let’s go rattle the stars;

We learn in ACOSF Azriel is not a fan of “hand-to-hand” combat, as it is “too close” for his tastes. Azriel, whose hands were burned in childhood by his brothers, who is quite introverted, quiet, and selective with his touch, humor, and presence, does not readily touch many people in the series. One person he consistently and almost exclusively offers his hands and time to, is Elain.

In my opinion, Sarah brought his dislike of hand-to-hand combat and closeness to our attention to show us something. I believe that something is his selectivity, exclusivity, and gentleness as it pertains to closeness and touch. I have seen some discuss Azriel’s gentleness with Elain as a bad thing, but I disagree.

Azriel is extremely gentle, dare I say, even when he’s using his hands for torture…which we’re meant to see in this contrast that Sarah makes about the dynamic nature of Azriel’s character. I would argue that Azriel isn’t brash in the violent use of his hands- he’s thoughtful and considerate in a different way- but by no means brash. I would never describe Azriel as irreverent, even when he is engaged in torture.

“Cassian could have sworn Nesta’s fingers stalled on the laces of her boots. He drawled, “Nothing at all. We’re starting on hand-to-hand combat.”

“My least favorite,” Azriel said.

Toeing off her boots, Nesta asked, “Why?”

Az observed her, striding barefoot into the ring. “I like swordplay better. Hand-to-hand is too close for my tastes.” (ACOSF, p 340)

Azriel, graceful as any courtier, offered her an arm. I couldn’t tell if she was looking at his blue Siphon or at his scarred skin beneath as she breathed, “Beautiful.” Color bloomed high on Azriel’s golden-brown cheeks, but he inclined his head in thanks and led my sister toward the back doors into the garden, sunlight bathing them. (ACOWAR, p 347) set her down gently on the foyer carpet, having carried her in through the front door.

He set her down gently on the foyer carpet, having carried her in through the front door.

Elain peered up at his patient, solemn face.

Azriel smiled faintly. “Would you like me to show you the garden?” (ACOWAR, p 346)

“I can help her,” said Azriel, stepping to the table as Elain silently rose. No shadows at his ear, no darkness ringing his fingers as he extended a hand. Nesta monitored him like a hawk, but kept silent as Elain took his hand, and out they went. (ACOWAR, p 426)

“It has never failed me once,” the shadowsinger said, the midday sun devoured by the dark blade. “Some people say it is magic and will always strike true.” He gently took her hand and pressed the hilt of the legendary blade into it. “It will serve you well.”

Elain looked up at Azriel, their eyes meeting, his hand still lingering on the hilt of the blade. (ACOWAR, p 811)

Azriel still cradling Elain to his chest. He dripped blood behind him the entire time—a trickle compared to the torrent that should be leaking out. Contained only by the patches of power he’d slapped on it. Help—he needed a healer immediately. (ACOWAR, p 774)

Then Azriel, gently taking Elain’s hand in his own, as if afraid his scars would hurt her. (ACOWAR, p 645)

Azriel gently removed the gag from her mouth. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, devouring the sight of him as if not quite believing it. “You came for me.” The shadowsinger only inclined his head. (ACOWAR, p 763)

“She gave it back,” I amended, failing to block out the image of the black blade piercing through the King of Hybern’s throat. But Elain had given it back—had pressed it into Azriel’s hands after the battle, just as he had pressed it into hers before. And then walked away without looking back. (ACOSAF, p 60)

But Azriel only took Elain’s heavy dish of potatoes from her hands, his voice soft as night as he said, “Sit. I’ll take care of it.” (ACOSAF, p 135)

Azriel is gentle and considerate when offering touch to others besides Elain. The only other times he does so is with Feyre’s wings, with which he thoroughly asks permission and Mor, who pulls her hand away. He also grabs Cassian’s hand when he tries to dig-in to the meal Elain assisted in preparing ahead of her return to the table (if that is not husband and wife vibes…) He is careful. He is considerate. And he is…gentle.

Azriel’s hands, for all their scarring, were featherlight as he grasped and touched certain areas, patting and tapping others. (ACOWAR, p 285)

Mor opened her mouth, but Azriel laid a scarred hand atop hers.

She snatched her hand back as if she’d been burned—burned as he had been.

Azriel’s mask of cold didn’t so much as waver at the rejection. Though Eris chuckled softly. Enough to make Azriel’s hazel eyes…(ACOWAR, p 368)

Azriel’s scarred fingers wrapped around his wrist. “Wait,” Azriel said, nothing but command in his voice. (ACOFAS, p 135)

Getting Azriel to take any time for himself that didn’t involve work or training was nearly impossible. And when I pointed out that he did go to Rita’s with her whenever she asked, Mor simply informed me that it had taken her four centuries to get him to do that. (ACOMAF, p 507)

Peaceful. Quiet. Gentle.

And I think Elain—Elain would like it, too. Though she’d probably cling to Azriel, just to have some peace and quiet.”

I smiled at the thought—at how handsome they would be together. (ACOWAR, p 654)

That I would never be a gentle grower of things, or someone who burned like fire—but that I would.. (ACOMAF, p654)

Elain, who Nesta would have killed and whored and stolen for. Elain, who had been gentle and sweet. Elain, who was to marry a lord’s son who hated faeries … (ACOMAF, p 807)

Spring bloomed—the air gentle and scented with roses. (ACOMAF, p 829)

Elain had always been gentle and sweet—and I had considered it a different sort of strength. A better strength. To look at the hardness of the world and choose, over and over, to love, to be kind. She had been always so full of light. (ACOWAR, p 215)

Elain sat silently at one of the wrought-iron tables, a cup of tea before her. Azriel was sprawled on the chaise longue across the gray stones, sunning his wings and reading what looked to be a stack of reports—likely information on the Autumn Court that he planned to present to Rhys once he’d sorted through it all. Already dressed for the Hewn City—the brutal, beautiful armor so at odds with the lovely garden. And my sister sitting within it. (ACOWAR, p 351)

We all know they've been dying to touch each other, and when they finally do, there's no way either of them is going to hold back. They're going to make sure it's something they'll never forget.

Every single inner circle member would kick Azriel’s ass for abusing his power over them because unless Rhys rips into his mind, how would anyone know they didn’t feel pressure to engage in a relationship with him considering he’s a mentor? He, like Cass and Rhys will ALWAYS be in a position of power over them. Like even if he wasn’t involved in her rescue it is NOT a straightforward subject, nor is it a “hot” teacher x student pairing because of the circumstances of how they got there. If you want that go read from blood and ash, she’s a ginger too. The fact that he is apart of the inner circle of the Night Court’s rulers and rules over spying for an ENTIRE court always makes him have power over anyone, that is except the Archeron sister with powers that his spying cannot affect, at least entirely since she is a seer

"Unless Her Higness decides to be useful and gain us men and arms through marriage"—a sharp glance at Rowan—"we are alone." (...) Perhaps the gods did hate her. Perhaps this was her test. To escape one form of enslavement only to walk into another. Perhaps this was the punishment for those years in Rifthold's riches. Empire of Storms - Chapter 5.

"Its been decreed." (...) "By her sire, the Autumn King, and mine, the High King of the Avallen Fae." (...) "You're an unwed Fae female," Cormac said, unmoved. "That means you belong to your male kin until they decide to pass you to another. The decision has been made." House of Sky and Breath - Chapter 4.

Bryce truly wasn't sure if Jesiba was serious. She sighed again. "I don't suppose you have any insights as to why the Autumn King suddenly decided to ruin my life." Jessiba tsked. "Males will always try to control the females who scare them. Marriage and breeding are their go-to methods." House of Sky and Breath - Chapter 8.

Sathia said with impressive coldness, “It is within my rights to refuse any suitor presented to me.” Morven gave her a look dripping with distaste. “It is, girl. Just as it is within your father’s rights to disown you for failing in your duty to continue the family bloodline.” Bryce grumbled, “So what’s the point of giving females refusal rights at all if you punish them for it? House of Flame and Shadow - Chapter 48

Sathia goes on to enter a marriage of convenience, because it was that or be sent back to the Asteri to likely die. Y'all should know the difference by now, stop saying it was an arranged marriage situation when the actual arranged marriage was something Sathia was running from, that FMC Bryce was very against, and that Sarah has repeatedly presented as a horrific outcome that takes away a woman's right to choose throughout all her books.

Not once has Sarah written an arranged marriage in a positive light so miss me with this bullshit that it's something "she'd love to write."

Elain holding him at a knife point during training mumbling, “Do you know something?”

Azriel pressing her back against his length, kissing her ear, saying, “Do you?”

Angst is …

Azriel grabbing her hand in a dark closet whispering, “Do you know something?”

Elain leaning into his warmth, tapping his heart twice, murmuring, “I know everything.”

Fluff is …

Azriel lying in bed, for once at peace, giving her a lazy, satisfied smile, “do you know something?”

Elain lying on his chest looking at him with mirroring joy, “I something you.”

Both Azriel and Nesta deemed ELAIN precious enough to gatekeep her from Bryce:

"She could've sworn Azriel tensed"

...

"A glance toward Truth-Teller at his side. Then at Nesta, 'Nesta beheaded the King of Hybern herself.'"

And Azriel was gatekeeping his love life:

"Bryce asked Nesta, 'You have a mate, right?' She nodded to Azriel. 'Do you?'

'No,' Azriel said quickly, flatly."

The fact that Azriel wanted to know what it was like for a HUMAN to turn fae:

"'Do you like it?' Bryce asked Nesta suddenly. 'Being fae?' ...

Azriel seemed to be listening closely."

Also bonus:

'You can do good,' Azriel warned, 'while still being bad.'

ELAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNN😝😝😝😝😝

Anyway🥹

It has come to my attention that some fans want to know who precisely is Elriel's "Cult Leader"™

So let me be the one to bring you this top secret information.

May I present the board members

What if the only person who can activate it is Elain Archeron? And that her specific brand of magic is directly connected to the dagger and its capabilities?

Elriel ꔛꕤ

What if”—I jerked my chin toward the window, to my sister and the shadowsinger in the garden— “that is what she needs?

ꕤ art by @redraccoonart

ꕤ commissioned by me

Instagram | Twitter | @elriel-month

We’re officially less than 100 days until ACOTAR 6 releases and I wanted to share a commission to celebrate 🥳 I'm so excited to finally read more about Elain and Azriel's journey. It’s going to be a beautiful ride and I can't wait to see where SJM takes us 💙🩷

Art by malotte000 on Instagram and commissioned by me!

human turned fae who brought back the valkyries

Lover

⟢ Art by @redraccoonart

⟢ Commissioned by me

NO. I DARE SAY ELRIEL WAS THERE BEFORE.

They have been right there since Acomaf. It’s been sitting on the page for the last four books. For a damn decade at this point.

The only thing that stopped Elriel from being the second couple was Lucien blurting out, “You’re my mate” to a traumatized Elain the literal second poor girl came out of the cauldron.

Elriel’s dynamic was already being built.

While Cassian was busy glaring at the sisters and judging them over Feyre, Azriel was reciting poetry to Elain, paying attention to her, smiling at this human girl he’d literally just met and empathizing with her (which earned him a glare from Cas btw) (which Az ignored and smiled at Elain again)

So when people go, “Ugh, 3 sisters / 3 brothers is so predictable and boring,” I just have to laughhh.

Would you say that if Elriel had become the second couple and Nessian had been the third? Or is it only “too predictable and boring” because you guys don’t like Elain?

DO WHATEVER YOU DO BUT DO NOT PRETEND ELRIEL WAS NOT T H E R E FOR A DECADE.

We are not trying to make up a ship for the next book. THEY WERE THERE. And not just in the BC

Elriels: *quietly thinking about all the places Elain and Azriel are going to fak **