Chapter 498

Eyes scanning the map, his metallic eye clicked and whirred. Lucien ticked another location off on his list, and then looked back to the map, looking for the next one. With the approaching celebratory event, Helion had decided that they needed to make sure that all of the Courts had been acting on their responsibilities for the trade routes reopening. All morning, Lucien had been hearing reports from the High Lord's soldiers and scouts he had sent out to check that progress was being made, and he was trying to make sure that they were staying on top of their information. From what he had been able to tell so far, the slowest progress being made was in the Spring Court. He was unsurprised by this, knowing that Tamlin didn't exactly have much of his actual Court left to help him with that, and Lucien was kind of glad that his old friend was still here in the Day Court so that he might be able to talk to him about that.

Lucien was a little surprised that Tamlin was still here, if he were being honest with himself. Feyre and Rhysand had come and gone, and Eris had gone home the day before. Yet, Tamlin remained. The Memory Garden was nearly complete, with all of the large trees in place, and everything established, which was what Tamlin had been asked to assist with. It was done, and yet he was still here. Setting his map aside, Lucien pushed back in his chair, thinking about that. Either there was a reason that Tamlin did not wish to return to the Spring Court, or there was a reason for which he wished to stay in the Day Court. Perhaps, Lucien figured, it was both. If the Spring Court was as Lucien had last seen it, with Tamlin pretty much living alone in the manor, then Lucien would understand why his friend might be hesitant to go back. Tamlin may act like he had everything under control, but it would be difficult to get his Court back to its former glory on his own. Also, Lucien knew, it wasn't exactly healthy for Tamlin to be alone all the time. More than that, he wondered what it was that made the other male want to remain as long as he had. Remembering his initial jealousy, he hoped that it wasn't Elain. He knew that Tamlin liked Elain; just about everyone did. But, if Tamlin thought that staying here was somehow going to give him better access to Elain, then Tamlin had another thing coming.

Pushing that thought aside, Lucien went back to his list and the map. He worked his way down the list of locations ticking each of them off when he had checked that progress had been made there, and he wondered what all of the High Lords would think of their progress when they all got together in the Day Court for their celebration. Looking up when the door opened, Lucien was halfway to his feet by the time Helion had strolled in and approached the table.

"How is it going?" his father asked, and Lucien sat back down in his chair, gesturing at the list and map upon the table as he did so.

"Just about done checking on the locations." He replied, "I heard all of the reports a little while ago… when did you even send your scouts to check on them? He hadn't been aware that that had even happened until today.

"A few days ago." Helion pulled out his own chair and sat down. "So, the progress is… pleasing?"

"In most places." Lucien showed him the map. "My only real concern would be Spring."

"I see…" Helion frowned at the map and then leaned back. "You'll speak with Tamlin?"

"Yes," Lucien resisted a huff, "I was considering how to approach that…"

"Ask him?"

"Yes…" Lucien made a face, "It's just more complicated than that… He's alone there… I know it has been difficult."

"We can offer support if he requires it."

"Yes…"

"He did come here to help us when we needed it."

"I know…" Lucien fiddled with the corner of the map, "I kind of … worry that maybe… he… is here for Elain."

Helion said nothing, reclining in his chair, amber eyes on his son, and Lucien found he couldn't hold that knowing gaze for long. "Is that a legitimate concern, or is that the possessive jealousy working you?"

Shaking his head, Lucien spread his hands wide. "I can't even tell."