Lucien "I thought my mate was Jesminda but then she wasn't and now I have you" Vanserra

🤝

Elain "I thought I had true love with Graysen but it wasn't and now I have you" Archeron

𝓜𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼: 𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓷 & 𝓛𝓾𝓬𝓲𝓮𝓷 🌺

My lovely friend @melphss and I were able to commission with insanely lovely art by @jjflorentina

The artist did such an incredible job showing Elain and Lucien in a sweet embrace.

@melphss thought this quote from Elain in ACOWAR reminded her of a quote from Jane Eyre so I attached both of them. I thought it was a lovely correlation.

Elain: “It felt.. strange, like you pulled on a thread tied to a rib?”

Jane Eyre: “I have a strange feeling with regard to you. As if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you. And if you were to leave I'm afraid that cord of communion would snap. And I have a notion that I'd take to bleeding inwardly. As for you, you'd forget me.”

Link to Instagram post

Characters belong to Sarah J Maas

Some exploratory sketches of Lucien. 🍁

Elain & Lucien

Still kind of hope Elain likes him back and just doesn't tell him because of some vision she had. 😭

Elain Archeron - High Lady of the Day Court ☀️🌷

Elain purposefully and strategically flirting with Lucien and him being painfully oblivious is my new obsession. Especially as Lucien had a reputation for being a bit of a rake and should know the signs like the back of his hand...

Gently touching his arm and giggling when he makes a joke, even when it's terrible

Asking to borrow his jacket when 'accidentally' forgetting hers on an evening walk

Complimenting him constantly about his style, his personality, his beauty

Giving him small gifts, including handmade flower arrangements

Quite literally, inviting him on a dinner date, complete with romantic candles

"I think you may have accidentally brushed my leg under the table. Let me move up a bit..."

"Yes, I know, that was on purpose."

"You were trying to get my attention? Are you alright?"

"Lucien, I am flirting with you."

I need this, but Lucien calming Elain when she explodes with jealousy over someone being too 'friendly' with him...

Stolen moments in the moonlight - Elucien✨🌷

An idea I've been playing with is if the Elucien book is next, I wonder if SJM will have it set up where it happens before the events of HOFAS/during HOFAS like ToD and EoS. Because that may explain both of their absences in the time Bryce spent in the NC. They could be in Spring, or Day, or even Autumn for the Beron plotline.

I think at one point SJM may have said the next ACOTAR starts a few months after SF, but that might still fall between SF and HOFAS since there's six months between. I feel like that could set sooo many things in motion and explain a lot that we saw in HOFAS.

i.e., Nesta's reaction to Azriel saying Elain was waiting, and the way the Mask flared. (Perhaps tensions between them due to Elain’s conflict avoidance? She did refer to Elain as a wretch for sitting as far away as possible from Lucien during Solstice in SF. Or Elain's departure from the Night Court might've been on partially sour terms?) Azriel being noticeably closer and openly kinder/affectionate towards Nesta. (With both objects of Azriel’s unhealthy, unavailable pining gone, [assuming Mor returns to Vallahan and Elain has left the NC, with or without Lucien] perhaps we see more of who he is when he's not in his worst, 'why don't I deserve love?' mindset. The constant reminders via their presence could be removed, potentially.

You know, knowing that SJM was a big Sailormoon fan really hits with me! I grew up with SM and a bunch of shojou anime/manga. I thought I'd do a fun Elucien illustration in shojou manga style.

I need "I knew I'd love you from the moment I laid eyes on you and it scared me" Elain, taking Lucien by complete surprise.

Sketch commission for @amandapearls 💕

I just love drawing ppl in love now tbh

A Gwynriel make out session? Yes please!

This piece is by the iconic @elithien!

Lucien fought for Jesminda. Despite her social status and what it would've meant for his court, his family, and himself, he fought until the very last moment.

When Elain is turned fae, Graysen does the opposite. He bullies her for becoming 'lesser' and then discards her as if she were worthless to him.

One male gave up everything for the female he loved, while the other couldn't even spare polite parting words.

Lucien's fierce loyalty is a trait that bodes well for Elucien's connection. Elain needs someone who will finally show her her value and will not turn their back on her at the first hurdle.

I need to see snarky, witty Elain throwing back retorts to Luciens' quips and leaving him speechless.

I need to see her with smug confidence as she brushes past him in his stunned silence.

I need to see Lucien turning his head to watch her leave with an awestruck grin, realising why the Mother made them mates.

The Sunshine Couple

Elain is tuckered out from spending the day gardening and Lucien is doing some light reading while she sleeps as he wants to surprise her with an anniversary dinner 😴 💤

Characters belong to @sarahjmaas

Artist: b_astora on IG and Commissioner: Bookish_Embers

I like to imagine that Lucien's secret love language is words of affirmation...

After all the different forms of rejection, heartbreak, and isolation he's faced through his life, hearing how much he means to someone would make him feel so loved.

I picture, in his most vulnerable moments, him asking Elain to reaffirm she loves him, over and over, because he can't comprehend it's real.

And of course, Elain is more than happy to oblige, pressing a small kiss to his face with each word.