#hofas spoilers

[copypastus]

One last Nesta for @nestaarcheronweek

Ember Quinlan the MVP of standing up for Nesta. Take notes Cassian.

[podemechamardek]

@nestaarcheronweek | Day Five: Wolf

House of Flame and Shadow, Chapter 22

Bryce describing Nesta as “the apex predator in the room” has been living rent-free in my head since I read it.

Bella is one of my favorite artists and one I’ve always wanted to commission an illustration from because I love her artistic style and she was so kind illustrating this scene for me.

Art by: Bella Souto (otuosbella)

Commissioned by: @podemechamardek

🚫 Please do not repost.

[glossamerfaerie]

One aspect of Gwynriel that really excites me is religion. The other protagonists don’t seem to take religion or rituals very seriously? Everyone respects the Mother and acknowledges her power (and the Cauldron), but we haven’t explored faith among the fae. Feyre has a terrible experience with Ianthe (a sadly accurate depiction of corruption within organized religion). But we know that not all priestesses are like power-hungry Ianthe. Nesta is understandably indifferent even though she later has an experience with the Mother during Nyx’s birth. Rhys and Cassian seem respectful but we’ve never seen them pray or attend services. It’s giving “only attending church during Christmas” level of religious commitment.

Azriel, on the other hand… we haven’t had much canon insight in his head, but I firmly believe that Azriel is more religious than his brothers. Like he’s not the type to attend temple services, but he probably thinks about faith and the Mother regularly. Clearly he has contemplated mating bonds and who creates them — maybe he’s prayed for a mating bond? Maybe his mother raised him to be more religious. In HOFAS, after Nesta takes the mask off in a close call, Az’s very first instinct is to thank the Mother. Possibly that is meaningless (like how an atheist can say “thank god”) but idk. Az seems to have more faith than his brothers.

“The Mask fell from Nesta’s face, clattering on the stone.

Nesta swayed, but Azriel was there, catching her, bringing her to his chest, scarred hands stroking her hair. “Thank the Mother,” he breathed. “Thank the Mother.”

A few chapters later, Az describes the Cauldron and what happens after death.

“Bryce nodded to the carving. “What’s the big deal about a cauldron?”

“The Cauldron,” Azriel amended. Bryce shook her head, not understanding. “You don’t have stories of it in your world? The Fae didn’t bring that tradition with them?”

Bryce surveyed the giant cauldron. “No. We have five gods, but no cauldron. What does it do?”

“All life came and comes from it,” Azriel said with something like reverence. “The Mother poured it into this world, and from it, life blossomed.”

Later in the conversation, Az explains what happens to souls after death.

“When you die, where do your souls go?” Did they even believe in the concept of a soul? Maybe she should have led with that.

But Azriel said softly, “They return to the Mother, where they rest in joy within her heart until she finds another purpose for us. Another life or world to live in.”

The way Az talks about the Mother, with reverence and confidence, makes me certain that he’s more religious than his brothers.

Then, of course, we have Gwyn — a literal priestess who was raised in a temple. She still attends daily services and sings for the choir. I’ve wondered if what happened in Sangravah shook Gwyn’s faith. Maybe she thinks the Mother exists but isn’t a benevolent deity. Maybe she’s bitter that the Mother didn’t save her servants from Hybern attacks. She definitely feels shame and unworthiness — Gwyn no longer feels like she has a right to wear the Invoking Stone. Working through those feelings will be a major aspect of Gwyn’s arc.

“You asked me once why I don’t wear the hood or the Invoking Stone. That stone is a sign of holiness. How can someone like me wear it?”

Within the temple, Gwyn also faces prejudice and discrimination from her fellow sisters. Ianthe isn’t the only asshole within the organization (cough Merrill cough). I’m sure that some people in Sangravah were cruel to Gwyn’s family because of their nymph heritage. I don’t know what SJM has planned, but I feel that religion will play a major role in the Gwynriel book. I wouldn’t be surprised that, like Nesta, Gwyn has a firsthand experience with the Mother. She will definitely use the blue invoking stone for healing (a nice parallel to Az’s blue siphons).

“It’s an Invoking Stone.” Gwyn unfurled her fingers, revealing the gem within her hand. “Similar to the Siphons of the Illyrians, except that the power of the Mother flows through it. We cannot use it for harm, only healing and protection. It was shielding us.”

I’m also curious to see Gwyn and Az discuss their religious beliefs together. Maybe Az gets permission to join the dawn and dusk services. The man barely sleeps, he might as well watch Gwyn during her religious commitments. The shadows are NOT going to pass a chance to hear their girl sing (or watch her glow). Maybe Nesta can talk Az into singing with the choir. 🥹

Nesta could only gape at the lovely melody, the voices from the front of the cavern leading it, lifting higher than the others. Gwyn sang, chin high, a faint glow seeming to radiate from her. The music was pure, ancient, by turns whispering and bold, one moment like a tendril of mist, the next like a gilded ray of light. It finished, and Merrill spoke about the Mother and the Cauldron and the land and sun and water. She spoke of blessings and dreams and hope. Of mercy and love and growth.

Idk, maybe I’m wrong about Az being religious. But it feels like such a wasted opportunity if we don’t learn more about the Mother! At the very least, I do see Az attending the dawn and dusk services if he’s not on a mission. 🎼🩵🎶

[kale-theteaqueen]

Wolf Mentality, to a Fault

Written for @nestaarcheronweek Day 5: Wolf

Nesta has always been a caged wolf, with sharp claws and teeth.

Now that she is free, she is a wolf in other ways. Namely, in her determination to do anything it takes to protect her pack -- her family. Even at the cost of herself.

---

Or, a 3+1 in which times Nesta self sacrifices for people in her life, and one time they return the favor.

SPOILER WARNING: Small mentions of HOFAS in parts 3 and 4

Read on A03:

Tag List: @c-e-d-dreamer @podemechamardek @talkfantasytome @moodymelanist @whyisaravenlike-awritingdesk @doriansgf @eerievixen @sweet-pea1 @thewayshedreamed @agents-assemble @jsmelodies @aelinchocolatelover @slipknotvol3 @stylishmuser

(If you'd like to be added/removed from the list, drop me a note!)

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

Azriel running back to tell Rhys that Bryce stole Truth Teller

[gracieart]

“When we stop again… can you show me how that contraption works?” … “Trying to figure out what it does has been driving us all crazy.”

Genuinely cannot believe this was a canon scene. Had to go and draw this as soon as I read it.

[nocasdatsgay]

Have y’all notice that in canon, everyone who meets Nesta that isn’t tied to the IC likes her? Just me?

[turesti]

Just finished HOFAS & my only thought is:

[sydneymack]

Ember, Nesta and Rhys - Crescent City

Artist: @paintfaery

[rainingriversofyou]

CC3 - HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW - INDIE EXCLUSIVE BONUS CHAPTER - BRYCE & DANIKA - PART 1

LIGHT IT UP ❤️‍🔥

Art by Petit Kitsune

[gwyns]

nesta is the best aunt and spoils nyx rotten confirmed

[unhealthyfanobsession]

Ember telling Nesta that she will find her way just breaks my fucking heart because the first half of the book is all Nesta in her element, doing as she pleases with her bestie Azriel, still doing what’s in the best interest of her family and just truly being her absolute best self and then the SECOND she’s back in the IC dynamic Ember is just watching her get berated for making a decision that we all know Feyre would also make. Like clearly Nesta expressed to Ember her turmoil over all of this and it makes me want to hug her and also slap Cassian.

It’s so tragic to see the dichotomy in one book of Nesta at her absolute best killing a fucking Asteri and then she goes HOME and … that …

I just … I have to dream that there’s something else for Nesta. A real home. Real acceptance.

[podemechamardek]

@nestaarcheronweek | Day Seven: Free Day

It happened once in a dream.

And for the last day I asked my dear friend Libia to do this illustration of Nesta and Bryce (and I’m happy that she got on board with the idea), because, I don’t know about you, but I thought this must have happened at least once in House of Flame and Shadow 😌

Art by: @lib-arts

Commissioned by: @podemechamardek

🚫 Please do not repost.

[theladyofbloodshed]

Nesta has cemented herself as one of the most powerful characters in all of sjm’s worlds (killed the most powerful bad guys, ability to create Made items, wield the trove) and THANK GOODNESS she doesn’t have the insufferable arrogance of sjm’s other characters. She’s just like yeah I want to go home and have dessert and read my book.

[captainswanandclintasha]

I know for a fact Rhysand had an aneurism when Azriel and Nesta told him everything that happened in the caves.

I know at the end of that discussion man was like

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

This is such a sweet tender moment between Azriel and Nesta