Chapter 597

Lucien paused as he felt a tug down the bond. Closing his eyes, he tried to grasp that golden thread between himself and Elain more tightly in order to see what it was that was happening. She did not often tug at him unless something were the matter. He wasn't really expecting the images that raced down the bond toward him, but he paid rapt attention anyway. Helion's face. The palace.

"Easy enough." He muttered, trying to send a feeling of thankfulness back down the bond toward his mate.

"What's that?" Tisia had paused ahead of him in the street and was looking back at him.

"Elain tells me that Helion is at the palace."

"Ah." She blinked at him, her face displaying an expression that suggested she did not appreciate them having wasted so much time running all over the city looking for the High Lord when they would find him back home. "I see."

Lucien smiled winningly at her. It was a smile he had used many times in many Courts, and he knew that it was effective. "I appreciate you accompanying me all over town." It only took a few seconds before Tisia's face cracked into a smile of her own and she dipped her head.

"I suppose it was no trouble, really."

Seeing that this approach worked with Tisia and, really, why would it not? Lucien decided to continue. She was a Courtier, afterall, and he had developed this whole tact in dealing explicitly with Courtiers. Tossing his head in a showy, over the top, arrogant manner, he smiled at her again. "Perhaps you might count yourself lucky," he suggested, "Many would love to have spent the afternoon with the High Lord's heir…"

Tisia let out a bark of a laugh which surprised Lucien. "I am sure you are right." She replied, "Don't speak too loudly, now. Someone might overhear and think you're presenting an offer."

"Hm." Lucien shut up then. He did not want so be accosted with offers for company from anyone overhearing them on the street. So far he had been left alone, and that was the way he wanted it this afternoon.

When he and Tisia reached the Palace, they parted ways and Lucien headed up the nearest staircase. Elain had not told him which part of the Palace Helion would be, if she even knew, and he tried to predict where the High Lord would be at this time of the afternoon. It was nearing sunset by now, so perhaps he would be wrapping up his business for the day? Perhaps he was in his personal suite as he prepared for dinner? Lucien didn't know, but figured he could make a round trip of several of the floors as he searched. The first would be Helion's favoured meeting room with the round table and golden ceiling.

With that goal in mind, he turned down another corridor, intending to cut across one of the lower gardens. He did not expect Vassa to step out into his path, and he barely came to a stop in time to avoid literally colliding with her.

"Vassa… he said, trying to hide his surprise. "What are you doing out here?"

"Taking a stroll…" She replied, and Lucien's eyes caught on the familiar piece of leather she had tied around her left wrist. His metallic eye clicked as he tracked it when she gave a general sweep of her hand, indicating the windows across the wall. "This part of the Palace has a lovely view of the sunset."

Lucien glanced at the sky. The sun had passed beneath the horizon and darkness was gathering. It would have been quite beautiful not long past. "Good…" he said, unable to think of anything else to say. He looked back to her, unnerved by the way she watched him. "What have you done today."

"What did I manage before my transformation, or since?" she asked, and Lucien tried to control his mouth. He had not intended the question to be a barb, but if she wanted to twist the conversation that way, he would not argue with her. He just wanted to move past her and find his father.

"Either, I suppose."

Vassa's lips twitched and she put her hands into her dress pockets, no doubt attempting to look more casual and relaxed than he suspected she felt. "This and that…"

"Alright. I suppose I will see you at dinner." Lucien took a side step, intending to move around her and continue up the corridor. He did not expect Vassa to move, and he was unprepared when she turned his way, pulling her hand from her pocket. Lucien just blinked in surprise when she lifted her hand to her mouth and blew into it. Stepping back in shock, he coughed as some kind of powder hit him in the face and he turned away, trying to draw breath.

By the time he had looked back to her, Vassa was gone and the corridor was empty.