Chapter 499
Pacing back and forth Lucien tried to work out what he was going to say. It wasn't exactly something he was all that familiar with; planning what he would say before just coming out with it, but he knew that this probably needed to be done delicately. If Tamlin lost his temper, he would probably take more than Lucien's eye. There was no need for the other male to lose his temper, though. Lucien was just going to ask him about the progress in the Spring Court… and possibly when he planned to return to that Court. He didn't know why he was so nervous about it, but he actually was. Turning, he strode past Tamlin's door for what was probably the four-hundredth time, and couldn't make himself actually stop to knock. He knew that his old friend wasn't in the Memory Garden, because he had gone through there to check after he had spoken with Helion. Not actually knowing if Tamlin had gone into the city or was somewhere else, Lucien was mostly just assuming that the blonde was in the room with which he had been provided, and that was enough for Lucien to hesitate before knocking on the door.
Turning, Lucien paced back. He eyed the door as he approached it, willing himself to stop when he reached it. Coming to a halt, Lucien faced the door properly and inched closer. Lifting a hand, Lucien drew a deep shuddering breath before blowing it all out in a huff as he knocked loudly. If this conversation went sideways, Lucien didn't know what he was going to do. Maybe if he kept the door open, he would have a chance to run. He pushed that thought away when he heard footsteps behind the door, and he tried to tell himself that he was being dramatic. Helion had asked him if his fears about Tamlin being here for Elain were real or if it was his possessive jealousy telling him that something was going on. He didn't know, but he would have to figure it out. He didn't want to be snapping heads off every time someone smiled at his mate, or wanted to be near her. Elain attracted people, made them feel good, and that was something that she would need to be able to do freely and without fear that it would drive him mad with jealousy. Lucien knew that he needed to get a hold of this, but first he would deal with the actual situation at hand.
"Lucien…" The door open quickly and Tamlin stood half-dressed in the doorway.
"Uh…" Lucien glanced at the window. "Did you get up late… or…"
"No…" Tamlin moved back from the door, buckling his pants as he did so and gestured for Lucien to come in. Hesitantly, Lucien followed him. "I was in the garden earlier, and thought I should bathe as the midday meal will be called soon."
"Right…" Lucien watched silently as Tamlin pulled on a clean shirt.
"Were you after me for any particular reason?"
"Yes…" When he said no more, Tamlin turned to look at him expectantly, and Lucien resisted a heavy sigh. "I was going through reports earlier, about the progress of the Courts in their part for the plan of the trade routes being re-established…"
"A new heir duty?" Tamlin asked, sitting on the edge of his bed, and Lucien nodded.
"Yes. Well, the Spring Court…"
"Not meeting expectation, I take it…?"
"Hmm…" Tilting his head, Lucien watched his old friend. Tamlin seemed completely unsurprised and unconcerned by this. "I wanted to offer the Day Court's assistance…"
"Helion would send a bunch of his underlings into the Spring Court to do the job he thinks I should have done already?"
"You came to help us when we needed help… he would like to offer the same in return."
"I still have time before the deadline, do I not?"
"Yes…" Lucien replied slowly, "But if you need the help, Tam…"
"I will ask for help, if I require it."
Lucien wasn't so sure about that. His friend was always far too proud for such things. "Right…"
"You seem unconvinced."
"Time is running out…" Lucien said, "Most everyone else is ready… and… well… you're not in the Spring Court seeing it done. You're still here."
Tamlin raised an eyebrow at him. "I am."
"…Why are you still here?"