Since we haven't received any news or updates about the ACOTAR 6 book yet, I have decided to share my thoughts on potential Elriel seeds planted in the HOFAS BC because I do not see anyone talking about it (or I have not seen any posts about it at least?)
Disclaimer: I know Elain's name is nowhere in the BC, but her absence is glaringly obvious. Also these are just my interpretations and nothing is written in stone. I respect anyone who does not agree with me but please be nice an respectful.
The HOFAS BC obviously happens well after ACOSF, therefore after Azriel’s BC where he almost kissed Elain. SO, we know that he is crushing hard on Elain. *Screaming and kicking feet internally*
Anyway, we get to the HOFAS BC and here I have some snippets from the BC that imo implies Elriel:
(For anyone who have not yet read the HOFAS BC between Bryce, Nesta and Azriel; they are basically helping Bryce while also mistrusting her, so to ease the tension Bryce asks them questions and vice versa, as they travel through tunnels to pass time.)
“What is it you want to know?” Nesta asked carefully.
Bryce glanced between them. “How’d you two meet?” (We as the readers are reminded of the dinner scene. Elain clutching her fork. Nesta being Nesta. Yada yada.)
She could have sworn Azriel tensed, like he was weighing how dangerous any answer may be, assessing why Bryce might want to know. (He did not want to let Bryce know about Elain.)
“There was a war,” Nesta said shortly.
“Between who?” Bryce asked.
Again, that assessing silence. Azriel answered this time. “Between an evil Fae King and us.”
“We defeated Hybern,” Azriel confirmed. A glance toward Truth Teller at his side. “Nesta beheaded the King of Hybern herself.” (He is purposefully omitting Elain. He conveniently left out the part where he gave TT to Elain.)
Bryce asked Nesta, “You have a mate, right” She nodded to Azriel. “Do you?”
“No,” Azriel said quickly, flatly. (This screams “Do not ask me about my love life.” Again, omitting Elain. I repeat, it was confirmed he has a crush on her.)
Bryce sighed. “Okay, then.”
“Do you like it?” Bryce asked Nesta suddenly. “Being Fae?”
“I didn’t at first,” Nesta said plainly. “But now I do.”
Azriel seemed to be listening closely. (Maybe he wanted to gain insight on another person who was also changed into a Fae against her will?)
Why would he be interested in whether Nesta likes being Fae (her emotional wellbeing) when his shadows geared up for a fight when she was insulting Elain? He was obviously interested in Elain’s emotional wellbeing and wanted to know maybe if Nesta like being Fae, maybe Elain does too.
Pay attention to what SJM is putting down: So far in this one BC we have been reminded of the dinner scene where Elain served an equal role to Nesta dialog-wise; we were reminded of the Truth-teller scene where Elain stabbed the KoH, a pivotal moment since Nesta was ready to die with Cassian; we were reminded of Azriel's non-existent love life, knowing this takes place after Azriel's BC and he almost kissed Elain and lastly we know he cares for Elain ("snakes ready to strike") so obviously he would want to know whether Elain likes being Fae or not by listening to Nesta "closely" since they share the experience. All of the above were moments shared between Elain and Nesta but Elain was omitted.
This could have been a chance for Bryce to ask Nesta about the Valkyries and we could have seen some reaction from Azriel if Gwyn was mentioned, but no, SJM did not take it there, she brought us back to the Elriel moments by purposefully omitting MAJOR details.
All in all, these are just my interpretations and nothing is written in stone. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
*To SJM: Please for the love of LOVE, give me Elain and Azriel's book. At this point I feel like I am being gaslit. Respectfully ofc.*
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