Every single theory leads back to Elain and Azriel. every. damn. one.
First off—let’s get the obvious outta the way. Elain is 1000% the next main female character.
SJM literally said she did research and studied for this book. and she’s an Archeron. it’s her turn. period.
And there’s SO MUCH pointing to it:
• in the feysand bonus chapter from ACOSF, Rhys straight up says: “first one sister (Nesta), then the other.”
• Elain is heavily implied to be ready—or soon-to-be—to train and tap into her powers.
• and now with HOFAS? her powers line up perfectly. especially when you look at her next to Azriel.
Let’s talk about the Dusk Court.
Elain’s into gardening, right? and people LOVE to clown her for it, like it’s some silly little thing. But HELLO, every SJM heroine has a “thing.” and this? This will matter.
when we talk about Elain, it’s not just “seer.” it’s powers—plural.
The Cauldron literally loved her enough to give her life, just like it gave Nesta death.
Nesta = death.
Elain = life.
Now imagine Elain, full of this life-giving power, awakening the Eighth Court—the Dusk Court.
And Azriel? the shadowy, mysterious male who’s never fully fit anywhere? what if he’s the heir to that court?
plot twist: the two of them aren’t just compatible—they’re meant to restore a piece of Prythian’s forgotten history.
And the Cauldron?
in that bonus chapter (you know the one—Azriel, Elain, Gwyn), Az drops a bomb:
“The Cauldron chose three sisters. Tell me how it's possible that my two brothers are with two of those sisters, yet the third was given to another.”
like??? what if the Cauldron got it wrong??
"What if the Cauldron was wrong?"
And now HOFAS is like: “yeah btw the Cauldron is controlled by the Daglan and was trying to breed stronger offspring so...”
We're talking about this since ACOWAR.
Az feels the bond between Elain and Lucien. and not in a “cute jealousy” way. Like he literally feels sick.
and Amren was the only other one who could feel mating bonds in ACOMAF.
but Az doesn’t feel all bonds—he didn’t feel Feysand’s. just Elucien’s.
What if that’s because… there are two mating bonds?
• The Cauldron’s: Elain + Lucien.
• The Mother’s: the real deal. soul-deep. chosen. Elriel.
But what about Lucien???
yeah let’s go there.
this bond with Elain? it’s been hanging around since ACOWAR.
but like… nothing’s happening. no romantic scenes. no tension. no anything.
Elain actively avoids him. She loses her voice around him. She wants nothing to do with him.
And Lucien? He’s literally living with another woman. Also he’s linked to Vassa. And Vassa’s under a spell. and Lucien’s the son of the guy who breaks spells.
Yeah. that’s a plot. That’s its own arc. Not Elain’s.
And no. Elain can’t “just say no” and move on.
If she rejects Lucien, the political fallout would be HUGE.
Beron’s ready to go full villain. he’ll use this to start a war. Blood Duel. Chaos. Alliances crumbling. It’s not that simple.
Now let’s zoom out.
Sarah J. Maas basically invented the mating bond trend in romantasy.
Everyone’s copying it.
Feysand walked so a million other romantasy couples could run.
But what if Elain’s book breaks the trope?
What if she is the one who says:
“I don’t want this bond.”
“I don’t want the male that the Cauldron, fate picked for me.”
“I want to choose for myself.”
Imagine a story where a girl rejects the magical destined bond.
And not because it’s broken or abusive—but just because she doesn’t want it.
Iconic.
SJM’s stories are all about choice.
Feyre and Rhys? They chose each other before the bond.
Nesta and Cassian? Same.
Bryce and Hunt? Same.
Aelin and Rowan? Same.
Feyre didn't even knew about the mating bond, and Rhysand didn't want to tell her, leaving her the possibility to choose.
CHOICE. Not fate. Not obligation. Not “you’re mine because magic said so.”
Love that’s freely chosen.
So why should Elain be forced to accept a bond she doesn’t want?
Lucien doesn’t even seem to want it either. like… he’s vibing with someone else entirely.
And in today’s world?
this story would hit hard.
A female lead saying:
“I don’t owe him anything.”
“I don’t have to give him a chance.”
“I get to choose who I love.”
YES.
We Elriel fans don’t want another ACOSF.
We want something like ACOMAF. Like TOG.
Not just smut and vibes—but a story with depth. A slow-burn, emotional, soul-healing, plot-driving masterpiece.
With a heroine who grows, heals, and shines.
Elain has so much potential.
She’s not a warrior like Nesta or Aelin or Manon. But she’s powerful in her softness. Gentle.
She deserves a book that shows the strength in that.
And we’re ready for it.
