Celaena & Chaol **acotar spoilers

In regard to them sleeping together so quickly, I think Celaena regrets waiting with Sam. She loved Sam so much and was waiting for the perfect time and since her life was all upended she decided to wait to not have so many things change at once. So with Chaol, she no longer wants to risk waiting to share that bond with someone. She’s also a year older, and things have changed a lot.

As for their relationship, I also didn’t really buy them as a couple in COM. I thought she had better chemistry with Dorian. However other people can explain why she was drawn to Chaol better than I can so I’ll leave that to them

Here’s a comment I made before about Chaol & Celaena. I always loved them together. I don’t think she had better chemistry with Dorian at all, I just think the both of them are more overtly flirty, whereas Chaol has a quieter way of showing his affections to Celaena and I feel like she matches his energy. I don’t even think she was AS into Dorian romantically in the first book as people think she was, she flirts with Chaol a LOT in the first book too, just differently than she does with Dorian. No spoilers for anything you haven’t read here :)

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I consider Chaolaena to be a very soft enemies to lovers. Maybe even more like… Adversaries to lovers.

Celaena was never going to be with Dorian no matter how much she liked him because of who he was. The King’s son. Yes Chaol worked for the King, but that’s very different than being his son and next in line for the throne.

As far as why Celaena grew to like Chaol so much, I think it’s because he gave her some pushback, he was tough with her at times and I think she likes that. Dorian was always very flirty and cute with her, pretty much from the moment they meet, and he doesn’t even know her. I’m not saying this in a bad way towards him, he’s a nice guy who flirts and there’s nothing wrong with that. But he flirts with most pretty girls, I wouldn’t feel special if he was flirting with me and I don’t think it makes Celaena feel very special for the most part either.

Chaol isn’t immediately smitten with her, doesn’t roll over and let her get away with whatever she wants when she tries him, and so when he does start to warm up to her.. I could see that meaning more to her.

Towards the end of the first book I think it’s very obvious that while Celaena thinks Dorian is handsome and fun, it’s Chaol she’s developing the deeper feelings for, and vice versa. Here’s some quotes I think really show it:

“Still, she knew he wouldn’t be pleased when she appeared at the ball tonight. Mask or no mask, Chaol would know it was her.” —————————————————————————— *”How long was I asleep?’ she whispered. He didn’t respond. ‘How long was I asleep?’ she asked again, and noticed a hint of red in his cheeks. ‘You were asleep, too?’

‘Until you began drooling on my shoulder.’

‘Such a self-righteous young man,’ she cooed, and he poked her leg.”* —————————————————————————— *“‘I’m the Captain of the Guard—I’m not exactly a catch for any of them.’ There was some sorrow in his eyes, though it was well concealed.

‘Are you mad? You’re better than everyone in here. And you’re—you’re very handsome,’ she said, taking his hand in her free one. There was beauty in Chaol’s face—and strength, and honor, and loyalty. She stopped hearing the crowd, and her mouth became dry as he stared at her. How had she missed it for so long?”* —————————————————————————— “She couldn’t breathe. No, not like this. Not in this chamber, where no one would find her, where Chaol would never know why she disappeared, and would forever curse her for it, where she’d never get the chance to tell Nehemia she had been wrong. And Elena—Elena said someone wanted her in the tomb, to see . . . to see what?” - not even a mention of Dorian here, but she’s worried about what Chaol will think of her if she disappears —————————————————————————— *“Her eyes were far away and distant, and though she didn’t look at Chaol, she felt him studying her face. Thankfully, he didn’t say a word. It was nice to have someone who understood.

Chaol also didn’t say anything when she moved closer to him for the remainder of their walk.”* - I mean she’s straight up telling you here, they get each other. They make each other feel safe because they feel like they really understand what the other person is going through. —————————————————————————— *“Celaena turned to Chaol. But instead of handing her the plain-as-porridge sword she usually wielded in practice, he drew his own blade. The eagle-shaped pommel glinted in the midday sun. ‘Here,’ he said.

She blinked at the blade, and slowly raised her face to look at him. She found the rolling earthen hills of the north in his eyes. It was a sense of loyalty to his country that went beyond the man seated at the table. Far inside of her, she found a golden chain that bound them together.”* - she may not be fond of Adarlan, but it’s clear that Celaena loves that Chaol loves his country and sees that it’s not about the King at all. Because she loves Terrasen so much, it’s a “golden chain” that binds them together - their loyalties. And Chaol giving her his sword I think shows her how much trust he’s put in her, shows how far they’ve come. —————————————————————————— *”No matter what happens,’ she said quietly, ‘I want to thank you.’

Chaol tilted his head to the side. ‘For what?’

Her eyes stung, but she blamed it on the fierce wind and blinked away the dampness. ‘For making my freedom mean something.’

He didn’t say anything; he just took the fingers of her right hand and held them in his, his thumb brushing the ring she wore.”* ——————————————————————————

I could honestly keep going with the quotes because I loved them together. I think Celaena had fun with Dorian and certainly liked him, but she felt more connected to Chaol because things weren’t as easy with him.

I can’t fix the formatting and I’m sorry lol 😭😭😭

Oh also OP, I am the BIGGEST Feysand fan. Love them forever:)

I would say continue reading :)

I think Celaena and Chaol have a young love. They are both young and struggling and they find peace in each other’s company. It’s not like a burn the world down kind of love, which is okay!

Dorian and her were always just flirting I think. Sure they made out a little bit but she knew that it was never going to go anywhere with him because of his dad, plus he was a player and that did not fit her vibe as well as Chaol’s more steady attention.

Spoiler

Yeah I wasn't a fan of that either. From the very beginning I was rooting for her to take Dorian. Her chemistry with him was just so much better.

Chaol has nice character development, but at that point in the story he is a bit plain.

Yeah I felt the same exact thing. But you are in the beginning. It’s best to just keep reading unless you want to get spoiled. But you won’t be disappointed.

Are you done the series?

I felt them same way in COM. I have never liked Chaol though, my bestie on the other hand thinks he's the best character in the series. I eagerly await your update on which way you swing

I feel like Celaena and Chaols relationship is more comparable to Nesta and Cass. Based on your comments below I think I’m just a little bit ahead of you in Crown of Midnight. I’m just going out on a limb guessing there is a reason SJM doesn’t give us much buildup. I’m hoping I’m wrong because I really like Chaol, thus far😩.

ya i didnt like her relationship with him i dont really vibe with him as a character. Dorian i felt fine about. But just wait and see what happens in book 3🥹my favorite of the series i think

I completely agree about Celaena having regrets about waiting to be be with Sam. It did feel kinda quick with Chaol but after finishing the series, i think id probably fall right in love with Chaol too. Hes definitely one of my favorites in the series. But it is kinda messy reading the first three books and there basically being a new love interest in each it was like whiplash

All will be right on the end. You're on book two of seven. Chill. Read. Then question.