Chapter 64

It took Elain the rest of the day to finish what she needed for her book and it wasn't until that evening at the dinner table that she told Lucien that she had what she needed. He had told Kallias that they would be heading for the Spring Court the next morning, and he hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since. Elain had been quiet, and he knew that it was weighing on her mind just as much as it was on his.

They had gone to bed, curled up against one another as had become their norm, but Lucien had lay awake as his mind swirled with what they were going to do. He had built this up, and he didn't know what he needed to do now that it had become so important. What Kallias had told him did ease his worry, and he had tightened his arm around Elain as she slept. It didn't matter how much he overthought this whole situation, every time he had Elain in his arms, everything became easy and natural.

By morning, Lucien had begun to think of things they could tell Tamlin about why they had come back to his court. He hadn't come up with anything too great and, when he noticed that Elain was awake, he decided to ask her.

"I'm assuming you don't want to give him the real reason…" He murmured when she raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'd really rather not…"

"Then what should we tell him?" Lucien let a hand move through her soft hair, stroking back the stray locks that had come loose from her night braid.

"Well, I'm assuming we will be doing other things while there…" Her voice was soft and Lucien nodded, "I do want to choose a flower from that glade…"

"The one I used to visit, and that you dreamed of?"

"Yes." Elain slid closer to him, "I want to include a flower from there in the book… We can tell him that." Lucien smiled wider at her.

"I might have a suggestion for which to choose…" He thought of the many, many, times he had gone to that glade. He had spent so long there wishing that whatever promise the glade had been making would come to be. He was certain now that that promise had always been Elain, and he could see in his mind the blue flowers he had always felt drawn to.

"You do?" He could see the interest in her dark eyes, feel her curiosity, and Lucien winked at her.

"They're blue."

"Ah…" Elain's eyes shifted and he could see her trying to remember the flowers she had seen in the glade when they had been there. He knew that she couldn't quite decide when she frowned lightly. "What are they?"

"I don't know." He told her, "I don't know what they're called, but they always made me feel better…"

"Okay." She pushed herself into a sitting position. "I look forward to you showing them to me."

Watching Elain, Lucien was also looking forward to showing those little blue flowers to her. He was looking forward to sitting in that glade with her while she sketched them for her book. Deciding that he would have to remember to take snacks, Lucien rather hoped that it would be like when they had used to sit out in the garden in the Night Court. He had missed that easy, innocent, time with her. Not that he would give up moments like these, he thought. Never in all of eternity.

Kallias and Viviane had taken them to where Lucien could winnow them and then they'd jumped step by step toward the Spring Court and Tamlin's manor. Lucien was beyond exhausted by the time they had arrived and he was grateful for Elain's supporting arm around his waist as they staggered up the steps to the door.

"It's dinner…" he murmured, and Elain nodded, walking with him up the hallway toward the dining room.

Tamlin raised an eyebrow when they entered the room and Lucien tried to stand a little straighter. He dropped his pack by the door, and a moment later Elain set hers beside his.

"You've returned…" Tamlin's voice held the question he wanted to ask and Lucien nodded.

"You did say we were welcome…"

"I did." His friend waved a hand at the empty seats at the table. "Join me…" Lucien didn't miss the eager way Elain moved forward, taking up the same chair she had claimed when they had last visited. "So what brings you back so soon?"

"Couple of things." Lucien replied, "Elain is after a flower that grows near here I was telling her about. She wants to include it in her book."

"Which one?"

"I… don't know what it's called." Lucien shrugged, "It's blue…"

Tamlin raised an eyebrow at him again. "Helpful."

"You're the High Lord of Spring." Lucien muttered, picking up a golden goblet from in front of him, "I just lived here…"

"If I brought one back, would you know its name?" Elain asked Tamlin, hope in her voice.

Tamlin nodded, turning his green eyes her way. "Yes."

Elain's happy eyes turned toward Lucien and she gave him a smile. "Tomorrow we'll have to do that."

"As you wish, Petal." His gaze shifted back to Tamlin, "That is, if we're allowed to stay…"

"You may stay." Tamlin replied giving a single nod of his head, "I said before that you were welcome, and it holds."

Elain's pretty smile flashed Lucien's way and he met her gaze again for a moment before looking back to Tamlin yet again. "Thank you. We appreciate that."

"Do you still require two rooms?"

"Ah…"

"One will do." Elain said simply, "We will stay in Lucien's old room… unless you object."

Lucien couldn't help but stare at her. He had not expected her to be so forthright. Tamlin's green eyes flickered between Elain and Lucien, and Lucien did not miss the amused look in his friend's eyes, or the fact that Tamlin seemed to be resisting a smile of his own.

"I have no objection." Tamlin turned his attention back to Lucien who began filling his plate with dishes sitting near to him. "You have been collecting flowers from the other courts?" Tamlin asked and Elain nodded, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the small book. She then passed it to Tamlin who carefully opened it and began leafing through the pages. "These are quite interesting…" he remarked, "Oh, the Eisblume…"

"That is one of my favourites." Elain said, "I wish that every court had an equivalent."

"Unfortunately, it is quite unique." Tamlin replied. "No doubt that makes it all the more beautiful."

Elain nodded her agreement, and Lucien watched her select several pieces of a nearby honey loaf to add to her plate. He ate his own dinner quickly, feeling more and more exhausted with every minute that passed. All that winnowing had really taken it out of him, and he found himself longing for his bed. He wanted to get upstairs and curl up with Elain so that he could get some rest. Despite what they had come here for, Lucien didn't think anything would be happening between them tonight. He was far too exhausted, and he hoped that Elain would understand that he was probably capable of little more than a quick bath and collapsing into bed before he fell asleep. They didn't have to be in the Summer Court for another week. They had plenty of time.

Elain sat on Lucien's bed, in her nightgown, pulling her hairbrush through her hair as she waited. She was pleased that Tamlin had seemed friendly when they had arrived, if not a little surprised and she was thankful that he had let them stay. Perhaps he and Lucien really could mend their friendship. Tomorrow, she would pay more attention to the way the two of them interacted, and see where they were and if she might do anything to assist the process. Glancing at the bathroom door, Elain braided her hair for bed. Lucien had gone to have a bath quite a while ago, but she had expected him to be back by now. As she fastened the end of her braid, she listened for his heartbeat. It was there, slow and steady and she got to her feet.

Approaching the door, Elain listened more intently. "Lucien?" she called softly. Then, not hearing a reply, she pressed her ear to the door. "Lucien?"

There was no reply again and Elain frowned. He wouldn't just ignore her. Biting her lip, Elain reached for the door handle and turned it carefully. The door opened a little and she peered in.

"Lucien?"

He was still in the tub, resting his head back against the side, his eyes closed, and Elain walked hesitantly into the room, smiling when she realised that he was asleep. Grabbing a towel, she approached the tub. She knew that he had been tired after winnowing them so far, so she wasn't entirely surprised. "Lucien?" She lay the towel, folded, on the side of the tub, reaching out to touch his hair. He stirred slightly and Elain stepped around the end of the tub, behind him.

"Hmm?"

"You're exhausted…" Elain ran her fingers through his hair, gathering it together.

"Mmm…" She saw him lift a wet hand to run over his face. "I am."

Running her fingers through his hair again to ensure that there were no tangles, Elain began to carefully braid it. She enjoyed watching the ruby strands slide between her fingers, and she wished that her own hair was as beautiful a colour. "It's alright." She told him, "We'll get you in to bed and you can sleep properly. It will be more comfortable than in the bath."

"Okay." His response was murmured softly and Elain secured the braid as he reached for the towel. Realising that he was about to stand up, she turned quickly away. Wondering why that had been her reaction considering the things they had done, Elain paused. Then, deciding that even if mates were as close as possible and even if they lived together practically naked, giving one another deserved privacy was a good thing, she headed for the door. She would return to the bedroom, and get ready for bed, and Lucien could join her when he was ready.

Elain had been settled in bed for no more than a minute when Lucien staggered into the room, his towel wrapped around his waist. She just watched him approach the bed, already looking half asleep again. He reached for the covers before he hesitated. He glanced at her and then moved to pull on a pair of loose pants, tossing the towel onto a nearby chair by the fire. When he practically dropped onto the bed, Elain wondered how he'd even had the strength to stand at all. She scooted closer to him, reaching out to lightly touch his shoulder. Lucien didn't so much as lift his head to look at her, and Elain lifted her fingers to his hair, tracing the braid to its end.

When he shifted his arm then, his hand coming out to her, Elain took it gently. His fingers wrapped around hers and he went still again. Listening to his heartbeat slow and take on a steady beat, she knew that he had drifted into sleep again and she slid down next to him, her hand still in his, as she sought to do the same.