Chapter 359
Blinking up at her mate when he put himself between Elain and Sheera as they continued to sneak through the garden, Elain realised that Lucien didn't trust the dark haired female. She glanced again at Sheera who didn't seem to have noticed, and then she looked once more to Lucien. He gave her a measured look and she nodded her agreement. Until they knew for certain who was and wasn't involved in what was going on in the Palace, they had to be careful. Elain knew that the only person she truly could trust was Lucien, and she would be an idiot to allow anyone else unchecked access to her. Elain didn't think that Sheera was involved in any of it but, just in case she was, Elain knew that she had to be careful. It wouldn't do to let her guard down now only to receive a knife in the back beneath the trees.
As they snuck through the garden, she couldn't help her mind wandering a bit. It would have seemed to bizarre to her even two years ago, that she could end up here. Elain remembered her life back then with a certain kind of detachment. It seemed now that all of that had happened to someone else. She was certainly different now.
Back then, she had read those books that she had borrowed from Nesta with a kind of longing. Not just for the romantic aspect of the stories, but of the adventures and the interesting lives that the heroine always ended up living. Elain had wanted a comfortable life, in her house with her garden, but she had wanted to feel alive, too. She certainly had her adventures now. She smiled, eyes following Lucien's vibrant hair as he moved ahead of her. She certainly had the romantic aspect of those adventures, too. Lucien, Elain was sure, was far better than any of the love interests in any of the books she had ever read.
As they neared the outer borders of the garden, Sheera seemed to grow nervous and hesitant, and Elain eyed her, trying to work out what was wrong. Lucien turned to stand by Elain's side and they both looked at the dark skinned fae before them.
"Do you not wish to come with us?" Lucien asked, and Sheera's eyes grew wide.
"I do…" She breathed, hands twisting together in front of herself, "I don't want to be alone…" those eyes darted around the garden. "But… there are places to hide in here."
"We cannot just sit and hide." Lucien replied. "That will solve nothing."
"You need to get to the High Lord." Sheera agreed softly, "I understand… he is your father and you are the heir…but…" Those eyes moved to Elain, "The hallways of the palace would be more dangerous and you would be exposed. What if Elain and I stayed here… we could hide until the danger is passed…"
Elain felt Lucien's reaction to that suggestion, even without the bond. He straightened to his full height, shoulders seeming to become even more broad as he looked down at Sheera. There was nothing overtly threatening in his posture or his movement, but it was clear that he was not in agreement with what she had said. "No…" he all but purred, voice velvety and dangerous. "My mate and I will remain together."
Elain watched resignation cross Sheera's face at that. She understood the other female's position. Hiding in the garden had saved Sheera's life, had kept her hidden and safe so far. It only made sense that she would be hesitant to give up the safety of the garden to walk into empty hallways where anybody could come across them and there would be nowhere to hide. Sheera looked to Elain then, and Elain tried to give her a small smile. "Lucien and I," She told her friend softly, "have been separated already by these dissenters…"
"Yes…" Sheera nodded slowly, "I am glad that you were located and unharmed…" Elain smiled by way of thanks. "I… understand…"
"Do you have a weapon?" Lucien asked Sheera who shook her head. Elain was surprised when Lucien drew a knife from his boot and handed it to Sheera. "Then," he said, "you will move up the corridor with me on the other side, stepping as I do and moving when I move. Elain will follow us."
"Oh…" Sheera took the knife, eyeing it warily, and Elain wondered if her friend realised that Lucien had armed her to make her useful, and had given her a position to be in where he would be able to keep track of her, keep her in sight, so that she wouldn't be behind him with access to Elain and opportunity to harm them. Deciding then that Sheera looked so uncertain about what was happening and the blade in her hand, Elain was pretty sure that her friend was innocent of any connection to what was happening. "Alright…"
"With me." Lucien said, gripping the door that would lead them into one of the main corridors through the palace. Elain followed them in, eyeing the passageway. This corridor acted as a sort of artery for the palace, many hallways lead into it, and through it, one could be redirected anywhere in the palace one needed to go.
Lucien took them toward the left, and Elain knew that they were headed for the Throne Room.