Chapter 54

By the time they had returned to the Night Court, Elain was more than ready to get away from Vassa and her mansion. She had found herself missing Prythian and everything about it. She missed the colours, the scents, and even the food. So, their first morning back at Rhysand's Town House had put her in an extraordinarily good mood. Unable to help her smile, Elain just watched the others around her. They had returned after the usual lunch time, but hadn't had anything to eat and so they were all gathered around the couches in the sitting room having an informal feast and it pleased Elain to no end. She watched Cassian continually trying to gain Nesta's attention with twice his usual determination, obviously having felt deprived of her for the past few days they had been gone. Nesta was clearly trying her hardest to ignore his efforts as she spoke quietly with Mor, but Elain noticed her sisters blue-grey eyes flicking toward the Illyrian on several occasions.

Nibbling on a sandwich, Elain watched the others happily, enjoying the easy way they all were with one another and the way they all interacted. Then, glancing toward the door, she wondered where Lucien was. He had taken off into Velaris as soon as they had gotten back and was yet to return. After the third time she had craned her neck to try and see out into the hallway in about as many minutes, Feyre nudged her with her knee.

"Where'd he go?" her sister asked and Elain shook her head.

"I don't know." Unable to help herself, Elain glanced at the door again, "He didn't say…"

"I'm sure he'll be back soon enough." Feyre said and Elain turned her eyes on her sister. "Can't you tell where he is?"

"If I try to." Elain said softly, "Mostly I try not to track him… That seems… invasive."

"Can't hurt to check if you're worried."

"I don't think curious and worried are the same thing."

"Just check," Feyre told her, "That way we will know if we have to go and find him…"

Elain let out a soft sigh and listened for Lucien's heartbeat. "Closer than the city… he must be on his way back."

"There we go, then."

Elain nodded, settling back in her chair as Azriel passed her a plate of chocolate biscuits. She took one with a smile and passed the plate on to Mor who took three. Trying to resist a smile, Elain watched as those three biscuits disappeared within minutes and the blonde's dark eyes followed the plate around the room, widening in dismay when it reached Cassian and the remaining biscuits were promptly devoured.

"That was a completely unnecessary display." Nesta told him and he just shrugged looking back at her.

"Got to keep my strength up." He said.

"For what?" she asked drily and then looked away when he raised an eyebrow at her.

Elain grinned and then looked around when Lucien walked into the room, stopping when he saw that all of them were present and now looking at him. "Did I miss lunch?" he asked.

"There's plenty left." Rhys said, indicating the low table by the wall, still laden with plates of sandwiches and snacks. Lucien set the box under his arm down on the ground next to the chair by Elain and headed over to the table. Elain watched him until he returned, sinking down beside her with a grin.

Lucien's smile widened when he took a bite of one of his sandwiches and Elain watched his eyes flicker closed for a moment. "Did you miss food with actual flavour too?" she asked and he just nodded, taking another bite. Elain smiled, watching him. "I was thinking…" she murmured, low enough that only he could hear her. "… what if… what if… we didn't sleep in different rooms…"

Lucien's eyes flicked directly to Elain and he raised an eyebrow at her. Heat flooded her face and she bit her lip, wanting to look away, but forcing herself to meet his eyes. "You mean…"

"I mean for sleeping." She said, "Just regular sleeping… what if… we stayed together."

"What made you think of this?" he asked mildly and Elain gave a light shrug.

"I just…" she made a face, "It was hard to sleep last night because all I could think about was how I wanted to go back to you."

"I had the same thought." He replied and Elain smiled in relief when he took one of her hands, holding it gently. "It took me forever to fall asleep because I wished you had stayed."

"Perfect." Elain smiled more widely at him, wondering if she would prefer if he came to sleep in her room or if she would go to his.

"All of a sudden I find myself wishing it were bedtime." Lucien told her, and she couldn't hold back a soft laugh. "I have something for you." He added, releasing her hand and turning to bend and lift the box he had set by his chair.

"What is it?" She asked, and Lucien raised an eyebrow at her.

"Why don't you open it and find out?" he replied, setting the box gently in her lap.

"… is this what you went into the city for?"

"Yes."

Elain glanced at him as she tried to open the box before looking back to what she was doing and managing to get the lid open. "Oh, is this…?" her fingers traced the heavy periwinkle blue material for a moment before lifting it from the box. It was long enough that Elain had to get to her feet as she shook it out. "Oh…" her eyes moved over the gorgeous fur-lined cloak she held before flicking again to Lucien. "Are we… going to the Winter Court?" she asked, excitement building within her.

"Rhys told me this morning." He said, lips quirking in a smile, "I thought you might need it for when you're ferreting around looking for frostflowers."

"I wouldn't say I ferret." She retorted and Lucien smiled more widely at her, getting to his own feet.

"Of course not." He said, helping her to lift the cloak to settle around her shoulders, "Let's see if it's the correct length." She just watched his face as his eyes moved over her, eying the cloak critically before he smiled. "Perfect."

Elain swished the cloak a little, watching Lucien as he smiled at her again. "This was the first thing you thought to do, knowing that we were going to the Winter Court?" she asked and he nodded.

"I've been there." He replied, "It's cold."

"He's not wrong." Mor's voice said softly as the blonde's hands stroked the edge of the cloak Elain was still wearing. It was then that Elain realised everyone in the room had been watching them the whole time and she looked back to Lucien with wide eyes. He just smiled at her, evidently having read her expression and realised what she had been thinking. Reaching forward, he lifted the hood to settle over her, his grin widening and Elain forgot all about the others as she watched Lucien's eyes move over her again.

"Thank you." She said softly, reaching her own hand out to him, her fingers skimming up his arm. "Do you need anything?" she asked, "I should get you something in return…"

"Are you asking what I require in payment?" he asked and Elain heard the edge of mischief in his voice. She nodded, eyes narrowed at him. "How about," he suggested, "a kiss?"

"A kiss?" Elain pushed the hood back, looking up at him. "That is a rather steep price…" she looked down at herself for a moment, "but it is a very nice cloak…" Lucien raised an eyebrow at her, a smirk forming on his lips again before Elain nodded as if coming to her decision. "Very well." She stepped toward him, going up on her toes as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down so that she could kiss him. Almost instantly, Lucien's arms snaked around her and he lifted her from the ground as he straightened, holding her to himself as he returned her kiss with enthusiasm.

When he had set her back on her feet, Elain realised that they were still being watched and she slowly turned to look at the others. Nesta was staring at them with wide eyes, while Cassian appeared to have frozen in open mouthed incredulity. Rhys picked up a sandwich, pretending that he hadn't even been watching while Amren drained her glass, smacking Cassian in the arm as she did so, causing him to shake himself and close his mouth.

"I just noticed," Feyre said, breaking the silence, her eyes on Lucien, "Every time you get your hands on Elain, you pick her up."

Elain stared at her sister.

"I… hadn't realised." Lucien said, and Elain could hear the awkwardness in his voice. She glanced at him to see him lift a hand to the back of his neck, his own eyes shifting her way.

"I…" Elain began, "I should put this away…" she took a step toward the door, grabbing Lucien's hand on her way past him, "Help me."

Without waiting for further comment from anyone else, she pulled him out into the hallway and upstairs away from further prying eyes.