Why Rhysand Stumbled At The End Of A Court Of Thorns & Roses

The shocking ending to Sarah J. Maas' first A Court of Thorns and Roses novel is full of high-stakes and emotional moments between its many characters. Not only does Feyre break the curse Amarantha had placed over all of Prythian's courts, but she is resurrected and turned High Fae after she is killed Under the Mountain. While this ending leads many to believe Feyre will now begin a new and happy life with Tamlin, A Court of Mist and Fury's plot twist proves otherwise—and sees Feyre become mates with Rhysand instead.

Feyre and Rhysand's fated mates romance may at first come as a shock to readers, but as the storyline continues throughout the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, it becomes glaringly obvious that the two characters were meant to be together from the very start. In re-reading ACOTAR, one can see that Maas added several clues that hinted at this throughout the first novel. But the single best moment that alludes to Feyre and Rhysand's romance arc actually comes at the end of the A Court of Thorns and Roses—as Rhysand stumbles away before winnowing back to Velaris.

Rhysand Stumbles At The End Of A Court Of Thorns & Roses Because Of The Mating Bond

The Mating Bond Fully Clicks Into Place Once Feyre Is Turned High Fae

A Court of Thorns and Roses book cover purple background

At the end of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Feyre follows an instinct that she defines as something tugging at her middle, like a thread deep inside, that leads her to Rhysand. However, she isn't too concerned about this strange connection, as she believes he summoned her through the bargain Feyre made with him Under the Mountain. This leads the two characters to have a quick conversation about the newness of becoming High Fae, but at Rhysand's goodbye, his eyes lock on Feyre, and he stumbles backwards before disappearing entirely.

His eyes locked on mine, wide and wild, and his nostrils flared. Shock—pure shock flashed across his features at whatever he saw on my face, and he stumbled back a step. Actually stumbled.
—A Court of Thorns and Roses, Chapter 46

However, as A Court of Misty and Fury reveals, Rhysand stumbled because the mating bond between him and Feyre had officially snapped into place. During the scene, Feyre notices Rhysand going rigid as he bows in farewell, and sees him flare his nostrils—sensing the mating bond and even smelling its unique scent between them. Rhysand's stumble is the response to the shock he felt at that moment, and we later learn that after he winnows away back to Velaris, he collapses in Mor's arms—and the first words he says to his cousin in over 50 years is "she's my mate".

How The Mating Bond Works In ACOTAR & Why Rhysand Didn't Realize It Earlier

Feyre's Human Body Kept Rhysand From Being Able To Confirm Their Mating Bond

Rhysand and Reyre Starfall embracing in A Court of Thorns and Roses.

In the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses, mating bonds are expected to match one with their complete equal—practically the fae equivalent to a "soulmate", although not every bond promises a romantic connection. Instead, the mating bond matches two individuals who compliment one another in some way, and provides them with a special connection that links the minds of the two once accepted. To accept the bond, the female needs to present her mate with food, and it can be done either privately, like Feyre and Rhys, or in a public ceremony.

A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Silver Flames Book Covers on a purple background

Two Court Of Thorns & Roses Characters Can Finally Push The Boundaries Of The Mating Bond

The A Court of Thorns and Roses books' fated mates trope has been overused, but two characters future arcs will challenge the trends' predictability.

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In A Court of Mist and Fury, Rhysand explains how he had always suspected Feyre was his mate—first when he dreamed of Feyre when she was in the human lands, and then when he met her on Calanmai. However, it was never made more apparent than when the bond snapped into place at the end of A Court of Thorns and Roses. The reason for this is due to the fact that Feyre's human body could not form a mating bond connection, and so once she was made High Fae, Rhysand officially had confirmation that his earlier suspicions were correct.

Rhysand's Stumble Sets The Stage For A Court Of Mist & Fury's Best Twist

Feyre's True Love Interest Is Rhysand

Rhsyand's iconic stumble at the end of A Court of Thorns and Roses set up the best twist the series has seen thus far. In the first novel, Maas really sells readers on Feyre and Tamlin's romance, but when she later switches love interests in A Court of Mist and Fury, the revelation was truly shocking. Many initial readers believed Feyre and Tamlin would be an endgame couple after all they endured Under the Mountain—but the second book quickly makes it apparent that their relationship has more than a few issues.

And because Maas executes the plot twist in perfect detail, the narrative does not suffer at all or feel forced to fit the new storyline.

However, looking back at A Court of Thorns and Roses, it's more apparent that Maas always planned for Feyre and Rhys to end up together. And because Maas executes the plot twist in perfect detail, the narrative does not suffer at all or feel forced to fit the new storyline. Instead, Feyre and Rhysand's romance feels organic and natural—likely thanks to all the groundwork Maas laid down in the first ACOTAR book. The series has yet to pull off another twist of this scale, but a future Court of Thorns and Roses novel may see Maas shock readers once again.