Chapter 8

The chatter around the room only increased when Nesta stalked in and Cassian trailed behind her a moment later. Lucien saw the look Feyre and Elain exchanged and wondered just how well the sisters could communicate without words. Although the chatter continued as if nothing had happened, every pair of eyes traced the eldest Archeron sister as she moved to sit beside Amren on a couch by the fire. As if aware that everyone was watching her, Nesta scowled. When Cassian dropped down to sit alongside Azriel, Lucien tried to read Cassian's face. The other was giving nothing away, though he was casting furtive glances at Nesta every few moments, although Nesta appeared not to have noticed, or was ignoring it.

"So what's so important?" Mor asked after several moments, and all eyes turned toward Rhysand, as he was the one who had summoned them all.

"You're aware I've named Lucien as Emissary," Rhys began, and Lucien sat straighter, crossing one of his ankles over his knee when everyone looked at him.

"Serves him right." Cassian put in, throwing Lucien a grin. "He can be a pain in the arse to everyone across the courts equally again."

Lucien raised an eyebrow at Cassian, but the good-natured jibe actually pleased him, making feel as if he were becoming a part of the group.

"So, why don't we get to share you around then?" Nesta's voice was flat.

Cassian's head whipped around to face her. "You'd miss me too much."

"Doubtful." She sniffed, lifting her wineglass to take a sip. Lucien watched Cassian narrow his eyes at her, before looking back to Rhys again.

"I intend to send Lucien to the other courts," Rhys went on when everyone had returned their attention to him, "A public and open way for us to maintain contact, check on how things are progressing while being seen to be doing so. That way, none of the other High Lords will have a reason to deny the request, because everyone will be doing it…"

"Who first?" Mor asked.

"Eris sent a message," Rhys said, his tone more soft as he looked at her, "He'd like us to do it now. Apparently Beron is unwell…"

Lucien tilted his head. "He's not…?"

"I don't think he's making a play for the throne," Rhys said, his violet eyes flicking to meet Lucien's gaze. "Not yet."

Lucien stared at the fire. If his father was unwell, and Eris thought he stood a chance of taking the throne, would his brothers follow him? Would they come for him again?

"I don't understand." Elain's voice brought Lucien's attention back to the conversation. "Why would he want your Emissary in the Autumn Court while the High Lord is unwell…?" She paused, "Does he know it's Lucien?"

"He knows." Rhys' voice was soft.

"Then why?" Elain asked.

"I don't know." Rhys replied, "Could be that Eris has more control right now, and thinks it would go more smoothly."

"Or they want to kill him." Nesta put in emphatically.

The room was silent and Lucien could feel Elain staring at him. "They can't do that." He said, turning to meet her eyes, "Not while I have the title of Emissary." She nodded at his words and Lucien turned back to Rhys.

"They wouldn't dare." Feyre just about growled. Lucien thought they might dare, but they probably wouldn't.

Rhys' violet gaze was on him again and Lucien raised a questioning eyebrow before the older male spoke again. "You'll be taking Elain with you."

Lucien exploded out of his chair. The fire exploded and roared in the fireplace beside him as all he saw for a moment was red. He shook his head, trying to clear it. "Are you out of your fucking mind?" he demanded of Rhys? "I thought you were better than that… better than asking that of me…" Rhys didn't respond, just watched him calmly. Lucien was not calm. All he could see was Jesminda on her knees in the hall, staring at him while he couldn't get to her…

"Lucien…" Rhys began but Lucien turned away.

"No!" he snapped, "Absolutely not!"

"You just said it yourself," Rhys went on, "They won't be able to touch you…"

Lucien gestured toward Elain, snarling at Rhys, "You cannot ask me to risk her!"

"I'm not."

"There is no reason for her to be there!" Lucien was practically yelling by now.

"She's a seer." Rhys' voice had not changed. Lucien glared at him.

"So?"

"So, they don't know that." Rhys said, "She's also putting together a book of flowers from across Prythian. A perfect opportunity for the courts to all contribute to something together. It's symbolic."

Lucien looked to Feyre, hoping his friend would have something to say about sending her sister into danger, but Feyre's eyes were on her mate.

"Go to hell, Rhysand." He muttered. Rhys just looked at him, and there was no movement or sound from anyone for several moments until Elain got to her feet and walked out of the room. Lucien wanted to follow her but Rhys spoke to him again.

"It needs to be soon." Rhys said, "While Beron is-"

"I don't give a shit!" Lucien snapped. "I'm not doing it."

Rhys got to his feet, darkness appearing to swirl around him for a moment, and Lucien froze on the spot. "I have named you my emissary." Rhys said, his tone dark, "That makes you an official member of the Night Court. As I am your High Lord, you will do whatever I tell you to do."

Lucien just stared at him. "You sound like Tamlin."

Rhys tilted his head and Lucien felt Feyre's eyes on him. "I would not send Elain, or you for that matter, somewhere I thought you would come to harm."

"Then don't send her there."

"While Beron is…"

"That makes it more dangerous!" Lucien cried, "They'll think I've returned to challenge for the throne! Eris probably wants exactly that!"

"I doubt it." Rhys frowned, "It's more likely he's wanting to establish connections he can use when the time comes for him take control." Lucien noticed Mor leave the room, a disgusted look on her face.

"And if not?" Lucien asked, "You're asking me to risk my mate…"

"She's a seer." Rhys repeated.

Lucien turned this time to Nesta, hoping she would side with him. Nesta's blue-grey eyes were firmly on Rhys, but she didn't say anything.

"Right well, I'm leaving…" Amren got to her feet and walked out without another word.

"Yeah, I've got… things… to do… not here." Cassian got up as well, "Az?"

"Yes."

Lucien stood by the fire, unmoving as both Illyrians left the room before Nesta finally got to her feet and strode for the door, her eyes not leaving Rhys until she was gone. Realising he was alone with Rhys and Feyre, Lucien turned on them. "How can you ask this?" he looked at Feyre, "You know what they did to Jesminda…"

"I know." Feyre said softly, "But this isn't the same, Lucien."

"She's your sister."

"And I love her."

"Then…" he ran a hand through his hair.

"You will both be protected through the official visit." Rhys said, his tone calm as it had ever been. "Nobody would risk touching either of you for fear of what we, and our other allies, would bring down on them."

Lucien tried to calm down. "You want her there under the pretence of collecting for that book… While trying to use her ability as a seer? You want her to be your spy?"

"I have spies." Rhys replied easily, "And the courts all contributing to her book is of legitimate benefit to us in fostering positive relationships, so she will be doing that. And if she happens to glean anything else while present, that would benefit us all too."

Lucien looked back and forth between Rhys and Feyre. Neither of them moved or said anything further, and he realised that he wasn't going to say anything to change their view. "… Fine." He muttered, turning and striding from the room without a backwards glance.

Author's Note:

Love to hear your thoughts.