Chapter 212

Elain spent the afternoon trying to keep Lucien distracted from what they had walked in on up in the tower, although he seemed far more at peace with it than she had expected. Perhaps, she figured, that over the centuries he had grown accustomed to the idea of his mother engaged in such activities. He didn't seem to be put off by it at all.

They had sat together and read, and Elain had realised that she missed doing such simple things with Lucien when they had no other obligations or responsibilities. They were free to just be with one another, with nowhere else to be until later that afternoon. It had reminded her of their time together out in Rhys' garden in the Night Court, and Elain decided that the next time they were back there, she was taking him outside to sit under that tree. She also very much wanted to check on the gardens she had created, and she made the mental note that they would have to visit the Night Court rather soon.

By the time they had to head down to Eris' throne room, Elain found herself wishing that she and Lucien could just move to the bed and have a nap instead. Nevertheless, she got to her feet, stretching and yawning as she did so, with Lucien getting up beside her. She watched him as he moved across the room to pick up the pile of books that she would need, and she gave him a thankful smile when he turned back to her.

"Lead the way, Petal."

"Alright…" Elain opened the door to the hallway, and stepped back to let him through. They then walked side by side toward the throne room, Elain wondering if Ashk and Helion would be there, and if they had finished up in the tower, or anywhere else they might have gone. She also wondered if they had indeed noticed herself and Lucien having walked in on them, or if they had been too preoccupied with one another. It hadn't seemed like they had noticed, but she hadn't really been paying attention to that.

"Are you nervous?" Lucien asked as they approached the throne room doors, and Elain shook her head.

"No…" She said, "Do I have reason to be?"

"I wouldn't think so."

"I was just wondering if Ashk and Helion would be in here…" She watched Lucien slant a glance her way.

"I would expect so…" he replied, "Nesta and Cassian, too…"

"Ohh…" Elain hadn't even considered that she might see her sister and, considering the last glimpse she'd gotten of Nesta had been during that awkward vision she had had at breakfast, she didn't know how she was going to keep a straight face. Lucien just chuckled as they went through the door, and moved to find an empty place to stand with proper view of and access to the dias upon which Eris sat in his throne.

Elain looked up at the High Lord of the Autumn Court. He was lounging elegant, and yet casually, upon the throne. A light crown of silver leaves and rubies sat upon his vibrant hair, and there was a definite air of bored arrogance coming off of him. Elain found it fascinating. This Eris looked so much more relaxed than she had previously assumed him to be. She had always seen him as this astute and efficient courtier, ever ready to jump upon whatever task needed to be done. Right now, however, he looked as if nothing less than an earthquake could make him get off of that throne. Glancing at her mate, Elain rather thought that Lucien was thinking the same thing she had been because his head was tilted and his eyes slightly narrowed as he looked up at his brother.

"Lucien?" she murmured, and his eyes flicked her way.

"It's just a little interesting…" he replied, his tone soft.

"Eris being all… that…" she nodded her head toward the throne, and Lucien nodded. "What is he doing?"

"I have no idea."

A sudden hush fell over the hall, and Elain let her gaze sweep the room. Her breath caught when she saw Nesta standing by the wall near the door, Cassian beside her. Those fierce blue-grey eyes met hers an instant later, and Nesta gave her a flicker of a smile by way of greeting. Elain wanted nothing more than to cross the room to her sister, to talk to her, to ask her about what had happened, and how she felt, but Eris waved an elegant hand, and all eyes turned his way.

Elain listened to the usual tirade, the pleasant greetings, the talk about Mabon and the festivities the previous night, only really half paying attention. But then she heard her name, and she realised that Eris' amber eyes were firmly upon her. Lucien handed her one of the books from the pile he held, and she took it before moving forward to stand in the usual place where she could address the throne.

"Elain…"

"High Lord," she replied, bowing as etiquette required. Eris smiled at her and gestured for her to stand up.

"No need to be on ceremony." He said, eyes crinkling at the corners, "We're family after all." Elain nodded, smiling at that, and holding the book more tightly in her hands. "You have something for me?"

"Yes." She said, showing him the cover. "As promised, a copy just for you. I could not have completed it without your recommendations…"

"I am certain you would have managed." He said, reaching a hand out. Elain stepped forward, up on the dais to pass him the book. "I am touched that you felt the need to deliver this to me personally."

"It was no trouble." She replied, "We are family…" she smiled at him, "and also we had planned to visit for Mabon."

"It all worked out perfectly then." Eris said, flicking through the pages of the book, his eyes moving quickly to take in everything he was looking at. He paused for a second then, fingers brushing across one of the pages. "It has been a long time since I have seen the Eisblume garden in the Winter Court…"

"It is beautiful." Elain replied, smiling.

"Yes… I remember it so." He looked up then, eyes meeting hers. "You may have inspired me to visit my neighbours." Elain couldn't help the grin at those words. This had, after all, been one of the goals of the book. She had hoped to foster relationships between the courts, and travelling between them in order to see some of the blooms she had selected for the book was certainly a part of that.

"I am pleased by that." She said, then added, "I brought a few more copies…" Lucien was suddenly standing beside her with the pile of books in his arms. "They are for your libraries, and to distribute as you see fit."

"Thank you." Eris made a gesture and suddenly a slim lesser faerie appeared beside Lucien. She took the pile from him with what appeared to be little effort and then carried them toward the dais.

Elain watched Eris, taking in the way his amber eyes followed the faerie. Only his eyes followed her until she must have reached the edge of his periphery, and then his head turned to continue watching her. When she disappeared through a door with the pile of books, Eris' attention returned to Elain and Lucien. "I thank you for your gift." His smile appeared genuine, and Elain took Lucien's hand. "You are welcome to remain here as long as you wish."

"Thank you." Elain inclined her head a little by way of acknowledgement. She had been about to bow again, before remembering that Eris had told her she didn't need to be so formal because they were family. He smiled at her again and she simply took a step back, with Lucien, before turning to return to where they had been standing earlier.