Chapter 536

Elain had not previously planned to go with the group as they received a tour of the city, but when she got a glimpse of Vassa that morning, she knew that there was no way she was not going with them. The redheaded queen had evidently made an effort with her appearance before coming to breakfast, having wound her fiery hair high upon her head in elegant braids, an dressed herself in a lovely gown of ivory which only served to show off her beautiful flawless skin. Elain didn't know who she had made the effort for, if she only wished to appear impressive in the presence of all the High Lords of Prythian, or if it had been for Lucien's benefit. Either way, Elain decided that she would be joining everyone for the morning, rather than spending the time with her sisters in her garden. Vassa looked radiant, and it was more than obvious that many of those in the dining room were continually looking her way. It pleased Elain greatly when she had seen Lucien give the queen no more than a passing glance. Her mate had not looked that way again, and both of his eyes were focused on his brother.

"Feeling better safe up here?" Lucien asked, and Eris flicked him a mock scowl.

"They'll just come at me later." The High Lord of the Autumn Court replied, and Lucien chuckled.

"That is true."

"Is Nera coming into the city?" Elain asked, wondering if the presence of Eris' lover would deter the other High Lords from their sport.

"I believe that is her intention." Eris said gently.

"Good." Elain didn't think the other female had seen all that much of the Day Court the last time she had visited the Palace with Eris. "I think she will enjoy it."

"Are you coming?" Eris asked, and Elain met those amber eyes steadily.

"Yes." As she replied, Elain saw Lucien turn his head her way. She had told him of her plans to have a more relaxed day in the garden, and she could feel his curiosity down the bond, wondering at her change in plans. Eris, however, glanced Vassa's way, clearly aware of Elain's thoughts.

"It would be nice for Nera to have some female company." It was clear he thought Vassa would hardly spare the time for a lesser faerie, and Elain wondered just how true that was. Vassa was certainly not High Fae, and Elain had not thought her the kind of person who would think herself so far above others, even if she did act like a spoiled child sometimes. Mortals hadn't really had a thought as to the social hierarchy of High Fae and Lesser Fae, at least in Elain's experience, but then Vassa had had far more exposure to the Fae as a Mortal than Elain had before she had been forced into that Cauldron. Perhaps, as a Queen, Vassa did think herself superior to Lesser Faeries.

"Perhaps I'll ask some of the other Courtiers if they would like to join us." Elain glanced up the table looking for Tisia. She spotted her friend not too far away and tried to catch her eye. Tisia seemed far too interested in her breakfast however, and did not look Elain's way. Thinking then, to look for Kera, which was not something Elain had previously expected to be doing, she found the blonde faerie without too much bother. Kera was sitting beside Vassa, and the two seemed to be in deep discussion. A strange pang moved through Elain, and she desperately wanted to know what the two of them were talking about.