Chapter 605

"And the mortal queen?" Ashk asked, coming forward as Helion reached a hand out to Lucien. Elain glanced at Ashk, taking in the furious look on the older female's face. It was evident that Ashk wanted Vassa punished, and Elain wondered just how far Ashk would like that punishment to go. Ashk was from the Autumn Court, and had lived in a far bloodier court than Elain was used to. No doubt Ashk had witnessed some truly horrific punishments in her life, all of which seemed to be giving the red-headed female ideas now. "She will be punished?" Ashk pressed when Helion did not answer.

"Yes." The High Lord stopped what he was doing and turned his eyes on Ashk and then Elain. "She will be punished. How is yet to be decided."

"Before we think about that," Elain said, her own gaze returning to Lucien, "let us focus on getting that bitch's spell off of my mate."

"Of course." Helion placed his hand on his son's arm and directed Lucien to sit in a nearby chair. Then, the High Lord gestured for Elain to approach and she did so quickly, looking from Lucien to Helion, and then back to her mate. She did not know what was expected of her. "I will show you what I do, so that you know what you must do once I have completed my part."

"Okay." Elain nodded, looking at Lucien again. He gave her an encouraging smile which she tried to return, even though she felt herself tremble slightly. This was not something in which she was skilled or had any confidence at all.

"You will likely need to access the bond. Can you feel it strongly enough to do so?" Helion rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers as if he were loosening up for some extraneous event.

"Yes…" Elain nodded, reaching for that faint thread.

"You may touch, if that helps." Helion added and Elain was thankful when Lucien reached up and laced their fingers together. The physical contact immediately strengthened the bond and Elain gripped it a little tighter. "Using that… can you see what I was referring to?"

"Yes." Elain did not need to try very hard at all to see the web Helion had mentioned. It glowed blue and appeared half draped over her mate. She could not help the sneer that worked its way onto her face. As she looked closer, she could see various threads of it working their way inside. Several of them were wrapped tightly around the golden thread that connected her with Lucien, and anger flared through her. Unsure what to do, however, she just watched as Helion set about severing much of the web and tossing it aside. He worked quickly, and it was evident he had done this before. The High Lord cut efficiently and smoothly and before long, the bulk of the web fell away. Elain watched as Helion grasped several of the threads attached to the golden strand that was her bond with her mate, and she felt the bond strengthen the instant the blue webbing was removed.

"There…" Helion stepped back, and Elain did the same thing. She stared at the High Lord for several moments as multiple emotions washed through her. She was relieved that the bond felt like it usually did, and she was thankful that much of the spell on her mate had been broken. Hot anger coursed through her though, and she utterly hated that Vassa had done this. "Do you understand what I was talking about?" Helion asked her, "In cutting it away?"

"Yes." Elain replied.

"Good. You have more to do." Golden eyes moved over Elain and then to Lucien. "Using the bond, you need to go deeper… there will be more to remove."

"Alright." Elain nodded and then jumped as the door to their room flew open.

"Oh…" Kera blinked at them, turning scarlet as she took in just who she had walked in on. Behind her, Elain could just make out the Summer Court male she had introduced the blonde to. "Sorry… we… didn't… sorry…" Kera backed away and pulled the door shut quickly.

"Perhaps." Helion said, "You should take your task back to your room."

"Okay." Elain agreed, taking Lucien's hand again.

"Your task will be more delicate than mine was and you will not want to be disturbed until it is complete."