Chapter 130

The hall was glittering when Elain and Lucien walked through the doors. The first thing that Elain noticed was how opulent everything looked, the second was that most of Helion's Court appeared to be present. Faeries of all description milled about the place, a murmur of excitement in the air, and she clung tightly to Lucien's hand when that murmur increased as those closest to the doors noticed their entry.

"Tarquin and Thesan are over there…" Lucien's voice was soft and Elain looked in the direction that he had indicated. She nodded as she spotted the two High Lords standing by the window, already deep in discussion with one another. As she watched, Eris strode toward Tarquin and Thesan and joined their conversation.

"There is so much power in this room." She murmured, turning her head to look at Lucien who nodded his head in agreement.

"That is certainly true." He replied, lifting her hand to his lips with a smile. "If it becomes too much to bear, let me know and we will sneak away…"

"We can't do that." She grinned at him. "Helion intends to make an announcement that you kind of need to be present for."

"Do I?" he asked, "They all know who I am."

"You need to be here." She told him, reaching her free hand up to smooth over the smooth material across his chest, "So that you can see the pride in his eyes when he tells them all who you are to him."

Pleasure slid down the bond to Elain then, and she smiled more widely at Lucien. He looked to be practically glowing and she knew that he hadn't truly intended to sneak out. She knew that he would have if she had asked it, but she could feel that he wanted to see Helion publicly acknowledge him. He wanted to see that connection acknowledged. "I suppose we must endure then, Petal."

"I am certain that you will manage."

She felt the moment Nesta entered the room, and turned her head to scan the crowd. "What is it?" Lucien asked, his grip on her hand firm.

"Nesta…" Elain grinned when she saw her sister standing by the doors, her expression calculating. Elain didn't release Lucien's hand to run across the room to her sister, but she dragged him quickly, dodging faeries who stood in the way. "Nes!"

Her sister's face softened when she caught sight of Elain, and Nesta uncrossed her arms to wrap them around Elain the moment that she was in reach. Grinning, Elain slid her free arm around her older sister's waist, holding her close for a few moments. "Elain, are you alright?" Nesta's voice was gentle, and Elain nodded when her sister released her enough to step back and look intently at her face.

"I am." She replied, her own eyes looking Nesta over when both of Nesta's hands came up to her face, holding gently as she was inspected.

"You look well." Nesta's eyes flicked past Elain for a moment to Lucien, and Elain couldn't read the expression that flashed quickly through her sister's eyes. "He's taken care of you." Those pale eyes were once again on Elain who nodded.

"Of course." Still not having let go of Lucien's hand, Elain pulled gently until he came to stand next to her, and she glanced up at him to see both his eyes on Nesta.

"Are you well, Nesta?" he asked, and Elain flicked her gaze toward her sister who actually looked surprised for a second.

"Yes, I am." The answer was clipped, before her sister appeared to relax an instant later. "I've just been worried. After what we heard happened in the Dawn Court…"

"That seems so long ago now." Elain said, squeezing Lucien's hand when she felt tension from him.

"It wasn't." Nesta replied.

They all turned to look when a light bell sounded and one of Lucien's hands found it's way to Elain's lower back. "That's the bell to be seated." He said gently. He gestured toward the long table cleaving the room in half, and gave a slight bow. "Ladies…"

Elain saw Nesta raise an eyebrow at him, but her elder sister allowed Lucien to lead the both of them toward the table. They found little name cards lining the table and, as they searched for their names, Elain hoped that she wouldn't find herself in some undesirable position near those she didn't know as she didn't think she had the energy to try and answer a million questions and make sure she was appropriately proper and engaging. She didn't want to spend the evening ensuring that she was perfect. Besides, there were many here she had missed and would much rather have the chance to catch up with.

When she found her name, Elain let out a sigh of relief. She was seated on Lucien's left and Nesta was directly across the table from her so she would be able to look at and speak to her easily. She smiled when she saw the white-blonde hair of the faerie sitting in the chair to her own left and as she sank down into her seat, Elain met the pale eyes that turned to look at her.

"Viviane." She greeted.

"Elain." Viviane smiled back at her. "I had hoped that I would see you here."

"I am glad to see you, also." Elain smoothed her dress over her legs as she tucked herself in at the table, her eyes moving up and down, taking those near to them in. Kallias was on the other side of Viviane, and Elain gave him a smile when he met her eyes.

"How has your collection of Prythian's flowers come along?"

"I am nearly finished, I believe." Elain told Viviane. "The Day Court was the final I had to visit, and I added a few more today."

"I look forward to seeing it when it is complete."

"I will bring you a copy." Elain said softly, "I would very much like to visit the Winter Court again." She cast a smile at Lucien, remembering the conversation they had had not long ago where she had told him they needed to return to the Winter Court as it was the only court they had not had sex in. She didn't need to tell Viviane that, however.

"You would be most welcome." Viviane's voice was friendly, and Kallias nodded his agreement beside her. When Viviane leaned toward Elain almost conspiratorially, Elain leaned in to meet her, straining to hear the other female's soft voice. "You are not properly mated yet?"

"Soon…" Elain breathed, feeling her cheeks heat. "I… I want to do it here."

Viviane's white smile was so excited and so genuine that Elain felt a rush of affection for her. "Oh, that is wonderful. I hope that it is beautiful. I am certain it will be."

"Thank you." Elain felt herself blush again and her eyes flicked toward Nesta who was watching them from across the table. "Oh, do you remember my elder sister?" She asked Viviane, "This is Nesta."

"Yes, I recall." Viviane gave Nesta a smile and Elain was pleased to see her sister return the smile with real emotion.

A hush fell across the table, and everyone's eyes turned in the direction of the doors as they swung open and Helion entered the room, Ashk at his side. Elain slipped her hand into Lucien's beneath the table when she felt his surprise down the bond. It seemed as if all eyes followed Helion and Ashk to the table where they sank into chairs, Helion on Lucien's other side. Squeezing his hand, Elain gave Lucien an encouraging smile when he sat a little straighter. She then couldn't help but watch as Feyre hurried into the hall, followed by Rhysand.

Her sister's eyes met hers when Feyre was halfway to the table and she smiled again. Feyre took up a seat beside Nesta across the table and Elain couldn't wipe the wide smile off of her face. She had missed her sisters so very much and now she had both reason and excuse to just look at them throughout the whole dinner as they sat across from her. She would have to thank whoever had placed the name cards at the table, as they had evidently thought of her.

"Are you happy, Petal?" Lucien asked her and she looked up at him through her lashes. Nodding, she squeezed his hand yet again.