Chapter 390
As she stood, back against the column and unable to free herself, Elain looked around the Throne Room. She took it all in, the captives on the floor nearby, the pile of the dead faeries on the other side, taking note then of Colm's soldiers and Courtiers, Elain began to count them. She didn't know how many Lucien and the others had gotten rid of during the day, but she rather thought they would be outnumbered when they got to the Throne Room. Colm had groups of them positioned all around the room, in front of various doors along the sides, and many of them by the huge double doors. No doubt he was expecting someone to arrive, and she wondered again what he had been told was happening in the Palace.
Lucien was coming, Elain could hear his heartbeat in her head, and she could tell that he was getting closer. His heart was growing louder and it was growing more and more quick. She knew that he was trying to read her and she closed her eyes as she tried to send a single thought back to him.
Be careful!
A flash of warmth spread through Elain, sliding gently to her down the bond, and she knew that he had heard her. A heartbeat later a thought reached her in return.
Mate.
Opening her eyes, Elain tried to take comfort in that. He had heard her and was able to send a response. They were getting better at using the bond or, possibly, she thought, it was growing stronger. Either way, Lucien's message had been clear. Nothing was going to dissuade him from coming for her, for his mate. She had known that nothing would, but to feel the way that his heart beat, quickening as he got closer, she was afraid that he would just walk through those doors and come face to face with more than he could handle.
She had to get free. Elain tugged at her bindings, trying to wriggle her wrists free from where they were bound behind the column, holding her there. She struggled for several moments, before stopping when her wrists began to burn. She needed to get free. She had to be able to help Lucien when he got here. He had no idea how many of them there were in here, and if she didn't get free then she would probably be forced to watch as her mate was killed. She wasn't about to do that.
"Elain…" Ashk's voice was questioning, but also held a note of warning, and Elain went still, her eyes sweeping the Throne Room once more. She had no doubt that she would be punished if Rian noticed her trying to get away. "They're coming… aren't they…?"
Looking at Lucien's mother then, Elain held her pretty russet gaze, and she nodded. Ashk seemed to sag with relief and her face relaxed somewhat. Elain didn't understand that. When they arrived and walked in here, they were likely to be cut down.
"The High Lord is coming now?" Sheera asked, and Elain was somewhat relieved to see her friend move and speak after sitting so still and silent for so long.
"Yes." She said, frowning and returning her eyes to Ashk, "But… they are not many and…" She glanced at the soldiers by the door, "surely they will not be able to win…"
Ashk gave Elain a gentle smile. "I have seen Helion cut through entire armies…" she said softly, and Elain wondered again about the redhead's history with the High Lord.
"I need to get free…" She breathed, twisting her wrists again and wincing at the pain that caused. "I need to be able to help."
"Help fight?" Kera asked, "You think you can take on soldiers?"
"You think I've never killed anyone before?" Elain asked her, eyes on the blonde whose own eyes widened in surprise.
"Well, I would have said you hadn't." Kera muttered, "But now I'm reconsidering."
Elain just smiled at her and Kera glanced at Tisia, a questioning look on her face. Elain went back to trying to get herself free, listening as Lucien's heartbeat grew louder and louder in her head.