Chapter 227

Tucking a copy of her book under her arm, Elain strolled up the hallway toward the dining hall. She had told Viviane the evening before that she would be bringing her the copy of her book she had brought to the Winter Court for her the next morning, and she was pleased that she hadn't forgotten. As she strode into the dining hall, Elain found the Lady of the Winter Court sitting at the table, a spoon halfway to her lips as their eyes met.

"Elain, did you sleep well?"

Elain thought about the way she had curled up last night around her mate and she smiled. "Oh, yes." She replied, "We were both exhausted after that wonderful performance last night. By the time we climbed into bed, we were both ready to pass out."

"Kal and I were the same." Viviane said, "Although we hadn't winnowed across half of Prythian."

Nodding, Elain smiled. Lucien had indeed brought Nesta and herself a great distance the day before, and she hoped that he felt much rested and restored today. "I brought this for you…" She held the book out to Viviane with a flourish.

"Oh!" Viviane's face lit up and her slender hand reached out to take the book Elain offered. "I have so very much looked forward to getting to read this. Thank you."

"No problem." Elain pulled out a chair to sit beside her friend. "I did promise that I would bring you your own copy myself."

"It's wonderful." Viviane smiled, running her elegant fingers across the cover and then flipping the book open. "You chose such interesting and varied flowers…"

"I tried…" Elain smiled at her, reaching for a pastry from one of the baskets in the centre of the table.

"You've done a fantastic job."

"Thank you." Elain took a bite of the pastry, enjoying the warm buttery flavour on her tongue. She reached for another and passed it to Nesta when her sister sank into a chair on her other side. "Try this, Nes."

"If you insist." Nesta took the pastry and bit into it and Elain smirked as she watched her sister's face transform into one of blissful appreciation. "That's nice…"

By the time Lucien had walked into the dining hall, both Elain and Nesta had finished their breakfast. As they got to their feet, he approached and reached across the table to pick up one of the pastries for himself. "That cloak looks much warmer than what you had on yesterday." He said, and Elain watched his eyes move over Nesta. Elain hadn't noticed the new winter outfit that her sister had on, but she did indeed look to be in much more appropriate attire with a steely grey cloak lined in grey fur.

"Yes…" Nesta looked toward Viviane, "I meant to thank you. I appreciate it."

"You are welcome." Viviane said, "We couldn't have you freezing to death while you have a look at what the Winter Court has to offer."

"Are you ready to explore?" Elain asked her sister, and Nesta nodded her agreement.

"I don't think you saw the marketplace last time…" Viviane put in and Elain raised an eyebrow. She didn't even know that the Palace had such a thing.

"That does sound fun."

"Let's have a look, love." Lucien offered his arm to her and Elain took it while he lifted his pastry to his lips with the other hand. Nesta fixed her cloak around herself and came to join them.

"Do you know where it is?" Elain asked, looking up at Lucien and he gave her a wink, chewing his pastry.

"Sure do, sweetcakes." He told her, having swallowed his mouthful.

"Okay, if you two can skip the nauseating food nicknames…" Nesta muttered, hand on her hip, "Let's go…"

Elain laughed and pulled Lucien toward the door. Behind them, Nesta followed, her footsteps quick as she moved to catch up. Lucien lead them down several corridors and a flight of stairs before they pushed open a heavy wooden door and cold air hit them instantly.

The marketplace seemed to pule with life and the people moving up and down the street as it wound its way out of view. Silver and blue flags snapped in the breeze atop the merchants' stalls and snow swirled gently down around them and up the wide street they found themselves in. The stalls that lined the sides of the streets, selling what looked to be all manner of wares appeared busy as fae milled around buying, selling and trading. There were fruits and vegetables piled high nearby, and next to them were cages with chickens and other small farm animals. Young boys carried flapping geese by their feet past stalls of hand-woven linens, pots of spices and hand-crafted jewellery.

Elain drew a breath and caught the scent of sweet simmering spices. She tilted her head and drew another breath, able to identify cinnamon , cloves, and cardamom. Beneath that was a little bit of citrus. Beside her, Elain saw Lucien turn his head her way. "Have you ever had Gluhwein?" Lucien's fingers traced Elain's arm and she shook her head. His hand tightened on her and he led her toward a nearby stall. "This is the perfect thing to sip as we wander the market." He told her, before ordering three mugs of the delicious smelling liquid from the faerie behind the stall.

Elain accepted the mug Lucien handed her and took a sip. She was unable to help the soft groan she made as the warm sweetness moved over her tongue. "Oh, it is delicious." She breathed once she had swallowed.

"Is there wine in this?" Nesta asked, eyeing her mug with narrowed eyes.

"Not always." Lucien replied, looking at his own mug, "But I would say this is a definite yes." He smiled at Nesta and then Elain. "Should we wander?"

"Absolutely." Elain agreed.

They moved slowly through the market, ducking and weaving as fae milled around them. Merchants called out to them here and there, trying to sell their wares or even get them to stop long enough to inspect their merchandise. At some point, Elain realised that Nesta was no longer behind her and, looking around, she spotted her sister at a stall nearby inspecting woollen cloaks. Taking another sip of the Gluhwein, Elain turned back to Lucien as he took her hand in one of his.

"This is nice…" Elain's gaze slid to the stall they were passing and her eye caught on a silver pendant. "Oh… and this…" Elain released Lucien's hand and reached out to touch a blue topaz cloak pin. "Do you think Nesta would like this?"

"Couldn't say, Petal." Lucien replied, his newly free hand shifting to her lower back, "It is very pretty…"

"I think it would go well with her eyes…"

"It would…" Lucien agreed, and Elain glanced at him to see him narrow his eyes, his attention focusing on something nearby. He leaned across the stall, touching a pair of garnet earrings, and Elain smiled.

"They'd suit you." She told him, her grin widening and Lucien flicked her an amused look.

"No doubt." He replied, "But I think they would look even better on my mate…"

"No doubt."

Lucien chuckled and moved to get the attention of the merchant. Elain returned her attention to the cloak pin. It would, she knew, look stunning on Nesta, and it would even go well with the cloak that Viviane had given her sister. She glanced around once more, making sure that Nesta was still over at the wool stall before she resolved to get the pin and give it to her sister as a surprise. She didn't imagine anyone had given Nesta anything like it in quite some time.