Chapter 8

Lucien

"Can we agree this has gotten far too out of hand?" Rhys asked Tamlin. I didn't say a word I didn't dare. Tamlin shrugged.

"She's only in her twenties." Rhysand continued. "New to this earth, not to mention Fae ideals. Last week she still considered herself engaged to a human. Someone much closer to her age and ideals than the two of you could ever be."

"What was I supposed to do?" I demanded. "She was grieving herself to an early grave and anyway, it was Tamlin that convinced her to put the ring out."

Rhys lifted his head and considered Tamlin for a moment. "Seeing as how she's a guest here, I would suggest she return to the night court."

"You just want her for you friend!" I spat. "She's a guest in your court too, she can stay if she pleases!"

"I wouldn't assign her to either of you, Lucien." Rhys' tone was firm. "Do you really want her to be here? With Calanmai looming, you'd have her as a choice for Tamlin?"

My high lord didn't so much as try and pretend that he wouldn't consider her when the time came and my insides lurched at the thought of Elain inside of the cave.

"The bond could snap into place at any moment. I love her, Rhysand." I pleaded with everything I had. I couldn't lose her.

His hand braced the table and he spoke slowly as though educating me on something simple. Every word was a lesson. "She makes Azriel feel the same. She smiles at him. She confides in him. She gives her kisses to him."

"She kisses me." My hands balled up into fits at my side. "So be careful what you're suggesting! Elain..."

"Elain loves love." Nesta said. "We're not trying to hurt either of you, but someone has to be able to think through this clearly!"

"You had no right to shame her the way that you did!"

"The mating bond would not be so cruel as to offer three separate males to one female simultaneously." My eyes burned through the priestess as she spoke.

"She is my mate!"

It was my turn to leave the dining hall. I sprinted up the stairs two at a time. I paused at the door to my room, and turned, knocking instead on Elain's door. She didn't look surprised to see me, and she didn't look exactly happy either.

"They want me to leave?" She whispered.

I nodded. Over her shoulder I could see that she had already packed.

I had a million things I wanted to say to her. But all of it faltered.

"Do you love me, Elain?"

"Yes."

My heart lept.

"And Azriel?"

"Yes."

"And Grayson?"

"Lucien." She shook her head. "Stop."

"How can that be?" I asked.

She shrugged and looked away.

"It just is."

"What did your sister mean about your gown?"

Elain steadied herself. "My wedding wasn't far off. Grayson saw no reason why he couldn't begin exercising his rights as husband early. Is that some sort of deterrent to Fae?"

"Not to me."

We stared at each other.

"Elain, you should go back to the night court."

"WHAT?!"

"Distance yourself from Azriel. Write to Grayson."

"I thought I was your mate?" She cried.

"I know you are." And then I left.