I think, and it’s very important to note and a VERY big point in Gwynriel’s favor in my humble opinion, Gwyn is not judgemental.
We’ve seen the way she is with Nesta in particular, she’s not intimidated by her attitude, in fact she seems to kind of find her amusing. She accepts her completely. I wonder, and I don’t remember if it was mentioned in the book or not, if Nesta reminds Gwyn of Catrin.
She’s seems to, at first, maybe be kind of wary (or maybe curious) at Azriel’s presence but that quickly rectifies itself. She’s comfortable enough to tease the both of them in a little amount of time. With what little we’ve seen of her we can already tell she draws out the best in people and she really knows how to lighten their moods. I have to say, her little mischievous nature we only got a peak into is so fucking cute.
The way that she immediately got Azriel out of his own head in his Bonus Chapter? That says a lot. Azriel NEEDS someone who helps him get out of his own head and Gwyn didn’t even have to try, his focus was totally on her.
She teases him and challenges him and asks him questions that take him by surprise, she doesn’t need to try to draw his attention to her, it goes there automatically.
Her excitement from across the training ring drew his attention, she smiled at him in his bonus chapter and he calmed down. The thought of her happiness glowed in his chest. Nowhere was there a looming threat of another’s mate in the back of his mind, no feelings of ‘unworthiness’ in her presence.
No shadows vanishing or skittering away because he’s unintentionally hiding a part of himself he doesn’t want to be seen and someone is getting too close.
His shadows are obviously thrilled to be in her presence. Yeah, it’s his magic reacting to her. But have we explicitly talked about how it’s likely they’re reacting to the subconscious joy and absolute pleasure he’s experiencing being the direct center of her attention, even if he doesn’t realize it??
Her bright eyes, the intensity of her attention focused on Azriel when she asked for a prize? Of course his shadows danced for her. Maybe an addictive little thrill went through him? Hmmm. Maybe.
And the whole, “see you tomorrow, Shadowsinger.” scene aksksbdkd. Nesta calling him Gwyn’s new ribbon. He stared after her and was INTRIGUED AS FUCK. No one can tell me otherwise.
Gwyn has explicitly stated she doesn’t need to be coddled. And I think some people in the fandom need to remember that.