Sarah J. Maas confirmed the next A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)
the novel will finally explore Elain's story, and it's no surprise that her situation in the love triangle with Lucien and Azriel will play a major role. Upon rereading the series, Maas's cleverly placed clues throughout each book foreshadow events likely to unfold in Elain's story. Cutting thorns and roses book - and one can be found in Azriel's POV chapter at the end of Silver Flames.
When reading the ACOTAR Bonus chapter, Rhysand warns Azriel about finding himself in a compromising position with Elain while his companion, Lucien, is sleeping upstairs. This warning is accompanied by a brief explanation of a rather brutal custom of the Autumn Court known as the Blood Duel. Knowing that Maas never includes details like this without a greater purpose, the next Cutting thorns and roses book and sure to see this scenario play out one way or another-raising the stakes of Elain's romantic journey.
The next A Court of Thorns and Roses book is expected to feature a blood duel in the autumn court
Elain's book needs a new perspective on mating bonds
The series has already explored a lot when it comes to the rarity of mating bonds, but it hasn't yet truly delved into the primal and rather possessive nature that partners can feel toward their partner when a bond is new or threatened. While A Court of Mist and Fury touches lightly on this point when Cassian purposely provokes Rhys to help him control his emotions, Maas has not yet shown that a partner has completely lost control over their inhibitions – and this is mainly due to the fact that no mating bond has been challenged..
If Maas were to explore the Autumn Court in more detail, she would have the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the concept of the Blood Duel.
If Maas were to explore the Autumn Court in more detail, she would have the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the concept of the Blood Duel – a brutal battle to the death, fought only when someone feels the need to defend their mating bond. Given that the next book will likely focus on Elain's love triangle, there's a good chance the book will devote more attention to Lucien's court and customs. And Maas's inclusion of this detail in Azriel's bonus chapter (over anyone else) practically guarantees that the Blood Duel will happen in the next book.
Lucien's story is the perfect way to explore this brutal custom of the autumn court
Your story can help give the Autumn Court more context
Investigating the workings of the Autumn Court would not only provide better insight into one of Prythian's key territories, but it would help include Lucien - and his family, by extension - back into the story in a meaningful way.. The series originally created Lucien to be a key character, but so far, Maas appears to be saving the conclusion of his story for Elain's book. His point of view is highly anticipated, and once Maas fully delves into Lucien's forgotten story, it will give more context to his characterization.
Although Lucien has briefly described the atrocities of the Autumn Court through his self-imposed exile and treatment of his first love, Jesminda, there is much more to consider. Lucien's perspective on the Autumn Court would help highlighting his complex upbringing and leave Maas an opening to introduce the imminent threat of a blood duel into the story. However, the way 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 cannot contradict his character
Entering the brutal environment of the Autumn Court, Maas will likely present the Blood Duel in a broader light – but it is doubtful that this custom is practiced by Lucien himself. His character's willingness to adhere to Elain's desire for solitude proves that he is trying everything he can to honor her wishes, and If he ever performed a Blood Duel, there would need to be a justification for doing so– such interference from Azriel with Elain.
However, It's not likely that Maas would risk losing one of his two favorite supporting characters over such a trivial matter. as a partner choice. Both Lucien and Azriel have a lot of respect for Elain's decisions – and play important roles in the overall story – which leads us to believe this will come into play through one of Lucien's brothers. The events of the later books showed Eris making many claims of desire for Nesta, and with Elain's predictions about Cassian, there is the possibility of a blood duel between Eris and Cassian occurring in the next book. Cutting thorns and roses romance.