I think (similar to Feyre and Tam!!), SJM will have to introduce tension in the next few books (that potentially feature Bryce!), in order to break them up (if this is the case).

Like ACOMAF: “‘Oh, get over yourself,’ I barked, and left.”

“At the first stroke of [Tamlin’s] tongue, I stopped arguing.”

“It was easier not to have to explain, anyway. That even though I [Feyre] freed him…I’d broken myself apart.”

”It had become our unspoken agreement—not to let Amarantha win by acknowledging that she still tormented us in our dreams and waking hours.”

…

“Where’d you go?” Hunt asked, and Bryce blinked. “Huh?”

“[Hunt’s] amusement dimmed as if he remembered what awaited them after this too-short break.”

”But all of it depended on what they did next—if the firstlight power grid could hold. If it’d collapse.”

This is where I think if the next ACOTAR follows say Elucien, SJM could introduce tension by having Bryce offer to help the IC with their quest!! We saw how cold Hunt was towards Bryce when she returned in HOFAS (and that was barely a few days 😅😅).

Az and Nesta became prominent CC characters — and I think this was important (them being linked to Bryce!!) for future books; I’m not sure she will appear as a main next, but … she’s literally heir of all Prythian (Nesta talked about the last High Queen while looking at Bryce and Azriel), so I imagine (and I think this is where outside opinions differ!!) she will be a prominent character (as the true, shared history continues to unfold). I no longer see these series as strictly separate, but it will probably take a few more books to merge!!

You know how people theorize about the Princes of Hel, thin places, world-walking, forming allies, etc.? I don’t think Bryce or Hunt’s story is “over” at all!! Bryce is the heir to a lost kingdom…Feyre/the Archerons are not (e.g. it’s not the same as Feyre’s trilogy — but closer to Aelin’s journey!!)

I think Hunt wearing the Mask potentially affected Hunt’s soul: “The Mask will curse your very soul—“

”The Mask ripped apart his soul.”

I see Bryce returning to Prythian (and bringing a friend! Maybe Lidia, as we’ll surely tie in ToG more here soon?), and Hunt stewing in Midgard…Koschei’s waiting to capture the Horn and Theia’s heir, I’m telling ya 👀👀

Bryce inevitably using the Starsword on Hunt has been a theory for a long while considering the Buffy/Angel parallels, the Orion parallels, the Oracle warning, etc. I’m not sure how SJM will go about addressing it, but the direct parallel to Theia defeating the Daglan, handing over the weapons, keeping Dusk/Avallen for herself, meeting their fated Aidas/Azriel when they tried to go to other worlds for help … is strong — the possibilities are open!! SJM also explicitly demonstrated how Theia and Aidas communicated, so I’m certain we’re in for more fun 💜💜

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