Scene 4: "Does he wear your favorite color just so he can match your eyes? Plan a private picnic by the fire's glow . . ."

Lucien nodded courteously and smiled to the fairies and fae that cheerfully called out to them as they left the the symphony hall in Iliosa's theater district. He kept a firm grip on Elain's hand, feeling the need to protect her, but when he looked over at her, it was clearly unnecessary. She was playing the part of Day Court princess expertly, waving to people as well and offering them her most engaging smiles. Lucien understood that the excitement of having a newly announced heir for Helion was going to make them very popular for awhile, but he sincerely hoped it would die down quickly. How had Rhys managed to create an atmosphere in Velaris where people treated him normally?

It took twice as long to get back to the palace as usual, but they finally made it up the steps through the main hall, and into the private quarters of the High Lord's family.

"It was a beautiful concert, Lucien," Elain said wistfully. "Thank you for thinking of taking me."

"Of course," he replied with a smile. "It's easy to associate beautiful things with you."

Elain blushed a little, but she didn't look at the floor, only his navel and only for a moment. She was getting better at taking compliments from him.

"And I love this new robe of yours," she said after a moment, taking a step closer to him. "I didn't realize you could get a color other than white."

Lucien laughed. "Just because Father prefers white with colored trim, doesn't mean I can't experiment." He had chosen a robe for the evening that was a warm yellow. He rather thought that the effect of yellow fabric and his red hair made him look like he was literally on fire, but Elain certainly liked the look, and his valet, Samen, was exceedingly pleased with the style they'd come up with. Samen even pointed out that the yellow brought out the light in Elain's brown eyes.

"Perhaps we should have stopped at a cafe for a bite to eat, though," she mused as she let him wrap his arms around her waist. "I confess I'm a little hungry."

Lucien smiled down at her. "I thought you might be. So I asked Haze to put something together for us." He motioned to the long, slender table behind one of the couches and the picnic basket atop it.

"Ooh! How fun!" Elain squealed as she rushed for the basket. "But it's too dark to take it anywhere."

Lucien came up behind her and grabbed the basket before she could get a peek. He grinned at her as he took her hand and led her down the hallway. "I thought something a little more intimate might be even better."

He could hear Elain's breath quicken a little. "Oh - Okay."

Lucien smirked at her over his shoulder as they arrived at his bedroom door. He opened it, took her hand, and spun her inside gracefully as if they were about to enter a dance floor.

Elain giggled before taking in her surroundings. Lucien realized that she'd never been in his bedroom before. It wasn't as if he'd been keeping his space private from her, it just hadn't come up yet. "You have a couch and fireplace," she noted.

Lucien smiled. "I'm sure you could have a sofa in your room if you'd like. Father might even knock down a wall and build you a fireplace if it was your heart's desire."

Elain gently shoved him away. "I don't need a fireplace," she chided him. "I hadn't thought of getting additional furniture. Maybe a chaise wouldn't be a bad idea, though."

"Whatever you want, My Love." Honestly, Lucien was hoping they would combine bedrooms soon, either moving into hers or his, but he didn't want to rush the issue.

"It's something to consider," Elain agreed in a non-committal way. She nodded to the picnic basket in Lucien's hand. "What did Haze prepare for us?"

Lucien led her to the fireplace and set her down on the rug in front of it. "Why don't you investigate while I get this going?" He set the basket down in front of her.

"Ooh, let me watch," she said eagerly, ignoring the basket for the moment.

Lucien chuckled but gave a shrug. "I didn't know it was that exciting to watch." He cupped his hands together and focused his magic, creating a small ball of flame. Then he reached into the fireplace and placed it on one of the logs.

Elain was grinning from ear to ear, looking almost child-like. "Well it isn't something I can do," she reasoned when he chuckled again.

"Fair point," he agreed as he knelt in front of her. "Now shall we see what's in this basket?"

They opened it up and found a charcueterie board with a variety of Day Court cheeses, some meats, olives, and a variety of breads and crackers to go with them. There was a bottle of red wine, strawberries, and a few small medallions of dark chocolate as well. He immediately picked up a strawberry and held it up to Elain. "Probably not as sweet as you but . . ."

Elain blushed again, but she leaned forward and slowly took a bite of the strawberry. She seductively sucked at it a moment before pulling a way with a coy grin.

"We're never going to get to the charcueterie if you keep that up," Lucien warned, the sight of that pert little mouth on the tip of the berry absolutely tantalizing.

"You're the one that started with the strawberry," she pointed out softly.

Lucien leaned across the basket and kissed her before she could lick all of the strawberry juice from her lips. "I did," he agreed with a knowing smile. He repositioned himself so that he was seated next to her, one leg bent on the floor and the other bent over it, his elbow resting leisurely on top. "So maybe we should start with the savory options."

Elain shook her head as she took a medallion of chocolate and moved closer to him. "I'm not that hungry anymore," she said softly, gently feeding him the medallion.

He took it in his mouth and let it start to melt, but before he could finish it, she was kissing him, opening his mouth with her tongue. He held her head in his hand and pulled her closer to him as they kissed, enjoying that rich dark chocolate together. Without thinking, he laid her down on the floor and only then slowly pulled away, just a little.

"I want you to make love to me Lucien," she said quietly. Her body was anything but, though. She was practically writhing beneath him, clearly feeling her own body awaken at his subtle touches.

And so Lucien did as he was asked from his mate, from the female that he had come to love more deeply than any other. And when it was over, they lay before the fire for many long, drawn-out minutes, both calming down a bit.

"Elain?" Lucien finally said in a serious voice.

"Hmmm?" she replied a little sleepily.

"You asked me for a baby," he told her as that had been something she'd exclaimed in their passion.

There was a pause. "I know you can't necessarily control those things," she assured him. "I just . . I want to be a mother to your children so intensely, and I . . . I think making love to you made my filters disappear."

Lucien shook his head and held her closer. "Don't worry about that," he said. "I always want you to be honest with me - especially when we're making love. But . . . I mean . . .I thought you wanted to get married."

"I do," she replied simply.

Lucien frowned. "Shouldn't one come before the other?"

"Well if I turn up pregnant, you'd better do some quick proposing," she teased.

"Elain . . ." he said with loving irritation. "You've only accepted the mating bond for a month. Don't courtships last months or even years?"

Elain rose up on one elbow and looked him dead in the eyes. "Lucien, you are my mate and I love you with my whole heart. I will marry you tomorrow if you ask me to. A prolonged courtship is not necessary."

Lucien blinked, surprised for some reason by her vehemence. Instead of saying anything he cupped her head in his hand and kissed her deeply, passionately, but without the frenzy of before. When he finally released her, "You choose the date and venue and what you want me to wear and I'll be there," he promised.

She grinned broadly. "Really?"

"Really."

She kissed him again, several short, enthusiastic kisses. "It will be beautiful, Lucien! I promise. You'll love it. And there will be a wonderful party with all the food and wine and music that you like. I promise you'll love it."

He laughed through her kisses. "I'm sure I will."

She slowed down a bit, not a lot, but a bit, and kissed his neck. "Now I think I'd like to try something . . ."

He smiled up at her and nodded. "Whatever you would like, My Love." And Lucien knew that would be his mantra for the rest of his life - Whatever Elain Would Like. If she wanted a child every fifty years, he would somehow make it happen. If she wanted to have a traditional wedding with their friends and families present, he would do whatever was needed to accommodate that wish. If she wanted to do new things in their love-making, he would be game, because he was one hundred percent, irrevocably in love with that female - and always would be.