Chapter 240

As the vocalist on the stage sang, Lucien kept an eye on Elain out of the corner of his eye. His mate sat on the edge of her seat, elbows on her knees and chin in her hands as she peered down at the stage. Her eyes were intent upon the singer, and he could feel her awe at the beautiful voice that echoed through the dark room. Part of him was surprised that Elain seemed so interested in this place, but another part of him recognised that in his mate and pushed at him to help her explore it. There was a part of Elain that would be completely into what this place had to offer, and he had been enjoying getting to meet that side of her for a good while now.

Turning slightly to Rhys who was sitting to Lucien's right, he nudged the High Lord of the Night Court with his knee. "This place…" he murmured when Violet eyes flicked his way, "does it work like others like it in other Courts…?"

Rhys gave a barely perceivable nod, his eyes going back to the stage, and Lucien sat back in his seat to think about that. He let his eyes run the perimeter of the room, taking in the black doors that he had not noticed until he had looked for them. If what Rhys had confirmed was correct, this club was a labyrinth of different rooms offering all different kinds of things. Those doors would be locked until the end of the main performance for the evening, and then whoever wished to stay could wander from room to room partaking in whatever was on offer and whatever struck their fancy. Going off what he had seen before, Lucien suspected there would be group activities, other performance activities which offered audience participation, and all kinds of other specialised things that may interest a wide range of different tastes.

Looking at Elain again, Lucien wondered what her reactions would be when he took her through some of those doors. He wondered if she might like to participate in whatever they found beyond, or if she would prefer to watch as many often did. Feeling his pulse quicken as he pondered what might happen, Lucien saw Elain's dark eyes flick his way and he knew that she had noticed his heartbeat change. He gave her a soft smile, and her return smile heated the blood pumping through him. When she reached a hand out to him, Lucien took it, watching her as she returned her attention to the vocalist below, and he settled back, holding her hand in his as he let himself focus on the song, enjoying the performance.

When the stage went dark, Lucien stayed in his seat. Elain turned toward him, and he ran his thumb over the back of her hand, keeping it in his lap. "What happens now?" she asked, and Lucien slanted a look at her. Below, some of the audience were getting to their feet while others remained in place.

"Anyone who wishes to leave will do so now." He told her quietly, "Anyone who wishes to stay…" he made a gesture toward the walls, "will wait until those doors are unlocked…"

"And what's behind those doors?"

"Well, Petal." He purred, "I guess you'll have to wait and see…"

Around them, Azriel, Feyre and Rhys got to their feet. Lucien looked up and watched them slowly making their way along the row toward the aisles. Moments later Nesta, Amren, Mor and Cassian followed them, and Lucien realised that he and Elain were alone in their row.

"Petal…" he asked, voice gentle. He stroked Elain's hand again as she looked around at him. "Do you want to leave, or would you like to stay?" He didn't want to assume that she was ready for this, or that she even wanted it.

Elain wrapped her fingers around his wrist, looking at him from beneath her hood, and he met her eyes. "I… want to see." She said softly.

"Alright." Lucien held her hand in his lap, watching as more and more of the audience left the room, heading back out to the stairs from which they had come. The lights in the room dimmed even further when the crowd had thinned out, and soft music began to play from every corner of the room. Elain was looking around with interest, and Lucien could feel her curiosity.

"The others all left…" she said, "I thought at least Feyre and Rhys would stay."

"Maybe they've seen it all." He replied, "Or they had plans for this evening."

Below, some of those who had remained were now getting to their feet and moving toward the doors which were now evidently unlocked. Getting to his own hand, Lucien held Elain's hand loosely in his. "… Lady." He murmured, "Will you join me?"

"I will." Elain stood up, increasing her grip on Lucien's hand and he gave a small courtly bow.

"Then let us proceed."

He took her down to the main gallery floor and they walked silently, anonymously, toward the first of the black doors. Beside him, Elain's curiosity grew stronger, as did her grip on his hand and he paused when they reached the door. "Are you still interested, Petal?" he asked, unable to see her face with the hood falling as it was. She nodded, holding his hand tightly, and Lucien pushed the door open with his free hand. The music was different from inside, and Lucien let Elain move ahead of him.

Following her, he kept his grip on her hand, trying to keep his focus on her reactions, both physical and down the bond. This was not something he wished to push on her, and he promised himself that, at the first sign of her reluctance, he would get Elain out and take her back to the Town House.

When she stopped walking, Lucien moved to stand beside her. He could feel her shock, and he looked at what was before them. An Illyrian lay on his back on a low stage, completely naked, and a faerie in one of the black cloaks they all wore knelt before him. Lucien watched as the black hood bobbed up and down, the Illyrian gripping the black cloth upon which he lay. Elain's hand tightened on Lucien's when the faerie got up and moved away, and another member of the audience who had been standing nearby moved to take their place. The Illyrian groaned in appreciation and Lucien shifted his gaze to Elain once more.

He could still feel the shock coming from her, and he was just about to ask her if she wanted to leave, when she looked up at him and grinned.

"What else?" she asked.