Chapter 487

Determination reached Lucien down the bond, and he was unable to help a smile of relief. Elain had grasped hold of the bond, rushing to read him, and he was thankful that she had worked out a way to use what she had. She didn't have the training the rest of them did, but she had this. If she was able to focus on what he was telling her he intended to do, then she would have some kind of edge against Feyre. Perhaps she would be able to match her sister, knowing what would happen even moments before it did. She wouldn't be able to predict her sister's movements, but she would know what Lucien would do, and if he could manage it properly, that would impact upon Feyre's options. Was this cheating? He didn't think so. He wasn't fixing things so that he and Feyre would win, but rather so that it would be a little more even and allow Elain to engage in the game. If anything, he reasoned, it would be the opposite of cheating. At least, that was what he was telling himself.

Moving forward again, Lucien carried Feyre closer. He felt her reach out and try to seize hold of Elain again, and he waited for her to stretch before he took a step back. Her reach missed Elain by a hair's breadth, and then Elain had gripped Feyre's arm and had pulled. Feyre's weight shifted and Lucien tightened his hands on her calves, trying to keep her upright as he adjusted his own stance. She gave a small shriek and then she had righted herself, and the danger passed. Elain's delighted little cackle warmed Lucien's heart and he couldn't help a smile as he looked up at her. Her fear seemed to have disappeared, and it was clear that she was beginning to enjoy this, now that she wasn't certain that she was going to be beaten within moments.

"Well done," Feyre said, amusement in her voice. "I didn't know you could be so evasive…"

"I'm sure there's more that you don't know about me."

"Perhaps you're right." Feyre replied, and Elain gave a thin grin by way of response. If anyone else had been able to sense the tension in the air, they said nothing, and so Lucien also held his tongue. It was something he thought he was getting better at, and soon enough he had focused upon the game once more.

The next grapple lasted longer than the ones previous. Both sisters had managed a tight grip on one another, and neither would let go. As close as they were, Lucien couldn't really get a good enough look to see what was happening, but he felt the pull back and forth, and he had to refocus his attention on trying to keep his feet. All he could really see was Cassian, and the Illyrian had the largest grin on his face as he met Lucien's eyes.

"Enjoying this, are you?" Lucien asked, and Cassian laughed.

"Are you not?"

"I could think of several more enjoyable pastimes, actually…"

"Would it help if the two of us were allowed to further engage in battle?"

Lucien wasn't sure he would enjoy whatever that glint in Cassian's eyes meant, but he agreed nonetheless. "Sure…"

"Alright." Before the word had even fully left Cassian's mouth, the Illyrian had stepped forward, one of his feet slipping behind Lucien's knee and trying to dislodge him from his own feet. Lucien hopped away, gripping tightly to Feyre when she shrieked in surprise and clutched at him. At least, Lucien figured, she had released Elain. He could manage this balance, he figured. Doing what he needed to in order to keep Feyre in the game, but also making sure he managed what happened to Elain.