That chapter has been written for a week and a half but just as I wanted to post it...my computer went down. I didn't have any computer for a week, thankfully I didn't lose any documents (except my videos T.T) and then I had my wisdom teeth removed yesterday so...

I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

katherineing66 : I wish I had been able to post the chapter earlier but hopefully, you'll enjoy it even now!

Starlight25 : The chapter is here!

pinkdoughtnuts : Wait to see who has got their hands on Vassa! ;)

FANFICTION

A COURT OF NIGHTMARES AND LIGHT

PART II – THE DAY COURT

CHAPTER XXIV : Bold

Lucien felt pure exhaustion shooting through his veins. It made all his movements sluggish and his mind slow. He hated that sensation after winnowing over such long distances, despite the regular stops.

Still, he looked up at the manor where he, Vassa and Jurian had spent so much time and he forced his mind to sharpen. He focused on his own magic and he sensed all the magical wards around here. They were less powerful than before, because of his long absence, but they were still working as they should. Keeping away magical entities and ill-willed people. As expected, his wards were not to blame for Vassa's disappearance.

As if following his line of thoughts and sensing the unusual amount of magic flowing in human lands, Lux, Helion's red hawk pet, squawked.

"You said it," Lucien mumbled, absent-mindedly caressing the bird's chest feathers as he walked on, "I knew my wards wouldn't fail. Helion can stick it, uh?"

The bird squealed again, and he even sounded like he was agreeing with Lucien.

He walked into the mansion and without surprised, he was welcomed by the main attendants and the servants of the house. They were all lined up, waiting for orders, or punishment. Lucien didn't even hide the way his lips snarled when he smelled the fear and anxiety emanating from the humans.

"Master Lucien," the governess greeted with an iron-gaze and an unbreakable will.

"Tell me everything that happened," he ordered as he was guided into Vassa's private apartments.

The governess processed to tell him everything she knew. Her Majesty had been lonely since both Jurian and Lucien had left to their own devices – but she kept herself occupied, especially in the night time when she had her human form. Besides her lonely tendencies, the governess hadn't noticed anything strange with Queen Vassa until she disappeared the previous night. After receiving Lucien's letter for her, the governess had gone to Vassa directly, but she had been gone from her chambers. The whole mansion had been searched upside down, then the surrounding park, and then beyond Lucien's magical wards… but no sign was found of Vassa. Dogs were used to follow her scent, but it disappeared through a couple of trees in the park where Vassa usually spent her time as a firebird.

Lucien went into her chambers first, trying to find a clue, but everything was so clean it made it impossible. All her belongings were still here though, including her favourite dresses and books. She wouldn't have left any of those behind, not unless Vassa had known she would be back soon. But why take the risk of leaving a safe place to probable danger?

Lucien would have missed it if, as he was leaving the private rooms, a breeze of air hadn't come from the window. It brought scents of sweet flowers and bitter leaves. The typical smell of Autumn, as it was the season in the human lands. But there was something far more potent about this, that made Lucien stop in his tracks.

He turned back towards the rooms, frowning as he scanned the area. His golden eye whirred and clicked as it analysed everything that his Fae eye couldn't distinguish.

His heart missed a beat. He couldn't believe it.

"Take me to where the dogs lead you," he said hurriedly.

A few minutes later, he was out in the middle of trees, bent down to examine the traces he could guess in the fallen leaves and broken twigs. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Too many humans have gone through here to look for Vassa, it has ruined most of the traces left by her and her companion."

"Her companion?" The governess asked doubtfully.

"Her thief. Vassa didn't vanish just like that. Someone took her. Someone who was able to take her through my magical wards."

"Do you know who has attacked Her Majesty?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

He looked back at her, holding back a sneer.

"If I'm not wrong… I wouldn't call that an 'attack'," he answered, smirking when he saw the offended look on her face.

"Don't you dare insult Her Majesty with such abominable accusations!"

He raised an eyebrow. She tightened her lips.

"…She is very lonely."

"Not an excuse to use whoever would come her way for her own satisfaction with no regards for their feelings," he mumbled, walking back towards the mansion, "I will send a message with my theories to High Lord Rhysand and Helion. I can't winnow back yet, I need to rest before taking the journey back."

"What can we bring you, my lord?" she asked, polite as ever.

My mate and the peace she brings me, he thought to himself.

"Just some food, thank you."

She nodded, always so eager to obey orders and satisfy people, even if she disliked Lucien for being High Fae. But he was a favourite of Her Majesty Vassa and she would be dissatisfied of Lucien being mistreated.

Lucien sent the messages, thanks to Lux who flew off directly to where Helion would be, on the other side of Prythian, then he took a quick bath and went to sleep to recover from all his winnowing.

Almost immediately, he was dragged into a bright dream. Lucien walked into a meadow of flowers, surrounded by trees coloured by Autumn, but he knew it wasn't the Autumn Court. It was some other place, with a bright sun, its heat soothed by the chill of Fall. He noticed a blanket laid down with food and toys for young children. There were flower crowns, some clumsily made, as if by younglings.

A laugh resonated, a bright and clear sound, so different from Elain's but just as enchanting. He turned around and saw a little girl run wildly. She had long, wavy, red hair. She was pursued by three boys, all with different shades of red hair. Lucien knew it was just a dream, just like he knew it was a promise of a future, just like he knew they were his children. Perhaps parenthood was similar to a mating bond in the fact that it ignored time and space. It resonated within himself as strongly as his powers, his nature, his mating bond to Elain.

This was his future. Promised by the mating bond with Elain, full of bright days and happiness. And the happiest sight he had ever beheld was seeing those children, whose faces reminded him so much of his beloved lady.

He stepped out and surprised the little girl. She cried out as he lifted her up. The sun embraced and illuminated her and his heart swelled up. He held her close to himself, impatient to someday meet her. He kissed her cheek as she laughed again, and his eyes stung with contented tears.

He let her down and the children, along with the three grown up Autumn Foxes, kept running off around the meadow.

He sensed a heartbeat echoing with his, and he turned around. His own heart missed a few beats when he took in Elain, shining like the sun itself. She was the light chasing the clouds away. She had always been and now, more than ever, he felt the mating bond thrum strongly between them. Their hands reached for each other and he knew, as certainly as she did, that this was a dream they shared – one they craved and would work for.

"Is this a dream?" She asked softly, "Can we really be this happy?"

The hope in her voice sung deliciously to his ears. It was the sweetest honey. It was the mild spring warmth melting the ice of his heart away.

He caressed her cheek and took in those strong, overwhelming emotions. He was hers, only hers, he existed only for her and her happiness, and she for him.

"Of course it's real, my love. It's the future we are promised. I wouldn't change any of it. Everything is perfect."

She smiled brightly. He pulled her closer to kiss her, once and for all, and seal their promised dream.

My future, my family, my loves, my mate–

His arms wrapped around thin air and he stumbled forward. Eyes wide in shock, he looked around. A shadow, shaped like a hand, bringing chills and terror, invaded the meadow. The laughing stopped and everything turned dark.

"NO! Elain!" He called desperately, panic raging in his blood.

He turned around but he wasn't in the meadow anymore. He didn't even bother checking where he was, the need to reach Elain and help her was too strong. He ran forward but met an invisible wall. Like a barrier, it kept him away from his mate, despite the wild emotions flowing from her– she was scared, she was panicked, she needed to feel safe, he needed to be there for her, he–

Lucien woke up with a strangled scream. Fire had spread over his bed and smoke had risen to the ceiling.

Servants ran into the room and stopped at the sight of the chaos.

His heart was beating as wildly as Elain's did, on the other side of Prythian, but he took a deep, wretched breath, and stopped the fire.

"M-my lord!" the governess started, looking around in a panic.

"What happened?"

That voice, smooth as darkness itself, brought Lucien back among the livings. He looked up as Azriel, still half shadows, stepped forward.

Elain's heartbeat was still resonating in his mind, and for the first time since the mating bond, he understood what she had meant, on their first encounter, when she had said "I can hear your heartbeat, can you hear mine?"

I can hear, I can hear you, Elain, I'm coming, my love–

Lucien stumbled out of bed and almost fell on his knees in his hurry. Azriel caught his forearms, surprised to see the Son of Autumn so uncommonly heedless.

"Lucien–"

"Elain! Take me to her! She–"

His voice broke. Azriel's full attention immediately focused on Lucien's words.

"Is she in danger?" he asked carefully, but his voice was tight.

"I-I don't know, she– a dream, no– a vision– she needs me…!" he whispered helplessly.

Azriel observed him for a long time – just a few seconds but in his panicked hurry and careless impatience, it was too much for Lucien. He snatched his arms away and turned around to grab a shirt and pack his bags.

"Where are you going, Lord Lucien?!" The governess exclaimed when she saw him moving frenetically.

"Back to my mate, even if I must drop dead from the winnowing!"

"What about Her Majesty Vassa?! She is still gone and missing, she must be so frightened, you MUST help her, it's your duty as her servant–"

Lucien whipped around, fire flashing in his eyes. She startled and stepped back.

"I am no one's servant! Especially not Vassa's, no matter how entitled she thinks she is! My only duty is to my mate, and she needs me, right now!"

Despite her fright upon angering a powerful High Fae, she opened her mouth to talk. Azriel stepped between the two and looked down at her. His pale face and the looming shadows were enough to shut her up. She turned ashen and stepped away once more.

"Lucien is the Night Court's Emissary, he works for High Lord Rhysand, not Queen Vassa and it would be good for you to be reminded of respecting us, the people who have decided against all odds to help your queen. Her disappearance is worrying indeed, but Lucien, my spies and myself have all investigated here and there is nothing further to find out. We will take our leave and take the necessary measures to retrieve your queen. You'll be updated when it'll be deemed necessary."

She opened and closed her mouth like a stupid fish. Neither Azriel nor Lucien gave her any more attention.

"Let's go, as soon as you're ready," Azriel told Lucien.

"I already am." He answered, slightly annoyed that he needed the Shadowsinger's help to winnow back to Elain, and still jealous of Azriel's closeness to his mate.

As if reading his thoughts, Azriel smiled sadly.

"I was sent here by Rhys to find out what happened with Vassa. Let's discuss this later. Right now, Elain needs you."

Azriel showed his scarred hand to Lucien. The latter took in the fact that, with those simple words, "Elain needs you", Azriel respected the mating bond and the relationship born between those two. With his hand held out and his willingness to help in any way he could, Azriel was silently telling Lucien that he hadn't been interested in Elain, in standing between them, and that he was asking for forgiveness, and even friendship.

Lucien took his hand, and shadows engulfed them.

It was different from the winnowing he was used to, and Lucien was irritated that it was so easy for Azriel to winnow over such long distances, but that annoyance was washed away the moment they landed in front of the Tower of Light.

He immediately ran into it and to the nearest lift, followed quietly by Azriel. The servant didn't even need to ask where Lucien wanted to go – his desperate look was enough to tell him that he needed to go to Lady Elain.

Silently, Azriel watched Lucien. He looked far more at ease in the Day Court than he ever did in the Night Court. He was livelier, less frantic, even though he was currently panicking for his mate. He knew what he was doing and where to go. Despite his red hair and obvious Autumn looks, he belonged here. The hysteria of looking for his mate was obvious, but Azriel couldn't help but notice the deep and honest dread shining in Lucien's good eye.

Azriel's heart softened and a small smile appeared on his face despite himself. Part of the reason why he had been so protective of Elain had been because he had feared Lucien's intentions, as a mated male, doomed to possessiveness, but… after they had spent so much time in each other's company, Lucien had grown to truly love Elain. It wasn't just the bond between them, it had just enhanced their natural disposition to care for each other.

Not wanting to disrupt the tense atmosphere with untimely encouraging words when Lucien needed nothing else but his mate to his side, Azriel remained silent. They arrived at the floor where Feyre was already waiting for them. She opened her lips but Lucien shot past her, and directly to where he felt Elain was. She was in the healing wing – which did nothing to reassure him in the slightest. In a big, white room, she laid in a bed, surrounded by Sibylla, Helion and a healer.

"Where is she?!"

He pushed past everyone to reach Elain. He took her hand in his and looked at her face. She was pale and sweaty, he could smell blood.

"What happened?!" he growled, terribly protective instincts grapping him.

"I don't know," Sibylla answered.

"What do you mean 'you don't know'?!" he hissed, glaring at her, "What did you do to her?!"

"Calm down, Lucien," Helion said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Lucien moved away from him and glared at the High Lord. Helion kept his face hard to not show his emotions.

"You were supposed to keep her safe! Both of you! Here! Away from all the chaos outside! What happened?!"

Sibylla and Helion shared a quick look, then she spoke up:

"I was teaching her how to control her powers of Seer. I guided her, then I let her handle her visions herself. Suddenly, she was… out of reach. She was dragged away by another force, more powerful than us. I don't know what she saw… who she saw but suddenly, she screamed and fell unconscious."

Lucien had an idea of who it had been, and from the looks on everyone's faces they had the same suspicions.

"I thought the Sorcerer couldn't reach us here," Feyre intervened, back in the room with Azriel.

"He can't come here physically and his powers are limited, but he is still a danger. I didn't think he could get through my wards." Helion answered, anger rippling from him like sparkling heat at the very idea that his home had been targeted.

"Your wards had nothing to do with it. He reached Elain by wandering into her dreams and visions," Sibylla explained, "Your wards protect the reality here, but visions? It's another world that aren't ruled by the laws of physics here. Time and space are an illusion. With the right spell, even a bound Sorcerer can wander freely through that other dimension and reach whoever he wants."

"Elain– how is she?" Lucien asked, turning towards the healer with a desperate look on his face.

"She used an enormous amount of power. Besides her abilities as Seer and some accidental winnowing, I believe she hasn't shown any High Fae powers, right?"

"That's exact," Lucien answered.

"Well, I believe she used a spell. Instinctively, she must have tried to banish the Sorcerer from her mind and get away from whatever vision she saw… But it was too much power at once and her body couldn't handle it. She just needs time to recover from the physical strain of it."

Relief flooded from Lucien so violently that he felt dizzy and almost fell off the bed. He focused on Elain and he sensed her heartbeat slow down. His presence at her side, his relief, were enough to calm her down and help her recover.

He kissed the back of her hand, sighing against her skin.

"How long will it take for her to wake up?" Feyre asked worriedly.

"It depends, a few hours, maybe more. I have given her some tonic and applied balms to help her recover faster from the magical strain. High Fae usually showed signs of having magical powers during their teenage years, but it's only once they have grown to have mastered the basics of magic and have become fully grown adults that they are taught how to use and control their powers. As a High Fae who was turned by the Cauldron… I'm afraid her body doesn't know how to handle those powers. She will need time and guidance, probably over years, to learn how to use spells without unleashing too much at once." The healer explained.

They had all years and years to get accustomed to the magic flowing in their veins – Elain had been forced into the Cauldron less than three years ago. Magically speaking it was as if a baby had the power of a grown High Fae. Impossible to control without training, and incredibly dangerous.

"We'll help her." Feyre said, sitting on the other of the bed and lifting the covers higher.

Lucien glanced quickly at Feyre, the High Lady of the Night Court, turned by the High Lords of Prythian themselves, and having already mastered the powers of every court. As much as it annoyed him that she was better than him, right now, he was only comforted by the idea that she could help Elain in the future.

Eventually, Lucien calmed down enough to give his report to Helion, Feyre and Azriel. The latter had similar information, and even some to complete what Lucien had theorized. One of his spies had seen a cloaked figure walk with Vassa in the woods, not far from where her scent vanished, but the spy had been too far away to notice any characteristics.

"Lucien, if you're right about this…" Feyre started.

"I know." He growled, frowning to himself.

A heavy silence fell on the room. Lucien's thoughts unravelled so he focused on the sensation of Elain's skin he kept touching.

Helion had been about to ask something to Lucien when he noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the way his chin kept falling as sleep was tempting him, the lazy circles he traced over Elain's hand… Unexpectedly, the High Lord's heart softened.

"We'll find no more information about it for the time being. We should rest while we can and recover before trying to understand what this all means. And let's not forget that nothing is certain and it's only theories."

Feyre and Azriel nodded. She kissed Elain's forehead before turning around, whispering with her spymaster. Helion started following them, but he stopped at the last moment and looked at Lucien. His features were sharper, strained with fatigue and… Helion was surprised to see an unexpected resemblance with the reflection he usually faced in the mirror.

"You… should rest as well. You are exhausted with all the winnowing you executed." He intervened.

Lucien looked up to him. Helion put his hand on his shoulder, awkwardly. They just stared at each other without knowing how to react to that approach. Then Helion turned around and moved to leave.

"Lord Helion–"

"Yes?"

Lucien stood up to face him. He kept his lips thin. He opened and closed his mouth. He hesitated, flushed, then put a hand through his messy hair.

"I was wondering if…" His voice trailed off and he changed his mind, "You know my mother, don't you?"

Helion's heart skipped a beat.

"I do. As well as I was allowed to, only ever being a temporary guest in the Autumn Court." He answered carefully, his gaze examining every emotion flicking on Lucien's face.

Lucien then threw away all hesitation and looked straight into Helion's eyes. He looked far more determined and braver than Helion would have expected, knowing how soft the boy was for his mother. Or perhaps his heart clenched because Lucien had inherited that strength and courage from Lucasta and he missed her with every fibre of his body.

"I was wondering if… I could… talk to you about her… and how well you were acquainted with her?" Lucien asked, as tactful as he could afford to be in that moment.

It was so rare that High Lord Helion showed a moment of weakness that it took both of them by surprise.

"Of course," he answered automatically, even though his heart was already screaming from the pain promised to come with this dreaded conversation.

Lucien only stared even harder at him, as if seeing his soul. Something passed into his eyes. Fear? Agitation? Distress? He immediately turned away and towards Elain. He reached for her hand again, soothed by her closeness. Giving her comfort was his only guiding light at the moment.

Helion understood that and left, overwhelmed by unknown emotions and tormenting thoughts.

Selena was waiting for him but when she noticed her cousin's state of mind, she remained silent and simply watched him walk away. She looked down and sighed deeply. She hated that he had been so broken hearted for centuries, and now… Lucien's presence only increased this ache.

"Mother and Cauldron, please let them be at peace…" she prayed quietly.

When Elain came back to herself, her entire body was sore and her head throbbed. She took long, painful breaths, then became aware of her surroundings. Lucien. She looked down and her eyes teared up in relief and comfort to see him there. He was asleep, curled up in an uncomfortable position on the side of her bed, his hand firmly holding hers.

"He refused to return to your chambers and leave you alone." A quiet voice intervened on the other side, "Here, have something to drink, Elain," Azriel said, handing her a warm potion.

He helped her sit up without disturbing Lucien's sleep and she drank the liquid. It soothed her body and her headache. She sighed in relief, then sat back against the pillows. Her gaze turned to Lucien again.

"It hasn't been that long, and yet, it feels like we haven't seen each other in decades," Azriel commented with a smile.

"It has only been… a week or so…" she realised.

Silence wrapped around them, soothing and peaceful, like it had always been between them.

"I've talked with Mor," he let out, as if he hadn't expected it himself.

She turned to him, silently encouraging him to talk if he wanted to. His brown eyes wandered around, then he posed them on her, and he smiled. It was the saddest smile she had ever seen, but his shoulders were relaxed and he looked serene.

"It turns out I had been labouring for nothing. Mor and I will always care for each other and I'll never love anyone like I've loved her but… I think… I held onto something that was never really here. A flicker, a possibility, but I've fallen out of love with her a long time ago."

There was a thoughtful pause, then he spoke up again:

"We had needed to talk for a long time but neither of us had ever dared break that semblance of 'someday' we had going on…"

It was a sad truth that relationships that held onto illusions and 'what if' with no communication or work done to make it work would… turn into mist and shadows. Nothing but good memories and regret, with the bittersweet taste of missed opportunities.

"Thank you, for encouraging me to talk with Mor and choose myself before anyone else." He finally said with a grateful smile, "It… will take time to recover and… find qualities in me… but you've inspired me to work on myself, for myself."

"I'm glad for you, Azriel." She said with a sincere smile, "And I'll always be your friend, willing to listen to anything you wish to share or discuss."

He thanked her with a smile. Then, he turned his attention to Lucien's sleeping form. Elain smiled tenderly at the sight, and squeezed his hand. Instinctively, Lucien answered in his dreams.

"You look happy. Both of you. And… more yourself than you ever were before."

"It's probably the one thing that I am most grateful for about the mating bond. It didn't just bring me Lucien, or love or happiness, but… it also revealed to both of us our potential and who we truly are, without feeling any shame or worry of being our true selves."

She cocked her head on the side, thoughtful and talking more to herself than Azriel now.

"I guess… you can only be your true self if someone understands you and accepts all of you without any fear or doubt. Lucien and I… we are so similar on many aspects, and yet, our differences complete each other perfectly. It was as if our souls were two pieces of a puzzle and we needed each other to feel complete."

Azriel stared at her, happy for her and curious about the feelings of a mating bond. Elain flushed, self-conscious after revealing so much of her intimate thoughts and feelings. She had never talked about it to anyone before, not even Lucien. She didn't need to because she knew he felt the same.

"I'm glad for the both of you. You deserve happiness more dearly than any other soul I have ever encountered." Azriel said with a big smile and a teasing light in his eyes.

Her blush deepened, but she chuckled joyfully.

"Thank you," she answered, her thumb tracing circles over Lucien's hand, in a similar manner to what he had done to her earlier.

"I will take my leave. I will warn the healer that you've woken up. Do you need anything?" he asked, standing up.

"I feel fine, thank you."

He nodded, then walked out of the room. Lucien sat up in the chair, groaning as he stretched his long limbs. Elain widened her eyes, then blushed even more when she realised he had been awake and had heard everything.

"I thought he'd never leave!" he mumbled, cracking his neck after being so long in such an uncomfortable position.

"That's why your heart was beating so vividly," she replied, "I thought you were having a dream, but you were just awake."

"It's exciting to know we still have so much to discover about each other, isn't it?" he asked with a cocky grin.

Before she could answer, he jumped on the bed, laying on his side despite the lack of room, and he caressed her cheek. Elain sighed and leaned down to look up to him, a smile dancing on her lips. It wavered when she noticed the dark and worried look on his face.

"I was so worried when I felt…"

His voice trailed off. He swallowed hard.

She took his free hand in hers and kissed the back of it.

"I'm fine. I was just–"

The memory of the Sorcerer, of that nightmare, rendered her speechless.

Lucien opened and closed his lips, he wanted to ask her what she had seen but he was worried of what it would be. What it would mean.

"It was him, wasn't it?" he asked in a low voice, the back of his fingers still caressing her cheek.

She nodded, then turned on her side to bury her face into his chest. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and tugged her as close as it was physically possible. Their bodies seemed to melt into each other.

"The King of Hybern was the shadow of fear compared to that Sorcerer…" she breathed, "I never want to see him again."

"I'll not allow it, my darling," he answered, kissing the top of her head.

She moved to look at him. He looked so determined and so fierce, she didn't doubt his words – but she feared the consequences for him.

Lucien smiled, in the hope to brighten her day and Elain lost her breath for a moment. Their eyes flickered to each other's lips. They were suddenly hit with the realisation that for all their promises and vows of love, for all that tension between them, that closeness… they had never even kissed.

A kiss, the delicate touch of their lips, the sweet joining of their breaths, the temple of their life forces… it felt so intimate, so true, so resolute.

There would be no going-back, there would no stopping.

"Lucien…" she started in a soft voice, "That vision…"

She didn't need to give any detail for him to know what made her eyes shine so beautifully. A bright smile answered her as he tenderly caressed her lips with his fingertips.

"I know, I saw…" he murmured with a cracking voice.

I love you, I want to be with you, I want to accept the mating bond, hung in the air between them, in those few centimetres that separated their lips and the sealing of their promised future.

"My lady, my flame, my Elain… may I kiss you?" Lucien asked.

Those words set fire to her soul. She clung to him, desperate to shout her passionate "YES". Just as she opened her lips t whisper her answer, the door opened.

The healer didn't even bother saying anything other than roll her eyes at the annoyed look Lucien sent her as he straightened up on his elbow.

"We were having a moment!" he whined.

"I'll be having no mating frenzy in my healing room – go to your own chambers for that, lovebirds!" she answered without missing a beat, ignoring Elain's distressing red cheeks, she pointed at Lucien, "You need more sleep than that, or you'll drop dead half-way through the frenzy from sheer exhaustion!"

"You're underestimating my capacities–"

"I know what Autumn Sons are made of, and fire might keep you hot, but it won't keep you alive and kicking!"

Lucien's mouth fell open, outraged by such insulting words. Elain whined, covering her face with her hands upon hearing her mate and a healer she barely knew discussing a mating frenzy.

"Now, climb off that bed meant for only one so I can check my patient!"

She shooed him away and Lucien rolled off the bed, almost falling on his butt. For a faerie who wasn't from the Autumn Court, that healer was a spitfire.

Grumbling and rolling his eyes, he sat back into the chair as Saga, as she introduced herself to Elain, examined her.

"Is she okay?" Lucien asked, deep worry laced in his voice.

"Not to worry, you can get out of here. Just no more magic for a while, is it understood? And next time, make sure to follow the instructions of a teacher before using any of it. You've drained yourself, girl, and next time might be the last time."

Elain paled a little, but nodded. Lucien bit on his lower lip to keep himself from overwhelming Elain with his protective instincts.

Saga gave her some more potion to recover more quickly, then left them, but reminded them to leave the room.

Lucien helped Elain up and he brought her to their chambers. They both took a bath and ate food they sorely needed. They were close to dozing off again for a much needed sleep when a knock resonated at their door around nightfall.

"Lord Helion has been informed of your recovery and wishes to discuss the situation with the disappearance of Queen Vassa and the Sorcerer's intervention." The servant announced.

"We'll be here shortly." Lucien answered.

He turned towards Elain. They shared a worried look then, hand in hand, they walked to the throne room, one floor below.

Helion was sitting in his throne, but he didn't have his solar crown. Koios, Selena, Sibylla, Feyre, Azriel and Rhysand were all here.

"Rhysand!" Elain exclaimed, surprised to see him.

"I've missed you too," he answered with a wink.

Lucien showed his teeth, to which Rhysand raised his eyebrows, amused by his jealousy.

"Well, well, I had been informed that you two had grown closer, but I hadn't realised you were so close to mating." He said cockily, "Should we leave you two alone or will you behave?"

"Oh, not again!" Lucien exclaimed, rolling his eyes in annoyance at everyone's assumption he was about to jump Elain like a desperate rabbit.

"What do you mean 'again'?" Feyre asked teasingly.

"Feyre, please!" Elain exclaimed, echoing Lucien's exasperation.

"We need to send a message to Mor so she can start organizing the ceremony, she'll be beyond joy to help you choose a dress and–"

"Feyre!"

Amused smiles and chuckles resonated, but Helion remained grave. He shared a glance with Rhysand who sobered up at once.

"I was kept informed of more concerning matters than your growing relationship, lovebirds," he continued in his High Lord voice, "And I decided to come. The Autumn Equinox, our deadline, is four days away and not only Vassa is missing… the Sorcerer has grown bolder."

"The Autumn Equinox Ball is maintained, but we need to find Vassa so we can break the curse. Koios and I have managed to work on it in your absence Lucien. I believe we're almost ready to break it for Vassa, and stop the Sorcerer before he gets any opportunity to get her back for whatever magic he needs her." Helion explained.

Koios spoke up next:

"We should send a message to our main suspect but considering the tense situation between the Courts, it might be unwise. We need your input on the best course of action before–"

The doors flew open. Everyone turned around, expecting another wild entrance like the one Sibylla had done not long ago.

It was no Seer.

Helion stood up, his power rippling from him. Yet again unexpected guests had invited themselves all the way to his throne room. Feyre and Rhysand, the High Lady and High Lord of the Night Court, and the most powerful ones besides Helion in this room, also stepped forward, ready to unleash their strengths.

"How lovely to see you all again!" Queen Vassa exclaimed, her hand held up ceremoniously by Eris.

The heir of the Autumn Court tilted his head and grinned wickedly in Lucien's direction.

"How lovely indeed to see you again, little brother," he greeted in a honeyed voice.

Don't hesitate to tell me what you thought! ;)

Yours Truly,

May