Chapter 294

Elain smiled at Sheera who hesitated by the large doors to the dining room. "Are you sure…?" her friend asked, hands clenching at her pale green dress. "Are you certain I am… allowed… here?"

"Yes." Elain smiled again, "This is my home now. You are my friend." She gestured at the door. "I'm allowed to bring a friend to lunch…"

Sheera's golden eyes looked once more at the door and then back to Elain, "Is… is the High Lord in there?"

"He might be." Elain replied, "I'm not sure." She watched as Sheera tried to smooth down her dress, trying to get rid of the crinkles she had caused before. "It's not a big deal…"

"Maybe not for you." Sheera murmured, "Your family is full of important and powerful beings…" Elain nodded at that. Her friend had a point. Her sister was High Lady of the Night Court after all.

"That's true…" she said softly, "But this will be fine. You'll come in with me, sit down, and have some delicious food to eat… and nobody will say anything about it." Sheera drew and released a huge breath and then nodded her hair. Elain moved closer, linking her arm through her friend's and giving her a bright smile as she turned them toward the door. "Have you never been to the palace before?"

"I've been before…" Sheera breathed, "Into the reception room… I've seen the High Lord from a distance a few times… but…" her friend's voice died in her throat then as they went through the door into the dining room and they found the midday meal currently being lay out on the table. Elain smiled again and led her friend toward a couple of empty chairs, gently pulling on her arm when Sheera seemed to stiffen a little.

Lucien was at the table, and Elain pulled a chair out beside him, sitting herself down in it as Sheera seated herself on her other side. She gave her friend's arm a comforting pat as Lucien wrapped one of his arms around Elain's neck and drew her in his own direction, planting a warm kiss to her cheek.

"Where have you been, Petal?" he asked, curiosity clear in his voice, "And who is your friend?"

"This is Sheera." Elain said, and Lucien smiled.

"Ah, the one with the gift for flowers and gardens."

"Indeed." Elain confirmed, smiling again when Sheera's eyes widened in surprise at Lucien knowing who she was. "Sheera, this is Lucien. My Mate."

Sheera was nodding, those golden eyes looking from Elain to Lucien and back to Elain before going back to Lucien. "Yes, hello. It is lovely to meet you…" it appeared as if Sheera tried to form some sort of curtsey or bow combination, while still being seated, and all that she managed was a sort of awkward bob in her seat. Elain felt Lucien's amusement down the bond, and knew he was trying to stifle a laugh.

Instead, he gave a small chuckle as one of his hands slid down Elain's arm. "You are most welcome, Sheera." Lucien said, and Elain could hear him trying to be reassuring with Sheera so obviously nervous. "As a friend of Elain's, please help yourself to anything you would like."

"Thank you."

"Since we have returned here," Elain told her friend, "They have begun serving these Honeyed Pears from the Autumn Court, and they are delicious. You should definitely try them." She pushed a dish toward Sheera as Lucien leaned toward her.

"I believe they have been serving those since my mother has come to stay…" he whispered and Elain's mouth dropped open. How had she overlooked that. The pears were clearly an attempt from Helion at making Ashk feel welcome and at home. She turned toward her mate to see him grinning at her and she could not help but grin back at him.

"Well, that is interesting, isn't it…"