Chapter 465
The tension in the room was thick, and Elain held her breath as she watched Lucien looking intently at Rhys who just looked back at him. Neither of them moved or said anything for several moments, and she could feel Nesta shifting uncomfortably beside her. It was certainly clear that Rhys had not enjoyed the suggestion that he had been spying on the Day Court, and a part of Elain was actually surprised that Lucien had made it clear that it was exactly that which he suspected. She had thought that Courtly politics like this were somehow more subtle, but there was nothing subtle about her mate right now. This was not something they had the luxury of being subtle about, though. Not after what had happened here, to the Court.
Elain wondered what would happen if this turned into some kind of brawl. She did not want that, but a part of her wondered what would happen. Lucien had always felt as if Rhys and his Court had looked down on him, had always felt like he existed on the fringes of everything, and as if he weren't as important or needed. That had changed, she had felt that shift within him, and knew that he felt that sense of belonging here, in this court, with his family. She also knew that since he had learned who he was, who his father was, and especially since he had begun to come to terms with that and learn about the true power within himself, that his magic had strengthened. She had been able to feel it within him, and down the bond, and that had certainly been demonstrated in the Throne Room the other day. Elain had seen the future, had seen what Lucien would become. When he was the High Lord of the Day Court he would truly be a force to be reckoned with. Nobody would dare to look down their nose at him then.
Now, watching as her mate didn't so much as blink as he looked at Rhys, waiting for a response, Elain wondered what would happen if it came to blows. Lucien might not yet be at the height of his potential, at the height of his power, but they were in the Day Court. He was strengthened here, and Rhys was not. She held no delusions that the others around them would allow it to come to that, but the pissing contest on full display right now was lost on nobody.
If this went on for too long, however, irreparable damage might be done, and Elain did not want that. The Day and Night Courts shared a border, and much more than that. Feyre was the High Lady of the Night Court, and Nesta lived there as well. Elain completely intended on at least fortnightly visits to the Night Court to see her sisters, and she wanted them to be able to visit her here as well. Any kind of war or grudge between the Courts would damage that, and Elain wasn't going to sit here while that happened. She wanted to be able to maintain the close relationship she shared with her family, but it was more than that. She knew that the two Courts were powerful enough to have some influence over what happened in Prythian, and she rather thought that both Helion and Rhys were well liked by the other High Lords. If the two Courts could maintain their current good relationship and continue to work together, this would be of greatest benefit for everyone.
"Run that by me again?" Rhys asked, and Elain felt the flare of anger and irritation from Lucien. Her mate clearly felt that Rhys was attempting to ridicule him. Lucien's face remained impassive though, and he leaned forward in his chair, eyes still firmly upon Rhys.
"Have you had Azriel or anyone else spying on the Day Court?"
Rhys gave a hollow laugh. Lucien did not look amused. "It's come to this, has it?"
"Damn it, Rhys." Lucien muttered, "Just answer the question. Do you not get how important this is?"
Rhys bristled at that and Elain watched as Feyre's head turned his way. "We get how important it is." Feyre said, one of her hands moving to rest on her mate's knee. Rhys relaxed at that, but not entirely. "We understand… that you are nervous about what a spy could mean for the Day Court, especially after what has just happened." Feyre looked from Lucien to Helion.
Elain knew that tone in her sister's voice, and she was certain there was "but" coming. Lucien sighed and sat back in his chair, folding his arms as he did so. One of Nesta's arms moved as if blocking Elain from the rest of the room, and Nesta's pale eyes met Elain over her shoulder. Clearly Nesta had heard that tone, too. Both of them evidently thought that whatever Feyre was going to say would lead to further conflict. It wouldn't be the first time, Elain knew. Their youngest sister often ended up inciting violence around her.
"I am pleased that you understand the weight of the situation." Helion put in, "Would you then care to either confirm or deny the presence of a Night Court spy within my Palace?"