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- [00:01]
Nicole
This episode is brought to you by Google Gemini. With the Gemini app you can talk live and have a real time conversation with an AI assistant. It's great for all kinds of things like if you want to practice for an upcoming interview, ask for advice on things to do in a new city, or brainstorm creative ideas. And by the way, this script was actually read by Gemini. Download the Gemini app for iOS and Android today. Must be 18 to use Gemini Live. This episode is brought to you by Dutch Bros. Big smiles, rocking tunes and epic drinks Dutch Bros. Is all about you. Choose from a variety of customizable handcrafted beverages like our Rebel Energy drinks, coffees, teas and more. Download the Dutch Bros app for a free medium drink plus find your nearest shop, order ahead and start earning rewards offer valid for new app users only. Free medium drink Reward upon registration. 14 day expiration terms apply. See DutchBros.com Foreign welcome to the Fantasy Fan Girls podcast where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy lore, characters, theme series and more.
- [01:15]
Lexi
I'm Lexi. I'm Nicole and today is a very special episode as we finish our ACOTAR series Deep Dive where we are covering chapters 73 through 80 aka the end of a Of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. Wow. This is the end of an era.
- [01:31]
Nicole
I will not cry today, Lexi. I will not cry.
- [01:36]
Lexi
Fun fact everybody. Nicole almost started crying right before we press record into the intro.
- [01:41]
Nicole
It's this is 11 months in the making. I can't believe we're here.
- [01:45]
Lexi
Me either. Wow. As always, in case you are not familiar with all of these episodes and everything, let's kick it off with our content warning. We're literally talking about the end of Silver Flames today. There are no more ACOTAR books released at this point point. So yes, spoilers for all five ACOTAR books today. Like every episode that has come before this. These Deep Dives do not however have spoilers for the rest of Sarah J. Maas series except at the end of every episode with our Mass Verse Madness segment. Today's the last one. Oh my God. Actually I do think that we will have one for our episode on January 6th, our wrap up ACOTAR episode, because all of your fantastic questions like half of them include spoilers for the Mass Verse. Anyway, all of this to say we will give a big spoiler warning for the other Mass first books before continuing our conversations with Crescent City and Slash or Throne of Glass Connections.
- [02:33]
Nicole
So with all that said, did you know that this is literally the end of all the ACOTAR books that we currently have. You know what you're getting yourself into at this point, but if for whatever reason you have not finished the series, please do that and then come back. We will be here when you're done, we promise.
- [02:51]
Lexi
Next We A Fantasy Fangirls are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, this podcast is.
- [02:57]
Nicole
Rated R. The irony of this being the end of Silver Flames and yet this might be our tamest at least Silver Flames episode yet is quite shocking. However, it is still us so you never know what might happen. Please do be mindful of those little listening ears. But in all seriousness, today's episode does cover Feyre's complications in childbirth, so please listen at your comfort level. We will give a trigger warning right before that part in case you prefer to skip over it. But listen to the rest of the episode.
- [03:26]
Lexi
And of course we are so excited to see you at upcoming live events. We are partnering with Barnes and Noble for the Onyx Storm Midnight release party on January 20th in Glendale, Colorado.
- [03:36]
Nicole
We also have so much in store as podcasting partners at Romanasy Bookcon in Los Angeles in February 2025 and in Orlando, Florida in October 2025.
- [03:46]
Lexi
We will also be featured guests at Enchanticon in St. Louis, Missouri August 15th through 17th. And we'll be back at the Dragon Gauntlet in Boyne City, Michigan September 12th through 13th, all in 2025 with tickets for that event going on sale in January.
- [04:01]
Nicole
Links to all of these events and more information are in the show notes.
- [04:06]
Lexi
And lastly, if you love Fantasy fangirls, if you've loved this Acotar journey we've been on together. If you are so excited for Onyx Storm and want more Empyrean themed events, more content, more community trivia, and so much more, please check out our Patreon.
- [04:20]
Nicole
We have three tiers that you can join and this is the last week that they're going to be called this. On the Acotar theme we have the tier which is the Valkyries, which includes access to our BOP and Discord, live Q&As from Lexi and I, a book club, exclusive author interviews, trivia, community events, promo codes for live events plus 20% off discounted merch. That's for $5 a month. That's the first tier. Or you can join the High Fae which includes everything from the Valkyrie level plus early access to ad. Free episodes are full episode outlines and special voting privileges. That's for $10 a month. And last but not least, we have the Inner Circle which includes Everything from the first 2T plus more behind the scenes content, a welcome gift, giveaways, private Discord channel, and your name shouted out on the podcast that is $25 a month.
- [05:08]
Lexi
Join the party at patreon.com fantasy fangirls the link is also of course in the show notes and I just want to get a little mushy here for a second because since starting this ACOTAR journey, Nicole and I have both been able to take Fantasy Fangirls full time and it's literally because of you and this community. So thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this incredible book community. And we really can't to see what 2025 has in store. We are so excited. There's already so much on the horizon and we can't wait to do it all with you.
- [05:38]
Nicole
And now it is time to do our last deep dive of this book series. Oh my God. And as a part of that, it is time to kill Briellen.
- [05:49]
Lexi
Thank goodness. She needs to die one last time. Nicole is going to do us the honor of summarizing what happens in this stretch of chapters. So gather around friends. We need a final inner circle debrief for silver flames. Chapters 73:80 the end of this book and series for now.
- [06:11]
Nicole
Chapter 73 Nesta and Bellious are locked in hand to hand combat, a single word giving Nesta the strength she needs to keep going until the end. Mate. But Nesta is not fast enough to avoid Belius as his fist connects with her cheek, knocking her to the ground and the other side of her super symbolic line in the dirt. He draws his blade but before he can use it, blood sprays and he falls to the ground. Rest in pieces Bellious. We will not miss you. Looking up, Nesta sees a pair of wings. Very familiar looking wings. Enter stage left. Cassian whispering not so sweet nothings into Nesta's ear like how he wants to stab her. Cassian. I know she's down to try anything once, but that might be a little far. My guy. Ah. Briallyn steps into view. Cassian is under the Crown's control. Chapter 74 Using the Crown's influence, Briallyn releases Nesta from Cassian's grip before launching into her evil villain monologue. Once she stops yapping and comes up for air, Briallyn orders Cassian to kill. But in true Disney fashion, love conquers all. And Cassian flips the blade in his hand around and starts to plunge it into his own chest. Lexi, I mean Nesta screams and erupts with power entering her avatar state. With her focus solely on Briellen and just like Benjamin Button, Briallyn ages backwards until only dust, Ash and the crown remain. Chapter 70 Nesta rushes to her mate, desperate to save him. She grabs him, flips him over, preparing for the worst, ready to see the Wait. What the fuck is this? Cassian's chest is unmarked, unbloodied, and perfectly intact. Yeah it is.
- [07:49]
Lexi
Yeah it is.
- [07:51]
Nicole
Before the two can christen Ramiel with a ride of their own, Azriel and Mor appear. Something is wrong with Feyre. Chapter 76 Everyone is gathered in the gloomy River House. Feyre is in labor months early and even with her healing abilities, it is not going well, including Nyx's silent arrival into this world. But when all seems lost for this little family, golden light flickers through the room and Nesta appears, donning all three objects of the trove, her eyes burning with silver fire. Nestor raises a hand to the final 26th string of the harp and plucks it. Chapter 77 who's ready for an 11 o'clock harp solo? Turns out the 26th string is time it and even Death says, okay, I'll sit back and watch. Nesta walks to her sister's failing body, holding Time firmly in her grasp and bargains with the cauldron. She'll give it back, give it all back if the life giving cauldron saves her sister, her brother and her nephew. Her family. Time resumes and light flows from Nesta into Feyre and the baby, filling her and the bundle in Mor's arms, healing them both. They live. Bursting with gratitude, Rhysand falls to his knees and thanks Nesta. SJM Men and Their Knees strikes again. Chapter 78 in the parlor of the River House, the Powerpuff girls reunite and share a giggle about how upset the Illyrian babies are going to be that not only did two of them win the damn thing, they also don't give an Illyrian bat wing flying fuck about the title Corinthian. Instead, they are content to be Valkyries. Later, while holding baby Nyx, Cassian jokes with his brother about all the trouble this little boy is gonna get into. This sounds like me when I met my nephew for the first time, but then he pooped on me. Nesta beckons her mate so that they can have a private moment where she shares that all of her power is gone except little Colonel. We'll see about that and how she changed her innards so that when the time is right, her and Cassian can take that step. But not now. And after convincing Cassian that they need a disgustingly ornate mating ceremony that Rhys will be thrilled to throw all the money at, Nesta finally tells Cassian she loves him. Everyone with me. Aw. Chapter 79. A few days later, Cassian draws the short straw and has to go check in with fucking Eris. Who tells Cassian all the lies he told his father while under torture. As if we needed more reasons to hate this father figure more. The conversation closes with Cassian really wanting to piss Eris off. So he tells him that maybe, just maybe, Eris might be a decent male deep, deep down. A thought that keeps us fandom up at night. Chapter 80 Spring Blooms and Velaris and we get a rapid fire montage. Feyre and Nyx are well enough to leave the house. Cassian Mor and Asriel are very overprotective aunt and uncle. The Valkyries are still training harder than ever. And Nessa and Cassian's mating ceremony is just around the corner. Do they really need a mating ceremony when they won't stop fucking like rabbits? But one day the Archeron sisters visit their father's grave, showing the new baby off to his grandfather. And Nessa tells her sisters to go along. And she shares a private moment with her departed father. Thanking him, Nesta places a kiss on his gravestone. And with the sun shining down on her, Nesta turns and hurries back down the hill to her family and the life she is excited to explore. End of book.
- [11:11]
Lexi
Oh my goodness.
- [11:12]
Nicole
Oh golly.
- [11:15]
Lexi
Well, friends, cozy season is here. And you know what that means. Hot chocolate. Yummy. But what if I told you that you could get your hot chocolate fix while also helping yourself stay hydrated? What? I know, right? That is where Element comes in.
- [11:30]
Nicole
Element is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix and sparkling electrolyte water. Born from the growing body of research revealing that optimal health outcomes occur at sodium levels two to three times. Government recommendations Each stick pack or sparkling can delivers a meaningful dose of electrolytes free of sugar, artificial flavors and other dodgy ingredients. Element is formulated for anyone on a mission to restore their health goals through hydration. It is perfectly suited for athletes, folks who are fasting, those who are following keto, low carb whole food or paleo diets.
- [12:03]
Lexi
Element has become such a staple in my home. Between my husband and I, my new favorite ritual is curling up after a long day and adding the chocolate medley flavor to some hot water. And boom. I have easy and healthy hot chocolate.
- [12:15]
Nicole
Right now. Element is offering a free sample pack with any purchase. That's eight single serving packets for free with any element order. This is a great way to try eight of the Element flavors or share Element with a salty friend. Get yours@drinkelement.com FFG this deal is only available through our link. You must go to drinK-R-I-N k elementlmnt.com ffg and also try the new Element Element Sparkling. My favorite. It's a bold 16 ounce can of sparkling electrolyte water.
- [12:48]
Lexi
Okay friends, it's time to step into the cauldron one more time and discuss key insights, character analysis, lore, foreshadowing theories, and oh so much more. And it's apparently becoming just part of what I say now too that yes, my voice is still not 100%. It's slowly getting better though.
- [13:06]
Nicole
It's a good thing we have like a month and a half off off Deep Dive episodes. Like we'll have obviously like our lead up to Onyx Storm, we'll have our Rackatar wrap up. But like these really long Deep Dive episodes are going away for a month and a half so Lexi can rest her voice. Also because we just don't have a book to Deep dive right now.
- [13:22]
Lexi
Immediately picking up where we left off last episode with Nesta embracing that Cassian is her mate, we've got a final showdown with Bellies. Voicing the word mate may have given Nesta a last little surge of strength, but our girl hasn't eaten in days. She is trekked to this mountain, carried her friend Gwen on her back until she physically couldn't anymore and slain Bellious his group. She is exhausted and Bellious is wearing her down more and more, hurting her toward the archway and the line she drew in the sand as a last defense, Bellies punches Nesta in the face, sending her flying back to the other side of the line. She quote, could have sworn the mountain shuttered. Assuming this is not Free Allen and Cassian's arrival or related to the crown now present, this feels like the mountain is listening, watching, being alive in its own way at what is going down. Nesta falls behind the line and it's like the mountain is going oh dear. With nothing left and not an ounce of physical strength to draw upon, Nesta's mind starts spinning. She had earlier been okay with the sacrifice for her friends that it would be okay to die because they had made it. But now, with death looking down upon her, Nesta doesn't want to die. She doesn't want to die at the hands of this nobody butt Face, asshat. She doesn't want to die alone. And the fear of being alone sends her negative self talk bubbling back up to the surface. Quote her body had given up on her like so many had. And then, quote she had been born alone and would die alone. Nesta used to prefer being alone because it kept her safe from having to feel or let down her walls or connect with others when she didn't believe she deserved it. Being alone was a punishment she gave herself because she felt she was such an awful person. But now she doesn't want to be alone. She has experienced love in the form of friendship and with her mate she has felt such happiness and hope for the future because she knows that she can rely on her support system. And in this final moment of life, she simply doesn't want to be al and die what I'll call an unworthy death at the hands of this guy. She wanted so much more for herself.
- [15:22]
Nicole
Then thunder cracks and the entire mountain shakes with the impact just as Bellious blood sprays from a slice across his throat. Cassian has come to the rescue.
- [15:35]
Lexi
I don't know about you Nicole, but when I first read this, for a brief moment I forgot that Cassian was in Brialon's clutches. And I was like, yeah, despite the shitstorm that's about to happen. It is so reassuring that Nesta is not alone here now. Her mate has come to save her when she was physically too worn down to save herself despite her absolute best efforts.
- [15:56]
Nicole
Yes, and standing their teeth bared at his dead foe, Cassian steps over Bellious body and offers to help Nesta up. Quote not to sweep her into his arms, but to help her rise as he always had done. I love this line because yes, yes, Cassie is under the Crown's influence. I'm gonna put that to the side for just a short moment. If you have been listening to fantasy fangirls for a while, you know that I always have my little antenna up whenever a male main character either stands behind or stands to the side of the female main character. It's like a I'm here for you if you need me. But I trust that you have the capability to stand on your own. And this is exactly how it is with Cassian and Nesta here. But sadly, this is not the off the charts EQ bat boy that Lexi loves. Because I still love him. Even when he's under the Crown's control and threatens to kill her, he's trying to fight it.
- [16:49]
Lexi
Okay.
- [16:51]
Nicole
Cassian hugs Nesta tightly, but he whispers into her hair quote and now I'm going to slit your pretty little throat.
- [17:01]
Lexi
And this was a moment I was like, oh, shit, that's right. He's under the Crown's control. Remember how Cassian went under the Crown's influence back at Kosche's Lake before Koshay winnowed Cassian and Brielle? And to the right, ahead of dawn, when the right ends and Nesta gets her powers back. Here in this moment, we've pivoted back to Cassian's pov and we're feeling his agony at how Briellen is controlling him to soon hurt Nesta.
- [17:24]
Nicole
Which I want to pause real quick because he says, like, I'm going to slit your throat. And I thought Brielle and didn't want to kill Nest. At least not right away, and at least not outright.
- [17:33]
Lexi
Correct? And here's how I understand it. Briallyn is having Cassian hold Nesta tightly to his chest so she can't escape. And I wonder if what Cassian said about now, you know, slitting her pretty throat is Briallyn playing with her food. Like she's dangling Cassian under the Crown's influence in front of Nesta to make her feel even more helpless and afraid. So she thinks her mate is indeed about to kill her when it will destroy him, which is Briallyn's plan B here. Cassian certainly thinks that's what he's about to be forced to do. He's silently begging Nesta to kill him before he has to kill her. Because, yeah, as Briallyn knows, killing her would absolutely wreck Cassian. There would be no coming back from that kind of suffering. The second half of his soul would be ripped away by his own hands. And he would have to live with it. Not live with it. I could see Cassian choosing not to do that if Briallyn ended up successfully forcing him to kill Nesta. Perhaps a little confused by this drastic turn of events. Nesta hears a new arrival from behind her. Briallyn, old and withered with the crown atop her head, taunts Nesta that Cassian is hers. Now. Interestingly, the storm that has been brewing halts. Which means even nature can be influenced by the Crown. Whoa. This makes me wonder for the future, if Ness's ability to control nature wielding the crown will help her with bringing nature back to the barren mountain of the prison. Or if it'll help her set up a new prison for the inmates so she can resurrect the dust Court. That's been a big question of ours. Stars. Where Will the monsters of the prison go if she does Indeed bring the 8th court back to life? How far does controlling nature go? Is it just the weather like this instance, or moving rock, making trees grow?
- [19:13]
Nicole
I will say this like if I had this power, I wouldn't use it to mind control people. I would just make it a balmy 76 degrees outside every single day.
- [19:21]
Lexi
And what are you doing in Colorado? That is why I moved back to Colorado is. I love the season.
- [19:27]
Nicole
Listen. It can be 76 degrees and rainy. It can be 76.
- [19:31]
Lexi
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I mean, I'm. I'm so happy for people who just love that 76 degree weather. You do you. That's wonderful. Give me the cold weather so I can bundle up and feel all nice and cozy.
- [19:45]
Nicole
Let us kick it off with Brielle and spilling the tea on how Nesta got into the right in the first place. Brielle and reveals that she needed to wear nested down since she wouldn't be able to fight with a full powered Nesta. So she needed her power. What better way to weaken her than to throw her into a primitive spectacle that already removes her magic. While we're at it though, let's also throw in that people were attacking her, so she's physically weakened too. She also hasn't eaten. This did put Nessa in an easy to monitor position while also wearing her down. Making it easier for Briallyn to have full control of the situation for when the time comes.
- [20:22]
Lexi
Like now. Briallyn knew that she couldn't just walk up to Nesta without any form of control over her. So while Nesta was beaten and worn down days ago, Briallyn held off making her move because she first needed to capture Cassian to use as leverage against Nesta, using Eris to draw him in. Briallyn waited days and days for Cassian to get close enough in his rescue of Eris. Then she'd be able to use the crown on Cassian. She had Eris caught back in the Autumn Court when he tried to help his soldiers after they surrounded him during his hunt. Ah yes, that last dozen of Aerys soldiers that had gone after the harp in the prison but then disappeared again when Aerys tried to help his soldiers. He was outnumbered and his men grabbed him with little effort. Even his hounds were of no help as Koshchei winnowed him away. I'm going to guess those soldiers have not survived this book. Briellen admits that had Cassian not come to find Aerys, she would have killed him and that his fire wouldn't have withstood Koshchei's lake. That comment of hers makes me so intrigued by the powers of Koshche's lake. Because, you know, she's not talking about just, you know, water. I have to wonder. We also have Lucian with his fire magic. We also have Nesta with her silver flames as well.
- [21:34]
Nicole
Oh, now see, but it's comments like that where we go back to last week's episode where Kosher is made of shadows. Who is our shadow wielder? It is Azriel. And so I wonder how much of a role he's gonna play with this. Oh my God, I'm so excited. However, what about our least favorite butt face? What does he have to do with this? While Bellies was out scouting on a mission on the continent, he wandered off looking for some fun on Briallyn's lands. How's mind control, Bellious? Is that fun enough for you? So Bellious fed Briallyn info like how Nesta and Emery were friends. And once Briallyn knew the full force of how much Emery meant to her, Briallyn knew she had a way in. Especially after she saws Nesta's. She'll call them weaknesses through their connection with the harp and the crown from the prison. Remember that scene with Briallyn after Nesta touched the harp in the prison? Well, it formed a bridge between the two made Fae. And Briallyn claims that the harp sang the answers to all her questions. So Briallyn got the full download of Nesta's situation, her friends, her mate, and the trove. So basically Briallyn's like, I've known everything. Emery is a weakness, at least in Briallyn's eyes. And law or no law, she knew that Nesta would have tried to do anything to save her friend. Like go into the blood rite, even though it's against the rules. So the plan was originally to get Emery and just throw her into this bloodbath. But Nesta made it oh so very easy when she went to Windhaven with the other Valkyries. So the other Illyrians took Nesta, Emry and Gwyn into the right, since they were all three there and you know, you might as well make it the complete collection. Side note, we don't know if these Illyrians were under Brialyn's mind control because none of them were Bellies. At least as far as we know. Because Belius was being thrown into the right as all of that was happening. So that is a Little unclear. However, Briallyn's goal was for Bellious to hunt down Nesta in the blood rite, not kill her. But ugh, that Fae wording. She wasn't very specific. Just like she will be in a minute. So things started to get a little interesting. She would have ordered Bellious to stand down. But where's the fun in that? And since she finds it oh so satisfying to watch someone kill with the tools that she provides, why not create her own entertainment? What's more fun than a normal blood, Right? It's blood, right? With some stabby stabs. She's just basically Plutarch, the game maker at this point is what's happening.
- [23:56]
Lexi
And she finds it entertaining. But the moment that Bellius is about to kill her, she's like, okay, I need her now. Step aside. You know, Cassian, go do your thing. When Nesta pushes Briallyn on why she's doing this, why she doesn't want peace, Briallyn has quite the simple answer. She wants retribution and power. But more than anything, she wants the Trove to give herself more power. So she can make herself young and beautiful again. She knew she couldn't retrieve all three objects of the Trove alone. So she made Nestor her unwitting partner in collecting these items of power and free. Allen knew the only way Nesta would hand them over is for Cassian, her mate. So that's where it all ties in with Cassie now. Having to come here and all of that. Once Brielle and has the power of the Trove in her hands. She claims she won't kill Nesta and Cassian, but Nesta can smell the lie on her. Yeah, right. You'll just let us walk away, Brielle and like, Come on. Get out of here. So with all of that said, Briallyn proposes a deal with Nesta. Trade the Trove for Cassian's life with Nesta. Thoroughly. Oh, so Fae. Now Briallyn knows that Nesta would rather let the world turn to ash before she lets her mate die. Or she'll convince Nesta by forcing Cassian to kill his own mate. Because Briallyn knows that Nesta won't let Cassian suffer through such a horror. Everyone here knows this would be a worse punishment for Cassian than for Nesta. And one more way to coax Nesta into doing what Briallyn said says. Plus Brielle and saw from their connection when Nesta touched the harp that the key to accessing the Trove beyond Helion's wards is Nesta's Blood, which, hey, she can get even if Nesta is dead. So even if Nesta does allow Cassian to kill her and refuses to give up the trove, Briallyn still wins and gets what she wants.
- [25:38]
Nicole
Now, there's a line at the end of this evil villain monologue where Briallyn says, quote, there are others in your court as delusional as you are. They'll get it from me one way or another with the right incentive. This line has caused the Acktar fandom to absolutely spiral and believe that there is a traitor amongst the Night Court. Personally, I'm not quite convinced yet, specifically because of the line right before from Nesta, quote, and you don't get the trove, you'll never find it. Which causes Briallyn then to compare their delusionalness. I take that to mean that there are others in the court that believe Briallyn will never find the trove, but she believes that with the right incentives, she can manipulate them in the future. Not that she already has. Meaning that they've already turned Trove traitor.
- [26:21]
Lexi
That's how I've always interpreted it. In fact, when I first heard this theory and that there was a line suggesting a betrayer, I had to reread all of this because I was so confused where it was coming from.
- [26:32]
Nicole
I had to triple check that this was the line. Absolutely. But because this is such a popular theory, we at Fantasy Fangirls wouldn't be us if we didn't run with it for a moment. So let's say there is a Night Court member who is a traitor and is working with Briallyn Slash now working with Coach J because Brielle Allen's done.
- [26:48]
Lexi
For or is primed to switch sides. Is that what she'd say too? Yeah, that's more of what she's leaning more towards where it's like, maybe not somebody she's already working with, but somebody who is absolutely primed to work with her.
- [27:01]
Nicole
Well, let's go with the most popular member of the Night Court by a long shot. And that is our sweet, sweet power of truth, Morgan. Now, to explain one of the most thought out versions of the theory, I do have to pull a TikTok from Kennan Burns Art. The link is in the show notes in this video. Kenan Burns Art. Expl. There are two different literary elements that SJM uses to prime us that More will be or is a traitor. Number one and most prominent is the use of the color red, how More is always wearing it, and of course, the symbolism behind it. Ken and Burns Art talks about how the color red has always been set up in the Acotar world to be seen as an omen. The first book, what's the Color? It's red. Tamlin is basically a walking red flag. Also, many of the roses in the Spring Court are red. Feyre spills Andrus's blood in the snow of the first chapter, noting the red of its color. Amarantha period. Then, of course, in Acomaf, when Feyre is deep in her depression, she mentions how her soul feels like it's tainted red. And red is a very triggering color for her, something that Anthe exploits when she drops red rose petals down the aisle, causing Feyre to get triggered. But then, of course, what's Mor's color of choice? It is red. The second is the SUS sequencing, in which Mor is brought into the story. Specifically, in acomaf, there are three surprise attacks from Hybern in MACIMAF alone, and Mor is not present for any of them. And the sequence always goes as follows. Surprise attack from Hybern. Cut to scene with Mor. And then also at the Hyber scene at the end of the book, Hybern says to Mor, liar. You are always such a liar, Morgan. I also want to throw out that there's a lot of the fandom who believe that Azriel was actually never in love with Mor. Instead, he's very suspicious of her, and that's why his shadows are always watching her and he is always watching her. Which, if this does happen, that is a really cool twist on this 500 year unrequited love tale. However, with the moment that he saved her from the Autumn Court and how he almost confessed his love for her, I feel like there's a hole in this particular theory from that standpoint. Do I believe that this is possible? Specifically if we're leaning into she will turn traitor? Yeah, sure. I think this could be really interesting, especially if it connects the weird shadow thing that she saw in Frost and Stark Light. However, I do think that the color red, if we're leaning more into that, is more symbolic of her nature. She is beautiful. People fall in love with her. Red is very symbolic of that sexy, passionate nature that more fully embodies.
- [29:35]
Lexi
Also, red feels like it directly combats the Court of Nightmares with its vibrant color, and she really embraces that as she separates herself from her past. So.
- [29:45]
Nicole
And also, I don't love the idea that a member of the inner circle becomes traitor Found Family is such a huge theme in this series. And if one of those found family members who we've grown to love and be really as close to as if they're our own family member. I would be a little bit bummed if that was pulled out from under us. You know what I mean?
- [30:07]
Lexi
Yep. Absolutely. I do think that if we are running with this line about how with right incentives other people can be swayed. Is again Baron going back to allying with Kosjo. And somehow between the two of them to. I don't want to say infiltrate the Night Court. But to really start doing some of their own political scheming there. Yep. Yep. Brielle. And gives Nesta one more chance to hand over the trove before she sets Cassian on her. And not in a good way. And as much as she hates this dilemma, Nesta refuses. She's not going to give Brial in the Trove. And let the world be at Brialen's mercy. No matter the cost. Cost. Even if it's her own life. So Brielle and toys with her prey again. Because hey, this villain has had this plan in motion for months. And she's all for drawing up the situation. This is entertainment for her. But she's definitely not watching the clock here. Because Don's coming up. She makes Cassian pull Nesta up and hold the knife to her throat. While his eyes plead with her out of fear and love. So terrified for what he's about to be forced to do. Knowing that death is coming. Coming. Nesta lets all the love in her heart shine through her eyes. So Cassian can see how much love she has for him. Quote, Love she did not deserve. Had never once deserved. But there it was. Just as it had been there from the instant they'd met. Nesta may not think she deserves love, but she embraces it anyway. She doesn't push away from love or try to hide from it as punishment for herself. Now she puts it on full display. Vulnerably head over heels in love with her mate. So he can know in her final moments. Moments she knows that he is not the one who is truly killing her. But when Briallyn orders him to kill. Cassian fights the force of the crown. We haven't touched on it yet with everything else going on in the scene. But this isn't the first time here that Cassian has fought the control of the crown. Fear for his mate and hatred for Briallyn has been trying to push to the surface of his cloudy eyes. He managed to grunt don't to Nesta earlier when Briallyn proposed the deal to hand over the trove. And the glassiness in his eyes cleared. The mating bond and fierce protection for Nesta runs deeper than even the Crown's powers. Cassian is a powerful Illyrian with a strong will. And he is a mated male fighting this Crown's influence for the sake of his mate and her survival. And here, with the order to kill, Cassian pushes against the Crown's control with a roar. And of his own free will, he takes advantage of a loophole in Briala's control command. She said to kill, but not who to kill. And he would rather put this blade through his own heart than to put it through Nesta's. Because of course, my love, Cassian would I love it.
- [32:38]
Nicole
That's not happening on Nesta Archeron's watch though. Nesta erupts with the full force of the cauldron. With the force of love and hatred and fury. She explodes the entire world. Avalanches run down the cliffs in the distance. Trees topple over. Glass shatters in Velaris. Books tumble off the shelves in the decor. This time not from Helion's passionate lovemaking. The remnants of the old Archeron cottage turns to rubble.
- [33:05]
Lexi
Ah, this one feels so symbolic. As Nesta fully embraces being Fae. And it literally causes her old human cottage she hated to crumble.
- [33:14]
Nicole
Yes, seas also retreat from the shores and then race back towards the sand land in larger waves. Imagine being Tarquin and just chilling in Adriana. And then suddenly, like a huge wave rushes in. He'd be like, hello, what's happening? But as all this is going down, Nesta only has eyes for this bitch, Briellen. She tackles the old crone's frail body to the ground. And Nesta could only scream as she grabs her by the face and makes out with her. Just kidding. And using the full force of the cauldron, she. She unmakes Briallyn before her very eyes.
- [33:50]
Lexi
How Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie Here.
- [33:56]
Nicole
Yes. Oh my God. Bryn's old hands turn young. Her wrinkled face goes back to its beautiful youth. And her white wispy hair shows Voldemort on the back. Oh my God. It turns back to its onyx black. But now the youthful woman suddenly turns to. To ash. Her pretty face dissolving into nothing but dust on the wind. Until all that is laid before Nesta is the three spiked crown on the ground.
- [34:25]
Lexi
Huzzah. Huzzah. Huzzah.
- [34:28]
Nicole
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- [34:52]
Lexi
All you have to do is breathe into your lumen first thing in the morning and you'll know what's going on with your metabolism, whether you're burning mostly fats or carbs. Then Lumen gives you a personalized nutrition plan for the day based on your measurements. You all it is so so cool. I love a good app and this is just absolutely fantastic. You can also breathe into your lumen before and after workouts and meals so you know exactly what's going on with your body in real time. And Lumen gives you tips to keep you on top of your health game. It is so exciting, especially as you head into the New Year and have health goals. This is such a great companion for you.
- [35:28]
Nicole
Also, who knew this technology exists? This is so cool. Your Metabolism Metabolism is your body's engine. It's how your body turns the food you eat into fuel that keeps you going. Because your body's metabolism is at the center of everything you do. Optimal metabolic health translates into a bunch of benefits, including easier weight management, improved energy levels, better fitness results, better sleep. My goodness. The list goes on.
- [35:53]
Lexi
So if you want to take the next step in improving your health, go to lumen me ff to get 15% off your lumen that is L u m e n.me/ffg for 15% off your purchase. Thank you Lumen for sponsoring this episode. In the aftermath of Nessa's powers eruption and unmaking Slash killing Brielle, and she and Cassian finally have their true reunion. He's unhurt. He didn't stab himself before he could be released from Briallen's control. Thank goodness. Wasting no time, Nesta tells Cassian with all the love in her heart, you are my mate. Cassie, finally embracing and voicing their bond out loud directly to him. Not just a bellies or even kinda to herself from a week ago when she was at Emory's and planned to start her life with Cassian the next day. And our two lovebirds kiss. But not just any kiss. A mate's kiss. Quote one that set their souls twining glowing. Ah, the mating bond biologically at work as if it's strengthening with this final embrace of the term from Nesta, there's so much unspoken between them, especially from the last time they saw one another when she pushed him away at the Citra. It's like Nesta wants to make it right, completely clear the air as they move forward with this beautiful life together, filled with joy now that they're reunited and survived this whole ordeal. But this warm and fuzzy reunion is cut short. Azrael and Mora land beside them, making the mountain shudder and oh dear, their faces are grave. On the plus side, Eris is safe in the Hewn City and the Maid Dagger is back in the Night Court's possession. So phew, no chance of Koshay getting his hands on it for now, but Feyre has gone into labor two months early. This is really bad and completely shifts the scene. Yes, Nesta may have just defeated Briallyn, and she and Cassian are safely back in each other's arms. However, horrors of a different nature are facing the Inner circle now. Before we move to the next scene, this is a good time to give the trigger warning for traumatic childbirth. And please listen to your comfort level and thank thank you Nicole for taking the lead on this. This is one of my biggest triggers here and we are really going to do our best to navigate the scene by skipping the gruesome details and focus more on our characters and this situation's impact.
- [38:05]
Nicole
Arriving at the River House, it is immediately apparent that death is looming. The house is utterly silent, a place that is normally so full of life it feels like a tomb. It turns out that despite being two months away from giving childbirth, Feyre started bleeding a few hours hours ago, and now the baby is stuck in the birth canal. Feyre is looking white as death, calling back to Feyre, saying how in Acowar the color of death, it was not black, it is white for its lack of color and vibrancy. How very artistic of our art, of our beautiful artists to say so. Feyre and Rhys are stuck in an impossible situation. Magic can continue to try to heal Feyre and stop the bleeding, but this has not been working and the baby's heart is in distance stress. Or option B perform the Prythian C section, which has never been successful and will most likely end in all three lives lost, but Feyre doesn't think twice before opting for the latter, ready to do anything if it means giving her baby a chance to live. Before we go on, let's adjust the huge roar from the fandom of this part of the story. Maja was literally able to put Cassian's intestines back into his body and heal him fully. So why, oh why is a C section such a risk? And for that we go back to our moment in Frost and Starlight, where Feyre was recalling being in pain from her cycle and Maja said that there was nothing for her to do except basically render her unconscious. During our coverage of that, Lexi brought up a really great point that in this world, magical healing systems seem to have different rules when it comes to women's reproductive systems, and it's very risky to use some of our are traditional magical healing remedies.
- [39:42]
Lexi
Yeah, we could go on and on and on about how it doesn't make sense that C sections are not possible in this world, especially when C sections have been a medical procedure in the real world for hundreds of years. So I'm leaning very heavily into my theory that women's reproductive health works vastly different for Fae, specifically in conjunction with magic. Even still, it doesn't add up and it's something we simply have to call out, yell cauldron, boil me. And just move on from. Everyone in the room has conceded the inevitable. Feyre is dying and so is the babe, and so will Rhys. It's a terrifying truth that nobody wants to accept, but this truth is right in front of them and all they can do is weather this storm and be there for one another. Cassian with his hand on Rhys's shoulder. Nesta and Elaine at Farah's bedside with their heads bowed before Rhys goes into Feyre's mind to take away the pain. Pain. As Maja preps for the C section, he tries to say feyre darling, but she refuses his goodbye and insists no goodbyes. Feyre isn't afraid of death, but she also won't give into it with goodbyes. She needs that tiny piece of hope to cling to. We also know from being with Farah throughout the series that she does not like goodbyes. And from Acowar's final battle, there was a desperation when Rhys started giving his goodbyes and she was like you said, no goodbyes. Because there is such finality in goodbye. And despite death at her doorstep right now, and therefore Rhys's too, she can't.
- [41:06]
Nicole
Face goodbyes in regards to them both dying in the bargain. I do want to point out a really good question that one of our listeners, Allison, asked, since Rhys would have been able to break the bond between himself and Feyre back in Acomaf, but obviously he wouldn't because of many, many reasons that we discussed in that coverage. Why can't Rhys and Slash or Feyre break The bond of the death promise bargain that they made to each other. And this is a really great point and I'm wondering if this is just a cauldron. Boil me.
- [41:32]
Lexi
I have an idea and it's getting a little technical here, but I think the first bargain was one Feyre made with Rhys. She was at his mercy with the bargain, so to speak. So it was within his right as the bargain. I'll call it keeper to break it if he wanted. But in this death bargain scenario, they made the bargain together on equal footing. Both bound to the bargain versus the other one where it was Farah bound to Rhys with the bargain. Even if this isn't the case and he could break this bargain, I don't think it ever would have occurred to to him. He never would break the bargain and live while his mate and child died. But I again I really do think that it is about them making this together while the other one was they are making it with Rhys.
- [42:12]
Nicole
Yep, I agree. Seeing her sister near to death after the C section, Rhys screaming as if his soul is being shredded as his mate dies and the baby unmoving and silent in Mor's arms. Nesta can feel death with a capital D hovering nearby. Even describing it it as thick shadows. I love the description that our very own Lady Death is basically sensing the death around her as if it's a beast waiting to pounce on his victims.
- [42:39]
Lexi
I also can't help but think of Kosche, who is a Death God and shrouded in shadow.
- [42:45]
Nicole
Yes, yes. But Nesta thinks about her sister and all the times she saved the Archeron family. Feyre was the one who went out into the woods and risked her life to put food on the table. Mabel. She turned herself into Tamlin and went to Prythian. And when her sisters were captured with Hybern and turned High Fae, she was the one who went to the Spring Court in order to save her mate and family. Feyre has time and time again given up her own life in order to save the one she loves. Feyre's loved and fought for Nesta even when others have given up on her. And Nesta, who deeply loves and cares for her sister in return, despite sometimes having a hard time showing it, is finally ready to step in and save Feyre.
- [43:23]
Lexi
A page ago in Cassian's pov, he thought how no force in the world could stop the death that is about to happen. Nesta, on the other hand, is so closely connected to this power of death that she doesn't view it that way. There may be something she can do to save her sister, who has saved them so many times. In the midst of the chaos, with Rhys needing to physically be restrained, Elaine pleading with Farrah to hold on, Maja shouting at her to fight the looming death, Nesta closes her eyes and opens that place in her soul that had torn free on Romiel. She summons all three trove items from their securely warded locations. And being made, she has the power and connection to these objects that no other magic, not even Helium spells, can keep them from her. When she summons them, Nesta places the crown atop her head. Where is the mask? And cradles the harp. Oh dear. Because no one has ever wielded all three objects and lived together, these three cauldron made objects are immensely powerful and the only reason Nesta is able to wield them is because she is also cauldron made with the same essence of power within her. Like calls to like. It's not actually in the book, but I'm saying it right here. Tapping into her power and the power of the trove, Nesta begins moving toward Feyre's bed and she plucks the 26 string of the harp. Remember what we know about this 26 string, or even 26 realms. As Gwen told us of Meryl's research on different worlds that live on top of one another, with the Last 1, the 26 realm, being time itself, the harp represents these 26 dimensions, where the small strings are for light, movement and leaping. But the longer final ones, such deep wonders and horrors, we could strum into being as the harp sung earlier to Nesta. And we can't forget what Lanthus said about the the harp quote. Everything pays fealty to that harp. Seasons, kingdoms, the order of time and worlds, these are of no consequence to it. And its last string, even death bows to that string. So by plucking this last string of the harp, Nesta activates time itself that even death bows to. She stops time right as Farah breathes her last breath. And while the string makes no sound, it robs the world of any sound, as everything but Nesta goes.
- [45:39]
Nicole
Still, we would not be fantasy fangirls if we did not look up every possible meaning and theory behind this 26 string. And after doing a little digging, I found myself waist deep in string theory at 7:00 last night. And let me tell you, my jaw hit the floor thanks to a Reddit article by Emmy Ego. Emmy Ego strikes again. Not only did they bring in a brilliant theory to our Mass vs Madness coverage in Acomath episode three around Amren, but also a really cool Empyrean signet theory that I obviously won't say any more of because of spoilers. So bless you Emmy Ego. You are on another plane of existence when it comes to intelligence. We will put the link to Emmy Ego's article in the show notes, but please do note that it does bring in mass for spoilers. I, however, am leaving those out of this part of the discussion. I am going to do my darndest to do this jump justice, but I am not a physicist or Emmy Ego, so please do be kind to me as I pull out Like String Theory for Dummies Meryl believes that there are as many as 26 worlds, all living one on top of the other. And as we learn here, the 26th string of the harp, which is absolutely somehow connected to these 26 dimensions, is time itself. Let's move into string theory, though, which is also called the Theory of Evergreen Everything. It is a theoretical framework that is pinpointing that all objects in our universe are composed of vibrating strings of energy. But one of the main hypotheses in string theory is how there are extra dimensions, specifically in space time. 26 dimensions, to be exact, with one of them being, yep, you guessed it, time itself. To tie all this together, string theory is used to also explain the possibility of multiple universes or parallel universes. Also string, harp, string, pluck string, 26 string. That is all I have on string theory, though, because once the word quantum chromodynamics came up in my research, I had to stop before I exploded and became the 27th dimension.
- [47:47]
Lexi
That's really cool. As she feels death enveloping this room, hanging over Feyre and the babe, Nesta wields the mask to halt that too, keeping death at bay from taking her sister and the baby. So we know from this that Feyre does not actually die and come back to life. She is just literally on the very, very cusp of death. And then, between the harp and mask, it stops her from actually dying. Now we have a soft, kind, lovely, familiar voice of the mother whispering to Nesta in the beginning. And in the end there was dark, darkness and nothing more. Now, friends, we have heard this phrase twice before in silver flames. The first time was the prologue of this book, right when Nesta is forced into the cauldron. And the second time was when Nesta scribed for the second time in this book as she searched for the mask while she drifted in liquid night. I'm going to do my best to interpret this phrase, at least as far as I understand it, quote, in the beginning, it indicates the very essence of existence before creation or form, whether that's the world, a soul or a person, or even a transformative journey like Nesta has been on. And then we have, quote in the end, signifying the inevitable destination we all face. Death. It's the nature of life and experiences. Quote There was darkness. We've talked endlessly about the symbolism of darkness in this series. From Feyre learning about the different kinds of darkness, to Nesta understanding that in order to embrace the good, there is darkness to overcome or even allow in the past to receipt. So the way I read this quote there was darkness is that there is a beginning and the end, and along the journey is the darkness. Then we get the final line quote and nothing more, which I think of it as stripping everything else away, leaving existence at a base state like your most raw and true self. It honestly reminds me a lot of Feyre looking into the Ouroboros mirror when she has to face her own darkness to accept herself at her very core. Not unlike what Nessa's journey has been about throughout this book either. As Nessa wields all the trove objects and taps into her power, she is not trying to defeat or outrun this darkness. She is embracing it as part of herself and how it is part of her essence, even when everything else is stripped away, which reflects the cauldron itself too. How it embodies the literal nature of creation, destruction and renewal. So this phrase that the mother speaks represents the the raw cosmic energy of the cauldron itself and therefore Nessa's powers, the source of life and death in this universe.
- [50:14]
Nicole
Would you say that's vibrating string energy that Nesta represents? Because I would.
- [50:19]
Lexi
I'm just gonna be honest here. I love our Acotar series so much in this deep dive. And it is gonna feel easy to talk about Empyrean after this.
- [50:31]
Nicole
What? You're not focused planning on bringing string theory and the cosmic energy?
- [50:36]
Lexi
All I'm gonna say is that in an Empyrean episode, you specifically called out that no one will ever use the Paragium theorem. Can't even say it. And then look at you with Stairmath. So many people have messaged us about that.
- [50:52]
Nicole
I don't get hotter, I just get smarter. Nesta notes how in this moment she feels absolutely nothing as she's wielding all three trove eyes items. Ah, that feeling from the beginning of this book that she's been chasing then with the mask and the power of the Trove, she realized that she could have that lack of feeling at any time. And fearful of that power and how it could be almost like an addiction for her, she decided to put as much distance between herself and that ability. AKA the Trove. Until now, when the stakes of saving Feyre, Rhys and Nyx's life were so much bigger than the fear of her own lack of self control. And in this moment, seeing those around her, her sisters who love her enough to get her out of her own rock bottom, Cassian, her mate who is willing to plunge a dagger into himself before he hurt her. All of it makes her realize that she does not want the oblivion that nothing has to offer. She wants to feel it all. The hurt, the love, the shame, the pain, the joy. As Nesta says to the mother quote we need those things in order to appreciate the good. Some days might be more difficult than others others. But I want to experience all of it. Live through all of it with them. Yet again, this book provides us such another beautiful life lesson reminder.
- [52:11]
Lexi
Almost as if Nesta has passed a test, who has finally embraced what the Mother knew she had in her all along? The Mother whispers back to her quote, so live Nesta Archeron. Part of living is loving. As Nesta has recently realized, it's not about living, but who you live with and how you live. So with the harp's final string still reverberating and holding time still, Nesta takes her sister's hand and the words from her heart pour out. Feyre loved her when no one else would and fought for her even when she didn't deserve it. And Nesta loves her. And it's the first time she has ever said the words out loud, not just to Farah, but to anyone. And now that she said it, she can't stop as she repeats, I love you, I love you, I love you. She loves her sister, who has so fiercely always loved her. Nesta doesn't want her sister to die, and she knows this frozen moment in time will end soon, where death will take Thera away. And Nesta knows she has the power within her to do something about this eminent end. But she hasn't mastered it. She doesn't know how to use it. So with her powers top of mind, Nesta whispers to the cauldron, to the mouth, mother quote if you show me how to save her, you can have it back. She's offering to give her power back to the Cauldron in exchange for her sister's life. Nessa had been terrified of her power for so long and is just now beginning to embrace it, learn to not be afraid of it, even if she still doesn't fully understand it. But she'll give it back in a heartbeat if that means her sister, who she loves, can live. If that means her brother Rhysand, who has offered her kindness even when he didn't want to, can live. If that means her little baby nephew can live and grow up in this beautiful world, so dearly loved the people in her life. All this love in her life is far more important than her powers. And after all, hasn't the cauldron wanted its powers back from Nesta since she stole from it? She's offering it back what it wants, but it's the mother who answers with a soft, invisible hand brushing her cheek just as time resumes again, back to the scene at hand. We're back in Cassian's POV as he sees Nesta suddenly across the room and half laying over Fan Farah, whispering, I give it all back. I give it all back. As she weeps. No silver fire or otherworldly power ablaze anymore. Rhys tries again to lunge for his mate while Cassian and Azriel have been holding him back, but Amren stops him and tells him to listen. He is still beside himself, though, his power rising. This wave of power could destroy the world if Feyre is no longer in it, even if he closely follows her. Earlier, Cassian wondered if he and Az shouldn't be holding Rhys back while magic tried to heal her, and that he should be allowed to be with his mate in both their final moments. And I mean, I agree with this, even though I get that for the chaotic storytelling, they needed to hold him back. But before he was able to follow through with letting Rhys go so he could be with Feyre as she died, Nesta had started wielding the trove objects. But here Amren is telling Rhys to look at the light and calm down.
- [55:09]
Nicole
Because indeed, iridescent light begins flowing out of Nesta's body, and the light floats down Feyre's arms, her legs, her face, and then moves towards more and the tiny bundle in her arms, setting the baby aglow with light shining as bright as the sun.
- [55:27]
Lexi
I love how Cassian can sense a power far beyond his own, beyond any of theirs. The mother is at work here, spiritually, in this very room with them, after Nesta summoned her, for lack of a better, better word, with the trove and her connection with the cauldron.
- [55:42]
Nicole
As the crown and the mask tumble off of Nesta's face. Light explodes into the room, quote blinding and warm. A wind sweeping past them. And as the light fades, Feyre lays suddenly flushed with color and her bleeding stops. And then a whale. Not an actual whale, but the baby is crying. Can you. The baby is crying. No longer small, but a full size fully termed winged boy.
- [56:13]
Lexi
This has me getting a little teary eyed. Like hearing your baby cry for the first time is one of the most magical moments. And it's such a beautiful sound. And no matter what, always a sense of relief that you have brought this child into the world. Like I with my first born, it was a traumatic labor and delivery. And once when he was born, it was just like. I will always remember that moment of like, we did it. We did it.
- [56:41]
Nicole
But surprise Feyre, because as Maja is doing some inspections down under, she notes how Feyre suddenly has developed an Illyrian's anatomy.
- [56:50]
Lexi
The cauldron made this change for Feyre.
- [56:53]
Nicole
But something else happens. As light exploded into the room, a dark, dark ink splashed onto Nesta's back. She has officially made a bargain with a cauldron itself. But what is this tattoo? What is the design? Because we never find out. It's not the eight pointed star. So what? Why don't we ever learn this?
- [57:14]
Lexi
So taking this a step further, this could potentially be a big deal. Nesta's bargain with the cauldron is as follow. It gives her the knowledge to save Farah and the baby. And Nesta gives back her power powers. The knowledge to save Farah and the baby isn't the Illyrian anatomy though, because she already had the C section and the baby has already been out of her and it is in Moore's arms. I'm assuming that this light power that is coming out of Nesta and flowing into Farah and the baby is actually Nesta learning how to use her power to save them. So before she admitted she did not know how to save them. Now she innately does know how to channel the power of death into the power of life. I do want to be clear that I'm not saying this power is now in Farah and the baby. They were just used on them before going back to the cauldron. So we have to ask if Nesta fulfilled her part of this and the cauldron fulfilled its part. Doesn't this technically fulfill the bargain? Except we have to talk about this very important detail about Nesta. Yet Cassian could have sworn a luminescent gentle hand prevented the light from leaving her body altogether. As Nesta makes This bargain with the cauldron to give her power back, the mother takes it upon herself, herself to let Nesta keep a little bit of it. Again, I think it's because she sees the good in Nesta and she is proud as a mother that her child has embraced this life worth living and that she has come into her own on this journey. And the mother deems Nesta worthy of keeping some of this power because of her sacrifice. But going back to the bargain, does this mean the bargain is unfulfilled? Since Nesta did not give back all of her power because the mother ensured she kept some. So does this mean that Nessa still has bargain with the cauldron until she gives back all of her power? Or does the mother's interference not count? And Nesta has fulfilled the bargain with the cauldron, which means the tattoo does not last and it's just like a there it is and then there it's gone.
- [59:02]
Nicole
I'm assuming the first point, like I am leaning towards the bargain is still in play because Nesta has not given all of her power back. So that means that Nesta has this mystery tattoo on her back that I'm assuming we're going to figure out what it is in Act Turn 6, maybe.
- [59:19]
Lexi
So, bargain aside, let's talk about Nessa's remaining power. We don't get confirmation of this as the book wraps up, but I have a feeling that this all consuming power that she previously had is now dialed way down from being almost unmanageable within one person to being more manageable. That will give Nesta a better opportunity to learn how to use it. It also leaves us with a lot of questions about the strength and versatility of Nesta's power. Power like, is Nesta still able to make objects? Can she conjure her cold fire? This power of death? We know she can still wield the Trove based on her saying multiple times after this that she has a crown of her own. What else is Nesta capable of?
- [59:58]
Nicole
Is she also capable of this life giving power still? Because if she does have the power of death, I do also want to adjust. That race is like she's. Her power is death. It's death and life because she is the power of the cauldron. So you know how earlier when Rhys calmed her from her dream and he was like, that was just the surface of it. I think that her power was so incomprehensibly deep that now she just has this little trickle left and it's actually still amount of power that matches with Reese's, etc.
- [60:28]
Lexi
I agree. So before, like I was saying, it was completely unmanageable for it to be within one person. Like Rhys could not even fathom how that was all within within her.
- [60:37]
Nicole
It was the entire premise of this book and how she didn't want to touch her power because it felt so uncontrollable and terrifying.
- [60:43]
Lexi
Exactly. And now she has a better opportunity to learn how to use it.
- [60:47]
Nicole
Yes. God damn it. I need this next book so badly. After taking a moment with his mate and newborn son, Rhys moves over towards Nesta and falls to his knees. Recall back to Acomaf, where Rhys admits that his tattoos on his knees are there to symbolize that he will bow to no one but his court. Then Favorite comes along and he gets on his knees definitely for her too. But this move here is not done lightly. It shows just how grateful Rhysand is for Nesta for saving his mate and child.
- [61:18]
Lexi
You brought up a good point in one episode how Rhys begged on his knees to Helion to help him figure out how to save his mate. And although he went down on his knees to someone else, it was still for famous Feyre. I think this is along the same lines. He is on his knees for the gratitude he feels on behalf of his mate. On his knees once again for Feyre for saving her life.
- [61:38]
Nicole
While we do not get a queen count here, this could also be symbolic of where Nesta's story arc is going. If she does end up being High Queen of the entire lands, Rhys will be kneeling to her. But I don't think that's what this moment is here for. Prominent.
- [61:52]
Lexi
Oh gosh.
- [61:52]
Nicole
Truly, just for the gratitude. And the gratitude that Rhys holds is reciprocated as Nesta throws her arm around her brother and hugs him tightly. Quote Rhysand, her brother. Note that she's still calling him Rhysand, though that's what he was, wasn't he? Her brother who would offer her kindness even when she knew he wanted to throttle her? These two are not perfect by any means. They are so similar to the point where they butt heads regularly and I have a feeling that will continue. But here they found their common ground in realizing that they are indeed, indeed a family above all else. Families don't need to see eye to eye, but here they decide that the love they share for the mutual people in their life is far more important than them both being right or getting their way.
- [62:35]
Lexi
I just love this moment so much and it's so true. Nicole. We've definitely had our fair share of disagreements as sisters and as co hosts whenever we're covering empyrean. But there is one thing I know we can definitely agree on besides most of our acotar theories and that is that we are both obsessed with our Miracle made sheets.
- [62:52]
Nicole
Yes, these sheets are infused with silver that Prevent up to 99.7% of bacterial growth leaving them to stay cleaner and fresher three times longer than other sheets. The other day I was looking over at Brett, I was like should we wash our sheets soon? And he goes, you know these are 99.7% the bacterial growth. And I was like touche sir. Using silver infused fabrics inspired by Natural NASA, Miracle Made sheets are thermal regulating and designed to keep you at the perfect temperature all night long no matter the weather, so you get a better night's sleep every single night.
- [63:25]
Lexi
Miracle sheets are luxuriously comfortable without the high price tag of other luxury brands and feel as nice if not nicer than sheets used by some five star hotels. I swear I look forward to this. Every single evening is that exact moment when I just snuggle up in bed and I feel nice and cozy in my Miracle made sheets.
- [63:40]
Nicole
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- [64:26]
Lexi
A happy ending for Farah, the baby and Rhys. Let's say hi to Gwen and Emery again. They've been waiting in one of the parlors of the River House, still in their torn and blank bloody clothes from the blood rite, but magically all healed. Turns out when they touched the onyx monolith at the top of Romiel, it transported them straight here to the River House and also completely healed them. As we discussed last episode, the onyx monolith not only winnows the winner away from the top of the mountain, it also heals every wound of who touches the stone the moment they are whisked away. Gwyn notes that she thinks the stone brought them here of all places. Because it's where they were needed. Needed most. Instead of, say, back to Windhaven, where they were initially taken. I love this mysterious and powerful magic of the Onyx Monolith. And I definitely think we'll learn more about it, how it came to be here, what its role in history is in a future book. Because the fact that its ancient power takes you where you're needed most and completely heals you. I'm increasingly convinced it's got a direct connection to the Cauldron and some otherworldly power. And it was very important to the Daglan.
- [65:27]
Nicole
Yep. You and I are so in agreement there. Now, remember when these three parted ways. Nest to hit the magic pressure point button on Gwen, causing her to go unconscious, despite Nesta's promises to have them all face the ending battle with Bellies together. So naturally, Gwyneth is a little pissed off. She says to Nesta, quote, I should never forgive you. Note that it is not I will never forgive you, insinuating that she will absolutely forgive Nesta for what she did, but she definitely hasn't forgotten it. But why is forgiveness a given between these three? Because they are a family. There is so much love between the three of them. Especially, as Nesta says, forgiveness is for a later date. Let's celebrate your victory in the Right.
- [66:09]
Lexi
Nessa turns to Emery, concerned for the repercussions for her friend with what happened in the Right. Will Emery's family, like her uncle, punish her for what happened to her cousin Bellious? I love the little detail that Nesta's first instinct is to pay the family a visit with the Dread Trove. She's so protective of her friend. But damn, Nesta, I don't think you need to go. The full might of the Trove Trove. To destroy a few terrible Illyrian males like Ataraxia will do just fine.
- [66:35]
Nicole
Quote.
- [66:36]
Lexi
Which is why the Trove should be kept far away from her. I gotta agree. My goodness. I mean, don't get me wrong, her family deserves it. But still. At this moment, Mor is winnowing the three Trove objects back to the place Nesta had summoned them from. We know that the mask was being held at the Moonstone palace, guarded by helium spells that Nesta easily broke through. But we don't know where the heart harp and the crown were being kept, because they specifically said they need to be kept in different areas.
- [67:01]
Nicole
I do also just want to point out if we're looking at the more might become a traitor theory. More taking the whole Dread Trove Alone could be a nod to that as well.
- [67:12]
Lexi
Interesting. So while Nessa can retrieve the Trove anytime she wants, she still mindfully wants them to be kept away from her. She doesn't trust the power they give and what she would do with that power. Back to Nest's question to Emery though, because Emery brushes it off. Deaths happen all the time in the right bellies fell in combat. After all, one of his fellow warriors turned on him during the hike up Romul. Right. Establishing that the truth of what really happened on the mountain will stay a secret between only those who need to know, which does include the inner circle. Nesta shares what happened briefly to catch them up. However, there will still be some moments that Nesta keeps private for just her and her sisters in arms. They have earned that in their circle of trust. And it's so wonderful that they have this even deeper bond of their shared experience that only they know the full details of all of this. To say Bellis's fight with Nesta will not be common knowledge among the Illyrians. I would include Briallyn's involvement in all of that as well. However, there is more of a paper trail with that. And we don't find out how much the Illyrians learn about Briallyn's interference. For instance, I doubt it'll stay a secret that weapons were smuggled into the the Right. And of course Cassian technically broke the law by coming into the Right when he wasn't supposed to. Nesta thinks quote, Cassian had clearly been brought into the Right against his will. Hopefully no one would ever challenge that fact. Two things we can gather from this. Number one, there's no way for his arrival to Romul to stay a secret, which makes me believe there is some magic at play. But number two, at the same time, breaking the law does not magically sentence Cassian to death. At if it's a bargain, like we had questioned a few episodes ago. Since it's a technicality that should be overlooked by the Illyrians, I'm going to assume this means that while there might be intrude or intrudial or a magic where it's unavoidable to pretend Cassian was never there, it's the Illyrians who would judge the injustice and carry out the executions, if that makes sense. And since Cassian was forced against his will, it shouldn't count that he broke the law. I feel like this would be a little more complicated than the end of our story makes it out to be. Considering how much the Illyrians Hate Cassian. They would probably love an opportunity to strike down their bastard born leader, technicality or no. But I do think this is SJM's way of waving the complexities away for our happy ending. Not to mention Emery speculates that the Illyrians will be furious about these two females winning. I know we've wondered on the podcast these last few episodes if this will be a source of conflict moving forward with the Illyrians. I could see them pretending like it doesn't count and refusing to acknowledge their win. Since the females don't plan on using their Illyrian warrior titles of Corinthian and intend to lean on their pride in being Valkyrie, I can actually see this issue canceling itself out. The Illyrians are upset, but because the females don't care, the conflict of whether this counted fizzles out.
- [69:59]
Nicole
I could almost see it that way. Or the antithesis where because they don't care, they're like. It's almost that double slap in the face, right? But I think ultimately this will all depend on how much time there is between where the end of this book happens and when Acotar 6 picks up. If it's less than a year later, aka less than the amount of time that another blood rite can take place, I. I could see this being a subplot F, definitely not A, B or C. But if it's longer than a year, I definitely think this is just gonna be brushed under the rug and. And continued.
- [70:33]
Lexi
We do have to consider how Frost and Starlight left off with the Illyrians very pissed off and all of that kind of of stuff. And then by the start of Silver Flames, it was all resolved.
- [70:42]
Nicole
So I think, you know how they're like the Illyrians take so long to. To change. I think yes, change happens very, very lengthy for them. But maybe holding a grudge not so.
- [70:53]
Lexi
I don't know. They're still pissed at Cassie and then Azriel and Rhys.
- [70:58]
Nicole
The Illyrians anger is not going to get our trio down though, because at the end of the day, Emery and Gwen have no no desire to be associated with them. Like Lexi mentioned. Instead, they would rather be called a Valkyrie through and through. Huzzah. This does go back to my question with ACOTAR6 and where it starts. I do wonder if these three will have more recruits for the Valkyries reborn and as they're gaining more and more in numbers because I see them having their own, I'll call it training program, but maybe doing some kind of training with the Illyrians eventually. I don't think it'll happen happen while Devlin is in charge. But Bazaar definitely I could see him leading a training unit of I love how we're just convinced that Balthazar is going to be like the oh God, the ceiling breaker of.
- [71:48]
Lexi
I love that idea. We also do have to take into consideration the priestesses and their readiness with going out into the world.
- [71:58]
Nicole
That's why I wonder if it's going to be not only priestesses, but we do know from our Frost and Starlight coverage though, that there are people in Valeris who wanted to go and fight and sadly did not come home from the war. So I could see some of them wanting to go and like become part of the Valkyries Reborn.
- [72:13]
Lexi
I would love that too, because that would be Nesta really embracing Velaris as well and its people and community that she's been scared of since her rock bottom and really bringing that in with the Valkyrie. I do also definitely think that Illyrian females will find inspiration by what these females accomplished in the blood. Right. Doesn't matter what the males think. And that they will also want to participate and become Valkyries as well.
- [72:38]
Nicole
Feminine Ominon. I love it.
- [72:41]
Lexi
But back to the baby giving you all the chunky cheeks, the newborn smell, and these tiny velvet wings. He has dark hair with blue eyes that already glow with his father and mother's starlight. Farah and Rhys have named him Nyx. And he's just the cutest, most beautiful baby there ever was.
- [72:58]
Nicole
Whenever I hear like, back to the baby, I always think of the Mandalorian. I would like to see the baby.
- [73:06]
Lexi
I just get baby fever.
- [73:10]
Nicole
That is a conversation for you and Jake to have.
- [73:12]
Lexi
Oh, no, that. We've already had that conversation there. I am going to enjoy other people's babies. Babies. I have mine.
- [73:19]
Nicole
In another bonus chapter of this book, Rhys and Feyre start throwing around some baby name ideas. There's the thought of naming him after Feyre's father, which she likes the idea, but maybe more of a middle name. But what's Papa Archeron's first name? We will never know, apparently.
- [73:35]
Lexi
I am convinced we will find out in a later book. Like Koshe or Vassa will just casually drop it in and we'll be like, aha.
- [73:42]
Nicole
Ah, yes. When Bob did that one thing. No, we already have a Bob. That's the Book of Breathings. But Feyre mentions how their son could also have Rhys's family name, to which Rhys replies, quote, let's not talk about my family name. Sarah J. Maas Why? This is cruel. So they decide on their baby. Having a name of his own. And Rhys suggests Nyx, which he says is an ancient night goddess, which is one of the moments where our world and the Prythian world are connected. Because in Greek mythology, Nyx is a goddess and personification of night. And she's also a little spooky. She is the offspring of chaos. She also produces only children who are the personifications of primarily negative forces. And in the Iliad, she is described to even make Zeus quake in his boots. Spoopy.
- [74:37]
Lexi
This inner circle family already loves little Nyx so much. I mean, none of us ever doubted it. But to read Cassian thinking how his heart is full to bursting, you can feel all the love shining through the pages, and there's truly no love like love for a baby. Cassie. Insane quote. You have no idea how much trouble this one is going to get into. And poor Reese is still rattled and pale from the traumatic ordeal. I actually appreciate that little detail. He saw his mate be a breath away from death again, which we've heard from chapter 54. What it did to him last time, when Farah really did die. Yes, this is a wonderful, happy ending, but it doesn't make the horror of what happened just be forgotten. I just want to hold space for Rhys and those of us who have experienced trauma where it might all work out, but it still impacts us for potentially a long time afterward. Here with Nyx, my heart hurts for as with the way he winces when the baby is handed to him and his scarred hands. Oh, as you really need your own healing journey book.
- [75:37]
Nicole
God, I'm so excited for whenever that comes.
- [75:40]
Lexi
This family has always had each other. They have been through thick and thin over the centuries. And now there is a new addition. And I'm just so excited for this new chapter of their lives. Like Cassian said, they are definitely going to get into a lot of trouble. And he and as are going to be the ones teaching him all of the things I have to wonder. When do you think Nicks is going to be invited to the snowball fight? Or is he going to be like, no, I need that to be my guy time?
- [76:03]
Nicole
Oh, no, I see reason fighting him for sure. I don't think until he's like. Like, I'm gonna put it in human years, because I don't know what this would be in Faye years. Like, I would assume, like, around six or seven.
- [76:13]
Lexi
I agree. I agree. Oh. But it's time for Cassian and Nessa to have a moment together after Everything that's happened. Their last moment after defeating Briallyn was interrupted by Farah dying. And now that's got its happy ending. They can finally have their conversation. First, Cassian asks if her power is really gone. To which Nesta explains that she gave it back in exchange for the knowledge of how to save them. But a little remains. The mother stopped the Cauldron from taking it all. And Farah isn't the only one who now has an Illyrian womb. Remember that this change was not technically the knowledge of how to save them, as Nesta bargained with because she had a C section. And so it must have been Nest's power of life that brought them back. And then she made these changes to ensure the family doesn't have to go through this ordeal again.
- [76:57]
Nicole
I do also wonder if when she changed to an Illyrian anatomy, a lot of the bleeding stopped, at least.
- [77:03]
Lexi
Yes. Oh, you're right.
- [77:04]
Nicole
The bleeding had stopped.
- [77:06]
Lexi
Yes. There were multiple issues going on, and that was one of the things that helped. Yes. So wait, this means Nessa got her own Illyrian womb too? And Cassie. And jumping to conclusions is like, you're.
- [77:16]
Nicole
Ready to have a baby?
- [77:18]
Lexi
No, no, no. Hold your horses, Cassie. And you sound like my mother in law asking if Jake and I are going to have more children. I say that lovingly. My mother in law is wonderful. And no, we are done with two. Nessa is looking ahead to the future, which feels so full of possibilities and hope and love. She's not ready right now for a baby, but when the time is right, her body will be able to handle a baby with wings. I just love this Nesta, who is looking ahead to the unknown and knows that she has her mate by her side for the journey ahead. I wonder if by the end of the Acotar series, so a few books from now, if they will end up with a baby because Cassian is a dad. Oh, my God.
- [77:55]
Nicole
Oh, my God.
- [77:56]
Lexi
I'd be done for anyway. Cassian processes how Nesta gave back most of her power and what that means. He carefully lets her know that. That she could have ruled the world with her power. And she's like, damn it, you tell me this now? Then I totally would have kept my power and let that family of three die. Just kidding. She assures her mate that she doesn't want to rule the world. All she wants is him. In a page or so. She'll even say she already has a crown. She just wants Cassian. This scene right here could debunk our whole prediction about how Nesta will resurrect the 8th court, the dust Court court, or that she'll become High Queen. If anything, I feel like it shows that she doesn't need any of it to feel complete. But I'll share more of my thoughts with all of that in mass. First Madness. I believe first and foremost, Nesta is a warrior. And if she becomes a ruler in her own right, it will be another kind of self discovery journey for her to embark on where she learns how to embrace what she is destined to be.
- [78:53]
Nicole
So I have a question for you. The queen counts. All the queen mentions the foreshadowing. Do you think it's been leaked leading up to her getting the crown of the Dread Trove by the end of this book? And all of that was for naught.
- [79:05]
Lexi
There sure is a lot of emphasis with her already having a crown, but I don't know. Not really.
- [79:12]
Nicole
I don't think so.
- [79:12]
Lexi
I think this is a hill that I am willing to die on. It would feel pretty anticlimactic if all of the queen foreshadowing is just for her to be the wielder of the crown, which is only one of the three Dread Troubles objects. I'm not discounting its power, but it would feel anticlimactic if that was all kind of thing. Especially with the eight pointed star.
- [79:33]
Nicole
We've also been leaning into this queen. Queen, Queen, Queen, Queen without a crown Queen. She looks like a queen for not just this book, but for the entire series. And I don't think SJM had the idea of the Crown of the Dread Trove in Acomaf when this was already happening. I think that she had the idea of Nesta possibly resurrecting the 8th court. That. Because that just feels so monumental and huge. And you make a great point about the eight pointed star. Oh, what's on the floor of the prison? The eight pointed star.
- [80:03]
Lexi
So yes, back to the eight pointed star. It's significant to the prison and it was on her back. That is not a coincidence. And we know also with the eight pointed star being in the prison, she was brought to that location by the harp, which she also has a direct connection to because she is made. And we also cannot forget that the COVID of this book is a setting sun that we assume represents the dusk.
- [80:25]
Nicole
With them both having accepted and definitely consummated the mating bond. There's only one more mating tradition to do. With no canned soup around, Nesta offers Cassian two food options. Number one, here's a stale pocket biscuit that Nesta swiped off a tray in the birthing room. Or two. A disgustingly ornate mating ceremony. Me with a formal food offering. You would not have to tell me twice.
- [80:52]
Lexi
I have a bone to pick with this biscuit from the birthing room. Where is the sushi? After I give birth, the last thing I want is a biscuit. I want all the sushi. I want a burger. I want donuts. I want everything.
- [81:08]
Nicole
Sushi is such an interesting. No.
- [81:12]
Lexi
Are you kidding me? I. That was my first meal after both of my children. Because I couldn't eat raw food when I was pregnant. And I love sushi. And I had so much sushi once when I could again.
- [81:22]
Nicole
That makes a lot of sense. I will not judge you. I would be like. You know when you get off the ski slopes and you're like, I want a burger and a beer. That's the only. Yes.
- [81:30]
Lexi
That's another thing. I think that was probably my second meal.
- [81:34]
Nicole
Not that I am equating skiing with giving birth. I want to be very clear.
- [81:40]
Lexi
You don't even ski. Anyway.
- [81:41]
Nicole
Nicole, before we get into Cassian's decision and what it entails, I want to take a second and highlight how this is not just the act of offering a mate food. Remember, just a few chapters ago, Nesta rejected the idea of the mating bond. She did not reject the mating bond. But she instead said she didn't want to give up her humanity and give in wholly to this Fae thing. It also scared her that this is a huge unknown. What if she falls back into her a hole of self destruction and she takes him down with her? And obviously she doesn't want that. But going through the rite, Nesta accepted the thought of the unknown. So long as she was living it alongside Cassian. This action here is saying. I accept you as my mate. And I accept my life as a full Fae now. So yay. Nesta. And Cassian's decision is. Quick quote. We'll make a coronation of it. Ness. Aw.
- [82:34]
Lexi
He'd do anything for his girl.
- [82:36]
Nicole
Girl.
- [82:36]
Lexi
Because he knows she deserves the whole ornate mating ceremony. She is his queen who deserves it all. And oh what a mating ceremony it will be. As we'll learn in chapter 80. Their mating ceremony will take place some weeks after Farah and the baby have recovered and spring is in full bloom. It'll be an intimate ceremony at the temple on the River House grounds. Nessa might have said ornate, but she doesn't want big crowds. This will be for her, her mate and their loved ones to wait witness. The temple will be bedecked in flowers of every variety, enchanted against wilting. I love that little magical detail. And silks and lace and candles. Rhys is about to be overflowing with gratitude for Nesta saving his family's life. And their agreement will be for him to stop gifting her all sorts of nonsense and just throw them an extravagant mating ceremony. So he will take that to heart, ensuring it will be the finest mating ceremony ever seen. I love this little bit of humor. Humor. Rhys and Nesta have always had their attentions, and there's still oil and water, so I don't think that will ever fully go away. But there is this joy and even humor between them now, with Rhys showering her with presence as his never ending thank you. It feels more like the Reese we knew before. He's coming back into his own because his mate is alive and he got his happily ever after. And the Reese that we know and love is coming back here. Do you hear that, Nicole? Are you feeling a little bit better?
- [83:54]
Nicole
I would feel better if it wasn't. Wasn't like three pages, but sure.
- [83:59]
Lexi
And then there is Rhys's last gift to the newly mated couple. The House of Wind. Since the house has decided it likes Nesta more than anyone else, it will now be theirs, which. Ah, this feels so perfect. Nesta had been so scared of having to return to Velaris, and she has grown to love the house. And it was her first friend. At the beginning of this book, she mentioned how she didn't know the meaning of a home because she never had one. But the house has become her home, and now it's permanently her home and officially theirs. And I just love it.
- [84:29]
Nicole
With their mating ceremony decided, Nesta has only one more thing to say to Cassian. She tells him that she loves him. Oh, Nesta has just had her huge revelation with the trove that she wants to feel everything, even the big scary emotions that previously she would have run in the other direction. From here, she offers him the same big emotion that she offers offered to Feyre. Maybe this is just the sisterly love in me, but I love that she says it to Feyre first. Someone who we readers have spent so much time not only in her pov, but like in her heart, in everything. And we have seen Nesta and Feyre butt heads since the very beginning. And then she says I love you to her mate. Now we do have to address very quickly the very popular Internet theme theory that is Nesta and Cassian are not truly mates because Cassian never says I love you back. We Never theory. Shame here, but I am going to debunk this theory is what I'm going to do. He does not say I love you with words. That is true, but we have gotten so many mentions of him saying it with his eyes, his touch. The very consummating of the mating on Solstice was very, very prominent. So I have a really hard time even stipping a toe into this theory. Plus, this entire book was about two people coming together, being mates in this love story. I don't think it would be fair or good storytelling to do from an author standpoint to just rip that out from under us readers. Also, this book was all about Nesta coming into her own deep, deep feelings. So it does feel symbolic to just focus on the big deal that it is for her to say I love you to someone rather than have it be reciprocated.
- [86:12]
Lexi
It's like Cassian doesn't need to say it because he's been saying it this entire book.
- [86:16]
Nicole
Exactly.
- [86:17]
Lexi
But you all remember that red headed Fae male who was just rescued from Briallyn? Yeah, we're not done with Eris yet. Two days after Nyx's birth, Cassian knows someone needs to check in with Eris, who's hanging out in a suite in the Hewn City. And yep, Cassian's the one to have this little checkup with Eris. Immediately after the rescue a few days ago, we do get confirmation that Eris Aerys was safe in the Hewn City. However, he has clearly had some communication with his father, which I always took as it being back in the Autumn Court. But no matter what, Aerys is now back here in the Hewn City. So I've taken this as Aerys has come back to the Hewn City because he was summoned so our crew can find out what Aerys told Baron about his kidnapping. So Aerys gives his update. Yes, he revealed to his father that the Night Court rescued him. But to cover up that Aerys is allied with the Night Court, he told his father that as Azriel's spies informed him that a valuable asset had been kidnapped by Briallyn. So the Night Court, thinking this valuable asset was one of their friends from another Court, they came to the rescue. And then they were disgusted to find out that the valuable asset was actually Eris. But they were there anyway, so they helped Eris get out of Briellen's clutches.
- [87:29]
Nicole
Eris seems to reveal a little too much in this meeting though, mentioning how now it's always important to mix truth and lies in Enemy torture.
- [87:39]
Lexi
Skrt. What's that?
- [87:41]
Nicole
Eris. Eris was born into every luxury and privilege of a High Lord son on paper. Because just as we learned from Tamlin and Rhys, being a High Lord son is not always an easy life. Here we get more insight to Eris's upbringing and his family life, further helping us put the pieces together about how he ended up this way. Way so steely, cunning, smooth. And underneath all of that is jealousy of what this Night Court has, which is a family. Sadly, it is not entirely surprising to learn that Baron tortured this information out of his son. What a snake. Given what we know about how he treated Lucian, he killed Jasminda, how he hurts and beats his wife. This dude sucks. And I cannot wait for him to will get offed in this because there's no way he's living through the series.
- [88:33]
Lexi
Why is he not dead yet? Can't we just take Baron off the board so we can stop worrying about this looming war that he is clearly part of and work with whatever the political ramifications are? I mean, anybody in Pertheon is going to be that upset that Baron dies. Like, yes, there are going to be some people in the Autumn Core, but then Eris is going to rise up. And I feel like when there's a transition of power, no matter what, there is going to be some stuff, as we learned with Tamlin and even Rhys. So, yes, there will always be political ramifications, but I feel like that's a lot better than this whole, you know, war that he's trying to start.
- [89:07]
Nicole
Yes, they're literally like, we have to protect against the looming war. I'm like, you know what would easily do that and solve all of your problems? Killing Baron.
- [89:17]
Lexi
So our frustrations really do make me wonder, why is Baron being kept alive by Esther JM here? I think so too. Yes. Yes. I'm leaning more and more into this and how there's going to be a blood duel, specifically between Baron and Aerys, and how that'll be his climactic end, because something has to go down with Baron needing to be alive still in the story. And I do think that there is going to be something between him and Eris and it's going to cause the blood duel outright, where Eris is able to finally just be like, all right, that's it. I'm doing this here.
- [89:49]
Nicole
However, it is worth highlighting that despite, despite being tortured by his father, Eris still kept his alliance with the Night Court a super secret, showing that, yes, for his own personal gain, but he is truly on their side, even though he does not like them.
- [90:05]
Lexi
I think it might not be so much not liking them as it is being jealous of them. And his bullying nature really stems from that because also of how he was raised.
- [90:16]
Nicole
Yes, I. Yeah, I agree completely. Completely.
- [90:18]
Lexi
Cassian finally asks Eris directly why did he leave more in the woods that day those 500 years ago. Cassian's not asking what happened from Eris's side of the story like we've gotten a version of in other parts of the series. He's asking why. Because Cassian is realizing Aerys is not the kind of male who would be so cold hearted and leave someone so broken to die in the woods. So why did he do it? Eris replies with a version of his answer he stuck to throughout the series when fate faced with this discussion, quote, you're not the person I want to explain myself to. He wants to have this discussion with more the one person who is not willing to talk to him about this incident. We've speculated so much about what it is Eris has to say to Moore and what the truth is that she won't reveal. So I won't go into too much detail here and repeat myself. I am going to say I'm sticking by my belief that he refused to touch her because it would have been a magical binding and he wanted her to be free and that he probably knows her secret that she prefers females. But I sincerely believe there's there's a few more layers to the story. Whether it's that Eris prefers males or something else with some political tie ins. I'm not entirely sure there's more to.
- [91:25]
Nicole
This story and we've guessed at it throughout our entire ACOTAR coverage. And I feel like this is very much where we can guess, I'll say even 40% of it. But there is 60% of this information that we have no idea what it could possibly be until we get this story. Cassian may not enjoy Eris's company, we'll say, but this information does help him him understand that beneath it all, the politics, the hard exterior he needed to survive in his own court and not get got said plainly. Eris is a dreamer, someone who is truly a good person. And as Cassian says, he grew up around monsters and Eris is not even close to being one of them. But he's just too much of a coward to act like a good person. I love that little side dig at the end. I would argue that if Eris acted like the good person he truly is, his Father would probably see him as weak, coward and kill him for being said weak and coward and kill him. So being a coward is more like self preservation for Eris, at least for right now. We're definitely not done seeing the better side of this. Hopefully soon to be Autumn Court High Lord. But this does bring me to a question. Do you think we're going to see this Aerys mystery solved in the next Akato book? Because we know that Acotar is slated for at least two more books and a novella at least, and many people speculate that the novella is going to be more story. So I would assume that Eris's story would be wrapped up with more specific story. But would that be in a novella, do you think?
- [92:59]
Lexi
I'm leaning toward yes, it would be wrapped up with more story. If we get her story. There's so much emphasis on how this is about more having to face certain truths and that this is between her and Eris. So if we get a more novella or a more POV in an upcoming book, that's absolutely when I think we'll learn about this. There's just so much set up for this mysterious truth that we have to get it at some point and I can't help but think it will have to involve something that applies to the present story. Otherwise it's a historical mystery solved and everyone just kind of moves on. And it could just be a few paragraphs and it feels bigger than that. Nothing groundbreaking like completely shifting a plot or a huge plot twist or something like that. But it is more applicable to our characters in the present time. That helps them make some future decisions too.
- [93:50]
Nicole
Yes, I think within the next Acotar book we're gonna get. I'm assuming we're gonna get like maybe going with my percentages, like 10% more information. And then whenever this conversation does happen with more, which I do think is going to be a novella or a subplot, I don't know if we're gonna get a more POV full book. Like we have a nest of full book here. I just don't see that happening.
- [94:10]
Lexi
I agree. And SJM has recently said that the book is really long and we have been wondering how in the world she is going to fit all these different storylines. This is one small storyline compared to some of the bigger ones. So I'm not expecting this to be resolved by any means or to get a more POV in the next book. There's just too much else that needs to happen. Yes, I. I'm on the boat that More will have a novella and it will be addressing this here and this would be the big plot line with it. As we wrap up our time here so far in the series with Eris, I'd like to take a moment and look at what he represents in the story, because Eris is a very interesting character, especially as we've gotten to know him here. More in Silver Flames He's a big political player and one of the few characters who really knows the game of complex Fae politics and maneuvering while also being a dreamer in his own right. As you were saying, he wants a better future for his court, for those who deserve it, and for prisoners. Prythian there's definitely some parallels even between him and Rhys when you view it this way, but unlike Rhys, Eris hasn't had a loving family. He's a product of his growing up, like Reese's, but one that is void of familial love, connection and support. Of course, I do believe that he has a good relationship with his mother, but think about his brothers and his father and what he's seen his father do to his mother. It is terrible. And also, we know that the people of the Autumn Court are known for their cunning and kind of being at Aeris is a victim of his environment and had to adapt to these hostilities. He's resilient, strategic, and emotionally guarded. He just didn't learn how to be cunning and politically savvy because he was raised to be an heir, he had to learn how to wear his own bad guy mask and play the game well to survive, making sure he hides his own vulnerabilities in the process. We can't forget how he and his brothers have been pitted against each other, each fighting to be the strongest and the most powerful. And Eris, for instance, learned how to shield from Demotti powers, but oh no, he forgot to teach his ruthless brothers how to do that too. But at the same time, he did help Lucien escape to safety and refuse to partake in the brutal murder of his little half brother's lover because he knew Lucian was better than his other brothers and not a threat to Eris in the first place. Meanwhile, we have Rhys, Az and Cassian, who banded together as brothers and made each other stronger. Eris never once had such an opportunity, and his behavior and motives reflect that. He's an enigmatic character who we initially hated but have come to learn is more multidimensional and there's so much more to him, and I think there's a lot more that we will find out about him as we've been talking about, especially as it relates to more and him eventually becoming High Lord of Autumn.
- [96:46]
Nicole
Spring is in full bloom as our story comes to a close. However, there is one more thing that Nesta Archeron has to do. Joining her sisters and nephew for a walk outside the city one day Day Heading to the top of a grassy hill, the Archeron sisters and Nyx visit a lone stone, her father's grave. It's the first time that Nesta has come to see it. After his death, Feyre turned his body into ashes, but she had this stone carved in his name. So on the outskirts of the city, on a wildflower covered hill, this marble headstone rests. Feyre steps forward to the grave marker showing her newborn to the stone with the words, quote your grandson, Father. She takes a moment to whisper to him, followed closely by Elain, who Elaine, similarly to Feyre, goes to whisper a few words to him that Nesta cannot hear. Elaine, we know, visits Papa Archeron at least once a month, so her visit with him is quite short and sweet. And then the two sisters turn to Nesta.
- [97:43]
Lexi
This is a big moment for Nesta, as we know how much she has struggled with her father's death and her guilt and his love for her, despite how much she hated him and her feelings of responsibility for letting him die when we understand that's not the case. Like Embry pointed out before climbing Romiel, that it wasn't her fault. Here Nesta is on the other side of her healing journey and finally able to accept who she is, forgive herself for what she's done, and move forward with love in her heart and hope for the future. At her father's grave by herself, with her sister stepping away to give her some privacy, Nesta doesn't have the words she feels. Feels like she should offer an explanation or an apology. But none come because ultimately I don't think any are necessary.
- [98:25]
Nicole
I love how there's this sun warmed hand on her shoulder, quote as if telling her that the apology, the begging for forgiveness, it was no longer needed. It's almost like the mother here is saying all is well, Nesta Archeron.
- [98:38]
Lexi
And maybe she didn't deserve her father's love back then, when he died for her with love in his heart. But Nesta recognizes that maybe she does deserve it now and will live this life to continue earning that love. Not just her father's love, but all of those around her for Cassian, because she deserves love and is worthy of it. And in her heart she finally understands that and that is so moving and impactful as the story closes. And I love how she takes the small carved rose that he made and sets it on the gravestone, quote a permanent marker of the beauty and good he'd tried to bring into this world. Because Nessa knows that he did try, in his own way, the best he could. Even if sometimes the best he could do was sleep on the cot by the fire in their cottage while giving his daughters the comfort of the bed.
- [99:23]
Nicole
This book ends in the most perfect way. Not with a big life changing sentence or a huge cliffhanger that we've come to expect from Romantasy, but with a seemingly normal line quote, her steps light as she hurried down the the hill to meet them. Them meaning her sisters. However, we readers and Nesta know that this sentence is anything but ordinary. She has fought for 751 pages for that lightness and I would argue even much longer than that. For the joy in her heart, for the excitement that she has, for the knowledge that some days will be hard but she will still fight. And of course for her mate, her love, her friend who offers her the joy and a future that she wants to keep working towards. For one moment let us return back to the beginning of this book. Nesta had given up. She had a heaviness about her that she brought everywhere. She pushed others away and feared her own reflection. She had no knowledge of any light days, only bleak. She so desperately wanted to feel nothing but the numbness she could only sate with sex or alcohol. This book and Nesta's Journey might not be your favorite, and that's okay. But what this journey can teach all of us is that our hardest days and our darkest times, they are not forever. They are a chapter in our lives, not the whole book. But what is up to us is to put in the work. To wake up and choose differently, little by little. Because change does not happen overnight. It comes in these minuscule degrees of changing that cumulate every single day. And if we put in the work and open our hearts to the good thing that the world can bring, then possibly in 751 pages we can all be running down the hill to meet the life we've created.
- [101:06]
Lexi
And there you have it friends.
- [101:08]
Nicole
Oh, I just got chills hearing you say that.
- [101:11]
Lexi
We started this Acotar series deep dive on February 26, 2024. And here we are on December 23rd at the end of this road. For now while we still have our wrap up ACOTAR AMA episode in two weeks. Because remember, no new episode next week on December 30th as we take a break for the holidays. We'd love to do what we do at the end of every book and share our final thoughts about it after these 11 episodes of Deep Diving it. So this will be specific to Silver Flames with our wrap up episode focused on the series and this 11 month deep dive journey.
- [101:42]
Nicole
So I went into this book knowing that Nessa's journey would absolutely shake me to my core. And I am not gonna lie, it was even more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Her realness, her rawness, it was hard to root for sometimes and she got her fair share of Ls, but it was so human. And I really enjoyed Deep Diving and I really appreciated more the journey that SJM wrote. And on the flip side, I knew going into this Deep Dive that there were going to be some challenging storylines that I would have some hard times with. But above all, I was ready to stand by my man Rhys and fight for him through and through. And that all went out the window about halfway through. It's not that his choices were unrealistic. There were many moments that we could justify in some form or fashion. And by we I mean Lexi because I was too irate to start, but it was more of just how he was, not the Reese that we know and love from specifically Acomaf and I. I almost started rereading A Court of Mist and Fury so that I could remind myself myself why Rhysand is my number one book boyfriend and why I love this man so much. All of this to say, the plot aspects that I was expecting to have to grasp at straws for actually flowed easier than I thought. And overall I was already foaming at the mouth for ACOTAR 6. But deep diving this book and looking at all of these little moments that you and I love to look at, being like, oh my God, that could be a clue. It made me even more excited to see what could possibly come of about in the next ACOTAR book.
- [103:17]
Lexi
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I knew going into this book that Nessa's character development is my favorite of any book that I've ever read. I know I said that in episode one, but Deep Diving it made me appreciate Nesta and this journey and her character development on a whole new level. Her growth is inspiring and her fears are relatable. I've personally connected with Nesta more than I already did and and looking inward at my own healing journey in ways that I didn't anticipate. I think I cried more covering this book than any other in the year. Plus that fantasy fangirls has been around and it's often felt like one big therapy session. And I know a lot of you have thought the same thing with your comments back to us. So really and truly everyone, thank you so much for being on this journey with us, for all the kindness pouring in where you can relate to our vulnerability to and we've also heard from so many of you that this deep dive has given you new perspective on Nessa's character and that really means a lot because she is a difficult character to root for. Like Nicole said at the points and to analyze and we were honestly nervous to cover this book and do her complicated character justice. This book has really been the best kind of challenge and it's wonderful to hear how many of you have resonated or opened your eyes to to the depth of Nessa's character, no matter your personal feelings about her as a person, because we completely understand that she is divisive. And of course this book has been particularly fun for me because of my boy Cassian. I really do feel for you with Rhys Nicole, because I've just been kicking my feet and falling even more in love with Cassian. I feel bad for even saying this right now to you. He has the biggest heart. He may be impressed, perfect, but he is so empathetic and supportive and I really love his and Nessa's relationship and the growth that they experienced to get to this beautiful ending.
- [105:11]
Nicole
At least I have a certain someone in Spark of the Ever Flame and Zane Ryerson of course to look forward to as we cover Empyrean and spend the Kindred saga. Why is it coming back to me?
- [105:23]
Lexi
Cassian is just like my number one. Like there is this no competing with him. I love him so stinking much. Also, like Unicole, I was rather surprised how much I've enjoyed the plot part of this book. In episode one we were both saying how we really felt like the plot was lacking and that it was sacrificed for Nesta's development. And I think that there were less cauldron boil me moments than I thought we would have. Although I'm not saying we didn't have any of them, we definitely did, but not as many as I thought. I do stand by feeling like some of the other characters, especially Feyre and probably Rhys too, were sacrificed as two dimensional for Nesta's character development. And that's something that I suppose I've come to terms with because Nesta's character development was so amazing and the lore really made me happy. I can't believe we did all of that with Mass versus Madness. What a task that could have been its own standalone deep dive. And we did the absolute best we could. And I am just so excited for whenever we do get ACOTAR 6 and for us to continue all of the speculation. If you have not finished all of the Mass Verse books, please do know that we do have YouTube compilations so you don't have to go back to the episodes and skip over everything. We literally have them all right there for you. Easily accessible once when you finish all the SJM books. But back to Silver Flames. I believe this book is definitely my number two now in the series behind Acomaf and now ahead of Acowar. They had previously been both tied at second, but Silver Flames is is bumping up there to number two now.
- [106:53]
Nicole
That's interesting because I remember when we first started this book, you were expecting it to go down to the third and Akavor to go up to second, so. Oh, that's so cool.
- [107:01]
Lexi
And just everyone one more time, thank you so much for being part of this. This book community is so special and it's really been our honor to share this deep dive with you. Oh my gosh. I just started crying.
- [107:12]
Nicole
Oh my God.
- [107:15]
Lexi
All right, we don't have very much for this, but let's turn our full attention to speculation for what is next in the series, whenever that might be.
- [107:23]
Nicole
So there's a mention of three spikes on the crown, which got me thinking, because the number three does come up a lot in our Acotar series, which we know from one of our Acowar religion watches that SJM uses the number three to represent completeness and harmony. But I also can't help but wonder if this is also tying our three Archeron sisters to getting a crown of their own. Cassian tells Nesta how she could rule the world with her power. And she tells him that that I don't want to rule the world. I just want you foreshadowing. Foreshadowing, foreshadowing. And I of course, can't help but immediately think of the quote from Harry Potter. And I'm quoting the whole dang thing because it's so perfect. Quote. It's a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited for power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them and take up the mantle because they must and find to their own surprise that they wear it well. Ugh. Dumbledore. We love him. Last but not Least Nesta says that they'll deal with all that later. That meaning the Queens coast day, the still looming war. Literally all book six setup also. So she says the still looming war. Is she saying the war around Baron?
- [108:29]
Lexi
Yes, because Baron is still not deterred as Aerys was saying. And so he was allying with Briallyn so that he could have extra forces and that extra support so that he could get more territory. Specifically going into the Supreme Court and against all the rest of Perthian that he knew would go up against him. We also know that that there are the dangerous allies on the continent too. That if they all band together then Pertheon is screwed. Which brings up the whole High King mention again too with if there is one leader to unite Perithean, then they would have a better chance against their enemies.
- [109:01]
Nicole
See that right there that I'm like oh yes, I see the purpose of that like that being a looming war. Ooh, how interesting Baron being so stupid that he could go ask for Koshay and that would lead to a war. I have one thing to say to that. God damn it Baron.
- [109:18]
Lexi
Oh my goodness.
- [109:19]
Nicole
It is time to sip some tea with the cereal every episode. Or I guess really this is like the last one until we get Actor six. Lexi will sit down with the cereal rip and sip some tea with it and walk us through a world building topic that will help us better understand this world and the people in it.
- [109:35]
Lexi
Today's surreal topic looks a little bit different because it is where things leave off for every everything and everyone at the end of this book. Basically, it's your recap before ACOTAR 6, which SGM has recently said we will learn more about release date soon. If I had to guess, that means within the next six months. That's totally just a guess though. Maybe in spring, around the 10 year anniversary of Acotar coming out. Anyway, let's start with the current status for politics, alliances, conflict, all that good stuff. We know from eris in chapter 79 that Baron Baron tortured his firstborn son into revealing information about who helped him escape being kidnapped by Briallyn. We can assume this interrogation occurred in the Autumn Court, probably at the Forest House, which means Baron is at his home base figuring out his next steps. Baron is furious that his ally Briallyn is dead, but he is not deterred. I do wonder who does he think killed Briallyn? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe that it happened during the rescue mission. Or maybe he does somehow know about the right. Who knows. Eris believes his father might be Stupid enough to establish an alliance with Kosche in his attempt to gain more power and territory. Perhaps he'll try to seek other allies on the continent too. Eris says he hopes Mor's efforts to convince Valahan to stay peaceful will counteract the damage Baron is going to unleash. Seriously, somebody needs to kill this High Lord of Autumn. Like that would just solve a lot of problems here, even if it brings up a few other ones. Speaking of Valhallen, though, and what Moore's been up to with them, remember how the the Night Court sent more to Valahan to get them to agree to a new treaty and an alliance to avoid a looming war? That's what she's been up to most to this book. Persuading Valhalla's king and queen not to want another war to add to their territory and to sign the treaty instead. Valahan was previously allied with the King of Hybern back in Acawar, along with Montessor and Rask. As said in Acowar, quote, Valhan has the numbers, Montessor has the money, and Rask, it's large enough to have have both. So the Night Court is worried that if these three territories ally against Parthian, they won't be able to withstand it. Their current status of Moore's efforts with Valhon is unknown, and we don't know if she's made any progress getting them to agree to the treaty. The last we hear is that the work Moore is doing for Rhys and Feyre in Valhon requires research, which Clotho is helping more gather. Then we have the three remaining queens on the continent. They include the eldest of the queens and the two that are those complimenting opposites. They fled their headquarters months ago and went back to their own territories. That's all we know. We did know that Brialen was gathering an army, but it is unclear if the other queens were gathering forces in their own territories too. I'm kind of leaning no, but I don't want to make any assumptions only because we just don't hear anything about it. Let's talk about Kush Day. He is still bound to his lake. His curse is still intact, and his departing words to Cassian and Azrael was quote, tell my Vassa I'm waiting. Remember how Papa Archeron had negotiated Vassa's release from being imprisoned at the lake, though? Her firebird curse is still intact. But it was only temporary. It's been almost two years since that, and Vassa is ruling the mortal realm south of Prythia now alongside Jurian. So I strongly assume she will need to go back to the lake. And that will be part of the plot and our reintroduction to Kosche, the villain in this next book. We also have to ask our ourselves, how is Kosje going to achieve, or try to achieve, his singular goal of breaking free? He partnered with Brialen assumably for the Trove and to free himself from his curse with the power of all three items of the Trove. Now that Brialen is out of the picture, how is he going to achieve his goal? With the Trove even further out of his reach, his powers can clearly still work beyond his lake. So will he find a way to ally with Baron who might help bring Vassa back to him? Is the only way to defeat Koshei with a made weapon like Ataraxia? So many questions. I can't wait. Shifting our attention to someone who we know more about Aerys and his alliance with the Night Court. We know that he did not tell Briallyn much when he was captured and put under the Crown's influence. Rhys looked into his mind and confirmed this. But Aerys also didn't know much to begin with. We also know Aerys mixed truth with lies to his father. Under torture, he told Baron that Asriel's spies were informed that a valuable asset had been kidnapped. And when Azriel and Cassian arrived, they were disgusted to find out it was Eris instead of someone from the Summer or Winter Courts. Like who they actually care about. So Aerys alliance with the Night Court is still a secret from his father. And if anything, Aerys has proved his loyalty to this alliance even more so. So what about the Gifted Maid dagger? Though? Last we knew, it's back in the Night Court's possession. So as far as we know, it was not given back to Eris after they escaped. With this information, we can infer that Aerys position has not changed. That he is still allying with the Night and trying to pass along any knowledge to Cassian and Rhys of his father's movements and potential plans with Kosh Day. Warning them to be ready for when his father stirs conflict. Not if, but when. Let's go through a quick summary of anything else we know about the rest of the Perithian Courts and specifically their relationships with the Night Court. Kicking it off with Tarquin of the Summer Court. His relationship with Rhys has been healed since the war, so they are in good standing. But not quite enough that Rhys's company informing him of the Trove and made objects. Moving on to Kaleas and Vivian of the Winter Court. We last see Vivian and Kaleas at Starfall, where Vivian is also pregnant and expected to give birth in the near future. So probably around the time of the end of this book or soon afterward, we learned from Frost and Starlight that Mor visits them before she heads off to the continent occasionally, so overall relationships with the Winter Court are good. They visited Velaris for Starfall and Mor has visited the them in the Winter Court. Moving on to Thiessen of the Dawn Court. Short and simple. All we know about him is that Rhys had been in communication with Thesan to see if he had any knowledge of how Thera can be saved when delivering Nyx, since the Dawn Court has winged Fae too. And then of course, we have Helion of the Day Court. He was also in attendance at Starfall, and a few months beforehand was his usual flirty self. He was also helping Rhys try to find a solution for Feyre, putting all his researchers he could spare to studying for answers in his libraries. And of course he came to the Moonstone palace to use his expert spell warding to lock up the mask. So Helion is the only other High Lord that knows the Night Court is in possession of at least one trove item, which of course is the mask. I'm not sure if he also plays specific words under the harp as well, because they did make sure that those were put in separate areas. Then we have Tamlin in the Spring Court. Oh my gosh, I'm so glad this is the last time we have to talk about Tamlin for a while. The last we know of Tamlin is that that he is still in his beast form, roaming his lands and not ruling them. The only other update we hear is from Lucien, who informed the Inner Circle that Tamlin took the news of Farah's pregnancy as expected. So not good. There is genuine concern about what to do with the Spring Court, especially with Baron as a threat just north of it. Plus the Supreme Court borders the Human Realm and there's no more walls, so there's some security risks here with the Spring Court and Tamlin not doing it. Anything? We've already touched on this, so real quick, with the Illyrians, we can infer that there will be backlash slash fallout with the females winning the blood right for decades to come. But since the females plan to be Valkyrie instead, we aren't sure what or if anything will happen in this aftermath. And we also just don't know how much the Illyrians know about Briellen's role in interfering with the blood rite between her ensuring the females were in the right in the first place and smuggling weapons in. We also also don't know who beyond Belius, if anyone was under the Crown's control to orchestrate all of this between getting the females into the blood right as well as smuggling the weapons in. So basically lots of unknowns. With all of that moving on to where characters in the Night Court leave off. At least if the news is noteworthy here, I'm not including everybody. Let's start with Nesta. As Valkyries, she and the other females continue training because they recognize no matter what, it never stops. Nesta now also has the title of Aristean because she stayed behind a fight allowing her friends to reach the monolith. And Gwen and Emery are now Corinthian, but they don't care about those titles. All they care about is being Valkyrie. Also, of course, their friendship is stronger than ever. Gwen does go back to living in the library and says she may leave the library for Nesta's mating ceremony to Cassian, but we don't know that yet. Cassian and Nesta are officially mated and planning an intimate but elaborate ceremony that Rhys is paying for. She has fully embraced Cassian as her love, her mate, her friend and a light in her life. And the House of Wind is their official home. Rhys gifted it to them because the house likes Nesta most, as long as it can still be used for official court events and the library belongs to the priestesses, which of course no brainer there. As for Rhys, Farah and Nyx, they are a happy family, though Rhys was still shaken soon after his mate almost died. Feyre takes regular walks in Valaris with Nixon. Everyone loves to stop and and visit. I'll just be honest. As a new mom, that sounds like my worst nightmare. But anyway, I'm so glad that everybody's super supportive. Rhys or more typically accompany them on these city walks. So if more is with them in the weeks after Nyx's birth, then I wonder if she's taking a break from going to Valhan for Azriel. He continues to train with Cassian, Nesta and the rest of the Valkyries. After Nessa, Gwyn and Emery recapped what happened in the blood rights, R2 Bat Boys immediately compiled compiled a list of mistakes they made that quote needed to be corrected. I love that so much. And then with Elaine. She is still currently living in Valaris at the River House with Feyre, Rhys and Nyx with Lucian. There's not much development between their relationship throughout Silver Flames. So things are still in the same spot that they've been in pretty much since they met. Lucian is continuing to travel and nurturing relationships with alliances. And Elaine is just not wanting to accept the mating boss or give it a chance. Last we knew, there is no new development between her and Azriel since Winter Solstice. And there you have it, friends. Our final surreal. Tea time.
- [119:12]
Nicole
Now let us close out the last Acotar. Only part of this episode. At least until ACOTAR 6 comes out with our favorite moments.
- [119:20]
Lexi
Real quickly, when Nicole came up with that favorite moments you all. I can't tell how proud she was of herself. And I was so proud of her too. It's like, that's perfect. Perfect. I love it.
- [119:31]
Nicole
It's just. It's so much better than our Empyrean one. And now I feel like I want to revamp our Imperium one because this one's just so dang good.
- [119:38]
Lexi
Okay, Battle briefs and the archives are the best one.
- [119:43]
Nicole
Can't wait to get back into those. We really talked about this. But honestly, it's worth mentioning again how everyone in the inner circle is just the most extra aunt and uncle. Especially Cassian and Azriel. I need a short story of their adventures where they take Nyx on his first fly. Like they are going to teach him how to fly so well. And I would do anything for that short story.
- [120:04]
Lexi
I love the little detail about how Nesta tucks a strand of hair behind an arched ear. It's like she's truly embracing being Fae and letting it show when. Remember back in Acowar, she did her hair up so it covered her Fae ears as if she wanted to hide them from existence. Like Farah even even noted that. And pretending like she wasn't really Faye. Now she's letting her arched ears show. Talking about a mating ceremony. Does all the Fae things.
- [120:29]
Nicole
Oh, good catch, Lex. That was so good. Nesta getting her own portrait by Feyre in the River House. And it's of her holding the line at the pass of Analias. Like oh my God, that's so beautiful.
- [120:42]
Lexi
The way Cassian obnoxiously calls Nesta mate every chance he gets. Our bat boy is just so happy and so in love and he wants the whole world to know it. Except he does keep things professional at training because of course he does.
- [120:57]
Nicole
And of course to close out our deep dive, we have to do a closing count. Check our like calls to like count for the entire series is 14, which is about on par with what I thought it would be.
- [121:10]
Lexi
About half of those are in silver flames too. I I think.
- [121:12]
Nicole
Oh, 100% yes. And our queen count for Nesta is 20. Friends, we are about to begin our I guess it's really our second to last Mass first Madness because for our AMA we will be having a Mass first Madness. So this is our second to last Mass versus Madness.
- [121:30]
Lexi
But first we love to give the biggest warm welcome, welcome welcome to our newest inner circle members.
- [121:36]
Nicole
Thank you so much for joining Lindsay E. Shanna Banana and Sharon W. Welcome, welcome welcome.
- [121:45]
Lexi
And if you're like, hey, I want my name shouted out on the podcast and to be showered with all the love to join the patreon party@patreon.com fantasy fangirls, the link is of course also in the show notes. It's about to get extra crazy with all the Onyx Storm excitement.
- [122:00]
Nicole
Today's Mass First Madness includes spoilers for Crescent City. So if you have not read all the way through Crescent City 3, this is where we part ways. But before you go, first and foremost, Happy Holidays. Lexi and I have our Happy Holiday shirt on right now. Remember that next week, December 30th, we are taking a holiday break. We promised our sanity manager we would take a week off and then Monday, January 6th we will be doing our.
- [122:26]
Lexi
Wrap up Acotar episode and after that it's empyrean time baby. We have so much plan planned in the lead up to Onyx Storm including a fourth Wing and Iron Flame recap episode Theories with two very special guests, Kya and Gabriel who played Violet and Zaden in the graphic audios. We're also of course going to share our biggest questions heading into Onyx Storm and we will be sure to present our final bets that I know you all have been asking about.
- [122:54]
Nicole
We got a spreadsheet document. Thank you Kendra for putting that together. After our Onyx Storm deep dive, the next series we will be covering is the Kindred's Curse Saga by Pen Cole. Starting with book one spark of the Everflame in April 2025. I'm foaming at the mouth to get to that link is in the show notes to get your hands on the book in case you have not read it. We will also go ahead and let you all know that we are going to be covering this book series in a very similar fashion as we did with acotar. So in order to tune into episode one, all of the books that are out right now will have to be read to Avoid spoilers. You'll. You'll understand why when we get to that Chapter one.
- [123:34]
Lexi
Also, friends, be sure to give us a follow on Instagram and TikTok at Fantasy Fangirls pod, especially in the lead up to Onyx Storm. It is going to be crazy. Okay, friends, we are now entering our Mass Verse Madness segment of the episode where we call out series crossover references and discuss theories. Today we are discussing concepts that give spoilers from all three Crescent City books. So please only continue listening if you've read through House of Flame and Shadow. I have a few more things to add to the cereal tea time. And you know exactly what I'm about to say here. When Bryce reopens the portal to the House of Wind from Midgard after defeating the Asteri, she returns the mask and truth Teller. You hear that Nicole? She returns the emotional support dagger. We learn that Ness has been in the doghouse since she gave Bryce the mask, but she also got to bond with Ember and get a glimpse into what love from a mother is like. Amber tells Nesta as they part quote, you'll find your way. I want to really quickly go back to what we were talking about with Nessa saying she doesn't want to rule the world, she only wants Cassian. And I do think that in the months between this there is going to be some inner conflict of how that might not be enough. Maybe not for her, you know, seeking the power, but her realizing she is dead, destined for more and it scares her. And going back to that self discovery journey where she really does tap into that leadership quality that she does have deep down. And then of course the Big Kahuna, Bryce hands guiding slash the star sword to Nesta and tells her quote, I think that eight pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why. Let's fucking go. So yes, all in all, the eight pointed star is extremely important. It is is linked to Nesta and she is destined to learn more about it. And it is impossible to be talking to all of you about ACOTAR 6 predictions without including this Crescent City spoiler. And last thing to note, Rhys is an overproductive dad to baby Nyx and I just absolutely love it there.
- [125:32]
Nicole
That. See, that's the Rhysand that I miss. Like in Crescent City acts more like Rhysand from Acotar than Acotar.
- [125:39]
Lexi
So some people do have an issue with how. How he pretty much put Nessa in the doghouse with, you know, the whole mask thing. And people are really upset because they had such a beautiful ending here. And the way that I see it is they do still have their struggles with one another because their personalities are so different, but they are able to come together and be able to work around their issues. Yeah, Rhys, that is to me, in character for him to be like, I'm sorry you gave away a Dread Trove item to another realm. Like, come on, who would not be mad about that?
- [126:11]
Nicole
And a realm that has the daggers who are trying to get into Prythian. If I was raised, I'd be furious. Absolutely. I do also want to point out that there is a line when they're holding baby Nyx and he's described as having, quote, blue eyes that already glowed with his father's and mother's starlight.
- [126:32]
Lexi
And mothers.
- [126:33]
Nicole
Yes, we know that Feyre has starlight. It's assumed that she got it from the Day Court. Possibly. Maybe. Who fucking knows?
- [126:39]
Lexi
Oh, see, I always understood it as her being the High lady of the Night Court and really leaning into that night star quality. Like there's the magic of the Night Court for her.
- [126:49]
Nicole
I think that's what we're supposed to think. And I think the actualness of it is she is a descendant of the.
- [126:57]
Lexi
Oh, I 100% agree. You know, I will die on that hill. Yes, yes.
- [127:01]
Nicole
I think like there are a few hills that I think we're willing to die on as we go into ACOTAR 6. And I'm sure we'll cover this in our next episode as we wrap up. Acotar, the Archeron's descendant of Fae. Yep, that is a dying on a hill dramatic death that I will do. Speaking of Nyx, we get to see the beginning of Auntie Nesta and her love that she has for her nephew. As we know from Flame and Shadow, when Nesta has the mask on, it overpowers her, for lack of a better term. And no matter what Asriel says, it does not get through to her mind. So she can over rule the Maid power and take it off the House of Wind doesn't do it. Emery and Gwen don't do it. Feyre and Elaine? Nope, no way. Even Cassian doesn't do it until quote Nyx is waiting too. And then the silver fire goes out and the mask falls to the floor. That is a big anti energy right there. I love that. Speaking of the mask though, Nesta mentions in this stretch how the Trove needs to be kept far, far, far away from her. I'm assuming that something happens in the next 6ish months because we know that's the difference between the end of Silver Flames and when Bryce falls into Prythian. Because Nesta does wield the mask when Bryce is in Prythian, when they're in the caves. And while it doesn't seem like she uses it regularly, based on, you know, Azriel's like, don't you dare to Nesta in House of Flame and Shadow, it doesn't seem like it's the first time she's used it either.
- [128:23]
Lexi
That's interesting, because I could read it both ways. One is where she knows what to do. She's worn it several times already, like we've seen here in this book, but it's not like it's a regular occurrence. Like she just knows what to do, because it is. Yeah. So I don't. I. I think it could be read either way, that it's the first time she's used it, possibly since.
- [128:43]
Nicole
No matter what, I don't think it's, like, frequently where it's like, every week, once a week I talk to that, but I think it's like, maybe once or twice it's been used. However, if the trove is being used, I. I say frequently, more than once in these. In this six months. Is that why it's harder for her to take it off?
- [129:00]
Lexi
I have an idea. But first, I do want to say that this confirms that despite Nesta giving back most of her power to the cauldron, she can still wield the Trove. I wonder if it was harder to take off because she doesn't have as much power than before.
- [129:15]
Nicole
Oh, I love that.
- [129:17]
Lexi
Yes. Yes. And one more thing to mention, too, regards to, like, her tattoo and the bargain with the cauldron and all of that. The reason that we know that it is not the same 8 pointed star is because she says to Bryce, and I'm sorry, I don't have this quote in front of me, but it's something to the effect of I used to have it tattooed on me. She does not ever mention, at least, that I picked up, that she has a current tattoo, whether it's the eight point star or not. So we still don't know what the deal is with Cauldron 1. I'm really wondering if it was a bargain that she made and then it. It was completely deleted.
- [129:48]
Nicole
It, like, came and went.
- [129:49]
Lexi
A wave. Yeah, wash over. There's the ink and then it washed back and it's gone. I. Again, I have no idea.
- [129:55]
Nicole
But, yeah, I will say I don't think she would share that. She has a bargain with the Cauldron to someone like Bryce, who she is pretty suspicious of.
- [130:07]
Lexi
I agree. But we can confirm that it is not the Eight Pointed Star. Okay, friends, one more time. Next week, no new episode. Then the following week, January 6th, we are doing our goodbye Acotar episode. And then immediately after that, we are moving straight into the Empyrean universe for Onyx Storm. We will be covering it through at least the first part of April, and then we're going to be jumping straight into Spark of the Everflame. What an exciting 2025 we have. Oh, my gosh. And that's all that we can even share with you right now. It's more.
- [130:39]
Nicole
We can't wait to share. Oh, my God. Thank you, of course, as always, to our content researcher, Brooke, and our executive producer, Hayden, AKA our sanity manager. We love you all so much. We're so, so, so lucky to have you as we close out this incredible chapter.
- [130:55]
Lexi
And, hey, this is also our very last episode of 2024. So happy holidays, friends. We hope that you have a safe and wonderful holiday. And. And we appreciate you from the bottom of our hearts.
- [131:08]
Nicole
So one last time, do not forget to share this episode with your fellow Silver Flame and ACOTAR friends. If your friend got you back into reading because of the series, gosh, I'm gonna cry. This is the perfect episode to send to them. I love you, big sis.
- [131:25]
Lexi
I love you.
- [131:26]
Nicole
Oh, no.
- [131:28]
Lexi
I was so close to getting to the end. Okay, friends, we love you. Thank you for being on this journey with us. Bye.
- [131:37]
Nicole
What? You're not planning on bringing string theory and the cosmic energy?
- [131:41]
Lexi
All I'm going to say is that in an Empyrean episode, you specifically called out that nobody uses the Prachian theorem. What's this moment? I love this moment. What's this moment? Okay, here we go.
- [131:56]
Nicole
What is this moment? Family. Family is the moment we like family.