Chapter 2

With their father regaining his wealth he had bought a new estate with land which Elain took it upon herself to turn some of the land into gardens. Their father decided that know they were once again wealthy he would find husbands for his daughter and no doubt one for Feyra once she returns from looking after their aunt. One morning not too long after they had settled into their new home Nesta had told them she would be away for a few days, she said she wanted to see how Feyra was living with their aunt, even though Elain protested to go with her she told her she must stay and be the lady of the estate in her absence, this made sense to Elain but she couldn't help but feel at sorts, something really felt wrong. Nesta wasn't adjusting well to the changes in these circumstances, which Elain found bizarre as she suspected Nesta would be the one who would be more at ease with their current lifestyle but Nesta was becoming more suspicious and withdrawn then before.

It was the day before calanamai and even though Lucien usually enjoyed fire night he was more anxious this year, no doubt because of Feyra being here, he knew what Tamlin would do to her if he managed to get hold of her during the right and the though made him feel slightly sick, she was human and he didn't want to think how she would feel being Tamlins maiden for the evening, what damage it would cause her and how it would affect the relationship that has started to bloom between her and Tamlin. They had gone over how they would keep Feyra safe during the rite and it should work as long as she stays in her room, but Lucien wasn't sure if she would, this human had a habit of getting herself in harm's way.

" A ball?" Elain was full of excitement as her father told her that tomorrow evening there was to be a ball at the estate in her name, no doubt to find a husband for her " but what of Nesta?" she knew her sister loved balls for the soul reason of the dancing, but she had no idea when her sister would be home and she was certain she wouldn't be back by tomorrow evening, Elain kissed her father's cheek and ran up to her room, she needed something different to wear for the ball and she had no time to visit the dress maker and have a new gown made by tomorrow so she had to alter a dress herself, she was used to this and enjoyed making something new herself, she looked through her dresses until she stopped on a pale blue gown, she grabbed some lace and ribbon and began working on the dress straight away, she worked through supper so a servant brough her some food to her bedroom and it was late into the evening when she had finished her dress, exhaustion got the better of her and she fell asleep on her bed before she could change. She saw a beast at her door, and it had grabbed Feyra and took her away, Elain tried to run after them, but it was far too fast, she screamed her sister's name and she could hear Feyra weep in the distance until silence. She awoke in a cold sweat, why did that monster seem familiar? Was it from a story her mother had read to her as a child? She got undressed and into her night dress and tried to sleep but every time she fell asleep she would see that same monster stalking Feyra, Feyra was in a palace and that monster was chasing her, she was surrounded by creatures wearing masks, she was somewhere that Elain didn't recognise and she was terrified, every time she awoke she was in a cold sweat screaming for Feyra.

Lucien had spent most of the day arranging everything for the evening, he had warned Feyra again to stay in her room no matter what, he just blessed the cauldron she would listen. He stood at the long mirror in his room looking himself over, his sun kissed skin over his chest shun in the fae lights. He lets out a long sign and made his way down to the celebration. He watched as Tamlin entered the cave and grabbed some wine to try and calm his anxiety and then he saw her, he violently swore under his breath and stalked to her side and grabbed her arm " are you uncapable of listening even if its for your own good!" furious couldn't even describe how angry he felt right then, he was just thankful the rite hadn't fully started yet as he dragged her back to the house. After he was certain she was going to stay put this time he went back to the celebration, it seems Tamlin had no luck finding Feyra and had picked a maiden for the night, Lucien let out another long sigh running a hand through his hair, a fair haired female high fae had caught his eye and she beckoned him to follow her into the woods, he followed her and once they were out of sight she sauntered into his arms and planted her plump lips upon his but he didn't kiss her back, he didn't know why, he had followed her and intended to lose himself in her but now her was here he didn't want it, she was beautiful and it was fire night it was expected but he didn't want this or was it her? Was the stress of keeping Feyra away from Tamlin too much? He had never had issues before. He apologises to the female and walks away leaving her and himself confused. He walks back to the house, maybe he'd just go to sleep.

Elain couldn't shake the sense of dread and fear of the monster from her dreams, every little thing made her jump, she felt its eyes dig deep into her, even the idea of the ball couldn't shake her out of it and the fact Nesta still hadn't returned or that they'd even received a letter from her or Feyra for that fact did little to put Elain at ease. After she dressed into her new ball gown and a servant did her hair for her she was ready for the evening, she didn't mind the servants company, she was capable of dressed herself but she liked the company more then there help, many times she would try and help the servants in the house until Nesta would scold her for such things " its not a ladies place to mingle with the help" she would tell her, even though Elain never felt like she was in a place to feel better then the people there father had hired she would do her best to hide her helping from her sister if only to avoid another scolding. Elain greeted every suiter her father had introduced her to yet none of them took her fancy, she was starting to regret the ball, she was still feeling rather jumpy. She stands by the lemonade stand watching the people on the dance floor, a young handsome man approaches her and she knows what he's going to ask, she quickly looks away to find an escape plan but he makes his way to her before she can even attempt to flee, " you look just as comfortable being here as I feel" he chuckles, his voice is kind but also stern, she looks at him and smiles sweetly, she looks over his face, he has a charming handsome face with blue eyes and brown hair with a solid build. He takes her hand in his and places a gentle kiss upon her gloved hand while he bows his head down to her " Graysen my lady" her heart flutters slightly, she had heard about him from her father, she knew he was one of the suiters her father had picked for her and out of the other men he was by far the most handsome and gentlemen like, she courtesies to him " a pleasure to make your acquaintance Graysen" he gives her a genuine smile " may I have this dance my lady?" she nods her head and allows him to lead her to the ballroom floor, he gently places a hand on her waist and takes her other in his hand and begins to glide her around. They both dance for the next two songs until another gentlemen asks for her next dance, after each dance he sorts her out for the following dance and by the end of the night she is feeling rather dizzy, and her feet are sore. As the last song finishes he bows and kisses h er hand again " may I call on you tomorrow" she thinks for a moment know if she accepts it will give him hope that he has a chance of her accepting his hand in marriage, even though she cant think of a good reason why she wouldn't want to see him again she also cant think of a excuse to turn him down so she agrees to allow him to call upon her the following morning. After she greets him farewell and the other guests, she finally manages to make her way to her room where she collapses onto her bed. She wonders how Nesta will react the Graysen, he seems friendly and stern enough, he should make a fine husband.

Lucien tosses and turns all night, every time he manages to fall asleep he sees her, Feyra's sister beckoning to follow her into the woods instead of the fae female, he follows her and as he reaches for her there a blockage in the way, the wall between there words, his hands run down the see through wall on one side and hers on the other, if only he could break down this boundary. But why does he want to? This is wrong, he has no romantic feelings for this woman so why is he so desperate to reach her? He thought once he had sawn her in life and learned who she is his curiosity would end but it just seemed to make it worse, he tried not to question Feyra about her sisters but each day he was growing more desperate to see her again. He woke to silence, the rite had ended it would seem and he walks to his window and sees the remaining couple still participating and he sees Tamlin making his way back to the house, he'd hoped Feyra was fast asleep and that Tamlin wouldn't come looking for her, he sighs and decides to try and sleep again, if his dreams are the only way he can see her then he will take that.