Helion Spellcleaver and the Lady of Autumn ; A new start

Part 18

Lush carpets covered the wide
corridor and an earthy, musky smell filled the air. Eris walked in front of his
brothers, guiding them towards the dining room where Beron and Aurelia were
waiting. The rest of the Vanserra brothers walked behind them, muttering things
to each other under their breath. Elain's eyes wandered all over the place, drinking in every detail. Hanged in intervals equidistant from each other, there were portraits of people she
could only assume were the past rulers of the Autumn Court. Even though the sun
was still up outside, the lack of windows on the corridor made it necessary
that torches were lit. On both sides of the corridor the torches were many and close to each other lighting the place.
Crystal chandeliers full of candles–each of them had at least 70 candles,
Elain thought- were also lit. While the flame above danced the shadows of their
group looked ominous. Eris stopped in front of a pair of double doors carved
with twirls and leaves.
Elain felt her mate tense, jaw clenched, knuckles white. She couldn't help
but give his arm a little squeeze and huddled near him to cover the little
gesture from the eyes of his brothers. Supporting her mate now felt like her
sole duty and it dawned on Elain that she would do anything to protect her mate
from everyone around them. Eris walked into the room first announcing their
arrival and Lucien tensed even further. His jaw was clenched so hard, veins
showed up on his temples. Elain gave him another squeeze and they walked in.
Sunlight assaulted Elain's eyes. On her left, where a stony wall would've been, was empty save for a pair of thick velvety curtains tied on the corners of the room.
'Lucien,' a familiar voice called. Aurelia.
Elain closed her eyes rapidly trying to familiarize them with the sudden
natural light then focused on the approaching figure.  The Lady came into focus as beautiful and regal as Elain remembered her. She looked a tad pale, Elain realized, yet healthier than when she'd been at the Night Court. Her frail arms, now wrapping around her youngest son tightly weren't so thin anymore. Her pale cheeks looked fuller and she smelled faintly like peaches. Aurelia pulled away from the hug and cupped Lucien's face with both her hands.
Tears glistened in her eyes.
'I'm so happy to see you here son.' Lucien only smiled in return. Through
the mating bond Elain could feel her mate relax, tension leaving his body. A
voice so cold Elain could feel shivers through her body, made her mate go deathly still.
Back straight, fisted hands, Lucien's breath caught for a moment.
'Now, now Aurelia stop babying him. Lucien is a fully grown Fae now; even has
a mate.' A tall looming figure stood behind Aurelia; curling a possessive arm
around her waist. Just like that, her smile soured, she pulled her hands away.
'You're right.' She spoke through her teeth 'It's been so long Lucien has been
home...I got a little emotional.'
Beron muttered something like "women" under his breath, then barked at Lucien.
'Have centuries away ripped you of your manners boy?'
Immediately Lucien collected himself, putting a steel mask on his face and bowed deeply.
'Apologies sir. I didn't mean any offence.' He spoke blandly, without
emotion; yet Elain could feel the hatred burning through his veins. After a
moment that stretched on a lifetime Beron touched Lucien's bent head with the
tips of his fingers as a sign that the courtesy was accepted. Elain could feel
the wave of nausea course through her mate's body and put a steady hand on his
bicep.
'And here is the little human. Or not anymore.' Beron snickered, disgust evident in his eyes. 'This is the first time one of our children has brought a mate home, isn't it Aurelia? Its lovely that you are so well accustomed to one another.' He glanced at Elain's hand and
smiled a serpent's smile. 'When will the mating ceremony take place?' Bared teeth. Empty, hateful soul.
Lucien only stared ahead, his face a never-betraying mask, as if carved on a
stone. The only sign of life in him was his chest inflating. He stared right at
the man he'd though his father for so long, whose attention and approval he had
sought. The one who had hurt him most.
He'd seen Beron through the centuries after he'd left, of course. But this
moment, right here. His unforgiving face, those lifeless eyes pulled Lucien
deeper and deeper into a descending spiral where he could fall and fall and
never reach the light.
The sight of this place he'd called home, the smells and faces...it was all
too much. Lucien felt his vision darken as back spots danced in his eye. His
mechanical, enchanted eye made him feel rather cursed then blessed as he could
detect every little thing and speck of the room. He tried to reign his heart in
but it didn't oblige. It beat so hard Lucien thought it would leap out of his
chest right into Beron's hand. His lungs felt too small, and though he tried
Lucien couldn't get enough air. He needed to get away from this place as soon
as possible.
He just needed...out.
'Now, dear.' Aurelia put a hand on top of Beron's. 'Let's sit on the table. All
conversation is better over food, no?