Chapter 522

Tamlin was standing by the window, by himself, and Lucien headed in that direction. It had not seemed as if the High Lord of the Spring Court had been short of conversation during most of the evening, and Lucien wondered if Tamlin had sought out a little peace by himself. He figured he might as well ask, because if the other male hadn't chosen solitude, then it would be Lucien's responsibility as Heir and host of this event to sort that out. Green eyes met Lucien's own as he approached, and Tamlin seemed to straighten himself.

"Am I interrupting your thoughts?" Lucien asked when he was close enough, and Tamlin shook his head. "That's good. I wasn't sure if you had needed a little quiet time alone. I know these types of events aren't really to your liking…"

"As far as these things go, this one is better than most." Tamlin replied, and Lucien couldn't help a smile.

"Wouldn't have wanted you swamped by overzealous attentions."

"Oh, I don't think I'm that much of a novelty." Tamlin sounded almost light-hearted, "Most of the Courtiers hadn't even noticed that I had left the Day Court at all."

"I did hear much of that." Lucien agreed. "They did seem surprised to see you arrive again. Was everything alright at home?" Tamlin had been gone for a little while, and Lucien had hoped he hadn't returned to the Spring Court to find a mess in need of sorting out.

"Everything was fine."

"Yet you couldn't wait to return…" he eyed Tamlin carefully, looking for his reaction. Tamlin's green eyes swept the room and Lucien glanced around, wondering what he had been searching for. "What drew you back?"

"You mean, apart from your invitation?"

"Obviously." Lucien looked around the room again. He found Sheera on the other side of the room, her own eyes looking back at them even as Nesta spoke to her. "Was it Sheera?" glancing at Tamlin, Lucien caught the surprised expression before his old friend locked it down. "I see…"

"You see what?"

"It would make sense…" Lucien went on. "You spent a lot of time helping her with her shop and she seemed fairly in awe of you and your abilities…"

"She likes plants and flowers…" Tamlin said, "And she liked that I could help them."

"No more than that?" Lucien asked and Tamlin made a face.

"She did say that she was looking forward to visiting the Spring Court…"

"She spoke of that?"

"Said you had invited her."

"I did tell her she was welcome…" Tamlin's tone was soft.

"Well, I'd be making sure your visitor rooms are well set up and ready." Lucien grinned at him, "She'll probably go with Nesta…"

"I see…"

Lucien let out a laugh at the concern in Tamlin's voice then, and he didn't blame him. It was no secret that Nesta could be fierce, and it was no secret that she was not overly fond of Tamlin himself. Lucien would not be surprised to hear that the High Lord had been on the receiving end of that sharp tongue. "Perhaps Sheera being present will soften Nesta a little while she stays with you." Lucien knew that if Tamlin had hoped to get any time alone with Sheera during that visit, Nesta would likely get in the way. He remembered the way that Nesta had tried to shield Elain from him when he had first returned to Velaris. She had made all manner of excuses to pull Elain away, to keep her from him, and he suspected there might be a similar situation when Tamlin was involved. Nesta seemed to have become fond of Sheera in the last little while, and he could easily see her being protective of her friend.

"You think I should be worried?" Tamlin asked, and Lucien chuckled a little.

"I'd be more worried about Cassian showing up on your doorstep looking for Nesta."

Tamlin blanched a little and Lucien laughed again. It was funny when that Illyrian temper wasn't focused on him.