Elain and Lucien had winnowed away from Velaris in a frenzy. Autumn had started harshly in the Human Lands. And so they found themselves barging through the house Lucien once shared with Vassa and Jurian.
It was late and the other two residents were turned in for the night. The servants knew him and showed him to his rooms. Lucien hadn't said a word, his movements empty as he undressed and crashed onto the bed. He was asleep not long after.
Elain ushered the servants in their chambers, grateful as they started a fire in the hearth and set out a tray with tea and scones. They'd set water to boil over the fire, in case a bath was wished, Elain thanked them as they laid out a women's nightgown for her. She undressed quietly once they'd left and pulled on the nightgown, the fabric soft and smelling faintly of lavender.
She sat on the chair closest to the fire, a quilt over her knees and fell asleep immediately.
Lucien tossed and turned in his bed, sweat dripping down his forehead as he thrashed about in the grips of a nightmare. His heart raced, his breathing coming out in short, panicked gasps as images of his past flashed before his eyes.
Elain stirred from her position, the sound of Lucien's cries echoing through the quiet night. Without hesitation, she jumped across the room, ignoring the chill of the stone floor beneath her feet as she raced to him.
He was twisted in his sheets, tears streaming down his face as he cried out in his sleep. Without a second thought, she rushed to his side, pulling him into her arms and holding him tightly.
"Shh, it's okay, Lucien," Elain whispered soothingly, brushing the hair out of his face as she held him close. "You're safe now, it's just a bad dream."
Lucien's sobs racked through his body, his chest heaving as he clung to Elain for dear life. He felt a blush creep up his cheeks, embarrassed by his vulnerability in front of her.
"I-I'm sorry," he stammered out, his voice cracking with emotion. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Elain simply shook her head, tightening her grip on him. "Don't apologize, Lucien. You don't have to suffer alone. I'm here for you, always."
Despite his embarrassment, Lucien felt a sense of relief wash over him as he buried his face in Elain's chest, letting her comforting presence chase away the echoes of his nightmare.
"Would you like a bath?" She asked, softly trailing her fingers through her hair. He nodded against her chest.
Elain went to work. The bath was drawn quickly as she mesmerized at how unaccustomed she was to manual labor. She couldn't remember not living in a magic house. The thought almost made her laugh.
She heard Lucien move from the bed, and watched as he stepped into the tub at the far end of the room. The steam rose from the water, but he did not seem to feel it as he leaned back.
"May I?" Elain showed him the sponge in her hand and waited for his nod before she wetted it and ran it over his skin softly. He made a sound in his throat, and for a moment there was nothing else but the sound of dripping water.
"Will you tell me how you got these scars?" She asked as she washed his back. There were various shapes snaking across his shoulders and spine.
"Amarantha had Tamlin whip me Under the Mountain." He said, his voice far away, "As punishment for healing Feyre after one of her trials. Afterwards, she forbade anyone to heal. It's why I have the scars. They got infected."
Elain gripped the sponge so tightly that there was hardly any water left when she loosened her grip. She dropped it into the water and continued caressing him with her fingers instead.
