Chapter 554

The evening seemed to have been going well. Elain had listened, almost giddy with joy, as she had heard others in the room talking among themselves about how lovely Nera looked. She didn't think many had actually even spoken to Nera, considering the things she was hearing, but she liked the fact that many of them had mentioned going to speak with her, and she hoped that Nera felt as if she was becoming more accepted in this company. Eris certainly looked more relaxed than he had previously.

Elain had tried not to continue watching Vassa, telling herself that she needed to trust Kera in her attempts to find out what it was that the mortal woman wanted. She had seen the two of them taking a slow walk around the edges of the room together, and she hoped that Vassa began to feel comfortable enough to discuss her thoughts. Telling herself again that Kera was loyal to the Day Court, Elain pulled her gaze from the two of them and looked around again for someone to speak with. Lucien had been called away by his father and was now standing with Helion and Tarquin, seemingly engaged in some deep discussion, so Elain began her own walk around her room.

The Throne Room had been exquisitely decorated for this visit, and Elain smiled at the loveliness of it. She wondered if some of the nicer touches might remain up even when everyone had gone home, but she doubted it. That would make how nice it looked now less special the next time they had visitors to impress, also, she figured, it wasn't as if this wasn't a lovely room anyway. She remembered having been awed the first time she had walked through those doors with Lucien. The Day Court was impressive as it was. Vassa must be impressed… Elain's eyes found the mortal woman instantly, and she forced herself to look quickly away once more.

Nesta and Feyre were nearby, standing with Rhys and Viviane, and Elain smiled as she approached them. Viviane greeted her with a warm smile, gesturing for Elain to join them.

"We were just discussing the Winter Solstice…" the blonde female said, and Feyre gave a low laugh.

"Viviane has said that we should all join her in the Winter Court for the event."

"It would be most lovely." Viviane looked to Elain, "Elain can tell you how beautiful our palace is."

"It is true." Elain agreed, "Quiet unlike any other I have seen."

"Nesta has, of course, already discussed her visit with us." Viviane put in. "It would be even more lovely if we had more visitors."

"Would it be anything like Mabon in the Autumn Court?" Nesta asked, tilting her head, and Elain looked to Viviane, curious herself about the answer to that question. She hadn't seen many such celebrations, but she had heard about them from various sources, not least her younger sister's experience in Tamlin's Court, and she had seen Lucien's memory of what had gone on with Ianthe.

"Hmm…" Viviane considered, "It depends what you mean." She answered after a moment. Each of these rituals is vital for the magic of the land and the success of the Court for the coming year, but each does it in its own way. I'd wager that what you saw in the Autumn Court would be probably a little more… wild… than what we do in the Winter Court."

Nesta nodded thoughtfully, and Elain couldn't help remember the flashes she'd had of Nesta with Cassian in the Autumn Court, followed by her own memory of what she and Lucien had done in that forest during Mabon.

"Perhaps that could be your next book." Rhys put in, and Elain looked at him. "An encyclopedia of the different customs and rituals of each Court of Prythian."

"Surly such a book already exists…" Elain replied, unable to help thinking about it.

"I'm sure several do." Rhys replied, "But none of them would be through your eyes."

"It's an interesting thought." Elain admitted.