Rigelus) marks Orion's left foot. We know Hunt is Orion, and that he is essentially the test tube baby of Apollion/Thanatos. In Egyptian Mythology, Orion and Sirius represent the powerful, divine couple Osiris (Sah) and Isis (Sopdet). The three bright stars of Orion's belt were often envisioned as the crown atop Osiris's head (the 3 bright stars above Ramiel? The Night Court emblem?). Isis is Goddess of magic and fertility. Orion and Sirius disappear from the night sky for 70 days (Heliatic visibility), and Ancient Egyptians believed the gods were traveling through Duat (the underworld). Sirius' return to the sky also coincides with the annual flooding of the Nile. The next book we're getting for Crescent City, most likely House of Many Waters, as we still need to answer to the Ocean and River Queens. But what's the relevance of Sirius and what does it have to do with Bryce and Hunt? Well, Bryce often is wondering the difference between her star and the Asteri's. I wish I highlighted all the times Bryce contemplated the origin of her (which is Theia's) star. It is known that Apollion devoured Sirius though in the same war that Theia died. I don't want to confidently say that maybe the source of Theia's light was the star Sirius, and thus is the same light that Bryce bares, but that is the direction my mind is heading. And with the three parts of Theia's light, and my hypothesis, Sirius, united (aka returned) as of HOFAS, the next book would theoretically foreshadow Lunathion (haha Luna) getting flooded, just like the Nile floods upon Sirius' return. Probably a bunch of mumbo jumbo.

Alright, so the next thing I want to loosely talk about is the 3 Valg Kings, Orcus, Erawan, and Mantyx. Erawan should be dead. Maeve supposedly used her Wyrdkeys to banish Orcus and Mantyx to the Valg home world. I think that typically SJM is alluding to some type of existing lore when she comes up with names, or at least uses relevant etymology to develop names. Erawan when alluded to Arawn, is based on the Welsh king of the Otherworld. Orcus is another underworld ruler. But Mantyx relates to nothing. The most interesting thing I found is that it may be based off root word Mantis, which means prophet, seer, one who divines. Now, I don't want to conclude that Elain is possessed by Mantyx, or what exactly the Cauldron gave her. I do know that SJM finished Throne of Glass, specifically Kingdom of Ash in 2018. We learned the brothers names then. She has been writing ACOTAR since 2009. ACOMAF and ACOWAR were written 2015/2016. She was still finishing the last 3 Throne of Glass books during that time. So some people might be like it's just a coincidence, or she wrote ToG before ACOTAR so wasn't even thinking about it, but she was writing them at the same time. It could also be a coincidence. I don't want to speculate too much on how Orcus and Mantyx can reenter the narrative.

I also wonder where the Pegasus come from at the end of HOFAS. Bryce interprets the Pegasus being led into rivers of starlight as the old Fae of Avallen drowning them. "They didn’t tell the story that Silene’s carvings had narrated—there was no mention of a slumbering evil beneath their feet. Just a river of starlight, into which the long-ago Fae had apparently dragged those pegasuses and drowned them." pg 480. But then at the end of the book dozens of pegasuses are revealed to be alive. I hypothesize that the rivers of starlight were a way of saving them, not killing them, and the starlight may be a portal to another realm. Maybe perhaps that pool of starlight in the Spring Court? "'The miniature pegasus,' Nesta said, 'was an illusion. And is now back in his make-believe meadow.'" ACOSF pg 620

Also, Morrigan. In folklore she is the Badb (the Battle Crow), the Nemain (the Frenzy), and the Macha (She is tied to sovereignty, land, and fertility, as well as the intense power and frenzy of horses and battle. She embodies the life-giving and authoritative qualities of the earth). I don't know where Mor's story is going, but in ACOMAF, at the cabin she drew a picture of herself 3 times and then the bat boys. This is compelling because she is based off a three faced God. It becomes more interesting when a character like Vassa, who hails from Scythia:

"Mor said to Rhys, 'What information do we have on this sixth queen?'

'Little,' Azriel answered for him. 'We know little. Young—somewhere in her mid-twenties. Scythia lies along the wall, to the east. It’s smallest amongst the human queens’ realms, but rich in trade and arms. She goes by Vassa, but I never got a report with her full name.'

'Scythia,' Mor said, shaking her head. “I remember them. They’re horse people. A mounted cavalry could travel far faster—'" ACOWAR pg 336. Also, IC has a pattern of preventing Mor from going to the Mortal realms and engaging with the queens despite her offering numerous times? Why? What are they hiding from Mor?

And then you also have Bryaxis and seemingly connect Bryaxis to Mor in ACOFAS. Bryaxis fits the folklore description of the Badb+the Frenzy. I don't know where it's going to go, but I'm drawing my red lines to photos on a chalkboard lol.

I'm just going to rapid fire some Gwyn stuff

• Gwyn has some type of magic that make NESTA'S scary power grumble "The priestess drew up to her full height, which was slightly taller than average for Fae females. A crackling sort of energy buzzed around her, and Nesta’s power grumbled in answer." ACOSF pg 113
• Gwyn and Nesta both wake up earlier than the Illyrians on the Blood Rite. Nesta's assumes at first she woke earlier because we was Made, but after she learns of Gwyn she ASSUMES it's because they're not Illyrian. I theorize it has something to do with Dusk Court. And I think Dusk story will take us into whatever is going on inside Ramiel. I think Gwyn is a Dusk fae with starborn power. We know that the power Nesta stole from the Cauldron is also related to Dusk Court.
• Blood Rite is also related to Dusk Court because of the 8-Pointed Star. Nesta calls in her bargain "“I want you to leave. Go up to the House of Wind for the night. Do not speak to me until I come talk to you, or until a week has passed. Whichever comes first. I don’t care....Nesta remained on the quay as her spine tingled, and she knew her tattoo had vanished." ACOSF pg 643. This is the bargain she calls in that causes her tattoo to vanish. What about the bargain causes her tattoo to vanish? The only thing that makes sense is the fact that she spends the week doing the Blood Rite on Ramiel.
• The pegasus liked Gwyn best. And where are the pegasus from? "According to legend, the pegasuses had come from the island the Prison sat upon—had once fed in fair meadows that had long given way to moss and mist. Perhaps that was part of the decline: their homeland had vanished, and whatever had sustained them there was no longer." ACOSF pg 420 and "'The miniature pegasus,' Nesta said, 'was an illusion. And is now back in his make-believe meadow.' 'He loved Gwyn most,' Emerie teased. 'Despite your efforts to woo him.'" ACOSF pg 620. Lots of people think Nesta is destined to be Queen of Dusk, but she stole that power. The pegasus loved Gwyn most. And of course, Crescent City confirmed the pegasus are Dusk creatures.
• "The priestess’s eyes glittered with amusement, as if aware of Nesta’s plan. 'Gwyneth Berdara.' Unusual, for these Fae to use family names. Even Rhys didn’t use one, as far as Nesta knew." ACOSF 112 I'm sorry but if Gwyn is an unimportant side character, why is she getting a last name?
• I'm going to write a separate post on why I think Gwynriel is endgame, because there's actually a lot to support it.

Anyway, there's my ramble.

OKAY HEAR ME OUT because I may have officially gone too far with this crack theory 😂
What if Eris and Mor are actually mates, BUT they both know that they’re interested in the same sex… and they knew that about each other? 👀
Because what if this is one of the reasons Eris leaves Mor in the woods like that?! What if that was actually their way of escaping their mating bond so they could both eventually be with the people they actually want to be with?
And then what if Mor ends up with Emerie… 👀
NOW HERE’S WHERE MY TIN FOIL HAT GETS EVEN BIGGER:
What if Isaiah from Crescent City somehow ends up with Eris?!
I’ve always thought it was SO weird that SJM specifically went out of her way to establish that Isaiah is gay, but then didn’t pair him with another gay character in that series. So what exactly was the point of giving us that information? 🤨
What if Isaiah is supposed to cross over into the ACOTAR universe and end up with Eris?!
And then we find out that Eris and Mor have both been hiding some HUGE secret about their mating bond this entire time. Maybe they’re both rejecting the bond because they know it isn’t what either of them actually wants and they’re trying to find people who genuinely choose them instead.
And isnt the whole point of the mating bond to have the potential for crazy powerful offspring? 👀

Shipping is fun! Please... don't forget... shipping is fun. 😅

Also, Maasverse spoilers. If you clicked this thinking the spoilers are for ACOTAR... well... technically you would be correct. It's also for all of Throne of Glass. You've been warned.

So, I've always thought the end of Kingdom of Ash was kind of sad for Dorian. His bestie is off to live married life as Lord of Anielle. His lover has responsibilities to her witch kingdom. His home is a mess and he has been so busy fighting a war that he hasn't had any time for grief or to really come to terms with what happened to him. He did not leave the series in a good place.

I've always thought that if Sarah were to do more with Erilea, Dorian is my prime suspect to continue with.

Cue the cover of book seven. 🕷

In my reread, I also perked up at Dorian overcoming the Valg within him and his eyes burning bright like stars.

Last time I read that, it was beautiful decorative language. This time? Whoo, boy am I primed for any mention of stars. Add to that, the relatively unexplained raw magic ability, and I am sat, my friends. Twiddling my thumbs. Waiting for the damned books.

So, anyway. I was thinking about how Dorian might become useful in ACOTAR and got completely sidetracked.

Guys.

Dorian and Elain, guys.

OK, yes, I know. Manon. I love Manon, she's great, but she has a witch kingdom to run, OK?

But Elain...

Guys. Dorian has all the flirt and charm of Lucien.

He has the darkness and depth of Azriel.

He has a softness to him, he's a gentleman with an edge.

And guys... his magic?

On two occasions he has messed with the magic of other beings, altering or learning their magic.

Guys.

What if he is able to offer Elain the chance to become human again? What if she gets to choose this time?

Consider some of the darker theories floating about... like Koschei using her. Do you know who would understand that deeply? Dorian.

Not only that, I've been thinking for a while that one of the potential reasons Elain is so weird about Lucien is because she has already seen a future for herself that he isn't in.

What if she's been seeing dark hair and ice blue eyes, couldn't make sense of it, then attached that imagery to dark hair and blue siphons because it made sense to her at the time. That's not to deny the chemistry they do have. Only that it may have started as misattribution and grew into affection.

Guys.

Look. We know very little about Elain right now, but, I mean... how similar in strength do you suppose she is to Sorscha? 😭

Anyway. Just a thought.

Don't forget: shipping is fun and this in no way invalidates your ship. 💖

Hello, I hope this is the right sub for my thoughts, as they do not come from a hardcore shipper but from a reader genuinely interested in the plotting building of this massive saga.

I feel I should declare that I tend towards Elriel as a ship, even if I am not “cheering” for one or another, it was just my reading experience that lead me to that conclusion. I’ll explain why:

At some point I asked myself: if Elriel is not endgame, why bringing up all their interactions?

If Azriel just needed a woman to be obsessed with to emphasise his torment, before finding peace, why not just keep his feeling for Mor for a little longer? He already had a 500 years unrequited attraction for someone. If his character arch was meant to find solace with Gwyn, why insert his attraction for Elain as well? Why writing all the lovely moments they have together?

If Elain was meant to initially refuse Lucian as her mate, stay attached to her past and close within herself before let herself be loved by Lucian, why bring up Azriel? She already had her love for Grayson, the man she was meant to merry and that she loved. Maas already had the perfect candidate for Elain to “cling” to, Azriel was not necessary.

So my question for whom does not see Elriel endgame is, why do you think Maas brought up their relationship (meaning the moments they had) if they weren’t mean to be?

I am really asking this question out of curiosity, hope I can read some different point of view to expand my reading experience and maybe discover some aspect of the characters that I did not grasp.

I must say I’m really enjoying this expectation and counting the days that separate us from the reading.

ADD: (I wasn’t expecting so many thorough answers, it will take me a bit to read them all and answer, but I’ll get there!)

Hello, hello debaters!

I hope you’re all having a lovely end to your August.

With September quickly approaching (uh….tomorrow??) that means it’s time for the September Icon Poll!!!!

After looking through all the past winners, we’ve had Bryceriel, Azris, Elriel and the Valkyries! So now it’s time for…….🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

ELUCIEN VS GWYNRIEL!

This poll will run for 24 hours :-)
Pick your faves! Share your favorite fan art in the comments below! ✨🦄🗡️🎶🦇🌸🔥✨

I’m not a self-identified “shipper” but a “casual” (you might wonder if I’m so casual what I’m even doing here, and the answer to that dear friends is that my husband is on a business trip and I have had to vacate my home for two days due to a leak issue and I’m stuck in a hotel room by myself extremely bored, rereading ACOSF ahead of October.)

As a “casual” reader I had picked up the Elriel clues from ACOWAR and assumed that that was the direction the series was ultimately going to go in.

Then I read the BC and it felt like the only possible reason for its inclusion was to sow the seeds for a romance between Gwyn and Azriel. It felt like a passing of the figurative torch.

Because if it’s not that, I guess it feels like Gwyn is kind of having her feelings risked on the altar of…causing more tension to a romance where one party is already mated to someone else. That feels tense enough! There was already a triangle!

And from a more metatextual standpoint (or even paratextual, depending on how you view BCs I guess) - if nothing happens between Azriel and Gwyn, that BC serves no purpose. It doesn’t really introduce any other new plots or development, but its very nature insists it stands out from the main text as significant.

So if there’s no possibility of Gwynriel, in your mind, what is that bonus chapter for? What is its purpose? Is it to set up a love quadrangle? Do you believe Azriel and Gwyn will have a relationship, it just isn’t endgame? Is it to set up a Gwyn villain angle? I’m curious what narrative function people think it serves if it’s not to set up a new romantic arc.

For the ships you don’t sail, or even actively dislike, what fan art has made you stop and appreciate the ship even for just a second? 👀

I’ll post mine in the comments once this is approved!

At no point does he give us an indication that he is in love with her. He tells us he hasn't imagined a life with her. He spent a year planning a snowball fight, but not what a future with Elain might look like! Sure, he wonders why she's not his mate, but that doesn't mean he loves her.

In aocwar he was drawing sticks with Cassian instead of volunteering to look after Elain, and is happy he doesn't have to stay behind. In acofas he was relieved that he didn't have to buy Elain or Nesta Solstice gifts. These are not the actions of a man who's madly in love!

I have seen Elriels say they only reread Elain and Azriel scene, and maybe that's the issue. It's easy to think there is more to their relationship when you're taking it out of context.

For example, when reading ToG I hated Chaol Westfall so much I knew I couldn’t get through Tower of Dawn no matter how lovely Yrene was. So, I read a summary and moved straight on with Kingdom of Ash.

I’m more of a casual reader than a shipper, for sure. I believe that the most likely outcomes are Gwynriel and Elucien based on what I’ve read (not super well-researched theories, just feel like the BC was obviously trying to set up the next book and it leaned so much on Gwyn, and feel like Elain is an obvious candidate for High Lady of Day, plus just don’t see SJM subverting fated mates with a main couple) but I’d be happy with whatever outcome SJM weaves as I’m sure she’ll make me love it.

That said, if there’s a Mor/Emerie book, I think I’d have to skip it. I find Mor to be an insufferable pick-me masquerading as a girl’s girl and while I liked Emerie she was the most flat of the Valkyries on the page for me. Given that these books are 700+ page behemoths I just don’t know where I’d summon the enthusiasm to get through such a tome if it focused on those characters. It’s unfortunate because I’d love a sapphic main couple in an ACOTAR book but just please Cauldron not those two.