Chapter 524

The Day Court mingled among one another once Eris had been officially welcomed and they waited for Tarquin to arrive. The Summer Court had sent a messenger ahead, announcing that his High Lord and the rest of the entourage would arrive within the hour. An hour was a long time to stand around waiting, so everyone seemed to have broken off into smaller groups and idle chat floated on the air. Lucien had found his way over to Elain and she smiled at him when one of his warm arms had wrapped around her shoulders.

"You look amused," She said, able to read the humour in his russet eye.

"It's still strange," he murmured softly, "to see Eris like that."

"You mean, constantly making eyes at Nera?"

"Exactly."

"He must have put on quite the show when you were younger." She replied, having heard the stories about Lucien's eldest brother from Mor and the Night Court. Before she had met Eris, Elain had thought him a monster. Now, her perception had shifted.

"He could have joined a troupe of Players and had a fine career," Lucien said, "If he hadn't had both eyes on being the High Lord of the Autumn Court since he could walk." The mental image of Eris travelling around performing made Elain smile, and she hoped that he never gained the ability to read minds and managed to glean that image from her brain. She suspected that, even if his callous reputation had been gained by playacting a role, she still would not like his reaction to that thought. "Are you alright?" Lucien asked, drawing Elain in closer against himself. "I felt you before."

"I'm fine." She leaned into him, enjoying his warmth as both arms wrapped around her. "Just wondered what will happen when she gets here." Elain did not need to specify that she was referring to Vassa; Lucien knew.

"Petal." He pressed his lips to Elain's temple, "It's going to be just fine."

"I know." She said, "She won't try and do anything in front of everyone here…"

"That's not what I meant, but you are right." He nodded, "But, what I meant was you will have complete control over yourself. I cannot envision a world in which you are the kind of female to fling herself on another in a fit of rage…"

Tilting her head, Elain bit her lip. "I can sure envision it." She replied, "I've imagined doing just that many times…"

"Have you just?" he sounded amused, "I cannot deny that I would find that most intriguing…"

"Lucien…" She grinned up at him, "What would the Court say?"

Lucien made a face. "That I am a lucky male indeed, for my mate to defend me…" He winked at her, "Because I am assuming this situation would have been one in which Vassa was acting in a way that you deemed inappropriate."

"You make jokes, but I fear it is a very real possibility."

"And wasn't this the whole point of inviting her here?" he asked, "To test just this?"

"I suppose you're right."

"I often am." He grinned at her again, and Elain wondered just how often he had used that charming smile on someone after that smart mouth had run away from him. He bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead, hands moving gently over her back, and Elain leaned into him again. "Don't worry about it." He told her gently, "Nothing terrible is going to happen. This is the safest place you can be."

They both looked around as the doors creaked open and music sounded from the hallway outside. Apparently Tarquin liked making an entrance just as much as Helion did. Lucien released Elain and headed back for the Throne to stand beside his father, and Elain moved back to stand with Ashk and Nesta. Nearly everyone was here and, for the first time, Elain wondered how Vassa must be feeling about coming to Prythian to visit a place full of High Fae, knowing that she would likely be one of the few mortals in the place, depending on who she brought with her. Having been in that situation, Elain knew exactly what that would feel like. She had been terrified when it had been her, but Elain had been a prisoner, and she didn't think that Vassa would have been half as frightened as Elain had been.