Chapter 81

Standing with his back to the wall, Lucien watched as the room filled up with High Fae and Lesser Fae from around the Autumn Court. He hadn't seen the place this crowded since well before Jesminda had been killed and he had left. Beron had only held things like this once every few years, and had never liked his House full of those he didn't know and trust. He had also never been one to invite Lesser Fae in when he could help it. It made the room seem smaller and less imposing. Also, he figured, safer. Surely nothing terrible could happen in front of so many witnesses.

As the room continued to fill, the chatter of the fae rising in the air, Elain's soft hand slid into Lucien's, and he closed his fingers firmly around it. "You're just going to do what he wants, aren't you?" she asked quietly.

Lucien turned his head to look at her, the worry clear in her brown eyes. "Yes, Petal." He replied gently, "He only wants me to renounce my claim. I already did that, years ago. He just wants me to do it publicly… specific to his throne, and not Beron's."

"And you will…"

"Of course…" He gave her a reassuring smile, even as he felt exhaustion wash through him. Elain's eyes widened as she looked up at him, and he knew that she was aware of how he felt. "It won't take long…"

"Alright…" she slipped closer, her free hand coming up to take hold of his forearm, hugging his arm to her as she leaned into him. Dipping his head to press a kiss to the top of Elain's head, Lucien smiled, and they waited for the flow of faeries into the room to slow and cease.

By the time the doors were closed, Lucien was fighting to stay awake. He was tired. Healing himself from a wound as severe as the one Tallan had given him always took most of his energy, and he really did need to rest. The noise in the room was almost a constant buzz and it was almost lulling him into a daze until, as Eris arrived, the room went silent.

Lucien was vaguely aware of Nesta, Feyre and Rhys approaching to stand on the other side of Elain, and they all watched as Eris took his seat in his throne on the dais. "Will we have to stay for the whole thing?" Elain asked, and Lucien felt her tighten her hold on his arm.

"Probably most of it." He murmured, "Eris will hear the reports and requests first…"

"Okay." She lay her cheek against his arm, and fell silent. Lucien's glaze flicked to his eldest brother, watching as Eris motioned for the first faerie to come forward to speak.

It was the same as it always was with these things, and Lucien felt himself zoning out. The faeries from the agricultural communities brought their requests and suggestions for what Eris could do to ensure they had a successful harvest, and Lucien's mind began to wander. His eyes flickered around the room, scanning the faces he saw, half wondering if he knew any of them from his time with Jesminda. He did not see anyone he recognised, but he supposed that was a good thing. Nobody he had known from back then would have been too pleased to see him these days, not after what he had let happen.

A long while later, Lucien was just about leaning back against the wall to keep himself upright when the requests had come to an end. He forced himself to look back to Eris, trying to listen, when his brother got to his feet and began to talk about his plans for progress and change. The faeries around the room seemed apprehensive, and Lucien had expected no less. Eris had spent centuries developing his reputation of ruthlessness and cruelty. No doubt it was expected that Eris' reign would continue much like Beron's had before him. Eventually, Lucien heard his name and he blinked, standing straight on his feet once more. He felt Elain release his arm and he blinked again, trying to clear his head.

"Lucien, if you don't mind…" Eris gestured to the place before the dais, and Lucien forced himself to move forward, coming to stand in the place he was supposed to. Bowing his head slightly, he listened again. "You are here to renounce your position as one of the heirs to the throne of the Autumn Court?"

"I am." Lucien replied, as he should.

"Then say the words."

His head still bowed, and his eyes fixed on one spot on the stone floor, Lucien tried to recall the proper words. "I am Lucien Vanserra," he began, wincing internally at the use of Beron's name, "Son of Beron Vanserra," he couldn't help glancing up at his mother, standing near Eris, at that point. "Son of the Autumn Court… and I renounce any and all ties to that name." Lucien drew a slow breath, "I acknowledge Eris Vanserra as the High Lord of the Autumn Court, and offer no challenge to his reign or to his throne." He swept into a swift courtly bow, and then stood straight to meet Eris' amber eyes.

Nodding his head once in acknowledgement, Eris held Lucien's gaze for a moment, before looking around at the rest of the court. "You are all witnesses to this…" Eris moved a hand, gesturing that Lucien was free to move again, and Lucien turned instantly, heading for the wall once again to where Elain was waiting. Her hand slid into his the instant he was beside her, and Lucien listened to the soft murmur that seemed to slither around the room. When Eris announced that, as a celebration for his taking of the throne and position of High Lord, he would dismiss this year's collection of the Tithe, that murmuring grew louder, and far more excited. It was a good move, Lucien thought. It would win Eris positive favour with most of his new subjects, without him having to actually tarnish his carefully constructed reputation.

"Can we go…?" Elain asked softly, and Lucien nodded. He let her pull him slowly toward the door, weaving among the faeries who stood about the place, most of their attention still focused on Eris up on the dais.

"I am looking forward to a nice rest…" Lucien murmured as they reached the hallway and headed for their room.

"Don't think that just because you've renounced your name that we'll forget about you." Tallan's voice froze Lucien to the spot, and he turned his head to see his brother trailing after them up the hallway.

"I'm certain you can find something else to entertain yourself." Lucien replied, trying not to roll his eyes.

"You're probably right…" Tallan smirked, and Lucien did not miss his brother's amber eyes slide past him to settle on Elain. Stepping more completely in front of Elain, Lucien bared his teeth. "You'll pay." Tallan went on, "You and Tamlin, for what you did to our brothers…"

"Defended myself?" Lucien asked, "Be thankful we let you run home…"

Tallan growled then, and looked as if he were about to say something, when he was suddenly shoved to the side. Lucien blinked in surprise as Nesta pushed past Tallan.

"Get out of the way." She snarled, "You're blocking the hallway with your pathetic threats and ugly face."

Lucien watched Tallan turn his incredulous eyes on Nesta, his mouth just about hanging open in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Nesta folded her arms, looking Tallan over, her expression reading distaste.

"This conversation was between my brother and I…"

"My sister and her mate have somewhere to be." Nesta said flatly, "They're not interested in a conversation with you."

"That's not up to you."

"It is." Nesta muttered, "Unless you want to go through me, and if you try I'll rip your own arms off and beat you to death with them."

Lucien thought perhaps Nesta had been spending a little too much time with Amren.

Tallan just narrowed his eyes at Nesta, before turning and striding away up the hallway. Nesta turned to face them, then.

"Thanks…" Elain said softly and Lucien saw Nesta's expression soften as she looked at her sister.

"Go and rest." Was all Nesta said before she, too, strode away up the hallway. Elain's hand tightened on Lucien's then, and he allowed her to pull him toward their room and the soft bed he could not wait to collapse upon.