Daylight

Chapter 42

Elain was tending her garden when Nesta burst through the patio door.

"Feyre's back," she announced.

Elain's heart leapt. She immediately untied her apron and began compulsively smoothing out the wrinkles of her skirt. Ridiculous, since he didn't give the slightest care to the state of her dress.

Nesta noticed how flustered her sister was and her expression softened. "Just Feyre," she said gently.

Elain's delight was replaced with a deep sense of foreboding. Where was he? Why hadn't he come back with Feyre? And most of all, why hadn't he told her through their bond that he wasn't coming back with her sister? Perhaps he couldn't talk through their bond. Perhaps he was hurt or—

A wave of nausea hit her so hard she staggered back a few steps. No. No, he couldn't have died. Surely, she would have felt something. She tugged on the bond and though it was faint from the vast distance between them, it was still there. He was alive at least.

"Is he okay?" She hoped he wasn't hurt and yet... silently, she begged the Mother for forgiveness for hoping his delay was caused by an injury. The alternative—that he'd remained on the continent with that firebird queen—was too much to bear.

"I'm not sure," Nesta answered honestly. "Feyre can probably explain better than I can."

She held out her hand, which Elain accepted, her own hand trembling and clammy. Nesta squeezed it reassuringly and they both went inside.

To her credit, Nesta had been true to her word and had tried. The day before, they had eaten lunch together at the seafood restaurant that had become Elain's favorite. Over lunch, Nesta had asked questions and listened raptly, not interrupting or scoffing once. She was either putting on an excellent front or was genuinely interested.

Though she doubted Nesta had any true concern for Lucien's wellbeing, Elain appreciated the regard her sister showed, if only for her sake.

Feyre had barely set her pack down before Elain was upon her.

"Before you ask," Feyre began wearily, "he's fine."

Elain let out a shallow breath of relief.

"Well, let me rephrase," Feyre corrected herself, the pit in Elain's stomach immediately returning. "He was fine when I last saw him."

This made no sense to Elain. They were supposed to break the queen's curse and then come straight home. What would have caused them to separate?

"Where is he?" The force behind her question took both of her sisters by surprise. Nesta averted her eyes from Elain's piercing stare while Feyre's eyebrows arched.

"Somewhere in the Spring Court, I expect," Feyre answered dispassionately.

"Wh—what?" Elain spluttered. "Spring? Why would he go back there?"

Just then, Rhys came down the stairs, the broad smile from the return of his mate vanishing at the mention of Tamlin's court.

"Yes, please enlighten us," Rhys requested darkly. He looked deeply troubled and a little hurt.

Feyre glanced at him and though she didn't speak, the immediate transformation in Rhysand's expression told Elain they were communicating through their bond. Rhys's eyes suddenly went wide as the color drained from his face.

Nesta exchanged a concerned glance with Elain and hissed against her ear, "What do you suppose that's about?"

Elain shrugged. She had more pressing things she needed answers to than whatever Feyre just said to Rhys.