"Ah. The fox is back... Did you have to let it on the furniture?" Nesta asked as she approached the sitting room with a cup of tea and her book. Elain had taken a seat on the couch, Lucien pulled into her lap after he'd shifted in the early light of dawn.
"I wasn't going to make him rest on the floor," Elain said quietly. Lucien had been exhausted when he'd arrived. Emotionally of course but also physically from having taken the trip from the Spring Court to their estate all at once. "Are you still wearing your nightgown?" Netsa eyed Elain's slightly rumpled dress and Elain avoided making eye contact with her sister. "I couldn't sleep." was all she said.
A letter they'd picked up from the post office the day before sat on the low table addressed to Rhysand, and Elain wondered if Cassian and Azriel would take notice of Lucien. She wasn't about to kick him out but she could imagine that Feyre and Rhys would have a problem with the Spring Court's emissary being there while they were trying to negotiate with the mortal queens. Would they believe her when she told them he didn't want to go back? She pulled him a little closer. They would not kick Lucien out. Not while they were using her home for these meetings. She would not let them treat him so poorly.
As if they had been summoned by her wandering thoughts there was a distinctive knock at the door. One that sent Nesta scowling.
"Go get dressed Elain. I'm not letting them in with you in your bedclothes." Elain considered and eventually slid Lucien from her lap.
"I'll be right back," she whispered to Lucien, gently brushing her fingers through his fur. He curled into the corner of the couch, opening his eyes to watch the door. His eyes… something about the dull hollowness in them hit her like a physical blow. "Go Elain. It will be there when you get back." Nesta leaned on the wall next to the door, casually checking her nails and leaving Cassian to pace on the porch. She'll keep them out there all day if I don't hurry. Elain realized and hurried up the stairs to her room. She exchanged her nightgown for a simple dusty rose-colored house dress with matching slippers. She tied her hair back loosely and added a pair of rose gold earrings just to prove to Nesta that she hadn't rushed. Even if she had.
She tried to keep her steps unhurried as she came back down the stairs. Nesta slowly looked her over and glared at the door.
"Can't we just… jam it under the door or something?" Elain shook her head at the question and reached to open the door herself.
"Good morning you two." Elain pulled the door back to let the Illyrian warriors inside. Cassian strode right past Nesta and made himself at home in one of the armchairs.
"Morning, Ness." He grinned at Nesta who stormed over to the table and threw the letter at his face. Azriel stopped by the door and paused.
"You look tired…" It wasn't an insult. Elain hadn't known Azriel very long but it was easy to tell whether he was being dismissive or just expressing concern. "I didn't get much sleep last night," she admitted and closed the door. "Are you two hungry? We haven't had breakfast yet." Azriel shook his head. "We can't stay. The offer is appreciated though." Elain nodded and made her way back over to the couch. Lucien had tensed a bit, likely due to the unexpected company. She sat down next to him and held her arm up, giving him space to curl up to next her if he wanted. But rather than sliding under her arm he slipped from the sofa cushions and took a seat by her feet. He lifted his head high, ear twitching as he monitored the different sounds. "New pet?" Cassian asked and Nesta shot him a sharp look. "You've got your High Lord's letter so you're welcome to leave now." Cassian stood up, slowly stretching his arms. "You're always such a gracious host, Nesta." Elain's sister ignored the warrior's comment. "Well, it was nice to see you at least, Elain.
Cassian stopped in front of the table and Elain looked down at Lucien. Marked his narrowed eyes shooting between Cassian and Azriel.
"Where'd you two find this thing, Ness?" Cassian crossed his arms, evidently not pleased with the presence of a wild animal in the Archeron estate. Nesta picked up her tea again, still ignoring him. Elain sighed and shook her head.
"I found him while I was on a ride near the forest about 5 days ago. He was caught in a broken snare. I patched him up" She gave as simple an explanation as she could. No odd details and nothing about his actual identity. She didn't know if they would tell Rhysand. If they did would Rhysand send him back to the Spring Court? She didn't know them well enough to trust that he wouldn't. And the wards Rhysand put on the house last time. Surely they'd mark anyone from the Spring Court as a threat... She jumped a bit when Lucien bumped his head against her knee. She stroked his head, well aware that Cassian and Azriel were still watching the fox. Evaluating the possible threat. Cassian exchanged a look with Azriel who spoke to Elain.
"There was a bit of a commotion in the Spring Court recently. You two should be careful about going near the woods for now." Nesta waved him off but Lucien went rigid as Elain asked quietly, "What kind of commotion..?" Azriel continued to monitor Lucien as he offered his own short explanation. "One of Tamlin's courtiers is missing after one of their sacred holidays. That's all we know right now." The shadows could only tell him so much it seemed. Lucien sagged a bit and she brushed her hand over his shoulders. She cleared her throat. "We'll be careful. Any idea when we should prepare for the next meeting?" She had to change the subject for now. She was caught off guard when Nesta spoke up. "Four days." Cassian raised an eyebrow at her which she ignored. It would not have surprised Elain if her sister had read the letter already. Cassian checked the seal and Nesta scoffed to herself. "You have your letter. Get out." Cassian looked prepared to launch into some kind of verbal sparring match with her but Azriel pulled on his arm. If the timeline was so tight they didn't really have the time to spare. So Cassian just grinned over his shoulder at Nesta as he headed for the door. Nesta smiled sweetly as she offered him a particularly vulgar gesture in return.
The door closed quietly behind Azriel and Elain looked at her sister.
"Do you really have to fight every time he's here?" Nesta stared at the door for a few seconds before returning her attention to her tea.
"I've already agreed to let them hold their meetings here. I don't owe them pleasantries beyond that." She stood and walked back to the kitchen. Elain winced as her sister's tea cup clattered into the sink and a back door slammed shut. She looked back down at Lucien, "I don't suppose you think those wards will just… miss your presence here?" He rested his head on her knee and huffed. Not really a response but she hadn't really needed one. She knew the wards Rhysand put on the house had picked up on Lucien the second Cassian had asked about the strange fox. It was just a matter of how Feyre's friends would respond to that news. She leaned down so her face was close to his ears "I won't let them kick you out. This is my house too." She whispered, resting her forehead against his. "I promise."