House of Wind

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Something sparked in Azriel's chest, but he only nodded his thanks and left. He could picture it, though, as he ascended the stairs back to  the House proper. 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 glowed quietly.

A thing of secret, lovely beauty.

. . . .

Canon: Gwyn's joy made something spark in Azriel's chest that he thought of her smile which brought a slight smile to his own face. He didn't discard the thought, he tucked it deep in his chest where it glowed quietly.

He called that image a thing of secret, lovely beauty.

(ACOSF Chapter 39: Nesta's POV)

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This Nesta. 🤭😂😍 If Cassian hadn't been her love interest, I'd think she'd fall in-love with Gwyn real hard. 😂😍

Nesta has adored Gwyn so many times in the book. She would even brag about Gwyn to anyone who'd listen. 🥺💯😂 So cuteeee.

These two. 🥺😍😍

Gwyn was good at everything, actually.–Nesta Archeron

No wonder Gwyn usually gets first in everything. She's a natural. 😌👌

This book is, first and foremost, about Nesta and Cassian. Their POV’s in turn circle around each other, caught up in how the other acts and noticing what they say, and really just very preoccupied with the other. It makes sense, given that this book is theirs.

However, one thing that continuously shows up, is the extra details that SJM puts in when Gwyn and Azriel are together in a scene. Even if the scene has absolutely nothing to do with either of them, SJM makes sure that we can see how Gwyn and Az react to each other.

Here are some notable examples:

“Gwyn let out a high-pitched noise that was nothing but pure excitement. Azriel, on the other side of the ring with the other priestesses, half-turned at the sound, brows high.” (464)

There was no pressing reason to add Azriel’s reaction to Gwyn… and even more so, no reason to clarify that Az was on the other side of the ring, not even close to Gwyn, but that he reacts to her anyway.

“’Az told me you also started preliminary work with the steel blades while we were gone.’

He nodded to Gwyn and Emerie, the former glancing toward Azriel, who watched in silence.” (514)

Again, SJM once more adds a needless note that Gwyn glances toward Azriel.

“Azriel had winnowed her and Cassian here after training, but hadn’t lingered. Apparently, Gwyn wanted him to go over dagger-handling, so he’d left them with a promise to return in an hour.” (561)

It’s Gwyn who asks him, not Emerie, and SJM makes sure we know why Az isn’t lingering.

“The wind waggled the ribbon again, as if taunting her.

Cassian glanced over at Az, but his attention was fixed on the young priestess, admiration and quiet encouragement shining from his face.” (625)

Why make Cassian look at Az? Why mention this extra reaction to Gwyn from Azriel?

“And when Gwyn reached the finish line, bloody and panting and grinning so wildly her teal eyes glowed like a sunlit sea, she only extended her battered hand to Azriel. ‘Well?’” (625)

This little paragraph belongs solely to the two of them, despite the fact that Nesta and Emerie reached the finish line as well. It mentions nothing but the way Gwyn regards Az, and that it is him she goes to first.

And there are even more little interactions between them, and I could deeply analyze every single one.

But to cut to the chase–why would SJM spend so much time adding these details, these little phrases that ultimately serve no greater purpose… except perhaps to have the reader see this relationship forming between Gwyn and Az, to tell the reader that there is something significant here, something that needs to be paid attention.

Gwyn: I’ll call

Cassian: Rhys and I have both tried six times each, what makes you thi-

Gwynriel Appreciation Week Day 6: Book Predictions, I got nothing. Here is some pretty.

Emerie: .....

Gwynriels :

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫