Chapter 492

"And who is that?" Nesta asked, voice low as Lucien strode quickly ahead of them toward Nuan. Elain watched the pretty dark haired faerie wrap her arms around Lucien's neck and then turned her eyes on Nesta.

"Nuan." She replied, "From the Dawn Court."

"Oh…" Nesta glanced at Lucien and Nuan again, and then back to Elain "… that tells me nothing."

"She's one of Lucien's friends." Elain told her, moving toward the table and pulling a chair out. She sank down into it, while Nesta sat to her right. "She made his eye," She added, "When Amarantha…" breaking off, Elain grimaced at the memory she had been shown when they had visited the Dawn Court. She could still hear Lucien's pained screams as Tamlin had practically carried him into Nuan's workroom. "She also encouraged me to try and take control of my Seer abilities… when Lucien and Thesan were snatched."

"Oh…" Nesta threw a curious glance Nuan's way.

"Actually, I think that you would get along well with her." She smiled at Nesta, "Nuan is probably the cleverest being I've ever met."

"And the fact that she completely just threw herself at your mate doesn't bother you?"

Elain fiddled with the cutlery for a moment. "It did at first. When we first went to the Dawn Court the jealousy was … definitely there." She gave her sister a wry smile, "But… I don't really feel that now. Toward her, anyway." She added, "She helped him. With that eye… she was a friend when he really didn't have anywhere to turn." Elain glanced at Nesta and then at Lucien who was now just standing and talking to Nuan. "A friend and nothing more…"

"And why is she here, do you suppose?" Nesta asked, and Elain shook her head.

"I suppose we will find out." She smiled as Lucien approached them at the table, Nuan with him. He sank down beside Elain, his hand brushing her arm as he did so, and Nuan moved around the other side of the table to sit opposite them. "Hello," Elain said to her, as the tinkerer sank into her seat. "I do recall you telling me that you would be visiting the Day Court…"

"I had thought to be here sooner, but things got… busy."

"Oh?"

"Yes…." Nuan's slightly upturned eyes flicked to Nesta, and Elain made a gesture at her older sister.

"This is Nesta."

"Yes, indeed." Nuan smiled, and then continued her explanation, "With the re-establishing of the trade routes, Thesan wanted some examples of what the Dawn Court might offer. Things that could not be found elsewhere…"

"He wanted you to…" Lucien made a gesture of his own, and his friend nodded. Elain thought about that. She had seen Nuan's work room, knew that she made a variety of different things. She also knew that many of them could be quite valuable, especially for people with a need like Lucien had. Not that she expected many faeries would be having body parts ripped out or off anymore. Not with Amarantha gone. Nevertheless; accidents happened. If Nuan was creating things especially for trade with other Courts, then that was indeed exciting news.

"Do you make other things like Lucien's eye?" Nesta's words were blunt, but her tone held true curiosity. Nuan nodded, looking again at Nesta, and lifting her own hand. Elain heard Nesta's sharp intake of breath.

"I've created more than a few different pieces…"

"That is… very impressive." Nesta glanced toward Lucien then, "Rhys had you looking into the possibility of the new trade routes, didn't he? Do you think all of the Courts would be looking to have something of value only available through their Court?"

Lucien was silent for a moment, and Elain felt him thinking on that point. "That seems a bit of a slippery slope." He said after a moment, his voice low so as they would not be overheard. "On the one hand, it would boost the trade, and desire for the routes to be re-established quickly and for large volumes of goods to be moved… but, that would likely drive prices up and it would become a more competitive market than what we really need right now. What we need is the free and easy exchange of goods that is needed, at a fair and reasonable price, without some seeking to dominate the market and pick and choose who has access to different goods. This is not about the wealthy becoming more so, but about us all rebuilding after what Amaranth did and after the devastation of the war."

"Which, to be fair," Nuan put in, "is what I believe Thesan is after. There are many fae in all of the Courts who could benefit from something I have made…"

"I have no doubt of that." Lucien told her gently.