Daylight

Chapter 31

Lucien spent the remainder of the afternoon with Elain in her garden. She was unusually quiet, even by her standards. He had spent enough time out there with her that she didn't even have to ask for the gardening tools anymore. When she needed a trowel, Lucien was handing it to her or refilling her watering can just before she reached for it. Lucien resented that Tamlin was High Lord of Spring. He knew Elain would absolutely love it there, but because of what had transpired between the two males, Lucien doubted he'd ever be able to return as a welcomed guest.

Lucien had never given two shits about flowers or gardening, despite having spent almost two centuries living in a court that bloomed with perpetual springtime. To be fair, Tamlin had never really seemed to care either. Elain's love for flowers and gardening made him see it in a whole new light. Maybe it was just because of how much joy it brought her.

Except today, it didn't seem to be bringing her joy. Today, she seemed to be going through the motions without feeling anything.

Elain had been so preoccupied that she hadn't put on her gloves before starting her work for the day and now, with the sun already low in the sky, her hands were covered in dirt. She stood up and wiped them on the apron she wore over her dress.

For the first time since his return to Velaris, he was at a loss for what to say to her as she sat on the bench beside him and rested her head against his shoulder. He snaked an arm across her lower back and held her gently at the waist. She didn't say anything until the sun was dipping behind some of the taller buildings in the city. The late autumn days were shortening as winter arrived, the sun setting earlier every day.

"I'm hungry," she announced, her stomach growling for emphasis.

"I'm a poor excuse for a chef," Lucien admitted. "We can go into town if you like?"

She considered his suggestion and sighed ruefully. "I don't want to be around people right now."

He could understand that at least. Though he and Feyre were only supposed to be gone a few days, it felt the same as when he'd been about to embark to the continent the first time—unaware of how long he'd be gone on his quest to find Vassa.

Elain was trying to wipe some of the dirt off her hands onto her apron, but it was compacted under her fingernails. That wasn't coming off without soap and water. Lucien smiled inwardly, thinking that she'd have been aghast to have been seen in such a state two months ago.

"How about you go upstairs and have Nuala draw you a bath?" He suggested, taking one of her dirt-covered hands in his and tracing abstract patterns across the back of it. "One with all the bubbles and flowery-scented soaps you females seem to favor. Take your time, relax. I'll go to that café on the Sidra and bring back dinner?"

"That... actually sounds fantastic," she grinned, her stomach growling again. "If the Summer Court delicacy is still in season, I want the crab—"

"Wrapped in seaweed and rice topped with salmon," Lucien finished for her. "I know."

He brought her hand to his mouth for a light kiss, not caring that it was still smeared with dirt.

"Stop," she blushed. "My hands are dirty."

"What makes you think I care about that?" He replied with a roguish grin.

Elain blushed deeper as she stood, untying the apron and draping it over the bench. She slipped off her gardening clogs and wandered inside. The backward glance she gave him before she ascended the stairs left Lucien hungry for much more than dinner.

🍂

Lucien arrived back to the townhouse, trays laden with food tucked under his arm. He'd expected Elain to be downstairs waiting for him, but the house was empty and silent. He had a sneaking suspicion that Feyre was deliberately keeping everyone out for his benefit and he silently thanked her for it.