Chapter 585

Lucien could see the confusion in Kaii and Siv's faces. He understood why. They were more than surprised that they were being asked to spend their time guarding a door that was already supposed to be safe within the palace. He didn't blame them.

"This mortal queen, then." Siv asked, "Is she really that much of a threat?"

"She tried to get into my rooms when I was not there." Lucien told them, "She tried to force her way in with my mate."

"Did she threaten the Lady?" Kaii asked, frowning lightly.

"I would not trust her…" Lucien admitted, and both males before him seemed to stand straighter.

"Would you like the room guarded or Lady Elain?" Siv inquired, eyes on Lucien.

"I…" Lucien paused. He knew that Elain would not enjoy having anybody following her, even if it was to keep her safe. He did want to know that she was protected, however. Perhaps he would be able to persuade her to keep others with her. He knew Nesta would protect her, and there had to be others who would be capable of such a thing. He did want to ensure that Vassa was not getting into their room, however. "Ideally, both." He said, "But I do not think that my mate would agree. So, for now, the room." Lucien looked from one to the other, "Is that alright?"

"You are the Heir, Lord." Kaii winked. "We shall do as you say."

"And when Lady Elain leaves the room, we will endeavour to keep her protected as well." Siv added, "Even if she does not see us doing so."

"Thank you." Lucien replied, thinking about the worried look on Elain's face when he had left her with Eris and Nera in their room. That was something he had also never thought he would have done: left his mate with Eris to ensure her protection. Even a few months ago the thought would have been laughable. No, he corrected himself, he never would have laughed at that thought. It would have filled him with horror and dread. Now, though, Eris' room seemed to be one of the safest places in the palace.

"She'll never know we're there." Kaii said confidently, nudging Siv with a smile.

"I'll take your word for it." Lucien replied, smiling at the two of them. "It will not be for long. I hope to have the whole situation resolved as soon as possible."

"Where is the Lady now?"

"With my brother."

"And would you like us to begin now?"

"Yes." Lucien nodded, "I am going to find the High Lord in the city." He wasn't sure what he was going to say if Vassa was still with Helion. It wasn't entirely unbelievable that he might allow his mouth to run away with him, but Lucien didn't especially mind if that were the case. He hoped, however, that his father was alone and that he would just be able to tell the High Lord what had happened and how it might be resolved.

Kaii gave a mock salute as he and Siv turned and headed back up the hallway in the direction of the guest suites in the palace, and Lucien made himself release a long heavy breath. Some part of his mind knew that if this progressed much further Vassa was likely to receive some kind of punishment which resulted from her own behaviour, but he did not know what that would be. Lucien had seen all kinds of punishments metred out in various Courts, and even received a few of them himself. With a shudder he recalled being whipped under Amarantha's orders, and his hand drifted toward his metallic eye. These were not the kinds of punishments he could see Helion ordering however. Trying to push those thoughts aside, he reminded himself that nobody but Vassa was responsible for what she had done, and that whatever Helion decided to do with her would be just.