Chapter 490

The sun was beginning to sink low and golden in the west by the time the group had returned to the palace. Helion reminded them that they had plenty of time to go and bathe, and that dinner would be served when they had come back to the dining room. Elain was appreciative of that, and was eagerly looking forward to a warm soak in the bath before getting something to eat.

When they got to their rooms, Lucien quickly set a few little balls of faelight to hover nearby in the bathroom as the light outside was swiftly fading, and Elain thought that the lovely little glow they created was cosy and inviting. Swiftly, she stripped off her swimsuit, and tossed it into the handbasin to rinse later, and then she gratefully stepped into the bath which was filling with deliciously warm water. She hadn't heard him move, but she felt Lucien join her, stepping into the bath behind her, and she threw him a smile over her shoulder before settling herself down comfortably. She had wanted to wash her hair, but didn't think she would have the time for it to completely dry out before bed. Tomorrow morning, then.

"Are you feeling better about whatever issues you and Feyre had today?" Lucien leaned back against his edge of the tub, and Elain watched his hair shift gold and red and orange in the flickering faelight.

"I think she's beginning to understand that I have changed…" Elain stretched her legs out, thankful that Helion had designed them such an extravagant and luxurious bathroom. "She likes control." Elain added, "Hates not being in control… and I suppose that makes sense considering what we went through…" She leaned back, tilting her head to rest against the edge of the tub as the warmth soaked into her. "Both she and Ness have been used to being able to control me, I suppose."

"It… would be from a place of love…" She could hear Lucien's hesitancy to excuse such a thing, but she knew that he was correct in his assessment.

"I know…" She glanced at him, "Ness, I think, has realised that I am not so easily pushed anymore. I am surprised that she came to that conclusion before Feyre, actually."

"She is clever…" Lucien said, "And…" he paused, "Perhaps her own life is a little more out of her own control than Feyre's is. Maybe that is why she has recognised it in you."

"That makes sense." Elain agreed, pushing herself up again and then drifting closer to Lucien. "I do think she's finally getting the point, though."

"I'm glad." Lucien reached a hand out to her, smiling as he did so, and Elain allowed him to draw her even closer. She had always enjoyed these moments; being close to one another, and cuddling up in the bath. She thought back to the first time she had climbed into the bath with him. They had been in the Spring Court, and it had brought comfort to the both of them. She was pleased that it was something they had continued to do. "Did you have a nice day, regardless of the scuffle with your sister?"

"Yes." Elain settled herself down against her mate, her back to his chest and her head resting against his shoulder. "Nesta told me she wants to stay."

"Here?"

"Yes."

She felt the surprise move through Lucien and she understood it. "… permanently?"

"No." Elain gave a laugh, "You sounded frightened…"

"I like Nesta." He said, "But she is intimidating sometimes…"

"She is." Elain smiled happily, "But she just wants to stay for a little while. She said, until that gathering we were planning…"

"Oh."

"She wants to see all the Courts," She told him, "Like I did."

"She'd like Winter." He said simply, and Elain nodded her head.

"I told her that."

Lucien wrapped his arm loosely around Elain's waist, holding her to himself. She felt his chin come to rest on her shoulder and she smiled, feeling him thinking and considering. "She wants to find her place…" he said after a while, and Elain nodded a little again.

"She does." She smiled, "And she will."