Chapter 225

When the sleigh came to a stop in the snow before them, Elain watched her sister's reaction. Nesta took several hasty steps back, closer to Elain and Lucien as the hooded figure up in the sleigh threw back their hood. Viviane smiled down at them, her pale hair blowing in the wind. "Hello," the Lady of the Winter Court greeted them, "It is lovely to see you all again."

"We didn't expect you to be the one coming to greet us." Lucien's voice was light and friendly, and Elain glanced up at him, remembering that the two of them had been friends for a long time.

"I beat Kal to the sleigh when he suggested that I couldn't." Viviane replied, laughing slightly. "He'll be waiting for you when we get to the palace." Viviane's pale eyes shifted toward Nesta. "I am so excited for you to see the Winter Court, Nesta. I'm sure you will love it."

"So far it is very white." Nesta replied, pulling her cloak more tightly around herself.

"Much of it is white." Agreed Viviane, "But that's beautiful." She made a gesture around them at the majesty of the white snowy fields, and then motioned for them all to get into the sleigh and she moved to make space for them.

"Love…" Lucien slid a hand beneath Elain's arm, shifting to help her up into the sleigh and she let him guide her, pulling herself up beside Viviane.

"Do you still have baby reindeer?" she asked, her eyes on Viviane while Lucien went to help Nesta up into the sleigh. Elain was surprised that her sister allowed such an action when she could have managed the task herself.

"Oh… Yes." Viviane smiled at her. "They're still babies, but a little older than you saw."

"Cute." Elain turned to look at her sister, "You'll love the baby reindeer."

Nesta gave Elain a small smile, shuffling closer when Lucien jumped up into the sleigh with them. Elain moved out of the way to allow Nesta to sit down beside Viviane, while she settled on the bench seat beside her mate. Lucien picked up the blankets piled in under the seat and passed one to Nesta who looked very thankful as she took it and settled it around herself.

"It's only a short ride back to the Palace." Viviane said to Nesta who nodded quickly. Elain leaned into Lucien, getting comfortable as she allowed her gaze to move around them. She remembered the last time they had done this trip in the sleigh; Lucien had needed to grab hold of her in order to prevent her from falling out of the sleigh as she had watched everything they passed. Watching the trees pass quickly as the wind grew stronger and the snow came down more thickly, Elain hoped that her sister found this all as beautiful as she had on her first trip, even as beautiful as she found it now. The Winter Court was truly unique and so very different from every other Court, and she had decided that she did indeed love it here.

"We should be sure to visit the Eisblume garden again," Lucien said quietly, his lips against Elain's ear, and she felt head fill her cheeks.

"Oh…" she breathed, remembering the last time they had gone out there, and the way that she had gone down on her knees for him in the snow. That had been the first time she had done that, and she had found it rather exciting. "We… we… do seem to enjoy… outside." She murmured, eyes flicking up to meet Lucien's.

"The garden…" he said softly, his russet eye thoughtful, "… and the glade…"

"Not to mention the rock pool in the Summer court and a handful of others…"

"… Apparently we do enjoy outside…" Lucien's grin was wicked at her looked at her, and he lifted one of his hands out from beneath his cloak, bringing it to her cheek. "Would you like to choose our next outdoor adventure?"

Elain just looked at him, wondering if he realised that once they'd had sex here that would be all of the courts. She had told him once before, but she wasn't sure that he would remember. The way that his smirk widened and heat appeared behind his russet eye told her that he did remember and she leaned into his touch as his fingers caressed her cheek. "I think I can come up with something for us to do…" she said gently, and the fire behind Lucien's russet eye brightened. She could feel the heat within him growing hotter, both through the bond and through his fingertips. "So warm." She murmured, and his smirk turned gentle. Lucien's hand slid around the back of Elain's neck as his other snaked around her waist and he drew her closer. Elain cuddled into him, enjoying that warmth as the snow swirled around them. "Don't even need a blanket."

"Ah…" Lucien chuckled softly, pressing his lips to Elain's cheek, "I'm happy to warm you up whenever you need it, my love."

"I need it all the time." Elain murmured, smiling happily as he adjusted the hood of her cloak, settling it over her so that it could withstand the wind and keep the snow off of her. She loved when he was like this, she loved when he was protective and loving which, Elain had to admit, was all the time, but she loved when they had the time during quiet moments like this to be able to express it and be openly affectionate with one another.

"You can have it all the time." One of his hands moved up and down her back and she smiled as she settled against him. Soaking up Lucien's heat, Elain allowed her gaze to shift back to their surroundings and she took in the gorgeous landscape as they continued their trip to Kalias' Palace.

When they arrived, Viviane led them into the large dining hall and Nesta made a pleased sound at the sight of all of the fires around the room. "Oh, it is so much warmer in here." Her sister muttered, and Elain could hear Nesta's teeth chattering.

"We will get you a more appropriate cloak." Viviane told Nesta, her smile wide as she ushered them across the room.

"Ah, love." Kalias turned to face them, his eyes going immediately to his wife, "Nearly record time."

"Faster than you ever are, that's for sure." Viviane replied, smiling even wider when Kalias slipped an arm around her shoulders.

The High Lord of the Winter Court laughed, turning his attention to his guests then. "Lucien, Elain… and Nesta." He stood more straight, "You are welcome to the Winter Court. I would assume that you are all rather chilled, so you will be shown to the rooms we have prepared for you, and you have about two hours before dinner will be served here. Take your time to get changed and have a hot bath. You'll feel better…" Elain noticed that his eyes were on Nesta who was still shivering as he said this last part.

"That would be most welcome, thank you." Lucien said and Elain nodded her agreement.

"Yes, thank you." She put in, her eyes on Nesta who looked more relieved than any of them.