"Mother, are you using me to make the shadowsinger jealous?" Lucien asked, trying not to snicker. When he looked back down at Elain he found her face had paled - her lips were pressed in a flat line. The expression of someone who knew they'd slipped up. Lucien rolled his eyes. "Did you believe I was laboring under the illusion you were not pursuing his affections, lady?" Elain's mouth opened and closed and she fumbled their steps briefly before Lucien steered them back on track. "It- How long have you known?" He snorted. "Both of my eyes see just fine." Elain's troubled expression softened into puzzlement. "But you never..." He arched a single brow. "I've never caused a scene? I've never objected to another male pursuing my mate? I've never gone on a bloody rampage snarling about how our lives are woven together by fate itself and as a result I'm entitled to your heart over a brooding, emotionally unstable spymaster? Hm?" Elain bit her lower lip and Lucien was surprised and pleased to realize she was holding back a grin. "Something like that." **Elain and Lucien deal with the repercussions of a one night stand**