Chapter 167

He knew that every pair of eyes in the room was on him. Glancing up the table, Lucien found them all watching him, and he shifted his eyes back to Elain. She came to stand beside him and he watched as she, with shaking hands, set the tray on the table before him. Lucien stared at it. The tray was laden with cupcakes in the shape of sunflowers, and his heart began to race.

"Like I used to bring you…" he murmured, his eyes lifting back to meet her dark ones. "In the garden…"

Elain nodded, holding his gaze. When he didn't move, she leaned forward and picked up one of the cupcakes, holding it out to him. "The ones you used to bring me from the bakery in Velaris were like your own acceptance of the bond…" Elain's voice was so soft he had to strain to hear her. "It seemed fitting that mine matched yours…"

He could feel her nervousness, that anxiety from before. Lifting a hand, Lucien gently took the cupcake, his eyes unable to look away from her face. He watched as she smiled, and he held her eyes when he lifted the cupcake to his lips and took a bite.

Joy and pleasure hit him down the bond then, but Elain didn't move. He held her gaze, barely blinking, as he chewed and swallowed and took another bite of the cupcake, and she just watched him, her smile wide across her perfect face.

It only took Lucien a third bite to finish the cupcake and, when he swallowed the last of it, he slowly got to his feet. Elain was still standing beside him, her eyes still on his, and Lucien lifted a hand to her cheek, bending to press a gentle kiss to her lips. He felt one of her hands at his elbow, as if trying to pull him closer, and he lifted his head to meet her eyes again. "Thank you, perfect mate." He murmured, and Elain smiled at him again.

For the first time since she had walked into the room with the tray, Elain looked away from him. Lucien followed her eyes and found she had looked to her sisters, both of whom were smiling at her. He then spared a glance for the rest of the table, and found them all still watching as well. Fierce possessiveness flowed through Lucien then, heat simmering beneath his skin, and he turned back to Elain. Her brown eyes were on him and in one fluid motion, he had swept her into his arms, lifting her high and holding her to himself. He wanted to get her somewhere he knew that others wouldn't be looking at her. Somewhere he could have her all to himself.

Elain's soft hands came up and she gently took hold of Lucien's face, making him look at her again. He felt his breath catch in his throat when she leaned in to press a kiss to his forehead, and he turned away from the table, taking her with him. He could still feel eyes on him, and he knew that he needed to get out. Without a backwards glance, Lucien strode for the door and the hallway outside. He was no longer prepared to share, and he intended to be alone with his mate.

Once out in the hallway, Lucien headed for their room, coming to a halt when Elain pressed a hand to his chest. "Not this way…" she breathed, and he looked down at her, confusion sliding though him.

"Why?" he asked, wondering what it was that she wanted if not to go back to their room.

"Let me show you."

"Oh…" Lucien put her back on her feet when she wiggled to be free and he just watched her, fascinated, when she smiled at him and took his hand.

"Come…"

He went with her, allowing her to pull him through the hallways. He had no idea where she was taking him, but he was more than willing to follow her wherever she wanted to go. Lucien just watched her, the way her honey-brown hair curled and swung down her back as she walked, and the way her eyes were alight with happiness every time she turned to look at him over her shoulder. Elain's hand remained firm upon his, and Lucien knew that his heart was still thundering enthusiastically in his chest.

Elain led him to a large door with what looked to be a sun across it. Tilting his head, Lucien looked it over. "What is this?" he asked, and she smiled at him again as she reached for the door handle.

"Ours." She replied, turning the handle and pushing the door open. He glanced at her, before looking into the room. Elain stepped in ahead of him, pulling him in behind her and then closing the door after them.

Her scent was everywhere in here. Lucien looked around and, an instant later, he knew why. All of the things he had noticed missing from their room were here. Her dresses hung on a rack by the wall, and all of her things from her vanity were by the mirror near the wall. Lucien raised an eyebrow when he saw his own pack sitting on a couch. He had been through it himself just before dinner, and he was astounded at the fact that it was here now. Either Elain had been back to the room after he had left, or she had had help. Helion knew, Lucien realised. The High Lord had been in on this.

"You've been planning this…" he murmured, turning to Elain who was just standing and watching him for his reaction. She nodded and he strode toward her, reaching out to touch her and draw her closer. Elain folded herself into him, her arms coming around his waist as she lay her head against his chest, and Lucien held her tightly.

"Are you surprised?" she asked softly, and he gave a gentle chuckle.

"I am very surprised." He replied, smiling when he felt her pleasure through the bond. "You put so much effort into this…"

"Of course I did." Elain looked up at him, and he ran his fingers through her hair, "You're worth it…"

"Oh, you think so?" He grinned at her when she frowned. Then, when Elain brought both hands up and pushed him back until he hit the couch and sank down onto it, he gave a started gasp.

"I do." Elain slid into his lap, and he watched her brown eyes move over him. "I like you in these Day Court clothes…" she said gently, and he felt her hands slide up over his chest. "I like being able to see your legs… those powerful thighs…" Lucien knew that he was instantly hard, even before Elain's lips grazed his cheek on their way to his ear. "I love being able to see so much of you…"

He slid his own hands up her thighs as she straddled him. He wasn't as much of a fan of the Day Court attire as she was, but he had to admit that he did appreciate how easy it was to have access to her in this short dress. Elain made a small noise of appreciation when his hands went up under her dress and she leaned into him, her chest against his as one of her hands slid around the back of his neck. "You feel so good…" he breathed, his hands slipping around behind her to grip her arse. He felt Elain nod an instant before he felt her tongue against his ear, and heat filled him again.

Lifting his hands, Lucien turned his attention to the leather belt that she wore. It was an elaborate thing, and he began trying to get it off of her, pulling at the laces and trying to untie the whole situation. It was difficult, and he could feel his heartrate increasing with every passing second that he failed to make much progress with it.

"Did Helion make you wear this to drive me crazy?" he asked, and then knew immediately that he had. Elain laughed softly against his ear and then reached down, her hands moving over his. Lucien shifted them out of the way and just let her remove the belt. He took it from her and then tossed it across the room toward the door. They definitely wouldn't be needing it any longer.