Chapter 16

Lucien was on his feet the instant he heard Elain outside his door. She knocked and he strode to open the door and let her into his room. Every single time she had been in here had sent tingles of pleasure through him, and that driving primal force within him that always demanded he touch her when she was in reach began howling at him to get his hands on her, pull her close, tug her down into his bed…

"You look much better." She said, those gorgeous brown eyes moving over him and Lucien lifted a hand to run though his hair.

"Mmm." He nodded, "Got everything all fixed up." Her smile had him taking several steps toward her, and he was surprised when she moved to meet him, throwing her arms around his neck. Lucien slid his own arms around her waist, lifting her to himself as he hugged her. "Thank you." He murmured, "For what you did." He felt her nod against him, "You are incredibly brave. I've never met anyone who would willingly throw themselves in front of Tamlin when he's half transformed and in a rage like that."

"I'm sure you have."

"Nope." He replied, "And certainly not for me." Forcing himself to put Elain down and let her go, he stepped back and smiled at her. "I'd like to take you somewhere…" he told her, "As thanks for what you did…"

"And Tamlin?"

Lucien tilted his head. "I saw you talking to him out in the garden…" he gestured at his window.

"Yes. He showed me some flowers he thought I might include in the book."

Lucien looked her over again, searching for any sign of mistreatment. "Was he… well behaved?"

"He was fine."

"Okay. Well, after this morning, I think Tam can wait until tomorrow for any further attempts at conversation…" Lucien frowned. "I'd prefer to spend the afternoon with you. Unless you have previous plans…?"

"No, I'm free…" Elain smiled shyly at him and he grinned.

Not an hour later, Lucien had Elain walking along one of his well-known paths. He had loved this part of the Court back when he'd had the time to roam freely, and he knew that she would love where he was taking her. He was still in disbelief that she had thrown herself in front of him they way she had. He was certain that he would be dead if she hadn't. He had not been able to get up, and Tamlin would not have stopped himself before ripping him apart. He'd meant it when he'd told Elain that nobody had ever done anything like that for him before, and he could not stop thinking about it now. Had she known what she was doing, or had she acted without thought? She had told him that it had been instinct, but what had sparked that instinct? Was it simply the bond forcing her to protect her mate, or was it more?

"Where is it that we are going?" Elain asked, turning to look at him as she moved ahead.

"It's a surprise, Petal."

She narrowed her eyes at him, but her pretty lips turned up at the corners in a supressed smile, and Lucien was pretty sure his heart did a flip. Lengthening his stride to reach her, he indicated a spot in the path ahead that forked left and directed her down it. She was bouncing along beside him, clearly enjoying her surroundings, and it wasn't long before the path disappeared altogether and they stepped into a small glade.

Elain's jaw dropped and she faltered in her step, thankful for Lucien's hand when he slipped it beneath her elbow to keep her on her feet. Pausing to look around, she drew a slow breath. Light filtered through the trees above to create dappled patterns on the ferns underfoot, and thick luscious vines with stunning violet coloured flowers wound their way up nearly every tree trunk Elain could see. Wildflowers grew in nearly every colour imaginable, and a sweet floral scent floated on the air.

"Oh, Lucien…" she breathed, trying not to blink as she looked around, wanting to take everything in.

"Do you like it?" he asked, and she could hear the satisfied smirk in his voice.

"It's wonderful."

She moved forward, a hand reaching out to trail through the violet flowers growing up a nearby tree. This place was enchanting, and held a strange sort of familiarity. She had dreamed about places like this her whole life, and had only ever imagined being able to replicate something like this in her own gardens. Until they had come to the Spring Court, however, Elain had not really thought it was possible for it to exists in reality. "What does that look on your face mean?" Lucien asked, and Elain turned to him. He was watching her with an intensity she could practically feel. His russet eye was bright, and his metallic eye clicked as he focused on her, neither eye leaving her for a moment.

"I…" Elain looked back at him, noting how his ruby hair seemed to shimmer in the dappled light. "I… think I used to dream about this place…"

Lucien tilted his head, his eyes remaining on her face. "Really?"

"Yes…" Elain nodded, gesturing around them, "I always wanted to recreate it… but… nothing ever came close." She turned away to look around the glade, "I thought I had imagined it." She heard Lucien approach her from behind. "Oh…" She knew without doubt that she was meant to have come here, that her entire life had been leading up to being in this glade.

"I used to love coming here." Lucien told her, his voice low. "When I used to have the time to roam around or I just needed some space…" His heart began to beat more quickly, and Elain smiled, "It used to be one of my favourite places. It always felt like a kind of promise of something to come…" Elain turned to look up at him, not at all surprised to find him so close. Her hand came to rest lightly on his sleeve as her own heart began to race at his next words, "I think it was an indicator that I was yet to meet you…"

"Is that possible?" she breathed.

Lucien's metallic eye whirred as his gaze flickered back and forth across her face. "I don't know." One of his large hands trailed up Elain's arm and she couldn't resist a shudder, "But… you're a seer… and you've been dreaming of this place? It doesn't sound too far-fetched."

"You were meant to bring me here…" She gazed up at him.

"Was I?"

Leaning into him a little, Elain nodded, listening as his heartbeat thundered in her head. She could feel him struggling with himself, wanting to pull her tightly to himself, run his hands over her, hold her closer. She saw him swallow with effort and his hand dropped from her arm. Before he could move away, however, Elain took hold of his shirt, stepping closer again as she held his gaze. Lucien's sharp, surprised, breath made her smile. "What are you doing, Petal?" he murmured.

"Why do you think we were meant to come here?"

His eyes didn't leave hers, and Elain thought she could practically see his mind working to come up with a response. "I don't know." He eventually said softly, and she could feel his hands ghosting over her, barely touching. She shuddered again, tightening her hold on his shirt. "Elain…" he murmured, restraint and regret reaching her through the bond. "I'm trying very hard right now to…"

"I know." Her own heartbeat had just about matched itself to his, and Elain was almost dizzy with the sensations.

"Are you deliberately teasing me?" he asked, his voice now barely more than a growl.

Leaning into his chest, Elain gazed up at him, meeting the searing look in his eyes. Realising in that moment that she wanted him to kiss her, she shook her head. The look in his eyes sharpened and that golden eye clicked and whirred, and Elain felt the moment his control slipped.

Strong arms snaked around her, tightening and pulling her hard against himself as he bent to her. With a gasp, Elain's own hand slid from his chest up to his shoulder before his lips met hers.

Lucien kissed her slowly. His hands were gentle on her waist, holding and stroking as his lips moved against hers and Elain let out a soft sigh, opening to him and his tentative, deliberate, teasing licks. When one of his hands lifted to her cheek, Elain melted, glad that his other arm was still around her waist, and that she was leaning against him. Her own hand tightened on his shoulder when he gave a small growl before he pulled back slightly. Elain's eyes opened slowly to see him looking carefully at her, hunger clear on his face. Lucien met her gaze before pressing another soft kiss to her lips and then releasing her.

Letting a shaky breath out, Elain blinked, trying to steady herself. She could feel the heat in her cheeks and knew that she was probably scarlet. Swallowing, she lifted her fingers to her own cheek as she dropped her gaze. Graysen had never kissed her like that. He had always just kind of groped at her while somehow trying to simultaneously devour her. She had always thought that had been because he had been overcome by how much he desired her, but she could feel exactly how much Lucien desired her and that kiss had felt like fire.

Fire was still in his gaze when she lifted her eyes to his once more, and then she felt him leash it. She just stared at him, not knowing what to do or say. After a moment he looked away, cleared his throat, and straightened his shirt before running a hand through his hair. Elain just watched him, more and more sure by the second that she had figured out exactly why they had both been drawn to this place.

Author's Note:

Let me know your thoughts.