Chapter 112

The Day Court was magnificent. Elain knew that her eyes were wide and her mouth was open as she took in the splendour before them. The palace and most of the buildings were made with a bright stone that seemed to reflect the sun, and the faeries that surrounded them, bustling about, were all dressed in linen in an array of pale colours such as white and ivory.

As they approached the palace, Elain could hear Lucien's heartbeat quicken. He had tightened his hold on her hand when they had crossed the border and Helion's escort were there for them, and he hadn't let go of her since. She could feel his anxiety building and she just hoped that he would be able to hold it together once they got face to face with the High Lord of the Day Court. She supposed that he would, as he was court-trained and really rather good at talking to people.

Trying her best to balance her attention between Lucien, and everything around them, Elain tried not to be distracted by the faeries she saw passing them. Aside from their pale linen clothing, most wore vibrant golden jewellery inset with bright blue jewels and stones. She recognised lapis lazuli, although she had never seen it in such plentiful quantities.

Passing one large building with several stairs before the huge double doors, Elain paused for a moment to look up at it. It was more than clear that this was one of the thousands of libraries that Lucien had told her about and which they had read about in the book on The Day Court. "The libraries Amarantha looted," she began, "Have they been restored?"

Lucien pulled gently at her hand to get her walking again, "I am not sure, actually." He told her, "That is something we can ask Helion." He smiled, "If they need help, I am sure Rhys would be happy to arrange something."

"That does seem like what this whole trip was about."

"Yes," he agreed.

"Can we visit some anyway?"

"Of course."

Elain grinned at him, still looking all around them. He had once said to her that she might be able to learn something about her Seer abilities in the libraries of the Day Court, and she hadn't forgotten that. It was something that was high on her priority list, and she dearly wanted the chance to do so.

The sun was everywhere, and everything was warm and golden. Glancing at Lucien out of the corner of her eye, she could easily see him looking as if he belonged here. That skin of his just about lit up in the golden sun, and his hair looked like molten metal, flames moving through it as it shifted in the air. "You look like the sun…" the words were out of her mouth before Elain had even had time to contemplate them, and her breath caught when his russet and golden eyes turned her way. She squeezed his hand, and they were ushered through a large gate, as she heard his heart thundering so loudly that she wondered if it hurt him. "Lucien," she said softly, "remember that you're not doing this on your own."

"I know." His voice was barely more than a whisper. "Thank you."

The fae of Helion's Court were stunning, and Elain couldn't help her eyes lingering on each one of them as she noticed them in turn. They were all also wearing clothing that was of light linen, loose breezy dresses on the females, and what looked to be shorter skirt-type pieces on the males, some of whom were bare chested. Many were wearing similar lapis lazuli jewellery to that which she had noticed outside, but in here the pieces seemed much more elaborate. Nearly all of the males who were bare chested wore wide collar necklaces made up of tightly beaded rows of gems and beads, which were draped over them from breast to collarbone. Almost every faerie present had some kind of colourful beaded necklace with equally elaborate earrings. Elain also noticed that a few of them wore light looking sandals, while the rest appeared to be barefoot.

When Lucien's hand released hers and came to rest on the small of her back, Elain realised that her wonder and awe had been on display for all to see. She didn't really mind, thinking that it would probably be nice for them to know that she found their home so wonderful to behold. She smiled at Lucien over her shoulder, walking slightly ahead of him into what she assumed was the reception room, or throne room, where she could only assume Helion would be waiting for them. They had been expected after all.

The throne room was even more breathtaking than the rooms and hallways they had just walked through. Several of the faeries they had passed followed them in and then dispersed around the edges of the room, no doubt seeking an ideal spot from which to watch their reception. As they approached the dais, Elain's eyes were on the high windows, taking in the glorious colours that spilled into the room with the daylight when she heard Lucien's sharp intake of breath. She thought she could practically feel his heart thundering in her own chest now and she cast another glance at him over her shoulder, reaching back to take his hand in hers once more, before she turned her own eyes on the dais and the faerie sitting there.

Helion Spell-Cleaver was even more resplendent than Elain could have imagined. She wasn't aware that she had gasped at the sight of him until Lucien was beside her, his hand tight on hers. The High Lord's dark skin seemed to shine with an inner light and his amber eyes looked amused as he regarded them. She tried to stop staring at him, but found herself unable to. He truly was magnificent, with his strong muscular frame draped elegantly in white and gold in the fashion of the rest of his court, and his black hair glimmering in silky waves and a crown of golden spikes atop his head. The book that Elain had gotten for Lucien had described Helion as "The sun personified" and she rather thought that was beyond accurate.

A rush of emotion hit Elain down the bond from Lucien, and it shocked her out of her admiration of the High Lord before them. She could feel Lucien all but drowning in emotion and she turned her head his way. His face betrayed none of it, and she watched him as he smiled politely and gave a small bow of his head as etiquette required.

"Welcome to the Court of Day." Helion said, his voice as rich and bright as Elain would have expected.

"Thank you." Lucien replied, and Elain was impressed with how steady he sounded, especially considering that she knew that he most certainly did not feel that way. "I am certain you are aware of the reason for our visit. The High Lord of the Night Court requests that the Courts all keep one another updated on the progress within their borders in the interest of fostering stronger relationships and in seeking and receiving aide from one another, should it be required."

"I am aware."

"Also, The High Lord of the Night Court requests that Elain Archeron be given the freedom to move around the Court in her pursuit of appropriate flora for the book she is compiling, set to be published and distributed among the courts as a symbol of our strengthening friendship and respect for one another."

"Yes." Helion was smiling now. "This was also in the letter that Rhysand sent to me." His amber eyes turned on Elain and she found that she could barely breathe under his gaze, "You have that freedom, Lady."

"Thank you." Elain bowed her own head.

"I have a gift for you." Helion's words surprised Elain and she looked up quickly to see him gesture at a faerie standing near his throne. "I had it commissioned for you when I learned of your visit." His amber eyes flicked from the faerie who had approached him, back to Elain and then he held a hand out to her, gesturing for her to approach him.

"Oh…" Elain looked at Lucien who, after a moment of hesitation, released her hand. His eyes met hers and he nodded slightly. "I… am… honoured you would think to do such a thing…" she murmured, slowly approaching the dais. Helion smiled at her as he opened the box he had been given. Elain looked at what was inside when he tilted it toward her. "It's beautiful." She said gently. Inside the box was a golden anklet, accented with beads of Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian, Jasper, and Turquoise.

"Faience beads. A symbol of your welcome in my Court." Helion's eyes moved past Elain and back to Lucien, "A symbol of our strengthening friendship and respect for one another." Amber eyes returned to meet Elain's gaze, and she just stared at him when he patted his knee. When she did nothing but blink, still staring at him, he did it again. "Your foot…" he said softly and Elain swallowed thickly. She dare not turn and look at Lucien, so she carefully lifted her foot. Her breath caught in her throat as she set it lightly upon the High Lord's knee. This was scandalous, she thought. Here she was, in front of the entire Day Court, setting her dirty shoe upon the knee of their extremely attractive High Lord. Somebody was going to reprimand her, she knew it. Nobody said anything, however, and Elain could do nothing but watch as Helion took the anklet from its box and unclasped it, before setting it carefully around her ankle. She couldn't breathe as his warm fingers grazed her skin lightly as he tightened the clasp and then adjusted the anklet to fall to best advantage. "Lovely." He said, eyes lifting to her face once more.

"… Thank you." Her words were barely a whisper, and she retreated back down to stand beside Lucien as soon as she was able. Lucien took her hand, and Elain could feel the possessive nature of his grip on her all too easily. She ran her thumb over the back of his hand soothingly.

"Your rooms have been prepared for you." Helion told them and Lucien stiffened beside Elain.

"We only require one."

Helion smiled, his amber eyes flicking between them. "Of course." He said, "I meant that a suite of rooms have been prepared for you."

Elain felt Lucien relax, and she continued to stroke his hand in her own. This was going to be an interesting visit indeed.