I’m so excited to share this art for @elriel-month! I just know when Sarah shared the Guilty as Sin song, she was deep into writing some very steamy, secret trysts about Prythian’s prettiest couple (and who could blame her). The song fits so perfectly with Elain and Azriel’s relationship dynamic, and I cannot wait to see the secret meetings between these two in their book! 💕
@/muffin_art_m (IG) is so wildly talented. Never in my wildest dreams did I picture something as incredible as what she gave me. Thank you, friend, for this stunning piece! I was literally speechless at every update you gave me. 💖
𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁
🎨: @/muffin_art_m (IG) | Comm: me
Characters belong to @therealsarahjmaas & Bloomsbury
We intended to wait till after our celebration was over to allow us to continue our event positively, however, with recent events, our hands were forced to share this now. Please know we do not condone this kind of behavior from anyone and we ask everybody to please do better.
These events are meant to foster positivity. We encourage our fellow Elriels to rally so we can send this year’s Elriel Month out with a bang! 🌸🦇
Elain was still like the moon, a delicate contrast to the dread he summoned. There was no fear in her eyes, only the quiet strength of a woman—a female—who had seen war in dreams and visions, and chose to walk toward it anyway.
Read
The townhouse was quiet, the late morning light spilling through the sitting room windows in golden streaks. Azriel had planned to stop by only briefly. To check in, maybe have a cup of tea before heading out on a mission. He had not planned to find Elain there, curled up in the corner of the couch, utterly lost in a book. At first, he didn’t think much of it. Elain reading wasn’t unusual. Elain so absorbed in something that she didn’t notice him enter wasn’t unusual. What was unusual—and highly suspicious—was the way she snapped the book shut the moment she saw him.
Azriel stilled. His instincts, honed over centuries of war, of spying, of reading the smallest of movements, instantly told him one thing: She was hiding something. A slow smirk curled at the corner of his lips. "Interesting choice of reading."
Elain clutched the book to her chest. "It’s just a novel."
Azriel hummed, stepping closer. "Is it?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, but her blush betrayed her. Azriel didn’t need his shadows to tell him the truth. He already knew. And Mother above, he was going to enjoy this. He waited, standing at the edge of the room, watching her. Elain refused to meet his gaze, focusing instead on the cover of the book, as if she could will it into disappearing.
Azriel tilted his head slightly. "Which one is it?"
She hesitated. And that was all the answer he needed.
"The Duke’s Wicked Obsession?" he guessed, mock thoughtful.
Her blush deepened.
"Or is it Moonlight Desires?" His voice dropped slightly, all smooth amusement.
Elain groaned, burying her face behind the book. "Azriel."
"I’m just curious." He stepped closer, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I’ve never known you to be interested in… ducal obsessions."
Elain whipped her head up, glaring now. "It’s just a story."
"Of course." He let his smirk grow. "A story about a brooding duke who follows a woman across the country because he’s so obsessed with her he can’t sleep at night?"
Elain made another strangled noise. "You are insufferable."
"Or a masked stranger who is fated to love the heroine after just one dance?"
Elain looked one breath away from throwing the book at him. Azriel chuckled, eyes gleaming. He was enjoying this far too much.
She straightened, regaining some of her composure. "What’s wrong with them?"
Azriel lifted a brow. "Nothing at all. I’m just learning new things about you."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "And what exactly have you learned?"
He let the silence stretch between them before saying, "That you enjoy a bit of obsession in your romances."
Her lips parted slightly, her blush creeping down her neck. Azriel waited. Then, in a quiet, challenging voice, she said, "Would you prefer I read about spies instead?"
Azriel blinked. Elain tilted her head, eyes gleaming with something sharp, knowing. "Perhaps something about a mysterious, brooding male who lurks in the shadows, always watching, never letting himself be seen?"
Azriel’s smirk faltered. Elain smiled sweetly. "You wouldn’t happen to have any recommendations, would you?"
Azriel just stared at her, his usual smooth confidence suddenly abandoning him entirely. Elain laughed softly, flipping open her book again. "That’s what I thought."
And Mother above, Azriel knew he had just lost this battle.
--------------
The next time he found her reading, he did not tease. Not outright. But as he sat in the armchair across from her, pretending to read his own book, he couldn’t help but watch her. The way her eyes darted over the page, the way her lips parted slightly, the way her cheeks turned pink every now and then. He was dying to know.
So, after a long silence, he asked, "Why do you like them?"
Elain looked up, startled. "What?"
"The books." He gestured toward her latest romance. "What do you like about them?"
Elain hesitated. For a moment, he thought she might refuse to answer. But then, she surprised him. She set the book down on her lap, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "They always end happily. No matter what happens," she continued softly, "no matter the obstacles, the longing, the heartbreak… the characters always find each other in the end."
Azriel didn’t move. Because of course. Of course Elain Archeron, who had lived a life filled with uncertainty and heartbreak and loss, would crave stories where love always won.
She smiled, almost shyly. "I like knowing that, in the end, they’ll choose each other."
Something tightened in Azriel’s chest. Because wasn’t that what he had spent his whole life convincing himself he couldn’t have? A love that would choose him back. He didn’t answer right away. Didn’t know how to. So he just watched her, watched the way the firelight danced across her face, the way she waited for his response as if his opinion actually mattered. And then, before he could stop himself, before he could think better of it—
"Tell me your favorite part."
Elain blinked. "What?"
Azriel gestured to the book in her hands. "Read me your favorite part."
Elain stared at him. Then, slowly—so slowly—she flipped through the pages.
Evangeline had spent years perfecting the art of ignoring Dorian Blackwell. It was easy, at first. Ignoring his dark, unreadable eyes whenever they found hers across ballrooms. Ignoring the way his presence always seemed to press against her skin, even from across a room.
Ignoring the fact that, no matter how far she ran, no matter how many times she insisted she did not want him— He never let her go.
And now, here he was. Again. A storm standing in the doorway of her cottage, his broad frame drenched from the rain, his cravat undone, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"Evangeline." His voice was low, hoarse. She did not move from where she stood by the fire. Did not let herself tremble.
"You should not be here," she said quietly. "You should be in London, playing the part of the cold, untouchable Duke."
His lips curled slightly, but there was no humor in it. "You have always misunderstood me, Evangeline."
"Have I?" she challenged. He took a step closer. Then another. Evangeline’s pulse hammered.
"You think I follow you because I enjoy the chase?" Dorian’s voice was softer now, but there was something dangerous beneath it—something frayed, something breaking. "Because it is sport?"
Her throat worked. "What else could it be?"
He let out a low, rough breath. Then—he was there. Close enough that she could see the gold flecks in his eyes, could see the way his jaw clenched, as if restraining something too big, too consuming.
And then—softly, like a confession, like something that cost him everything— "I have been in love with you since the moment you first defied me."
Evangeline stilled.
Dorian’s hands flexed at his sides, as if he ached to touch her. "Since the moment you looked me in the eye and told me I was not the man for you."
Her breath came too fast, too sharp.
"You are cruel," she whispered.
A muscle in his jaw jumped. "Perhaps. But not with this. Never with this."
She shook her head. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. "You are obsessed with winning. You cannot love me."
Dorian exhaled sharply, then—before she could move, before she could breathe—
He dropped to his knees. Evangeline gasped.
Because Dorian Blackwell, the untouchable, unreadable Duke of Thornhaven, the man whose name made others tremble, was kneeling before her. His head bowed. His hands fisted against his thighs.
"Say the word," he murmured. "Tell me to leave, and I will. Tell me you do not feel this, and I will never come back."
Evangeline’s chest heaved. But Dorian lifted his gaze then, and the words tangled in her throat.
Because his eyes—gods, his eyes. They were not cold. Not calculating. Not the eyes of a man playing a game. They were raw. Unraveled.
Wrecked.
And Evangeline knew.
Knew that this was not about winning.
Knew that this was not obsession, not pursuit.
Knew, with terrifying, unshakable certainty, that this man loved her.
Had loved her for longer than she could fathom.
And she—she did not know how to stop herself from loving him back.
Azriel sat back, listening. And he wasn’t sure when he started watching her lips instead of the words. Wasn’t sure when the teasing had stopped and something heavier had settled between them. But when she finally lifted her gaze, her breath catching slightly at whatever she saw in his expression—
Azriel, Spymaster of the Night Court, a male who had spent centuries unearthing the darkest secrets in Prythian, was currently trying to process the fact that he had just heard a scene where a brooding, untouchable Duke got on his knees for the woman he loved.
He knew. He was in more trouble than he had ever realized.
I’m so happy to have finally been able to commission this scene from one of my favorite fics I’ve written. I immediately knew the only person who could brought this moment to life was the incredible @ruisfree. I am still in awe with how beautifully you depicted this scene. 🥹 Thank you, friend for collaborating with me on this piece. You’re always a joy to work with. 💖
You can find Secret Sessions here and on AO3. 💕
𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁
🎨: @ruisfree | Comm: me
Characters belong to @therealsarahjmaas & bloomsburypublishing
We are so excited to present the official prompt descriptions for the fifth-ever ELRIEL MONTH!! Like the previous few years, we will have two prompts per week that center on different aspects and scenarios of the relationship between Elain and Azriel. We aim to foster a positive space for us to celebrate our favorite Seer and Shadowsinger. Remember to tag us (@elriel-month) to be featured on this page!
We cannot wait to celebrate with you! 🦇🌸💙🗡🌹
Follow us on:
Tumblr ✷ Twitter ✷ Instagram
Instagram Update (August 14, 2025)
Elriel Month AO3 Tag
🎨 Art: tpiola_ (IG) | Comm: bookishbiologist (IG)
Rules and bi-weekly prompts under the break!
RULES:
✷ Participation of each day/prompt is optional!
✷ Ideally, post your art/work on the week of the prompt. However, if you cannot post on time, post whenever you can.
✷ Elriel month will be across Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram.
✷ If you want to be featured on this blog please tag @elriel-month in your posts so we can reblog them
✷ On Tumblr while posting your piece of work please use the following hashtags: #elrielmonth #elrielmonth25 #elrielmonth2025
✷ No hate or slander towards other characters!
✷ Your submission can be a fanart, fanfics/oneshots, edits, gifset, moodboard, playlist - anything you deem acceptable.
✷ The final prompt is free choice - you can indulge your own prompt or Elriel fantasy!
✷ Be respectful of other people’s work. Do not repost without permission and credit.
Prompts
Death & the Maiden: May 1-4
In many ways, Elain and Azriel embody the "Death and the Maiden" trope: Elain personified as goodness and light, and Azriel as the broody, dark warrior surrounded by shadows. This prompt is all about exploring Elriel's light and dark aesthetic. How do you see this dynamic playing out?
From the moment Rhys commanded Azriel to stay away from Elain, a great forbidden romance was born. Use this prompt to explore Elriel's star-crossed story: how do you see them defying fate (and their High Lord) to be together, despite the odds?
🎨: lacampanule (IG) | Comm: lazydaisyreads (IG)
Guilty as Sin: May 8-11
It wouldn't be an Elriel Month without an opportunity to explore our favorite couple's sexy sides. For this prompt, it's time to get spicy and highlight the chemistry between Elain and Azriel. Feel free to make things as NSFW as you'd like them to be!
Throughout the series, SJM emphasizes the importance of choice and free will - and this prompt is your chance to delve into how those things will play out for Elriel. What lengths will they go to choose each other? Will there be a grand "I choose you!" declaration?
With Elain's gifts as a Seer and Azriel's skills as the Spymaster, these two are quite literally the eyes and ears of the Night Court. Let's explore how Elain and Azriel's powers complement each other. Do you imagine them working together? Undertaking spy missions? Using their powers to help one another?
🎨: honeyypears (IG) | Comm: cassianfanclub_ (IG)
Fairytales: May 19-21
We certainly hope that Elain and Azriel have a fairytale romance in their future! For this prompt, indulge all your most whimsical, romantic ideas about Elriel. Maybe you want to explore a fairytale AU, or imagine them waltzing through a ballroom together - let your imagination run wild!
🎨: elainem97 (IG)
Peace & Quiet: May 22-25
As Feyre observes, Elain and Azriel find a peaceful refuge in each other. Use these days to explore Elriel's domestic life. How do you imagine their quiet moments at home? How do they spend their time together, and what hobbies do they share? What is their family life like?
🎨: adduani (IG) | Comm: elain_kingslayer (IG)
Visions of the Future: May 26-28
It's time to channel your inner Elain Archeron and make some predictions: what do you think the future has in store for Elriel? Now's your chance to share all your theories and predictions about how you see the future unfolding for these two lovebirds. The possibilities are endless!
For the final days of Elriel Month, feel free to celebrate Prythian's prettiest couple however you see fit. There's only one rule for this prompt: show your love for Elriel. Beyond that, the sky's the limit!
