Chapter 449

Kera approached the table, sitting down on Elain's other side before Lucien had even been aware of the blonde Courtier. He had been busy speaking with Eris and watching the way in which his elder brother interacted with the female at his side. Lucien didn't know if he would ever get over his surprise at the way Eris was with Nera. He had never really considered Eris' love life, and why would he have? Yet here he was, the current High Lord of the Autumn Court, being as gentle as anyone could have ever imagined, and it really tickled something within Lucien to see it.

"I did as you asked." Kera's voice caused him to turn his head, and he looked at the faerie whose own light eyes were on Elain.

"Oh?" Elain asked, setting her fork down on her plate.

"I spoke with Sheera…" Those eyes shifted to Eris and Nera, and Lucien was adept enough at reading the carefully controlled expressions of Courtiers over the centuries that he saw what perhaps most might have missed. It had taken Kera only seconds to come to the conclusion that the lesser faerie sitting beside the High Lord of the Autumn Court was, in fact, his lover. The surprise had been little more than a micro expression across her lovely face, but then it had been locked away, and hidden. From what he had previously heard about Kera, he figured that this was an improvement in her attitude. "She has some of the ivy you want." Kera's gaze had returned to Elain. "She thinks the sooner it is established, the better. She can have it brought up today."

"Perfect." Elain sounded pleased and, though Lucien could not see her face, he could hear the smile in her voice. "We can certainly have the spot ready for it…"

"Should I tell her that's acceptable?"

"Absolutely."

"Very well…" Lucien did not miss Kera's gaze slipping back to Eris and Nera as she got to her feet and moved across the room. He excused himself from the table an instant later and followed her to the table by the far wall. She was collecting a plate and had begun her selection of food for her breakfast when she looked around at him. "Yes?"

He raised an eyebrow, having expected her to be rather more polite considering he was the Heir. Dismissing that expectation quickly as he hadn't ever really been spoken to politely, Lucien moved closer. "I couldn't help noticing your reaction to the High Lord of the Autumn Court and…" he paused, not really knowing how he was going to refer to Nera.

"His lover?" Kera asked, placing a small pastry upon her plate.

"I saw your surprise."

She glanced at him again, her lips quirking. "You must be observant."

"I am." Lucien replied simply.

"I was surprised." She went on, moving up the table, and Lucien followed. "I had not expected the High Lord of the Autumn Court to be taking a Lesser Faerie into his bed." Lucien had thought as much. The reputation the Autumn Court had, as well as Eris in particular, would not have leant itself to that kind of narrative.

"And what do you intend to do with that information?" This had been why he had followed her across the room. From what he had heard of Kera, she would certainly have something to say about Eris and his choice of lover. Kera shrugged.

"Hadn't really thought about it." She replied, "It's not really a secret with her sitting right beside him for all to see…"

"I suppose not."

"Besides," She said, "He's not our High Lord."

"Would it have mattered?"

"Probably would have been a bigger deal." She said, turning away from the table, her plate now laden with pastries. He watched her sweep the dining table with her eyes, searching for somewhere to sit. She then looked at him, as if awaiting permission to leave. He gave an acknowledging nod of his head, and she strode away.

Feeling slightly better that she wasn't about to start some kind of drama, Lucien returned to his mate. Eris raised an eyebrow at Lucien, and Lucien knew that his brother had been precisely aware of what he had done, and why he had followed Kera. Lucien just gave him a pleasant smile, and watched Elain surreptitiously reach for another pastry.