As the release date of the next ACOTAR book approaches and new theories surface (based on the cover art, quotes and POVs), I think it's overshadowing the core of "who ends up with who" war. Ironically, this is a classic military strategy of creating loud chaos as a distraction so the main characters can sneak by and surprise the enemy, AKA us, the fans.

With that in mind, I want to revisit some SJM universe logic/rules + a little bit of my other reddit post. This is essentially about the intrusive thoughts that keep leading to an Azriel and Elain endgame. How they get there? Only SJM knows....

>Note: I'm sure some of these theories exist out there somewhere so this might not be new, but just maybe from a different perspective.

And remember... Like calls to like (SJM Rule #1)

Intrusive Thought #1:

"Why Tamlin/Spring Court isn't Elains endgame"

TAMLIN

I believe his actual true mate was Amarantha. Why? It goes back to the 'Like calls to like'.

This rule doesn't always apply to good people, it can be applied to the bad and ugly personalities too, even villains. They both knew each other since they were young because their parents were friends. I think Amarantha knew from the beginning and accepted what kind of person she was, whereas Tamlin was in denial because he didn't want to be painted as a villain.

Retrospectively, explains why she made his heart stone, to stop him from giving his heart to someone else.. in a toxic romantic way. This would also explain his slow decay and hatred for Feyre. In the Fae world, a male losing his mate (even a cruel one) goes feral, highly protective or mad (SJM Rule #2).

The denial part in all this, I think Tamlin didn't want to believe he was like Amarantha. Tamlins repulsion to her could have been his denial in another form to the mating bonds on a biological level, trying to avoid the classic "Am I just like my father?" They both had a misguided/twisted dominating nature. Controlling traits that Tamlin inherited from his father as did Amarantha from her father. But kept trying to choose Feyre because of what she represented, innocent at the beginning and morally righteous towards the end. Problem is, Tamlin could never be what Feyre was, what Rhysand is.

AZRIEL

The heart beating through the stone is not literally a heart of stone, but actually the Prison which is a mountain of stone. Azriel has been tied to the Prison for however long, almost trapping his heart there, due to the long exposure of abuse ​from his family. His stepmother literally locked him in a dark cell so the stone could be the walls of his cell. So how else to protect your most vulnerable assets, you lock it away instead of addressing the trauma emotionally or psychologically. Not physically speaking, but symbolically.

Instrusive Thought #2

"Would Elain become High Lady of Day Court or Dusk Court"

DAY COURT/LUCIEN

Elain has complete lack of connection to the Day Court. It is literally described as endless deserts, vast libraries of ancient knowledge, and vibrant culture. Doesn't sound too conducive to flowers and a garden, maybe a cactus. I can't really see Elain blooming in that environment.

If anything Lucien has higher odds with Gwyn for being a Valkyrie. At least then, they can take advantage of the pegasuses from the Day Court. Gwyn literally glows when she sings, very Day Court characteristic. If not as Luciens mate, then as Luciens daughter if we go with another fan theory.

DUSK COURT/ AZRIEL

With the revival of Dusk Court or at least what was, it still falls under Night Court in secret. They're not going to announce it as it technically has no High Lord, army, and civilian life. Plus the land choose the lord, not the other way around if it was going to revive to it former glory. But the Prison is essentially under Azriel domain as the Illyrians are Cassians.

Here's where the 'Like calls to like' is screaming at me. Azriel and Elain are more alike underneath the visuals opposite traits.

• Both claim to be a member of the Night Court so they aint going anywhere (e.g. Elain says "I am a member of this court" in ACOSF and Azriel for obviouslyrl reasons).
• Azriel semi sentient shadows listens to both (e.g. Azriels shadows fade or vanish entirely in her presence.) Listening to and fearing someone can be opposite sides of the same coin.
• Both are the reserved sibling of their two counter parts (e.g. Elain vs Ferye and Nesta. Azriel vs Cassian and Rhysand).
• Both pull information from different sources (e.g. Shadows and visions).

If they are bound in the future, Azriel currently knows the lands of the Prison which was originally the Dusk Court. As Ferye helps build a better Night Court for those ravage by Hyberns invasion and Nesta building her own army of warriors as to Cassians warriors of Illyrians, Elain will build something the Dusk Court/Azriel needs.

Pulling from my other post, bonds can be shifted. If Queen Theia could literally split and move Starborn power across bloodlines and realms, then the concept of moving or manipulating magical bond is possible.

Instrusive Thoughts #3

From ACOSF

>"You do not decide what I can and cannot do, Nesta," Elain said, her voice tighter than Nesta had ever heard it.

>Nesta pointed at the door. "Go back to the river house."

>"Why? Shall I tend to my little garden forever? [...] You can’t have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater."

This stayed as a thorn in my side for a long time. If you strip away Elains flowery soft persona, she's a gardener. I know that didnt sound real majestic, but consider what they do and think of her garden beds as a prison. Not of flowers and vegetables, but a giant garden bed of Prythian’s most dangerous and immortal monsters.

Trait #1 The Ruthlessness of Pruning (Snipping Flowers)

To some of us, pruning is difficult because you dont know what to snip to help the growth of the plant as a whole. You're literally taking a sharp blade and cutting off living pieces of life. A master gardener knows that if you do not cut away the dead weight, the weak buds, or the overgrowth, the entire plant will rot and die.

Possibly in the future, Elain will have to decide who to sacrifice, which alliances to cut ties with, and where to draw the line to ensure the survival of her court. She already used the dagger blade to "prune" the King of Hybern. Not so soft as a flower there.

Trait #2 Eradicating the Threat (Pulling Weeds)

Weeding is annoying and not so pretty from a garden aspect. As you are using your hands to get into the gross and nasty dirt. You have to grab the parasitic plant by root and rip it out so it doesn't suck the life out of the rest of the garden. In ACOTAR, Feyre specifically observed Elain tending to her plants, pulling up weeds, and finding immense joy in the dirt.

If the weeds represent the enemies, the hidden spies, and the dark entities (aka Koschei) threatening Prythian. Elain doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. While others might debate and hesitate as a 'righteous' council. Elain’s strength to dig into the dirt, find the root of the problem, and destroy it entirely might be a asset in the future.

Trait #3 Deciding the Limits (The Garden Box as a Prison Cell)

The garden box being a metaphor for a prison cell or of its ecosystem as a whole. A gardener has to decide how much sunlight a plant gets, how much space it is allowed, and where its borders end. Since Elain is Cauldron made as are the Dread Trove, she can wield the Harp like Nesta who favors the Mask. She can remake the Prison as she sees fit to house her plants aka the ancient and dangerous entities. Which is her 'anything greater'.

That is, if Elain and Azriel are destined to revive and rule the Dusk Court / Prison. It requires a warden who understands how to box things in, set boundaries, and manage a ecosystem of dark forces. Maybe leveraging it to gain a bountiful harvest of favors as long has they're happy and fed in their little boxes.

Funny After Thoughts

As Feyre unknowingly painted "twining vines of flower" on the drawer, we think of softness in comparison to Nestas flame. But in the world of botany and gardening, vines are notorious for actively "choking out" and killing their competition.