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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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as a sa survivor.... no
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Leaving this here. No comments, just think about this amongst yourselves 😭
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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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Forbidden love is such a crappy trope for a character like Az.
I don't know how they thought it would be good. Not only his storyline and development through the books, but his bonus chapter, especially!, tell us enough: Azriel needs the opposite of being hidden. For someone who feels unworthy and bad,, he needs to face his insecurities and to thrive around those who love him! He doesn't need judgment or a situation he will lie and withdraw further into himself. Azriel does not fit a love in the dark. Nope... He should be loved right there: in front of everyone else. He must have explicit smiles, looks and sweet touches. From the start, he is a character who needs to find comfort in existing with others. His family and partner.
“They pull people together. And bring them joy. They are a time to pause and reflect and gather, and those are never bad things.” - this is Azriel, talking abt a holiday he almost didn't participate cuz he was feeling uncomfortable and lonely.
I rest my case.
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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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One name, in bold letters. One name, ready for tomorrow’s lesson.
GWYN
❥ Gwyn and acosf: a love story. ⬇ {this will be long}
Her hood was thrown back, and faelight danced in the rich coppery chestnut of her pin-straight hair. Her large teal eyes were as clear and depthless as the stone usually atop a priestess’s hood, and a scattering of freckles lay across her nose and cheeks, as if someone had tossed them with a careless hand.
↑♡ Chapter 9! Gwyn was introduced for the first time; beautiful, with a long and detailed description, she had a very straightforward interaction with Nesta.
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. [...] Gwyn’s hair seemed to glow brighter with her song, skin radiating a beckoning light. Drawing any listener in.
↑♡ Crackling sort of energy...? Skin radiating a beckoning light? New character and many crumbs already. For meticulous readers, a question remains: what powers does Gwyn have?
“I don’t need to be coddled. Only spoken to like a person.”
↑♡ Still being introduced - SJMAS already pointed out interesting behavior and personality of this new character. Gwyn showed she was more than her trauma.
“Because I don’t like to fail. I can’t …” Gwyn shook her head. “I don’t want to make any more mistakes.”
↑♡ And as the chapters went on, the author decided to put even more emphasis on Gwyn and her deepest feelings.
Would she remain here, locked beneath the earth, for the rest of her immortal life?
↑♡ This a question made by Nesta {and Sarah herself, I believe}. It can also be read as a hint - would Gwyn, this lovable and intriguing character, remain forever locked in that library? It begs for an answer.
Gwyn frowned. “Lots of things. Merrill’s brilliant. Horrible, but brilliant. When she first came here, she was obsessed with theories regarding the existence of different realms—different worlds. [...]”
↑♡ She was the character who talked about the many worlds for the first time in ACOSF (not sure abt all books); we know, by now, how important this was and this is going to be for the future plot of ccty and even acotar.
“Yes, thank the Cauldron. She’s writing a comprehensive history of the Valkyries.”
↑♡ Gwyn was also responsible for introducing the Valkyries, big part of ACOSF. Their phases, for example, said by her, named the book parts.
“No, but …” Gwyn’s swallow was audible. “I can feel something. Like a cat. Small and clever and curious. It’s watching.”
↑♡ Aside from Nesta (the mc), Gwyn was the only one who felt! the darkness in the library.
“Because I don’t ever want to feel powerless again,” Gwyn said softly, and all those easy smiles and bright laughs were gone. Only stark, pained honesty shone in her remarkable eyes.
↑♡ The author continued to invest in Gwyn's development. From a frightened priestess to one willing to face her fears. She was the character who voiced Nesta's feelings.
Gwyn and Emerie had fallen into an easy camaraderie within minutes.
↑♡ I'm a simp, really. She immediately liked Emerie and didn't make her uncomfortable.
Gwyn, who had arrived blushing the next morning and told Emerie that if the book was considered tame, then she could only imagine the content of the others. [...] And it was Gwyn who said, “Was it good?”
↑♡ Both great moments that show pure growth! First, she got in contact with smut books and later, she was enough okay with it to be the one who asked about Nessian's sex.
“My grandmother was a river-nymph who seduced a High Fae male from the Autumn Court. So I’m a quarter nymph, but it’s enough for this.” [...] “My mother was unwanted by either of their people. [...] She partook in the Great Rite when she was of age, and I, we—my sister and I, I mean—were the result of that sacred union with a male stranger.”
↑♡ Questions, questions and questions. Gwyn's origin was mentioned in the book (it didn't happen to any other character) and there were three main points: river-nymph, which means she is a half-breed like Rhysand himself; Autumn Court, well... Eris, heir of it, showed up and was linked to the plot - and future ones; Great Rite, something that we read abt.
Gwyn said, playing with her hair, “I dream of my past, too.”
↑♡ She was the person who told Nesta she wasn't the only one reviving her traumas. They all were.
Gwyn let out a breathy laugh. “I mean it. I learned about a new Valkyrie technique last night. It’s called Mind-Stilling.”
↑♡ Mind-stilling, a technique that improves the training. That made them Valkyries. That helped them win the Rite. Again, Gwyn being the introducer.
Tell yourself, I am the rock against which the surf crashes. [...] Nesta did. And for the first time in her life, she felt utterly settled into her own skin.
↑♡ I don't feel like I need to explain this. Nesta feeling into her own skin for the first time in her life is enough.
“Your story is worth telling, you know.”
↑♡ This right here. Nesta heard her life is worth living and telling. She mattered. And she told everyone else: you matter.
With her eyes closed, only the music mattered—the song, the voices, the harp. It wrapped around her, as if she’d been dropped into a bottomless pool of sound. Gwyn’s voice rose again, holding such a high note it was like a ray of pure light, piercing and summoning.
↑♡ It was Gwyn's song that connected Nesta to the third trove. Gwyn's.
Gwyn beamed. “I convinced Merrill to add us into the penultimate chapter. She even let me write it—with her own annotations, of course. But it’s about the rebirth of the Valkyries. About what we’re doing.”
↑♡ Please. Gwyn marked them in history. Her friends and sisters.
“I sometimes wonder if I shall ever have the courage to go out there again. I fear every day that I won’t.”
↑♡ When people say Gwyn's journey is over, it's just a blatant lie. Even though she was already training with the girls, she still had this fear. This insecurity about the future. And the author made us wonder together with the character.
Gwyn whispered, “I am the rock against which the surf crashes.” Nesta straightened at the words, as if they were a prayer and a summons. Gwyn lifted the blade. “Nothing can break me.”
↑♡ Nothing can break her. Nothing can break Nesta, Emerie, me or you. Gwyn's character was responsible for this words. A pray and summon.
Smooth as the Sidra, swift as the wind off the Illyrian Mountains, her entire body working in singing harmony, Gwyn lunged toward the ribbon, twirled, and as she spun, her arm opened up, executing a perfect backhanded slice that cut the winter morning itself.
↑♡ The first Valkyrie in history. The very first one.
Gwyn stroked Nesta’s head. “Some things are more important than fear.” She cleared her throat.
↑♡ The way she was panicking and stayed with Nesta anyway. Cuz Nesta needed her. This is noble love and bravery. She could have hidden; and it would be understandable, even. But she prioritized her sister. She did it.
They’d eaten a meager meal of some roast squirrel Gwyn had managed to pilfer from an unsuspecting Illyrian, but hunger remained a vocal knot in their bellies.
↑♡ This could be me just simping for this fun, chaotic girl, but I can also point out that Gwyn played a big role through the Rite. She saved the girls, fed them and made them keep going until the Ramiel.
“CUT IT!” Gwyn roared.
↑♡ Not to mention she was again completely selfless. She would die for them. Gwyn was ready to sacrifice her life for them; even more than her life, I would say. She did it for the children, she would do it for her sisters.
Gwyn and Emerie had touched the sacred stone.
↑♡ Carinthyan.
“I have been broken once before,” Gwyn said, her voice clear. “I survived it. And I will not be broken again—not even by this mountain.”
↑♡ Gwyn was the one who shared her past first. She was scared and yet, she told them. She placed her heart in her sisters' hands - and they followed her. Nesta, who said over and over again throughout ACOSF how they would hate her for what she was, told them. And was loved by them. Emerie, who had a past that no one knew about, told them. And was welcomed by them. Their stories were worth telling.
______________________________________________________
To say Gwyn has no relevance or plot or development is to lie. She is the side character of main focus in ACOSF; and we can see it in this post, but also by making a comparison with this all and Emerie's parts. There's no questions about Ems' origin or powers - she is a side character as much as Gwyn, but she didn't participate the same way in the book. Yup, she is a side character as much as Gwyn, but she had less focus. And that was the author choice. Is Emerie as important as Gwyn? Yes. But she wasn't set up for the main plots around the story or for the main character possibility.
We can also think about Nesta before ACOSF. She had a big participation and her plot was linked to the book's plot: the caldron. Sarah set her up for her book by focusing on her! on her personality, strength and fears. And now, she did the same with Gwyn. She was linked to the Valkyries plot and in the end, to the future {war, many worlds and autumn court}. And more: although she did grow, the author told us clearly the character was not done. Emerie is not completely done either (almost) - but her plot is a side plot in the big picture.
Gwyn was left with many questions and !two things! to be solved through a healing journey: the Invoking Stone and the library. She hasn't felt worth yet. She hasn't seen the world yet.
But she will.
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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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Important Reminder!
Az went from this after Solstice:
Three days passed with no word from Cassian. He’d been replaced in training by a stone-faced Azriel, who was more aloof than usual and wouldn’t even give her a smile.
To this 2 days later:
Cassian had been gone for five days.
Cassian glanced over at Az, but his attention was fixed on the young priestess, admiration and quiet encouragement shining from his face.
To this after that (and spanning over 2 months):
“Since there’s no chance in hell any of you will finish the course, we didn’t bother to get a prize.”
Indeed, Azriel and Cassian had just leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and smiled at them the entire time.
Az stared after her, brows high with amusement.
Wanted Nesta and Emerie and her to be the ones who wiped the smirks from Azriel’s and Cassian’s faces. Especially Azriel’s.
Az pouted over the events of Solstice for 5 days and that was it. All we were shown of his anger towards Rhys and the situation with Elain was a grand total of 120 hours before we see a drastic change to his moodiness. Watching Gwyn with admiration, heckling her about being unable to finish the course, smiling at the females efforts, smirking at them and amused by Gwyn. This translates to what is the most constant state of contentment for Az that we've ever seen throughout the series.
If you truly want happiness for Az, then why ignore the fact that he is consistently happier and more playful around Gwyn than we've ever seen him before.
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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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The thing is that if Azriel had given up really because of Elain, it would've happened way earlier on.
El/riel met in acomaf! In acowar El/riel grew a little, but from Acomaf to Acofas we literally see him pining after Mor. The reason why it became less pining in Acosf is because Mor wasn't much around! He still reacted when Helion mentioned Mor.
With "given up" it wasn't a hint for Azriel having moved on from Mor to Elain. It wasn't a fricking hint for El/riel. It was more so telling us that he's tired of pining and of feeling like sh*t everytime she avoids him. Cassian found that good because this male has been trying for literally 500 years and he doesn't find it healthy for him. That makes much more sense- I too would have find it good if my brother gave up in trying and waiting for someone who will never be his. Who will never chose him. All the wait going to waste.
So it's ridiculous to say that he had given up only because of Elain. If so, it would have at least happened in acowar. Keep in mind that it's been 2.5 years!
Another thing what I find ridiculous is that El/riels claim Azriel and Elain are in love or that at least Azriel is and I'm just... wtf?!?!
I heard from some of them that El/riel has the friends to lovers trope..
literally from where did you get that? Are we reading the same books or do you mean the off page chemistry between El/riel? It all freaking happened off page. If you haven't noticed, Sarah doesn't let her characters fall in love off page unless they are side characters who don't get to have their own book (like Vamren). Feysand, Rowaelin and Bryathalar aside- haven't we all witnessed the romance with Elorcan? Chaolryne? Lysaedion? Nestarq? Manorian? Nessian?
Heck even Feylin, Samlaena, Chaolaena and Dorlaena! Don't you all remember how their love stories went? From the start til the end.
But I tell you what- Chaol and Nesryn's story would have been weak cause they didn't have any big romantic moments except for the end at least in QOS. So his book would have been about Nesryn and Chaol just debatting in their heads wether or not to confess that they are in love... with angst here and there... the whole time?That could be one of the reasons Sarah didn't make Chaolsryn endgame.
If Azriel and Elain were to already have such strong feelings then it really would be them taking their gods long time til the end to finally confess.
They claim that Gwynriel is boring... well everyone has their own oponions, but at least we would get to see Gwyn and Azriel falling in love. The actual 'friends to lovers' romance. We know damn well that there are not in love, nor have any deep feelings for each other yet, but there is big potential unlike El/riel, where we would just see them banging secretly until they finally confess and Elain rejects the mating bond to be with Azriel.
In every other book we would want to witness how the feelings change, how the POV of someone change, how distrust turns to trust, insults turn to compliments, No care turns to caring, dislike turns to like and it changes more and more. We all want to see the shift and authors do just. It's important to witness that love story and it goes with every love trope. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forbidden love etc.
Elain gets her own book, which means she will become a main character. To want to have her already in love with her love interest before her journey has even started is.. well everyone is entilted to their own oponions, but I would rather much experience the whole love story and not just the half of it. I don't read only the half of a book. I need to know where it's started! What happened back then?! El/riel just met, had some moments here and there and boom- they are in love...? Again, don't forget that acosf takes place after the war 2 years ago and nothing between Elain and Azriel has changed.. they want to convience me that they are already in love?!
Yes, you’re right, for all of this time that e/riel was supposedly “falling in love” Az was still fixated on Mor and Elain on Graysen.
“Given up” is also quite different than having resolved feelings and being ready to move on with Elain in a healthy manor. Az’s feelings for Mor are not something that is just suddenly over with, they still need to be worked through, which is why Rhys asking about Mor in the bonus chapter was so important
It’s funny because if they’re already in love and Elain is happy in the NC, the turmoil needed for her story would come from…breaking the bond & fOrBidDeN LoVe? Things that heavily involve Lucien. That wouldn’t make for a very epic romance for e/riel if they’ve got a third wheel they’re trying to get rid of half the book.
I think Azriel has no clue what love is and it’s going to absolutely knock him on his ass once he is actually in love
I agree, a gwynriel book seems way more exciting. They would challenge each other, work together as equals and I expect falling in love with Gwyn will be completely unexpected for Azriel. Elain and Azriel would just be them sneaking around and enabling each other to avoid their problems(their real problems, not the problem that they want to bang each other)
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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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darling.. oh my god.
I'm so sorry for what happened to you and what they told you.
I love you!
please read this!
Unfortunately a few weeks ago i commented on a post abot sexual assault- something about how it affects our lives since I'm a victim myself. After that i recieved countless of messages and hate comments because i write smut and because people just can't wrap it around their stupid little brains that I'm much more than my trauma.
I do not want to post those comments here since i don't want to make this a bigger deal than it already is but many some of those comments were:
"so you're telling me that you're a sa survivor but write about sex? really convincing hmm"
or
"I mean girl you literally seem fo be obsessed with rough fcking because of your account so i don't get why you're complaining"
These are the ones which hurt me the most so I'll just leave it here.
Those messages were really, really messed up and kind of affected me in a bad way so I'd like to take a break for the time being.
Thanks for all the support and I'll let y'all know when I'll be back<3.
-Luna
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tothestarsandback · 1 year
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I’m just gonna assume some of you guys have short term memory but because you need the reminder: here is a screenshot of Sarah’s face when she was informed that people thought Gwyn was a child.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
she then goes on to say that Gwyn is a full grown woman and “god bless all of you”.
so yeah! you don’t have to like Gwynriel but trying to make your ship seem more self righteous and moral due to aging when Gwyn is older than Elain by *check notes* almost half a decade isn’t the statement you think it is.
Neither is the argument that Azriel training Gwyn is a power imbalance considering Rowan trained Aelin, Cassian trained Nesta, and Rhysand quite literally taught Feyre how to read. But that’s a discussion for another day I suppose☺️
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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Shipping Elucien ≠ thinking that Elain owes Lucien anything.
We like Elucien. That’s it. It’s not hard.
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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YES😭
Friendly Reminder
Sarah wants to write Az's Journey 🤝🏿 Az's pov in acosf;
Sarah wanted Steph to read Az's extra 🤝🏿 Ending of the extra being Gwynriel;
We will know more about the shadows when it is time for Az's story to be told 🤝🏿 Azriel's book;
We will have pegasus 🤝🏿 Gwyn loves pegasus;
Azriel will sing sometime in the next books 🤝🏿 Gwyn being the person Az said he sings and was about to ask him to sing;
Sarah focusing on the healing and emotion of sex 🤝🏿 Gwyn's healing;
Sarah answering nothing about Az today 🤝🏿 Not being able to give great information about the next book;
Sarah saying that she appreciates a careful reading of the two questions involving Gwyn;
Sarah saying she doesn't like it when men want to leave women at home 🤝🏿 Az not letting Elain get involved in anything × Az always encouraging Gwyn and saying he trained her well;
"Some of Elain" 🤝🏿 the next book is not hers
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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I said this on Instagram and I’ll say it again here:
SJM did not confirm any ships in her live.
In fact, she didn’t talk about Azriel at all.
She said we’ll get more of Elain in some form in the next book (which is not a confirmation that her book is next) + she can’t talk about Gwyn being a lightsinger or not since she hasn’t written the next ACOTAR book yet (but A+ for careful reading, she said, when someone pointed out that lightsingers and shadowsingers seem similar).
Sarah did not reveal who the next book was going to be about.
I know how delusional this fandom gets, so if you see anyone trying to push the “SJM confirmed my ship!1!1!” agenda, know that it’s a lie. Yes, e/riels, I’m looking at you.
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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okay but like after acosf it actually makes sense if eris is the next mc-
please dont attack me i know it's abt the archerons and ic etc it's just that he played a big part in acosf plus the last conversation with cassian??
eris will definitely have his own book sometime.
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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UGHHH THESE TWO
sometimes i think about that time nesta offered to get elain “anything” and all elain asked for is sunshine
and then i think about my boy lucien turning out to be the son of the sun and i just
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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Just a bunch of characters in the series needing to make sure we're aware of how much of a thirst trap Elain's mate really is:
"red-haired and finely dressed"
“How?” the stranger demanded, his knuckles white as he gripped his muscled arms.
"the light catching in his long fire-red hair."
"Lucien’s red hair shone in the firelight, the colors flickering with every movement he made"
Because humans were defenseless as babes compared to natural-born predators like Lucien
It was there he sat, wearing only a white shirt and trousers, his red hair unbound and gleaming like liquid fire. Tamlin’s court-trained emissary, but a warrior in his own right.
One was russet and shone as brightly as his red hair.
Without further word, he slung me over his shoulder as if I were a sack of potatoes.
found that he was running—fast. Faster than anything should be able to move
His auburn hair burned like hot metal, and his russet eye smoldered like a bottomless forge.
The brutally scarred face beneath was still handsome—his features sharp and elegant
Perhaps you’ll get a handsome Fae lord as your mate, too.”
I studied the broad, tan hand wrapped around my elbow.
the forest canopy setting the ember-red of his hair flickering.
Bare from the waist up, he’d managed to haul on a pair of pants before opening the door,
burying my face against his warm, bare chest.
I lifted my head from his sculpted chest at last, my fingers digging into the hard muscles of his shoulders
His red hair gleamed in the faint firelight
“Autumn Court males have fire in their blood—and they fuck like it, too.”
She slid a hand over the broad panes of his chest, his stomach.
scrubbing a broad hand over his face.
Lucien’s red hair gleamed like the leaves above
He was a son of this forest, and here … He looked crafted from it. For it.
he waded into the stream, boots off and pants rolled to his knees, and caught one with his bare hands.
“You should kill Beron and his sons and set up the handsome one as High Lord of Autumn,
his unbound hair glimmering as the midday sun overhead set the blood and wine hues aglow.
his cream-colored pants showing off muscled thighs
He’d always had a casual grace about him, but here, tonight, with his hair tied back and jacket buttoned to his neck, he truly looked the part of a High Lord’s son. Handsome, powerful, a bit rakish—but well-mannered and elegant.
He ran a hand through his silken red hair.
The corded muscle of his forearm shifted beneath the fine silk of his sapphire jacket,
Lucien’s scarred, handsome face appeared,
He had to give Lucien credit: the male was somehow able to move between his three roles—an emissary for the Night Court, ally to Jurian and Vassa, and liaison to Tamlin—and still dress immaculately.
The flame, the surprising dominance within it
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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One of the big arguments is how we act like Azriel lusting after Elain is so wrong and dirty when we are beside ourselves over the sexual thoughts and interactions between Nessian and Feysand. Let's take sex completely out of the equation, shall we?
Cassian's Thoughts on Nesta:
That frst afternoon, he’d looked at her—not at the face and the body that human men marked, but her—and he had seen it all.
he could see the thoughts swirling in her as if they were smoke under glass. The cunning mind at work behind that face
This woman standing before him like a pillar of steel and fame .
“You won’t join me for practice, so you sure as hell aren’t going to hold your own in a fight. You won’t talk about your powers, so you certainly aren’t going to be able to wield them. And you—”
He’d seen that fire before—and the steel. He half wondered what might happen if the two of them ever met. What might come of it.
“Do you think Nesta can find the Trove?” Azriel asked Cassian
“I hope so,” Cassian hedged. He couldn’t stomach the thought of Nesta putting herself in danger, but he understood her motivations entirely.
The sound might as well have been a lightning strike to his head for how much it rocked him, that laugh. Free and light and so unlike anything he’d ever heard from her that even Azriel blinked. A true laugh.
Rhysand's Thoughts on Feyre:
“You are no one’s subject.”
“Or,” he plowed ahead, “you’ve got another choice. You can master whatever powers we gave to you, and make it count. You can play a role in this war.
Become vital. Become a weapon.
Consider our training now officially part of your work requirements with me.”
“The test,” he said, “will be to see if Feyre can identify the object of mine in the Weaver’s trove.
“You are my salvation, Feyre.”
Rhys merely shrugged and looked to me. To let me choose.
“You survived,” he said. “And found a way to help yourself.”
“Smile again,” he whispered.
I knew you could take care of yourself,
“Are you asking me,” Rhys finally said, far too calmly, “to stay outside while my mate goes into his stronghold?” (note he does not say Feyre should NOT go. His comment is about the fact that they don't want Rhys to assist).
“She’s your mate,” Amren bit at me. “Not your spy. Go get her.”
“She is my mate. And my spy,” I said too quietly. “And she is the High Lady of the Night Court.”
“I mean to tell you,” I said again, my power building and rubbing itself against my skin, my bones, desperate to be unleashed upon the world, “that your High Lady made a sacrifice for her court—
“I missed you every moment,” “Your laugh.”
“My brave, bold, brilliant mate.”
“I missed you. Every second, every breath. Not just this,” he said, shifting his hips for emphasis “but … talking to you. Laughing with you. I missed having you in my bed, but missed having you as my friend even more.”
Azriels thoughts on Elain:
“There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be exposed to.”
They’d always been prone to vanish when she was around.
Wrong- it was so wrong
he knew she had no idea that he had done unspeakable things that sullied his hands far beyond their scars.
“this was a mistake.”
"yet the third was given to another.”
He hadn’t gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured himself to.
Azriel's Thoughts on Gwyn
He blocked out the bloody memory that flashed, so at odds with the girl he saw before him now.
It wasn’t every day that people took him by surprise
A beautiful, precise blow, but it didn’t sever the ribbon.
something restless settling in him. Even his shadows had calmed.
he could have sworn a faint, beautiful singing followed him. Could have sworn his shadows sang in answer.
She deserves something as beautiful as this. I thank you for the joy it shall bring to her. Something sparked in Azriel’s chest
How Gwyn’s teal eyes might light upon seeing the necklace. For whatever reason…he could see it.
But Azriel tucked away the thought, consciously erasing the slight smile it brought to his face. Buried the image down deep, where it grew quietly. A thing of secret, lovely beauty.
Cassian glanced over at Az, but his attention was fixed on the young priestess, admiration and quiet encouragement shining from his face.
“You—we—trained them well, Cassian. Trust in that
Cassian is not perfect. Neither is Rhys. Because occasionally they say the wrong thing or do something stupid when it comes to their love interests. They make mistakes just like anyone, worry about their females and are highly attracted to them. But.....that is all balanced by the encouragement, pride and belief they have in Nesta and Feyre. Because despite their flaws, at the end of the day, they are their biggest supporters and cheerleaders.
Azriel wants to protect Elain, sure. But where, at any point throughout the books have we seen him encourage her to let go of her fears? (I don't count TT as him encouraging her to do something. He wasn't telling her to go out and fight, he just wanted her to have a weapon in what he thought would be the unlikely chance someone would come upon her). To confront the things that she's still struggling with? (because we know she's still struggling with what she's lost and whatever she's feeling towards Lucien). To offer to stand beside her when she decides she's ready to do something more? To let himself be vulnerable around her and see who he is? After knowing Elain for two years, you'd think he'd have more to say about her in his POV than sexually related things. And that is what sets his situation with Elain apart from his brothers relationships, the lack of balance and depth. That is what we have the problem with.
Sex is super sexy in a romance novel when the couple shares a deep connection and are supportive of one another.
Sex without all those layers is just sex. Which is fine for fun but not the stuff of an epic love.
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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‘Gwynriels are okay being the second choice’
What second choice? If we’re going to think like that, Mor would be Azriel’s first choice, Elain would be his second choice, then Gwyn would be his third choice. IF we look at it that way.
But no.
It’s not about being the second choice, it’s about being the right choice.
Elain may be a choice for Azriel, but she’s not the right one (my opinion). I believe that Gwyn is the right choice for Azriel, and Azriel for Gwyn.
Let’s not forget that Azriel is over 500 years old and he had so many lovers. Will that make the one he settles down for… the millionth choice? 
Please don’t insult real people over a ship war. <3
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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Big Moment:
Azriel gives Elain TT
The result:
Elain returns TT and doesn't look back.
Big Moment:
Azriel sits with Elain in the gardens.
The result:
Azriel doesn't let Elain see the real him considering in his POV chapter he states she still doesn't know the real him or the things he's done. All that time spent alone together and he's still hiding who he is. He also doesn't seem to know anything beyond the surface about who Elain is.
Big Moment:
Azriel gives Elain a beautiful necklace
The result:
Elain gives the necklace back to him and there are no further interactions between them after the fact.
Big Moment:
Elain FINALLY finds her voice and volunteers to help do something that could be considered dangerous.
The result:
Az waits until she walks away before claiming she shouldn't help.
Big Moment:
Rhys confronts Az about what he's about to do with Elain.
The result:
Can't admit to being over Mor.
Hasn't thought of Elain beyond being intimate with her.
Only voices wanting Elain because his brothers are with her sisters.
There are a lot of big moments that exist between Az and Elain. However, what start off as really big moments always seems to end on a very negative note.
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tothestarsandback · 2 years
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Anon who asked about gwyn/white savior here: you don't have to post this but I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like a trap or bait 😭 the only reason I was hesitant is because any of the possible couples would have the potential for white savior re: illyria (elriel or gwynriel). and I wasn't sure how sjm might avoid that since in acosf cassian and nestas plots overlapped a lot so I thought maybe that was the standard for the spinoffs. Totally agree that it should be about Emerie and Azriel's issues--of which there are plenty--with the Valkyries just being involved because they won the rite rather than them actively "saving" illyria with azriel
I just wanted to explain myself a little better haha, thanks for your response ❤️
Don't worry haha 🤣 I understand completely!
An Illyrian plot will be focused more on Azriel coming to terms with his own past and his hatred towards his own people. Gwyn's involvement is less about the Illyrians and more about her finally finding the will to leave the library because she wants to support Emerie (she did for Nesta after all) and the Valkyries especially since it's hinted Emerie might face issues with her family and other Illyrian males since she won the Blood Rite and earned the title Carynthian—and we know the males might go as far as to invalidate her win and just because she earned a title doesn't mean they have to respect her especially if word is out that the Rite was rigged and two females somehow won and became Carynthians. So she might want to be there for Emerie and that also puts her in close proximity to Azriel while him, Cassian, and Emerie could be dealing with the conflict (I mean they're already in close proximity as they still continue with training post-ACOSF, but this is a bigger conflict).
So I don't think there is going to be a "white savior plot" especially since her role is more supportive than her being the focal point in the conflict. If Emerie is going to encourage Illyrian females to join the Valkyries, Nesta and Gwyn are going to have supportive roles in that. But Emerie can't face the Illyrians alone, she might get back up from both Azriel and Cassian as the most powerful Illyrian males.
Elain has no ties to Illyria in any way, so her being involved while Azriel is dealing with it makes no sense and she's more connected to Koschei and Vassa. But Gwyn does due to her being indirectly involved in the conflict if Illyrians are going to be pissed about her and Emerie and Nesta winning the Blood Rite as hinted at the end of ACOSF and her being a Valkyrie if Illyrian females are going to join their unit with Emerie's encouragement. So I think Azriel's love interest having a connection to both an Illyrian plot and an Autumn Court plot will balance the book, if that's going to be the focus.
And if people are going to argue that Azriel doesn't give a shit about the Illyrians and it's not something Sarah will make him deal with it, canon says otherwise. "Still" implies its an ongoing issue. It's important for Azriel's arc to come to terms with his past and the Illyrians and I think the cross-over might give us more in regards to the Illyrians.
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