Chapter 553
"Well, look at her."
Lucien recognised his mother's voice without having to turn to identify her. "Yes…" he agreed, watching as Nera entered the Throne Room on Eris' arm. Nera looked lovely. She wore a golden gown he just knew that Eris had had commissioned as it was in a style Lucien knew his brother favoured in the Autumn Court, and it matched Eris' own attire well. The golden colour looked resplendent on Nera with her darker complexion, and Lucien just knew that she would look very well suited in the Autumn Court's regal Throne Room. Nera's hair was arranged in a shining crown of braids that Lucien knew had been created by Elain, and he could feel his mate's sense of pride as they all watched the pair stride through the Throne Room together. Nera looked lovely; as lovely as any of the Courtiers present, but it was Eris' face which caught Lucien's attention and held it. His brother looked defiant, as if challenging anyone to say anything to him about Nera, but something in Eris' eyes shone brightly. If Lucien didn't know better, he would have sworn that Eris appeared happy. It was happiness he saw in Eris' face, Lucien decided, both in his eyes and around his mouth. Eris smiled as he and Nera approached Helion, and Lucien turned his attention to Elain then.
"She looks good, doesn't she?" Elain asked, and Lucien nodded his agreement. Around them, the hall murmured, whispers being passed among all those present, and dozens of pairs of eyes followed Nera and Eris. "She looks like she belongs…"
"They do look striking together." Tisia put in and Lucien saw the pleased look that passed between Elain and her friend. He knew that they were proud of themselves for what they had done for Nera, and he supposed they should be. They had gotten her to return after all, and Nera had looked confident walking in with Eris, no doubt that had something to do with what Elain and Tisia had done.
"Well done." He said, and both females smiled at him.
"Where is Vassa?" Elain asked, her pretty dark eyes sweeping the Throne Room quickly. Lucien did the same, his eyes finding Vassa's shining red hair within moments.
"By the far wall." He said, watching as the mortal Queen greeted Kera who approached her. The two of them spoke animatedly to one another, Vassa's blue eyes then going straight toward Nera and Eris. Sighing inwardly, Lucien felt any hope he'd harboured that Vassa had not been the one stirring issues with Nera fade away. He didn't know why she would have done such a thing, though. What would she stand to gain in inciting grief and bickering among the High Fae of various courts over the choice of lover of one of the High Lords. Deep within him, Lucien felt anger spark to life. It was nobody's business who anyone chose to bed. Jesminda's face flickered in his mind, and Lucien closed his eyes as he willed it all away. He had a duty tonight to be a gracious host, and this was not the time nor the place to try and solve all of Prythian's problems. He knew that, before this was all over, he would need to have a serious discussion with Vassa. The woman was going to get herself killed if she continued to rub powerful High Lords the wrong way. He doubted Eris would have a flicker of regret if he incinerated a mortal woman for slighting his lover. Wanting then to distract himself and Elain, Lucien turned back to his mate. "Did Sheera come tonight?" he asked, "I've not seen Tamlin."
The change in topic appeared to work. Elain's frown as she'd watched Vassa smoothed into a wide smile and she looked up at Lucien. "I've seen Tamlin." She replied, "He was here not long ago… I'm not sure about Sheera, though."