Chapter 526
Rhysand had sent word that he and his Court would be arriving after the sun had set. Lucien was in two minds about this reasoning, both wondering if something had occurred that required the Night Court's attention that could not wait, or Rhys was simply being dramatic and thought that it was cute for the Night Court to arrive at night. Unable to decide, he wondered if he should risk asking Feyre once they had gotten to the Palace. Either way, he figured, it didn't make much difference. Vassa and her people wouldn't be arriving before nightfall either, although it was clear why that would be so, considering the woman was currently a firebird.
Helion had ordered all the sconces in the Throne room be lit, and Lucien had realised then that he hadn't seen that particular room decked out for a night-time event. Most of the events Helion held after dark were centred around the dining hall or other reception room. He quite liked the effects of the faelight reflecting off the immense amount of gold in the Throne Room and he knew that this had been precisely the design the High Lord had been after.
"Nice, isn't it?"
"Yes." Lucien turned his head as his father approached him. "I gather that was the point."
"This is where we greet visitors to the Court." Helion replied, "Even if they have been here hundreds of times before like Rhysand has." A brilliant smile flashed Lucien's way. "It never hurts to remind them where they are."
"As if they could forget."
"Sometimes they do." His father inclined his head, "Especially in Courts like ours where we are so often informal. Often, some need the reminder that the Day Court is as magnificent and formidable as any other."
"I suppose so." Lucien had no problem seeing how kindness and friendliness could often be seen as a weakness. Beron had often thought so, and Lucien had heard many a monologue about the weaknesses of other High Lords, at least from Beron's perspective.
"Also, the Mortal Queen has not been here, and we would not want her to be disappointed upon her first impression of one of the greatest Courts in Prythian."
"Of course."
"Do you suppose she will arrive long after nightfall?"
"A little." Lucien replied, "It… often took her a moment or two to gather herself after the transformation…"
"An interesting Curse." Helion mused, eyes a little unfocused. Lucien could just about see the cogs turning behind those amber eyes. Spell-Cleaver.
"Do you think you might…" Lucien tilted his head, eyes on his father. "If you know a way to break the curse on her…?"
"It would take some investigation." Helion looked at him, "I would need to spend some time with her… to feel the magic out."
"I have no doubt she would make the time for that." Was Vassa aware of Helion's expensive knowledge of magic? Lucien couldn't recall. He had certainly never really discussed the Day Court with her, he had had no reason to when he had lived in the Mortal Lands. He had not known about his lineage then, and Helion had just been another High Lord, like any other. Had Vassa learned anything about Helion or the Day Court? Was she aware of the vast amount of magical knowledge in the libraries here? Perhaps that was why she had agreed to come? Lucien didn't know, but he knew that it was worth looking into.
"I imagine the Night Court will arrive the moment we finish dinner." Helion went on, sweeping an arm to indicate that the fae nearby were to exit the Throne Room. "We should head up there now, ourselves. Wouldn't want to miss out."
"I doubt anyone would allow all of the food to be consumed before the High Lord has eaten." Lucien replied, knowing there was absolutely zero risk of them going hungry.
"You never know." Helion laughed, "Your mother has been rather hungry lately."
Lucien eyed the older male. "I wonder what she would think if I told her you had said that."
"Oh." The High Lord paled a little, "Perhaps we keep that between the males of the family."
It was Lucien's turn to laugh a little then. "Perhaps we should."