Starborn Queen of Queens

This is the moment that confirms it. Nesta is refusing to train, and the consequences for not training are being dumped in the Human Lands. That is not a safe place for Nesta, she would be reviled and targeted and hunted down. When the IC were telling Nesta it was be locked up and trained or be sent to the Human Lands, they were making threats. Cassian joins in on these threats, and here, relinquishes responsibility for if these threats are carries through. He is making it clear to Nesta that if she doesn't follow the IC's orders, he won't intervene if the IC punish her for it.

The author knows her don’t worry…

For example, when he is “in awe how far she had come”. The reason he’s in awe is because she just saved “his High Lord and Lady and their son”. He prioritises her saving Feyre and Rhysand over her surviving the Blood Rite with her friends, which had also just happened. Not only that, but with the way it is framed, he also ignores that Nesta did it to save her own sister. She didn’t care about hierarchy. It almost seems as though part of what Cassian’s in awe of is her finally providing a service to her “betters”. What’s more, she had just also saved his own life - for the second time! – which he doesn’t even mention. It really seems as though he only sees good in her when it comes to things she can do for Rhysand.

Same with the scene about her Made weapons. Yes, he votes to tell her. But his first thought goes to how they can use Nesta to make the Night Court unstoppable, while Azriel is the one to warn that her abilities could put her in danger. No thoughts of that from her own mate. And while he votes for telling her, he still keeps it a secret from her.

The quote where he tells her all those wonderful things about how she can take her own time to heal, keep her sharp edges etc. sounds romantic without context. However, this happens right after the Hike from Hell he forced her on! His words are undermined by his own actions!

I’m probably letting my hate get away with me. I get why some of his words or actions can be taken in a more positive manner and I don’t want to act like I think it incomprehensible people dare to like him. For me though, the way he acts towards Nesta is too off-putting to enjoy those moments. So even when he says or does something nice, I’m side-eyeing him hard.

THE KAREN PARALLELS

HIM SHOWING UP BECAUSE KAREN ASKED HIM TO

NOW HIM SHOWING UP BECAUSE MJ ASKS HIM TO

Everyone; omg she’s such a badass!

Feyre; traps the suriel even though it’s actually really difficult

Everyone: what like it’s hard?

Feyre: spends only a short time training to fight properly and learning how to fly

Everyone: omg she’s so amazing and so badass and powerful

Nesta, gwyn, and emerie: won the blood rite after months of training with the best warriors ever and working together. All fae.

Everyone: it just doesn’t seem believable that they could win.