#ac Prythian

[islandvelaris]

Lady Viviane invites you to visit 💙❄️

My Winter Court island is done 💙❄️

[daliasmay]

What if Beron loved LOA many years ago?

Just don't hit me, please😭I was too afraid to post these thoughts because someone might see it as an attempt to defend the strongest abuser in ACOTAR. But it isn't.

I accidentally blurted it out during a heated discussion about Autumn Court (Eris) with my best and lovely friend

It is not a theory, it is just… something that I suddenly imagine in my head really WITHOUT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY TIME FOR UNDERSTANDING.

I'm not going to defend Beron, even though he used his brain cell at the HL meeting. But...

Let me explain.

⚠️ I think it's important to point out that this is not an excuse, but an attempt to explain this holey plot ⚠️

LOA was the youngest sister. There is no description in the text that her sisters were married. We know that LOA powerful. I'm sure her sisters were the same. They were brave. They defended their little sister.

I thought that if all Beron needed was a pedigree, he could have married an older sister. But he chose to propose to LOA. And LOA waited one year. Beron let her wait a whole year. If it had been a one-sided 'sale' for the sake of procreation, no one would have given her the chance to wait for someone else.

When he chose those who could protect her and not betray her when she escaped - he chose her sisters, someone who would protect her no matter what.

To be honest, he already had children from her. Some of them were on the battlefield, the youngest were packed off to relatives. They would be enough for him, even for a bloodbath in the race for the throne.

I don't really understand the concept that Sarah wrote. Like, the more kids, the more spectacular the Hunger Games? That doesn't make any sense! Like the fact that Lucien was able to get a good education. If Beron had known from the start that Lucien was not his son, he would have either killed him or denied him such a chance to study. Knowledge is the most dangerous weapon. And he graciously gave it to Lucien while the other brothers barely had time to grow up before they were given lands to rule. No ruler would train a threat or a bastard. On the contrary, Lucien had to be illiterate. He should not be able to read, write or count. Nothing at all. Lucien was not given a piece of land. But he was given an education. He read and studied until he was bored.

Just because I think Beron loved LOA doesn't mean she loved him and wanted to be with him. It's just a thought I had in the autumn.

The Prythian is a very traditional place, so it seems that a good marriage is very important for women there. Even today there are folks and societies that are generally modern, but traditions are stronger. And many women are prepared for marriage from childhood, their families prepare huge dowries for them, and for many women marriage is the meaning of their lives.

LOA had autonomy of movement. That's a fact. She met Helion and had affairs with him for decades. That's a lot for woman who was supposedly kept locked up all her life with no voice and no freedom.

I just think that if Beron had loved her before, he would have allowed her to travel and visit the Prythian lands, for example, accompanied by her own guards and her own entourage. I think she had her own entourage before, some women and men who were loyal to her and who she helped with their court life.

That's the only explanation I can think of for why she could be with Helion and Beron just didn't realise it for many years.

And here Lucien.

The most powerful betrayal. And his personal shame as a High Lord and husband. Not only in the eyes of his family, but also in the eyes of the AC nobility. As if he was a sign that he can't control his family and his court. A sign of his weakness.

Sometimes I think his brothers hate him, mostly because everything went to hell after he was born.

Just imagine that everything was more or less fine overall, but after he was born, LOA was locked in the house and Beron went crazy😕 Started abusing her again and again, started abusing them.

The sheer betrayal in his eyes, the feeling of having his heart ripped out. And from that moment on, he decided to make her life a living hell.

She was full of life, now she is just… a shell of herself.

I imagine that Lucien's brothers had seen their mother laugh and joy, and after he was born she became completely different. It was as if he was the reason they had lost the mother who had raised them.

"Everything was fine until you were born"

Maybe, deep down, they realised that he wasn't to blame for what had happened, that it wasn't his fault. But he was the weakest.

They couldn't blame their father, they couldn't blame their mother. But they could blame Lucien.

Beron had no reason to kill Jesminda. He could have just forced Lucien to marry someone else. He could beat him up and so on. There were many more cruel ways.

Her murder was not only a blow to Lucien, it was a blow to the Lady.

A demonstration of how she had "wounded" him.

He showed her through Lucien's screams and tears, her favourite son, what she had done and made her believe it was her fault.

"Look what you've done with me. Look what you've done to him"

Jesminda's murder was organised to make Lucien, the most emotional son, cry and scream in his grief. A grief so intense that it tore LOA to pieces.

Lucien's execution was to be the icing on the cake of revenge. The final chord.

Every tear, every sob is part of the play to show how much he was hurt years ago when he realised that she had betrayed their marriage.

But Beron took things much deeper.

[cassianfanclub]

Still not sure how this “Illyrian plot” or “Autumn court plot” is going to work for a Gwynriel book. Outside of neither of those things being set up in the book (other than war), how does Gwyn work into them?

The girl wasn’t even sure if she could leave the library for Nessian’s mating ceremony, but apparently she’s going to go to the AC where she knows literally no one and do what? That’s the cruelest court in all of Prythian. Beron would probably just behead her and move along with his day. And what business does Az have there? Other than gathering intel? And even then, the IC has an alliance with Eris. Why would they risk their spymaster when they have an inside guy?

And same goes for the Illyrian plot. Gwyn- traumatized, healing, agoraphobic Gwyn who is only comfortable around 3 men is going to traipse up to Illyria and deal with their misogynistic, cruel society? It’s giving white savior. Why wouldn’t Emerie deal with the issues in Illyria? Or their High Lord? Or their General? Why would some random priestess and a spy master who hates them spend any prolonged amount of time there?

And I’m sorry, but if you’re setting up some big conflict with Illyria, the Valkyries giggling about them being mad isn’t exactly setting up some high stakes conflict…

Gwynriel is like trying to have sex with a whiskey dick- no matter how badly you want to get it, it’s not gonna happen.

One couple and one couple only can carry the plot of the next book, and that’s Elriel

[ariadnethedragon]

HOFAS thoughts as I read it: (SPOILERS below)

All that t*rture in the dungeons, Ruhn’s piercing and tattoos. Baxian’s tattoo. The wings. “How strong is your bite?” Sarahhhhh!!!!! Stop! That was more than I could handle😫

The Middengard Wyrm😖. Nesta dealt with it brilliantly but it just makes you appreciate how impossible it was that human Feyre managed to kill this thing by herself with no decent weapons.

Azriel hugging Nesta and stroking her hair after she took the Mask off🥺

Bryce’s wallpaper being Hunt and the photo of her friends in the phone case—that made me tear up

Imagining the inner circle all surrounding Bryce’s phone trying to figure out how it works is hilarious. Also Nesta being jealous of Bryce’s music collection, “THOUSAND?”

The nightbright angst KILLED me💔💔💔

Hunt just dreaming of Bryce. She’s the only thing pulling him through, “He’d wanted so many things with her. A normal, happy life. Children.” HE BETTER GET EVERY SINGLE ONE IF THOSE THINGS OR HANDS WILL BE THROWN!

Silene. The Daglan. My theories were true😁😁

Sigrid. I had so much hope for her story but I was disappointed. Hopefully it’ll get better

Ariadne!! I wanted to see more of her😕

Ruhn’s bedroom. The burn cream😭😭😭

Lidia FUCKING Cervos. That breakout scene. Magnificent.

Jesiba and Ithan’s dynamic. Librarian Ithan and the fact that Jesiba is a Parthos priestess!!! Also JellyJubilee being the computer password😂

Bryce using the mating bond to teleport to Hunt😭😭😭

Bran and Ace. Lidia giving them her ruby ring for tuition as a goodbye💔

Hunt and Bryce got married?!!! WHEN?

Cloudberry crown sounds funny idk why

If I had a penny every time SJM included a set of unhinged/partly unhinged fae twins (yes connall I’m looking at you) in her series, I’d have three pennies bc it happens every single time

So the astronomer is basically a Voldemort 2.0

Flynn and dec going crazy for waffles on the mer ship

“I never had anyone fight for me” Oh Lidia my love😭😭

Guess I’m shipping Tharion and Sathia now🤷‍♀️

Lidia being turned on by Ruhn lighting a fire—girl, I get it.

“Because I’m yours, Day. I’m fucking yours.” Screaming crying throwing up

Lidia: “I want you all the time”😭😭😭😭😭😭😩😩😩😩💗💗💗

Idk why but I am disappointed in the Autumn King, I thought there would be some redemption for him for some reason

Ruhn: “I am going to live and I am going to live well without you”😭😭

Bryce was always a queen but now she a queen Queen👀

Avallen becoming all green again.

Hunt being a demonic test tube baby😂😂

Dec being the first to look for service. Typical😂

Ithan x Perry???? Cinnamon and strawberry? I start getting suspicious when they notice all the nuances of that person’s scent. I think they’d be cute though

Nooooo, the prime—I keep thinking of him as master oogway from king fu panda and it makes me sad

Sabines finally dead🥳🥳

Ithan is prime now? Okay okay pop offf!!

Hunt finally breaking free of his halo and freeing Isaiah as well❤️

Is the under king from the ToG universe??? Valg??

Connor💔💔💔😭😭😭 The bullet. Memento mori

Sathia and Colin McCarthy. This will be interesting

Commando Hunt. The underwear was too small🤭🫨🫨

Morven guest room having red lace thongs😂😂

Okay tharion and sathia are really growing on me🥰🥰🥰

‘She’s my mate you fucker’ SCREAAMMING

Ace finally calling Lidia Mom😭❤️

Lidia is the descendant of Brannon. The fire, the hind/sacred stag. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

Pollux being incinerated☺️☺️☺️

The sprites and Irithys💗

The kill switch, the godslayer rifle. Bryce just blackholing the Asteri. She is so brilliant and cunning and clever and I love her.

Danika and the pack. Light it up Bryce. I SOBBED

Jesiba crying and then her sacrifice😭😭😭💔💔

Ember and Randal going to Prythian. Randal bonding with Rhys but more importantly Ember and Nesta—I want to cryyyy🥹🥹🥹

Starsword/Gwydion back in Prythian…whats going to happen in ACOTAR 5???

The princes of Hel—you gotta love em

Lidia and Ruhn finally having that beer

Flynn x Perry? Jealous Ithan😏

Syrinx running for his life when Hunt and Bryce share a heated look. It’s nothing new but it cracks me up all the time

Pegasuses in Avallen🥰🥰

[lorcandidlucienwill]

Ima be real i haven't read past acowar cuz i just stopped reading her books by the time the 4th book came out. HOWEVER!

dude i didn't know that the idea of rhys becoming high king was canon. i thought that was made up for a fic where the inner circle was the enemy.... why are they so different after the trilogy?? I mean they were already a little off but from looking at what people are saying (and reading a lot of fics with inner court slander) they've gotten weird weird weird

Quotes from ACOSF: “But you, Rhysand, are not.” Amren nodded to the still-rotating weapons. “With these three blades, you could make yourself High King.” The words clanged through the room. Cassian slowly blinked. Rhys said tightly, “I don’t wish to be High King. I only wish to be here, with my mate and my people.” Amren countered, “All seven courts united under one ruler would give us far better odds of survival in any upcoming conflict. No bickering and politicking required to dispatch our armies. Malcontents like Beron would have no ability to threaten our plans by allying with our enemies.” “We would have to fight an internal war first. I would be branded a traitor by my friends in other courts—I’d be forced to make them kneel.” Azriel stepped forward, shadows trailing from his shoulders. “Kallias, Tarquin, and Helion might be willing to kneel. Thesan will kneel if the others do.” Cassian nodded. Rhys as High King: he could think of no other male he’d trust more. No other male who would be a fairer ruler than Rhys. And with Feyre as High Queen … Prythian would be blessed to have such leaders. So Cassian said, “Tamlin would probably fight, and lose. Beron would be the only one standing in your way.” As for the Inner Circle being OOC... I think Rhys has remained the exact same since book 1. And that's actually a huuuuuge problem. He has had absolutely zero development, he's still an absolute dick, and somehow everyone licks his boots. Cassian I'd say went through a retcon through ACOSF. I genuinely shipped Nessian (even tho I despised the idea of the IC) until this book and it just ruined the ship and Cassian's character for me entirely. Mor...I mean she has had some character development but she was a fucking bitch to Nesta which I can't forgive. Amren I think is OOC in ACOSF too. This bitch should've stayed dead in ACOWAR. SJM ruined her sacrifice thing by bringing her back (also she's 100% ace, why did SJM make her heterosexual???) and then proceeded to have her trash Nesta in ACOSF. Pre-ACOSF Amren wouldn't have cared enough to be a bitch. Anyway the Inner Circle gets worse with each book and I hate how some people act like Rhys is the perfect selection for High King. If SJM goes down the High King road, the only High King I'll ever accept is Lucien.

[shadowhandss60]

Basically 5k words of shameless Manorian x Nessian smut because that combo would just kill me

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Ac: inkfaeart

[princessofmerchants]

My prediction about the next four books SJM will publish

I wanted to get this down somewhere, in part to process my angst about the possibility of what may come last in this next cluster of book releases 😫 but also to record the plot and character threads I am seeing as important heading into the next stretch of books SJM will release.

This includes HOFAS, ACOTAR, and TOG spoilers so it's after the break.

DISCLAIMER: These are just my guesses based on various interviews SJM has given both before and after the HOFAS release — THE ONLY SERIES BOOK THAT'S CONFIRMED IN THIS LIST IS ACOTAR5 BEING NEXT, and with that one, the main characters and plot threads I'll mention have also not yet been confirmed (beyond an avalanche of textual evidence 👀)

So, here are my predictions, circa 1.5 weeks after HOFAS was released:

➡️NEXT: ACOTAR5 - Az/Gwyn + Nesta and the Valkyries (which should also include Mor, ideally in a shared storyline with Emerie), Illyria / Ramiel / the Prison (and maybe a return of the pegasuses to Prythian), Gwydion and Truth Teller (not to mention the other two Made blades Nesta forged in ACOSF - also will Narben make an appearance? 👀), and I also think the first part of the Autumn Court drama may be told in this book - the truth about what happened between Mor and Eris, Beron's ongoing treachery, and Beron may die in this book making Eris High Lord (though some of these items may also be in ACOTAR6 instead - I do think the Mor and Eris story needs to come out in ACOTAR5 though, for Az to make peace with his 500 years of pining for her)

➡️FOLLOWED BY: A Throne of Glass crossover book - Shifter Fae + humans, more history and context about when the ancient Erilea Fae world-jumped to Midgard and served the Asteri, a story that creates threads and connections (of some kind, no idea how, and not sure which ToG characters it would entail) to Lidia (deer shifter with fire magic a la Aelin), Tharion (and the Mer as a people - ToG stans, remind me, were there mer in the ToG series at all? I'm pretty sure Rigelus says they hailed from the same world as the wolves and other Midgard shifters - I've read ToG in full but not as closely as ACOTAR and CC), and Ithan (wolf shifter with ice magic a la Dorian)

➡️THEN I AM THINKING: CC4: House of Many Waters - This would be the continuation of the story threads SJM did not resolve or finish by the end of HOFAS: Lidia's "service" to the Ocean Queen (and more RuhnLidia story with Brann and Ace 😍), Tharion/Sathia with Flynn and their earth magic / Avallen and the pegasuses, Ithan as the new Prime of the Wolves (and something with Perry - why did the antidote fade for her so fast?), Firstlight Zero, widespread distribution of the antidote, Ariadne (where did she go??!), and maybe more portal hopping to Prythian for Bryce, Hunt, Ember, and Randall (OH and maybe Ruhn here too, to get him in the same room as Rhys 👀) to further develop the cross-world friendships we saw forming in HOFAS

➡️WHICH MEANS FOURTH IN SJM'S AIRPLANE TAXI LINE WOULD BE (SOBS): ACOTAR6 - Elain/Lucien, Band of Exiles, Firebird retelling, Koschei, the mortal queens, and the conclusion of the big magical conflict that began with the finding of the Dread Trove in ACOSF, not to mention the Archeron sisters finally acknowledging and healing all of their familial baggage that was born from their collective and generational hardships from their time as humans (so Elain also coming to terms with her Seer powers and being Fae / no longer human - also answering the question: What happened when Elain went into the Cauldron?), I also think some of the Autumn Court drama would play out in this story Helion/Lady Autumn and Lucien's heritage (Day Court heir?), as well as more information about Papa Archeron from the time period of ACOWAR when Lucien traveled with him (LOTS of processing complex and problematic parents in this one!)

Again, these are JUST MY IDEAS - the ToG book guess is based on SJM saying after ACOTAR5 she's excited about the world her next book will be in which she implied was not the CC or ACOTAR world, and which will be emotional for her because of "who may pop up" - if that doesn't scream a return to her to the ToG universe then I don't know what would.

Then the 3rd and 4th predictions follow from that 2nd one being ToG and what I think she may focus on in it to add layers to her crossover - which seems like something she would want to do after how much work she's put into it so far.

I think there's a stronger and deeper fanbase for ACOTAR6 than there will be for CC4, so I think that could impact a decision to write and release CC4 first (since us ACOTAR stans would wait decades for the conclusion of that story and still buy a bazillion copies of it).

WHICH MEANS (SOBS), if these books are released one every 1.5 years on average... It may be quite a few years until we get our Elucien book 😭 ACOMAF came out in 2016. It would be PAST 2026 when ACOTAR6 gets released, over 10 years, until we get to see what actually comes of Elain's and Lucien's mating bond, if the above winds up bring true.

I swear, Eluciens are going to get the trophy for longest wait to see these two in their endgame, bless our patient souls 🏆

(There is always a chance the last two in the list will be in reverse order, with ACOTAR6 followed by CC4, but even if that winds up being the case, it would still be three books from now for ACOTAR6.)

[cathyac]

[Image ID: Lucien Vanserra, a man with pointed ears and two gold hoop earrings at the tip of his ear and another small hoop and earring the shape of a long triangle. Lucien is wearing a green, low v-neck shirt. He has golden-colored skin, red wavy hair partially tied back with curls hanging loose at the front and two braids falling over his shoulders at the front as well. His eyes are different colors. The eye to the right of the viewer is made of gold while the other one is brown. He is looking to the right of the reader at a fire off screen and has a serious expression on his face. He sits on a magenta couch and there is a bookshelf with books of different colors behind him. Both objects are blurred. There is a signature at the bottom that reads “Cathy AC” surrounded by a heart./end ID].

The Fox of Prythian.

Lucien deserves to be kissed, sorry, I don’t make the rules. (I literally made the rule).

Also, this is supposed to be at the Band of Exiles Mansion. I think there’s a magenta couch there but I also haven’t read ACOSF and kinda don’t want to lol.

[purple-haired-faerie]

Post HoFaS headcannons

First things first, Ember and Randall become the honorary parents for the entire group. No one questions it. It's fact. They all know when they are in trouble as Ember has learnt everyone's middle names and will full name them when the fuck up.

Ithan starts a couple of wolf sunball teams. One that competes in competitions and really takes it seriously and one aimed a kiddos and is a lot of fun. His friends make up the hype group and go to all the matches.

Talking of Ithan...him and Perry become a thing. He asks her out on a date and the whole scene is hilarious as you have the Prime of the wolves getting flustered and awkward at asking this artist cinnamon roll out for a coffee.

Lidia comes to an arrangement with her son's and their dad's where they (the boys) visit their mum every other weekend, should the boys want to. Brann makes every visit unless something comes up, Ace make most but not all. Ruhn sometimes hangs out depending on when they are doing but also respects this is their time and often makes himself scarce. The boys invite Lidia and Ruhn to special occasions and Ruhn and Lidia will return the favor to the boys and their dad's.

Eventually the conversation around Ruhn and Lidia having kids comes up. Ruhn wants to be a Dad but is totally respectful of Lidia and what she feels comfortable with. Given what their own childhoods looked like, they decide on adoption. They end up with three kids; a female Fae, and male shifter and a witch.

Hunt takes his role as Bryce's secretary very serious, especially the office sex part. But, at her insisting, gets himself a hobby. She has started dancing again. Not on any professional level but it still feeds her dancers soul. Hunt joins an amateur sunball team, and cooks loads. He even gives some cooking lessons to kids as part of a "life skills course" Hypaxia has a lead on.

Of course they have children. Four in all, a boy and girl fae and a boy and girl Malakh. Bryce is just impressed she was able to push out not one but two winged children.

Bryce does go back to Prythian and she and Nesta become solid friends and find a way to communicate when they aren't in each other's world. Once Lunathion has its shit relatively together they invite Nesta and whoever else from the IC to come. It can't just be Bryce going to them all the time. Cass, bless him, losses his mind at all the stuff he realizes they don't have and the amount of questions he asks puts a toddler to shame. It's excessive.

Sathia helps Colin become free from the Viper Queen, divorces Tharion and marries Colin. Her father objects and her only response is to give him the middle finger as she walks away. Zero shits given.

Tharion and Adriane have some sort of understanding. They wouldn't say they were dating each other but no one sees them messing around with anyone else either. Read into that what you will.

Baxion never fully lives down the fact he freaked out over the numerous Pegasus he found. He thankfully has a sense of humor and after a lot of time sees the funny side.

He decides he enjoyed his work helping all the refugees and becomes a social worker of sorts. Helping people help themselves is what he says when people ask him what he does.

[asnowfern]

Dancing with the world in my hands

Summary: Nesta introduces the Symphonia to her daughter and naturally, they have a dance party.

WC: 1k

Read on AO3

A/N: Just a little fluff to beat away the Monday blues💕

The house is quiet.

Nesta snaps her head up from her page at the realisation, taking note of the page number. She has read nearly an entire chapter in the time Alea has been doodling abstract colours on a drawing pad.

To her chagrin, three year old Alea is not at the little drawing desk her father had painstakingly built for her. Her crayons and colour pencils lie haphazardly on the pad and surrounding floor but the girl in question is nowhere to be seen.

And the house is still too quiet.

“Alea?” Nesta calls out cautiously, pointed ears strain for a hint of sound the kid is bound to make.

Nesta stands, catching the knitted fabric just before the blanket fully slides to the ground. “Alea?” She summons a little louder this time.

Still nothing.

“A little help here?” She mutters to the ceiling - the ace in her sleeve.

Her reading light blinks rhythmically at the Valkyrie almost in faint amusement. Find her yourself.

Nesta clicks her tongue and grumbles, “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

The window opens a crack, just enough to let in a gust of wind. It whips at her face and teases the stray strands just enough so that it tickles her face. The equivalent of the House blowing a raspberry.

With a huff, Nesta marks her page and drops the book on the side table. She makes her way down the corridor leading to the bedrooms, snorting at how the faelights lining the walls twinkle in jest.

A tussle in her room captures her attention. An assortment of her items surround her daughter like a ritualistic circle. The fae in question has her face scrunched up in concentration, her lips pursed and her wings tucked in tightly. She looks down at the spherical object that Alea holds in her chubby hands and her stomach nearly drops.

Quick to rein in her temper before it slips out, Nesta chides, “Alea! What did I say about messing with our stuff?”

Alea looks up at her, completely unrepentant. Instead, her face splits into a white smile. “Mama!” Stubby legs thud excitedly across the wooden floorboards. She holds up the orb, “What’s this?”

Nesta feels the smile curving up her lips as she takes hold of her precious object, saying gently but firmly, “This is a Symphonia and you need to be very careful with it because this is a very important present papa gave me.” She taps the top, watching beautiful hazel eyes sparkle as music fills the room.

“Music!” She exclaims, clapping little hands in joy.

Nesta switches around in search for a more upbeat tune. She and Cassian had recorded many songs over the years as they travelled around Prythian and even the occasional continent. Eventually, she landed on a cheerful tune from the Summer Court.

“What about this?” She asks fondly.

Alea’s head bobs slowly, her hips starting to sway side to side to the beat of the music.

“Dance” Nesta explains, taking her daughter’s hands into her own. Her own hips too begin to sway along.

“Dance!” The little fae repeats cheerfully. She twirls and hops and eventually falls out of rhythm. Not that it matters, not when her wings flap excitedly and joyful laughter echoes throughout the room.

Her wings dip slightly when the song ends and another more serious tune begins. Her brows crease in response, “Another?”

Nesta taps the top a couple more times, cycling through the songs until a familiar baritone voice comes on.

“Papa!” Her daughter scrambles up from where she had been rolling around. She leans over the musical device, her eyes round and bright in wonder.

Cassian’s voice carries the Illyrian lyrics, every flex of intonation soothes the soul. He is joined by a single drum which steadily grows into a full ensemble of percussion and female chorusing. If Nesta closes her eyes, she could almost imagine the roaring fire and the communal energy swirling through the air.

A soft weight leans against her front. Alea’s face is filled with wondrous amazement as she switches her weight from one leg to the other, her head bobbing along.

Nesta feels as if her heart could combust in that very moment. Giving into the urge, she sweeps her daughter into her arms and squeezes her into a tight hug.

“Mama” Alea complains, wriggling her way out of the embrace to demand, “Dance!”

They repeat the song for at least another five more times before another gust of wind blows through the room. It lights up the golden thread winding through her chest with shimmering warmth. Cassian steps through the room to receive a face full of flapping mini wings. He spins his daughter around, inciting delightful giggles.

“What is this?” He asks as he lowers Alea to the ground, who promptly launches back into her own dance.

She quirks a brow, “You tell me”

Cassian clears his throat, looking slightly embarrassed as he registers the familiar tune. “Ah”

Nesta says nothing and chooses to wait instead. Her mate huffs slightly. His eyes shift downwards to the blaring Symphonia and his face softens, “My mum used to sing this to me. We never had drums or a chorus to sing with but…”

He trails off, “When I came across the females singing them in their community tent the other day and,” hazel eyes are bright when he meets her gaze, “I just had to record it.”

Nesta crosses to her mate in a heartbeat, enveloping him in a hug. She breathes in the comforting scent as strong arms circle snugly around her waist.

She leans to capture his lips into a chaste kiss. She says softly, “It’s beautiful”

The strong cut lines pull into a teary smile.

“Yeah, it is.” He breathes, leaning in to slot his lips against hers once again-

“Papa!” An insistent hand tugs on his pants. Their daughter’s face is set in a pout. “Stop!” She decrees.

The two of them laugh as Cassian lowers to a squat. “Okay. Papa stop.” He agrees.

“Dance!” Their daughter, the little princess of their life, grabs one parent on each hand and begins twirling around - just for the song to end.

“Again!” She demands, and they do. With her world in her arms, Nesta dances.

[nikethestatue]

There are several times when Lucien tells Feyre that he didn’t want to kick a male already down, referring to Tamlin, always making excuses for him. What do you think that says about his character? Do you think if Feyre and Lucien were stuck in the spring court and Tamlin hit her, do you think he’d step in?

Im not sure. Like when Jessminda was killed, he was forced to watch, and then fled. He killed his brother but he still fled and even went back to the AC as Tamlin’s emissary. He never took them down when he had a chance.

When Elain was killed, sure he yelled at Hybern but he still got right back in line. He might have gone and gotten Vassa and Mr. Archeron but as Elain’s mate, shouldn’t he have felt her being taken by the cauldron? He never showed up. What he felt fear but didn’t show up? He can winnow. You’d think he do it. So I guess I’m asking what’s your character assessment of Lucien?

I think Lucien is a man for himself. It's not exactly a bad thing, considering his history, but I think that at most he is most loyal to Tamlin. I think he is grateful to Tamlin and I think they were genuine friends. I think he felt at home in Spring, up to a certain degree-at least he was friends with Tamlin and Andras and all the sentries. He had autonomy, he had influence, he for once, lived the life he wanted to live.

Beyond that, I don't think he has loyalty or real affection towards anyone.

I think Feyre crossed his path, and they were friendly, and perhaps he was appreciative of what she'd done for Tamlin, for Prythian. Again, would he choose Feyre over Tamlin? No. If he could've stayed behind in Spring, I believe he would've. If Elain--his mate--wasn't at Night Court, I think he would've stayed and escaped somehow and went back to Tamlin. Once it became clear that Elain had no interest in him, he left and went back to the 2 people who (like Tamlin) accepted him and became his friends (and maybe more).

I think it's interesting that he ended up with Jurian and Vassa. I find the 3 of them to be the most ambivalent characters in ACOTAR. They don't have loyalty to anyone really, they have their own agenda, and they live outside the constraints of human and Fae society.

To me, it makes them interesting. We don't know what to expect from them, what they ultimately want, what the endgame is.

[acourtofthought]

I think the order of the next ACOTAR books is Elucien, then Gwynriel, then the novella to give us a look at the couples and set up future books (just like ACOFAS).

Sarah said the sisters are getting their own books and she’s leaving the third one open (so Az was not planned as a POV then). She also said things haven’t changed (I don’t remember when, though - maybe when SF was released?).

I think the Koschei story will conclude in Elucien’s book. Az is not involved in that. My guess is that after Bryce, Rhys will want Koschei gone ASAP so they can be prepared if other beings start dropping in (maybe a plot for Gwynriel’s book? That + Merrill’s research). Nesta killed Lanthys, a death lord, with Ataraxia. Maybe they’ll give Elain and Lucien one of the weapons Nesta made, so they can kill Koschei.

Az is not really involved in the AC plot either. Maybe Gwyn will be, since it’s hinted she may be related to the Vanserras, but I can’t imagine it will be safe for her to go there while Beron is alive. If anyone other than Lucien, Eris or LoA kills Beron, it’ll be MEH. He has abused all three of them very badly.

At this point stretching the Koschei story and dragging the Elucien bond is weird. I think the Az bonus chapter was just to show us where he’s at emotionally. He has barely started getting over Mor and spent, what, 1+ years fixated on Elain? Him moving onto Gwyn within a year leaves a bad taste. He needs to spend some time not obsessing over women.

I don’t think the novella is next because it’s just not necessary. The next books have already been set up. Sarah is pretty straightforward, imo. I want Az’s story, too, but it doesn’t make sense for it to come before Elucien’s book. Unless she plans it as a tandem read - Elucien on the continent, Gwynriel in the NC.

I think we are sharing a brain because I feel so much of what you just said. Koschei, Vassa and the downfall of Spring happened in ACOWAR. So even though SF hinted at the possibility of Time Travel and we know Bryce landed in Prythian in CC2 (for which Az was present and important), within the ACOTAR world the main issues are still Koschei, Springs destruction, Vassa's curse, Beron wanting to take over Spring and Beron being willing to work with Koschei. If you are an ACOTAR only reader and not in the fandom, you'd probably have no idea about Bryce landing in Prythian and that's the truth. I know people like this, who have read the series and don't have any clue what's going on in CC and how it just connected to ACOTAR.

Even if you are a CC reader and realize that what happened in CC2 will eventually find it's way to the ACOTAR series, it doesn't erase everything that happened in ACOWAR, ACOFAS, and ACOSF. As SJM said, SF didn't change her original pitch to her editor, it only expanded the series. So when people downplay Koschei, Beron, Vassa and Spring just because we know Az's story will involve TT and what happens with Bryce as well as Gwyn, it doesn't make sense to me. Az's story doesn't necessarily override what SJM has setup for Elain and Lucien 2.5 books back and I do think postponing Vassa's curse for yet another book would be odd (since we keep hearing about how her freedom is soon ending and they've been unable to break her curse since the novella). Postponing the turnaround of Spring for yet another book would be odd because we've been hearing about how important it is that they get Spring up and running, how Spring right now is key to the safety of Prythian. It was one of their most major concerns in ACOMAF and ACOSF but suddenly it's just not going to be important for an entire book? They're just not going to care what Tamlin is doing anymore? We're going to have yet another book talking about how he's depressed? Postponing the reveal that Helion is Lucien's father for yet another book would be odd because Feyre discovered it in ACOWAR. Postponing the will they / won't they of Elucien's mating bond for yet another book would be odd because that was introduced all the way back in ACOMAF. Postponing the reveal of the full extent of Elain's powers and that she's still not fully over her trauma for yet another book would be odd because SJM can only tell us through the other characters POV for so long before we need to hear about it from Elain herself. Postponing Eris taking over Beron's throne for yet another book is starting to get old because again, we've been hearing about that for how many books now? And to me that event makes the most sense in a Lucien POV. Az may have had dealings with Eris but it's never been positive, I don't think we're going to see a great friendship emerging between the two of them. Eris and Lucien are the ones who are most likely to restore their relationship in the series, the ones who have a reason to take out Beron after what Beron has done to Eris, Lucien, Jesminda and the LoA. Az's issues with Eris have to do with Mor and if Gwyn is Az's mate then it doesn't make sense for him to continue on his path of "vengeance" with Eris on behalf of another female. As Eris said, Cassian and Az are not the ones he wants to give an explanation too. And actually, it would make sense for Eris to take Beron's throne before an Az book in the off chance Gwyn will explore her Autumn heritage. I find it unlikely that Beron (while on the throne) would allow a Night Court resident into his lands, regardless of the 1/4 Autumn Court Heritage she has (unless her father turned out to be Autumn Court as well but still, her allegiance is with the NC and I imagine Beron would not trust her). In my opinion, these are the most pressing issues in the ACOTAR world and they mainly involve Elain and Lucien. Az had setup in SF but to me, SJM is setting him up for what comes after Elain and Lucien hopefully help secure peace in Spring and across the continent. Their unique ability at convincing others to do what is needed would be instrumental in helping to avoid a second civil war (after the one they just had with Hybern). And that would then be the perfect setup for an interplanetary war, where they're now in a place to all come together to battle anyone trying to make it back to the land of the original fae (something that would make more sense in an Az POV because he's so connected to the rest of the IC. His POV would heavily feature Rhys who is also going to be connected to the crossover for obvious reasons. Nesta too). In order to eventually be prepared for whatever consequences result from CC3, they first need to take care of the issues they've been trying to deal with since ACOWAR.

[sayosdreams]

you know, if I had to write a new acotar baby fic, I’d do it in a way where u get to see the kids grow up and be a disappointment to their parents

“A disappointment?!”

Yeah. Kids are never what u imagine they’ll be. They don’t fulfill your expectations. They’re not a mini- you. They have their own personalities and like/dislike, their own dreams and moral codes and priorities.

I want the bat boys to have sons who hate war and fighting.

I want feysand to have a quiet nerd child who hates going to parties or doing physical activities or painting. “Why can’t I stay in?” They ask, and feysand is worried bc why is their child so quiet and antisocial?? They only seem to have a couple close friends and never go to parties. Rhys keeps telling them to exercise, Feyre keeps saying she’ll support them no matter what they choose to do (in a “u can be an artist!” Way) but their child isn’t interested in that. They love theories and history and academics. Their eyes light up when learning fun facts and uncovering archaic knowledge and the satisfaction of solving a complex math problem with astronomical applications.

I want a elriel to have a righteous social activist child who thinks that their mom is a pushover and cannot stomach the fact that their father not only betrays ppl’s trust and privacy by spying, but also tortures people (not saying that I support elriel but if they end up together). “How could you do that to people, having gone through it yourself?” they ask, staring down at Azriel’s hands which are littered with scars — hands that have endured and inflicted so much pain. They can’t bare to look at their father anymore. It’s like their child’s world shatters when they understand who their parents rly are, and a rift grows. (PS I don’t think Elain is ‘just a pushover’ but this is for this characterization)

I want one of their kids (Nessian / Elriel / Feysand) to go into modeling or pole dancing and their parents don’t get it. They’re like “oh we worked so hard so you could do whatever u wanted, why are u selling your body like this” but it’s what their kid wants to do and the kids is just pissed that their parents are ashamed. “Some people are forced to sell their bodies, why won’t u appreciate that u don’t have to?” Their parents ask. But freedom to choose your life means more that living out what your parents want. It means doing what you like. And for the kid, modeling / pole dancing is an art form. They love expressing themselves through their body. It helps their self confidence and it’s just something they’ve always loved.

I want one of the kids say that their dream job is something typically associated w work maids do in acotar (cooking / cleaning / clothes-making) and their parents again don’t get. Why would you want to collect trash? Why would you want to make cook for other people unless you have to? Why would you want to be at someone else’s beck and call? But it’s because the kid loves community, loves helping, loves the act itself. And again, their parents belittle their dream without realizing it bc they don’t get it.

I want one of the kids to decide that they aren’t ever having children. I want one of the kids to declare that they’re leaving the Night Court (and maybe Prythian?) as soon as they’re able to bc they hate it. I want the kids to challenge Rhys’ (and the IC’s) morality and authority to rule, and the choices they’ve made. I want them to be gay and trans and aro/ace. I want them to lead lives their parents don’t understand.

Because that’s what kids are, really.

[louisapennyfeather2021]

So by now most of us have seen the thing where the acotar map looks like the British Isles.

Hybern is Ireland, Prythian is Scotland, England, and Wales, and the continent is the rest of Europe. Put the map of Prythian and a map of the British Isles side by side and you can see the uncanny resemblance.

So a friend of mine and I both agree that the accents and dialects of each region should match the accents and dialects of their Isle counterpart.

The King of Hybern and Amarantha would have Irish accents. Amarantha's accent would be more similar to that of northern England when we see her Under the Mountain. Her Irish accent would be stronger before the 50 years Under the Mountain.

Feyre, her sisters, and the others from the Mortal Lands would have strong southern English accents. Let's say The Wall would cut through London.

The western coast of the Spring Court and most of the Summer Court would have Welsh accents and dialects. We would mostly see it in the Summer Court, though, because I believe Tamlin's manor is closer to the eastern coast of the Spring Court and that's where we spend most of our time when in the Spring Court.

The rest of the Spring Court would match best with English accents and dialects similar to those below The Wall since the Court is the closest to area.

The Autumn Court, a small eastern portion of the Summer Court, and the Winter Court would have accents and dialects matching those of Central England.

Under thr Mountain, while a little bit further south than the Scottish-English border, would be the dividing line that represents that border simply because it would separate the Seasonal courts from the Solar courts.

The Dawn Court would have southern Scottish accents and dialects.

The Day Court would have southern/central accents and dialects.

The Night Court would have central/northern accents and dialects. The Court of Nightmares would be mostly central since it's so close to the Night-Day border. Velaris would have strong northern Scottish accents. The Illyrians would have a strong accent most similar to that of the northern Scottish Highlands.

Rhys's accent would be the most different of the original Court of Dreams. His Illyrian accent would have been weaker because of his father's Court of Nightmares accent. And then, after Under the Mountain, his mixed accent would again be weakened because of Amarantha's Irish accent, the variety of Irish accents from Hybern creatures, and English accents from the majority Seasonal courts. Once he returns to the Court of Dreams, though, his original accent gets stronger again.

Cassian and Azriel would have strong Illyrian accents. Since Illyria is so cut off from the rest of Prythian, it would make sense for their accents and dialects to be very different, even from the rest of the Night Court. The Bat Boys' accents aren't as strong as the Illyrians who lived in the Steppes everyday, but still very strong since they are 100% Illyrian and spend a lot of time in the camps. Azriel's accent might be weaker, if anything, since he tries his best to avoid the camps and he can spend a lot of time either outside of the Night Court or talking to spies from outside the Night Court.

Mor would have an accent most similar to the Nightmare Court, but she would have taken on a northern accent and maybe even Illyrian after spending so many decades with the Bat Boys.

Amren is a toss up. She's not from their world, but she also spent centuries with the Court of Dreams. I think she would maybe develop a slight northern or Illyrian twang that Cassian would try to tease her about. When she becomes Fae, it's more obvious. If she continues her relationship with Varian and spends more time in the Summer Court, I'd imagine after a few decades or centuries that she would develop a mixed accent of northern Scottish and Welsh.

I'd imagine Feyre and Nesta would develop a mixed southern English and northern Scottish or Illyrian accent. Elain might, but if she spends time around Lucien, her accent might not change as much.(see Lucien below)

Gwyn's accent is partially unknown because we don't really know where Sangravah is. There 3 temples spread across the Fae lands. Presumably, Prythian. For Hybern to have carried out a successful attack that went unnoticed for a majority of the attack long before Hybern was considered to be an active threat again, I think it's safe to say the temple was close to a coastline. Cesere is along the northern coast of the Night Court, so Sangravah and the temple of Itica aren't in the Night Court. Gwyn's high fae and river nymph heritage trace her back to the Autumn and Spring Courts, so we can assume Sangravah is in the general vicinity of these courts or at least within Season Court jurisdiction. We can assume she had a southern/central English accent. When she began her life in The Library, she likely kept the accent because of how most of the priestesses were from one of the three temples and how Gwyn had no contact with the world outside The Library for so long. When she becomes friends with Emerie, maybe her accent lightens a little bit, but Nesta would have an accent very similar to Gwyn's. Gwyn's accent would only be noticeably different if/when she started spending more time with Azriel.

Emerie would have a strong Illyrian accent that would lighten over time due to all the time she spends with Nesta and Gwyn(and Mor👀)

Lucien would have a strong southern English accent because of how much time he spent in the Spring Court. Occasionally, though, his central English dialect would make itself know. Like of he was angry speaking very passionately.

I just think it's cool to think about! I know to a lot of people think people from England have English accents, as with people from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, etc. But each region(as far as I know and have been informed by people from the Isles) does have a different accent and dialect, even if the difference isn't very noticeable.

I understand it easily because I've lived in the Midwestern, U.S., all of my life, but I was raised around a family that moved north from Kentucky and West Virginia. When I'm around my extended family from West Virginia for long periods of time, I develop a southern/Appalachian twang for the duration of my visit and for a few weeks after before it fades. Even if I haven't been around them, when I get angry or very passionate about something, I develop a twang.

It's cool how language and dialects work. It would add some more variety to the story instead of imagining they all have the same accents. It makes it more fun and a lot more interesting.

[colorlesschristmastree]

Unlike Anything.

Most powerful female in Prythian

AC: @paintfaery on instagram

[kimsnnn]

This was supposed to be a response on a post I saw yesterday but for the life of me I could not find the post again. This has been stuck in the back of my head for a while and that post triggered it again. I haven’t been able to organize it correctly to post it before nor have I had the time but anyways when sjm says ACOFAS was planted with seeds I dont doubt her.  Rhys’ chapter w/cassian as well as cassians pov chapters predicted nearly everything that happens in acosf. Rhys even tells cassian that Az needs help and cassian will have to do more. 

Which he does when cass start to play courtier.

Then we have Az who struggles with his multiple jobs as a spymaster. Rhys notes the rage that’s in him. How his past consumes him. I assume that will be addressed in his book with elain. Elain is mentioned to still not want lucien to not want to choose him, to want free will. I mean rhys assuming azriel is following lucien bc he’s wants to know about what happens between elain and lucien is a big indicator that rhys knows what’s up with elriel.* Side note: that bonus scene read more to me as panicked rhys trying to avoid another issue or possible fight with the AC bc honestly there’s no way rhys didn’t know about them or else what was up with mentioning Lucien and elain & noting Az’s behavior on that topic in acofas. Rhys was dealing in a high stress mode with the whole Feyre’s birth situation ( Cass even notes his behavior after nesta has that crazy cauldron nightmare). * Then we have the whole bryaxis thing and even rose hall mention. We might even get a final confrontation on the whole Beron issue maybe even something with eris. Maybe a whole confrontation on the whole lady autumn, helion and Beron situation. Also finding the 4th death trove is definitely up their ally. I believe their book is next as the 5th book.

Then we have the tamlin and mor, who are experiencing separate “issues” in acofas, these are who I believe will get the novella(s). This is a great Segway and pause to start to tie all the players together especially as mor has direct links to the court of nightmares who need to play along for this new battle against koschei, and with Valhalla /the other continent. In acofas & acosf it’s mentioned she not only wants to travel & leave the NC but she’s now dealing in swaying the fae of the other continent. As for tamlin, he and the Spring court are in shambles. The SC is important ally to have to find and maintain peace, Rhys goes as far as to state that during his visit to the SC. Tamlin’s court happens to be the one to share the wall with the human lands, meaning BoE (particularly vassa and jurian) and I assume Grayson/the rest need a peaceful understanding that creatures of the fae lands cannot keep crossing over wreaking havoc. Lucien will be caught in the middle of this to deal with it as he has direct link to him.

And finally once all players are dealt with, the last book would be luciens which makes the most sense. I have an itch that the reason everything went down early prythian was due to both autumn and day being involved, that whole scene with the mask and helion, and the power of light they carry as well as those in CC is interesting. Then the fact that the only fae I remember atleast meeting in CC were the avallen fae (dusk court) and the autumn fae which I’m pretty sure came from AC prythian so they must be long lost relatives of Beron and Co. it would be fitting to have lucien as both autumn and day court fae “finish” it. Vassa should definitely not only be part of delivering the final blow to Koschei bc of obvious reason (Bonus points if shes a descendant of the female warrior who imprisoned him to the lake in the first place) but also to the queens as well, for they’re the reason she was enslaved by koschei (Rhys and az even touch on this in acofas  basically saying they cannot &should not interfere, the humans should deal with their own or the fae risk war & being seen as conquerors). 

I mean when you really look at it, feyre is directly linked to the three. She goes so far as to worry about them the most especially in acofas. She worries about Nesta-her grief, lack of self care& integration, her rage and mental health, their sister bond, about Elain-how well she is actually assimilating to everything, her seer abilities, her bond with lucien, about lucien- where her relationship stands with lucien, his bond with elain, his loyalty to the BoE, his relationship w/tamlin and even his position in the NC. 

Chaol got a book bc technically he was the only one that couldn’t get over everything that happened with aelin (the main character), aelin who he had an original direct link from book one, and aelin who he had a broken relationship with due to many issues he now had with her. In his book who do we get while he figures it out in his trip, Irene a full game changer for the final war (as well as neseryn and satrap of course). Sound familiar ? Lucien and vassa ? 

The three (elain, nesta and lucien) are the only ones left that matter to feyre who also happen to be sort of lost and have unfinished business that needs to be addressed and worked through before a reconciliation with feyre the main character. They also happens be original characters from book one who owe it to feyre and themselves to get it together. 

Nesta books was about her journey but the last obstacle she had to tackle was her relationship with feyre. That’s how her book ended it wasn’t before the brailynn it was after. Nesta has a personal journey she had to heal foremost before her journey with feyre. Feyre is still the main character and is the common factor among all three. All three are important to her and have failed her and again themselves. 

In CC2 it was still about feyre and rhys the rulers among that group, the main focus, for Bryce. Also everything points to Elains book being next but the fact that not only did we get reminders that az was strugglingas well as an increase of his presence in acosf, and a whole bonus chapter about him but even in CC2, it was Az who made first contact with Bryce. It definitely could of been anyone else literally any one else who might be far more I guess easy going like Cass or maybe Lucien but it wasn't. Idk I just noted how odd that was.

Funnily enough the new book covers for acotar supports this. Though I think i heard someone said once that SJM came out and said the book covers are just simply that and not an indication of anything, it is still weird how each one corresponds to each character and is happening in order so far. We have Acotar- the beast and arrow (Feyre), Acomaf- a hawk and ring (nesta, who is often described as bird/hawk like), acowar-roses,shadow and tt/dagger (elain), and then acofas-autumn like flower petals and leaves with a sunburst in the middle (lucien).

I absolutely could be wrong, I probably am but when you see it all together including the way acosf turned out, the way the bonus povs pointed to elain, the negative vibe when it came to elucien as in no progress or even angst, the subtle progress/buildup, angst and mystery in terms of Elriel, I mean it kind of seems possible.