Chapter 361

Every step Lucien took away from the Throne Room while those screams echoed around him felt like a knife between the ribs. Something within him, a part that had only just begun to awaken, howled at him to turn around and walk in there, to stop what was happening. But he couldn't. He wasn't taking Elain in there, wasn't going to risk her and, even if he did open those doors, there was no guarantee that they all wouldn't be cut down the moment they walked inside. For all he knew, there were a hundred or more enemies on the other side of that door.

When Elain slipped her hand into his free hand, he glanced down at her, thankful for her attempt at letting him know that she understood. He knew that she wanted to help whoever was making those awful noises, he didn't need access to the bond to know that she wanted to do something. They had to make the smart choice here. It was more important to find the High Lord and make sure that he was alright. If they stood any chance of putting an end to what was happening before dozens or more fae were killed, then they would need the High Lord.

Helion would, Lucien knew, be able to stride through those doors and strike down anyone who was a threat. Or, maybe, Lucien thought, that was wishful thinking. If the High Lord could do that, then he would have no reason to be worried about him. There would be no reason for them to go running off around the palace in search of him. Helion would be an asset in righting whatever was happening here, that was certain. He would also be vital in rebuilding whatever disaster had occurred by the time this was over. Morale would be important. It always was in massacred Courts. It would be much easier for the Day Court to recover from this if the High Lord survived.

Lucien had been so caught up in his thoughts and ponderings that he almost didn't notice the small dark-skinned faerie duck behind a couch as he'd ushered Elain and Sheera through a reception room. Lucien froze then, putting his mate and her friend behind himself as he adjusted his grip on his sword.

"Who are you?" he asked, voice firmer than he had expected it to be.

Black eyes peered at him from over the top of the back of the couch, and then a slim form appeared. As the faerie stepped into the light from the nearby window, Lucien itched to lift his sword higher. He didn't know this faerie.

"Illya." The faerie made a quick bow, and Luicen knew then that it was male.

"What are you doing in here?"

"I… we… we work in the kitchen." Illya said, "It's … just down that hallway…"

"Yes." Lucien's eyes scanned the room, his metallic eye clicking as he searched. The other male had used the word 'we', which indicated that he was not alone. "I know where the kitchen is…"

"Of course." Illya turned his head and whispered, "It's okay. It's the heir…"

Another dark head popped up from behind the couch, and Lucien narrowed his eyes, trying to assess any threat to himself or the females behind himself. "How many of you are there?"

"Just the two of us." Illya said, and Lucien thought that he looked more relaxed than he had moments ago. "They came through the kitchen, grabbing anyone they could. We ran and hid… and we are trying to make our way out of the palace…"

Lucien couldn't blame them for that. "I see."

"So thankful, we are," Illya told him, "That it was you to come across us… and not them."

"Ah…" Lucien nodded. The two faeries came around the couch toward them and, though he didn't lift his blade to them, Lucien remained alert. Just because they didn't appear to be threatening didn't mean they couldn't be threats.

"So happy that you have survived…" Illya went on. "If you and the High Lord beat them and take back the palace, we would be happy to return to work… for you."

"I'll keep that in mind." Luicen replied, smiling as he did so. Illya's words had touched something in him, and he thought it might be pride. It pleased him, more than he had expected, that there were subjects of the Day Court, even those working in the kitchens of the palace, who would be happy to have him as the Heir, and would be happy to work in his Court. He gestured at the door. "If you're looking for a way out then take this passage. All the way to the end and then turn left. It will lead you to a garden, and in the garden behind the tangle of ivy in the west you will find another passage. It will lead you into the city."

"Oh…" Illya looked more than a little surprised. "Thank you…" he swept into another bow, this one lower than the first, and his friend beside him did the same. "We wish you luck."

"Thank you…" Lucien stepped back, away from them as they moved for the door, and he felt Elain's hand at his side as he neared her.

"Imagine…" she breathed, "How many like him are hiding in the palace, waiting for this to be over…"

"Waiting for someone to end it…" he said.

"… Waiting for you?" She asked ad he looked down at her.

"I am the heir…"