Chapter 415

The female on her back on the carpet gripped his wrist and Lucien tried to sound soothing when he spoke to her. "It's okay," he said, "Let me see…" his fingers brushed the hem of her white top, eyeing the bloody stain covering most of her ribs and she made a small sound before nodding and letting his wrist go. Carefully, he lifted the hem, just enough to see the damage beneath, and he made sure he kept his face clear of any kind of reaction to what he saw. A sword had done this, he knew. The wound was too long and deep for any kind of smaller blade, and he was almost surprised that the faerie wasn't already dead.

"It's bad…" She breathed, voice almost a wheeze, and Lucien met her eyes.

"I've healed worse." He told her, shifting his hand until it hovered over the wound. Lucien closed his eyes as he reached out with his magic. He was exhausted and knew that this was going to cost him. Wrapping as much of it as he could around himself, Lucien struggled to focus on where he needed to send that power. He was Helion's heir, and he knew that he was being relied on. Dozens of pairs of eyes were on him, boring into him, through him, and he knew that they were all waiting to see if he could do it. There was no option for him but to do this, and do it well. It would ease the worry in the room, his father had said so, and Lucien knew that it was correct. To have the Heir here, with the Court, made a difference. To see him helping to heal the ails of those who had survived would let them know that they were supported and protected. He could do this. He would do this.

By the time he lifted his hand and opened his eyes, the skin across the female's ribs was smooth and clear. She smiled carefully at him, relief in her blue eyes. "Thank you…" she breathed, struggling to sit up. Lucien slipped a hand behind her elbow, helping her up as he bowed his head just a little in acknowledgement.

"It was my pleasure." He said softly. "Although, I believe it would be best if you did not move around too much just yet."

"As you say." She nodded her agreement and Lucien pushed to his feet. When he turned he saw that nearly half the room was watching him, and he did his best not to let his nervousness show. He was still not used to being watched like this, and knew that it would take time after so many centuries of being shoved to the side and not seen.

On the other side of the room, the doors opened and Siv walked in with the two female faeries he had taken to the kitchen. Between them they carried several platters laden with plates and fruit and Lucien's gaze slid to Elain to see if she was aware the food had arrived.

Elain sat in the chair Lucien had left her in, but was now surrounded by several of her friends and other members of the Court. He paused, looking at the way they all seemed to be listening to her, and he wondered just what his mate was telling them. Lucien knew that Elain had never sought any kind of power or position above others, yet others did seem to have begun looking to her when in need. She would help this place grow, he knew. When she was the Lady of the Day Court those around the Palace and the rest of the territory would flourish. They would love her, Lucien knew even without a Seer ability of his own. He smiled at the way they were already surrounding her and, as a platter of fruit was placed amongst the group and Elain picked up what looked like a Honeyed Pear, Lucien turned away to find the next faerie in need of healing.

The soft chatter around her had lulled Elain into what came close to a daze. The air in the sitting room was warm, the chair was comfy and, if she'd had a book, the whole thing would have been almost perfect. She had become aware shortly before Siv had returned with food, that many of the Court had come to her, sitting around her like they thought she might provide something they needed. She had spoken to them quietly, just talking about nothing in particular, but that had seemed to work.

Elain did not know what they needed to hear. She had no real information about the rest of the Palace or when the High Lord would return, but it seemed as if just listening to her talk had been enough. The faeries smiled at her, and shuffled closer, and Elain had allowed it. The tension in the room had seemed to ease somewhat, and she didn't know what was going to happen next. They would have to wait for Helion to make some decisions, but what she wanted now was to go back to the room she shared with her mate and to have a bath and then a very long sleep. She was beyond exhausted.

"Would you like another pear?" Someone asked her, holding the tray of fruit up to Elain and she accepted it with a smile.

"Thank you." Elain looked at them all again, and it dawned on her that they had all seen what she had done in the Throne Room. That her attempt to save Ales had been, to them, Elain putting herself in danger to protect the Court. She had earned their respect and, possibly, their loyalty. She smiled again, not sure what to do now. Ashk's hand at her arm brought her attention to the red head, and she knew that Ashk had realised what she had been thinking, that Ashk knew how that responsibility felt.

"Rest," Ashk said gently, "That's all everyone needs."

Nodding, Elain gave her a thankful smile. "Yes," She agreed, "We do all need rest." She settled back against the chair again, releasing a deep breath as she found Lucien across the room. He was kneeling over a male guard, his eyes closed and, when Elain reached tentatively for the bond, she could easily feel his exhaustion. This was draining him even further and, biting her lip, Elain wondered if she could lend him some of her energy as she had done before.

From a distance it might have been more difficult than the last time, but she wondered if she might do it through the bond. Sitting comfortably in her chair, Elain tugged at the bond and Lucien looked her way, his hands still on the guard. Holding his gaze, Elain tried to push as much energy as she could down the bond, along that golden thread, and toward her mate. He lifted an eyebrow at her a moment later, nodding once in thanks and giving her a smile, and Elain dropped the thread, feeling more exhausted than before. Ashk's hand rubbed at her arm, and her russet eyes held concern when Elain turned her head to meet her gaze.

"Elain, are you alright?"

"I am." She murmured, wanting to close her eyes. "Just need rest, like you suggested." She watched Ashk look between her and then across the room at her son, and Elain knew that the older female knew something had passed between them. Ashk's hand rubbed her arm again when her eyes met Elain's once more.

"Then rest," she said, and Elain smiled at her, "You can only give of yourself when your own cup is not empty."

Someone pressed a cup into Elain's hands then, and she looked up at a blonde female she did not know. "We have this for you."

"Thank you." Elain sipped at it, before resting the cup on the arm of the chair.

"Do you think the High Lord will let us out of this room by this evening?" Someone asked, and Elain tried to think, but her mind was so very slow.

"If it is safe," She eventually replied.

"He should be back shortly," Ashk put in.

"I so badly want a bath," Someone else murmured, and Elain had to agree. She just sat there and listened to the talk around her while her eyes followed Lucien around the injured faeries, as he stopped and spoke to several of them, healed several more. The city healers had arrived before long and soon many of the previously badly hurt faeries were up and walking around. Lucien continued to work, though, and Elain smiled as she watched him. Several courtiers who had never approached him previously had done so, and she knew that what she had done to earn their trust and respect had been similar to what he had done. They had seen Lucien fight to defend them, their High Lord, and the Court. Those who had not accepted him as Heir before, or who had been standoffish, saw him in a new, brighter, light.