Chapter 47

Nothing happened the following day. At least, nothing that Elain found particularly interesting. She had sat with her sisters all morning, trying to see something that would enable them to try and break the curse on Vassa, but nothing came.

"Do you think," Nesta murmured to her, so that Feyre wouldn't hear, "that you're not seeing anything because you don't want to help her?"

Elain flicked a glance at her sister. "No." she replied, "I would help break her curse if I could…" Nesta just tilted her head, like she wasn't quite sure and Elain closed her eyes, trying to picture the redheaded queen again. She didn't really know what she was doing, so she had no clue if what she was trying to achieve was even possible. Usually, the things she had seen had just come to her unbidden.

Lucien had told her that seers could train themselves and hone their gifts if they studied at it. He had told her about vast libraries in places like the Day Court, where it might be possible for her to learn more about her abilities. She added that to the list of things she wished to see when they visited.

"Still nothing?" Feyre asked and Elain fell back against her chair with a sigh.

"I can't."

"Maybe we will try again later."

Elain had left her sisters to their own tasks and taken herself off outside to explore the gardens. She had taken the little book that Lucien had given her in case she found anything worth making note of, but everything she found was pretty standard. Even the gardens here didn't compare to the ones she had become accustomed to in Prythian. As Lucien had disappeared off somewhere with Rhys and Mor, Elain had wandered back inside by lunch, and had then decided to spend the rest of the afternoon in her room reading.

It was about an hour after dark when they were called down for dinner, and she cast one last glance at herself in the mirror. Sweeping her hair over one shoulder, Elain straightened herself before she left her room. She hoped that Lucien had returned as she hadn't seen him all day. She hadn't seen him since he had walked her to her door the previous night and then disappeared off to his own room, and she knew that they still needed to talk. They hadn't said much last night after she had kissed him. He had simply pulled her closer, lifting her to himself as he returned her kiss. She had been able to feel how pleased he had been and, when she'd finally broken the kiss, he had held onto her for a little longer before he had set her back on her feet. They had then spent a little time walking back to the eastern corridors of the manor where he had bid her goodnight at her door.

Elain was less than thrilled when she came across Vassa just outside the doors to the dining room. Nesta was standing off to the side with Feyre as they all waited for the final announcement that dinner was to be served.

"You look rested." Feyre said, her eyes sliding over Elain.

"I had a relaxing afternoon reading." Elain replied, smiling at her sisters.

"That must have been nice." Vassa's dark voice reached Elain and she glanced at the queen over her shoulder.

"When is it that you become human?" Nesta asked, "Is it sunset, or a particular time?"

"Sunset." Vassa muttered, her hands coming to rest on her hips. Nesta just nodded, before turning back to Elain, not bothering to answer the other woman still watching them.

Elain blinked. She understood her own aversion to the titian haired queen; it was pure jealousy and insecurity over her relationship with Lucien. She wasn't sure why Nesta didn't like her, however. She suspected it was Vassa's relationship with their father, but she hadn't actually asked her sister if that was the truth of it. Nesta would undoubtedly deny it anyway.

"I take it you found nothing helpful today?" Vassa moved closer, and Elain looked to Feyre who was shaking her head.

"No, Sorry."

"Did Lucien and the others return yet?" The queen asked, "I haven't seen anyone since I… changed."

"Rhys was just getting back as I left our room." Feyre said, "They'll be down as soon as they've cleaned up."

"Oh, wonderful." Vassa's hands smoothed down her midnight blue dress, stroking down over her breasts and moving lower across her abdomen. Elain tried to keep her face neutral as she watched the display.

"… and what do you need them for?" the words slipped out of Elain's mouth before she could stop herself.

"I'm sure I could think of a few things." Vassa's voice was a simper and Elain's heart began to thump harder in her chest. "Lucien is so very good at so many things…"

Taking a step toward the queen, Elain clenched her hands at her sides. She was aware of Nesta taking a step with her, her sister's eyes following her every move. Staring at Vassa, however, Elain narrowed her eyes. "You can't have him."

Vassa looked amused, and she laughed, tossing her vibrant hair over one slim shoulder. "And why not?" She asked, blue eyes raking over Elain. "He's wasted on a female who doesn't want him, and wont claim him." Biting back a snarl, Elain just stared at Vassa. The queen smirked, her hands moving over her beautiful dress again, adjusting her skirts around her. "I'd put him to good use, that's for sure."

"He is not to be used." Barely controlled rage simmered behind Elain's words, but Vassa gave a light laugh and turned toward the double doors into the dining room as they swung open.

"Find your place cards." Vassa said, sweeping into the room and heading for the centre of the long table, clearly aware of where her place was to be.

"Cauldron boil and fry me." Elain muttered, earning herself a wide-eyed look from Nesta as Mor strode toward them up the hallway.

"Did you… just… claim him?" Feyre asked, evidently trying to supress her laughter. Elain flicked a glance at her younger sister before giving a half shrug.

"Just… want her to… stop…" She replied, not knowing how to further explain her reactions to what Vassa had said. She still needed to speak to Lucien. They needed to sort everything out and discuss what had happened while they had been apart. Elain didn't even know where he had been, and she wanted to know.

"Did she really give us assigned seating?" Mor asked, coming to stand with the sisters by the door.

"Looks like it." Feyre replied. "…let's see where we are."

Elain nodded and followed her sisters into the hall, Mor following along on their heels. Feyre found her place quickly, sitting herself down beside Vassa, and telling them all that Rhys' spot was on her other side. Mor sank down at one end of the table, apparently pleased that she was within easy reach of a bottle of red wine, and Elain walked along the table with Nesta, eventually finding her name next to her sister's at the other end. She had a moment of relief that she wasn't really anywhere near Vassa until she sank into her seat and then noticed that while Nesta was on her left, Jurian's name was sitting to her right. When Elain frowned and noticed the empty seat beside Vassa, she glanced over to see the queen's bright blue eyes looking her way. Elain realised just whose name was sitting there beside the redheaded woman. Vassa smiled at her.