I’d like to start this by saying, this is going to be split into parts because of my ADHD. I very easily get off track, get distracted, and tend to lose focus and jumble things. So for my sake and yours, I’m splitting it up.
This is called: Breadcrumbs and Parallels
We know Sarah was writing Azriel’s BC at the same time she was writing the HOSAB BC, and the ending of both chapters were practically the same.
HOSAB, Bryce:
“It was only when she was walking up the steps of the archives that she realized she was smiling. That all thoughts of the luncheon had faded away. Hunt had done that for her. She’d never stop being grateful for it—for him. Bryce’s heart tightened and something brighter then starlight filled her veins.
It remained, shimmering and secret, glowing inside her for the rest of the day.”
ACOSF, Azriel:
“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.”
The similarities in these moments are literally undeniable.
In Silver Flames, the events of Azriel’s BC are happening at the same time Cassian and Nesta are coming together, realizing the mating bond in full.
Nessian:
“Those golden threads between their souls shone with the words, as if they formed a harp strummed by a heavenly hand. For it was music between their souls. Always had been.”
“The golden threads shimmered and sang, and she couldn’t take it, the music between their souls…”
Gwynriel:
“Azriel entered the warmth of the stairwell, and as he descended, he could have sworn a faint, beautiful singing followed him. Could have sworn his shadows sang in answer.”
But wait, going back to Hunt and Bryce:
"His lightning flowed into her like a river, and he could have sworn he heard a beautiful sort of music between their souls...”
The verbiage is practically the same!
Parallels
Back tracking a bit, Elain and Azriel have a lot of negative connotations shared between the two in their half of the bonus chapter, with a lot of negative self talk and depressing thoughts, as well as an awareness of Elain’s mating bond. They’re interrupted by Rhys, who forces Az to leave. He’s angry when he leaves, and flies off in a temper.
But when he lands in the training ring, and sees Gwyn, his focus shifts because of her. And he’s left smiling and thinking solely of her.
(That all thoughts of the luncheon had faded away. Hunt had done that for her.)
He recounts Sangravah, their first meeting, and notes how much she’s changed since then. Tying this moment to the moment Gwyn sees him for the first time since then, and Cassian brings up the fact Az was the one who saved her that day. Gwyn brings this up again in the Blood Rite.
Breadcrumbs. And Parallels.
His mood shifts to positive, seeing her joy, sharing banter, and making conversation.
We learn through Gwyn’s questions that he’s a singer. We also know that she’s a singer, and actually loves it! We learn this in Silver Flames.
And “coincidently” Azriel hears singing between them, like Nesta (who loves music) hears music between her and Cassian’s souls.
Breadcrumbs.
Pt. 2 later!
