Do Elain & Azriel End Up Together in ‘A Court of Splintered Harmony’?
After years of waiting, the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book is here! More importantly, we finally have the newest update on romantasy’s biggest looming question: Will Azriel end up with Elain or Gwyn?
In A Court of Splintered Harmony, the first movement of Sarah J. Maas‘ Valkyrie Cycle, readers got a first look into Azriel’s mind after his first POV in the A Court of Silver Flames bonus chapter, where he first considered a connection with Elain and connected with Gwyn. While readers expected to see a slow-burn romance come the shadowsinger’s way during A Court of Splintered Harmony, Maas surprised readers with a twist no one saw coming… Especially Lucien. (Spoilers ahead!)
Below, we’re taking a deep dive — much like Nesta on her way to the Prison — into the romance of A Court of Splintered Harmony, breaking down whether Elain and Azriel end up together, the status of Elain and Lucien’s mating bond, and checking in with the rest of the main couples of the series. This is your A Court of Splintered Harmony romance recap.
Do Elain and Azriel end up together in ACOSH?
Does anyone smell fresh-baked bread? During Chapter 6, Azriel’s POV picks up with him and Elain mid-makeout at three in the morning. That’s right, there’s no Elriel first kiss or blossoming connection. We’re just dropped into the action, with Azriel letting readers know that every time things get heated between them, he promises himself it won’t happen again because she has a mate. Whoops!
Of course, Rhys is not happy that Elain and Azriel are getting physical, and reminds him that she is not his mate and lowkey equates him to Tamlin, who slept with Feyre when Rhys knew she was his mate. Not cool, Rhys. Just because you longed for Feyre before she knew you were her mate does not mean everyone is in love with the one they’re fated to spend eternity with. You don’t need to be a seer to know that Elain detests Lucien.
Still, while Elain and Azriel come close to doing the dirty during ACOSH — Trust us, we’re breaking down that Real Housewives of Velaris scene below — to us, it seemed clear that they are not endgame, but merely a situationship. For one, every time they kiss, his shadows flee the scene, while they flock to Gwyn when she’s nearby. At the same time, Azriel is somehow still thinking about Mor, his unrequited crush from years past, which has some readers thinking that Mor could be his endgame after all. (We’re still Team Gwyn, BTW.)
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Does Lucien find out about Elain and Azriel’s situationship?
Of course, Lucien does find out about Elain and Azriel’s nighttime makeouts, just as they’re about to take things to the next level. When Feyre invites Lucien to Nyx’s naming ceremony — which is practically the equivalent of your sister inviting your toxic ex to her baby shower, encouraging the whole family to try to convince you to get back together — he ends up spending the night after the event is rudely interrupted by Bryaxis.
While he tries his best to stay away from Elain, who, again, doesn’t want him anywhere near her, he ends up deciding to barge into her room late at night to talk things out. Yikes. There, he finds Elain and Azriel, who are both naked, making it clear that things are about to get spicy. As Lucien flips his lid, practically the entire Night Court enters the room and acts as if Azriel is a homewrecker.
Getting discovered destroys Elain, who was feeling wanted by someone for the first time in years, and, again, hates Lucien, who she never wanted to be with in the first place. Ultimately, Azriel dives deeper into his emo phase (and runs into Gwyn again), and Elain convinces Mor to take her on a diplomatic mission behind enemy lines. If you ask us, this is the perfect setup for an Elain and Mor romance. Anything but an Elain and Lucien endgame, please!
Are Feyre and Rhysand still together?
Feyre and Rhysand are stronger than ever, parenting their baby boy, Nyx. However, now that they’ve tied their life forces to each other, if one of them dies, both of them will go, leaving Nyx with no parents. Not the best move, if you ask us.
Are Nesta and Cassian still together?
Nesta and Cassian’s relationship is a little bit more complicated. While they’re mated, Nesta lost Cassian’s trust when she gave the Mask to Bryce Quinlan to take back to her world in House of Flame and Shadow, which was considered reckless by everyone in Night Court. However, while they go most of the novel not speaking to each other, they ultimately argue about her decision, quickly reconcile, and have make-up sex.
A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas is available now.
