Chapter 200

The anticipation grew steadily throughout the day. Elain had felt the atmosphere within the Autumn Court positively buzzing, right from when she and Lucien had entered the dining room for breakfast. The fae of the Autumn Court had murmured among themselves, sneaking furtive glances at one another, and the very air had been thick with excitement.

Nesta and Cassian had already been at breakfast when Elain had approached the table, and her sister had smiled at her when she had taken up a seat. "Do you have plans for the day?" Nesta's voice was soft, and Elain flicked a glance at her sister.

"No, not yet." She replied, "I was going to see if Ashk was going to suggest anything."

"Do you think there's a pre-evening tradition?"

"There might be." Elain said, "Maybe even something she would need help with to prepare for the night…"

"That's true." Nesta's pale eyes moved past Elain, and Elain turned to look. The Lady of the Autumn Court was striding into the room, and heading for the table.

"Good morning." Ashk's bright smile was as warm and sweet as the honeyed pear that Elain had just taken a bite from. As the red-headed faerie took a seat, Elain smiled at her.

"We were just wondering," she began softly, "if there is anything that you require help with preparing for this evening."

"Oh, not at all." Ashk said, "Everything has been taken care of." Elain watched that warm smile widen slightly, as her russet eyes flicked from Nesta to Elain and then to Lucien. "You are all free to spend the day as you wish."

Tilting her head, Elain flicked a glance at Lucien beside her. Her mate was already looking at her, and she met his eyes, both russet and gold. She heard that metallic eye click and whir as he looked back at her, clearly weighing his options, before she turned her eyes back on Nesta.

"I wouldn't mind having a look around the Court." Nesta said, "Elain has told me that the Autumn Court is very beautiful, and the flowers she included in her book so highlight this fact."

"Yes…" Ashk smiled at Nesta, "You saw some of it yesterday, but I am sure that you would enjoy what is outside of the House as well."

"You are welcome to come with us." Lucien put in and Elain's eyes went to him quickly, "I have several places to show Elain and we would be happy for you to join us."

"Thank you." Nesta nodded quickly, and Elain could feel Lucien's surprise and pleasure down the bond. She knew that he had wanted to improve his relationship with Nesta, because it was important to her. It did truly make her happy that Nesta seemed to have become more open to Lucien, and she would very much love it if the two of them would get on.

"I'm just going to assume that invitation was open to me as well." Cassian's voice was low, but the wide smile across his face was bright.

"Obviously." Lucien replied, and Elain could hear the smirk in his voice without having to look at his face. "I wouldn't dream of trying to exclude you." Nesta's pale eyes flicked from Lucien to Cassian and then back again, and Elain bit back a chuckle when her sister's eyes narrowed.

"Good, because it wouldn't work."

"No, I can imagine you stalking us down through the trees. Sitting up in the branches like a giant bat…"

"Uh…" Cassian's eyebrows lifted so high Elain thought they might have been in danger of disappearing into his hair.

"Hanging upside down…" Lucien went on, and Nesta actually laughed.

Cassian turned his eyes on Nesta, an incredulous look on his face. "You can't think he's funny…"

"I can think whatever I like." She replied, although Elain could hear the good humour in her voice instead of icy poison. Cassian shook his head and reached into he centre of the table, taking another serving of honeyed pears.

"I don't hang upside down in trees…" he muttered, eyes shifting from Nesta to Lucien. "At least not when I'm observing people…"

"So just when you sleep then?" Lucien asked mildly, and Elain could see his eyes on Nesta when he asked that question. She knew then that this was entirely for her sister's benefit.

"What do you think my feet are?" Cassian asked, "You've seen them… how would I even grip the branches?"

"I must confess…" Lucien snickered, "I haven't actually paid all that much attention to your feet, Cassian. They could be talons for all I know."

"They aren't."

Watching Cassian's exaggerated reactions to everything Lucien said, Elain realised that his responses were for Nesta's benefit as well. Both males were attempting to amuse her elder sister, and she found it entirely endearing. Reaching for Lucien's knee beneath the table, she smiled at him when his eyes flicked her way a moment later. The return smile she received indicated that he was aware she had figured out what he was doing, and Elain turned her attention then back to the honeyed pear on her plate.

When Helion entered the room, the first thing Elain noticed was the increased chatter around the table from the female fae, and the way that Ashk seemed to sit a little straighter in her chair. The Lady of the Autumn Court seemed to absently brush her titian hair back over her shoulder, but now it fell in a most elegant manner, and Elain doubted that the action had been done absently at all. Ashk's russet eyes remained firmly focused upon the plate before her as she tilted her head in an elegant and demure manner, glancing up only when the High Lord of the Day Court approached the table and came to a stop opposite her.

Lucien's heartrate was increasing with every passing second, and Elain reached for his hand then beneath the table. She found it and squeezed gently, letting him know that she could feel his reaction.

"Good morning." Helion's dark rich voice reverberated throughout the dining room, and Elain could do nothing but watch the way in which Ashk lifted her eyes to his and gave him a breathtaking smile.

"And to you, Helion."

It did not escape Elain's notice that The Lady of the Autumn Court had not used Helion's title. She supposed that she probably rarely did, but perhaps not in public like this. Much of the Court would be able to overhear, and this was an official visit. Elain wondered if she would have used a title if Eris had been present.

Helion took up a seat at the table, practically just across from Ashk, his amber eyes sweeping the table as he took in the various food on display for breakfast. "This all looks interesting." He said, and Elain smiled at him.

"I recommend the honeyed pears." She said, and he lifted an eyebrow by way of acknowledgement.

"Oh, thank you."

"They were my favourites growing up." Lucien put in, and Helion actually turned his head to look over Elain at Lucien.

"Well, now I am intrigued." He said, taking multiple helpings and piling it all on his plate. Elain smiled at the rush of delight that reached her down the bond from Lucien then.