#its obvious

so…. are yall getting married?

This is the scene where Rhys and Azriel are talking alone in the study in A Court of Frost and Starlight. Please notice the shadows:

“One glance at Azriel’s unreadable face and I added, “Don’t answer that”. A corner of Azriel’s mouth curled up, the shadows about him sliding over his neck like living tattoos, twins to the Illyrian ones marked beneath his leathers.”

Rhys is Azriel’s brother. They are two thirds of a whole. The person Azriel feels more comfortable with in the world, the one who understands him. Rhys is a safe person. They’re in a safe environment. There was no danger around. Keep all this in mind.

This is from A Court of Silver Flames when Azriel was with HIS FAMILY exchanging gifts on Solstice:

“”Thank you”, Nesta said, quickly pulling away to marvel at the device. “It’s brilliant.” Azriel blushed and stepped back, shadows swirling.”

His family, the people he feels safe with. He’s in a safe place. Having a family dinner. No danger around. Keep all this in mind too.

Remember the Bonus Chapter when Azriel was alone before Elain came down? He was safe. There was no danger around. He didn’t need his shadows for anything…but his shadows were there with him. As they always were, as they always would be. If his shadows vanish “when he’s safe and they’re not needed”, then why are they still here with him when he’s alone?

In all the three previous examples, Azriel is safe and/or with people who he feels safe with; yet the shadows were there with him, out, not gone.

So we have this with Elain:

“His shadows skittered back at the sound. They’d always been prone to vanish when she was around.”

This is not normal behavior and Azriel himself makes a mental note about it. It’s not random, it is VERY INTENTIONAL. The author is trying to tell us “see how they behave now with Elain vs. how they will behave later on with Gwyn”:

“‘How was the party?’ Her breath curled in front of her mouth, and one of his shadows darted out to dance with it before twirling back to him. Like it heard some silent music.”

“Azriel dipped his head in a sketch of a bow, something restless settling in him. Even his shadows had calmed. As if content to lounge on his shoulders and watch.”

“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.”

The contrast is stark. Like day and night.