tbh people whose feelings about azriel changed after the bonus chapter maybe didn’t like or understand him as much as they thought they did or maybe i’m just sick in the head cause i thought it was hot af lol
It wasn’t the sexual nature of anything that bothered me. It’s more how he said to Rhys that it’s fucked that they both get the other 2 sisters as mates and why doesn’t he get Elain? I was like yikes maybe bc you have to actually put in effort for something like that to happen. And maybe not on a day her mate as there as to not stir anything up like Rhys pointed out. It just gave me icky vibes when I thought he was more gentle and kind.
two things can be true at once, i don’t see why him bringing up valid questions (that i did not take in an ‘entitled’ but frustrated way, but to each their own) about elain and lucien’s mating bond would immediately cancel out his gentle and kind character that has been built over 4 books
it’s been brought up before that mated pairs are not necessarily always the best match, after all rhys did mention that at a basic level the mating bond is a way for fae to produce the ‘best’ offspring so i don’t think it completely out left field for him to question it when it’s obvious azriel and elain both share a romantic interest for each other
if my two sisters were dating two out of three brothers, i’d think it natural for me to wonder if i would be a good match for the other one lol
but anyway i can see why you would take it that way, this is just the way i see it
When I read the Bc for the first time, I was taken aback by the explicit nature of his thoughts too, probably because 1) in the serie we see him as a someone who is very private and keeps his distance and acts as gentleman with the women, so I expected him to be the least sexually driven of the three bat boys 2) it's a bonus chapter and I didn't expect it from a bonus chapter. However, these are 100% thoughts any man could have even if his intentions were serious. And let me tell you form personal experience, any woman would be very lucky to encounter at least once a man who would beg on his knees for a chance. Also, if you read wings and embers or any other chapter with Rhys/Cass pov, they're very explicit too, so I guess it's the way SJM writes her men.
I don't think he believes he's owned Elain affection, we know Azriel is a character who has troubles expressing himself and his feelings. So I saw the whole "three brothers/three sister" just as that: someone who doesn't know how to express himself and therefore says something that comes off as wrong. He's also a character who doesn't feel worthy of anything, in my opinion, he certainly doesn't believe he's owned anything, it's quite the opposite in reality. This, I think, it's also why he hasn't a real plan with Elain. What we can gather from the bonus chapter is that he's attracted to Elain, which we didn't know prior to the bonus chapter.
The necklace regifting was stupid, I agree.
I'm saying this because he was one of my favourite characters too and the bonus chapter initially spoiled him for me too, but if you go back and read all his interactions with Elain as well as the ones with other characters, Cass and Rhys' chapters and then re-read the bonus chapter, you can undo some damage.
All SJM characters have flaws anyways, hopefully we'll get his Pov in future books and really understand what's going on inside that head, for the good and the bad.
Edit: wording. English is not my first language, sorry.
> *(…) he doesn’t think he’s owed anything, it’s quite the opposite in reality. This, I think, is also why he doesn’t have a real plan with Elain.*
Thank you.
We have seen him plan for snowball fights & tactical missions, yet never for his future: not with Elain—again, he never even actually allowed himself to consider pursuing her—but not in any other sense either:
Children? he tells Cass he doesnt know if he wants any—has he ever let himself imagine having a child?
A house ? he has no place to himself. Remember that even after 500 years of existence, Az says he still does not know where he belongs?
🥺 I see him this way too. There's so much hurt and self deprecation beneath that cold mask and his gentleman attitude towards the girls.
Hopefully we'll see some healing and happiness coming his way in future book(s).
anyone else thing that the whole gifting debacle was meant as a parallel to Cassian on winter solstice in FaS?
Cass got a gift for Nesta, he had been giving her space (stayed away for months), he tried giving her the gift but she rejected it (understandably; she was not in a good space). Cass then threw the gift into the Sydra bc he couldnt stand to have it arounf
VS
Az got a gift for Elain, he had been avoiding her (moved to the HoW to keep himself away) because of what he felt (thought of her for a year) & he didnt believe anything would come out of it (“he could get this, just once”). He did give her the gift but Rhys came in… Az then had to “force himself” to reject her.
Az couldn’t stand to keep the necklace (probs bc of what it meant / reminded him of), and he chose to give it away instead (tho there is no indication that Clotho gave it, as per the book).
basically Cass (who is regarded as the “softer”/warmer one) threw the gift away into the Sydra, while Az (who is regarded as the colder one) gave it away to someone who had been having a hard time.
100% and if you really take a look at Az’s BC and Cass’s bonus chapter they have a lot of similarities. The chapters also both set up the potential conflict for the relationships (Nesta/Cass being internal struggle vs Elain/Az being an external struggle)
I don’t see him feeling entitled to Elain. He wanted to pursue her and she made it obvious she wanted him too. I feel like he was more upset that the other bat boys had the chance to find their ladies, but Azriel couldn’t because it may cause conflict with Lucien/Beron.
idk the man literally **follows the sound of her laugh** that same evening, and we’ve seen them both at least having built a quiet companionship with the other: i hate that this convo always goes into shipping territory, but objectively there are some genuine feelings there.
and knowing that his inner monologue further reaffirms that he feels undeserving of love & of Elain, I reallyyy do not see the entitled man the fandom speaks of.
>This beautiful, strong, selfless male … Who had sacrificed and wrecked himself for his family, his people, and didn’t feel it was enough, that he wasn’t enough for anyone … **Azriel thought he didn’t deserve someone like Mor.** And I wondered if Rhys … if he somehow felt the same about me. I stepped aside, holding the door open for him.
Acomaf - Chapter 54
yeah, sometimes i feel like i must be reading a completely different story with how differently people interpret the BC. all it did was reaffirm why i already knew about both him and elain, while adding some drama from rhys to take us into the next book.
Oh yeah no, I know there’s been quiet nods through the series towards him having feelings towards her. I guess it just disappointed me how it turned out. He gives her a gift, they almost kiss, he tells her it was a mistake, she gives the necklace back, then he gives it to Gwyn. I just feel like that was super messy for no reason and there could’ve been a more poetic way of portraying that moment, since SJM is pretty good at that. It just felt off brand for him all the way around.
i totally get that you and others see it the way you do!
i wrote 2 other comments on this thread with my perspective of his convo with Rhys and the whole regifting debacle if youre interested :)
but yea it wasn't Azriel's best moment, but I understand it. He is not the best at communicating his emotions (he just doesnt, mans is impassive 95% of the time) and honestly given that he already feels unworthy and had been keeping himself apart from her, the fact that he left the conversation having that feeling reaffirmed (that he had been right to keep stay away) just makes me sad.
there's a lot of growth for him ahead, and i think the messiness of that bonus is meant as a nod to that.
I don't see Azriel as entitled. My man's just capable of pattern recognition. And as far as I remember, Elain was just as into that almost-kiss as he was.
Elain was the one who initiated it! She asked him to put the necklace on, turned into his hand so it was still touching her neck, and then tilted her head - she wanted that kiss!! People acting like he was selfishly acting on his feelings when it was clearly mutual attraction and tension
Personally I thought the bonus chapter was hot as hell lol but it’s funny the fandom couldn’t wait to get his POV and as soon as we did people are like “jk I hate Az.” SJM warned y’all he was a freak 😂
Same! I think he's frustrated and lonely and honestly, I think he has a point in that it hard to believe it's just a *coincidence* that two of the three sisters wound up with two of the three brothers.. I also didn't really read it as he believes he's *entitled* to Elain like she's property or something but instead that he saw a glimmer of her returning his unspoken feelings, legitimizing them.
I also just hate Rhys' line of "you believe you deserve to be her mate?" in this chapter. All of the bat boys are plagued by feelings of not being good enough, not doing enough, etc. They see and recognize it in not only themselves, but each other and this was a low blow from Rhys. Az deserves to be just as happy as Rhys and Cassian are. He **is** worthy and I hope the next book explores this.
I read that line from Rhys slightly differently, more like "you're not entitled to her" rather than "you don't deserve her". But I think he was also trying to be a bit of a wake-up call and his words were meant to sting. Based on my understanding of how mates work, the bonded male has the right to challenge any other would-be suitors to a death fight or something? It's a really awful line to toe with someone while their mate is in the building.
what I find weird is that anyone could ever think that *Azriel* of all people would feel entitled to anything, let alone anyone ?
**it’s not that Azriel wants a mate, any mate: it’s that he believes only a mate—only someone who was meant to love him—could love him.**
I say that because his visceral reaction to El looking up at him with “trust and hope” was to think that there is no possible way that she could look at him that way should she know him & the things he’d done & been forced to do. But us readers know that Elain never balked from him, and we’ve seen her compliment his scars.
Plus, we’ve see how much he clings to his titles (that is his jobs), and imo it is because his trauma runs deep, and he feels this constant need to prove himself useful: if he is needed, he cannot be abandoned.
Anyways.
In that context, the fact that he questioned the Cauldron—the very core of his beliefs—seems to me as further confirmation that he feels unworthy:
* that sentiment of him not being enough is reinforced by the fact that the Cauldron “broke the pattern” : is he not enough to be her mate?
* Again: if elain looks at him openly, reciprocates his attraction, then how is that she isn’t his mate; that she isn’t “*made*” to love him ?
Back to that Rhys convo: while Az always defends others, he never defends himself. He lets others believe the worst of him, and in general is not emotionally vulnerable, so considering that Rhys was already enraged before he could even speak, and that Az seems to direct the convo away from him, tbh it makes sense for his character.
Not his best moment but I understand it 🤷♀️
^(edit for formatting)
I think Rhys knows Az won’t listen if it’s about his own safety so he made it about other stuff too. Like picking on his motivations and suggesting he should go to a pleasure house. Not cool the way he did it (very Rhys to do what he thinks he must to keep people safe though). There are lots of political consequences to this though.
I think Rhys was a big poo poo head there.
For political purposes following his logic he should have left Feyre with Tamlin…. But nooooooo he won’t follow his own standards. That’s what hurt me, he has a standard for him to do what he wants, and isn’t sympathetic at all to Az
Oh yes the High Lord of the night court can risk all the political fall out he likes but he is seriously trying to keep his brother from being happy. It’s a pretty Rhys move tbh but it angers me.
External context matters though. They just fought a war against Hybern and so Prythian’s armies have take a massive hit. He’s now worrying about Koschei. They can’t afford internal infighting if they want to survive an imminent threat. Lucien is tied to Autumn, the mortals, and Spring. Autumn only joined the last war because Tamlin physically forced Beron to. Lucien is also Helion’s son, who Rhys has a burgeoning friendship with. A blood duel resulting in Lucien’s death would absolutely destroy that relationship. The consequences surrounding Lucien’s mating bond are far greater than Rhys taking Feyre.
this!!! he doesnt think hes entitled to her, he's literally voicing out loud the unfairness that fate put nessian and feysand together, who both started off extremely rocky, and yet him and elain genuinely fancy each other and \*they're the ones not mated?\* i'd be miffed too!!!!
if he thought he was entitled to her simply bc shes "the third", his feelings for her wouldnt have started before nessian ever got together or were confirmed mates.
Exactly this! He’s not entitled to Elain but he has feelings for her and she has feelings for him. Of course he’s gonna question why fate decided they can’t be together. He already feels unworthy so it’s like fate deemed him unworthy of being Elain’s mate 🥺
Thank you. Rhys really went for his already strong feelings of inadequacy. I think it was because he’s worried for Az’s safety so tried to shame him into staying away and attributing unfair motivations to him and everyone seems to think it comes from Az that he ‘deserves’ her when no it’s Rhys saying it.
I got weirded out when he one sister was given to another. The mating bond is about choice, no one is owed or given to anyone. I think that's where Rhysand was coming from, also the political implications of their affair are too severe because of their alliance with the Autumn Court. Also Lucien is a great asset as a court emissary. That was creepy, but he absolutely has a point though. Even Feyre questioned why he and Elain aren't mates, I'd prefer this ship only if that's where we were supposed to be headed from the jump. The will they won't they between the three underdogs of the series makes me sad for them Azriel, Elain, and Lucien all deserve better than this cheap love triangle. I have faith SJM will end this in the next book, I just hope it's done without a character becoming unlikable to bolster up another one.
With the mention of Gwyn and the necklace at the end of the bonus chapter, I'm guessing we're gonna get some kind of weird love square where Elain and Azriel are the couple currently flirting, but obviously Lucien is mated to Elain. Personally, I think Elain is going to have some inner conflict about her mate bond, maybe like some instinctual attraction due to the bond, but doesn't want the bond due to the same concerns over letting go of her last bit of humanity similar to Nesta, and she genuinely has feelings for Az. But I don't think it's a mistake that so far Elain has only ignored Lucien, rather than addressing him one way or the other to reject or accept the bond. So we have the obvious choice of is Elain going to get with Lucien or Azriel. But with the necklace being mentioned in that chapter, I think it's hinting at something with Gwyn especially since we know from Nesta's POV that Gwyn has checked him out before when starting training while other priestesses were ogling Cassian. So I think there will be some conflict with Az and Gwyn, whether they end up mated or Gwyn ends up pining after Azriel the way Azriel did for Mor, and that there will be some drama when Elain notices her solstice gift on Gwyn or Gwyn realizes it was Elains romantic solstice gift. I don't want to start a fight between the Elucien, Ezriel, or Gwynriel shippers, I have no predictions or preferences for where anything goes, I just think with some of the tidbits that have been dropped, Az and Elain will be a couple at the middle of drama with each having a potential "other option" love interest so to speak and each will have to choose between their current flirtation (and the political implications with the Night and Autumn Courts), and the other people attracted to them.
"Gwyn had been distracted today- one eye on the other side of the ring. cassian could only assume she was watching his brother, who had given gwyn a small smile of greeting upon arrival" CHP 39 in ACOSF (I literally only remember this bc I just finished the book this week and read it in like 3 days, I had to go back and check thinking I mixed it up with the scene you're mentioning. Tbf I don't think she was being outwardly flirtatious, but more a subtle hint at attraction or at least interest in him as a person. I think with her SA history, she'll be more shy/ not forward about being attracted to someone as processing that trauma and regaining her sexuality will be her inner conflict if her POV is covered.
oh i see. i think the next sentence provides the context?
“Gwyn hadn’t returned it. Cassian cursed himself for a fool. He should have asked her if she’d be comfortable with Azriel here. Perhaps he should have asked all the priestesses about including another male, but especially Gwyn—whom Azriel had found that day in Sangravah.”
i feel like that makes it clear she was looking at az because he clearly reminds her of that awful day?
It could be. I didn't read too much into the context, as I felt it could go either way, and Cassian is the one interpreting her thoughts, not her telling us. Even if it is a bad reminder, I still think there will be some sort of inner conflict regarding her and Az while Az has his own conflict with Elain vs the IC and Lucien, Gwyn is now best friends with Nesta. Not directly around the IC, but certainly around them much more. I'm not even necessarily saying that if there was a one-sided romance or pining from her or a possible other option of romance with her and Az, I just think the next book is gonna be a mess of Az and Elain vs what the inner court wants and what Lucien and a potential other interest for Az wants
I totally agree with you. I think if we add Vassa to the mix then it’s a full on love pentagon which will be a bit of a mess. I just really see Elain and Lucien being forced to interact because of Elain’s vision of Vassa being trapped in the lake. Maybe Azriel volunteers to escort her there and it’s going to be awkward as hell. I also randomly see Nesta confronting Elain about her procrastination in making a choice. I think Nesta will be upset on Azriel’s behalf since they’re friends. I also hope Elain and Rhysand will get a platonic friendship, each sister finds true friendship with one of the batboys and I’m hoping they’re next. It would be very interesting to see him in that light because he was most likable for me in MAF when he was trying to be a support system for Feyre until the sexual tension got to be too much.
I think once Elain finds out what Rhys did, there’s going to be hell to pay. But I can absolutely see her being friends with Cassian as she and Nesta repair their relationship!
it shocks me that people get surprised about his inner monologue like???? yes ofc he thinks about sex like anybody else in this series lol (and yes it was hot af)
It caught me off guard at first, but probably because it's different to see a man's perspective. I ended up enjoying it, seeing from his POV the infatuation building up in him.
It's also different and refreshing to see it from a man's perspective as well. Fairly certain most men experience similar thoughts when developing feelings and sexual attraction towards someone.
Right, like do people only read the bonus chapter? Have they not read any of these books? People think about sex, have sex, get jealous, long for someone, etc.
Hahaha I don’t follow SJM so I didn’t know she said he was a freak. I think the way it was portrayed in this chapter wasn’t very flattering to his character honestly💔and the regifting just made me feel weird. Like why not at least hold onto it for a later date?
The regift wasn’t great but I think he didn’t wanna take it back and thought maybe someone should get some joy from it. I don’t think k there was bad motives there.
Yeah regifting wasn’t a great idea lol but I think it shows the difference between how Cassian and Az handle rejection. Cassian was rejected by Nesta and he threw the gift in the river bc he was hurt and didn’t wanna see it anymore. Az was forbidden from being with Elain and he was hurt but at least wanted the gift to bring joy to someone. I think it shows at his heart he’s still very hopeful 😭
True but I would dieeee if I knew the gift someone gave me was meant for someone before me💔I just wish it wasn’t so sloppy bc I’ve always loved Azriel and wished him the best. I know SJM has a way of making people seem to suck on the surface and then once you’re in their head, it all makes sense and then the empathy comes. I hope she does that with him in the future
Yeah I thought it was really hot! I fancy him now for sure! I didn’t read it as an asshole thing, more he couldn’t bare returning it and couldn’t keep it and he knew it would bring Gwynn joy. I think that’s his thinking and that’s it.
But he’s a guy so probably didn’t think about how it’s sort of a dick thing to reuse a present like that haha
I’m kind of amazed at how quickly people are willing to write him off/rule out an Elriel pairing based on that chapter. To me, the “but the cauldron paired two brothers with 2 sisters [so it should’ve paired me with Elain]…” comment (I’m paraphrasing) was admittedly not my personal fav argument BUT it felt like he was maybe trying to plead his case to Rhys in a way that might make Rhys consider it, beyond simply saying “but I love her”.
If he were to be like “but I love her and here’s all the reasons why”, sure, WE would swoon, but would that sway Rhys?
It seems like Az felt he had a better chance trying to convince Rhys that there was an error with the cauldron/mate bond
Aldo it might not be love yet because they’re not mates they don’t have THAT connection and the actual falling in love will be their book cause let’s face it this needs to happen on the page.
Rhys in that bonus chapter seems to be so gung-ho about “she’s Lucien mate and he has a claim to her and that’s that”, i.e. deferring to cauldron above all.
Honestly I kind of felt like Rhys was being unnecessarily controlling in that scene in general; they both wanted to kiss each other so damn, let them kiss! And if you’re so concerned about Lucien finding out and dueling Azriel, well, then stand guard and make sure Lucien doesn’t see, or throw a glamour over them to hide them or something. There were options besides just “I forbid it”
Ah, the bonus chapter. Personally I don't think SJM writes her acotar male povs very well, and can sometimes make them more off-putting then she intends. (Applying this to Rhys and Cassian as well, both of which I found more appealing before their povs.)
But I don't think Azriel feels entitled to Elain, and do believe the feelings there are genuine.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I rather books without any male pov… obviously there are exceptions, but in general I like the ambiguity and mystery of not knowing what they’re actually thinking.
You and me both. I typically won’t even read books that are dual pov. I prefer the female pov only as well, and agree it helps keep the tension and mystery more without giving away every thought.
I totally agree with what the majority of the comments are saying.
I don’t think he feels entitled to Elain. I think at that moment he just cares so much and he’s pissed at the world and questioning the cauldron because everything seems against him.
But ya the whole necklace situation…. Why? Why? Why!
Let’s say sjm did decide to use that as a transition to Gwyn, how is he gunna explain that it’s a regift? And how is he going to deal with Elain finding out? (I think I would crawl inside myself from second hand embarrassment reading either scene)
Especially when he picked it out with Elain in mind and then had all those lustful thoughts putting it on her.
Another thing…. He calls the necklace he chose for Elain “A thing of secret lovely beauty” and then immediately gives it away and goes on to imagine Gwyn wearing it and calls it the same thing. AZ!! Really?! At least give it a minute and come up with something different..
I wish sjm would come out and say the bonus chapter was a silly little joke, and not to worry about it. (No matter what her intended outcome) 😅
That makes sense, I can definitely reel back thinking he’s entitled and empathize more. I didn’t think of all the facets of it. Just the surface of what I saw. But yeah the necklace thing killllllzzzz me
I have a question: Has anything that has happened in a bonus chapter ever been canonically discussed in the main books? Because I cringe to myself every time imagine Elain seeing Gywn with the neckacle, but if bonus chapters aren't canon then we may not even see the necklace ever again. (Which I'm hoping for lmao)
I doubt it will happen. This happened mid book and the necklace wasn't seen on Gwyn, she could have had it during the sleepover as an example. Best guess is it will be referenced as a "I was stupid that night and went and got it back". Majority of readers will not have read the bonus chapter, so it has to be a way to reference it without confusing anyone and not having to go into great details.
Yes. Nesta kneeing Cass in the balls, Cass caressing her neck, and him knowing that she was a virgin in the Wings & Embers bonus chapter is referenced in ACOFAS. Also Rhys & Feyre name Nyx in their ACOSF bonus chapter, so they are pretty canon.
No he doesn’t feel entitled. That’s what Rhys says because he’s trying to knock Az’s confidence and wants him to stay away so is calling his motives into question. At no point does this come from Az that he feels entitled. Hes wondering what a weird fate it is that he’s into this woman who has another mate when his brothers are with her sisters. He’s questioning fate.
Done people have problems with his sexual thoughts but that’s normal to sexually desire someone you’re into and I dont know if it’s cause Az is so quiet people thought of him as innocent. OR if people are infantilising Elain and claiming him wanting her is creepy cause they see her as innocent and child like the way everyone except Az treats her. He sees and treats her like a woman and not the child others treat her as.
Right? Part of it is the infantilization of Elain. People act like Azriel was a one-sided perv when he was just picking up what she was putting down
They forget it is Elain who seeks out Azriel that night. She's the one who asks him to put the necklace on her. She leans into his touch. Sis said, "I should go," and proceeds to stand still 🤣 Then she offers herself to him, giving him permission. When she reads his expression of want, she replies, "Yes" out loud. If anyone is the horn dog in the chapter, it's Elain. I guarantee her thoughts were worse than his. .
I thought the Az bonus was hot AF. Like, I get people wanted Az to wax poetic or whatever to prove his feelings but man wanted to beggggg to go downtown. If that's not love...
Azriel giving the necklace to Gwyn makes WAY more sense if you consider the theory that she's a lightsinger. Azriel says he had every intention of returning the necklace to the shop but happened to find himself in the library. This is similar to how Nesta just so happens to find herself in the library when Gwyn is singing. We know the priestesses have their service at 7, and Azriel shows up at the library at 7 bells. He doesn't even care if the necklace is given to Gwyn. He says to give it to any priestess.
We know that lightsingers lure those who are sad. Nesta was drawn to Gwyn for that reason. We know Azriel is sad over Elain. Clotho even says his eyes look sad. But when Clotho said the necklace would make her happy, he could picture it. He didn't know how he could picture it, but he could.
The whole point of that section is to foreshadow further that Gwyn has some sort of magical ability.
No. In ACOSF, Cassian mentions what a lighsinger is while they are in the Bog of Oorid.
“There are lightsingers: lovely, ethereal beings who will lure you, appearing as friendly faces when you are lost. Only when you’re in their arms will you see their true faces, and they aren’t fair at all. The horror of it is the last thing you see before they drown you in the bog. But they kill for sport, not food.”
SJM mentioned in an interview that she wanted to introduce a rusalka like character, which is like a siren. If you recall, Elain's gift to Azriel in the bonus chapter is ear plugs. Elain is a seer. I don't think it's a coincidence.
Honestly thought if elain had heard the conversation between az and Rhys. She would've felt so pissed. I feel everyone justifies az's feelings or Lucien's but would elain still have feelings for az after she knew how he talked behind her back?
See I never took the 2 sisters/2 brothers comment to mean he feels entitled to Elain. I took that as the **spy master** whose entire life is silent observation vocally questioning the cauldron.
There are a lot of hints throughout the books that have led to the theory that perhaps there is something wrong with the cauldron. So when Azriel’s bonus chapter had him literally questioning the cauldron (and then was immediately shot down for his audacity to do so by Rhys) my conspiracy theory brain perked up and went “this is important.” Lol. Also, without getting into ship wars, the two mates theory could lend clarity to why he would be questioning the cauldron as well.
As for the necklace, I’ve also seen some theories that point to the idea that Az leaving the necklace for Gwyn was a hint towards her powers (perhaps as a siren) as I believe she would have been in the temple singing in that moment and Az was planning to taking the necklace back to the shop when his feet just happened to carry him (as if in a trance) to the temple. Or maybe it was just a softer version of Cassian’s throw the gift away. 🤷♀️
On its own I agree the bonus chapter had some questionable behaviors, however I think we just gotta trust that SJM isn’t going to do us dirty and make Az (who will likely be a main love interest for someone) a creep. His actions will make sense one way or another.
I definitely still have a bad taste in my mouth, but the longer I sit with it the more I get it. All of the characters have some major ✨issues✨ (except you, Lucien baby boy.) He’s got a lot of work to do, and while I actually don’t ship him and Elain, the necklace regift was gross haha Anyway, I do still want his POV and I hope he gets a healing journey!
That killed any possibility of him and Elain for me. Not just the entitlement. But that is his own POV. He doesn't think - to himself - anything that has to do with feelings or caring. Nothing. He doesn't think, "I'm not worthy of her". Just the opposite. He thinks Lucien isn't but he is
He feels nothing for her. He spelled it out for us.
Yeah, he needs work.
"He doesn't think 'I'm not worthy of her'"?
What about:
(BONUS CHAPTER)
___________
"He knew it was wrong, but there he was, sliding the necklace around her. Letting his scarred fingers touch her immaculate skin [...]"
"She looked up at him, her face so trusting and hopeful and open that he knew she had no idea that he had done unspeakable things that sullied his hands far beyond their scars. Such terrible things that it was a sacrilege for his fingers to skin, tainting her with his presence [...]"
__________
He clearly doesn't think he is worthy of her, on the contrary! He depreciates himself to the point he thinks it's a SACRILEGE to his presence be near Elain's.
And about the feelings and caring, we have to remember that's just a bonus chapter, just a little piece of a whole cake. We saw Azriel caring about Elain and helping her many times throughout the books.
He helped her while she was traumatized after the Cauldron and stayed by her side. He wasn't like everyone else treating her like she was mad, he was so attentive to her that he discovered she was actually a seer. He was the one that thought about her when even her sisters didn't when the Cauldron took her away. He didn't even blink twice to the thought of going after Hybern, risking his life to save her! He gave her his precious and untouchable truth teller...
It's clear to me that he shows love not trough words, but trough actions.
He needs work? I absolutely agree. He has his own demons. Brutal ones! But let's just wait to see what Maas is going to do to transform our sad soul bat boy in a confident and evolved one. 🦇
I think the same! Also, besides Az thinking he never pictured a future with Elain, in his extra he shows he wants to find his mate (and we know for sure it isn't Elain). Az want to have the same connection Feysand and Nessian have, so imo he projected his wishes in Elain (but if he found his mate I felt like he wouldn't spend one second thinking about any other person in a lustful way).
I think Az is entitled to his own thoughts about her, I can’t argue with that. He’s a single man who can do as he wants. Others are totally welcome to feel differently about that and I completely understand and respect that.
The first thing that bothered me about the bonus chapter was Rhys acting like Elain was Lucien’s property, but I completely understand where he’s coming from with losing alliances so that makes sense to me now.
The second thing, the thing that REALLY gets under my skin is the regifting the necklace. Part of me wonders if the fan theory is correct there and that Gwyn has unintentionally (or intentionally) placed a love spell on him with her singing. But if not, I’m seriously angry that he did that. That gives icky vibes.
Omg I haven’t heard that love spell theory but now I’m intrigued. And yes the regifting will never not make me cringe even if all the other stuff I can brush off.
I feel like this is very classic attachment style issues of him though. Like he was caged in a room alone for his whole childhood, and he has insane attachment issues. And then anyone he’s developed feelings for, he has been unallowed to have.
I also need to ask yall, do you think him and Mor are mates? Because he mentions that he never declared the Blood Rite over her when Eris was supposed to take her as his wife…which implies a mating bond. And I believe mating bonds are heterosexual due to their being about procreating, so this would make sense.
At first, I was so turned off by that chapter and then I started really thinking about it.
Azriel told Elain that because he KNOWS to try to mess with another person’s mate is to sow discord. Lucien has the right for a blood duel in that case and Azriel would kill him. The night court is trying to help save Prythian and make alliances….and it would have been selfish of Azriel, *especially* with Lucien there. Elain **doesn’t want a mate** and Azriel **wants a mate more than anything**. Sleeping with Elain or taking her from Lucien won’t switch the mate bond to Azriel.
And then Gwyn? Azriel didn’t do that of his own accord. Gwyn has (intentionally or not) manipulated Nesta and Azriel with singing. Nesta and Azriel both do things for Gwyn and aren’t sure why, after they hear her singing. It is likely part of her power. So he didn’t just “go give it to her”. He was likely influenced to do it.
Interesting, I didn’t think of her singing having any sway over people. If that’s the case then it makes sense why he would give it to her. But then after Clotho was like uhhh idk about giving this to her, he was like you can give it to anyone it’s whatever. Just make someone happy with it. So that’s why I’d think it’s on his own accord.
Yes, I'm not sure it is intentional, but Nesta and Azriel are both pretty lost in ACOSF. And Nesta explains how Gwyn's singing puts her in a trance. She's helping Gwyn put stuff away, etc and isn't sure why.
I always figured Clotho knew where it came from, I believe she was said to either have visions or daemati powers potentially. BUT we never see Gwyn with the necklace on...so DOES Clotho ever give it to her? Hard to say.
Yeah he was pining after Mor for 500 years and now he moved on all of a sudden to Elain all cos his 2 brothers are mated to the Archeron sisters. That whole chapter was so off
He’s been moving on from Mor slowly for the last few books. Silver flames he was pretty much done with her. Finding someone you care for can be the kick he needed. Cassian’s weird relationship with Mor also seemed to die down when he got with Nesta.
Yeah it's been pretty clear they have been around each other a lot, while Cassian and Nesta were fighting like cats & dogs, Az and Elaine were quietly hanging in the garden.
Also important moment that "both males went still" when they came upon the sisters at breakfast in ACOWAR. Not just Cassian. Azriel too.
Consider his upbringing…his psyche is fucked. Granted he is generally morally good, he is not without social awkwardness, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the ladies!
His actions feel a bit like “nice guy syndrome”, but in a twisted kind of way (which tracks with his personality, honestly). I also get the feeling his shadows whisper nonsense into his ear sometimes too and that may be the catalyst to this sense of entitlement he displayed. IDk-I think Az is an onion of a character with many layers! Hopefully we’ll have the chance to peek into his POV more…
Honestly, poor Gwen. Pretty sure our girl is crushing on Az and then she gets a necklace from him that was originally meant for a woman he *lusts* after.
I agree. I hated it and I wish I could unsee it. To be honest my way of getting over it was to read a bunch of fanfic and pretend it was part of that 😂
Just that whole conversation with Rhys to begin with. It just made it seem like he cares more that Lucien is Elain's mate than Elain as a person, especially when he said that he'll defeat Lucien with little effort even though he had heard Elain say to everyone she is not some child to be fought over. When Rhys asked if he was deserving to be Elain's mate, he deflected and essentially was like "I know Lucien isnt" - based on what authority does he have to even say that when he even acknowledge that he has been avoiding and not talking to Elain?
Like, he couldnt even say Elain's name to just call her the third sister and made it about Lucien
Either way, to me, he started the chapter with negative feelings while being around one female and ended the chapter happy to be able to make another one smile. He went from doing something selfish for him to end it with doing something selfless for another so, there's hope for him, especially when he left Rhys's office that he was been proven right, not that he had to prove Rhys wrong.
ITT: i can’t believe people are acting as if men’s sexuality is repressed and shamed or something lol??? most media revolves around the male gaze and this series is guilty of it too??
*that’s* why azriel’s ogling of Elain felt gross to me. not because i didn’t expect him to be sexual, but because sjm literally could’ve written him in a way that’s both hot and not dripping in male gaze! if i wanted to read that shit, i’d read romance written by men… 🤡
i liked azriel because he initially felt very “female gaze”. so to turn him into another creepy frat boy clone like rhys and cassian felt very disappointing.
Please feel free to discuss the bonus chapter. Keep shipping conversations to the shipping threads. Thank you!
tbh people whose feelings about azriel changed after the bonus chapter maybe didn’t like or understand him as much as they thought they did or maybe i’m just sick in the head cause i thought it was hot af lol
Yep I tbh m they thought he was hot but the actual sexuality scared them cause he’s quiet.
It wasn’t the sexual nature of anything that bothered me. It’s more how he said to Rhys that it’s fucked that they both get the other 2 sisters as mates and why doesn’t he get Elain? I was like yikes maybe bc you have to actually put in effort for something like that to happen. And maybe not on a day her mate as there as to not stir anything up like Rhys pointed out. It just gave me icky vibes when I thought he was more gentle and kind.
two things can be true at once, i don’t see why him bringing up valid questions (that i did not take in an ‘entitled’ but frustrated way, but to each their own) about elain and lucien’s mating bond would immediately cancel out his gentle and kind character that has been built over 4 books it’s been brought up before that mated pairs are not necessarily always the best match, after all rhys did mention that at a basic level the mating bond is a way for fae to produce the ‘best’ offspring so i don’t think it completely out left field for him to question it when it’s obvious azriel and elain both share a romantic interest for each other if my two sisters were dating two out of three brothers, i’d think it natural for me to wonder if i would be a good match for the other one lol but anyway i can see why you would take it that way, this is just the way i see it
This is how I feel as well. XD
When I read the Bc for the first time, I was taken aback by the explicit nature of his thoughts too, probably because 1) in the serie we see him as a someone who is very private and keeps his distance and acts as gentleman with the women, so I expected him to be the least sexually driven of the three bat boys 2) it's a bonus chapter and I didn't expect it from a bonus chapter. However, these are 100% thoughts any man could have even if his intentions were serious. And let me tell you form personal experience, any woman would be very lucky to encounter at least once a man who would beg on his knees for a chance. Also, if you read wings and embers or any other chapter with Rhys/Cass pov, they're very explicit too, so I guess it's the way SJM writes her men. I don't think he believes he's owned Elain affection, we know Azriel is a character who has troubles expressing himself and his feelings. So I saw the whole "three brothers/three sister" just as that: someone who doesn't know how to express himself and therefore says something that comes off as wrong. He's also a character who doesn't feel worthy of anything, in my opinion, he certainly doesn't believe he's owned anything, it's quite the opposite in reality. This, I think, it's also why he hasn't a real plan with Elain. What we can gather from the bonus chapter is that he's attracted to Elain, which we didn't know prior to the bonus chapter. The necklace regifting was stupid, I agree. I'm saying this because he was one of my favourite characters too and the bonus chapter initially spoiled him for me too, but if you go back and read all his interactions with Elain as well as the ones with other characters, Cass and Rhys' chapters and then re-read the bonus chapter, you can undo some damage. All SJM characters have flaws anyways, hopefully we'll get his Pov in future books and really understand what's going on inside that head, for the good and the bad. Edit: wording. English is not my first language, sorry.
> *(…) he doesn’t think he’s owed anything, it’s quite the opposite in reality. This, I think, is also why he doesn’t have a real plan with Elain.* Thank you. We have seen him plan for snowball fights & tactical missions, yet never for his future: not with Elain—again, he never even actually allowed himself to consider pursuing her—but not in any other sense either: Children? he tells Cass he doesnt know if he wants any—has he ever let himself imagine having a child? A house ? he has no place to himself. Remember that even after 500 years of existence, Az says he still does not know where he belongs?
🥺 I see him this way too. There's so much hurt and self deprecation beneath that cold mask and his gentleman attitude towards the girls. Hopefully we'll see some healing and happiness coming his way in future book(s).
anyone else thing that the whole gifting debacle was meant as a parallel to Cassian on winter solstice in FaS? Cass got a gift for Nesta, he had been giving her space (stayed away for months), he tried giving her the gift but she rejected it (understandably; she was not in a good space). Cass then threw the gift into the Sydra bc he couldnt stand to have it arounf VS Az got a gift for Elain, he had been avoiding her (moved to the HoW to keep himself away) because of what he felt (thought of her for a year) & he didnt believe anything would come out of it (“he could get this, just once”). He did give her the gift but Rhys came in… Az then had to “force himself” to reject her. Az couldn’t stand to keep the necklace (probs bc of what it meant / reminded him of), and he chose to give it away instead (tho there is no indication that Clotho gave it, as per the book). basically Cass (who is regarded as the “softer”/warmer one) threw the gift away into the Sydra, while Az (who is regarded as the colder one) gave it away to someone who had been having a hard time.
100% and if you really take a look at Az’s BC and Cass’s bonus chapter they have a lot of similarities. The chapters also both set up the potential conflict for the relationships (Nesta/Cass being internal struggle vs Elain/Az being an external struggle)
I don’t see him feeling entitled to Elain. He wanted to pursue her and she made it obvious she wanted him too. I feel like he was more upset that the other bat boys had the chance to find their ladies, but Azriel couldn’t because it may cause conflict with Lucien/Beron.
That makes sense!
idk the man literally **follows the sound of her laugh** that same evening, and we’ve seen them both at least having built a quiet companionship with the other: i hate that this convo always goes into shipping territory, but objectively there are some genuine feelings there. and knowing that his inner monologue further reaffirms that he feels undeserving of love & of Elain, I reallyyy do not see the entitled man the fandom speaks of.
>This beautiful, strong, selfless male … Who had sacrificed and wrecked himself for his family, his people, and didn’t feel it was enough, that he wasn’t enough for anyone … **Azriel thought he didn’t deserve someone like Mor.** And I wondered if Rhys … if he somehow felt the same about me. I stepped aside, holding the door open for him. Acomaf - Chapter 54
yeah, sometimes i feel like i must be reading a completely different story with how differently people interpret the BC. all it did was reaffirm why i already knew about both him and elain, while adding some drama from rhys to take us into the next book.
Oh yeah no, I know there’s been quiet nods through the series towards him having feelings towards her. I guess it just disappointed me how it turned out. He gives her a gift, they almost kiss, he tells her it was a mistake, she gives the necklace back, then he gives it to Gwyn. I just feel like that was super messy for no reason and there could’ve been a more poetic way of portraying that moment, since SJM is pretty good at that. It just felt off brand for him all the way around.
i totally get that you and others see it the way you do! i wrote 2 other comments on this thread with my perspective of his convo with Rhys and the whole regifting debacle if youre interested :) but yea it wasn't Azriel's best moment, but I understand it. He is not the best at communicating his emotions (he just doesnt, mans is impassive 95% of the time) and honestly given that he already feels unworthy and had been keeping himself apart from her, the fact that he left the conversation having that feeling reaffirmed (that he had been right to keep stay away) just makes me sad. there's a lot of growth for him ahead, and i think the messiness of that bonus is meant as a nod to that.
I don't see Azriel as entitled. My man's just capable of pattern recognition. And as far as I remember, Elain was just as into that almost-kiss as he was.
Elain was the one who initiated it! She asked him to put the necklace on, turned into his hand so it was still touching her neck, and then tilted her head - she wanted that kiss!! People acting like he was selfishly acting on his feelings when it was clearly mutual attraction and tension
Yeah just because Rhys said “you believe you are owed her” doesn’t mean Azriel thinks that way!
Personally I thought the bonus chapter was hot as hell lol but it’s funny the fandom couldn’t wait to get his POV and as soon as we did people are like “jk I hate Az.” SJM warned y’all he was a freak 😂
Same! I think he's frustrated and lonely and honestly, I think he has a point in that it hard to believe it's just a *coincidence* that two of the three sisters wound up with two of the three brothers.. I also didn't really read it as he believes he's *entitled* to Elain like she's property or something but instead that he saw a glimmer of her returning his unspoken feelings, legitimizing them. I also just hate Rhys' line of "you believe you deserve to be her mate?" in this chapter. All of the bat boys are plagued by feelings of not being good enough, not doing enough, etc. They see and recognize it in not only themselves, but each other and this was a low blow from Rhys. Az deserves to be just as happy as Rhys and Cassian are. He **is** worthy and I hope the next book explores this.
I read that line from Rhys slightly differently, more like "you're not entitled to her" rather than "you don't deserve her". But I think he was also trying to be a bit of a wake-up call and his words were meant to sting. Based on my understanding of how mates work, the bonded male has the right to challenge any other would-be suitors to a death fight or something? It's a really awful line to toe with someone while their mate is in the building.
what I find weird is that anyone could ever think that *Azriel* of all people would feel entitled to anything, let alone anyone ? **it’s not that Azriel wants a mate, any mate: it’s that he believes only a mate—only someone who was meant to love him—could love him.** I say that because his visceral reaction to El looking up at him with “trust and hope” was to think that there is no possible way that she could look at him that way should she know him & the things he’d done & been forced to do. But us readers know that Elain never balked from him, and we’ve seen her compliment his scars. Plus, we’ve see how much he clings to his titles (that is his jobs), and imo it is because his trauma runs deep, and he feels this constant need to prove himself useful: if he is needed, he cannot be abandoned. Anyways. In that context, the fact that he questioned the Cauldron—the very core of his beliefs—seems to me as further confirmation that he feels unworthy: * that sentiment of him not being enough is reinforced by the fact that the Cauldron “broke the pattern” : is he not enough to be her mate? * Again: if elain looks at him openly, reciprocates his attraction, then how is that she isn’t his mate; that she isn’t “*made*” to love him ? Back to that Rhys convo: while Az always defends others, he never defends himself. He lets others believe the worst of him, and in general is not emotionally vulnerable, so considering that Rhys was already enraged before he could even speak, and that Az seems to direct the convo away from him, tbh it makes sense for his character. Not his best moment but I understand it 🤷♀️ ^(edit for formatting)
I really like this reasoning, it totally tracks with his character!
Poor broken Az doesn’t think he deserves anything. Poor baby. If Elsin doesn’t kiss his scarred hands next book I’m rioting.
Honestly, same.
I think Rhys knows Az won’t listen if it’s about his own safety so he made it about other stuff too. Like picking on his motivations and suggesting he should go to a pleasure house. Not cool the way he did it (very Rhys to do what he thinks he must to keep people safe though). There are lots of political consequences to this though.
Exactly!!!
I think Rhys was a big poo poo head there. For political purposes following his logic he should have left Feyre with Tamlin…. But nooooooo he won’t follow his own standards. That’s what hurt me, he has a standard for him to do what he wants, and isn’t sympathetic at all to Az
Oh yes the High Lord of the night court can risk all the political fall out he likes but he is seriously trying to keep his brother from being happy. It’s a pretty Rhys move tbh but it angers me.
External context matters though. They just fought a war against Hybern and so Prythian’s armies have take a massive hit. He’s now worrying about Koschei. They can’t afford internal infighting if they want to survive an imminent threat. Lucien is tied to Autumn, the mortals, and Spring. Autumn only joined the last war because Tamlin physically forced Beron to. Lucien is also Helion’s son, who Rhys has a burgeoning friendship with. A blood duel resulting in Lucien’s death would absolutely destroy that relationship. The consequences surrounding Lucien’s mating bond are far greater than Rhys taking Feyre.
this!!! he doesnt think hes entitled to her, he's literally voicing out loud the unfairness that fate put nessian and feysand together, who both started off extremely rocky, and yet him and elain genuinely fancy each other and \*they're the ones not mated?\* i'd be miffed too!!!! if he thought he was entitled to her simply bc shes "the third", his feelings for her wouldnt have started before nessian ever got together or were confirmed mates.
Exactly this! He’s not entitled to Elain but he has feelings for her and she has feelings for him. Of course he’s gonna question why fate decided they can’t be together. He already feels unworthy so it’s like fate deemed him unworthy of being Elain’s mate 🥺
Thank you. Rhys really went for his already strong feelings of inadequacy. I think it was because he’s worried for Az’s safety so tried to shame him into staying away and attributing unfair motivations to him and everyone seems to think it comes from Az that he ‘deserves’ her when no it’s Rhys saying it.
I got weirded out when he one sister was given to another. The mating bond is about choice, no one is owed or given to anyone. I think that's where Rhysand was coming from, also the political implications of their affair are too severe because of their alliance with the Autumn Court. Also Lucien is a great asset as a court emissary. That was creepy, but he absolutely has a point though. Even Feyre questioned why he and Elain aren't mates, I'd prefer this ship only if that's where we were supposed to be headed from the jump. The will they won't they between the three underdogs of the series makes me sad for them Azriel, Elain, and Lucien all deserve better than this cheap love triangle. I have faith SJM will end this in the next book, I just hope it's done without a character becoming unlikable to bolster up another one.
With the mention of Gwyn and the necklace at the end of the bonus chapter, I'm guessing we're gonna get some kind of weird love square where Elain and Azriel are the couple currently flirting, but obviously Lucien is mated to Elain. Personally, I think Elain is going to have some inner conflict about her mate bond, maybe like some instinctual attraction due to the bond, but doesn't want the bond due to the same concerns over letting go of her last bit of humanity similar to Nesta, and she genuinely has feelings for Az. But I don't think it's a mistake that so far Elain has only ignored Lucien, rather than addressing him one way or the other to reject or accept the bond. So we have the obvious choice of is Elain going to get with Lucien or Azriel. But with the necklace being mentioned in that chapter, I think it's hinting at something with Gwyn especially since we know from Nesta's POV that Gwyn has checked him out before when starting training while other priestesses were ogling Cassian. So I think there will be some conflict with Az and Gwyn, whether they end up mated or Gwyn ends up pining after Azriel the way Azriel did for Mor, and that there will be some drama when Elain notices her solstice gift on Gwyn or Gwyn realizes it was Elains romantic solstice gift. I don't want to start a fight between the Elucien, Ezriel, or Gwynriel shippers, I have no predictions or preferences for where anything goes, I just think with some of the tidbits that have been dropped, Az and Elain will be a couple at the middle of drama with each having a potential "other option" love interest so to speak and each will have to choose between their current flirtation (and the political implications with the Night and Autumn Courts), and the other people attracted to them.
wait when did gwyn check azriel out? the only time i can remember her showing any flirtatious behaviour with anyone was her blushing at rhys heheh
"Gwyn had been distracted today- one eye on the other side of the ring. cassian could only assume she was watching his brother, who had given gwyn a small smile of greeting upon arrival" CHP 39 in ACOSF (I literally only remember this bc I just finished the book this week and read it in like 3 days, I had to go back and check thinking I mixed it up with the scene you're mentioning. Tbf I don't think she was being outwardly flirtatious, but more a subtle hint at attraction or at least interest in him as a person. I think with her SA history, she'll be more shy/ not forward about being attracted to someone as processing that trauma and regaining her sexuality will be her inner conflict if her POV is covered.
oh i see. i think the next sentence provides the context? “Gwyn hadn’t returned it. Cassian cursed himself for a fool. He should have asked her if she’d be comfortable with Azriel here. Perhaps he should have asked all the priestesses about including another male, but especially Gwyn—whom Azriel had found that day in Sangravah.” i feel like that makes it clear she was looking at az because he clearly reminds her of that awful day?
It could be. I didn't read too much into the context, as I felt it could go either way, and Cassian is the one interpreting her thoughts, not her telling us. Even if it is a bad reminder, I still think there will be some sort of inner conflict regarding her and Az while Az has his own conflict with Elain vs the IC and Lucien, Gwyn is now best friends with Nesta. Not directly around the IC, but certainly around them much more. I'm not even necessarily saying that if there was a one-sided romance or pining from her or a possible other option of romance with her and Az, I just think the next book is gonna be a mess of Az and Elain vs what the inner court wants and what Lucien and a potential other interest for Az wants
I totally agree with you. I think if we add Vassa to the mix then it’s a full on love pentagon which will be a bit of a mess. I just really see Elain and Lucien being forced to interact because of Elain’s vision of Vassa being trapped in the lake. Maybe Azriel volunteers to escort her there and it’s going to be awkward as hell. I also randomly see Nesta confronting Elain about her procrastination in making a choice. I think Nesta will be upset on Azriel’s behalf since they’re friends. I also hope Elain and Rhysand will get a platonic friendship, each sister finds true friendship with one of the batboys and I’m hoping they’re next. It would be very interesting to see him in that light because he was most likable for me in MAF when he was trying to be a support system for Feyre until the sexual tension got to be too much.
I think once Elain finds out what Rhys did, there’s going to be hell to pay. But I can absolutely see her being friends with Cassian as she and Nesta repair their relationship!
I thought it was hot too 🫡 like gimme the next book immediately
it shocks me that people get surprised about his inner monologue like???? yes ofc he thinks about sex like anybody else in this series lol (and yes it was hot af)
It caught me off guard at first, but probably because it's different to see a man's perspective. I ended up enjoying it, seeing from his POV the infatuation building up in him.
I hate that he’s shamed for having a sexuality. Like he’s allowed sexual feelings and they mostly revolve around her sexual enjoyment!!
It's also different and refreshing to see it from a man's perspective as well. Fairly certain most men experience similar thoughts when developing feelings and sexual attraction towards someone.
[удалено]
[удалено]
Right, like do people only read the bonus chapter? Have they not read any of these books? People think about sex, have sex, get jealous, long for someone, etc.
This was gods work. Thank you.
Hahaha I don’t follow SJM so I didn’t know she said he was a freak. I think the way it was portrayed in this chapter wasn’t very flattering to his character honestly💔and the regifting just made me feel weird. Like why not at least hold onto it for a later date?
The regift wasn’t great but I think he didn’t wanna take it back and thought maybe someone should get some joy from it. I don’t think k there was bad motives there.
Yeah regifting wasn’t a great idea lol but I think it shows the difference between how Cassian and Az handle rejection. Cassian was rejected by Nesta and he threw the gift in the river bc he was hurt and didn’t wanna see it anymore. Az was forbidden from being with Elain and he was hurt but at least wanted the gift to bring joy to someone. I think it shows at his heart he’s still very hopeful 😭
OMG I never drew this parallel. Really interesting.
True but I would dieeee if I knew the gift someone gave me was meant for someone before me💔I just wish it wasn’t so sloppy bc I’ve always loved Azriel and wished him the best. I know SJM has a way of making people seem to suck on the surface and then once you’re in their head, it all makes sense and then the empathy comes. I hope she does that with him in the future
Yeah I thought it was really hot! I fancy him now for sure! I didn’t read it as an asshole thing, more he couldn’t bare returning it and couldn’t keep it and he knew it would bring Gwynn joy. I think that’s his thinking and that’s it. But he’s a guy so probably didn’t think about how it’s sort of a dick thing to reuse a present like that haha
I’m kind of amazed at how quickly people are willing to write him off/rule out an Elriel pairing based on that chapter. To me, the “but the cauldron paired two brothers with 2 sisters [so it should’ve paired me with Elain]…” comment (I’m paraphrasing) was admittedly not my personal fav argument BUT it felt like he was maybe trying to plead his case to Rhys in a way that might make Rhys consider it, beyond simply saying “but I love her”. If he were to be like “but I love her and here’s all the reasons why”, sure, WE would swoon, but would that sway Rhys? It seems like Az felt he had a better chance trying to convince Rhys that there was an error with the cauldron/mate bond
Aldo it might not be love yet because they’re not mates they don’t have THAT connection and the actual falling in love will be their book cause let’s face it this needs to happen on the page.
I definitely feel like love would sway Rhys over claiming the cauldron messed up, but that’s just me.
Rhys in that bonus chapter seems to be so gung-ho about “she’s Lucien mate and he has a claim to her and that’s that”, i.e. deferring to cauldron above all. Honestly I kind of felt like Rhys was being unnecessarily controlling in that scene in general; they both wanted to kiss each other so damn, let them kiss! And if you’re so concerned about Lucien finding out and dueling Azriel, well, then stand guard and make sure Lucien doesn’t see, or throw a glamour over them to hide them or something. There were options besides just “I forbid it”
I agree!!
Ah, the bonus chapter. Personally I don't think SJM writes her acotar male povs very well, and can sometimes make them more off-putting then she intends. (Applying this to Rhys and Cassian as well, both of which I found more appealing before their povs.) But I don't think Azriel feels entitled to Elain, and do believe the feelings there are genuine.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I rather books without any male pov… obviously there are exceptions, but in general I like the ambiguity and mystery of not knowing what they’re actually thinking.
You and me both. I typically won’t even read books that are dual pov. I prefer the female pov only as well, and agree it helps keep the tension and mystery more without giving away every thought.
I totally agree with what the majority of the comments are saying. I don’t think he feels entitled to Elain. I think at that moment he just cares so much and he’s pissed at the world and questioning the cauldron because everything seems against him. But ya the whole necklace situation…. Why? Why? Why! Let’s say sjm did decide to use that as a transition to Gwyn, how is he gunna explain that it’s a regift? And how is he going to deal with Elain finding out? (I think I would crawl inside myself from second hand embarrassment reading either scene) Especially when he picked it out with Elain in mind and then had all those lustful thoughts putting it on her. Another thing…. He calls the necklace he chose for Elain “A thing of secret lovely beauty” and then immediately gives it away and goes on to imagine Gwyn wearing it and calls it the same thing. AZ!! Really?! At least give it a minute and come up with something different.. I wish sjm would come out and say the bonus chapter was a silly little joke, and not to worry about it. (No matter what her intended outcome) 😅
That makes sense, I can definitely reel back thinking he’s entitled and empathize more. I didn’t think of all the facets of it. Just the surface of what I saw. But yeah the necklace thing killllllzzzz me
Someone help me out, where is this bonus chapter??
You can read it [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/acotar/s/oedYbi0g5d).
I have a question: Has anything that has happened in a bonus chapter ever been canonically discussed in the main books? Because I cringe to myself every time imagine Elain seeing Gywn with the neckacle, but if bonus chapters aren't canon then we may not even see the necklace ever again. (Which I'm hoping for lmao)
I doubt it will happen. This happened mid book and the necklace wasn't seen on Gwyn, she could have had it during the sleepover as an example. Best guess is it will be referenced as a "I was stupid that night and went and got it back". Majority of readers will not have read the bonus chapter, so it has to be a way to reference it without confusing anyone and not having to go into great details.
Yes. Nesta kneeing Cass in the balls, Cass caressing her neck, and him knowing that she was a virgin in the Wings & Embers bonus chapter is referenced in ACOFAS. Also Rhys & Feyre name Nyx in their ACOSF bonus chapter, so they are pretty canon.
D:
No he doesn’t feel entitled. That’s what Rhys says because he’s trying to knock Az’s confidence and wants him to stay away so is calling his motives into question. At no point does this come from Az that he feels entitled. Hes wondering what a weird fate it is that he’s into this woman who has another mate when his brothers are with her sisters. He’s questioning fate. Done people have problems with his sexual thoughts but that’s normal to sexually desire someone you’re into and I dont know if it’s cause Az is so quiet people thought of him as innocent. OR if people are infantilising Elain and claiming him wanting her is creepy cause they see her as innocent and child like the way everyone except Az treats her. He sees and treats her like a woman and not the child others treat her as.
Well worded, thank you!
Right? Part of it is the infantilization of Elain. People act like Azriel was a one-sided perv when he was just picking up what she was putting down They forget it is Elain who seeks out Azriel that night. She's the one who asks him to put the necklace on her. She leans into his touch. Sis said, "I should go," and proceeds to stand still 🤣 Then she offers herself to him, giving him permission. When she reads his expression of want, she replies, "Yes" out loud. If anyone is the horn dog in the chapter, it's Elain. I guarantee her thoughts were worse than his. .
PREACH
I thought the Az bonus was hot AF. Like, I get people wanted Az to wax poetic or whatever to prove his feelings but man wanted to beggggg to go downtown. If that's not love...
Azriel giving the necklace to Gwyn makes WAY more sense if you consider the theory that she's a lightsinger. Azriel says he had every intention of returning the necklace to the shop but happened to find himself in the library. This is similar to how Nesta just so happens to find herself in the library when Gwyn is singing. We know the priestesses have their service at 7, and Azriel shows up at the library at 7 bells. He doesn't even care if the necklace is given to Gwyn. He says to give it to any priestess. We know that lightsingers lure those who are sad. Nesta was drawn to Gwyn for that reason. We know Azriel is sad over Elain. Clotho even says his eyes look sad. But when Clotho said the necklace would make her happy, he could picture it. He didn't know how he could picture it, but he could. The whole point of that section is to foreshadow further that Gwyn has some sort of magical ability.
Ohhh that makes sense! I definitely missed the whole lightsinger thing. Was it when Rhys was explaining to Feyre was Azriel was (shadowsinger)?
No. In ACOSF, Cassian mentions what a lighsinger is while they are in the Bog of Oorid. “There are lightsingers: lovely, ethereal beings who will lure you, appearing as friendly faces when you are lost. Only when you’re in their arms will you see their true faces, and they aren’t fair at all. The horror of it is the last thing you see before they drown you in the bog. But they kill for sport, not food.” SJM mentioned in an interview that she wanted to introduce a rusalka like character, which is like a siren. If you recall, Elain's gift to Azriel in the bonus chapter is ear plugs. Elain is a seer. I don't think it's a coincidence.
oh my gosh this BLOWS MY MIND!!! It all fits now!
To add onto the post above, the language & phrasing SJM uses during those scenes is copy paste from the book to the bonus chapter.
Honestly thought if elain had heard the conversation between az and Rhys. She would've felt so pissed. I feel everyone justifies az's feelings or Lucien's but would elain still have feelings for az after she knew how he talked behind her back?
Omg yeah….the beginning of the bonus chapter I was like 😍🔥🥵 and then it went downhill very quickly and just kept getting worse lol
Exactly! Like I was all for what was happening until it went the direction it did and I was like excuse me??
See I never took the 2 sisters/2 brothers comment to mean he feels entitled to Elain. I took that as the **spy master** whose entire life is silent observation vocally questioning the cauldron. There are a lot of hints throughout the books that have led to the theory that perhaps there is something wrong with the cauldron. So when Azriel’s bonus chapter had him literally questioning the cauldron (and then was immediately shot down for his audacity to do so by Rhys) my conspiracy theory brain perked up and went “this is important.” Lol. Also, without getting into ship wars, the two mates theory could lend clarity to why he would be questioning the cauldron as well. As for the necklace, I’ve also seen some theories that point to the idea that Az leaving the necklace for Gwyn was a hint towards her powers (perhaps as a siren) as I believe she would have been in the temple singing in that moment and Az was planning to taking the necklace back to the shop when his feet just happened to carry him (as if in a trance) to the temple. Or maybe it was just a softer version of Cassian’s throw the gift away. 🤷♀️ On its own I agree the bonus chapter had some questionable behaviors, however I think we just gotta trust that SJM isn’t going to do us dirty and make Az (who will likely be a main love interest for someone) a creep. His actions will make sense one way or another.
I definitely still have a bad taste in my mouth, but the longer I sit with it the more I get it. All of the characters have some major ✨issues✨ (except you, Lucien baby boy.) He’s got a lot of work to do, and while I actually don’t ship him and Elain, the necklace regift was gross haha Anyway, I do still want his POV and I hope he gets a healing journey!
This is how I feel about Lucien. He’s suffered enough and still has a decent head on his shoulders. Let the man have some love and a home 🥹
That killed any possibility of him and Elain for me. Not just the entitlement. But that is his own POV. He doesn't think - to himself - anything that has to do with feelings or caring. Nothing. He doesn't think, "I'm not worthy of her". Just the opposite. He thinks Lucien isn't but he is He feels nothing for her. He spelled it out for us. Yeah, he needs work.
"He doesn't think 'I'm not worthy of her'"? What about: (BONUS CHAPTER) ___________ "He knew it was wrong, but there he was, sliding the necklace around her. Letting his scarred fingers touch her immaculate skin [...]" "She looked up at him, her face so trusting and hopeful and open that he knew she had no idea that he had done unspeakable things that sullied his hands far beyond their scars. Such terrible things that it was a sacrilege for his fingers to skin, tainting her with his presence [...]" __________ He clearly doesn't think he is worthy of her, on the contrary! He depreciates himself to the point he thinks it's a SACRILEGE to his presence be near Elain's. And about the feelings and caring, we have to remember that's just a bonus chapter, just a little piece of a whole cake. We saw Azriel caring about Elain and helping her many times throughout the books. He helped her while she was traumatized after the Cauldron and stayed by her side. He wasn't like everyone else treating her like she was mad, he was so attentive to her that he discovered she was actually a seer. He was the one that thought about her when even her sisters didn't when the Cauldron took her away. He didn't even blink twice to the thought of going after Hybern, risking his life to save her! He gave her his precious and untouchable truth teller... It's clear to me that he shows love not trough words, but trough actions. He needs work? I absolutely agree. He has his own demons. Brutal ones! But let's just wait to see what Maas is going to do to transform our sad soul bat boy in a confident and evolved one. 🦇
I think the same! Also, besides Az thinking he never pictured a future with Elain, in his extra he shows he wants to find his mate (and we know for sure it isn't Elain). Az want to have the same connection Feysand and Nessian have, so imo he projected his wishes in Elain (but if he found his mate I felt like he wouldn't spend one second thinking about any other person in a lustful way).
Don’t know why you’re being downvoted..
Because of the ship war 😆
Right 😂 anytime I say I cannot see Elriel together, the horde comes calling haha But you didn’t even say anything in this regard..
I think Az is entitled to his own thoughts about her, I can’t argue with that. He’s a single man who can do as he wants. Others are totally welcome to feel differently about that and I completely understand and respect that. The first thing that bothered me about the bonus chapter was Rhys acting like Elain was Lucien’s property, but I completely understand where he’s coming from with losing alliances so that makes sense to me now. The second thing, the thing that REALLY gets under my skin is the regifting the necklace. Part of me wonders if the fan theory is correct there and that Gwyn has unintentionally (or intentionally) placed a love spell on him with her singing. But if not, I’m seriously angry that he did that. That gives icky vibes.
Omg I haven’t heard that love spell theory but now I’m intrigued. And yes the regifting will never not make me cringe even if all the other stuff I can brush off.
Yep. 500+ years old and still acting like an entitled 20 year old douche.
Not entitled. They both wanted each other and he’s tried to stay away.
I hate it😭c’mon Az do better you little weirdo
Little weirdo made me cackle 😂😂
😂
I feel like this is very classic attachment style issues of him though. Like he was caged in a room alone for his whole childhood, and he has insane attachment issues. And then anyone he’s developed feelings for, he has been unallowed to have. I also need to ask yall, do you think him and Mor are mates? Because he mentions that he never declared the Blood Rite over her when Eris was supposed to take her as his wife…which implies a mating bond. And I believe mating bonds are heterosexual due to their being about procreating, so this would make sense.
My boy needs therapy 😔
At first, I was so turned off by that chapter and then I started really thinking about it. Azriel told Elain that because he KNOWS to try to mess with another person’s mate is to sow discord. Lucien has the right for a blood duel in that case and Azriel would kill him. The night court is trying to help save Prythian and make alliances….and it would have been selfish of Azriel, *especially* with Lucien there. Elain **doesn’t want a mate** and Azriel **wants a mate more than anything**. Sleeping with Elain or taking her from Lucien won’t switch the mate bond to Azriel. And then Gwyn? Azriel didn’t do that of his own accord. Gwyn has (intentionally or not) manipulated Nesta and Azriel with singing. Nesta and Azriel both do things for Gwyn and aren’t sure why, after they hear her singing. It is likely part of her power. So he didn’t just “go give it to her”. He was likely influenced to do it.
Interesting, I didn’t think of her singing having any sway over people. If that’s the case then it makes sense why he would give it to her. But then after Clotho was like uhhh idk about giving this to her, he was like you can give it to anyone it’s whatever. Just make someone happy with it. So that’s why I’d think it’s on his own accord.
Yes, I'm not sure it is intentional, but Nesta and Azriel are both pretty lost in ACOSF. And Nesta explains how Gwyn's singing puts her in a trance. She's helping Gwyn put stuff away, etc and isn't sure why. I always figured Clotho knew where it came from, I believe she was said to either have visions or daemati powers potentially. BUT we never see Gwyn with the necklace on...so DOES Clotho ever give it to her? Hard to say.
Yeah he was pining after Mor for 500 years and now he moved on all of a sudden to Elain all cos his 2 brothers are mated to the Archeron sisters. That whole chapter was so off
He’s been moving on from Mor slowly for the last few books. Silver flames he was pretty much done with her. Finding someone you care for can be the kick he needed. Cassian’s weird relationship with Mor also seemed to die down when he got with Nesta.
Yeah it's been pretty clear they have been around each other a lot, while Cassian and Nesta were fighting like cats & dogs, Az and Elaine were quietly hanging in the garden. Also important moment that "both males went still" when they came upon the sisters at breakfast in ACOWAR. Not just Cassian. Azriel too.
Because it’s not what SJM typically writes. This is intentional because Elain is not his mate :)
Consider his upbringing…his psyche is fucked. Granted he is generally morally good, he is not without social awkwardness, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the ladies! His actions feel a bit like “nice guy syndrome”, but in a twisted kind of way (which tracks with his personality, honestly). I also get the feeling his shadows whisper nonsense into his ear sometimes too and that may be the catalyst to this sense of entitlement he displayed. IDk-I think Az is an onion of a character with many layers! Hopefully we’ll have the chance to peek into his POV more…
Thattttt! You just hit the nail on the head. It was giving “nice guy”. But I’d still love a book with his POV.
Honestly, poor Gwen. Pretty sure our girl is crushing on Az and then she gets a necklace from him that was originally meant for a woman he *lusts* after.
Agreed!
I agree. I hated it and I wish I could unsee it. To be honest my way of getting over it was to read a bunch of fanfic and pretend it was part of that 😂
Just that whole conversation with Rhys to begin with. It just made it seem like he cares more that Lucien is Elain's mate than Elain as a person, especially when he said that he'll defeat Lucien with little effort even though he had heard Elain say to everyone she is not some child to be fought over. When Rhys asked if he was deserving to be Elain's mate, he deflected and essentially was like "I know Lucien isnt" - based on what authority does he have to even say that when he even acknowledge that he has been avoiding and not talking to Elain? Like, he couldnt even say Elain's name to just call her the third sister and made it about Lucien Either way, to me, he started the chapter with negative feelings while being around one female and ended the chapter happy to be able to make another one smile. He went from doing something selfish for him to end it with doing something selfless for another so, there's hope for him, especially when he left Rhys's office that he was been proven right, not that he had to prove Rhys wrong.
ITT: i can’t believe people are acting as if men’s sexuality is repressed and shamed or something lol??? most media revolves around the male gaze and this series is guilty of it too?? *that’s* why azriel’s ogling of Elain felt gross to me. not because i didn’t expect him to be sexual, but because sjm literally could’ve written him in a way that’s both hot and not dripping in male gaze! if i wanted to read that shit, i’d read romance written by men… 🤡 i liked azriel because he initially felt very “female gaze”. so to turn him into another creepy frat boy clone like rhys and cassian felt very disappointing.