Chapter 451
Lucien walked more quickly. He just knew that Tamlin had gone to the garden, that Elain was there, and that the High Lord of Spring was no doubt with her as Lucien sought to return as quickly as he was able. He had promised her that he would not leave her alone with the other male, and yet his duties had called him away. He had hoped that he would return before Tamlin had arrived, but he had been caught up in what felt like fruitless bother. Possessiveness simmered in his veins, and he tried to push it down as he moved up the next hallway. If anyone dared to get in his way or attempt to delay him, he didn't actually know what he would do or what his reaction would be. Lucien was fairly certain that his patience was well worn thin and that there was not much of it left.
Trying not to imagine the way that Tamlin was probably looking at Elain, he tried to breathe deeply to soothe himself. No doubt the blonde had worked out a way to seclude himself with Elain, working alone with her, and Lucien clenched his teeth. He should have gotten back quicker. He should have somehow gotten away in time to be back in that garden, like he had told Elain he would be. He had promised her. He had promised himself. He did not want to think about the amount of time that Tamlin had had with her. He did not want to think about the opportunities the other male had had to do… Lucien didn't want to know what.
Telling himself that there was no way Tamlin would have had the opportunity to do anything because that garden was currently full of dozens of faeries, Lucien willed himself into some semblance of calm. He knew that he was being irrational, he could feel the drive of the bond fraying at his senses, and he just hoped that he would have himself under control by the time he got there.
When he strode into the garden, Lucien bit back a snarl when he could not immediately see his mate. He was forced to step around multiple faeries who got in his way, all going about their own business, and he began to grow worried and panic just a little. Reaching for the bond then, he tugged a little, wanting her to let him know where she was, and he was more than a little relieved to receive an answering tug not a moment later. Striding quickly in that direction, Lucien felt relief move through him when he saw her sitting in a garden at the base of a stone wall, her hands full of weeds and grass.
An actual snarl escaped Lucien's lips as he approached the garden, looking at Tamlin who sat in the garden also. Elain glanced up, and Lucien knew that she had heard the snarl while, if he had heard it, Tamlin gave no indication that he had noticed. "There you are?" Elain's smile was bright as she gazed up at him, and Lucien did not break his stride until he was standing right beside her. He bent, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I apologise." He said softly, "I was called away."
"No problem." Elain threw a handful of weeds into the bag at her side. "We've managed to clear most of this bed already. It just needs loosening a little, and then it should be ready for the Ivy Kera and Sheera will be bringing up soon."
"I take it that is my job?" Lucien asked, eyeing the garden hoe sitting nearby. Elain flashed him a bright smile, and he knew that it was. "Very well…" He made a show of shrugging out of his jacket and laying it on the grass nearby. Then, he strode to retrieve the hoe and brought it back to the garden. Elain was still watching him, clearly amused, and Lucien paused for a moment for effect. He looked up at the sun, squinting into the light, and then he looked at the garden bed. He could feel Elain's amusement down the bond now, and he worked to keep the smirk off of his face as he tilted his head. She hadn't taken her dark eyes off of him, even as she pulled another handful of weeds from the dirt. "Perhaps the shirt, too?" he asked, and she raised an eyebrow at him.
"That is entirely your choice…"
Lucien could practically feel Tamlin roll his eyes. With another grin, Lucien undid his shirt and tossed it over to his jacket. Elain's grin was wider now, and her eyes followed him as he picked up the hoe once more and moved toward the garden. It was warm in the sun, and he knew that he would not regret his decision to rid himself of the shirt and jacket. It had been a practical decision, as well as one he had made to see that wide grin spread across his mate's face. He so thoroughly enjoyed the way she looked at him, the way her eyes followed his every movement, and he made sure to stand in a way that allowed her the best view of him as he swung the hoe and began the task she had set for him.