Azriel never actually agreed to comply with Rhys’ orders to stay away from Elain
Elriel Month, Week 5: Anything Your Heart Desires
Just a friendly reminder that, while Azriel may have been knocked from his rage by Rhys threatening punishment and pulling rank during their talk on Solstice Night, he never actually agreed to stop pursuing Elain Archeron.
Have a look:
Rhys growled, “Allow me to make one thing very clear. You are to stay away from her.”
“You can’t order me to do that.”
“Oh, I can, and I will. If Lucien finds out you’re pursuing her, he has every right to defend their bond as he sees fit. Including invoking the Blood Duel.”
“That’s an Autumn Court tradition.” The battle to the death was so brutal that it was only enacted in rare cases. Despite being an outsider, Azriel had wanted to invoke it when he’d found Mor all those years ago. Had been ready to challenge both Beron and Eris to Blood Duels and kill them both. Only Mor’s right to claim their heads in vengeance had kept him from doing so.
“Lucien, as Beron’s son, has the right to demand it of you.“
"I’ll defeat him with little effort.” Pure arrogance laced every word, but it was true.
“I know.“ Rhys’s eyes flickered. "And your doing so will rip apart any fragile peace and alliances we have, not only with the Autumn Court but also with the Spring Court and Jurian and Vassa.” Rhys bared his teeth. “So you will leave Elain alone. If you need to fuck someone, go to a pleasure hall and pay for it, but stay away from her.”
Azriel snarled softly.
“Snarl all you want.” Rhys leaned back in his chair. “But if I see you panting after her again, I’ll make you regret it.”
Rhys had rarely threatened punishment or pulled rank. It stunned Azriel enough that it knocked him from his rage.
Rhys jerked his chin toward the door. “Get out”
Azriel tucked in his wings and left without another word, stalking through the house and onto the front lawn to sit in the frigid starlight. To let the frost in his veins match the air around him.
Until he felt nothing. Was again nothing at all.
Let’s disregard the fact that, assuming Rhys and Feyre’s assumptions about Lucien’s true paternity are accurate, it’s questionable whether he would even have the right to invoke the Blood Duel against Azriel; if Helion ever acknowledges Lucien, does the Day Court still allow it? And would Rhys’ lies about Lucien’s right to challenge Azriel for Elain’s love somehow invalidate a fundamental part of any hypothetical agreement that was made between himself and Az? I’m not sure whether the magic of bargain bonds - whatever it is - considers the spirit of the original agreement; at least, I wouldn’t count on it, just in case. It’s a big “if.”
So, in a world where your word can be a magically enforced and bonded bargain - clever Spymaster.
Remember the last time Rhys forbid Azriel from doing something? Interesting how we’re told about that argument as Azriel entrusts Truth-Teller to Elain, which he’s never done for anyone else. Rhys and Cassian couldn’t convince him to yield in his insistence to fight—they have to bring in a tearful Mor to finally get him to relent.
(On a side note, I can’t get over how Azriel pushes Cassian aside like his dagger offer is child’s play.And Elain’s reaction? I imagine something like, “Oh my, oh my my my” going through her head. This whole scene is a continuous double entendre.)
And even then, Azriel doesn’t—can’t possibly—keep his word.
Rhys sees the futility (and dire need of the situation), so he ultimately agrees.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Sarah highlighted this interaction. In the bonus, we got to see exactly what a swift,brutal argument looks like between Azriel and Rhys. I highly doubt that order is going to stand the test of time. I mean, the male is working himself day and night so that he doesn’t give in to the temptation, the rage and frustration and writhing need. Those are his thoughts when he is forbidden from claiming Elain, and that desperation—that need—is all too similar to the way our other couples have felt toward one another.
Feysand:
Nessian:
When Elain reads Azriel’s decision—to take this taste(just a little taste) in the dead of the longest night of the year—she responds like Nesta did to Cassian, and breathes, “Yes.” This draw and desperation seems mutual to me, even though we can’t read her thoughts yet.
Azriel needs so much that he’s in pain. And no, it’s not just need for anyone. If that were the case he’d find someone with little effort. Like Mor has said, he’s had no shortage of lovers over the centuries. That desperation he feels? That’s only for Elain. And it’s only a matter of time until they find a way—in secret, if required—to finally satisfy their mutual need and desire.
