Chapter 129

Lucien was busy over the next couple of days, trying to get everything organised for the meeting between the High Lords and so Elain had spent quite a bit of time with Ashk. Pleased that the Lady of the Autumn Court was still in the Day Court, and would be until Eris was finished after the meeting being organised, Elain had taken the opportunity to get to know her better. She had already liked her, Elain had decided that the day they had met back in the Autumn Court, but she had learned so much more about her in the past few days.

Elain had learned that, when she was relaxed, Lucien's mother could be funny. Her subtle humour had seemed almost shy at first, but had become more and more prevalent and confident the more they got to know one another, and Elain was now able to see where Lucien had gotten his wit from. She was more than beautiful and sweet and it was evident why someone like Helion would risk war with the Autumn Court to have been with her. Elain would have bet that before she had been married to Beron, Ashk could have had her pick of any of the males who had looked her way.

The two of them had walked all the halls of the palace with Elain hunting down appropriate flowers for her book, and Ashk talking. Mostly they had talked about Lucien, and Elain had enjoyed getting to hear about him as a youngling. The memories that the bond had showed her hadn't been happy or joyous, and she supposed that had been because being back in his old home hadn't brought up those memories for Lucien. Ashk remembered lighter moments; those were what she had held on to. Elain had smiled as she had listened, thankful that there had been happy moments for him, and not everything had been painful.

Ashk had invited Elain and Lucien to visit the Autumn Court for Mabon, and also told Elain that Helion had begun talking about future plans for the Day Court which involved Lucien. The High Lord was apparently excited by the prospect of his son possibly remaining in the Court, and Elain hoped that Lucien knew that Helion wanted him to stay.

As the sun began to set, Elain closed up her book and slipped everything back into her pocket as the golden light spilled luxuriously through the windows and into the hallways of the palace. "Lucien said that the last of the High Lords would be arriving this evening." She told Ashk.

"It was Rhysand, with your sister, of course." Ashk replied, "And Kallias?"

"I believe so."

"We should probably return for the dinner, then."

"Yes." Elain allowed the Lady of the Autumn Court to link their arms together as they headed back toward the part of the palace where the private suites were. She was excited for the dinner, not only because the mere prospect of all of the High Lords in one room was thrilling, but because Lucien had told her that Nesta might be coming with Feyre. She hadn't seen her sisters in entirely too long and, after everything that had happened in the Dawn Court, and everything they had found out since, Elain was dying to hug Nesta.

Lucien hurried into the room that he shared with Elain, knowing that he didn't have much time. He needed to bathe and get changed for the banquet, and he had only just finished putting everything together for the meeting in the morning. When he pushed the door open and slipped inside, he found Elain sitting on the bed. She was dressed, and he paused for a moment, just looking at her.

"Hi…" she said softly, getting to her feet.

"You are the most breathtaking creature I have ever laid my eyes on…" The words were true, and Lucien smiled when a pretty blush spread across Elain's cheeks as she lowered her gaze, her hands twisting together before her. Crossing the room to her, Lucien wrapped an arm loosely around her waist, drawing her to himself and pressing his lips to her forehead. She laughed then, her own hands coming up to push gently at him.

"You have to get ready."

"I do." Forcing himself to let her go, Lucien allowed his eyes to move over her once more. She was wearing a dress cut in the Day Court fashion but, unlike the casual dress she had been in before, this one was in a pale lilac colour that suited her perfectly. As his eyes moved higher once more, Lucien noticed that her hair had been done up in a style that some of the Day Court faeries had seemed to favour and, when she noticed where his attention was focused, Elain lifted a hand to touch her hair gently.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"It…" he nodded, "suits you."

"You think so?"

"Yes." He did think so. She looked as if she truly belonged here now, and the thought sent a pleasant shiver of satisfaction moving through him. Elain smiled, and he returned the smile easily. "Alright… I am going to bathe quickly."

"There's clothing laid out for you." She told him, indicating the bed behind her. "Helion had it sent when he sent my dress."

Tilting his head, Lucien eyed the bed, not sure what he was expecting. He didn't mind what he found, however. It was in much the same style as what he already wore, but in a richer fabric. Smiling again at his mate, Lucien then turned and headed into the bathroom, striping off as he went.

He returned only about ten minutes later, his towel around his hips. Elain was standing by the window and made no secret of the fact that she was watching him as he approached the bed and what he was to wear. Lucien made a show of pretending that he hadn't noticed her eyes on him as he removed the towel and got dressed, exaggerating each move he made. Elain's light giggle made him smile and he finally cast a glance her way.

"If I wasn't so excited for this banquet, I would suggest that we make our excuses and remain here for the night." She said.

"You're excited for the banquet?" He asked, smiling.

"Oh, yes." She grinned, and he could feel her excitement from across the room. "Also, I can't wait to see Nesta and Feyre."

"I'm sure." He moved toward the vanity, picking up a comb to pull through his hair. "They are being shown to their suits now." He told her, "They will be ready for the banquet by the time it is expected to begin."

"Did you see them?" Elain asked, approaching him from behind, and Lucien met her curious gaze in the mirror. "How did they look?"

"They looked well." He said, turning around to look at her properly. "I would say they are both keen to see you as well. Especially Nesta." He was pleased with the wide smile that brought to Elain's face. She was practically bounding on the balls of her feet and he set the comb down to get to his own feet. If she was dying this much to go and see her family, he wouldn't make her wait any longer. "Alright," he said, offering her his hand. "Let us go and wait in the hall."

Elain took his hand faster than he had seen her move before. "Yes." She said and, the moment she touched his skin, Lucien felt her longing even more powerfully. He hadn't realised how much she had missed her sisters, but he could feel it sharply now and he tightened his grip on her hand. This would be an interesting evening for so many reasons; he just hoped it went well.