Chapter 174

Elain awoke in the morning to find Lucien sitting beside her in the bed, his shoulders resting back against the ornate headboard, as he balanced a book on his knees. He hadn't noticed that she was awake, and Elain took the opportunity to just watch her mate. She couldn't see the title of the book that he was reading, but she could see that he was engaged with it, as he chewed his lower hip, his eyes focused intently, tracing the pages quickly before he turned to the next one. Elain liked how Lucien looked when he was truly focused, and she couldn't help a small smile. Watching him think sent warmth throughout her, and it was one of her favourite expressions. It always reminded her how very clever he was. She liked it.

Lucien must have sensed her, because his eyes suddenly flicked her way and he smiled. "Awake, Petal."

"Mhmm…" she reached for him, and he dropped a hand to meet hers. "What are you reading?"

"Oh, nothing too saucy." He closed the book with his free hand. "Just a bit about the old trade routes and their impacts in the first few centuries since their formation." He made a face, and tilted his head, but then went on a little more quickly, "They really played a part in uniting Prythian, and the impact they had on the politics of the Courts was huge. Alliances formed based on trade and…" he broke off and grinned at her, and Elain noticed a faint blush stain his cheeks.

"You're really into this stuff, aren't you?"

"It's … fascinating." He replied, still grinning, and Elain pushed herself up on her elbow.

"Good thing that you're getting to play a part as Helion's heir." She said, "They are lucky to have you…" her fingers traced the cuff at his wrist, and she saw the pleased look he gave her as she felt his reaction to her words down the bond.

"Well, if I am going to be helpful to Helion, and be able to do my duty, I do need to know as much as I can…."

"I know you will be perfect." She said, sitting up further. Lucien smiled at her again before swinging his legs around and off the side of the bed.

"I think we should have something for breakfast." He said and Elain scrambled to follow him.

Lucien had insisted on making the breakfast, so Elain busied herself with sitting and watching him. She allowed her eyes to move over her perfect mate, and she made sure to show every thought on her face, and send every emotion down the bond to Lucien so that he knew exactly what she was thinking. She also enjoyed every glance and smirk he sent her way as he cooked, evidently enjoying everything he was getting from her.

When he set a plate down in front of her at the table, Elain reached up to his shoulder, pulling him down into a soft kiss by way of thanks. She loved the way one of his own hands came up to her cheek, caressing her as he returned the kiss before he straightened and went to get his own plate.

Once they had eaten, Lucien disappeared into the bathroom to get cleaned up and ready for the day, while Elain pottered around the rest of the room. She tidied the area by the couches, returning cushions they had kicked away to the couch, and straightening everything so that the place appeared tidy. She opened the door to the little garden outside, hoping to get some fresh air into the room, and she pulled aside several of the curtains in order to get some light inside.

When she had determined that the room was about as neat as it was going to be, Elain returned to the bed and flopped back down upon it, staring at the roof. Lifting her hand, she turned her gaze upon the sandstone ring that Lucien had given her the night before. She would have put money on the bet that the jeweller who had made this ring had been the same one she had gone to for the cuff that she had given Lucien. The style was the same, and both pieces had the same sunlit feel about them. She wondered if the jeweller had realised that he had been making two pieces to be exchanged by a pair. Making a mental note for when this was over, Elain decided that she would seek the faerie out again and let him know.

Bringing her hand up to trace her fingers across the garnet necklace she wore, Elain wondered what her sisters would think about she and Lucien having the same idea. Blinking then, she remembered that Feyre was likely gone, having returned to the Night Court with Rhys when he and the other High Lords had left the Day Court. At least she would be able to show Nesta, as her elder sister had promised to stay until after the frenzy. Elain wondered if Cassian had stayed also. How many days had it been? Elain wasn't entirely certain that she remembered.

Allowing her fingers to trail down her body from the necklace, Elain closed her eyes. Her own touch wasn't as good as Lucien's, and she focused on sending that thought down the bond to him. Feeling desire flood her at the thought, Elain continued to trail her hand over herself, passing her ribs and stomach and then moving between her legs. Touching herself gently, Elain was careful to send each and every thought and emotion to Lucien. She wanted him to know exactly what she was doing, and she wanted him to know that she was allowing him access to her every reaction. She would keep encouraging him to loosen the leash with which he held himself, to throw it away entirely. He was her mate, after all, and she wanted all of him as he should be.

The faint stirring of desire reached her then, and she heard Lucien moving about the bathroom. He had evidently noticed what she had been sending him, and she knew that he was about to return. The feeling from him grew hotter and hotter, and Elain found herself unable to remove her hand from between her legs. Until she had him in front of her, his hands ready to take over, she would continue to take care of her own desires herself.

After a moment, the bathroom door burst open and Elain watched Lucien strode out. His frame was impressive in the doorway, and he was completely naked. Elain could also see that he was completely hard. Her breath caught in her throat at the intensity she felt from him, and at the look in his eyes when they found her and pinned her to the bed as he crossed the room in several quick strides.

This was new, she realised. The intensity she could feel from him was coming her way in almost blistering waves, and she could hear Lucien's heartbeat thundering in her head. She didn't know if she was imagining it, but she rather thought the need pulsing between her thighs had matched itself to his heartbeat, and everything in her screamed at her to touch him. This was him, she realised. This was Lucien unleashed, and she wanted him so very badly.

"…Lucien…" she breathed, finally able to pull her hand away from herself and sit up on her elbows. His eyes just followed her, russet and gold, tracing her every move. Elain watched the way his chest rose and fell with every breath, and she took in the way his corded muscles beneath his skin tensed as he held himself still. Her mouth went dry just looking at him.

"Petal…" he tilted his head as he moved around the side of the bed, his eyes never leaving her. Elain watched him, noting the way that he moved was graceful and almost predatory. He stopped then, just looking at her, and for a moment she thought that he had leashed himself again, but then his eyes went to her face. She understood then that this wasn't Lucien hesitating for fear of how he might be, this was her mate waiting for her consent, He wouldn't touch her until she had agreed to it, and she smiled up at him.

"Come here." She said, reaching a hand toward him. And he did.