ACOSF: "Most males bought their wives and mates jewelry for an outrageous Winter Solstice present." ... Sarah, what are you trying to tell me?
It's honestly so funny how the antis miss the obvious and cling to a BC, where it's not even Az reacting to Gwyn, it's his magic (his shadows, which don't even have feelings) reacting.
It's also funny how Sarah knows from the very beginning that it's Elain and Azriel. That's why I'm waiting to see all those BC-based theories fall apart after the announcement. Hopefully they'll learn how to read once it's revealed.
Adding: "Doesn't work between Azriel and Elain because they are not mates. Lucien is her mate, and if he had given her a pair of earrings, THEN the theory would make sense. But the theory works with Gwynriel, since Azriel supposedly 'found himself' giving the necklace to Gwyn, instinctively guided by 'something,' his powers, or his shadows..."
Tell that to Sarah: "Most males bought their wives and mates jewelry for an outrageous Winter Solstice present." (And what did Sarah choose to have Azriel do on Winter Solstice night? Buy jewelry for Elain.)
1. "But tonight, here in the dark and quiet, with no one to see... He pulled the small velvet box from the shadows around him. Opened it for her. (...)" The golden necklace (...) A thing of secret, lovely beauty." (The necklace, a piece of jewelry, was bought for Elain. For HER... MATES)
2. "If you see Gwyn, would you give this to her?(...) If there's another priestess here who might appreciate it, give it to them. But I'm not taking that necklace with me when I leave." (By that logic, Azriel has countless mates, since he literally says "if there's another priestess.")
3. "Three days passed with no word from Cassian. He'd been replaced in training by a stone-faced Azriel, who was more aloof than usual." (After supposedly "finding his mate," Azriel isn't happy. He's upset because Rhys forbade him from pursuing Elain.)
4. There is no actual mate behavior between Azriel and Gwyn. The bonus chapter supposedly showed it, yet afterward Azriel still shows no particular interest in Gwyn.
5. And let's not forget that Elain didn't even like Lucien's gift. People always leave out her actual reaction, so here's a reminder: "who barely thanked him after opening the pearl earrings. Cassian’s heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien’s face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. Elain only shrank further into herself, no trace of that newfound boldness to be seen." . My girl couldn't have cared less about Lucien or his gift, compare that to her reaction to Azriel's gift and the difference is pretty obvious.
6. Azriel has more mate-coded scenes with Elain, than Elain has with Lucien (her "actual mate") and more than Gwyn has with Azriel ("the supposed mates").
But people aren't ready for that conversation because their dislike of Elain gets in the way.
