Chapter 555

Unable to find Sheera anywhere in the Throne room, Elain took a little walk out to the nearby gardens. This space had been made available for the guests to the Court and there were already a few faeries out there, enjoying the evening air. Breathing deeply, Elain took in the sweet floral scent dancing on the warm breeze, and she figured that if her friend was anywhere in the palace, she would be out here. Sheera was much more comfortable in a garden than in the throne room, and Elain supposed that Tamlin might be as well. Wondering what might happen in the future if the relationship between Sheera and Tamlin grew serious, Elain tried to imagine several ways in which they would manage the situation. Would Tamlin visit the Day Court frequently? Would Sheera go to him? Would she relocate altogether to live in the Spring Court? All of them seemed like possibilities, and Elain tried not to let her disappointment flow through her at the thought of losing her new friend so soon. Sheera had been a large part of Elain growing comfortable in the Day Court; she had been one of her first friends, and if Elain were to lose that, Sheera would be a huge loss to her.

Deciding not to jump to any conclusions, Elain continued to walk the garden, keeping an eye out for her friend.

"Enjoying the evening?" Vassa stepped onto the path ahead of Elain.

"Yes." Elain came to a halt, glancing around them. Kera was nowhere to be seen, and she wondered where the blonde faerie had gotten to. The last time she had seen Vassa the two of them had been together, looking rather enthralled in their whispered conversation. "Are you?"

"It's been nice so far." Vassa said, "But then I arrived not long ago."

Nobody seemed to be around, and Elain tilted her head, trying to hear the conversation of others who had been walking the paths. She heard nobody. "Did your… transformation… go well?" Elain didn't actually know if that was a polite thing to ask, but she thought it might be. Vassa tilted her own head.

"Still hoping that Helion can find a way to break the curse."

Was that why she had come? "That would make the journey here worthwhile…" Elain looked her over quickly. The mortal woman had evidently put effort into her appearance again. She was stunning, especially for a mortal.

"That would make everything worthwhile."

Not knowing what that meant, Elain just nodded. "I suppose so."

"Lucien has promised to show me some of the more ancient libraries tomorrow…" Vassa smiled, and Elain blinked. When had he promised that? She'd not seen the two of them together. "You and I have not really had much of a chance to get to know one another…"

"Is that something you'd like?" Elain felt the stirrings of unease.

"Well, if I am to be spending more time here, we are likely to encounter one another more often than not."

"Are you spending more time here?"

"If there is a chance I could be freed from this curse, I think that would be a good idea." Vassa smiled again, "It's not like I have my own Court to rush back to…"

"How would Jurien feel about that?"

Vassa shrugged one slim shoulder. "Jurien can do as he likes."

"How long do you intend to be staying?" Elain asked, knowing that the question was blunt, but she wanted an answer and was a bit beyond beating around the bush. She was never one for Court games anyway.

"As long as it takes."

Elain did not like the sound of that. What if the mortal queen was here for six months, or a year, and no way out of the curse was found. That would be unacceptable.