roseandshadows

[roseandshadows]

Reason number 94833575827 why Elriel and Nessian were always meant to be, and that once SJM started to write ACOMAF both couples were set in stone. Yes, that means no Moriel, no Mossian, and Nescien and no Elucien.

How do we know? Simple. The first Archeron sisters and bat boys meeting.

Because...why were the bat boys even there?

if not to meet their future mates?

Let's break it down, shall we?

When Rhys first brought Feyre to the Moon Palace, when she was still nearly human and pretty terrified, who did he invite over?

Mor.

Bubbly. FEMALE. Kind. Friendly. Non-threatening.

Wouldn't it have made much more sense to bring Mor to the meeting with the sisters? She is still Rhysand's third, she is a female, she is a warrior, she winnows, and she has all kinds of magical magic.

Instead, Rhysand (SJM) goes for total overkill. Why in the world did he need to bring not one, but two enormous warriors with him? What was the point of them at that meeting? None. They are huge, intimidating, maybe even terrifying, and not exactly known for their letter writing abilities. Rhys didn't need THAT much protection, even from any rogue elements from Prythian. He managed to handle the Attor quite well himself.

So, he drags these two huge Illyrian warriors to the human lands, to meet two human girls. Why? All they did was eat some dry human chicken, bickered, and left.

If Mor was there, wouldn't she have made everyone much more relaxed? She would've joked and laughed and teased. She was already friends with Feyre, so the sisters would've felt much more comfortable with her rather than two Illyrian-leather clad warriors.

But Mor wasn't there. The bat boys came instead. To meet their girls. To meet their future mates. And the dynamic for both couples was set right from that meeting. Nesta' and Cassian, both abrasive and bickering, two warriors egging each other on, their attraction raw and sexual. And Elain and Azriel, calm and quiet, seeking comfort in each other, polite, well-mannered, their attraction already wrought with complexities, but also undeniable.

Nine years later, people are still arguing about this. Yet everything was clearly set up during that first fateful meeting.

[roseandshadows]

“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.”

[roseandshadows]

BC chapter analysis/ shadow behavior analysis

1. The "This Was a Mistake" Trope as a Narrative Device

In Azriel’s bonus chapter from A Court of Silver Flames, when he tells Elain, “This was a mistake,” it’s a classic forbidden romance moment. Especially seeing as he forced himself to say the words. That line is more about the internal conflict. He’s torn between what he wants and what he feels he’s supposed to do, especially with all the pressure from mating bonds and court politics, but the tipping point was his own highlords mental order.. His immediate pullback says a lot about the push-and-pull between duty and desire, which is such a staple in forbidden love stories. Azriel saying this doesn’t mean he doesn’t want Elain.(I think we’ve established this pretty good, though.) It means he thinks he shouldn’t want her, and there is shame for even considering it.

This line appears all the time in forbidden romances, not as the end, but as the moment of denial that ramps up the tension:

It reinforces the external obstacle (Lucien’s bond)

It shows the internal conflict (Azriel’s Shame for even considering betraying his court, his brother, his own duty.)

It tells the reader: this is about to get deeper, not over

2. Azriel's Ability to Scent the Mating Bond “Azriel had needed to stay by the door the whole time because he couldn't stand the sight of it, the scent of their mating bond, and needed to have the option  of leaving if it became too much.  “

This is very suspicious and possibly meaningful: Rhysand can’t smell it. Neither can Cassian. Azriel can. It torments him, keeps him away from Elain. That’s narrative punishment — classic forbidden romance style. It also gives us subtle hints to why he is staying away when it's revealed and puts more meaning behind his actions in the books.

3. Emotional Intimacy and The headache powder

The headache powder: “Az tried not to look at his scarred fingers as they took the gift. She hadn't bought her mate a present. But she'd gotten Azriel one last year -- a headache powder he kept on his nightstand at the House of Wind. Not to use, but just to look at. Which he'd done every night he’d slept there. Or attempted to sleep there.” He looks at it every night he sleeps at the HoW. Stares at it. Keeps it right next to where he sleeps and doesn’t use it at all like it’s sacred. He doesn’t even let his shadows see him thinking about her.

That’s not just lust. That’s longing, and secrecy even from parts of himself. Azriel thinking about Elain in secret, is incredibly telling.

It’s forbidden: he doesn’t even want to admit it to himself.

His shadows “fall asleep” — symbolizing a moment of weakness, or maybe peace, when he lets go just long enough to imagine her.

This scene isn’t about physical satisfaction — it’s about emotional repression. It’s showing us how far the forbidden aspect goes. It’s even taboo inside his own mind.

Also if Elain and Azriel were going to end, why would SJM write this AT ALL? She wouldn’t. It’s a bad move as an author to write this if you’re having the MMC move onto another love interest. It makes no sense because it creates longing 4. Questioning the Validity of the Mating Bond

The series presents instances where mating bonds are not synonymous with love or compatibility. Rhysand's parents, for example, were mates but lacked a loving relationship. This distinction between Cauldron-blessed bonds and genuine emotional connections suggests that Elain's bond with Lucien might be a narrative obstacle rather than a destined pairing. We see this in his inner monologue and throughout the series. Questions if the cauldron is wrong. Azriel, a character deeply loyal to the system of the Night Court, is questioning fate itself because of how he feels for Elain. It makes sense for feyre: a person who was once a human to question things. It’s natural. But for Azriel to question it after he’s grown up living and believing in the cauldron and mother? That’s an intense moment. He’s questioning his gods and why they would do something like this because he’s so deeply affected by it.

He doesn’t say Elain is wrong for Lucien out of jealousy.

He says the bond is wrong because it feels/smells absolutely wrong to him.

That’s an emotional tipping point. It’s planting seeds for the rejection of the mating bond as the ultimate authority, which aligns with the series-wide theme of CHOICE over fate.

5. Narrative and Thematic Consistency

Elriel’s relationship has been building slowly over several books, and it really feels intentional. Their moments together are quiet but charged, full of tension and meaning, especially when you compare them to the more obvious dynamics of other couples. That kind of slow burn highlights themes of emotional growth and choice, which fits perfectly with the idea that real love in this series isn’t about fate, it’s about agency. Which is especially telling because the sisters' stories ALL revolve around agency in some way or another. Elain especially has fought against any decision being made for her regarding a mate. This story will reflect that. Regardless if there is mating bonds for both of the characters The set up was to show agency. It’s foreshadowed throughout everything we see. They will choose their own love story. 🌓 Azriel’s Shadows as Emotional & Psychological Mirrors

Azriel’s shadows are not just magic; they’re almost a living extension of his inner world. They react not to threat alone, but to emotion, intimacy, shame, control, and restraint.

Shadows Draw Close When:

He’s uncomfortable or withdrawing (e.g., conversations about the past, confrontations).

He’s slipping into his role as the spymaster or preparing for violence.

He’s feeling emotionally isolated, even among his friends.

Shadows Disappear or Lighten When:

He’s around Elain or deeply focused on protecting/helping someone.

He’s physically intimate (carrying Feyre or Elain).

He’s in direct sunlight or lake scenes—often symbolic of vulnerability and being emotionally “seen.” (also to to tie in this we see in the BC chapter with azriel he suppresses his emotions regularly “ But elain after being described like this is—->:“The faelights gilded Elain's unbound hair, making her glow like the sun at dawn. She halted, her breath catching in her throat”

is when he’s unable to suppress his emotions.---->: He chuckled, unable to suppress the impulse. "No wonder you didn't want me to open it in front of everyone."   She lays him bare. She strips his social shields away which is why his shadows disappear around her.

"In the blinding sun off the turquoise water, his shadows were gone, his face stark and clear. More … human than I had ever seen him."

This passage especially drives home that light exposes his humanity and rejects his suppression of emotions, and his shadows are a defense mechanism connected to his trauma where he first developed them.

🌫️ The Shadows as Sentient Extensions

There’s a semi-sentient quality to his shadows:

They whisper to him.

They flinch or vanish in certain social settings (Mor, Elain).

They skitter, recoil, veil, and sometimes disappear entirely, almost like animals or familiars.

They seem tied to:

His mental state (calm = they retreat),

His identity (in shadow = spymaster; in light = man),

And possibly his power source (they block or evade binding magic at one point).

Subtext with Mor & Elain

With Mor:

Shadows recede in her presence—not in fear, but as if she pulls a layer of him away

He stays at a physical distance, doesn’t meet her gaze often, and tries to blend in, becoming smaller.

Says he “doesn’t need to resort to poetry.” gloating in the presence of Mor and Cassian while teasing his brother. Especially interesting when he is “wreathed in shadows in this scene, like a social armor.: Azriel, wreathed in shadows by the front door, chuckled quietly. Cassian shot him a glare. “I don’t see you spouting poetry, brother.” Azriel crossed his arms, still smiling faintly. “I don’t need to resort to it.”  

With Elain:

“Elain sucked in a soft breath that whispered over his skin. His shadows skittered back at the sound. They'd always been prone to vanish when she was around.”

Shadows vanish frequently.

He physically carries her, and his powers soften in her presence.

Feyre even has one of her prophetic little painting moments for them during the TruthTeller scene (Death and the lovely fawn: um?? Hello endgame.)

Nesta notices it and even thinks “his secret, never her to tell.”

Everyone else notices too.

He resorts to poetry easily when first meeting elain, that cockiness and finesse has disappeared around her. He is laid bare and does in fact resort to poetry for her and her alone. Feyre points out the shadows are nowhere to be seen—>   “Cassian” I said, inclining my head to the left. Then I shifted to the right, grateful those shadows were nowhere to be found as I said “azriel” I half turned. “And Rhysand high lord of the night court.” ^This is Feyre introducing the bat boys to her own sisters. A faint smile bloomed upon Azriel’s mouth as he noticed Elain’s fingers white-knuckled on that fork, but he kept silent. 

Elain said to Azriel, perhaps the only two civilized ones here, “Can you truly fly?”. “Yes. Cassian and I hail from a race of faeries called Illyrians. We’re born hearing the song of the wind.” (Hello POETRY) “That’s very beautiful,” she said. “Is it not frightening, though? To fly so high?” “It is sometimes,” Azriel said.  “If you are caught in a storm, if the current drops away. But we are trained so thoroughly that the fear is gone before we’re out of swaddling.”

Power & Rage Moments

In combat or threats:

Shadows are a force multiplier, sometimes described as ripping, shielding, or shrouding.

They seem to cloak him from magic, like in the Eris interrogation scene.

He rarely speaks during these moments, it’s all body language, control, and the whispering threat.

"Azriel, his face a mask of beautiful death..."

Azriel is scarier when he’s quiet, and the shadows become the voice of his wrath.

 Conclusion: The Shadows Are More Than Magic

They are:

A barometer of trust and vulnerability

A reflection of trauma, isolation, and control

A character in their own right, woven into Azriel’s narrative as deeply as his scars. Almost akin to a representation of his trauma he can never get rid of.

[roseandshadows]

༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚.

“𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘻 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦,”

༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚.

✮♱✮ art by @azeher_may

✮♱✮ commissioned by me

༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚.

Whenever Elain said in SF that her favorite dance was the waltz, I couldn’t stop thinking about the idea of her and Azriel sharing one! I think it’s such a sweet idea, the closeness and intimacy to each other would be so romantic and swoon-worthy! I couldn’t be more in love with this art from @azeher_may who created such a beautiful and romantic piece, and did such a beautiful job bringing my ideas to life!

༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚.

✮♱✮ quote is from a Court of Silver Flames

✮♱✮ characters are Elain Archeron & Azriel.

༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚.

✮♱✮ likes, saves, and shares are always appreciated!

✮♱✮ no reposts allowed.

༉‧₊˚🕯️🖤❀༉‧₊˚.

[roseandshadows]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that it is, but in my romance books, I really really really need the guy to be OBSESSED. Like obsessed. Even if he is mean, he is still obsessed with her. Even if he is imperfect, he is still obsessed with her. He lives and breathes her. She is his sole reason for doing great and horrible things. I want the possibility of him giving everything up for her. His peace. His skin. His well-being. His station. His happiness. His life.

I need Rhysand-level love. Rowan. I want that man to go in with a knife and skin someone alive for hurting her. I want Darius Acrux, who will exchange his life for less than a year of happiness with her. I am sorry, but I want the obsession of Bella and Edward. I want the devotion of Luthien and Beren. I want Lorcan.

Does anyone feel that from Lucien towards Elain?

Truly. Bond. No bond. Does anyone feel that Lucien will lay down his life for Elain?

Doesn't anyone feel 'I am getting her back' energy from Lucien?

That's why I want Elriel.

Because I want to drown. I want to drown in that love. And I don't want to come up for air.

[roseandshadows]

Elriel started in ACOMAF

Sjm was clearly pairing Nessian and Elriel off the second they met.

This was their first meeting.

⬆️ ⬇️ Azriel’s attention is immediately on Elain alone.

⬇️Elain also feels more confident with Azriel’s understanding and patience.

****

⬇️ Which parallel’s known mates: Cassian’s attention being solely on Nesta.

⬆️ Azriel seems self conscious talking to a young human woman??? I wonder why 🤔

Also Elain asks Az a simple question and he proceeds to spout poetry 😂 hes so cute.

****

⬇️ Elain having just met these people who she has been taught to fear immediately finds comfort and ease around Azriel. You cannot tell that means nothing. (When we see her discomfort around her supposed mate as well)

****

⬇️ Then in ACOMAF Feyre predicts Elain and Azriel becoming close and even thinks they’d make a handsome couple for no reason.

⬆️ Feyre also introduces the idea of Azriel getting over Mor

****

💫 WHICH THEN leads to ACOSF where SJM follows through and tells us he has in fact gotten over Mor in chapter 22.

⭐️ Ps him getting over his 500 year love was well before he ever started working with a certain ginger 😉 so we know he got over Mor because of Elain.

[roseandshadows]

Just in case you were wondering, when Nesta observed this moment between Elain and Azriel she was referring to them eye fucking each other. Yes…eye fucking. I’m sorry to every one who wanted to ignore this moment.

Nesta met the shadowsinger’s stare and he gave her a nod. Then his gaze shifted to Elain, and though it was utterly neutral, something charged went through it. Between them. Elain’s breath caught slightly, and she gave him a shallow nod of greeting before brushing past, leading Nesta into the room.

[roseandshadows]

When listening to the new ACOTAR audiobooks this morning, some of my fandom friends and I (@elrieldreamer 💗) noticed Elizabeth misread a part of ACOSF during chapter 58:

Elizabeth said, “Why did you come if he torments you so much?”

But in the book, it says, “Why did you come if it torments you so much?”

This subtle switch from “it” to “he” shows that Elizabeth realizes Azriel is clearly bothered by Lucien. Why? Because of his mating bond with Elain. The bonus chapter confirms this, but to this day, I still see antis deny this simple fact.

Azriel is not bothered by the fire or Mor. He is not tormented by all mated pairs. He is not desperate for a mate. Azriel is tormented by HIM. The man mated to the woman he longs for. He is desperate for ELAIN.

[roseandshadows]

I saw a comment on a tiktok about the state of romantasy that said “the authors use spice as a replacement for intimacy and vulnerability and that leads to incredibly shallow and transient love stories” and I’m sorry but unfortunately that is Nessian in ACOSF. I pray that SJM writes Elriel with more love and depth because if their story is anything like Nessian’s was in ACOSF, especially after all their sweet moments in the garden, dinners, the rescue. It would be devastating

Sjm did a terrible job with balancing the sweet and spicy moments between Nessian - because of that the couple suffered and you couldn’t really feel their love for each other in acosf. I think since this was one of sjm’s first NA books, she got carried away with the spice and forgot to flesh out the sweet, tension-filled domestic moments between Nessian as well.

And the comment is right. Spicytok has taken over the book genre with most books being spicy as that is now in high demand, the spicier -> more attention it gets -> the book becomes popular. Most authors nowadays do a terriblr job of writing good romantic love stories. It seems to be a race at how fast the two characters can get together- ignoring the buildup and tension which ultimately makes a good love story. Most authors focus heavily on spice- neglecting the other aspects of a relationship. Countless times I’ve read booktok books and sure the spice was fine, but I was always left with wondering if the main characters even liked each other outside of physical intimacy. Their relationships come of as superficial and to bridge that gap - authors TELL us the couple are in love and how well they know each other instead of spending the time to SHOW us why.

The thing with elriel is - and one of the reasons I love them so much - it wasnt “instalove” or “instalust”. Elain was with Grayson. And Azriel had something unrequited going on with Mor YET despite that, Mass still SHOWED us elriel’s compatibility during the dinner scene. How they were the two civil ones there, the way Elain looked to Az for ease. The way he easily answered her questions when he’s known for his quiet, cold demeanour. Then you move to acowar and again, elriel are not in love. They aren’t obsessed with each other. Their scenes are romantically coded but not romantic because again, Moriel and Elainson. But AGAIN, Mass manages to show us WHY elriel are such a good fit. From Az being able to figure out Elains a seer to Elain not showing a single hint of fear necessary of Azriel. To Feyre also blatantly telling us how well elriel are to the point she questions why they aren’t mates. In acowar you also have Elriel mutually saving each other, so basically countless scenes of Mass showing us readers why these two characters work. Acofas, was domestic elriel bliss. It was filled with sweet elriel moments; the headache powder, potato scene, az racing feyre to be the first to wish elain happy solstice, sharing gardening plans etc. Their relationship is building up, at this point - its clear they’re friends who are getting to know each other. THEN comes acosf and where Mass is now focusing on confirming their attraction after showing us for 3 books how perfectly matched elriel are for each other. Its 3 books later in their relationship, probably over a year after they meet when there is finally Lust. With elriel - like w Feysand, Mass balanced out lust and attraction with sweetness, intimacy and vulnerability. Its the perfect buildup to an incredible love story. When you look at Nessian, it was lust from the start. Yes there was a pull and connection there, they had their moments but their relationship built up on lust. Elriels and feysands didnt.

If we didnt have the scenes that we do of elriel from acomaf - acofas, Id be more worried if Mass would mess elriel up like w Nessian but since she has given that buildup of elriel and took her time showing us their compatibility, im not too stressed over how elriel will play out in the next book, elriel arent nessian. The tropes, dynamic etc are all different and I have some faith in Mass that she can deliver elriel being in the same calibre as how she delivered Feysand.

[roseandshadows]

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏

𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕

𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓

༻𖤓༺

⁣⁣⁣⤞ art by poromii

⤞ commissioned by me

⤞ visions of the future 

༻𖤓༺

Instagram | Twitter | @elriel-month

please do not repost.

[roseandshadows]

another article stating what is so obvious to us all, that Elain is set up to have the next book 🫶

link to the article here!

[roseandshadows]

💖💙Elain and Azriel. Rain, a battlefield, and a couple who have an invisible connection. Custom art for Sofia (Elain_kingslayer) and Elrielmonth.

[roseandshadows]

Azriel won as Elain's future husband when he took that heavy pot of potatoes from her hands while she was frantically setting the table for that busy Winter Solstice family dinner and said "Sit. I'll take care of it."

Acts of service and domestic love for the win. Mr Azriel soon-to-be-Archeron setting the standard for males all over Prythian 💕

[roseandshadows]

“So it can’t be a perfect system of matching. What if”—I jerked my chin toward the window, to my sister and the shadowsinger in the garden— “that is what she needs? Is there no free will?

🌹Art by @adelikashere

🌹Commissioned by me

🌹Free Will & True Love

Instagram | Twitter | @elriel-month

Please do not repost.

[roseandshadows]

@elriel-month | The Eyes and Ears of the Night Court

Feyre once called Azriel “the knife in the dark,” only for Elain—Elain to be the one to step out of the shadows and kill an ancient king with Azriel’s dagger. Death and the lovely Fawn both embody this imagery of stealth and it isn’t a coincidence that Elain’s gift of Sight complements Azriel’s gift of hearing what others can’t. Together, once Elain’s gifts are trained and honed, they will be a formidable force as the eyes and ears of their court.

I knew as soon as I saw @paulymorphed’s work I had to reach out and collaborate with her. She truly went above and beyond with this piece and captured what I had in mind so exquisitely that it left me speechless. (My caps lock and exclamation mark buttons might beg to differ though 😅)

🎨 art by: the beautiful @paulymorphed

✨commissioned by: me

📚 characters belong to: @sarahjmaas

You can find it on IG here

Likes, comments, shares, and saves are encouraged and appreciated!

Please do not repost without permission

[roseandshadows]

Elriel Month 2025 | The Eyes & Ears of The Night Court

This is a screenshot from an Instagram post by landofthefaerie, used with permission 🙂‍↕️

🌹 For this @elriel-month prompt I wanted to showcase how unbelievably beautiful these two portraits of our Shadowsinger and Seer look together. I love the idea of them representing the eyes and ears of the Night Court together, and how it reflects the way they intrinsically belong together.

🌹 Elain sees what no one else does.

🌹 Azriel hears what no one else does.

🌹 To me, this connection is deeper than a mating bond gifted by an outside source. They share a bond of knowing what it’s like to feel alone, to be misunderstood, to have others fear them for powers they did not choose. Not to mention, both of their powers were born from great trauma.

🌹 It only makes sense that they would be drawn to each other and understand each other in a way no one else does. I am looking forward to seeing how their powers interact (carranam theorists, hello), but even moreso to see how they discover emotional safety and home in each other, in a way they never have before.

🌹 Thank you to @iinnevvitable and @moondraw_s for these incredible portraits. Look how stunning they are together!

🦇🌸Art by: iinnevvitable and moondraw_s

🦇🌸Commissioned by: me, @lunaatthezoo

✨Please do not repost. Shares, reblogs, likes, and comments appreciated!✨

[roseandshadows]

One thing I don’t understand about Elriel antis is how they take the “this was a mistake” line so literally, like, have they never read romance books before?