Chapter 474

The relief Lucien felt when he saw his father making his way toward them in the garden was immense. He didn't know what to do. He had never witnessed his mother say such things to somebody before, let alone one of the High Lord of the Night Court's favourites. Lucien knew that if Rhys was pushed, there was nothing he wouldn't do to protect Morrigan and, considering what had taken place in the sitting room not an hour earlier, Lucien didn't think it would take much to push Rhys to that edge. Cassian, Lucien also noted, looked about ready to start ripping limbs from bodies, and Lucien inched in front of Elain, making sure he had put himself between her and the other males. Helion approached them with a wide smile, either unaware of the current tension and the fact that several of their party were on the knife's edge, or pretending that he was unaware of it.

The effect of the presence of the High Lord of the Day Court was obvious. The others appeared to spread themselves a little, whereas before he had arrived they had seemed to be crowding in. Lucien was thankful for that, and also kind of hoped that one day he would have the same effect on those around him when he was the High Lord. He could tell that he still had so much to learn before he would be anywhere near ready for that kind of role and responsibility. He could do nothing but watch his father as Helion came to reach them, still smiling as if they all hadn't been about to start attacking one another.

"Not quite finished with your tour of the garden, I see." The High Lord smiled, "You can see that some of the trees have begun to be put in."

"Yes," Elain said, voice coming over Lucien shoulder and he shifted again, out of her way so that he was no longer blocking her from the group, "And Tamlin has been good enough to help us in getting them started, in making sure they are healthy, and will grow well."

Lucien looked around at them, silent, observing. He found himself holding his breath as he wondered if Helion and Elain's attempt to divert the conversation would be enough to cut the head off what had been about to happen. He thought, for the briefest of moments, that it would. But then Mor smiled at Helion and Ashk let out a snarl. Looking quickly to his father, Lucien saw Helion lift his chin a little, amber eyes flicking back and forth as he tried to take stock of the situation.

"It seems that the Night Court has received nothing but insults since our arrival." Rhys drawled in that tone he had often used to get under Lucien's skin.

"Oh, she's not been targeting the Night Court." Mor added, "She's focused entirely on me." The blonde's pretty eyes shifted to Helion, "I remember much warmer hospitality when in the Day Court previously." A dazzling smile followed those words, and Lucien held no illusions as to exactly what Morrigan was referencing. Neither, it seemed, did his mother.

"You absolute…" Ashk was cut off by Helion slipping an arm through hers and pulling her carefully back to himself. Lucien could see the firm grip her held her in, not painful or tight, but steady enough that she stayed there. After a moments Ashk released a deep breath, leaning comfortably against Helion's side, but her eyes remained narrowed and on Mor.

After several more moments of just watching them, Mor apparently caught on. She looked Helion and Ashk over, taking in their hold on one another, and the way they stood, pressed together. Understanding flashed through her face then and her mouth opened just a little, but she remained silent.

"Have you heard yet?" Helion asked them, fingers moving over Ashk's wrist. "Lady Askh has relocated to the Day Court on a more permanent basis."

"Is that so?" Mor asked, the fight in her flickering out.

"And Eris was okay with that?" Cassian asked, disbelieving.

"It was not his choice." Ashk told him, "But yes, he was fine with it all the same."

"And you just decided to stay here…" he looked Helion and Ashk over the same way Morrigan had and, just as she had, Cassian's understanding became evident on his face. "Ohh."

"That must have made many happy…" Feyre's eyes were on Lucien and he met her gaze for a moment. He knew that she had known the truth about his father before he had, and he knew that she was referring to him being pleased by this now.

"Yes," Helion agreed, his arm now snaking its way around Ashk's waist until one of his hands came to rest on her stomach. "Despite what happened here recently, there is much to be happy about."

Almost as one, the Night Court cottoned on to what they were being told. Eyes widened and a few of them took a step back in shock. "Oh, wow…" Nesta murmured, her own eyes then going to Feyre and Elain, looking for their reactions.

"That was unexpected." Rhys said, smiling at Helion.

"Indeed."

Hoping that this new understanding would put an end to the Night Court's anger, Lucien reached again for his mate. Elain shifted closer, moving her weight to her left foot as she leaned into him. It seemed that the tension was easing, and Lucien relaxed when he decided that his mother probably wasn't going to launch herself at Mor and tear her to pieces.

From where he had tucked her against him, Elain looked up to meet Lucien's eyes and she smiled at him. He could feel down the bond that she had come to the same conclusion that he had, and he could feel that she had also relaxed. "Do you think," she murmured, low enough that only he would hear her, "that we might finish the tour of the garden?"