Emerie decided to deliver the orders herself to the River House, closing her shop early for a chance to see Nesta. She had heard Nesta would be there today with Cassian and the others. With a bundle of leathers at her side, she closed the shop, the bell jingling softly as she stepped out and looked up at the sky. It was a clear day, the sun high past noon. Adjusting the bundle, she headed towards her destination.
When she arrived, the house was empty. Stepping into the living room, she found no one. Though she was practically family, she didn't want to intrude without announcing herself. The house never ceased to amaze her with its beauty. The marble floors gleamed so brightly she could see her reflection. She thought about leaving and returning later, maybe grabbing lunch in the city.
She quietly placed the bundle on the table and took a moment to admire the room. The living room was elegant, with high ceilings and large windows that let in streams of natural light. The furniture was plush and inviting, with a grand fireplace at one end. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings, obviously Feyre's, adding to the cozy yet sophisticated ambiance.
Just as she turned to leave, she heard noises coming from the garden. Someone was here after all. Her feet automatically led her towards the sound. The garden was a lush paradise of greenery and flowers, but before she could fully appreciate it, she found herself face to face with Elain. Elain waved, signaling her to come over and sit beside her. She looked lovely, her wavy hair down and wearing a soft pastel pink chiffon dress with a plunging V-neckline and embroidered flowers and butterflies.
Emerie smiled back and noticed Elain wasn't alone. Sitting beside her on a wrought iron twin chair was Lucien. His red hair blazed in the sunlight, and his gold eye seemed to glow. He wore a green and gold tunic with a white undershirt, the top two buttons undone, giving a glimpse of his muscular chest. Together, they looked magical. Glancing down at her own clothes, she wrinkled her nose, feeling underdressed in her white top, cargo pants, and boots. She looked up, nodded in greeting, and Lucien returned the gesture.
Elain rose halfway from her chair and kissed both of Emerie's cheeks, smiling. "Emerie! Nice to see you, it's been so long."
Emerie grinned. "I know." As they settled down, she spread her wings a little to catch the sun and get comfortable. A tea and a plate of pastries magically appeared in front of her. "Oh well, free lunch," she thought, as she raised a flaky peach pastry to her mouth. "How long are you staying here?" Emerie asked, knowing the couple now resided at the Day Court, where Lucien was heir and Elain was the future lady. Lucien replied, "A week. We just got here yesterday."
Emerie nodded, and Elain added, "Nesta and Cassian just stepped out to get something from the House of Wind. They'll be here shortly."
"How'd you know I was here for Nesta?" Emerie asked.
Elain snorted, tapping her temple. "Seer," she said jokingly. Everyone knew Emerie and sometimes Gwyn visited just because of Nesta. Emerie laughed and took another bite of her pastry. "Only the greatest one there is." Literally.
She remembered something and looked at both of them. "I heard you recently had a baby. Congratulations! I hope the labor went well?"
The couple beamed. It had been five months since the birth. Lucien grinned, practically glowing. Emerie thought he might outshine Elain, as if he had given birth himself. Elain replied, "Fortunately, it was quick and easy."
Lucien shot her an apologetic look and whispered, "But still painful."
Elain rolled her eyes. Emerie cringed, having heard from others how painful childbirth was. Shifting her gaze back to Elain, Emerie asked, "Is it safe for you to be traveling at this stage?"
"Oh yes," Elain replied. "The travel isn't that bad. I simply miss my sisters and nephew, and I want them to see the baby."
"Is it a boy?" Emerie asked.
"Yes, he's actually here," Elain said, just as screams and laughter erupted from the garden. Emerie turned and saw Nyx running ahead, followed by not one, not two, but six red-headed children wielding small wooden swords. Her jaw dropped.
Lucien, beaming with pride, remarked, "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
Emerie breathed, "Of course," and quickly did the math. Nyx was seven, and the two of them already had six children. She looked back and forth between the children and the couple in front of her, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Elain, your genes didn't even try..."
Every single one of them looked like their father.
Emerie also noticed three maids from the Day Court, evident from their bronzed skin, flowing white attire, and elegant updos. They hovered around the children with eagle-eyed attention, each likely caring for two children.
Elain pressed her palm to her forehead and sighed. "Ugh, I know. It was unfair considering I was the one who carried them for months." She snapped and glared at Lucien, who simply patted her left hand, resting on the table.
Emerie glanced at Lucien and said, "Being pregnant in the fae world is rare—absolutely rare. I'm surprised you managed to have that many."
Elain, raising her tea to her lips, sipped before responding, "Well, it's no secret that I'm made. It was the Cauldron that…" Emerie saw a flicker of trauma in her eyes, subtle but there. Lucien offered her a comforting hand, holding it in his.
"...that made my womb, I suppose... fruitful," Elain finished, her brows furrowed in thought.
Emerie nodded. "But have you ever…?" she trailed off, unsure if it was polite to ask.
Lucien filled the silence. "Use contraceptives? Oh, absolutely." He glanced at the children, who were playing and wrestling. "I love them but each of those five represented a different method of prevention."
Elain swatted his arm and hissed. "Lucien! That's not nice."
Lucien only nonchalantly shrugged and redirected his attention to Emerie. "We've experimented with tonics, pills, herbs, condoms—hell, even magic. I even got drunk on a herbal tonic once, I was able to down six jugs just to be certain. I think I blacked out at one point. My lady here somehow managed to gulp down four jugs, quite the feat actually." Lucien lifted his tea cup, ready to take a sip, but then paused, looking at it as if a thought had struck him, and he set it back down.
Elain sighed softly, savoring a bite of her blueberry tart before speaking. "Well, there's little we can do to change it anyway. I've seen it in my visions countless times. It remains unchanged. I saw them—the children."
Emerie perked up at this rare mention of Elain's visions. Lucien, sitting across from her, straightened in surprise. "Visions? You never mentioned this to me," he remarked, curiosity lacing his tone.
Lucien turned his gaze to Elain, his expression gentle. "Are you suggesting that there will be more?" he inquired.
Elain's smile widened as she nodded, then glanced at Emerie.
"Wait, how many exactly?" Lucien's voice held a blend of curiosity and concern. Guilt crept into his thoughts; he couldn't shake the feeling that Elain had borne the burden of childbirth for six consecutive years because of him. If only he could bear that pain instead, he would. Ignored momentarily, he gently redirected Elain's attention to him, his touch tender. "El, I know that having children is a blessing, and I'm grateful for you as their mother, but I can't bear the thought of you going through that pain again."
Elain's hand rested against his cheek, her eyes playful. "Don't be so dramatic. But yes, there were... at least twenty of them."
Lucien fell silent, processing her words. His hand slipped from her chin, and he sat back, his demeanor stiffening. His eyes glazed over, a distant look replacing their usual warmth, as if his thoughts had wandered far from the garden. Emerie, observing this shift, noted the subtle pallor that crept over him.
Emerie understood his reaction. Her own eyes widened, jaw slightly slack. Twenty children, tiny versions of Lucien, seemed like an overwhelming prospect. Yet, as she glanced at Elain, who appeared genuinely happy by the idea, Emerie simply held her tongue.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the two females, Lucien's mind raced with images of the dining table at the Day Court, stretching endlessly to accommodate not just twenty but twenty-two seats. He quickly calculated how much he'd need to provide for them all. Being an heir and incredibly wealthy, it wasn't a matter of money. Combined with Elain's fortune, twenty children would barely make a dent. Still, he wanted the best for his family. He might have to give up his hobbies. Swallowing hard, he looked back at Elain, staring at her intensely. "Erm, I... I... I'm not really sure what to say." he managed, his words reflecting the mix of emotions swirling inside him.
He thought about being more careful in the future, though he admitted to himself that when it came to his mate, he had no restraint. He couldn't stay away from her for minutes, let alone practice caution. The alternative, the terrifying thought of cutting off his…, the thought only sent shivers down his spine and drained color from his cheeks. He's definitely certain that Elain wouldn't love the idea either. Clearing his throat, he collected himself and patted Elain's hand again, as if he were the one comforting her.
"Well, considering we have a long time—centuries, even—together, I think it wouldn't be surprising if we had fifty or perhaps a hundred more, pushing it," he mused, pressing his lips together thoughtfully.
Emerie cast an incredulous look at Lucien. "You're serious?" Her laughter bubbled up, finding the notion absurd, while Elain joined in, sharing the amusement.
"I was teasing. Surely, you didn't believe that?" Elain turned to face Lucien.
Lucien wrestled with mixed feelings, uncertain whether to feel relieved or mournful about the idea of losing the other children. The dining table in his mind, once expansive, now seemed notably shorter. "Almost," he said quietly. "But what did you see in your visions?" His tone was soft, making it clear he wouldn't press if Elain wasn't ready to share.
Elain crossed her arms and said, "In my visions, we were blessed with only eight."
Lucien nodded in approval, offering her a soft smile. "Not bad at all," he said. "You've really outdone the Lady of the Autumn Court with that one."
Elain leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eye as she wriggled her eyebrows at him. "I'm very competitive." she said with a playful smirk.
Lucien tipped his head back and laughed, his deep, masculine voice a warm, pleasing sound that was easy on the ears. Sending a pleasant shiver down Elain's spine, from belly to toes, igniting a soft warmth within her. Peeling her gaze away from his mouth with such difficulty, Elain swallowed and schooled her expression to neutrality as she turned towards Emerie, making sure Emerie does not get awkward on how deeply attracted she is with her mate. Mother above, Elain thought, this is why it is hard NOT to get pregnant. She mentally scolded herself for being distracted easily.
Just then, a loud boom echoed behind Emerie, accompanied by a female voice shouting, "Emerie!" Everyone turned to see Casian land several feet away, with Nesta being gently set down by him.
Emerie quickly excused herself from the couple and was on her way to Nesta when Nyx's baby voice echoed, "ENEMY!" He pointed his wooden sword at Cassian, who hastily raised his hands in a gesture of innocence.
"He stole my waffle this morning!" Nyx exclaimed, drawing gasps from the red-headed children behind him.
Lucien's snicker echoed through the garden.
Cassian put his hands down and replied, "What? Oh come on, Nyx, it was just a bite."
"It was the whole thing!" Nyx shouted, making Cassian raise his hands again.
"You give me no choice. DEFEAT UNCLEEEE!" Nyx shouted as he ran forward, with the other kids following, shouting their battle cries as they charged at Cassian. In no time, Cassian was tackled into the grass by seven kids, swarming all over him. One, who was just five months old, managed to sneakily crawl toward his head and slap his forehead with his tiny hands.
"Lucien" help. Cassian said in a pleading tone.
"Way to go, boy," Lucien replied with a chuckle.
As if on cue, the little boy giggled at his father's approval and leaned in as if to give Cassian an open-mouth kiss. "Blab blab," he drooled on Cassian's forehead, and with his two little front teeth, he tried to bite him but only managed to slobber.
"That's precisely why you shouldn't steal from children," Lucien remarked with a grin.