Chapter 562

"Ugh." Elain got to her feet once more and began pacing again.

"Do you think you could show me the conversation?" Lucien asked, and she turned to look at him. "Perhaps I might be able to discern something about her intentions." Nodding, Elain moved back to the couch. Lucien knew Vassa better than she did and it was likely that if she had missed something, he would notice it.

"Yes." She held a hand out to her mate, standing over him, and she smiled when he took her hand in one of his own, while his other came to rest on the back of her leg. Closing her eyes then, Elain drew and released a long breath as she took hold of the golden thread between herself and Lucien. When she held it tightly in her grip, she reached for the memory. It all flashed quickly through her mind and she pushed it toward Lucien. He gripped her hand tightly, and Elain felt the impact Vassa's words had on him.

When it had finished, Lucien released Elain's hand and she stepped back from the couch, her eyes searching his face. He looked thoughtful, and she wondered what he had thought of it all. He was silent for several moments, russet and golden eyes focused on a point of the wall behind Elain and she just waited for him to process it all.

"I think you're right." He said eventually. "She does seem… bitter."

"Can't really blame her for that." Elain replied, and Lucien nodded slowly. He looked at her then, and Elain had the distinct impression that he was trying to read her in turn. "What is it?" she asked, and Lucien got to his feet, moving toward her.

"You," Lucien said softly, bringing a hand up to Elain's cheek, "are definitely not a frigid little mouse…"

"Ah…" Elain had forgotten about what Vassa had called her.

"I hope that you did not take that to heart."

"No," Elain told him, "I didn't." She just looked up at her mate as he moved even closer, close enough now that she could feel the heat of him. Tilting her head back, Elain maintained eye contact, smiling at him as his fingers skimmed her cheekbone. "I do not value Vassa's opinion, so her words really have no effect upon me."

"That's fortunate." Lucien's fingers trailed down Elain's jaw and then to her throat. She tilted her head a little, allowing him to continue what he was doing. "And my opinion…?"

"Of course," Elain breathed, "Yours is my… first… consideration."

"Mm…" Lucien pressed his lips to Elain's forehead, "I can feel the heat in you." He told her, "Always."

"Can you?" Elain found her own hands moving up her mate's back as she tried to push herself closer.

"Yes…" his lips were against her ear, and Elain's eyes closed as a shudder moved through her. "There's a fire in you to match my own…" one of his hands slid down her back and her fingers closed around a handful of his jacket. "It is always within you." He said, "But it burns even brighter when my hands are on you…" As if to prove his point, both of his hands slid down to her backside, pulling her firmly against himself. Elain gave a soft gasp, feeling heat flood her, and she smiled again, tilting her head back enough to see Lucien's face. "You see?"

"Yes…" She breathed, both of her own hands gripping his shoulders. A moment late Lucien had lifted her to himself, and Elain wrapped her legs around his waist.