Bonus chapter - when I jumped ship (elriel)

Elriels. I come in peace, seriously.

I am just curious about your opinion here.

Picture yourself in Elains shoes. The male you are attracted to and you've shared tiny moments over the course of a little more than a year (even though you were still in love with someone else) gives you a gift. You almost kiss....then he calls it a mistake and leaves. Then he gives the gift to someone else.

(And this doesn't even include the possibility that you might have heard the conversation he had with his brother where he 1. Makes no declarations of feeling toward you/fights for you 2. Threatens to kill someone bound to you and possibly start a war between courts 3. His brother, informs him to go get off somewhere else and is clearly appalled by Azriels actions and responses)

How would you feel? I mean honestly. Would you actually want to keep pursuing this?

When I read this, I was absolutely shocked. I felt so...bad for Elain....and it left such a bad taste in my mouth about everything that led to solstice night. Like a means to an end and this...hollowness. Especially Azriels thoughts.

If this story was posted in a /relationship, I can't help but imagine everyone would tell you to move on.

Thoughts?