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| He looks so angry because he's smelling Feyre's bullshit. She might think it doesn't stink, but it does. |
I was not going to post another re-cap so soon, but the some of the shit said in these past few had me so boiling mad that I needed to unload or I'd wind up destroying my study like big, bad Tamlin.
To be honest, I'm not sure how the hell this went down so smoothly the first time I read it - maybe I just didn't care, and maybe I was distracted by Rhys and his pseudo-flirtatious creepiness (only acceptable from guys that are hot, fyi).
I'm rarely extra critical of books on a first pass, especially ones that rely heavily on world building and mythology, mostly because I'm too busy trying to follow the story and the details. Feyre is really fucking unlikeable though - she's self-absorbed, selfish, arrogant, and completely lacking in any sort of self-awareness. Rhys, as most of us are aware, is a manipulative asshole. I actually think Feyre mentions that he's a manipulative prick on multiple occasions, but again, he's hot and rich, and oh-so-powerful, so she'll accept it.
Feyre should win first place in the Darwin awards - I mean that not in the sense that the Darwin Award books do, but rather that she'll align herself with whoever the most powerful guy in the room is, all because it makes her feel more powerful and more likely to survive. She obviously gets off on power, and you can practically see her preening every time Rhys (the most powerful high lord in history, don't forget) throws himself at her, or literally kneels before her. Feyre might like to think she's Ms. Independent, but she already starting to base her own self-worth off of those that are around her; like, this guy is so hot and he's into me, thus I am equally hot. Not to mention we haven't even really gotten to the parts where Rhys starts kissing her ass with every other breath. I said it before but I'll say it again. Feyre 2.0 got an upgraded life, upgraded body, upgraded powers, and suddenly Tamlin (still mired in his own bullshit and depressed and angry as all hell) didn't cut it anymore.
In short, these last few chapters, while really only the beginning of the saga of Rhys and Feyre, have provided scads of evidence that the entire IC is a bunch of hypocritical, selfish assholes whose favorite pastime isn't so much dancing at Rita's as it is projecting their own shortcoming and faults on to others.
Cassian let out a low whistle as he turned in place, surveying the grand entry hall, the ornate furniture, the paintings. All of it paid for by Tamlin—initially. He’d taken such care of my family, yet his own … I didn’t want to think about his family, murdered by a rival court for whatever reason no one had ever explained to me. Not now that I was living amongst them— He’d been good—there was a part of Tamlin that was good— Yes. He’d given me everything I needed to become myself, to feel safe. And when he got what he wanted … He’d stopped. Had tried, but not really. He’d let himself remain blind to what I needed after Amarantha.
Feyre, your selfishness is showing. In the space of two sentences she admits that Tamlin not only took good care of her family, he also gave her everything she needed to be herself. The he allegedly stopped trying. Where are the receipts for that? He let himself remain blind to what she needed after Amarantha - fair point, but fairer point neither of you really talked that bit out. He was apparently supposed to read your mind and body language, but not all guys pick up on cues we think are obvious. In my experience, men are notoriously bad on deciphering non-verbal cues, and the only time Feyre really said outright about being smothered was the night he locked her in the house and she immediately left. She brings up to Tamlin that she needed more, and he gave her more, but it still wasn’t what was needed, but she says repeatedly how she didn't have the heart to tell him various things (about how she hated dresses, about how she didn't feel like painting right now, how she didn't want to go on rides with Ianthe, etc), but did she tell any of this to Tamlin? No, she didn't. Really what should have happened was Feyre should have told Tamlin explicitly what she needed and if he’s trying to be the supportive fiancé I think he is, he should have listened. End of story.
“Your sisters mean well, or one of them does. But seeing them, sitting at that table … I hadn’t realized it would hit me as strongly. How young you were. How they didn’t protect you.”
So basically Nesta and Elain are responsible for taking care of Feyre just because they're older?He tells Feyre that she doesn't need protecting and then acts all angry and gets her worked up by saying nobody protected her?? More gaslighting from our favorite high lord.
He didn’t push the matter, thankfully—didn’t ask why shape-shifting might be the one power I’d never bother to pull apart and master. Perhaps for the same reason I didn’t particularly want to ask about one key piece of his history, didn’t want to know if Azriel and Cassian had helped when the Spring Court’s ruling family had been killed.
Yes, because if you did that Feyre, you might have to face the fact (and more importantly, the reader would) that Tamlin isn't entirely the asshole you're suddenly remembering him as and that there's more to his past that might help explain his current behavior, that you have such issues with??
I started—at the claim he’d made of me, and at the words. “You knew—you knew he was hunting me?” “I was curious who wanted to snatch you the first moment you were alone.” I didn’t know where to start. So Tamlin was right—about my safety. To some degree. It didn’t excuse anything. “So you never planned to stay with me while I trained. You used me as bait—” “Yes, and I’d do it again. You were safe the entire time.” “You should have told me! ” “Maybe next time.”
Uses Feyre as bait, admits using Feyre as bait, doesn't tell her, and she actually almost gets taken by the fucking Attor. But she was safe the whole time? How, because Rhys says so and he's Rhys? And Tamlin is like blanket wrong for being paranoid like he was????
The Attor said, “Do you think it is not common knowledge that you took her from Tamlin?” I knew that already. That had been Azriel’s task these days: monitor the situation with the Spring Court, and prepare for our own attack on Hybern. But Tamlin had shut down his borders—sealed them so tightly that even flying overhead at night was impossible. And any ears and eyes Azriel had once possessed in the court had gone deaf and blind. “The king could help you keep her—consider sparing you, if you worked with him …”
I had to note this here because to me it seems really obvious that the Attor is trying to manipulate Rhys. I'd bet a million dollars that after he's released he says the same exact thing to Tamlin knowing that he loves Feyre and lost her, only Tamlin falls for it - he accepts Hybern's offer to get Feyre back in exchange for his help (even though it wound up he was spying the whole time).I know it's the Attor saying this, but if it's common knowledge that Rhys, high lord of the big bad Court of Nightmares (the only part of the Night Court that anyone outside of the Night Court knows anything about) took Feyre, and Tamlin is wrong for thinking that all this bad stuff could be happening to her? He's wrong to be paranoid about her being taken? He definitely overreacts but it’s not without cause. I mean, it's not like Amarantha went after her family, so it's not like it's completely without reason that Feyre could be taken again, right, riiiiiiight? Special side note that Tamlin was considered a fucking nutball for wanting Feyre to spy in the Night Court, but it's okay for Rhys to want to spy in other courts - and you can bet your fairy ass he has spies in all other courts, because enemies.
Tamlin had closed his borders. “What situation with the Spring Court?” “None. As of right now. But you know how far Tamlin can be driven to … protect what he thinks is his.” The image of paint sliding down the ruined study wall flashed in my mind.
Yes, Feyre, and alot of times Rhys is doing the driving. Like literally how many times did he poke the bear and then act all shocked when the bear goes bear? Not many people are strong enough to brush off that kind of needling...except Rhys, because he is the strongest high lord in like, ever. I’m pretty sure Tamlin is all sorts of emotionally fragile for various reasons. This also seem's like SJM's extremely weak attempt at showing just how abused Feyre was - I can practically see the after-school special about it in my mind.
In all seriousness, how many times does Rhys freak out to protect Feyre, after they're mated? Is it okay because they're mated? Is it okay because it's Rhys? FYI, Tamlin never once referred to Feyre as "his" or said stuff like "she's mine" outside of the context of Rhys antagonizing him. Of course he'd want to protect Feyre from Rhys - he killed his family, plus he's in charge of a court of literal nightmares and psychos; he has no fucking idea he's not really as evil as he presents himself to be. Rhys cultivates that image, throws the bargain in Tamlin's face every chance he gets, and then blames Tamlin when he acts overprotective of Feyre with regard to her relationship Rhys.
If anything, Rhys is the one treating Feyre like a possession, what with branding her with a tattoo and manipulating her into spending time with him and all.
Awed, perhaps a little intimidated, but … no fear. It was so unusual that I kept silent, merely observing them—their world. The normalcy that they each fought so hard to preserve. That I had once raged against, resented. But there was no place like this in the world. Not so serene. So loved by its people and its rulers.
This is literally like the second place Feyre has ever visited. She's never been to a city before, how in god's name would she know this?Also, is it just me or is she suddenly awed by being....awed? Not too long ago she was freaking out when people in the Spring Court reacted literally the same way to her.
“The traders were saying the prices might rise, High Lord, especially if rumors about Hybern awakening are correct.” Down the table, I felt the others’ attention slide to us, even as they kept talking. Rhys leaned back in his seat, swirling his goblet of wine. “We’ll find a way to keep the prices from skyrocketing.” “Don’t trouble yourself, of course,” the owner said, wringing her fingers a bit. “It’s just … so lovely to have such spices available again—now that … that things are better.”
In addition to everything else he does, Rhys also keeps the prices of spices down. Spices. Is it just me or are these assholes a little too casual about everything? I mean, I know they deserve to relax after what they had been through, but they also talk every other sentence about how war is coming and get ready for Hybern and they're just chilling and talking about spices. Lastly, how bad could things have gotten in Velaris if the worst thing this bitch had to deal with was the LACK OF SPICES. Meanwhile, other courts are falling apart and half their citizens are dead or imprisoned, but Karen here can't get her special Icelandic salt, jdougoohjdkliue.
I—I remembered feeling that way. After painting from morning until night. Once, that was all I had wanted for myself. I looked to the dishes, then back at her, and said, “I’ve lived in the mortal realm, and lived in other courts, but I’ve never had food like this. Food that makes me … feel awake.” It sounded about as stupid as it felt coming out, but I couldn’t think of another way to say it. But the owner nodded like she understood and squeezed my shoulder. “Then I’ll bring you a special dessert,” she said, and strode into her kitchen.
In case you didn't know, the Night Court has the best food of anywhere in the world. It is the best court.
But Azriel—Azriel said, his eyes wholly on Mor, “I’m in.” “Of course you are,” Cassian grumbled, frowning at him. “Don’t you have to be off at dawn?” Mor’s frown now mirrored Cassian’s—as if she realized where and what he’d be doing tomorrow. She said to Azriel, “We don’t have to—” “I want to,” Azriel said, holding her gaze long enough that Mor dropped it, twisted toward Cassian, and said, “Will you deign to join us, or do you have plans to ogle your muscles in the mirror?” Cassian snorted, looping his elbow through hers and leading her up the street. “I’ll go—for the drinks, you ass. No dancing.” “Thank the Mother. You nearly shattered my foot the last time you tried.” It was an effort not to stare at Azriel as he watched them head up the steep street, arm in arm and bickering with every step. The shadows gathered around his shoulders, like they were indeed whispering to him, shielding him, perhaps. His broad chest expanded with a deep breath that sent them skittering, and then he set into an easy, graceful stroll after them.
Just a friendly reminder that Mor is terrible, and the way she treats Azriel is terrible, and the way she uses Cassian to treat Azriel terrible is terrible.
“Marrying me means a life with a target on your back—and if there were offspring, then a life of knowing they’d be hunted from the moment they were conceived. Everyone knows what happened to my family—and my people know that beyond our borders, we are hated.” I still didn’t know the full story, but I asked, “Why? Why are you hated? Why keep the truth of this place secret? It’s a shame no one knows about it—what good you do here.”
Um, they're hated because Rhys had admitted to keeping up a front and making the Court of Nightmares the face of his court and telling nobody about Velaris. You're not allowed to be mopey about being hated when you WILLINGLY act like you should be hated.
“But along the way, despite his best intentions, darkness grew again—not as bad as it had once been … But bad enough that there is a permanent divide within my court. We allow the world to see the other half, to fear them—so that they might never guess this place thrives here. And we allow the Court of Nightmares to continue, blind to Velaris’s existence, because we know that without them, there are some courts and kingdoms that might strike us. And invade our borders to discover the many, many secrets we’ve kept from the other High Lords and courts these millennia.”
So yeah, you're admitting that you actively let this horrible place continue to thrive, let them do horrible things, just to keep a select few safe? Because you're scared about getting attacked? How is this any different than anything Tamlin might have done to keep the Spring Court safe? Except he didn't have the benefit of ancient spells, he was just out there for fifty fucking years, not sitting on his ass like you previously said Rhysie, but doing all of the protecting and border patrol HIS OWN DAMN SELF.
“You,” I breathed, not taking my eyes from the musicians playing so skillfully that even the diners had set down their forks in the cafés nearby. “You sent that music into my cell. Why?” Rhysand’s voice was hoarse. “Because you were breaking. And I couldn’t find another way to save you.”
I'm sure there was other stuff you could have done, asshat. Like heal her without forcing her into a bargain for her time? Maybe?
I wrote back, Let’s hope my licking is better than yours. I remember how horrible you were at it Under the Mountain. Lie. He’d licked away my tears when I’d been a moment away from shattering. He’d done it to keep me distracted—keep me angry. Because anger was better than feeling nothing; because anger and hatred were the long-lasting fuel in the endless dark of my despair. The same way that music had kept me from breaking.
Yes, Rhys' motivations were purely to keep you from breaking Feyre, because it's not like he could have talked to you, used calming words, hugged you even. Licking your face was the only solution.
Lucien had come to patch me up a few times, but no one risked quite so much in keeping me not only alive, but as mentally intact as I could be considering the circumstances. Just as he’d been doing these past few weeks—taunting and teasing me to keep the hollowness at bay. Just as he was doing now.
What. The. Actual. Fuck. How goddamn ungrateful is she here? Lucien just patched her up a couple of times??? Nobody risked as much as fucking Rhys had risked? Where is she even getting this shit from? Taunting and teasing her trumps risking Amarantha's wrath repeatedly to heal her? Wasn't Lucien whipped and tortured for that??? Does Feyre even realize how awful this sounds? Does Maas?
My tattoo, I realized, had been made with Illyrian markings. Perhaps Rhys’s own way of wishing me luck and glory while facing Amarantha.
Oh my gawd, Feyre is like a master and reading into things to the point that she's seeing stuff that wasn't even there. No, Feyre, I'm pretty sure that's more like a brand - Rhys inappropriately manipulated you into a bargain with him to save your life (something Lucien did for free) and then literally marked you so everybody knew exactly who that tattoo (and you by extension) belonged to. And Tamlin is the one that treated you like a possession. Ha. He might as well have just peed on you to mark his territory.
“So,” Cassian said, gulping down the water. Behind us, Rhys and Azriel clashed, separated, and clashed again. “When are you going to talk about how you wrote a letter to Tamlin, telling him you’ve left for good?” The question hit me so viciously that I sniped, “How about when you talk about how you tease and taunt Mor to hide whatever it is you feel for her?” Because I had no doubt that he was well aware of the role he played in their little tangled web.
Way to deflect, Feyre. Because it's not like it should be something that's ever talked about.
But the question he’d asked swarmed in my skull. You’ve left for good; you’ve left for good; you’ve left for good. I had—I’d meant it. But without knowing what he thought, if he’d even care that much … No, I knew he’d care. He’d probably trashed the manor in his rage. If my mere mention of him suffocating me had caused him to destroy his study, then this … I had been frightened by those fits of pure rage, cowed by them. And it had been love—I had loved him so deeply, so greatly, but …
So here is where the really nasty retconning begins. Tamlin did trash the study, but after Rhys stole Feyre away right before they WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED. I don't care at this point that Feyre was internally screaming that she didn't want to marry him - point is she never once mentioned it to Tam, and he's obviously been clueless to her misgivings, and then Rhys shows up when she's walking down the aisle and for all Tamlin knows kidnaps her. WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO THINK? So yeah, he trashed the fucking study, but think how it looked from his perspective, with his fiancée that he loves (probably a little too much) was stolen away right before he married her for an entire fucking week during which he has no idea what's going on. Add to this that we later find out that all Tamlin, or anyone for that matter, knows about the Night Court is what they choose to present to the world, which is the WORST FACETS POSSIBLE, literally the worst aspects of themselves. So essentially Tam just saw his beloved taken away by the High Lord of a court of sadists and psychos, and he's entirely in the wrong for losing his temper, which to this point he's done a remarkable fucking job controlling given his history. What the fuck ever, Feyre.
We both knew “fine” was a lie. I had done everything—everything for that love. I had ripped myself to shreds, I had killed innocents and debased myself, and he had sat beside Amarantha on that throne. And he couldn’t do anything, hadn’t risked it—hadn’t risked being caught until there was one night left, and all he’d wanted to do wasn’t free me, but fuck me, and—
So basically all of the Feysand stans are going right back to this little gem from Feyre when they point out that Tamlin didn't nothing for Feyre UTM and Rhys did everything, because it was never ever once mentioned before this. Not even after Feyre had time to ponder. So now Tamlin just sat there the whole time? Could he have possibly been in shock? She described him as out of it and dazed several times. Did she ever actually think to talk about it with him? Did he finally maybe snap out of it that last night because it finally hit him that you were probably going to die the next day (which wound up happening, fyi). And do I even need to mention that Feyre didn't bother to try and snap him out of it when he was trying to "fuck her." Instead, she tried to fuck him in turn. It's not like Amarantha ever let him out of her site to the point he could have done something. I mean, I guess Rhys never had one opportunity in fifty fucking years where he could have done the same, right? But Rhys is noble and just trying to protect his court (fuck all the other courts, just his), whereas Tamlin is selfish and couldn't possibly be completely dazed? Let's also remind everyone how Tamlin, who apparently cares nothing for the fact that FEYRE SACRIFICED ALL, says repeatedly that he's keeping her from doing things, not because he wants to keep her as a pet or a prisoner, but because he knows she sacrificed everything and doesn't want her to have to worry about anything that important ever again. They're wholly misplaced good intentions, to be sure, but all of this would have been avoided if they had talked to each other. Tam also says multiple times that Feyre has no idea what seeing her die did to him (as if him spending nights pacing their bedroom in his beast form wasn't a big enough indication).
So when I read this passage, I like to picture SJM sitting in her study and being like, "oh shit, if I want Rhys and Feyre to start banging soon and not have Feyre come off like a fickle horny bitch, I have to officially justify her quickly getting rid of a guy that she actually died for."
And maybe I was exhausted and broken, but I breathed, “I killed them.” I hadn’t said the words aloud since it had happened. Cassian’s lips tightened. “I know.” Not condemnation, not praise. But grim understanding. My hands slackened as another shuddering sob worked its way through me. “It should have been me.”
Yes, Feyre, it should have been you.
“You will feel that way every day for the rest of your life,” Rhysand said. This close, I could smell the sweat on him, the sea-and-citrus scent beneath it. His eyes were soft. I tried to look away, but he held my chin firm. “And I know this because I have felt that way every day since my mother and sister were slaughtered and I had to bury them myself, and even retribution didn’t fix it.” He wiped away the tears on one cheek, then another. “You can either let it wreck you, let it get you killed like it nearly did with the Weaver, or you can learn to live with it.”
See, Rhys feels bad for all the bad stuff he's done. He feels bad because he knowingly gave up Claire Beddor for torture in Feyre's place, not to mention whatever else he did, but he feels bad so it's OK. He gets a pass because he feels bad, but Tamlin, who also feels bad (he says he does, plus he obviously is in a bad way, even if he refuses to talk about it) is up the creek. And do I even need to add the fact that Rhys is basically admitting that he sent Feyre into the Weaver's hut knowing she was not in the best place either emotionally or mentally? But it's okay. It will all be okay. Because Rhys.
“The Summer Court is full of hotheaded fools and arrogant pricks,” he warned. “I should join you.” “You’d fit right in,” Amren crooned. “Too bad you still aren’t going.” Cassian pointed a finger at her. “Watch it, Amren.” She bared her teeth in a wicked smile. “Believe me, I’d prefer not to go, either.” I clamped my lips shut to keep from smiling or grimacing, I didn’t know. Rhys rubbed his temples. “Cassian, considering the fact that the last time you visited, it didn’t end well—” “I wrecked one building—”
So it's okay for Cassian to destroy buildings?
Rhys said too casually, “There is also a great deal of treasure to be found in the Summer Court. If the Book is hidden, Amren, you might find other objects to your liking.” “Shit,” Cassian said, throwing up his hands again. “Really, Rhys? It’s bad enough we’re stealing from them, but robbing them blind—” “Rhysand does have a point,” Amren said. “Their High Lord is young and untested. I doubt he’s had much time to catalog his inherited hoard since he was appointed Under the Mountain. I doubt he’ll know anything is missing. Very well, Rhysand—I’m in.”
Not for nothing, but it's hilarious that their paranoia over "enemies" find out about the Night Court is played off like erring on the side of caution, in the mean time Tamlin's paranoia (and his lands actually border the fucking wall and he would be the literal first line of defense against Hybern) are just crazy ol' Tamlin being a paranoid asshole.
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