No one will tell me what is so special about this day, but preparations have been made all over Velaris for it. Feyre brought me a dress in a bag, covering it from my eyes until this day. We are supposed to make our way to the House of Wind for the festivities, Feyre is flying me and Rhysand has offered to take Lucien. 

        Days with Lucien are often too short, but I can’t deny the fun I have on our outings. He helps me see the beauty in the world I have been thrust into. His past pains help soothe my own losses. Having someone understand all that I went through is quite refreshing. Nula has helped me style my hair into a half up-half down hairstyle, the strands intricately woven together and the section that is down is carefully curled. 

        With great care I unzip the bag holding the dress and my breath stalls in my lungs. It’s long, beaded intricately throughout the bodice, the neckline low, but still conserving my modesty, the sleeves long ending at a point, the skirts long, brushing the floor. The wraith helps me into the dress, the sleeves resting against my arms, leaving my shoulders bare, the pink material soft and pale, accenting the lighter hues of brown and red in my eyes. 

        When I make my way downstairs to see Feyre, I am disappointed to see Lucien isn’t there to see me. Biting the inside of my cheek, I smile at my sister who is in a similar dress to mine except hers is blue. 

        She smiles at me. “You look absolutely beautiful, Elain.”

        My cheeks flush and I embrace her. “As do you sister.”

        Without another word she flies us up to the House of Wind where it’s so silent. The usually bright city is darker than even the night sky. People stand around drinking spirits and eating finger foods. Before I can ask about the celebration Rhysand takes Feyre away, giving me a knowing smile and then I see Lucien. He talks to a man, looking so handsome in a navy tunic and black pants. 

        His red hair is stark in the dark room and my heart races as his eyes meet mine and a slow smile spreads across his lips. He excuses himself from the man he was talking to and approaches me slowly, giving me time to avoid him if I so please, but I am done hiding from him. 

        “Hello, Elain.” He gives me a small bow and my heart  squeezes at the chivalrous gesture.

        “Lucien, do you have any idea what is going on?” I ask, twiddling with my fingers. 

        His eyes fall to the small fidget and he clears his throat, slipping his own hands in his pockets like he needs the physical restraint. “I have no idea. Everyone has been very tight lipped about it.”

        Before either of us can say another word a flash streaks across the sky and everyone cheers. I look to Lucien and he shrugs. We make our way to the window and suddenly flashes of green and blue shoot across the sky is a beautiful light show. “Wow.” The word leaves my mouth silently and when I lean back Lucien’s chest is there. Instead of jerking away I let myself lean deeper into his body and hesitantly his arms come around my waist, his jaw resting against my temple. 

        Music starts from somewhere and people start dancing, but I am so awed I am glued to my spot watching the stars cross the sky. “Dance with me?” Lucien’s breath caresses the sensitive skin at my neck and shoulder and I turn to look at him, enjoying how the lights play off his brutally handsome face. 

        I nod and he takes my hand in his, pulling me against his body. One hand holds mine and the other slips around to rest on the small of my back. My skin stretches tight over my bones as his calluses scrape the skin on my back. I rest my free hand on his arm and let him sway us slowly, even when the music changes we stay that way, holding onto each other long into the night.

        The silence between us is comfortable, wrapping around us like a warm blanket cocooning us. He brushes his lips along my hairline and eventually my head falls to his chest, bringing us closer than we were before. His hand works small circles into my back, his heart beating fast then steadily beneath my ear. The scent of burning wood and nature fills my lungs and I wish to bottle it up and take it out whenever the terrors wake me from sleep, sweaty and panting. 

        His embrace is warm and comforting, our joined hands rests on his chest, my palm flat against his chest, his palm holding mine to his chest. The hand on my back tickles the bare skin, tracing the small dimples and then slides into the divet of my spine, sliding up and down, my body instinctively arching into the touch. A pleasurable thrill chills my skin, causing goosebumps to pucker. His heart beats steadily beneath my palm, his soft cheek leaning down to brush against mine. 

        The stars fall around us, slowing, but still going. His steady presence makes my heart feel light and giddy and with a need I didn’t know I possessed, I press my body flush against his, leaving no room between us. Lucien sucks in a breath that caresses my ear and holds me more tightly to him. After everything that happened in the Autumn Court, I have come to realize that I can count on him. He will always be here, giving me everything that I need. Pulling me closer and closer. 

        I want him. 

        The startling thought causes my heart to beat a little faster. 

        For the longest time I didn’t think I would want anything from him, but now… now, I want him. My breath hitches with all that could entail. A kiss? Intimate touches? Skin against skin? With his hand against my bare back it's hard not to think about more of his skin on mine. If it feels this good with only his hand on my back, what could the rest feel like? 

        Fingers play with the ends of my hair and when I open my eyes everyone but Feyre and Rhysand are gone. I look up at Lucien, strands of his silky hair brushing against my face. His eyes captivate me and the want for him ratchets up. His golden skin is like the sun in the dark room, the most radiant sun. He is warm like the sun too, he burns like the sun and I find… I want to feel the heat, I want to play with fire, I want to feel scorched. 

        I tilt my head towards the residential wing. His brows raise and when I smile, chewing on my lip, he takes my hand in his, our fingers interlocking as we make our way down the hallways. Our shoulders brush against each other in soft bumps causing electricity to zing through my body at every little touch. I am hyper-aware of his body, of my body. 

        Once we reach my old bedroom, I turn to face him, leaning against the door. I watch his features soften and I swipe my thumb over the back of his hand. He watches me closely, giving me the control on what happens, whether he goes to his room… or stays with me. Thinking of him so far from me makes my heart ache and my skin tighten. 

        His gaze is heated and the want is plain on his face. If he feels anything like me then we are on exactly the same page on how we want this night to go. His eyes rove up and down my body, searching my face. His gaze is like a touch and my body burns. 

        Nerves wash over me as words bubble up my throat and onto my lips. “Kiss me.” The words are no more than a breath. 

        Breathe too heavy and they would have been missed, but from the shock on his face, he heard me plain as day. 

        Lucien knuckles brush my cheek, my ears hollowing out as he tucks my hair behind my ear, he cradles my cheek in his palm and when his lips brush against mine, my heart stutters, lodging itself in my throat. With a gentleness so sweet it melts my anxiety he presses his lips against mine and the world explodes. His lips are soft and tentative, like one wrong move and I’ll startle away like a frightened doe. I slide my hands around to his back, pressing myself up onto my toes to kiss him deeper than before. 

        He captures my lower lip between his, adding the slightest of pressure, his free hand tangling in my hair, his kisses sucking and switching every so often. A light behind my eyelids bursts with color and I push closer, unable to feel close enough. I need more, more, more. I need.. Him. A soft gasp escapes my lips in a woosh of breath and Lucien takes the opportunity to explore my mouth with his tongue, teasing and encouraging mine to do the same. 

        Adrenaline courses through my veins as I move my hands over his powerful chest into his soft silky hair, the red strands sliding through my fingers like water. His hands come around my waist, anchoring me to him, sliding his calloused palms over the expanse of my bare back. Need pulses through my body as my tongue slides along his, dancing with his, lips interlocking in the most exquisite of ways. 

        His callouses scrape my skin and my breathing hitches at the sensual feeling, if it feels this good on my back… 

         His heart pounds against mine and right alongside it, is the bond, sparkling and shimmering like a curtain in a spring breeze, dancing playfully.

        All too soon we break away, chests heaving, breaths coming in heavy pants. “That was..” I smile at a loss for words. My brain scattered.

        He chuckles. “Nice? World rocking? Earth shattering? Ground breaking?” Lucien supplies, a teasing smile on those luscious lips.

        With a laugh, I shove at his chest, but all he does is bring me closer and press a long kiss to my lips. “Stay with me tonight?” I ask, leaning against my bedroom door. 

        Lucien sobers up quickly, his eyes looking up at the door behind me, hands tightening on my waist. “Are you sure about this?” he asks. 

        I open the door, taking his hand and pulling him into the dimly lit room, the falling stars the only light dancing on the walls. Awkwardly we get ready for bed, me in the bathroom to change into a simple nightgown and him to take off his button up shirt to reveal a regular shirt that hugs his broad chest. My palms sweat as I notice the fact he still wears his dress pants. “You’re sleeping in those?” I ask. 

        My cheeks heat. “I’m not… I mean… I don’t want anything to happen tonight… it just seems uncomfortable to sleep in such formal pants.” My words break from each other, making it stilted and halting. I twist my hands in the soft cotton nightgown. It’s a lie, I want things to happen tonight… I want so much to happen tonight. 

        He rolls his neck as if releasing tension before taking off his pants revealing close fitting under breeches and very thick, very powerful, very strong tan thighs. My mouth dries out and I skitter under the blankets, cursing my stupid kiss addled brain for inviting him and saying anything about his pants. Because by cauldron if I have to feel his bare legs against me all night I might very well combust.

        Hesitantly, the bed dips behind me and Lucien shifts under the blankets cautiously. I feel movement and when I turn I see half of his body is hanging off the bed. My face heats even more and I mentally kick myself. “I’m sorry.” I turn to face him on my side and he does the same. With trepidation I scoot in closer to his warmth and rest my hands on his torso, feeling the tension in his muscles. He slips an arm around my waist and pulls my against him so my head is snugly rested on his bicep under my head, my arms tucked between us.

        And to think not even ten minutes ago I had his tongue in my mouth and my hands in his hair, now I can’t so much as be in his presence without fumbling in his beauty.

        “Relax,” his voice caresses my ear, causing my body to shudder. 

        My body loosens, I didn’t even know I was so tense to begin with and I snuggle closer, letting my breath fall from my lips. “You’re quite intimidating,” I whisper, fingering the fabric of his shirt.

        Abruptly, he laughs, his hold loosening on me so he can pull back to look into my face. “I could say the same about you, love.” Slowly, his hand starts slow gentle strokes along my back and I melt into him further.

        I blanch at that. “I am not nearly as beautiful as you. Your skin, your hair, voice body, you’re practically molded into perfection.” My voice comes out breathless. 

        A hand comes down and tilts my face up towards his. “I used to be, but not anymore. And I wouldn’t sell yourself short, Elain. Even as a mortal you were the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His thumb brushes along a sensitive spot on my cheek causing my ears to hollow out and my skin to pebble. 

        The breath leaves my body at his words and I use my own fingers to brush along the scar on his cheek, the skin changing texture beneath the pads of my fingertips. “You’re breathtaking, Lucien, no one could ever refute that. Even with the scar you’re the most handsome man I have ever seen.” 

        He catches my hand, pressing small kisses on my fingertips and then on my palm, holding my hand delicately in his. “Previously when I was complimented it felt hollow, something to say to get in the good graces of a high lords emissary… with you it feels genuine. Surrounded by such beautiful creatures it’s a fear of mine to not be able to compare. How did fate decide to gift me such a beautiful kind woman as you?”

        “It’s not you who can’t compare,” I whisper, leaning up to brush my nose against his. “It’s them.”

        His body shivers beneath my palms and I know it’s not from the chill air. He squeezes my hand and tucks me into the warmth of his body, burying his face in my neck. With that we fall into peaceful sleep under the falling stars of the night court.