The Next Court Of Thorns & Roses Book Should Include 1 Autumn Court Custom Rhysand Already Teased

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Sarah J. Maas has confirmed the next A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015) novel will finally explore Elain's story, and it's no surprise that her love triangle predicament with both Lucien and Azriel will play a major role. In re-reading the series, Maas' cleverly placed clues throughout each book foreshadow events that will likely unfold in Elain's A Court of Thorns and Roses book—and one can be found in Azriel's POV chapter at the end of Silver Flames.

In reading the ACOTAR bonus chapter, Rhysand warns Azriel about finding himself in a compromising position with Elain while her mate, Lucien, is asleep just upstairs. This warning is accompanied by a brief explanation of a rather brutal Autumn Court custom known as the Blood Duel. Knowing that Maas never includes details like this without a larger purpose, the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book is sure to see this scenario play out in one way or another—raising the stakes of Elain's romantic journey.

The Next Court of Thorns & Roses Book Should Feature An Autumn Court Blood Duel

Elain's Book Needs A New Perspective On Mating Bonds

Book Cover of A Court of Silver Flames and A Court of Thorns and Roses

The series has already explored much when it comes to the rarity of mating bonds, but it has yet to truly delve into the primal and quite possessive nature mates can feel towards their partner when a bond is new or threatened. While A Court of Mist and Fury lightly touches on this point when Cassian purposefully taunts Rhys to help control his emotions, Maas has yet to show a mate fully losing control over their inhibitions—and this is mainly due to the fact that no mating bond has been contested.

If Maas were to explore the Autumn Court in more detail, she'd have the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the concept of a Blood Duel.

If Maas were to explore the Autumn Court in more detail, she'd have the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the concept of a Blood Duel—a brutal battle to the death enacted only when one feels the need to defend their mating bond. Given the next book will likely concentrate on Elain's love triangle, there's a high chance the book will dedicate more attention to Lucien's home court and customs. And Maas' inclusion of this detail in Azriel's bonus chapter (over anyone else's) practically guarantees the Blood Duel will play out in the next book.

Lucien's Story Is The Perfect Way To Explore This Brutal Autumn Court Custom

His Story Could Help Give The Autumn Court More Context

A Court of Thorns and Roses Book Covers and Elain and Lucien Fan Art

Delving into the workings of the Autumn Court would not only provide a better look into one of Prythian's major territories, but it would help fold Lucien—and his family by extension—back into the story in a meaningful way. The series originally set Lucien up to be a key character, but thus far, Maas seems to be saving the conclusion to his story for Elain's book. His POV has been long awaited, and once Maas fully dives into Lucien's overlooked story, it will give his characterization more context.

Book-Cover-Imagery-of-A-Court-of-Mist-and-Fury,-A-Court-of-Wings-and-Ruin-and-A-Court-of-Thorns-and-Roses

Elain's Court Of Thorns & Roses Book Could Worsen A Common Series Complaint (At Least Initially)

Elain Archeron's P.O.V in the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book will likely portray Lucien in a bad light, and it won't be accurate.

While Lucien has briefly described the atrocities of the Autumn Court through his own self-imposed exile and the treatment of his first love, Jesminda, there's much more to be considered. Lucien's perspective of the Autumn Court would assist in highlighting his complex upbringing and leave Maas an opening to introduce the looming threat of a Blood Duel to the story. However, the way in which this scenario plays out needs to keep Lucien's current characterization in mind.

The Sixth Court Of Thorns And Roses Book Needs To Be Smart About Featuring A Blood Duel

Lucien's Actions Can't Contradict His Character

By entering into the brutal environment of the Autumn Court, Maas will likely showcase the Blood Duel in a larger light—but its doubtful this custom will be enacted by Lucien himself. The willingness of his character to adhere to Elain's desire for solitude proves he's trying everything he can to honor her wishes, and if he were to ever enact a Blood Duel, there would need to be justification for doing so—such an interference by Azriel with Elain.

However, it is not likely Maas would risk losing one of two favored side characters to such a trivial issue as one's choice of partner. Both Lucien and Azriel have too much respect for Elain's decisions—and hold major roles in the overall story—leading us to believe this will come into play through one of Lucien's brothers instead. The events of the later books have shown Eris making many claims of desire towards Nesta, and with Elain's predictions about Cassian, there's a possibility a Blood Duel between Eris and Cassian could occur in the next A Court of Thorns and Roses novel.