Chapter 582

Pressing the palm of his hand against the door to their room, Lucien set a lock spell firmly in place. Nobody would be finding their way in there without breaking that spell and, on the slim chance that someone was able to do that, Lucien would know instantly. He felt Elain's eyes on him and he turned his head to meet that dark stare. "I can probably work a spell that will recognise both you and I..."

"I see."

He knew how she felt, without having to hear her say the words. This was supposed to be their home. They were supposed to be safe here, and they should not have to cast spells to keep rooms within their palace locked. "Let us go..." he held a hand out to her, and Elain took it without

hesitation.

"Where is it that we are going?" she asked.

"To speak with Eris."

"Eris?" there was surprise in her voice, and Lucien was not surprised. He had not expected to ever seek Eris out when looking for counsel, and he probably would have laughed in the face of anyone who would have suggested such a thing even a few months ago. "Not Helion?" Elain prompted and Lucien gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"I... have already spoken to Eris about Vassa." he told her, "He already knows part of what is happening. Also, Eris was raised as an Heir. It was always assumed that he would take Beron's throne, and he knows the role inside out."

"Are the roles of Heir's not different from one Court to another?"

"Some." Lucien admitted, "But Eris studied well. Almost as well as I did... but I have to admit, I never expected to be an Heir..." Lucien threw her a small smile, "He will have valuable ideas on the issue. Besides, Helion did mention that he was going to work with Vassa and her curse this afternoon. I expect that she left our room and went to him."

"At least someone will have an eye on her." Elain muttered and they strode down the hallways together, hand in hand.

By the time they reached Eris' rooms, Lucien had been trying to work out what exactly it was that he wanted from his brother. Part of him thought that perhaps he just wanted a sympathetic ear, but he knew that there was more to it than that. He could, he knew, have gone to his mother. But, Lucien tried to reason with himself, he did not want to burden or stress her while she was pregnant, also, he knew, Helion would hear directly of the issue and Lucien wanted to have a solution in place before that happened. He did not want Helion to think that his heir was incompetent or incapable of dealing with things like this. Eris had also been trained by their mother and Lucien knew that Eris was a good study; his brother was just as good as asking their mother herself anyway.

Eris looked just about as surprised as Lucien had figured he would when he had knocked on the door and his brother opened it. "Lucien?"

"I thought I might ask you a few things..." Lucien knew that he sounded vague and that he really needed to be more clear, but he would figure that out in a few minutes. If Eris decided to talk, that was.

"Elain..." Eris' amber eyes slid from Lucien to Elain, and the older male visibly softened.

"Hello..." Elain sounded friendly, and a moment after she had spoken, Eris stepped aside to allow them into his room. Elain was the first to move, stepping into the room, and Lucien glanced down the hallway before he followed her. "Oh, this is quite lovely."

"We have no cause for complaint." Eris moved for the couch and sat down, and then Lucien saw Nera.

"Perhaps I should look at all of the guest rooms." Elain said, voice still friendly as she moved to another couch and sank down, "I had no idea they were so... extravagant."

"Did you expect anything less?" Lucien asked, thinking of the bathroom Helion had designed for their own room.

"I suppose not."

Feeling awkward now, being the only one on his feet, Lucien shifted his weight and stepped toward the couch. He sat next to his mate, his hand sliding immediately onto her knee and he looked at Eris and Nera. He hadn't thought to consider the fact that his brother's lover would be here, but he did not suppose that mattered. Nera seemed unlikely to betray anything she may hear to another. No doubt a quality that Eris admired in her.

"What is it?" Eris asked, eyes shifting from Lucien to Elain and then back again. Eris' own hand shifted slightly until he was in contact with Nera, but that amber gaze continued to move between Lucien and Elain as he awaited a response.