Chapter 478

The sun was hot, and Helion looked thoroughly at home and at peace, in a way that Lucien didn't think he had ever seen him. He had often heard Helion described as the sun personified, but laying there, powerful golden body on display, in that tiny golden bathing suit, Lucien had to admit that the description was accurate. Beside Helion, sat Lucien's mother, red hair shining in the sun, but her skin far paler than the male to her right. For a moment, Lucien worried that she might burn. He then looked at Elain who had propped herself up beside him, book in hand. "Comfortable?" he asked, and her brown eyes flicked his way. He knew that she had been concerned about the swimwear, but what she had chosen was more modest than the majority of what others were wearing around the place. The top part of the garment was formfitting and gave him a good view of her perfect breasts, which he more than enjoyed, and the lower half flowed elegantly over her hips to fall high on her thighs. Lucien rather thought it suited her, and that she looked stunning, but he always thought that.

Turning his eyes on the pools, Lucien allowed his gaze to travel up. There were at least a dozen individual fresh water rock pools rising up onto the rockface above them. Many of them cascaded into the pools below, and the sound that made was utterly peaceful and relaxing. Lucien understood why Helion came here. Even though this was a public place, and there were dozens of faeries from about the city who Lucien did not know, none of them seemed surprised or interested in the fact that their High Lord was laying on a seat in full view. Well, he supposed, aside from the many admiring gazes that Helion was receiving. His father had always made himself available to the citizens of his Court, Lucien had known that. Until just now, however, with the High Lord laying in full display in the tiniest golden swimsuit Lucien had ever seen, and nobody so much as batting an eye at the occurrence, Lucien hadn't realised just how accessible Helion had been. This had to be such a common occurrence that it wasn't even viewed as worthy of much attention at all. The Night Court were getting more attention than Helion was, and Lucien watched a giggling group of young female faeries scuttle past, their eyes on Cassian who seemed to be doing his best to imitate Helion.

Shaking his head as he caught a glimpse of Nesta's face, Lucien wondered if Cassian was brave or stupid, as the Illyrian seemed completely oblivious to the dangerous situation he was creating. Returning his attention to the pools, Lucien let his gaze lift again to the higher pools up the hill. While the lower pools each had several inhabitants, the higher pools seemed far more empty, and he smiled. "Fancy a swim, Petal?" he asked, glancing again at his mate.

Setting her book down on her towel, Elain looked back at him. "It is a bit warm…" she agreed, smoothing the tiny skirt of her swimsuit down over her legs in an attempt to cover herself a little. Lucien grinned widely at her.

"Shall we cool off, then?" He got to his feet and offered her his arm. She took it and allowed him to pull her up. Glancing at the towel still on her chair, she bit her lip, but Lucien drew her away. "Towels will be here when we return."

With Lucien holding Elain's hand, she followed him up the steep incline as they passed several of the lower pools. These all had faeries splashing about and having a wonderful time, and they all looked quite inviting. Lucien's eyes, however, were focused above them, and she knew that he wished to go higher. The pools above them were less occupied, and they did not stop climbing until they found one that was completely empty of anybody else.

"At last," Lucien smiled at her over his shoulder, giving her a mischievous wink, "Some privacy."

"Can't say that I mind…" Elain felt more comfortable now that the only eyes with a view of her belonged to her mate. She moved carefully toward the wide steps down into the rockpool, and Lucien followed her. "Oh…" Cool water caressed her as she descended the steps, and it was in such glorious contrast to the heat of the sun that Elain closed her eyes to enjoy it. "This is delightful."

"I would have to agree, Petal…" Lucien's voice was low and she felt the heat of his breath on the back of her neck a moment before strong arms wound around her waist. Leaning back against her mate, Elain smiled, lifting her feet from the ground and allowing them to float out in front of her. Lucien gave a low chuckle, supporting her against himself as he began moving backwards through the water. Elain smiled as the cool water swirled around them and she lifted her gaze to the bright blue sky.

"This place is wonderful." She said, and Lucien hummed in agreement. "Everybody should have come down here for the afternoon…"

"I don't know about that." Lucien said, bringing them to a stop at the edge of the pool. Elain put her feet back down to stand and she stretched to see over the edge. From here, they had a magnificent view of all the pools and faeries below. She smiled as she could still see Helion sprawled out, resplendent and golden, beneath them. "Could you imagine Eris in a swimsuit?"

Laughing, Elain turned her eyes on her mate. "Are you telling me he doesn't look like you?"

"I should hope not." Lucien sniffed, smiling back at her. "I wouldn't want him distracting you."

"I doubt anybody stands a chance of being distracting with Helion down there like that…" Elain grinned and looked back down below.

"Cassian sure is trying." Lucien added and Elain nodded her agreement. She had seen Nesta's face, and knew that the two of them would likely be having words later. She had also seen the looks that Cassian had been receiving, and did not blame Nesta for the clear discomfort her sister had been displaying. Elain knew that if Lucien had been receiving that kind of attention, that she would have been struggling to control her own jealousy, or wanting to publicly stake her claim. It was something she had already struggled with when he had first been named Heir and dozens of Courtiers had suddenly been interested in his every movement.

Turning to him, Elain put the rock ledge at her back, focusing her attention on her mate. "The only distraction I see is you." She smiled, and he moved closer once again. When his hands reached her waist, Elain tightened her own hold on his shoulders, as she brought her legs up to wrap loosely around his waist. Lucien smiled, hands sliding up and down her thighs as he pressed her back carefully into he wall of the rockpool. Fire burned in his russet eye as he held her gaze and Elain felt warm contentment flow through her, down the bond, and around her whole body. Here, like this, wrapped around her mate, Elain could exist forever. It felt like it had been forever since they'd been allowed a quiet moment, just the two of them, and Elain did not want it to end.

"You feel so good…" Lucien's breath was hot against her skin, and shivers of pleasure swept through Elain. She remembered that he had told her that same thing in their Glade in the Spring Court the first time they had been together, and her eyes closed, enjoying his touch.

"You make me feel good…" She told him, biting back a groan when he pressed himself firmly to her in response.

"Uhh…" Lucien's hot lips worked their way down Elain's throat and she tilted her head to allow him better access as she clung tightly to his broad shoulders, "I'm glad, Petal…" She felt his teeth graze her skin, "I'm glad you like it…"

Heat flooded Elain's veins, burning through her and she tightened her grip on Lucien. "I do…" She breathed, the words almost panted, "I do."