Chapter 523
Elain had been so preoccupied with everything going on around the Court with guests from the other Courts showing up that she had forgotten that Vassa was even coming. She had spent the morning showing Thesan, Kalias and Viviane the Memory Garden, and she had offered to take them into the city to show them more. By the time they had returned it was midday and they had only had a short while to eat something before everybody was to be in the Throne Room again to see the next guests arrive. She had enjoyed the day and it had made her happy but, as she stood at the side of the room beside Ashk and Nesta, Elain remembered that they had invited the redheaded mortal Queen, and her stomach turned.
She didn't miss Lucien's head turn immediately in her direction, and she knew that he had felt her down the bond. Sending him a smile, Elain tried to push the feeling away. She had asked for this. It had been her idea to invite Vassa. Trying to remind herself of her reasoning, Elain began to go over what she had decided in her mind. She needed to test herself, test the bond, and her resolve and will power. In order for she and Lucien to have the future she had seen, she needed to know her limits and what she could and could not endure. This was what that was about.
Nothing could happen here, Elain told herself. It was the best way to test herself. With all of the other High Lords around, as well as Nesta, Elain was surrounded by those whose presence would deter Vassa from any unseemly behaviour, and Elain herself would have all the support she needed. This was a safe way to do this. It would be fine.
"What's wrong?" Nesta asked, and Elain flicked a glance at her sister. "Your face tells me it's something…"
"Just thinking." Elain replied easily, watching as the large doors to the room opened. She went up on her toes a little, trying to see which Court had arrived. The shining red hair that met her gaze was an instant answer. Eris had arrived.
"About?"
"Vassa." Try as she might, Elain could not keep the bitterness out of her voice as she uttered the Queen's name. Nesta made a noise in her throat that left little doubt as to her opinion of Vassa, and Elain felt a little better. At least Nesta would be keeping a sharp eye on the mortal woman when she was here, even if Elain couldn't watch her the whole time.
"This mortal Queen," Ashk's voice was hushed as Eris approached the throne to greet Helion. "You dislike her…"
"She has an interest in my mate I would prefer she did not have…" Elain glanced at Ashk who nodded her head. "After we are done here," Ashk went on, "We will speak, and you will tell me what you are planning."
It was not a question, and Elain only nodded. She wondered what Ashk would say, and if the older female would understand what Elain had hoped to achieve. Now was not the time to ask, however, so she remained silent as they listened to Helion speak to Eris, welcoming him back to the Day Court, and letting him know that Lucien would be only too happy to see to any needs he had. Elain wondered just how Lucien felt about that, considering his history with his brothers, but she knew that his relationship with Eris was far better now than it had ever been. Nera, too, was present and that pleased Elain. The way that the female faerie and Eris continually looked to one another was obvious, and anyone who had watched them for more than five seconds would have been able to see it. Viviane certainly had, and Elain grinned when her friend caught her eye from across the hall, a knowing smirk on her pretty face.