Chapter 600

Conversations drifted on the cool night air as faelights danced above the crowd. All of the High Lords had arrived for the evenings events, and Lucien held Elain's hand lightly in his as they strode across the centre of the room. They had decided on their way to the hall that Elain would welcome everyone to the dinner, and let them all know what would be happening for the evening. He knew that she sometimes felt as if few saw her as more than the 'Heir's mate', and he could understand why that bothered her. He had seen how much she had grown, and he wanted others to see it too. So, Lucien stood silently when they reached the dais, and he listened as Elain gathered everyone's attention.

He saw his father standing at the side of the room, draped elegantly in his usual white tunic style outfit. One shoulder was bare and, as Lucien watched, Helion extended that bare arm to Ashk who took it with one of the brightest smiles Lucien had ever seen her give anyone. Wondering if the High Lord had told her about the bassinet he'd ordered, Lucien took a moment to watch the two of them. He wondered how he would have been if he'd grown up here with the two of them together. He certainly thought he would have had the hand of being the heir by now, and he rather thought he would be more confident in what he could and couldn't handle on his own. Perhaps, in several years, he might have more of an idea how he would have developed when the new youngling was born. This sibling would get to grow up in the Day Court with both Helion and Ashk fostering their development. Lucien would help, too, of course. Perhaps he would see what he could have been if he'd had that opportunity, if he'd had that life.

Elain squeezed his hand a little and Lucien turned his attention to her. She was smiling at him and he smiled back. He hadn't been listening to what she had been telling the room while he'd been watching his parents, but he quickly figured out that she had finished what she had been saying. Heads all around the room were turning and the crowd was beginning to move. "Dinner time." Elain told him softly, clearly aware that he hadn't been paying attention.

"I am hungry." He replied, linking his arm through hers gallantly, "Helion and Ashk are over there…" he tipped his head in the direction of his parents.

"He looks rather fancy." Elain replied, tightening her arm around his and leaning into him as they descended the dais.

"Clearly trying to be impressive."

"What were you thinking about?" Elain asked, "When I was talking to the others, I felt this strange feeling from you… it was too faint to really identify." She frowned, and he knew that she was still concerned about the faintness of the bond. He was too, but he was sure Helion would be able to shed some light on whatever it was.

"My new sibling." He said, looking down at her. She raised an eyebrow, meeting his eyes.

"Oh?"

"I wondered if, when they grow, I will be able to see how I might have been if I had been able to grow up here with both my parents."

"Ohh…" Elain tilted her head, thinking about it.

"I suspect I would be rather different."

"Do you wish you had grown up here like that?"

"It would have been tempting, given the choice." He told her, as they headed for one of the tables set with plates and cutlery, "I don't think I would have been me." He said, "What if I was not someone you would have fallen in love with?"

"Perhaps you wouldn't have wanted me…" She countered, and Lucien made a face.

"Not a possibility I can imagine." He replied, leading her to a seat and drawing it out for her. Elain laughed.

"Me either."