Chapter 607
Lucien ran his fingers over Elain's wrist, his eyes on her face. The bond had strengthened slightly since his father had cut away some of Vassa's spell, but it had not returned to its previous strength, and it was still difficult to read Elain using the bond. Even if it had not been there at all, he would have been able to read her nervousness from her face. He understood why she was nervous, and what she had said made sense. He knew that he would gave found her task daunting if he had not been raised being taught how to access magic, and how to use it. It was second nature to him, first, even. It did not help that the stakes were so high, either. Elain was well aware that if she botched this task, she could cause actual damage to Lucien. He also knew that even know, with his knowledge of his own ability, and confidence in using it, he would not like to be in her place. He would dread having to do this to her, knowing that he could alter her in some way if he got it wrong.
"It's okay, Petal." Lucien told her, fingers still moving over her wrist. "I trust you." She looked at him then, and he met her dark eyes, trying to let her see the truth of his words. Elain have a half smile, the side of her lips quirking just a little.
"Well," she breathed, "it's not like you'll be able to yell at me if I mess it up…"
Lucien blinked. "True…" he replied softly, wondering what kind of life he would be able to have if his mind was irreparably damaged and he was incapable of basic functions such as speech. "But that wont happen…" he added, not sure if he was now trying to reassure Elain or himself. Probably both, he figured.
"No," Elain agreed, "I'm far more likely to cut away something small… like, your appreciation for dahlias… or your love for me."
"I wouldn't call that small…"
"You know what I mean." She said, her voice shaky, "What if I break something that seems insignificant, but it's a part of who you are. What if I change your personality… or…"
"Elain…" Lucien tightened his fingers around her wrist, drawing her half a step closer to himself. "Let us not dwell on what could go wrong." He said, "There are healers who can work on things like that if they happen. Thesan is the best of all and he's just downstairs…"
"I know…"
"Focus instead on it going well. Helion would not have tasked you with this if you could not do it."
"I am your mate." She replied, "The task is mine if I am capable of it or not."
Nodding, Lucien returned to stroking the skin of her wrist. "I am yours and you are mine." He said, "We declared that the night you told me you loved me."
"Yes."
"The bond will guide you." He said, "Remember, I had no idea how to use it as an anchor? It is there to keep us connected to one another, and it has only ever helped us."
"True…" Elain breathed. "Even under Vassa's spell it did not break."
"And it will not." Lucien laced their fingers together. "Do you feel it?"
"Yes." Elain nodded, her dark eyes on his face. Lucien held her gaze for a moment, reaching for the bond himself and able to feel Elain there, too.
"Then use it." He said, "Follow it like Helion said, until you find what does not belong."