Elain's book is going to be all about her own choices.
Whether she chooses to accept, reject, or do nothing about her existing bond with Lucien is up to her.
Unfortunately, the way SJM has set it up since ACOWAR has shown that Elain does not regard Lucien in a positive light. She shrinks away from him, they avoid each other, etc.
That is the only reason I don't ship Elucien. If SJM had written a single positive interaction between them (out of Elain's own will, not out of pressure from Feyre or reluctant politeness), then I would ship them together.
But she has gone out of her way to show how the bond makes Elain uncomfortable and she doesn't want Lucien. SJM even goes as far as to bring in another love interest (Azriel) to show just how much Elain does not desire her fated mate, she desires someone else.
It doesn't matter if Lucien "is a good male". It doesn't matter if he's being a gentleman and giving her space. It doesn't matter if he's the high king of prythian or gives her 40000 solstice gifts she won't ever touch.
She. Does. Not. Want. Him.
That's the only reason you need to stop shipping Elucien.
Any further analysis, any 80 page ppts how much Lucien shows mate behavior and how much he thinks Elain is beautiful and how he is devoted to her... do not matter.
She. Does. Not. Want. Him.
"But don't you want Elain to be happy? The mating bond is the epitome of love. She should want him"
She. Does. Not. Want. Him
"But Lucien is hot/a courtier/a future high lord/sunshine and he's already been through so much rejection in life"
She. Does. Not. Want. Him
She doesn't owe him anything. Why is that so hard to understand?
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