"High Lord Thesan, always a pleasure", Lucien smirks, bowing dramatically.

Briar smiles and Nuan suppresses a chuckle, clasping her metal hand and flesh hand together.

"Lucien. I believe we had settled on a time, and it seems that you're eight minutes late."

"Yes, well, you know that business in Prythian is not always the most timely. Especially as a High Lord."

Elain glances between them worriedly.

Briar clears her throat. "Elain. It's nice to see you again, come to see more of Prythian with your mate?"

Thesan seems to just notice Elain, his gaze moving to the beauty. "Ah, Elain Archeron. The newly illustrious seer. Your mate, I presume?", he nods to Lucien. "Lucky to have such a beauty. I would be too if I were one to be entranced with the female gaze", he lets out a quiet chuckle. Vihan smirks and places a hand on Thesan's shoulder.

"Yes. My mate. I am extremely lucky", he replies, meeting Elain's eyes.

"As am I", she pipes up, finding her voice. "Lucien is an incredible male, as I'm sure all of you know. Especially Nuan and Briar."

Nuan nods. "He's a good friend, I can only imagine what an attentive mate he is. I am glad you are finally feeling welcome and growing into your fae body, Miss Elain."

"Thank you", she nods graciously.

"Ready to go Briar?"

"I am", she grins, turning back to Nuan and hugging her tightly. "Thank you so much for how welcome you made me feel. I'm making lots of friendships and I couldn't be more excited about it."

"I'm very glad you're feeling more comfortable with Prythian, and I'm sorry for the way you were introduced to it." Nuan leans closer to her ear. "And good luck with your situation."

Briar blushes and nods, stepping back and looking up at Thesan and Vihan. "Thank you, High Lord and Lord, for welcoming me in and showing me the beauty of the Dawn Court. I've enjoyed my stay very much."

Thesan smiles and places his right hand on top of his lover's on his left shoulder. "I'm glad."

Vihan grins broadly. "Hopefully we will see you around, little fae."

Briar giggles softly. "I hope so as well, Vihan. Thank you again."

As Lucien, Elain, and Briar head back down the path, Eris suddenly winnows in front of them. He is wearing deep green trousers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, his Autumn Court vest in place. Nuan rushes down the path to meet him and Lucien is wide-eyed the entire time.

"Eris, why are you in the Dawn Court? If you have an ill will from father towards—"

"Calm down, brother", Eris says coolly, his chin high as he adjusts the large emerald encased in gold on his middle finger, an heirloom from their mother's father. "I came to speak with Nuan."

Lucien sneers. "She won't help you make anything dangerous for him, so you can slink back with your tail between your legs and tell him she is unable. Lucien steps slightly in front of Nuan in case Eris decides to be foolish.

Nuan glances at Eris and takes a breath, placing a hand on Lucien's shoulder. "It's alright, Luc. Really. We do have things to speak about, and I promise you, they do not involve Beron. If they did, I'd be the first one to send him away. You know that."

"But your magic is—"

"Unreliable sometimes, yes. But I know how to defend myself. And not for nothing but, I don't need to with Eris." A slight blush comes to her pale face and Lucien nearly gawks at the ridiculous notion that floated into his head.

Eris's eyes glaze over Lucien before a mischievous smirk curls onto his lips. "Good day, little brother. Lady Elain, Lady Briar", he nods to them. Stepping around Lucien, he holds out an arm to Nuan and she takes it, flesh on metal. Nuan glances back and smiles encouragingly as they disappear through a secondary door; her lab's quarters of the castle.

Elain raises an eyebrow and Briar lets out a snort, taking Lucien's arm. "Oh she is safe with him", she muses. Elain giggles and takes Lucien's other arm.

Lucien grumbles and shakes his head. "My brother is not the type to...fawn after females. In fact, he stays as far away from them as he can, especially after what my father did to Jesminda. I believe he's always been terrified of having a mate my father deemed unworthy and so, until the day Beron falls, I didn't believe he would risk the possibility.

Elain looks up at him. "Sometimes things are worth the risk, even if you try and try to stay away, they draw you back in. Your brother may not be the best male in Prythian but he's still a male. And well, sometimes people do bad things for good reasons. I think all of us know that. Can you honestly say he is all bad?"

Letting out a breath, Lucien glances down at her. "All bad, no. But when he is...he's brutal."

"There was a time when Rhysand was brutal. There was a time when Tamlin was brutal. A time my sisters were brutal. And there was, I am sure, a time in the past when you were brutal, Lucien. As I've learned, and as it's known, fae aren't human. They—we—are far more brutal when it comes to morality. The human code doesn't suffice here. It's act or get cut down."

Briar chews her lip and Lucien looks at her empathetically. "I'm sorry, Elain."

"It's nothing anyone can change, but I've come to learn that sometimes what we think we know, we really don't. There are lots of secrets between people here. Friend and foe. Even family."

He narrows his eyes. "Elain, what do you know?"

"What don't I know?", she whispers. Briar begins to fidget, and Elain looks at her. "Your mate is Tamlin."

Lucien's russet eye glimmers. "You knew?"

"Ah, it seems you did too. See? Secrets."

"It wasn't a secret, it just wasn't my place to say."

Briar interjects. "I knew too. In case you were wondering, thanks."

They look at her sheepishly.

"I-I've known since the Coronation Ball. Unfortunately, I spoke before I thought and I said something that could have been construed wrong and...I think I made things worse. I know all the stories and I know how people see him and hate him, and I also know the struggles he's been facing the past few years. And as I told everyone else that tries to tell me to stay away from him, I am my own person, and I will make my own decisions. People lash out when they're hurting. I had friends in the mortal lands. When my mother died, I either ignored them or would lash out. Clearly, I have gotten better, but I lost those friendships and anyone who could have supported me because the grief that gnawed at me wouldn't allow anything else except feeling like I had to be alone and deserved it."

Lucien swallows and Elain gently intertwines her hand with his. "That's why he's been groveling again lately. He's regressed into his silent phase."

"I've no doubt that it was hard for him to attend, knowing what he knows about how people perceive him. But he did. He was trying, and I ruined it."

"What did you say?"

She blushes and rubs her face. "I think I may have said 'oh no'...but it—it wasn't in the way he took it and it just came out and then before I could fix it, he winnowed away. So I'll spend my time in the Day Court. But please...please tell him that it wasn't what it sounded like. I wasn't upset about the mate bond, I was upset about how he would handle it if he wasn't ready. My thoughts were worrying about him, not myself and I wasn't out-off by him. Please tell him that."

Lucien nods. "I will the next time I see him."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Briar."

"Okay", she sighs, grabbing onto Lucien's arm again.

He winnows them to the border of Day, the sun glaring into their eyes as they all grimace slightly, covering their eyes. A Day Court guard opens the golden gate there and lets them in, escorting them up to the mansion. The gigantic pillars are white and gold, and the molding is a pale blue color, matching the sky. They walk up a large set of stairs and Elain gasps at the view of the sea, the fluffy clouds and bright sun reflecting off of the water.

The large foyer is open to the outside air as they step upon marble floors, a dominating, large throne in the center, in which the High Lord of Day is sat, a male sentry handing him a golden goblet of drink as a female sits on the arm of the throne, Helion's arm lazily around her as he hands the goblet back to the male. The female then feeds him a few pieces of fruit as he grins at them seductively. He is wearing his classic white robe, held together only by a small golden rope around the waist, a deep vee showing his broad, muscular chest and the rest of the garb sliding down between his legs, the corded muscles of his large, brown thighs free for all to see. Lucien could barely look, though, Helion had always had a flair for the overly dramatic and overly loose clothing.

Clearing his throat, the guard approaches the throne. "Your guests have arrived, High Lord."

Helion lets out a booming chuckle. "Come closer you three!"

Elain bites her lip shyly and Lucien wraps an arm around her waist as they walk up to his throne, Briar at their side.

Helion grins and taps the female's waist. She immediately gets up and leaves with the male sentry. He inclines his head to them, his crown, the shape of a sun with dazzling rays, glimmers as the light catches the gold of it. Sitting up, he leans over, elbows on his knees. The golden cuffs on his biceps flex with his muscles, and there is a golden aura around him when he grins.

"Lucien Vanserra! Looking fiery as ever."

Lucien nods politely. "Helion. Nice to see you, as always."

Helion smiles, and Lucien could have sworn there was a hint of sadness behind it as he opens his mouth to say something before closing it again.

Briar steps forward. "High Lord", she bows. "I'm Briar. The one who will be staying here for the week. It's very nice to meet you."

"Briar", he addresses her, flashing her his signature smile. "How lovely it is to meet you, young lady." He holds out his hand and she shakes firmly.

He chuckles, pleased. "Very nice handshake. A mark of a great person."

She smiles. "Something my mother had always taught me as well."

Helion looks at her, his amber eyes shining, assessing the look of sadness that passes over her features. "My condolences. She sounds like a great fem—woman."

"She was", Briar responds.

Helion glances back at Lucien and lingers for a moment before settling on Elain. "Ah, the soft Archeron. I wouldn't think it like you to adventure to another Court."

Elain grits her teeth a bit. "I may not be as alluring or snarky as Nesta, and I may be softer than both of my sisters, but I am not a complete coward."

"Ouch, you wound me so", he chuckles, feigning a look of shock as he places a hand over his heart. "I never said you were a coward. You did, as I hear, make the killing blow to the King of Hybern, despite your sister finishing the job. I hold you in high regard for that. It takes guts when you aren't used to warfare."

Elain blushes. "Thank you. I did it to save people I care about."

"Of course. And that is why being soft is not an insult. It's a very good thing to be, especially in a world filled with fae. I admire anyone who can keep their gentleness through the centuries. I hope you do, Miss Elain."

"She's my mate", Lucien blurts out, even catching himself off guard, having no idea why he did.

Helion raises an eyebrow. "You're a very lucky male, Lucien. Gentleness, guts, and beauty."

"I am", he murmurs, drawing Elain close as if marking his stake on her.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to steal your mate away. No need to look so scared", Helion laughs with a roar.

Elain kisses Lucien's cheek and places her hand on one of the large pillars. Suddenly she gasps sharply and looks away, beginning to tremble.

"Elain? Elain? What's wrong?", Lucien grabs her gently, getting a glimpse of her milky irises. After a moment her eyes clear back to their honey-brown and she pants.

"What's wrong with her?", Helion questions, concern in his voice.

"Nothing", Lucien snaps a bit too harshly.

Briar goes over and squeezes her hand. "Are you alright?"

Elain nods, but has a sickly pallor to her face, unable to look at Lucien.

"Hey", he gently strokes her jaw. "Look at me."

When she meets his eyes, hers are unending pools of sadness and guilt.

"Ellie", he whispers, her childhood nickname making her tear up.

"I'm sorry", she chokes out. "I can't."

"You can't what?" He leans in closer and draws her into his arms, hugging her close to him as she begins to cry. "What did you see?", he murmurs softly in her ear.

"I can't tell you", he whispers, sniffling as teardrops make darkened spots on his shoulder.

Pulling away softly, he cups her face. "Why?"

She looks at him with understanding. "It—It's not for me to tell", she says, her voice cracking. "And I should but...it's not my place."

Helion's sentry comes rushing out with a goblet of water, handing it to her.

"Thank you", she smiles slightly and drinks.

Helion stands and steps down from the throne. "Are you alright? Come in and sit for a while. Gathering your bearings while we show Briar to her room, and I'll introduce her to the people who live here."

Lucien looks at Elain, still trying her best not to look him in the eye as he agrees reluctantly. He scoops her into his arms and she blushes.

"You don't need to carry me", she whispers. "No, but I'd like to."

Tears fill her eyes once more. Clearly whatever she had seen had upset her greatly.

They enter the inside of the Day Court Mansion. There are large, plush, red sofas, and gold and red carpets sprawled out on the marbled floors, similar columns along the hallways, and intricate designs on the tall ceilings.

Gently placing her down on one of the sofas, Lucien sits next to her, gently twirling a finger through a strand of her hair. "Whatever it was...it must have really upset you. I can see it. You'll barely look at me, El."

Elain swallows hard and wrings her hands. "Because it involves you. I-In a way."

"Me?"

"Yes. In a way."

"A bad way, I'm guessing."

"No...in a good way."

"Then why are you crying?"

Tears fall down her cheeks. "Because...because you don't know about it. And you should have known, and you don't, and I can't tell you, and none of what you went through is fair."

He's taken aback and confused but draws her closer, rubbing circles on her back. "I don't know what that means, but I wouldn't blame you, Elain. You only see, you're only the messenger."

Elain wipes her face and strokes his softly with her fingertips, brushing over the soft plumpness of his lips. "Beron never deserved you", she whispers.

Lucien looks into her eyes and kisses her fingertips. "No...he didn't. But that was a long time ago."

"But not for your mother."

His brows pinch and he looks at her quizzically. "My mother?"

"Yes. She's still there. Still unhappy. Still—probably hurting."

He swallows the lump in his throat and nods slowly. "Yes, well. She chose her role. I've tried to get her to leave on a few occasions over the years. But with the way things are...Beron would be allowed to kill whoever got his wife to leave, he would claim I took her from him as a traitor to Autumn since I'm banned. My head would be on the line. Again. And she knows I'd do that for her. Of course I would. She's my mother and I know she loves me and all my brothers despite how we came to be. She also knows I care, despite not being able to see much of one another. But she refuses."

Tears rush down Elain's face and her lip trembles. "It shouldn't have been that way." She rocks back and forth a bit, the information threatening to spill over and overwhelm her, the urge to blurt everything out buzzing within her veins.

"No, but it just is."

Elain sobs, clinging to his shirt and burying her face in his neck and he holds her close.

"My mother never deserved my father and...and Beron never deserved your mother. I am so sorry", she chokes out."

"El, what is all this about all of a sudden?"

"She—", Elain holds a hand over her mouth and shakes her head.

Lucien looks at her worriedly, loosing a breath. "Elain, there must be a reason you saw what you saw."

"She has a mate!", she squeals a bit too loudly before gasping and clamping her hand back over her mouth.

Lucien blinks and his metal eye adjusts to the brightness of the room. "Who?"

She scrubs her hands down her face and groans, looking extremely conflicted before making a whining noise. "Ohhhh gods...your mother." She squeezes her eyes shut. "And she knows them."

Lucien goes rigid. He can't even process what he's hearing. His mother has a mate that she knows, and she remains with Beron?

"Wh—you have to be wrong. She wouldn't—but...", he looks utterly bewildered and shakes his head. "Why the hell would she stay with Beron?"

Elain swallows hard and rubs his chest. "Think about it, if she left Autumn, left her status as Lady, left her sons there...to go after her mate. Think of the repercussions of that. Rhys mentioned that Autumn males have a blood duel." She turns red. "Back when Azriel wanted me and Rhys didn't want you to have to call one. Beron would call one, you know he would. And if by chance he won, her mate would be dead."

Lucien's face pales and he clasps her hands in his. "You're right", he whispers. "I guess I was confused for a moment and lost my good sense."

"No, I get it. You want her to be happy. I do too. I'm sure she would love to claim her mate and live a long happy life with him. She just can't. Not now."

"Not until Beron dies", Lucien grinds out.

"I'd assume, yes."

"Because Beron is a High Lord, he would absolutely kill her mate. Who is it?"

Elain chews her lower lip hard and shakes her head. "I can't reveal that. It's her privacy. If she had wanted you to know, she would have told you. There's a reason for it, Lucien, just—trust that."

He sighs as Helion and Briar reappear. Helion's grin fades into a look of concern and his brow pinches together. Elain looks up at him, and that darker replica of the face Lucien was just making. Her eyes soften, seeing this male of dominating presence in a whole new light.

"She's fine", Lucien says quietly.

Helion nods and takes the empty goblet from her. "I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, Elain."

"I'm doing better now, thank you for your concern. It's kind of you."

"I don't like when people aren't enjoying themselves in my home. I feel responsible."

"Oh, please, no. It wasn't you, don't worry. I'm still new at being fae and sometimes these powers of mine can get fairly overwhelming."

"Powers...", he mutters, before his eyes widen slightly. Within seconds he places the cool relaxed expression back on his face. "Your power—you are a seer, are you not? Word gets around."

"I am", she whispers, afraid of what he may question her about.

"And what exactly did you see?"

It's straightforward but his chin juts out slightly as his jaw ticks anxiously.

"Oh, uhh, n-nothing of much importance. Just um, a happy Court. You are a good High Lord, Helion."

His gaze roves over her face and he can tell she's lying. She knows that he can tell too, but luckily he lets it go after glancing at Lucien, still rubbing her back.

"Good. I like when my people are happy", he nods. Briar looks between them all, having been pretty silent, before finally piping up.

"Lucien, Elain. Thank you for the lift here. I'll see you in a couple of weeks?"

"Absolutely", Lucien exclaims, standing up from the sofa, and helping Elain. "Enjoy your stay here too, Helion may be a bit much sometimes, but he's a good male", he smiles.

Helion lets out a deep chuckle and grins. "He's right you know, I am a lot to handle", he smirks.

Briar giggles softly.

"Helion", Lucien nods politely. "A pleasure. We will be seeing you in a couple of weeks to pick her up. Make her feel at home."

"As I do with all my guests", he grins, holding out a hand.

Elain watches them intently. A bit too intently, as Lucien shakes Helion's hand firmly. The slight wave of sadness overcomes his face again as he lets go of Lucien's hand.

"Ah, Mr. Vanserra?"

"Yes?", Lucien raises an eyebrow.

Helion looks very conflicted for a moment. "It's rude of me not to ask how your family is doing. So, how are they? Beron, I don't give a rat's ass about, no offense. But uh, how are the flame weasels and the er—Lady?"

Lucien blinks and looks at him, unable to believe he's serious. "Helion, you know I am banned from my Court. The only brother I've spoken with aside from when they've tried to murder me is Eris. Apparently, he's doing better than anyone would expect under Beron's thumb. As for my mother...I don't know. She's most likely handling things the way she always has, why?"

A Helion gets slightly uneasy, that's when he sees it. His mechanical eye catching a glimpse for just a slight moment. One brightly colored, golden thread beginning over his heart and disappearing through the walls of the Mansion. A mate bond. Every time his eye catches one, they look like holographs, wavering, glittering, but not see-through. Helion had a glamour, knowing he had a talent for seeing things he sometimes shouldn't. One that hides a mate bond and its scent. It was a preventative tactic. Except he had let his guard down for just a split second, and that was his mistake.

If there is one thing about the High Lord of Day, it's that he is flawlessly and acutely aware of everyone who passes through his Court. Even if you think your talents are a secret, he will know. He somehow knew Lucien's eye, courtesy of Nuan, could sometimes see things others couldn't, like a magical mirror into what someone is hiding. And he glamoured himself against it.

"Oh my fucking gods!", Lucien shouts, unable to help himself and stepping back, looking over Helion angrily. Elain gasps and grabs his arm.

"You!? YOU!? Liar! All this fucking time and y—"

Elain casts him an apologetic glance as Helion swallows hard. Elain uses all her willpower and tightens her grip on Lucien, winnowing them back to the River House and far away from Helion Spell-Cleaver. If Lucien was this worked up over his mother's mate bond, it was only a matter of time until he figured it out. The other huge secret. The one that would alter everything he ever thought he knew about his life and how he feels about himself as well as his mother.