It had only taken a week to have the two of them healed. In that week, neither Elain or Lucien were comfortable with the idea of anyone but the healer coming near the rooms they were in. Elain only got really anxious, fearful. But a glance over to Lucien, anytime the healer would enter, Elain would see how Lucien would try to push himself up, despite still being incredibly weak from the lack of eating, and nearly dying.
She knew he was trying to push himself up to try and cover her, keep her safe, but she didn't fully understand it. She had a feeling it was whatever new was between them, something deep had changed. She couldn't really explain it, because she didn't really feel any different, she wasn't thinking different, but there was something different.
Like when the healer, favoured by the Night Court would come in, and would check on Lucien, after checking on her. The healer would check Luciens bandages on his eye, and make sure he was keeping his food down. Elain didn't like it. She found that she really did not like the female healer checking in on Lucien. Injured herself though, all she could do, was look away, and try to keep her anger from showing.
with Luciens metal eye having been cut out, and broken, there was nothing in the socket any longer. So the healer had healed the wound, and sealed Luciens eye shut, before placing bandages over his eye, as well as a dark patch, to keep the socket clean, for when they did have a replacement eye to put back. He was also on a controlled diet, to make sure he was getting his nutrients, but not to overload his stomach, after going so long from not eating anything at all. Each day he would eat a little more.
Elains injuries were slightly more complex. It took a bit more work for the healer, as Titus had stood there dragging his bald over her time and again before Lucien had lit up, and then the final time, the worst of her injuries, from the right side of her neck, to just a over her heart, to taunt him. There were many cuts for the healer to heal, and after Lucien had been given the clear, that he was alright to leave, it had still taken a few days before Elain was able to leave.
Lucien had stayed in the room, refusing to leave, until Elain was healed enough to be able to leave herself.
After Elain was able to move with little pain, and was okay to leave, was when she saw her sister. It was the first time anyone came by after they had gotten back.
Elain moved as quickly as she could, before she felt pain bloom in her chest, and when she reached her Feyre, she carefully pulled her into a hug, unaware of Rhysand also there, until she felt a hand land on her shoulder gently, as if pleased that she was back.
She didn't hear him, but she felt the shift in him. His anger, his need to protect. Elain could feel Luciens need to keep Elain away from the male who had touched her, and the anger that had come from that, which had just kept building, and building, and building-
"Back down." Elain was pulled back into her own self again, as she heard Rhys say.
Slowly, Elain pulled back, and took a step away, looking back at Lucien, to see him, looking like a completely different male. Someone she almost didn't recognize.
Feyre?She reached out, hoping her sister could hear her.
Yes? Elain?Elain heard her sisters answer in her mind.
Relief swept over her, as she briefly, quickly explained, continuing to look at Lucien.I can't explain it, and couldn't even begin to try. But something is different. Something changed down there Feyre, inside. It feels different. I had to give him food in order to save his life down there, and yes, I know, and knew what it meant when doing so. But this- this, I don't- it's different. I don't understand why he's acting like this now.As she was done explaining, Elain looked back at her sister, and saw realization begin to dawn on Feyre's face.
Within moments, Elain watched as Feyre had turned briefly to Rhysand, and vocally come up with some random excuse to have him leave the room. Elain knew though that Feyre would have immediately explained whatever Elain did not know to Rhysand, because he had put up no argument whatsoever, and had calmly left the room.
After Rhysands departure, it had barely taken any time at all for Lucien to calm down himself, which had only confused Elain more. She wasn't frightened. After seeing how his brother was, Elain decided that there was very little Lucien could do that would frighten her.
"I take it, the two of you would like to, stay close?" Feyre had asked, looking between Elain and Lucien, without waiting for a reply, before continuing. "I'm going to bring Elain to the other end of the room, and Nesta and I are going to sit and speak with her. We have been waiting to speak with her, wanting to make sure she is okay. Lucien, your mother has been waiting to see you." Feyre said, with a quick glance to Elain, before looking back to Lucien. "We all will be in the same room. Elain Nesta and I will be over there, and your mother, you and, you guys will be closer to the door." Feyre explained.
That was when Elain noticed that Nesta, was waiting at the door, as well as a female she assumed was Luciens mother, as well as … Helion?
I will explain, when they will not see your reaction written clearly on your face.Elain heard Feyre explain to her in her mind.
The next thing she knew, she was being pulled into a hug by Nesta.
* *
After a few hours, of tense, emotional, and awkward conversations, Elain understood the differences a bit more, and her sisters had now known what had gone on while she and Lucien were held captive.
And as it was growing later, everyone else had taken to excusing themselves, leaving just Elain and Lucien in the room.
"Stay?" Elain found herself asking, before she was aware she had even asked.
Lucien turned to look at her, shock clear on his face. "I don't think that is entirely a fair request to ask. We are both well enough now. What happened back there, happened under extreme circumstances. I wouldn't blame you for regretting it, or wanting to pretend it didn't happen." Lucien explained, though it seemed as though as he was saying it, it was breaking his heart to do so. "I assume you want to go back to how things were? Before?"
Certainly before, hearing Lucien say this, Elain would have agreed. It was before Elain learned what she did. It was before Elain watched as Lucien had chose to starve himself, so he would not leave her with being stuck in a mating bond unknowingly. It was before she learned a little more of who he was. What he had been through.
Certainly before Elain would have agreed with Luciens assumptions. She would not have walked forward, and grabbed Luciens wrist, to stop him from grabbing his things that had been brought into the room over the last week. She would not have found herself getting choked up, finding it difficult to speak, to respond when he looked at her, and she could see him trying, yet failing to conceal the pain.
Before, Elain was a different person. Before, Elain was ignorant. Naive. Now?
"I don't regret it." She found herself whispering. "I'll have to get used to it," she continued. "Which will take some time. But don't think for one second that I regret it." She said, looking up at him, letting go of his wrist, and lifting her hand to rest it over his heart.
"You have no reason to believe me. I have given you every reason not to, in the past. But I do hope you believe me when I say that I do want to start really getting to know you. Start from the beginning, and get to know each other. Properly." Elain continued, bringing her other hand up, to rest just below his new eye patch.
"Elain." Lucien had whispered, closing his eye, and moving his head, to lean into Elains hand.
"Please." Elain whispered. "I don't understand it. But please, just, stay. Don't go."
The two of them stood there like that for a minute, before Lucien slowly moved Elains hands out of the way.
Feeling utterly dejected, Elain took a few steps back, feeling her heart breaking.
"I heard you." Elain heard Lucien whisper. "As I was dying, begging for me to stay, how youneededme to stay. I don't know how, but I heard you." Lucien paused for a moment, looking over at Elain, before continuing. "If we're starting over. If you are serious about wanting to try," he waited, as Elain slowly, nodded her confirmation. "Thenthat is all I could have asked for and more." Lucien finished.
He took the two steps forward, and gently pulled Elain into a hug, one that made her feel as though he never wanted to let her go. One that made her feel safe. One that felt like home.
