“You came for me.”

“—and that love would trump even a mating bond.”

You know what’s actually toxic? YOU. Because you are implying that by Elain not having rejected the mating bond (why would she do this not in her own book, though?), Lucien has some ownership over her. So, she’s not free to be with other people.

The fuck?

Cheers thundered from every corner of the stands as students leaped to their feet, waving banners and chanting for their teams. It was the final game between the two rival colleges, and Elain knew exactly what was at stake. The annual championship.

For some players, it was more than a trophy. It was their last chance to impress scouts, their last opportunity to earn a spot on a professional team. It was his last opportunity, and Elain had never danced so hard in her life.

Her muscles burned, her lungs ached, and sweat dampened the back of her uniform, but she refused to slow down. She poured every ounce of energy into every jump, every chant, every smile. When the team was exhausted and frustrated with the results, they looked to the sidelines, they looked to the crowd. Something that would make them want to keep fighting. And right now, they needed it.

The scoreboard read 17–23. They were losing and the last minutes of the last quarter were nearing.

Still, Elain refused to let doubt creep in.

Her gaze swept across the field until she found jersey number 21. Her 21. Her Azriel.

Even from a distance, she could see the determination on his face. He was giving everything he had for this game, for the future he had been chasing for most of his life. Especially after meeting Rhys and Cas, who had introduced him to football when they were kids and had supported him ever since, even though they now played for different teams and attended different universities.

They needed to win this.

Now it was their time on offense, and the game was nearly over. Azriel settled into his position as wide receiver, ready to catch that ball and score.

Beside her, the cheer squad launched into another routine. The boys lifted the girls into the air as they moved through a series of spins, kicks, and stunts, all while shouting the team anthem at the top of their lungs. They hit their final pose just as both teams lined up for the next play. For the fourth and final quarter.

The whistle blew.

The quarterback barked out an audible, and Elain saw Azriel's focus sharpen instantly. She could tell from the subtle shift in his stance. She could see how he clenched and unclenched his fists, almost as if adrenaline was rushing through him, readying himself to run.

The ball was snapped. The quarterback dropped back. He looked toward the opposite receiver, drawing the defense in that direction. The defense immediately shifted, following the receiver as he sprinted downfield.

Then he launched the ball. Not to the other receiver, but to Azriel, who had broken free at the last second. A scream tore from Elain's throat as he secured the catch. The stadium seemed to explode along with her.

Azriel took off down the field. Several defenders tried to take him down. One linebacker dove for his legs but missed. A cornerback came from the side, and he too missed. Another defender grabbed at his jersey but caught only air.

The crowd roared louder with every yard he gained. Then came the safety, the last defender standing between Azriel and the six points they desperately needed.

"Go!" Elain shouted before joining her teammates in another chant.

The safety charged. Azriel cut sharply to the side. Their shoulders collided, and the safety stumbled backward. Azriel just kept running, just kept going because the end zone was right there. Only a few yards separated him from tying the score.

The defenders who had managed to catch up with him made one final attempt to bring him down, but it was hopeless. Azriel threw himself forward.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion for Elain. His body stretched through the air, arms extended, fingers around the football. Then he crashed onto the turf.

First there was silence, and then... touchdown.

The stadium erupted once again, so violently that Elain felt the ground shake beneath her feet and her heart hammer against her ribs. She screamed. Jumped into the air as she shook her pom-poms and joined her teammates cheering once again.

They had done it. They still had a chance.

The kicker stepped onto the field and took his position, the weight of the game resting on his shoulders. Just one extra point separated them from victory.

But Elain barely noticed all of that, because Azriel was looking at her.

Through thousands of screaming fans and the chaos unfolding around them, his eyes found hers. And stayed there.

A slow smile spread across his face beneath his helmet. His chest rose and fell heavily as he fought for breath, his mouthguard visible between his teeth. And yet, all she could focus on was that look. A soft giggle escaped her.

Everything he couldn't say aloud was written in his eyes. And somehow, she understood every word. Her stomach fluttered so fiercely it felt like an entire swarm of butterflies had taken flight inside her. He had always had that effect on her.

The kicker struck the ball, but neither of them looked away.

A second later, the crowd erupted once more. The sound snapped Elain back to reality. Her teammates were screaming, and the players were already celebrating on the field.

The scoreboard flashed the final score.

24–23.

Victory. Azriel had done it. One touchdown had changed everything. It had tied the game and set up the kick that secured their victory.

And as he stood on the field, surrounded by celebrating teammates and wearing that tempting smile, Elain had a feeling this was just the beginning of their night.

and now the author (who has never used this emoji combo before) has also used them together.

Azriel x Elain - One Shot | ACOTAR | Art by illustratedbymorgan

Word Count: 950 | M/E-Rated 🌶️ Summary: While attempting to maintain his composure in the kitchen, Azriel is driven to the brink of madness by Elain's deceptively innocent behavior, entirely consumed by the dark, filthy desires she unknowingly provokes.

@elriel-month | Gardens

Azriel smiled faintly. “Would you like me to show you the garden?” She seemed so small before him, so fragile compared to the scales of his fighting leathers, the breadth of his shoulders. The wings peeking over them. But Elain did not balk from him, did not shy away as she nodded—just once.

Azriel, graceful as any courtier, offered her an arm. I couldn’t tell if she was looking at his blue Siphon or at his scarred skin beneath as she breathed, “Beautiful.” Color bloomed high on Azriel’s golden-brown cheeks, but he inclined his head in thanks and led my sister toward the back doors into the garden, sunlight bathing them.

✨Art by aurithemoon

✨Commissioned by me

“Wishing that you would be mine.”

Not often do I draw prompted by a song (dandelions by ruth b 🎶) but this one is so Elriel coded I had too. Here Azriel watches Elain from the shadows of the garden as she basks in the sunlight wishing he could join her. The light and dark imagery from the truth teller moment in acowar you could apply here was completely unintentional until the end when I noticed what I was drawing too LOL

First, they were sure the next book would be Gwynriel, with Elucien's story to follow. (I know a few thought Elucien was first, but in general, the consensus among them was Gwynriel).

Then, we got HOFAS, and suddenly it was "Azriel's book" is next, or "Nesta's arc isn't over, so it'll be a dual POV, Nesta and Azriel, with Gwynriel's love story thrown in."

Then, SJM goes on CHD. Suddenly, it's "a multi-POV book, with both Elucien and Gwynriel's stories."

Then, Bloomsbury holds a random exercise class for a handful of influencers. Now it's "a Valkyries' book" or "the Valkyries' story."

And those are just the major pivots I can think of off the top of my head; there are a million smaller pivots in between, of course.

Meanwhile, us? Throughout this entire time, these whole 5.5 years, we have said—and continue to say—that Elriel is next.

That's because our ship relies on canon, and the canon hasn't changed.

It's just telling, I think. One ship has stayed consistent because the logic behind that ship is strong, solid, and coherent. The other side is all over the map because there was never any "there" there to begin with. When you have nothing in the text to back up your ships, OF COURSE you change all the time based on the most recent external news.

For today’s prompt, I was thinking about tension, angst, a bit of groveling. Maybe after the interrupted kiss, Az realizes he can’t stay away, and begs Elain for forgiveness, the dark in him reaching out to her light. 🖤🤍

* * * * * * *

🎨 Art by @dudledudlesss

✨ Commissioned by me for @elrielmonth

📚 Characters belong to @sarahjmaas

Elriel necklace coming soon 🤭

Sorry for the long post, but it needs to be said.

Read at your own risk.

What’s that? Pink roses associated with Elain, you say?