Hey! Here is the new chapter! I should tell you that I started writing a series of 7 one-shots which will be for the Elucien children. I'm not sure when I'll publish it, probably towards the end of this fanfic/after.
Thank you to everyone who followeed and reviewed! :D
Luvforzombies: I hope you'll like this chapter as well! :D
shalini: I hope this chapter will also give you nice feelings! ;)
FANFICTION
A COURT OF NIGHTMARES AND LIGHT
PART III – THE BLOOD MOON
CHAPTER XXXX : The Council of High Lords
Lucien woke up after a restless sleep, plagued by visions and nightmares of Elain and a doe being killed by a terrifying hunter.
Instinctively, he reached over to his right for comfort. He felt nothing but cold sheets. He turned over and stared at the empty bed that he was now sharing with the shadow of his love. He closed his eyes, to imagine her here, and took a deep breath.
His heart shattered and he opened teary eyes when he realised that Elain's scent had disappeared from the pillow. He reached for it and cuddled into it, but no matter how much he looked for it… he couldn't find anything left of the female he loved so dearly.
Knowing her gone, missing her were terrible things. But the realisation that every trace and scent of her were disappearing, inevitably gnawed away by time, was worse.
A knock at the door and a tray of breakfast was brought in by a quiet servant. They all knew by now to respect Lucien's grief.
Lucien got up and ate half-heartedly some food, just enough to last through the day. Possibly the most important day of his life. Then, he turned towards the outfit that Helion had had delivered for his son the previous day. A traditional Day Court outfit. An elegant association of white clothes draping over his body. His thighs and powerful legs were shown as well as his muscular arms. It went over one shoulder and was held with a golden belt and a pin, representing a sun. Lucien grabbed Soluis, Elain's last gift to him. He felt a little bare and unsure in this outfit, he wasn't used to such little clothing, but he wanted Beron's imprint on his life gone.
He had thought deeply about Helion's proposition to claim him as his son and heir in front of all the High Lords. The main reason why Lucien had accepted was because, as a High Lord's heir, Elain's fate would be considered far more important than if he remained Beron's seventh exiled son… But if he were entirely truthful with himself, Lucien also wanted to claim his lineage to Helion. He… he wanted a family, a father, a real one, in the Day Court which he would certainly grow to love if Elain were by his side.
Letting out a heavy breath to give himself some courage, Lucien walked out of his private apartment and walked towards one of the many meeting room where the High Lords were currently gathering. He came to a stop when he found someone waiting for him in the halls.
Nesta's blue eyes, so sharp and icy, so different from Elain's soft brown, met his. She quickly looked him up and down and her lips pinched slightly. It could be disapproval, or the opposite – with Nesta, it was hard to tell.
"So, you are fully claiming to be Helion's son?" she asked.
Lucien arrived to her level, and nodded elegantly.
"If it can help convince the High Lords to help Elain, then yes."
Nesta watched him carefully. He tried to meet her head-on, a little stubbornly despite the fire sparkling in her eyes.
The two of them hadn't spoken much in the last few days, but their relationship was courteous. Mostly for Elain's sake. And that was definite progress. Nesta had come to realise and understand the bond between her precious little sister and Lucien, and had – to his surprise – welcomed it with a nod and no frowning! She herself had accepted the mating bond with Cassian (terrifying couple, what was the Cauldron thinking!?) and understood better than anyone the innate connection between mates, and what one's disappearance can do.
"Is this where you will take her and make your home then? Once we have saved her," Nesta continued, glancing around in a mix of nonchalance and disdain.
"It will be up to Elain," he answered, letting out the slightest of sighs, "But… I think… she would like it here. She would like to live here for many decades, even centuries."
Nesta assessed him, then glanced out of the many windows to observe the endless hills of green grass and flowers.
"Yes… yes, I believe she would like it," she answered in a surprisingly soft voice.
Lucien couldn't hide his surprise. Nesta agreed with him!
It must have been the sign that this day was going to be successful.
As if perceiving his thoughts, Nesta snorted and started moving in long determined steps.
"Come on, all the High Lords have arrived."
The coldness in her voice made Lucien's steps waver slightly. He frowned, then accelerated behind her:
"All the High Lords?" he repeated.
She frowned as answer.
Just then, they reached the double doors that were opened by guards. And here they were. The most powerful beings in Prythian. All seven High Lords and their closest allies and families.
All gazes turned to Nesta and Lucien.
Tarquin's intense blue eyes and white hair was a sharp contrast against his ebony skin. Kallias pale disposition seemed to freeze the space around him. Thesan's quiet intelligence vibrated through the hair. Rhysand and Feyre sat confidently, surrounded by the Inner Circle which Nesta joined in quick strides.
To Lucien's surprise, Tamlin was there, looking dishevelled, thin and angry, but there nonetheless.
And right next to him were his three remaining half-brothers and…
"Mother…" Lucien murmured, voice cracking a little.
"Lucien," Lucasta said with a tender smile.
He swallowed the knot in his throat. He hadn't seen her since Under the Mountain. He hadn't talked to her since… when?
"Hello, brother," Eris said with a snort, looking him up and down, "What an interesting outfit you are wearing."
Lady Lucasta stared at Lucien, having already understood that he knew of his true parentage, a mix of fear and curiosity filled her gaze, but her face remained expressionless.
His other half-brothers sneered and chuckled.
"Is there anything wrong with the outfit that my son is wearing?"
Helion's voice boomed as he arrived behind Lucien. He was also wearing a traditional Day Court attire, but far more pompous, and with a golden crown behind his dark hair.
"Your what?" Tamlin snarled, frowning between Helion and Lucien.
Once more, Lucien swallowed with difficulty. Of all people, he had hoped that Tamlin, his old friend, would react in a more understanding manner. Although, it was probably too much hope for Tamlin of all people that he would have become, after years in his beast form, more understanding.
"My son," Helion repeated without any remorse, sitting down on his throne with his family behind him.
Lucien, for once, didn't know what to do, nor what to say. The slightest look from Helion encouraged him to move before he could realise it and suddenly, he was standing next to Helion's throne, in front of a glorious seat destined for him.
"Is this your idea of a joke?" Baak laughed, followed by Altan and Eyal though they didn't seem to appreciate any of it.
"Do I look to be in a gaming mood?" Helion continued, frowning.
Once more, he had put on the look of the distant, dangerous High Lord, which disturbed Lucien after so much time seeing him as a relaxed and good male.
"I beg your pardon, Helion, but I am confused as well," Thesan intervened, glancing at the other High Lords, "Why do you call Lucien Vanserra your son?"
Helion turned his gaze towards Lucasta who gave the slightest nod of her head. Then, she rose, beautiful in her dark green dress. Everyone's attention was immediately on her as, without blinking or letting any flush show on her cheeks, she revealed the truth:
"Lucien isn't Beron Vanserra's son. He was born from an affair that I had with Lord Helion, my mate."
Gasps resonated all around. Even Helion looked taken aback. He had known for centuries that she had been his mate all along – but he hadn't known until now that she knew it too.
Lucasta's russet eyes met Helion's golden ones across the room. There was a short flare of panic and fear at the revelation to all Prythian, but it was soon replaced by relief and peace. And everything could smell the mating bond between them, taunt and uncertain, but here all the same.
Lucien couldn't look at his parents. A part of him hadn't quite believed any of it but he couldn't deny the scent that Lucasta and Helion shared. Mates.
His half-brothers, except Eris who seemed unshakable, all showed disgusted expressions, gazes flickering between their mother and the High Lord of the Day Court.
"Mates, what a surprise!" Tarquin exclaimed, grinning delightfully at the surprising turn of events.
"How long have you known?!" Kallias followed, grabbing his own mate's hand, Lady Viviane.
"A few centuries," Helion answered, glancing hesitantly at Lucasta who nodded.
"We found out after I had been married to Beron. Revealing our mating bond, our affair, and Lucien's true parentage would have meant war. I simply wanted my son to be safe." She continued, her voice cracking a little as she met Lucien's mismatched gaze.
"You betrayed our father!" Eyal exclaimed, standing up, "How could you do that to him?!"
Lucasta whipped towards him but before she could say a thing, Eris intervened:
"Eyal. Sit down." He snarled.
His little brother immediately went down. Altan, who was quieter and more calculating than Baak and Eyal, glanced between Eris, Lucien, and their mother.
"Eris, did you know of this?" he asked in a low voice.
Eris glanced at him, then nodded. More gasps erupted in the room. Lucien was so shocked that his mouth fell open, staring openly at Eris.
"Eris found out before anyone else that I was with child, and that there was no way it could have been Beron's… He helped me protect Lucien, times and times again…" Lucasta revealed with a tender gleam in her eyes.
Words from Eris haunted Lucien then:
"After everything I've done for you, you ungrateful wimp!"
Lucien let himself fall into the seat that was behind him.
"You knew the whole time? You bastard…" he muttered, glaring at his older brother.
Eris had the nerve to lean backwards in his seat, joining his hands and grinning with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"You will find, brother, that you are the bastard." He answered mischievously.
Lucien didn't even blink at the insult, merely rolled his eyes at his brother's cockiness.
Tarquin, who was quite definitely enjoying the drama, leaned forward, glancing between Lucien and the rest of the Day Court:
"If you truly are Helion's son, then that makes you…" he started, voice trailing off.
"That makes you the heir to the Day Court," Rhysand finished, winking to him joyously.
"You've known for a while and never told me, don't think I haven't forgotten, Rhysand," Lucien hissed.
"You knew too?" Thesan exclaimed.
"We deemed it too dangerous to reveal anything while Beron was still alive," Feyre added.
"Can we really accept this?" Kallias muttered, frowning at this whole mess, "You may be the son of a High Lord, but Lady Lucasta has betrayed her husband, High Lord Beron."
Of course, leave it to Winter, the closest seasonal court to Autumn, to show their disapprobation.
"Lady Lucasta and Lord Helion are mates, this is a bond that is far stronger than any marriage," Rhysand answered.
Kallias visibly hesitated. Viviane took his hand, and he turned his attention to her. She smiled and he nodded.
"You're right… it's just all so…"
"Unexpected?" Lucien finished.
Kallias met his eyes then, and nodded.
"Believe me, I was the first one to be shocked by that revelation," Lucien mumbled.
"I still can't believe it… All this time you–" Baal continued shaking his red hair vividly, "Did father know?!"
"I believe he suspected it, but had no proof," Lucasta answered calmly, "Which is why he spurred you all to condemn Lucien who never had any claim to the Autumn Court throne."
Baak snarled and fell against his seat, crossing his arms. Altan spoke then:
"We were played like puppets by this monster," he hissed.
"We all were manipulated by him in one way or another, you were just too young to understand what he was trying to do," Eris intervened.
Altan, Baak and Eyal turned back towards Lucien. They sneered and snarled, but there was something almost apologetic in their eyes at the realisation that all this time, all the hatred and jealousy they had born in their hearts against their brilliant little brother had all been for nothing.
Lucien gave the slightest nod, which was the closest thing to a polite conversation they would have anytime soon. They reminded him strangely of the Suriel he had encountered not that long ago.
"If the matter of Lucien's true parentage is settled, I believe we have a war to discuss," Rhysand intervened, leaning forward.
"Another battle you want us to bleed for your sake," Tamlin hissed.
"Tamlin, this concerns us all," Helion answered in Rhysand's place.
Tamlin showed his teeth but managed to hold back his growl, even if his beast claws came out.
"Please, Tamlin." Feyre said, her expression unbreakable.
Tamlin ignored her and the other High Lords moved on:
"What do you know of the threat of the Continent?" Tarquin asked.
Azriel, as spymaster of the Night Court, stepped forward to answer:
"The Mortal Queens have rallied with the Fae forces from the Continent. When we have suffered from Amarantha and the King of Hybern, they have their full strength. The last numbers we have gathered is over twenty-five-thousand men, humans and Fae, preparing to launch a big scale attack on Prythian."
A shocked hush fell over the room of High Lords, Ladies, and experienced warriors.
"This isn't all," Lucien intervened trying to control his tone, "They are planning on attacking on the day of the next Winter Solstice, conjoint a Blood Moon."
"The day Koschei, the Sorcerer-god, will sacrifice Elain Archeron to free himself from the Lake where he has been bound for centuries," Vassa added.
Lucien held back his snarl at those words. But it escaped no one that he sent a sudden, vicious glance in the direction of the queen and that he gripped tightly the chair arms. Vassa faced him head-on and straightened up more, even as she paled a little.
"Your mate?"
Lucien was surprised, and strangely hopeful, to hear his old friend's voice. He turned to Tamlin and, lips tight, he nodded just once. The High Lord of Spring remained silent.
Helion intervened:
"Koschei has made an alliance with the Mortal Queens and the Continent's High Fae in order to take over the world. We don't know what he intends to do, but I know spells. And I believe that by sacrificing a Seer, descendant of the Archer herself who had trapped him, he is going to gain an immense power. Enough to take over not just Prythian, or the Continent… but everything."
"A Blood Moon? We don't have nearly enough numbers to face that army, even less with no powers," Kallias whispered.
"We have been way too affected by the war against Hybern to fight an army ten times that size, all of us!" Thesan added.
"If we gather all able soldiers from the Night Court, we could have a few hundred warriors. Miryam and Drakon have also a great number of warriors from Cretea and they are willing to assist us." Cassian started.
"The Dawn Court barely has barely such number. Our Peregryn people have lost many of their warriors."
"The Day Court has about twice the Night Court's number, but they're all infantry. We lost all our war pegasi because of Amarantha," Helion added in a dark voice.
"Summer isn't yet recovered from the attacks, we won't provide many numbers," Tarquin continued, turning towards Kallias, "I assume it's the same for Winter?"
The pale High Lord nodded darkly, then he turned to Tamlin, accusation written all over his face:
"And you, Tamlin? Have you regained control of your lands? Or have you wandered as a beast this entire time?"
Tamlin's face was full of fury, which he turned towards Feyre and Rhysand. The latter put a hand over her hand and two High Lords' gazes clashed. But eventually, after long, difficult breathes, Tamlin turned towards Kallias.
"No. I have no control, no one to provide to help with the task."
Lucien couldn't help the frustrated sigh that escaped him. He had hoped that with time, Tamlin would have gained reason, but it had been hopeless after all.
They all turned towards Eris who snorted and rolled his eyes.
"If you think that the Autumn Court is willing to forget Beron so easily, you're wrong. I won't butcher my men for a hopeless battle against the continent!"
"You think they'll spare you perhaps?" Lucien hissed.
"I'll find a way to negotiate. I always do."
"Like you did with the previous High Lord?"
Helion couldn't help but glance quickly at Lucien, surprised but glad that he hadn't called Beron 'father'.
"I didn't kill Beron!" Eris exclaimed, standing up suddenly.
His three brothers followed, but the Lady of Autumn raised her hand.
"Eris, please."
Her younger sons sat down but the new High Lord of the Autumn Court remained standing.
"There are not enough soldiers or warriors, even if we try to train them for the Winter Solstice!" Eris exclaimed, looking around, "There is no point in trying to raise an army that could never stand against 25,000!"
"Do you suggest that we curl up in a hole and let them take our lands, then?" Tarquin asked, frowning.
"Of course not! I won't let them put a foot on the Autumn Court, but there has to be another way."
"Using spells won't be of any use without our powers," Selena said with a shrug.
"We have many systems that have been developing, including for a naval battle. But it would only slow down enemies, not stop them," Thesan put in.
"This is better than nothing–" Feyre started.
"Are you forgetting the real enemy?" Tamlin cut her.
She whipped towards him, fury flashing in her eyes but Rhysand growled.
"What are you referring to?"
Tamlin made a gesture towards the Day Court, and most importantly, towards Lucien.
"Didn't you say that the Sorcerer, this Koschei, was using the Continent's armies to gain a foothold on Prythian? What if he just wants us to destroy each other so he can more easily take over?"
"What do you know of such things?" Thesan asked, frowning.
Tamlin growled, leaning forward:
"I am well aware that I am a pathetic excuse of a High Lord! The only times Spring thrived was when Lucien was here to handle everything!"
The Heir of the Day Court straightened, surprised, and ignored the jealous glances his half-brothers (except Eris) sent him. Lucasta, on the other hand, beamed quietly.
"But I was raised to be a warrior and I can see a trap when I see one!"
Tamlin turned towards Rhysand:
"You know that, don't you? You haven't gotten that foolish frolicking in that starry court of yours, have you?!"
"I don't appreciate you of all people calling me foolish… and it pains me to admit it… but you are right." Rhysand said in a low voice.
Tamlin looked as surprised as the other High Lords at that. Feyre, on the other hand, smiled, and put a proud hand on her mate's forearm.
Tamlin sat back down, looking more defeated than ever.
"The army attacking us on Winter Solstice is only a distraction so Koschei can free himself and rule over the rest of the world," Rhysand continued calmly, "But if we can't attack Koschei while his territory is protected and by the time the Blood Moon arrives and we can have an opening, the Continent will attack us."
"So we deal with them one at a time?" Kallias asked, raising a doubtful eyebrow.
"We can't divide our forces, small as they are." Helion agreed.
Lucien whipped towards him and stood up suddenly:
"Are you suggesting we do nothing?!" he hissed.
"We are not doing nothing–"
"You would let Elain die! All of you!"
"Of course not, Lucien," Feyre intervened, "We'll find a way to save her and Prythian!"
"If the Continent's army is held back long enough to take down the Sorcerer, they can all be defeated at once," Tamlin intervened once more.
"And will you provide the army to hold back those forces?" Rhysand snickered.
"Whose fault is it if I have no army left?!" he hissed, standing up.
"You know whose fault, Tamlin," Feyre answered, staring him dead in the eye.
Her old lover snarled.
"I can't believe I'm saying that but I agree with Tamlin," Eris spoke up, "We don't have enough men and I will not sacrifice my soldiers when it's obvious who, between Prythian and the Continent, will lose in a head-on battle. But Koschei is the bigger threat and must be stopped at all costs."
"It's easy for you to say when you won't be willing to offer up men or weapons to fight!" Tarquin exclaimed.
"I have to protect my people! They have suffered far too much from Amarantha, Hybern and the recent confrontations following the change of power after my father's death! I can't throw them into another war!"
"Haven't our people suffered too?!" Kallias exclaimed, standing up.
"You aren't the only ones, Summer has been destroyed!" Tarquin replied.
And in a matter of seconds, all the High Lords were arguing and fighting, pulling at straws and hopelessly battling in a contest of suffering.
Lucien saw this unfold and thought of Elain. He had promised to save her, but how could he, when he had never felt more alone?
He let himself fall back into the seat, vaguely aware of the smooth fabric against his thighs.
"ENOUGH!"
Vassa's voice resonated so furiously that all High Lords and High Lady turned towards her. She strode elegantly to the middle of the council room and watched them all:
"Are you not ashamed?! Trying to be the one crowned most piteous of all! We have all suffered, because of Hybern and Koschei and we will suffer again in the future! But fighting amongst ourselves is futile!"
"What do you suggest? You are an exile queen with no army–"
"I said, enough!" she hissed, glaring at Eris who actually raised his eyebrows at her majestic tone, "I am speaking, boy, and you will listen!"
"Boy–" he chocked.
Lucasta put a hand on his forearm to force him to swallow back his retort. Vassa continued, undisturbed by Eris' glare:
"I have more responsibility than anyone else here in causing Koschei's return. But while you were hiding in your courts, my most loyal man and general, Jurian, was building my kingdom's forces back! It isn't much, but it is enough to attack the Sorcerer's territory, but we can't do that without the help of High Fae forces."
A flare of hope burnt into Lucien's chest. He leaned forward eagerly.
"It would divide our forces too much. I believe that we should gather our strengths, fight the Continent's army first, then deal with the Sorcerer," Thesan said, "My court has many strategies and weapons that could be of use. It could change the battle."
"My mate will be killed!" Lucien exclaimed, standing up and going after Thesan.
Helion grabbed him by the arm, but Lucien didn't stay quiet:
"Vassa is right! You are all cowards, hiding in your courts! If my Elain is sacrificed, then Koschei will be free and there will be no hope left for Prythian!"
"We have faced the Cauldron in the past. We have a Cauldron-made High Fae, surely she has more powers and with all of us, Koschei won't be able to do anything. Safety is better than risking everyone's fates." Thesan continued, "You are only desperate to save your mate and can't see the bigger picture."
Lucien opened his mouth to throw a few big pictures at Thesan's face but another voice, which had remained quiet this entire time, spoke up:
"I do. I see the big picture."
They all turned towards Nesta who stood up and moved forward, eying them all with her deadly gaze.
"I understand both points of view, both tactics hold risks. But I also know that the Cauldron is not a force you want to invoke and Koschei's power is of the same level. Keep him trapped, and kill him before he is free, or you will pray for the Cauldron to come back and drown us all."
"And you want to save your little sister, both you and Lucien are too personally involved to–"
"Of course I want to save my little sister!" Nesta exclaimed, her icy eyes clashing against Tarquin's summer blue, "But I also want to save Prythian, I grew up here, on the human lands! I don't want another innocent to die!"
"If we don't stop the Continent's Fae, there won't be anyone spared."
"If we don't stop Koschei, there won't be anyone left to be spared."
Silence fell over the council room and tension sparked.
"Let's vote, and see which plan has the majority to then discuss it in more details?" Feyre suggested.
They all looked at each other. Rhysand spoke up:
"Who wants to follow the plan where we focus our forces on the Continent's army?"
Lucien's heart missed a beat. It didn't mean that Koschei would be ignored but Elain's life was at stake and he couldn't endure the idea that they were so easily willing to sacrifice her if it meant a temporary truce before facing Koschei.
Thesan, then Kallias raised their hands. Tarquin remained motionless for a long time, until he joined them.
Eris and Tamlin remained stubbornly still. Lucien had never been more thankful to them.
He turned towards Helion, his father, whose gaze was lost as he searched for another solution. Then, Lucien's heart broke when Helion raised his hand.
"You would let her die–"
"No– we'll find a way to save her!"
"She's your mate, but she's my sister too!" Feyre exclaimed.
"We'll get her out of Koschei's hands, I promise you, but you must trust us and collaborate with the other courts so we can find a solution," Helion continued, putting a hand on Lucien's shoulder.
His eyes seemed to cry gold.
"You must trust me…" he pleaded.
Lucien stared at his father, then slowly, he shook his head. He lowered it and his ruby hair fell like a curtain around his face.
Disheartened, Helion took his hand away.
"We have a majority," Rhysand slowly started, "but we need the totality of High Lords to agree. Tamlin, Eris, you must contribute and–"
"And what? Not be listened to? End up betrayed and backstabbed by someone you love?" Tamlin hissed, glancing at Feyre who looked away.
"You are the one who almost killed her!" Nesta exclaimed.
"Silence!"
"I will skin you and–"
"Enough!" Feyre exclaimed, "Can you not discuss any of this with some common sense?"
"All I can see is nonsense and betrayal," Tamlin hissed.
He stood up and without another word, left the council room.
Lucien closed his eyes and let his head hang down once more. He couldn't have counted on Tamlin to begin with, with the state the Spring Court was in, but… he had hoped more from his old friend.
"I won't sacrifice anyone from the Autumn Court." Eris said decidedly, "But I will let some of my scientists join you to develop a new weapon which, I believe, could be useful in a naval battle. But do not count on anything more from me and my court."
"What new weapon?" Thesan asked curiously.
"Green fire. But it's still unstable and explosive."
"That would be self-destructive on a fleet!" Tarquin exclaimed.
"Then don't get anything from us!" Eris hissed annoyingly.
Grown impatient, he stood up and, followed closely by his brothers, they all winnowed. Lucasta remained behind a little longer. She stared at Lucien and Helion from across the room. She stood up and took a small step forward.
"Lucien…"
But after this disastrous council and his biological father's betrayal, Lucien couldn't even hope to find any comfort with his mother. The mother he hadn't seen in decades, hadn't held in centuries, the female who had lied to him about his origins his entire life.
Lucien hadn't realised how bitter he felt until he turned away from his mother, hands tightened in fists.
Unbeknownst to him, Lucasta's eyes filled with grief and her shoulders fell. Helion opened his mouth to speak up but she winnowed away before he could say a thing.
Helion turned his attention towards Lucien who, the moment his mother was gone, regretted his behaviour. His shoulders fell and he let his face fall against his hand.
"She–"
"Don't you dare say a word about my mother, your mate, when you're willing to sacrifice mine!" Lucien hissed.
"I won't sacrifice Elain, I promised I'd help you save her but–"
Lucien stood up, and left the room.
"Lucien, wait!"
He didn't listen, and disappeared in the maze of halls of the Tower of Light.
I'm not sure how the writing of this council will be felt bby the readers, hopefully everyone's positions makes sense.
This chapter was a little logner than usual and the next one will be shorter, it kinda feels like a bridge to get to the next mini-arc.
Yours Truly,
May