Chapter 460

Lucien washed his hands as he watched the faeries across the garden working on the name plaques. Standing straight, he took in the fact that everyone was still working steadily, despite the heavy heat of the day and being out here for several hours so far. Elain had not come out today, which he found strange, but he had been impressed with the dedication of the others and the fact that they had gotten on with their jobs without her having to organise them. No doubt she had known that they would, or she would have been out here too. Wondering where his mate was, Lucien lifted his chin in greeting as the High Lord came toward him.

"Everything seems to be going well out here." Helion said, tilting his head at the garden.

"It is." Lucien agreed.

"Possibly, then, you might have some time to spare…"

"Oh…" Lucien glanced at the faeries working nearby. Without Elain out here, he had kind of thought that he would be keeping an eye on the progress of the day for her. She had not asked him to do that, and he knew that she would not mind if he were to not watch absolutely everything. Besides, whatever Helion wanted had to have been important. The High Lord would not take him away from this project otherwise. "Of course." He said, "Did you require assistance with something…?"

Helion turned toward the exit and glanced at Lucien. Lucien took the hint and fell into step beside his father as they strode out of the garden together. He could feel the dozen or so pairs of eyes on him, and knew that there would be speculation as to what the two of them were doing, but Lucien was too distracted wondering what the issue could be to care all that much about meaningless gossip.

As they walked together, Lucien noticed Helion was wringing his hands together as he had before they had divulged the news of the pregnancy. Suddenly, he knew what his father wished to speak about. "Are… you excited?" Lucien asked, figuring he might as well broach the subject.

"Quite." Helion nodded once, hands still twisting. "That is what I wanted to speak about."

"I figured as much."

"Your mother…" Helion said, amber eyes flicking to Lucien quickly, "You know she has her own rooms here."

"Yes," Lucien replied, "One of the Emissary suites…"

"Yes, well… I… thought that…"Helion seemed uncertain, "The Emissary suites are not equipped for… younglings."

"None of the ones I ever stayed in were…" Lucien nodded slowly, wondering just where Helion was going with this.

"After the birth," Helion said, "She will need more space…"

"True…"

"I… was wondering if… well… what do you think is appropriate?" Helion asked, "I would like her with me… but my rooms are also not all that suitable… do you think she would want that? Or, perhaps new rooms with more space… I…" the sigh that came out of his father sounded exasperated.

"Oh." Lucien did not want suppose that his mother lose her freedoms and her own space by telling the High Lord that he thought she would enjoy staying in Helion's personal rooms. "Perhaps…" he mused, "you might ask her." He glanced at Helion as they walked up a flight of stairs. "You might offer her your space… while also giving her space of her own… for after the birth."

"That is what I assumed…" Helion took him down a corridor that led to some of the larger suites in the Palace. "And as the youngling grows, they will need space of their own."

"Yes…" Lucien knew that he had certainly appreciated his own space growing up in the Autumn Court. His room had been a distance from any of his brothers and that had been so very much appreciated.

"I had this room put together. What do you think?" Helion pushed open the next door they came to and Lucien nearly tripped in shock. How long had the High Lord known about this pregnancy? How long had this taken?

"You're certainly keen, aren't you?"

The wide bright smile that met Lucien over his father's shoulder was genuine and warm. "This is not something I have had a chance to be a part of before."

"Of course." Lucien replied, following the other male into the room. Helion had not had the opportunity to help Ashk prepare for Lucien's own birth. He had not had the opportunity to fawn over her or to fuss. He had not had the opportunity to prepare for the youngling, and make his home ready for that addition. Clearly, he was going to take that opportunity this time. "Are you nesting?"

"Not the word I would have chosen." Helion replied, "I am simply preparing."

The room was nice. Lucien nodded his approval as he walked in. There were gentle golds and greens and blues which created a calming mood he quite enjoyed. The large bed looked comfortable, and the garden outside the window would have been one that Elain would have approved of. There were two doors to the left. One, he knew, was the bathroom, as he could easily see the large bathtub through the slightly ajar door. The other, Helion moved toward and pushed open. A nursery. Lucien gave the room a quick glance, then turned his eyes on Helion. The High Lord was looking at the room with an excited gleam in his eyes, and Lucien couldn't help but smile.

"Do you think she will like it?"

"I think," Lucien said slowly, "That she will." He could easily see his mother spending time in here.

"Is there anything you think I need to add?" Helion pulled the nursery door closed, and Lucien looked around the larger room again.

"I hear that those comfortable chairs for nursing are quite necessary…" He said, "But I can't say that I have ever really paid much attention to the requirements of rearing younglings…"

"Nor I." Helion replied, then smiled brightly again, "But I am ready to learn." Lucien could tell that was true. He looked up suddenly when his father's large hand came to rest on his shoulder. "You are my son." Helion said, meeting Lucien's gaze, "Though I cannot deny how… absolutely delighted… I am to be able to do this for the first time."

"That is quite obvious." Lucien told him, returning the smile.

"I am glad that you will be here for it." Helion told him, "Glad that we will all be able to do it together."

"As am I."