Chapter 504

Flying was not something Elain had ever really dreamed about. She knew Feyre had, and she had read many books where the protagonists had often longed to be able to fly. They had dreamed of being able to take off through the skies, enjoying the wind against their skin and in their hair as their worries had seemed to drop away far beneath them. She knew that this was a common desire, but it was not one Elain had ever really entertained. That was not to say that she did not enjoy this.

As the ground dropped beneath them and Lucien urged the winged horse, upon which they both sat, skyward, Elain tightened her arms around her mate. Swiftly, they climbed higher and the temperature dropped. Elain pressed herself more firmly to Lucien, both for his warmth and for security. She had glanced below, and the distance was vast. No saddle upon the horse meant that she felt like she might slip from its back at any moment. That was exciting, she figured, but Elain didn't fancy falling to her death when she had so many other wonderful things to look forward to in her future.

"Are you alright, Petal?" Lucien peered at her over his shoulder, and she met his eyes with a smile.

"I am." She held tightly to him, giving him a slight squeeze. She could feel the muscles of the winged horse shifting beneath her thighs and, while she was impressed at the power of the thing, it only made her feel all the more unsteady upon its smooth back.

Lucien guided them along the south wall of the Palace and the view of the city was spectacular. She hadn't seen the Day Court like this, and from the distance they currently had, Elain spied several parts of the city that she had yet to visit but which looked interesting. Turning, she tried to see better, but she couldn't hold any tighter with her thighs. Lucien twisted a little to look at her, and she knew that he'd felt her unease.

"Petal…" he said, and Elain opened her mouth to tell him that she was fine, but never got a sound out. Before she could do much as blink, Lucien had turned, snaked his own arm around her waist, and then pulled her swiftly around in front of him to hold her in his lap. Gasping in surprise, she met his eyes with relief. "Feel better?" he asked, and Elain nodded. She did feel much safer in his arms than she had clinging to his back. "That's good…" he pressed a kiss to her cheek, and Elain lifted one of her own hands, caressing his cheek gently.

"Thank you."

From her new position, Elain was able to turn any way she liked to take in the stunning view of the palace and the city. Golden light spilled across the whole scene, bathing the world beneath them in warmth and casting long shadows.

"Lovely, isn't it?" Lucien murmured against Elain's ear and she nodded her agreement.

"I think perhaps all visitors to the Day Court should be brought to the Palace this way." She said, leaning back into her mate, "They would certainly appreciate the view."

"Perhaps," Lucien agreed, "It be made something we reserve for our very favourite guests." He pressed another kiss to Elain's cheek, "Something that really shows our affection for them."

"Kallias and Viviane." Elain said, grinning at him, "In return for that Sleigh ride they sent us on to see the Aurora lights."

"Perfect." Lucien held her carefully and Elain felt utterly safe now. "We shall have to remember when they visit soon." He guided the Winged Horse North, and Elain took in the new view. With Lucien's arms around her as she sat in his lap, Elain supposed she could grow used to this.

"Perhaps…" She added, "this could be something we do every so often." She smiled when he grinned at her, "We could escape the palace and fly until we find somewhere nice and quiet to be alone…"

"I like this plan…"

"At least once a month." Elain declared, leaning into Lucien a little more.

"At least." He agreed.