Chapter 309
Elain first noticed the change in Sheera's expression, and she knew then that Lucien had entered the garden. She had felt her mate enter their suite, and she had heard his voice, but it hadn't occurred to her that he had been with others until surprise went up across Sheera's face. She turned, and she felt a smile spread across her own face when she saw her sister follow Lucien outside.
"Feyre!"
"Hello…" Feyre moved toward her across the garden and Elain smiled more widely. Her sister looked well, and Elain was pleased that she had arrived sooner than anticipated. Feyre met her eyes and then they shifted to the left a little, and Elain realised that her sister was looking at Sheera. Her sister's head tilted, that golden brown hair cascading over one shoulder, and an interested expression clear across her featues. "…and hello."
"This is my friend, Sheera." Elain said, lifting a hand to indicate Sheera. "She's been helping me with plans for the garden."
"Ah, yes." Feyre nodded. "You mentioned her in your letters."
Elain glanced at Sheera and nodded, she had forgotten that. "I did."
"It's nice to meet you, Sheera." Feyre said, "Elain has told me a lot about how you've been helping her and how she has enjoyed having someone to talk to about what she is interested in…"
Elain felt herself beginning to blush. She didn't know how much more of this kind of talk she could take while she was standing there. She figured she wouldn't mind Feyre telling Sheera that she had written about her, excited about their new friendship and pleased that it felt like she was making a proper home here. But she didn't really enjoy it while she was standing beside them. Sheera looked a little pleased but also a little embarrassed.
"Oh… I… She has told me about her sisters, too." Elain's friend said softly. "I hoped that I would get to meet you."
"OH!" Feyre grinned, "Well, I am Feyre, I am the youngest." Feyre gestured behind her, "This is my mate, Rhys."
"The High Lord of the Night Court…" Sheera breathed, and Elain nudged her gently.
"Breathe."
"Right…"
Rhys stepped forward then, Lucien beside him, and Elain smiled up at her own mate when one of his strong arms slid around her waist. Leaning into Lucien, she watched Sheera staring at Rhys, looking more than a little awestruck and she resisted a giggle. Lucien squeezed her, bending to bring his lips to her ear. "Got any more plans cooked up, Petal?"
"Some." She admitted, her hand running up and down his side.
"I brought something you will be looking forward to." Rhys put in, smiling brightly at Elain and reaching into his jacket pocket. Elain followed his hand, standing up a little more straight when he brought it out, a lengthy wrapped package now in his grip. "You asked for some of that tree from the garden…"
"Oh!" Elain stepped toward him, taking the package when he held it out to her. Eagerly, she unwrapped it, finding a perfect looking cutting from the tree. "Thank you!"
"Is it what you need?" Rhys asked, "Will it work?"
"I hope so." Elain replied, her finger tracing one of the leaves gently. "I'll see if I can get some roots coming off of it…" She looked again at the cutting. "It would make a fantastic tree."
"We can still ask Tamlin for help." Lucien reminded her, his hand rubbing her back slowly. She nodded, smiling at the cutting and then she looked back up to Rhys.
"Thank you." She said to him, "Really." She glanced around the garden, "Sheera and I thought it would look fantastic over there…" She pointed, "And it will really make this place feel like home to me, because that tree is really important and…" Elain glanced at Lucien, "Lucien and I spent a lot of time under the one in your garden."
"I am well aware." Rhys smiled, "I hope that it grows for you."
Elain showed the cutting to Sheera, who took it carefully. Her friend inspected the cutting before nodding. "I can take it inside and get it into some water…"
"Thanks." Elain said, turning back to her family. "How long are you all staying?"