Torchwood-99

Nesta Archeron | Dusk Court

“Showing a masked queen, a crown upon her head, bearing instruments in her hand and standing before an adoring crowd. Behind her, a great mountaintop palace rose toward the sky, winged horses soaring among the clouds. No doubt some religious iconography of her divine right to rule. Beyond the mountaintop palace, a lush archipelago spread into the distance, rendered with remarkable detail and skill.” | House of Flame and Shadow

Art by: meoowwxx

Commissioned by: melphsreads & valkyriesflame

And honestly? I think that's a huge part of why Nesta gets under their skin so badly.

They see someone who is deeply flawed, defensive, traumatized, and capable of being absolutely vicious when she feels cornered. Traits that the Inner Circle, in all their centuries of existence, have. The difference is that they prefer to bury those traits, something Nesta refuses to do because she's a young woman caught up in all this craziness, and, oh, Nesta doesn't worship them the ground they walk on. Her ultimate crime.

Nesta doesn't automatically accept their authority. She doesn't think they're morally superior because they're powerful, immortal, beautiful, or beloved by poor, sweet, fragile, baby Feyre. She doesn't conveniently turn every cruel thing they do into evidence of how "noble" they are. And, perhaps most importantly, she doesn't make them feel comfortable about themselves.

So she becomes the scapegoat.

Every ugly emotion gets dumped onto her. Every wound Feyre suffers gets traced back to her. Every uncomfortable truth she points out becomes another reason she's supposedly "difficult." Because it's much easier to make Nesta the designated problem than it is to admit that the people doing the judging might not be as righteous as they think they are.

And there's something almost darkly ironic about the fact that the Inner Circle can tolerate monsters, murderers, torturers, manipulators, war criminals, and people who've done genuinely horrific things, as long as those people are their people. But Nesta? Nesta is expected to grovel and work her hands to the bone to earn back forgiveness.

She is expected to be grateful.

Lucien isn't Autumn Court anymore? No problem, he'll be chilling over in the Day Court.

Take away his Day Court parentage? No problem, he's hanging out with Vassa and Jurian in the Human Lands waiting to go against Koschei.

No? No Band of Exiles? Guess he can be back in Spring, where he spent most of his life as the High Lord's right hand.

Tamlin doesn't want to be allow Lucien in Spring anymore? Aight, find him in the Night Court being employed (some people could never) and his mate is the High Lady's sister.

Yeah, I'd hate him too 🤣

Elriel isn’t new, they’ve had “four books of buildup”. Elucien has had since the mating bond snapped.

But Gwynriel is a SF discovery. It’s very much new. And with the question of POVs, it could very well be Vassa and Jurian, or even Emerie and Mor (if we end up with her pov).

Bloomsbury have provided questions for the fandom! Who wants to make some predictions?

1. What POV/s will there be in ACOTAR 6?

Azriel, 100%... maybe Nesta. I've seen other rumours about other characters, and they make sense. I would love Gwyn and Emerie to get POVs, but I think we'll have to wait a little longer for that.

2. What new romances will take centre stage in ACOTAR 6?

Gwynriel!!! And I'm hoping for a little bit of forced proximity for Elucien. Maybe a few more flirty glances for Emorie too!

3. What will Nyx be up to in ACOTAR 6?

Probably sleeping, mostly! And pulling Amren's hair whenever she holds him!

4. How will Bryce’s visit to Prythian influence ACOTAR 6?

Rhys and Nesta are back to hating each other. I'd say that's going to be a pain for their friends and family. Will it divide the group?

5. How will ACOTAR 6 end?

Is it too much to wish for the bond snapping between Gwyn and Azriel?!

6. What will we learn more about in ACOTAR 6?

Dusk Court, Illyria, maybe Autumn Court and Koschei.

7. What scene are you hoping plays out in ACOTAR 6?

If Azriel and Gwyn can go ahead and have pages and pages of banter while their friends look at them like, "Do these idiots not see what we see?" that would be great!

8. What is your most unhinged theory for ACOTAR 6?

Personally, I tend to steer away from unhinged theories. I also don't think this book will give us much, since it's only part 1 of 4. Maybe the most unhinged is finding out Gwyn is related to the Vanserras.

What other theories do you have?

If it was a dual POV this question seems redundant, doesn’t it? All points to a multi POV. They’re easing us into it.

What new romanceS will take center stage in ACOTAR 6?

Romances. Plural. My babies are coming home.

How will Bryce’s visit to Prythian influence ACOTAR 6?

Start your HOFAS re-read; that storyline is important. I think my prediction of 6 being a book where they discuss all they learned from Bryce’s visit isn’t too far off. About Nesta and the 8-pointed star, about Truth Teller, about Rhysand and what all this means to Prythian.

And the cherry on top? This whole thing being Autumn themed? Yeah. Gwynriel and Elucien are coming home.

Also new Romances? (It's shouting gwynriel + elucien)

But I thought Bryce's visit was unimportant for the next book?