Chapter 17

Neither of them spoke much on the walk back to the house. Lucien watched Elain out of the corner of his eye, wishing that he had a way of being able to listen to what she was thinking. She looked preoccupied, and he wondered if she was thinking about what had happened in the glade. He couldn't stop thinking about it. Just the memory of Elain's soft lips parting for him set his blood on fire, and Lucien tried to force his mind elsewhere when Elain glanced at him as if she knew what he had been thinking.

He wished she would say something. He wished he knew how she felt about it. Did this mean that she was closer to accepting the bond? Or, had she just given in to the force pulling them together? He didn't have any answers, but he had so many questions. Looking at her again, he realised that she was probably going over the same questions in her own mind.

What did she think about it? Had she enjoyed it? He certainly had, and he had thought at the time that she had as well. He had noticed the way that she had leaned into him, melting against him when he had licked at her, caressing her with his hands as he did so. If he could get that kind of reaction out of her with just a kiss, Lucien wondered what other kinds of reactions he could get when he was really trying. He felt his blood quicken at the thought and when Elain glanced at him again, he remembered that she could hear his heartbeat. He watched as she blushed, clearly having guessed at what he was thinking about.

"What… ah, what will you do for the rest of the afternoon?" he asked, "There is still some time before dinner."

"Probably work at getting the colouring right for some of the flowers in the garden." She replied, and Lucien resisted the disappointment that rose in him. She had worked out a plan that didn't require his company.

"Oh, good idea."

"…and you?" she asked?

He gave what he hoped looked like a nonchalant shrug. "Might go over some of the things Rhys wants to know so I'm prepared tomorrow when trying to drag information out of Tamlin."

Elain bit her lip, and Lucien couldn't look away from it. "Do you think he will listen this time?"

"It's possible." He replied. "He wants to do the right thing…"

"I think so, too." She said. Lucien nodded and they remained silent until they reached the house. He watched Elain go upstairs in search of what she would need to take out to the garden before he turned and went in search of something to eat.

Lucien hadn't expected to find Tamlin still in the house at this time of day, and he froze the second the blond came into view. Tamlin's green eyes followed him into the room and Lucien just watched him return.

"I… am glad you're healed."

"Thanks. Did it myself." Lucien replied sardonically, raising an eyebrow.

"I did not intend…"

"Yeah, I know."

"Elain, too…" Tamlin's voice softened and Lucien stared at him. "I… tried to stop…"

The image of Elain's blood dropping down her chest and arm flashed into Lucien's mind and anger surged throughout him. "You do that again and it'll be me who kills you…"

Tamlin just nodded, accepting his words. Lucien, noting that the older male was in one of his better moods, moved closer and slid into his old chair at the table. Tamlin leaned back in his own chair, looking at him again, and Lucien tried his best to appear at ease. "Elain," he began, "told me that you showed her some flowers to include in the Spring Court chapter of her book."

"That was what was expected of me, was it not?"

"Yes…" Lucien conceded, "And tomorrow, will you actually sit down with me to discuss what has been happening the last few months…?"

"Okay."

"If you need help," Lucien said softly, " You only need to-"

"I don't need help!" Tamlin's voice held the edge of a snarl and Lucien bit back his next reply. "I have everything under control." Nodding, Lucien let that go. He would revisit it tomorrow when he began putting together his report. Reaching into the centre of the table, he picked up a piece of fruit and took a bite and, after several moments, Tamlin spoke again. "I am sorry…" he said hesitantly, "for all the things you said earlier…"

Lucien looked at him and Tamlin kept his eyes on the table. "For everything?" he asked. "That sure is a lot…"

"Yes." Tamlin agreed. "I offered you family, but didn't treat you that way." Lucien swallowed thickly, and Tamlin let out a huff. "I should not have sent you to Ianthe…" Glancing toward the door, Lucien listened intently, hoping that Elain was nowhere within earshot. She did not need to know about that night. She never needed to know about what had gone on in that cave; what he had done with the priestess, or what he had let her do to him.

When he didn't hear Elain out in the hallway, Lucien closed his eyes in relief. "I appreciate that."

"She doesn't know, does she?"

Glancing at Tamlin, Lucien shook his head. "And she isn't going to." He frowned at the blonde who raised an eyebrow at him.

"You don't think she'll find out?"

"Why would she?" Lucien asked, his tone low. "Unless someone tells her…"

"If that's what you think."

Lucien bared his teeth, "I… can't have her look at me…" he shook his head, "If she knew what…" unable to suppress a shudder, Lucien forced his face back into a neutral expression. "You know how it is when all that power comes to you during the Rite. That is not the image of me that Elain needs. That is not who or what I am."

Tamlin's green eyes were steady on Lucien's face. "I won't tell her."

Nodding, Lucien dropped his gaze. "Thank you."

Author's Note:

Penny for your thoughts?