Y’all HATE women. Or is it just the hate for Nesta that blinds you to her abuse? Nesta was mean so she deserved to be abused and taken advantage of.
Yes. Cassian fucking Nesta after the kelpie attack was taking advantage of her. He knows she used sex as a coping mechanism. What could’ve been a decent character moment or growth in their relationship by maybe talking her through it instead was turned into just another smut scene. It was a problem when she used sex before but I guess because Cassian is her mate that makes it ok.
Y’all would be throwing a fit if Feyre was in Nesta’s position.
You know what? I’m not actually sure about that tbh. Because y’all think Rhysand has never done anything wrong to Feyre (or was justified). So I suppose if she was treated like Nesta y’all would be fine with it too.
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~If you’re someone that doesn’t like critical posts about the Acotar series/Feyre please just scroll~
Just my musing for today 💭 but why do we blame Tamlin for not rescuing Feyre UTM?
Tamlin did his part and sent her back to the human lands in order to protect her, sacrificing himself and the freedom of his court because he couldn’t bare the thought of her being harmed even for the benefit for his people. “Burn the world for her” type action right? Very romantic we all love to see it.
Okay so then Feyre decided to go after Tamlin to save him from the “blight” (and then getting the WHOLE RUNDOWN of the situation from Alis now that the curse was over) and then deciding to go and rescue him regardless. Very girl-boss (if a little naive) for her to want to be the Hero Warrior Savior (gender swapping the “typical roles”). Very cute we love to see woman empowerment. Buuuuut she didn’t really have a plan and got captured almost immediately. Very unfortunate wrench in the “plan” for the Hero Warrior Savior.
Now how is she going to save the Damsel in distress (Tamlin) from the evil sorceress (Amarantha)?
Aweee she makes a bargain (not a very well thought out one--with a very glaring loophole) in order to free him and his court. Very Noble, Very Hero Warrior Savior, having to compete in trials to prove her love and save them. This is pretty common in fantasy books.
So how then does it turn out that the Damsel should have somehow saved the Hero Warrior Savior? Like it was very clearly stated he had no freedom of movement UTM, couldn’t show her any attention or else Feyre would be tortured and kil*ed for Amaranthas enjoyment.
Further, Feyre was magically bound by the bargain to complete her trials (or die trying). She could not be “saved”, she would have had to return in order to complete them (or die most likely because she didn’t complete/fulfill the bargain). So her only option was to survive completing the trials. Which is why Lucien was helping/healing her in order to try and ensure she survived.
So how does it become the fault/duty of the Damsel to then save the Hero? Feyre was not the “Damsel” of the story, it was not up to Tamlin to save her. She was on her “hero quest” so to speak. And then afterwords it became “look at all I sacrificed to come save you—you owe me now, I did this for you” like we would never say Snow White owed anything to her Prince because he saved her. Same with Sleeping Beauty, he fought Maleficent’s dragon and saved her from the curse, but we don’t end the story with her feeling indebted to the Prince.
Musing over~ thank you if you read till the end
Not really sure if this is Feyre critical or maybe more an observation/criticism of fandom opinion/interpretation of the events from UTM
I cannot stop thinking about the complexities surrounding Feyre and Tamlin's relationship at the beginning of ACoMaF. I find it such a shame that it gets boiled down to "Tamlin was abusive"
I'm going to tackle that first, actually, because, despite having a lot of parallels, I don't think that's right. What Tamlin did was misguided and harmful, but it's missing too many elements of abuse for me to consider it such
Obligatory link to Lundy Bancroft's Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men
Abuse is a pattern of behavior that enforces a parasitic power imbalance. There is obvious benefit for someone to abuse their partner, namely free emotional, physical, and/or sexual labor; and the reason the victim is most often a woman is because we live in a patriarchal society that views women as commodities. These men internalize the message of their biological superiority and seek to establish a natural order of female subservience through any means necessary
That is not what Tamlin is doing. When Tamlin overrides Feyre's wishes to go to the village or follow him into dangerous territory, it's not because he wants to make her submit to his power. His reasoning is perfectly clear in every move he makes: keep Feyre safe no matter what. To do that, he has to make Prythian safe. The human lands aren't a refuge for her anymore now that she's Fae, so Prythian is her only home
Given that there are a lot of people that want her dead for breaking Amarantha's curse or could want to use her for her newfound powers, Tamlin's rejections to her desires to roam make sense. They hurt, but he's not doing it out of malice. Even Feyre understands it at times before the narrative makes her forget again
Tamlin isn't oblivious to this, either, nor to the many mistakes he makes along the way - a trait that is not shared by abusers as they will justify each and every one of their actions until the cows come home. They do not try to get better or make amends. Instead, they love bomb via gifts or sweet, romantic gestures in order to make themselves feel better about "losing control"
Abusers don't lose control, though. They may make it look like they explode out of nowhere or react badly to their partner's "provocations", but these are excuses. They know what they're doing, even if only subconsciously, which is why they need layers and layers of justifications. And they'll always snap right into their role as the grounded, loving spouse the moment someone walks into the room
In that infamous scene, Tamlin genuinely does lose control. When Feyre tells Tamlin she feels he is drowning her, Tamlin's body shuts down ("Nothing in those eyes, that face") but his magic reacts to his impending panic attack by eviscerating the study. This is different to his reaction after Rhysand took Feyre from the wedding
And then [I] noticed the study walls—the claw marks raked down them. All over them. And the table they’d been using … that was new. “You trashed the study.”
“I trashed half the house," [Tamlin] said.
One was a deliberate destruction of the study, the other an uncontrollable reaction to stress. In fact, Feyre has a similar episode several chapters later where she wraps herself in darkness and melts Tamlin's mother's ring by accident. She hadn't even known if she'd hurt someone in the process or not. Magic reacts to negative emotions quite often in the series, as Rhysand also has a bad reaction to Feyre bringing up his treatment of her UtM (though, he controlled himself right as Mor showed up. Which could mean nothing)
Tamlin hadn't meant to hurt Feyre. Not once in either of the books has he physically turned his rage towards her, nor has he ever intentionally intimidated her with his superior strength and abilities. I don't think he even raised his voice at her. All of Feyre's fear of him in TaR came from their bad first impressions and his being a Fae, not him showing signs of being an abuser
In my opinion, the key ingredient of abuse is isolation. This could be a total physical isolation, such as being in a remote location with few to no neighbors, or a social isolation, where your social circle comprises entirely of those who approve of and have been approved by your abuser. Either way, having no support system is critical for an abuser to keep his victim in line
With Feyre, this gets a little tricky because she isolates herself by nature. In her human life, her only real non-familial interactions were with merchants and Isaac Hale, her fuck buddy. And, let's be real, her relationship with her family wasn't that great either. After turning Fae, Feyre isolates herself due to her depression, and her only meaningful interactions are with select few people: Tamlin, Lucien, Alis, and Ianthe
To be fair, part of that lackluster social circle is due to seemingly all of Prythian treating her more as a symbol than a person, so let's turn to Tamlin's behavior. Does he embarrass her in front of people to make her dread social interactions? Does he forbid her from talking to her family or friends without his supervision? Does he grill her about any and everything she and another person have talked about?
Aside from the post-Night Court interrogations, Tamlin does none of those things. He introduces her to people - his friends and his entire court! - and gives her the space to be with others or to return to her room as needed. Feyre may be lonely in Spring, but she is not isolated
Frankly, I think most of the confusion can be summed up by the book itself:
Feyre: I don't want to marry a High Lord. I just want to marry [Tamlin].
Lucien: One doesn't exist without the other.
Tamlin's status as a High Lord is an insurmountable power gap between the two. He was chosen by magic itself to command the Court and everyone in it. That includes Feyre, no matter what shallow garbage Rhysand spouts. Being a subject to a lord does not automatically mean inferior, and Tamlin has proven many times throughout his reign that he does not see his subjects, be they native or refugee, as inferior. He does not see Feyre as inferior. However, Feyre is his responsibility, as both lord and lover, to protect from the threats he knows are coming for her. He already lost her once, and he's willing to do whatever is necessary to protect the one he loves, even if she hates him for it
So, I fully believe that Tamlin's actions were that of a man under a fuckton of stress from every direction and unresolved trauma rather than that of an abuser
Every couple so far has built upon the lore of the mating bond, with each pair answering one of the five Ws and one H while expanding on what came before.
Rowan and Aelin introduced the mating bond into the series and established its importance.
Who: Feysand
Feyre and Rhysand answered the question of who are mates. ACOMAF focused on the contrast between the two males Feyre had loved, with Feyre processing why Tamlin was not the right match for her and what Rhys had that Tamlin lacked.
When: Nessian
Nesta and Cassian’s story explored when the bond snaps. Both Nesta and Elain were Made, yet only Elain’s bond snapped immediately. Nessian’s bond did not snap until two years later after a pivotal confrontation between Nesta and Cassian during Solstice about her reasons for accepting Eris’s engagement. This brings the question of whether the bond snaps at a crossroads moment for the female, when she recognizes who she could be but also acknowledges that she is not yet ready.
Where: Quinlar
Bryce and Hunt’s story demonstrated that the mating bond transcends worlds. One of the major plotpoints of HOFAS was that Bryce was able to return to Midgard was because Hunt was her home. HOFAS also featured three mated couples (four if you count the damn weapons) who, despite being across different worlds, still found their way back to each other.
Why: Elucien
Elain and Lucien’s story will answer why the bond exists. SJM has already planted this question in the text: Feyre explicitly wondered why Lucien and Elain were mated, and Azriel echoed the question in the bonus chapter. Their personalities, interests, backgrounds, and reactions align, yet their bond remains unexplored and unresolved longer than any other. Both Elain and Lucien are at a crossroads, having exhausted what they can do alone, and their story will reveal what they can achieve together. It will also restore the balance of the mating bond, shifting it away from the power imbalance it currently has. Unlike the other male mates, Lucien has not pushed Elain for a decision, which may be key to redefining the bond’s role.
The mating bond is also a huge part of their story, considering both Elain and Lucien were as content as they could be before their bond snapped. Yet once it did, they each started pushing themselves to become more. Their journey has been about stepping beyond where they were and figuring out how they can better the world. It also helps that Lucien, being fully fae, has a deeper connection to and understanding of the mating bond compared to the other couples, who are either half fae or not fae at all. Elain, described as different from her sisters, is also unique in that she was the only female who knew about her mating bond much earlier and understood how her feelings for Lucien tied in with the mating bond and what came with it.
It is no secret that the mating bond is at the center of their conflict, which means their resolution will inevitably be tied to understanding why the mating bond exists in the first place.
How: Gwynriel
Gwyn and Azriel’s story will reveal how the bond snaps though this time through a male’s perspective. In every previous case, the bond has snapped from the female’s point of view. Even when Cassian’s bond with Nesta snapped, we saw it happen through Nesta’s eyes. Lucien, Rowan, Hunt, and Rhys all had their bonds snap outside of their POVs. Azriel, having waited 500 years for a mate, is the perfect character to show the experience from the male’s side.
A rejected bond does not fit into the grand scheme of SJM’s worldbuilding, especially given how the mating bond is tied to fate with severe consequences for those who do not follow it. Rejections leave a lasting impact: both mates feel the other’s death profoundly, and it follows them for the rest of their lives. This makes it unlikely that SJM will use bond rejection as a central theme, especially with how she has framed the consequences of ignoring fate.
All in all, Elucien and Gwynriel both have the best potential to strengthen her lore of the mating bond, adding more to what we have previously known from her other couples, especially since the main couples in her series are already mates.
We hear how Amarantha tortured Rhysand under the mountain, about his past and the loss of his family.
We hear how Keir brutalised Morrigan for her choices, how she was shunned and abandoned.
We hear about Cassian’s childhood, what was done to his mother, and how he struggled in the camps before Rhysand’s mother took him in.
We hear about Azriel’s captivity, how his half-brothers tortured him, how he was released into the camps only because of his powers, and how Cassian abused him before he offered help.
We see Tamlin falling in love with Feyre, sacrificing his people and court for her safety and sending her away, watching the woman he loves die, trying to protect her after her rebirth, begging her to not throw herself in danger, making a wrong choice in a moment of weakness. We see Tamlin apologising to Feyre without excuses, trying to do better by involving her in court matters and taking every one of her advice, and finally getting his court destroyed by the woman he gave up everything for.
We see Lucien accepting and growing fond of the mortal girl who killed his friend, willing to die for her when all Amarantha wanted was a name, risking punishment by helping Feyre after the task, be used as a bait in one of the tasks. We see Lucien fighting his friend and saviour and High Lord for the same mortal girl, get sexually assaulted by Feyre in her schemes, be only rescued in the last minute because Feyre hated Ianthe for hurting Rhysand. We see Lucien lose his only friend and home he ever had.
We see how traumatising the days of poverty were. We see Nesta and Elain kidnapped by the fae, thrown into the Cauldron and killed, be dragged into a war by Feyre and her friends, lose their home and lives.
We see Nesta being harassed by her sister to gain alliances in the war, forced to work for the fae, thrown into a battlefield because she has powers that they can exploit. We see Nesta watch her father die in front of her eyes, kill someone for the first time. We see Nesta being preyed upon by a fae/man in her room when she didn’t want to be touched, stalked when she asked to be left alone, locked in a tower with the same man because she was self-sabotaging, forced to train, work and live a life she didn’t want. We see Nesta be coerced by Cassian right after she was sexually assaulted by an ancient creature, almost dying too many times under the Inner Circle’s ‘care’.
Not that the Inner Circle and Feyre don’t deserve the sympathy for their past, they do. But there is a huge disconnect in how trauma is viewed and treated by the fandom. Despite watching it all play out on the pages, the others are said to ‘deserve’ the abuse and mistreatment. If there is more than what meets the eye or in some ways these characters warrant this, shouldn’t the Inner Circle be held to that standard given we only witness how poorly they treat others outside of their little club and betray everyone around them? All we witness is how horrible the Inner Circle is and never once their real plight. Still they get the most empathy and validation.
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Something I don't see people talk about is how even though Azriel saves Elain from Hybern's Camp, he can't break her shackles-- only Helion, sunlight personified, can (and theoretically anyone with his powers). It's such a random thing to throw in. It doesn't add tension or anything because it's resolved about two sentences later. There is no reason to add this detail except, like, maybe foreshadowing how while Azriel might be able to save Elain from danger, he can't free her from her shackles. She'll never truly be free with him-- and we see this in SF when he actively works against her desire for something beyond her garden. Sure he might be able to save her and protect her but as long as that extends to the degree of being overprotective she will never be able to actually be free.
Meanwhile, the magical gloves Lucien gives her seems to serve the same purpose on the surface, but he is literally gifting her something that will allow her to embrace danger with precaution. He's basically saying "if you want to plant and tend to roses even though they might prick you, that's fine-- just be as safe as possible while you do it." Because Lucien knows better than anyone that the best way to protect someone you love is by giving them the means to do it themselves.
Tamlin and his constant need to provide and to protect
Sometimes I'm sure I'm reading these books the wrong way, but I have one more unpopular Tamlin take lol (i'm so thankful for the pro Tam community). There is something that doesn't leave my mind about Tamlin's offer of a quiet and comfortable life to Feyre.
As the story progresses, we learn Tamlin lived his entire life in impossible positions, before as a soldier and later as High Lord, the weight of the world always on his shoulders. He's overworked, tired, traumatised, utterly torn... So he offers Feyre what he can never completely achieve: quietness, peacefulness, comfort.
Feyre is not obligated to accept that, of course, but the choice for her girlbossification portraying his intentions regarding the life he proposes to her as ill and even oppressive is odd to me. Tamlin doesn't want Feyre to leave a brilliant career, the girl has nothing, he just wants to provide a comfortable life for her and her family, in which she can indulge in her passions and not worry about surviving day after day, a blessing that was never given to him, as he could never follow what he truly wanted in life, having to see all his passions left behind in favor of a path he did not chose himself.
And maybe exactly because of the misfortune of being foverer tied to this position that turns his life restless and unforgiving, Tamlin has led his days providing for everyone as much as he possibily can.
Not only for Feyre, but also for Lucien, to whom he gave shelter, to Alis, to whom he gave an opportunity, to his people, that he protected in anyway he could. Tamlin gives and gives, maybe the only way he knows how to lead and to be, but afterall he neves receives what he provides and is left drained time after time.
In that sense, the way he acts and behaves is not merely control, even if his actions can be overbearing many times, it's his way of functioning, his attempt to build a better path for him and his court, because he knows this place and he knows how brutal this world where he lived a very long life can be, a world in which he was never cared for, leading him to be someone who compulsively tries to protect his own even at the cost of himself.
His entire life brings him to this place, in which he becomes a male who takes responsability for everything and, in turn, tries to manage as much of his surrounding as he possibly can, in a flawed and doomed attempt to shield those he cares for from the ruthlessness of this world that has swallowed him whole.
So I despise this point of view that Tamlin just wanted Feyre to be his wife and nothing more. Actually, had they stayed together, I highly doubt that, in peaceful times, he would have denied her a place of decision making and administration of the court alongside him if it had been her desire to do so. He just didn't think that this would be her wish, because why would him, when he knows the leading position of a court is such a burden to carry? And above all HIS burden to carry, as the one chosen by the land itself. Tamlin can't escape that, it's his birthright to rule, but he can spare others, especially those he loves, to be so deeply weighed down.
In this context, I see his offer of a quiet and peaceful life to Feyre as a gift not an imposition, a gift that he offers but can never possess. So Feyre can leave her tiredness behind, in a way he can't, so she can live, and not merely survive, as she has being doing all those years in the cottage, as he has been doing ever since the curse, and maybe even all this time as High Lord.
"You've done enough", he tells her. But no matter what he does or how long he lives, it will never be sufficient, he will always be High Lord and because he carries all the responsability, he will also, often, fail.
One of the major reasons I cannot consider E/lriel as endgame is because the one time we get Azriels POV he tells us that he has NEVER thought of her past the fantasies he has pleasured himself to. He sees her in a purely sexual way, he doesn’t even consider what might be best for her. That is the opposite of any couple SJM has written. It is ALWAYS them putting the other above themselves (and they in turn do the same so that they are equal).
This inherently removes any “buildup” because by his own admission he has never thought of her in an aspect that wasn’t sexual. Him talking all night about her garden was nothing more than that. He wasn’t thinking about them being a couple. Him saving her was nothing more than him doing his duty, he didn’t love her.
In the Bonus chapter He is upset because he sees his brothers both having mates. And the chances of their mates being sister, he feels that IF he had a mate why would it not be the 3rd sister? Of course his father is shaken. He clearly wants a mate and felt it should have been Elain because if not her then who?
But that means he doesn’t want her specifically he wants a mate and he thinks his only chance was taken.
Imo if he ever met his Mate even after him and Elain got together, he would 100% leave Elain for her.
Their relationship would be inherently unequal because she would have to give up her mate for him, and he would never do the same for her.
Why Feyre as High Lady Could Lead to the Night Court's Downfall (Or, How to Ruin a Court in 10 Easy Steps) comming from someone who is planning to study international relations and whos whole family is quite familiar with it:
Look, we all love Feyre. She's fierce, she's brave, and she can paint a mean flower. But let's be real: as High Lady of the Night Court, she's a Fucking diplomatic nightmare. If there were an award for "How to Piss Off Every High Lord and Their Neighboring Courts," she'd win it. Twice. Here's why Feyre's reign might just bring the Night Court crashing down faster than rhys can growl or cum to the image of his child
1. Explosive Temper and Poor Diplomacy
Let’s talk about the High Lords meeting in A Court of Wings and Ruin. Remember that? Feyre’s blow-up at Beron wasn’t just a passionate defense—it was a major diplomatic fuck-up. Yes, Beron was being a total asshole, but diplomacy often means biting your tongue and playing the long game. Feyre's outburst could have easily cost them an alliance with the Autumn Court, potentially turning Beron into an outright enemy. With Hybern on the horizon, losing any potential allies could have been catastrophic. Instead of keeping things cool and trying to find common ground, she let her temper flare, risking everything Rhysand had worked for to keep the courts united. Feyre basically threw a damn match onto a pile of political dynamite.
2. Alienating Potential Allies
Ah, the Summer Court fiasco. Remember when Feyre decided it was a good idea to steal from Tarquin? Not just any theft, but a "Hey, let's be friends—JK, I’m taking your most powerful magical artifact" kind of theft. Brilliant move. And then she had the nerve to act all shocked when Tarquin was pissed about it. "What do you mean you're mad I stole from you? We're supposed to be allies!" Gee, I wonder why Tarquin wasn’t thrilled about that little betrayal. It's like borrowing your friend's car and returning it on empty, with a dent in the side. And by "borrow," I mean grand theft auto. Feyre, maybe try not to screw over potential allies next time? Just a thought.
3. Emotional Decision-Making
Feyre often lets her emotions drive her decisions. While being passionate isn't inherently bad, it becomes a problem when it overrides logic and strategy, especially in the high-stakes world of Prythian politics. The High Lords meeting is one instance, but it happens repeatedly. Her open hostility toward Tamlin, even if understandable on a personal level, didn't help the broader cause. By pushing him further away instead of seeking some form of truce, she risked driving him into Hybern's arms. A High Lady needs to think beyond personal grudges to what’s best for her people and her court, and Feyre struggles with that balance. You can't just say "screw it" and go off on people when the fate of your entire court is on the line.
4. Ignoring the Complexity of the Night Court
And let's not forget the Night Court's lovely little secret: Hewn City. You know, that underground hellhole they basically keep under lock and key. Rhysand and Feyre are all "Oh, look at Velaris, it's so pretty and free!" Meanwhile, half their court is rotting in a glorified dungeon. And what's Feyre's big idea for dealing with Hewn City? Oh, right, pretend it doesn't exist. Smart. Because ignoring a potential uprising within your own court is definitely the way to keep things stable. It's like the French Revolution all over again—if the Night Court were France, then Feyre's approach is like Louis XVI ignoring the starving peasants while hosting extravagant parties. Eventually, ignoring the discontent and keeping people oppressed leads to revolution. Treating Hewn City like an inconvenient problem rather than addressing it is a recipe for disaster.
5. Undermining Rhysand’s Diplomacy
Rhysand spent centuries mastering diplomacy—playing the long game, keeping everyone in check. And then comes Feyre, storming in like, "Oh, you spent centuries building these delicate alliances? Well, watch me fuck it up in five minutes." She's like that one friend who always says, "Hold my beer," right before doing something incredibly stupid. Rhys is trying to keep the court from crumbling, and Feyre's out there acting like diplomacy means "scream at the enemy until they go away." Newsflash: That’s not how this works. This isn't some street brawl where whoever yells the loudest wins. It's politics. You know, the art of not making enemies out of every living soul around you?
Conclusion
Feyre's got the passion, the guts, and the fighting spirit of a warrior. But when it comes to actually leading a court? She’s like a bull in a china shop, if that bull also happened to have a grudge against every piece of porcelain in the room. Being High Lady isn’t about who's right in the heat of the moment; it's about playing the long game, keeping your people safe, and not, you know, burning bridges with every other court. If she keeps going down this path—alienating allies, ignoring the needs of half her own court, and letting emotions drive her decisions—the Night Court is in serious trouble. Feyre needs to understand that diplomacy isn’t about who can throw the best tantrum. It’s about avoiding a revolution and ensuring the stability of your people. Otherwise, the Night Court might fall not because of an external threat, but because its own leader is too busy screwing things up from the inside.
As someone who has studied international relations/law and has a degree in political science— I wholeheartedly agree.
Honestly the high lords meeting was such a disaster on the NCs part. One of the key components when going into any diplomatic meeting is to understand the conflict. Feyre knew nothing of court politics or issues. Had no idea about the wintercourt children. She didn’t have the necessary info to make informed arguments or decisions. They did no investigations of the new High Lords that we know of, we see no briefing of information regarding the current situation in the Day Court, Winter Court, Summer Court with all these new High Lords.
The NC came to the meeting with very little to offer other than their own “truth” with little to no proof other than their own insistence. They went to the meeting with no long term goals or plans, no plan for HOW they would all work together. It was the Wintercourt that brought up the children killed, it was Tamlin that came with actual concerns and I formation regarding the enemy and war. Helion was the one to assess the information and create a plan. Heck even Thesan came with a countermeasure to a major problem they were facing with.
Meanwhile the Night Court came with an ENTIRE entourage, more than any other court, even Thesan who was hosting the meeting. They were specifically trying to intimidate other courts which is contrary to their goals of trying to create an alliance. They responded to verbal attacks with physical violence. Ot is essential that when you are in diplomatic negations that you are assertive BUT NOT AGGRESSIVE.
Imagine if the US president and the vice president along with their guard, just outright attacked other members at a UN meeting because they had an argument? Would that EVER be acceptable? Especially if the US needed help from the other countries? Obviously no.
Feyre attacked not only Beron but also hurt the High lady. Rhysand stripped Tamlin of bodily control and autonomy. Cassian was constantly interrupting high lords and other key diplomats, Azriel attacked a diplomat/son of the High Lord and disobeyed an order from his ruler and had to be coaxed off his victim by another of his rulers. Sure it was entertaining but it was an utter failure in conduct. And a bit embarrassing for Feyre to have to get a 500 year old Fey to control his temper and anger over a comment made. It literally goes against the the terms of the truce/bargain magic that presides over the meeting. Imagine making a promise and repeatedly breaking it the entire time while trying to gain the other attendants trust.
The ONLY thing of substance the Nigh Court contributed to the meeting was calling it in the first place and then Nestas speech and pleading to their empathetic side and greater good. Reminding them of their common enemy and what they stood to gain/lose in the upcoming war. She made them realize that neutrality was not an option and stood witness to the power and depravity of Hybern.
I’m not sure if this is a lack of SJMs understanding of politics or if she just wanted to dramatize things but it came of as reflecting really poorly on the Night Court. And this happens in almost all of their political based situations.
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You're all out here hating Tamlin because he talked about the little sounds she made....
When you have RhySAnd mindr*ping her and sharing her fantasies for the entire Spring Court to hear:
“I’m curious: Why did she wonder if it would feel good to have you bite her breast the way you bit her neck?”.
Smh. But I guess that gets overlooked just like all the times he's had her stripped to practically nothing, dancing for him, in from of almost all of Prythian and then later being a trophy for him to show off in the court of nightmares.
Literally she talked about how violated and humiliated she felt in that moment, that she was holding herself together by a thread trying not to puke. Yet that’s just glossed over by the fandom yet Tamlins comments are seen as the pinnacle of the degradation she suffered in the series?
Have been seeing some discussion again about tamlin being a good High Lord or not and I just have to remind everyone of one of the best little facts from acotar I never really seen mentioned.
Acotar, Chapter 25 Page 221
She [Alis] simply said, "Summer Solstice. The main celebration used to be at the Summer Court, but... Things are different. So now we have one here, too. You're going."
"so now we have one here too..." Because of amarantha and Tamlin being just a good person he allowed anyfae from any court to come to spring. And because no one could really go back to their courts for their respective solstice celebrations, Tamlin made sure Spring Celebrated all of them
I just think that's such a cool fucking thing. That Tamlin cared for the people coming to spring for safety, and he made changes to help everyone feel comfortable and at home. He cares about the people who live in Spring, he cares so damn much :(((
Tamlin making the spring court open to anyone as a safe haven even before Amarantha. Yet anyone that went into the Nigh Court was killed/Never seen again.
Tamlin who even hated the deaths of creatures like the Naga and Bogge, buried a summer court fae with his own hands. Yet Rhysand is over here enjoying slaughtering 2/3 of his court because they disagree with him/his leadership.
Have been seeing some discussion again about tamlin being a good High Lord or not and I just have to remind everyone of one of the best little facts from acotar I never really seen mentioned.
Acotar, Chapter 25 Page 221
She [Alis] simply said, "Summer Solstice. The main celebration used to be at the Summer Court, but... Things are different. So now we have one here, too. You're going."
"so now we have one here too..." Because of amarantha and Tamlin being just a good person he allowed anyfae from any court to come to spring. And because no one could really go back to their courts for their respective solstice celebrations, Tamlin made sure Spring Celebrated all of them
I just think that's such a cool fucking thing. That Tamlin cared for the people coming to spring for safety, and he made changes to help everyone feel comfortable and at home. He cares about the people who live in Spring, he cares so damn much :(((
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“Elain and Nuala and Cerridwen are going to be the main trio in the next book.”
ACOFAS PAGE 150
They are paid to be her friend. While Elain may enjoy their companionship, they are simply doing work for their High Lord. Their relationship is a transactional one. Elain’s book is going to introduce her trio, similarly to how both Feyre and Nesta’s journey went—while we met Emerie before ACOSF, she was merely a very tiny scene. The wraiths are tied to Feyre more than they are tied to Elain and can be compared to Alis and Feyre’s relationship. As Elain is more than likely going to be leaving the Night Court in her book, and the wraiths work under Rhysand and Azriel, Elain will be either linking up with the Band of Exiles, or making completely new friendships.
You wouldn’t, would you? He has shown no banter with Elain and you’ve noticed it. But when you actually read the books, it shows he has banter with everybody else.
Allow me to show you some examples of Azriel’s banter with the whole gang.
With Gwyn:
Gwyn asked Az, her teal eyes bright, “What do we get if we finish the course?” Az’s shadows danced around him. “Since there’s no chance in hell any of you will finish the course, we didn’t bother to get a prize.” Boos sounded. Gwyn lifted her chin in challenge. “We look forward to proving you wrong.”
“Happy solstice,” she said, as much a dismissal as it was a holiday blessing. He snorted. “Are you kicking me out?”
“I forgot something,” he reminded her. “At two in the morning?” Pure amusement glittered in her stare. So he offered her a crooked smile. “I can’t sleep without my dagger.” “A comfort to every growing child.” Azriel’s lips twitched.
"I blame Cassian for this. He's too busy making eyes at Nesta to notice such mistakes these days." Azriel laughed. "I'll give you that."Gwyn smiled broadly. "Thank you."
Gwyn threw Azriel a withering stare as she strode past him. “See you tomorrow, Shadowsinger,” she tossed over a shoulder. Az stared after her, brows high with amusement.
With Cassian:
Azriel, wreathed in shadows by the front door, chuckled quietly. Cassian shot him a glare. “I don't see you spouting poetry, brother.'”Azriel crossed his arms, still smiling faintly. “I don't need to resort to it”.
“You two need a chaperone up here?” Yes. No. Yes. “I thought you were the chaperone.” Az threw him a wicked smile. “I'm not entirely sure I'm enough”.
“Did something happen that I, as your chaperone, should know about?”
The pounding continued, followed by the second male murmuring to his companion, “If you're going to pick a fight with him, do it after breakfast.” That voice- like shadows given form, dark and smooth and... cold.
“Busybody.” Az took a bite. “You let her suck your cock in the middle of the dining room. At a table I’m currently using to eat my dinner. I’d say that entitles me to an opinion”.
With Nesta:
She knew what he meant: the black eye that was finally fading. Her hands and chin had healed, along with the bruising on her body, but the black eye had turned greenish. By tomorrow morning, it'd be gone entirely. “Nothing,” she said without looking at Cassian. “She fell down the stairs,” Cassian said, not looking at her, either. Azriel's silence was pointed before he asked, “Did someone... push you?” “Asshole,” Cassian growled. Nesta lifted her eyes from her plate enough to note the amusement in Azriel's gaze, even though no smile graced his sensuous mouth.
With Amren:
“Pick on someone your own size”, Cassian said to Amren, shoveling roast chicken into his mouth. “I'd feel bad for the mice,” Azriel muttered.
With Feyre:
“That pine tree wasn't there a moment ago.” Azriel let out a quiet laugh from where he sat atop a boulder two days later, watching me pluck pine needles out of my hair and jacket. “Judging by its size, I'd say it's been there for... two hundred years, at least.”
With Rhys:
“No word on Bryaxis, I take it”. I peered toward the marble beneath my boots, as if I could see all the way to the library beneath this mountain and the now-empty lower levels that had once been occupied. Az studied the floor as well. “Not a whisper. Or a scream, for that matter.” I chuckled. My brother had a sly, wicked sense of humor.
Azriel is a guy with a dry sense of humor, and Sarah herself remarks about it in one of her lives with Steph. (the video is reblogged in my page). And I’m not even mentioning his banter with Bryce amd Nesta on HOFAS.
He is absolutely, 100% a banter person.
But why do we place so much importance on banter, though? Because of this. This was a live event with SJM and JLA back in 2020 or 2021 (couldn’t fact check the date).
(Notice the 💖✨spark✨💖 there too?)
So you can keep convincing yourself that you want Azriel and Elain to sit for hours saying nothing in a garden. You can keep convincing yourselves that you don’t want or need the banter. You do this because you also see how flat his interactions with Elain are.
Me personally? I want the banter, I want the witty dialog. That right there is the core, the soul, the making of a SJM endgame couple. Give it to me.
(Note: Doing the research for this post, I came across a TON of Elriel posts from the past about how they don’t see the banter between Azriel and Elain and that it worried them. They try to spin it, but they know.)
