Daylight

Epilogue

It had been roughly three weeks since Lucien and Elain had moved into the townhouse Rhys bought them. Winter was in full swing, but every so often, there were days like this one that was uncharacteristically balmy. The snow had melted, and the sun shone brightly, warming the streets. It made for an exceptionally good shopping day, considering Solstice was only days away. The streets bustled with shoppers, taking advantage of the mild weather.

Feyre walked with Nesta and Mor at a leisurely pace, returning from a morning of shopping and brunch. They strolled up the cobblestone walkway, approaching the row of townhouses.

Ever since Elain had moved out of her and Rhysand's house, Feyre had started coming home by a different route just so she could pass by her sister's new garden. It was truly remarkable how she managed to keep it pristine and colorful, even in the heart of winter.

As she neared the Vanserras' townhouse, Feyre heard her sister's voice singing a tune she vaguely remembered from her early childhood. Her mother used to sing it, she recalled, sometimes with their father humming a few lines too. When they rounded the corner and the little patio garden came into view, Feyre's heart soared.

Elain and Lucien were dancing in the garden. A rake was leaning against the stone bench—Rhys had insisted on finding one exactly like the bench on their own patio—and a bucket of potting soil sat next to it. Lucien held Elain close, his arms around her waist and his hands clasped together at the small of her back. Her head was resting against his chest as they swayed in place to a melody only they could hear.

Elain had always been beautiful, but Feyre had never seen her this happy. Now, she was a vision. Her dress was made of soft, baby pink fleece with a sheer layer of chiffon overlaying the skirt. Her long sleeves ended in cuffs of puffy white wool—definitely not something she would normally work outside in.

Lucien, however, wore a pair of casual tan trousers and rough spun green tunic with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His vibrant red hair flowed loosely down his back, with the exception of one braid on either side, just above his ears to keep those sections out of his face. And woven into those braids—

"Are those flowers in his hair?" Nesta wondered.

"It would seem so," Feyre replied with a wide smile.

"Oh, she has got him wrapped around her tiny little finger," Mor said as she adjusted the tote slipping off her shoulder.

Elain drew back, looking up at Lucien with joy in her eyes, drawing the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth as she gave him an impish smile. She said something that Feyre couldn't make out, or perhaps she hadn't even said it aloud. Perhaps it was something meant only for him, said through their bond. Whatever it was, Lucien's eyes widened slightly as he broke into a wide, unbridled smile. He nodded enthusiastically.

Elain gripped his tunic in her gentle hands and pulled him in, kissing him deeply.

"Well, they seem awfully happy about something," Mor commented wryly.

"Come on. Let's go ask them," Feyre suggested, but Nesta raised a hand.

"No," she said. "It's their business, not ours."

Feyre grinned at her eldest sister. It was remarkable how far she had come. As she linked one arm through her sister's and the other through Mor's, Feyre could hardly believe that less than a year ago, Nesta had loathed the mere sight of Lucien. Now, she was the one discouraging them from being busybodies.

Mor gave them a tiny little wave as they passed by and Feyre called out, "You coming to dinner at Sevenda's later?"

"We'll be there," Elain called back.

Feyre nodded cheerfully as they reached her own townhouse. Mor and Nesta unlinked their arms from hers and carried their purchases inside. Feyre glanced back, her sister and Lucien still visible four houses down. She couldn't be certain, since it was a naturally sunny day, but it seemed as if Lucien was glowing softly, radiating the power of Day's light just like Feyre had with Rhys. It still happened, from time to time, when she was exceptionally happy. Though she had learned to control it better, so she didn't emit blinding light at random times.

Considering how long they lived, Feyre had only known Lucien for a short time. But in all that time, she had never seen him smile like the way Elain was making him smile now. She could only wonder what her sister had said to make Lucien that happy. She was itching to find out, but as Nesta said, it wasn't their business. Still, Feyre was nothing if not persistent.

The streets of Velaris were as busy as ever. Children continued to laugh and play in the street as merchants sold their wares from shops and carts. Normally, Feyre could see it all in a kaleidoscope of colors—her city and her people that she loved.

But as she stood in the doorway of her home, she took a moment to glance back at her friend and her sister. Like Feyre had with Rhys, they had found one another against unbelievable odds. She watched them dance in the bright colorful garden, Lucien's light growing brighter as he held Elain close. And for the moment, all she saw was daylight.