lucien week, day 7: free day
recently, I talked about how much I would have liked to have seen elain meet lucien as a human under different circumstances, here’s a drabble that was/is supposed to be a part of a bigger work (inspired by taylor’s enchanted cause literally what else do I get inspired by) that I have worked on like 4 months ago
Nesta pulled her aside before Elain could leave, grabbing her arm forcefully, and reminded her of something she’d been whispering into her ear for years now. Elain rolled her eyes, not bothering to reply anymore. Nesta could be too protective sometimes and she wasn’t aware how much it had started to bother Elain recently. She was twenty-two now, but she supposed she would always be a little girl to her older sister. It was endearing, but it was also annoying. “Have a nice time, Nesta”, she muttered, not daring to look her in the eyes, and wandered off. Nesta could be as intimidating as she was protective. She didn’t want to stick to her side the entire time and scare away good company, knowing how Nesta got at these types of events. She’d be watching her like a hawk the entire night anyway.
Elain allowed herself a glass of wine. She had thought about it the whole day – whether she should even try some of the drinks that would be offered. But she was here with her father and her sisters, what could possibly happen to her? Just for once she did not want to be the scared and shy little girl clinging to her sister’s skirts like a five-year-old. The wine was surprisingly sweet and fruity, and she licked her lips as she looked around the ball room. It was simply incredible, she had to admit. Elain had often been at balls and dances and any kind of social events, really, but never ever had she been at a location like this manor. It looked elegant, and there was nothing simplistic about the decorations that adorned the halls. Silvery candle stands in all sizes, curtains that seemed to have been hung up for this event and this event only. But it was the flowers especially that made Elain’s heart beat faster. Flowers in all colours hanging from the ceiling, decorating all entrances and exits, flowers on the ladies’ dresses that seemed almost alive as they were swirling through the rooms. Elain was careful to not betray her awe in case anyone might notice. This was a High Lord’s home after all.
Feyre was nowhere to be spotted. She was probably enjoying the fading sunlight on the outside and trying to memorise the sight to paint it in the morning. If she even decided to go to bed. Elain was more surprised to see Nesta looking daggers at a big bulky man towering over her. The smile on his face, Elain could see it from a distance, was lazy and provoking. As if he wanted to make her angry, show some emotion other than the coldness she usually reserved for strangers. Elain almost, almost, made her way over to her elder sister, but for some reason she halted. Because for a brief moment, she could’ve sworn a smile tugged at Nesta’s lips.
“Thank the Cauldron you on your own accord, I would’ve almost felt bad to have interrupted you when you looked so positively determined,” a voice startled her. Elain tried not to cringe as she turned to look at the man on her right. Male — not man. It was a male standing next to her, a fox mask concealing his face. She could still see the smile gracing his lower half was charming, which could not be said about the brutal scar she spied beneath the mask. It seemed to stretch across the entire right side of his face.
Elain’s breath caught. She did not know what to say, she’s never spoken to any of the fae before and it would be a lie to say she was not intimidated. All she could suddenly remember were the things Nesta had told her over the years. Elain blinked and tried to not look scared. But thinking about how displeased her Nesta would be seeing her talk to a fae, Elain could not help but blurt out, “My sister told me to stay away from males like you.” She blushed right after she said those words. She sounded like a child, and she wished, not for the first time in her life, that she could take those words back.
“And what would the world be like if we listened to what our siblings told us all the time? Terribly boring, wouldn’t it?”
Her eyes narrowed. A troublemaker. Of course it would be a troublemaker invading her peace and quiet on a night like this. He laughed at the sight of her in front of him. She must have looked ridiculous with that frown on her face. “Can you really find fault with me trying to ask the most beautiful being in these halls for a dance tonight?”
Elain looked him up and down, trying not to feel flattered at his word choice. Not most beautiful woman, but being. But dancing – she almost felt giddy at the prospect of dancing. How long had it been? Maybe two months. Too long anyhow.
But dancing with this male? She didn’t know whether he was joking. Didn’t know how long he might have been watching her before approaching her. Or why. “I didn’t realise you were asking me for a dance.”
She could feel it in her cheeks then, how she blushed at his next act when he stepped away and bowed extravagantly, excessively and yet respectfully as to not embarrass her in front of … well, everyone. He didn’t even think about it. For some reason it irritated her and she bristled, tried to imitate Nesta’s guarded and cold look her sister had perfected over the years. The male in front of her did not seem bothered at that. If anything, it seemed to amuse him.
“Would you do me the greatest honour of my life and share the next dance with me?” Elain hated how serious he sounded while giving her his most disarming smile. Hated how he intrigued her at the same time.
“And how long exactly would that life have been already?”
“Are you calling me old?”
“I’m not calling you anything. I’m simply curious.” She did not want to give in easily, though every muscle in her body craved to dance. He looked like an acceptable partner. He was taller than her, much taller, and reasonably muscled. Not like the male Nesta had been talking to – or not talking to earlier.
“Curiosity killed the cat, isn’t that what you humans like to say?” She could tell by the growing grin on her opponent’s face how he was enjoying their conversation, and she hated how flustered it made her. For a second, she hoped her own mask would conceal the redness on her cheeks, but she somehow doubted it.
“Well, good for you that you’re not a cat,” she said inspecting his fox mask closely. Its orange and red shades were lighter than the ones she could see reflected in his long hair. His whole demeanor – it seemed as if was the exact opposite of her. Easy-going, informal, relaxed.
She almost wished to see his face, just once. Which is why, that’s what she told herself afterwards, she gave in and nodded. “Fine.”
The handsome stranger simply laughed while taking her hand. She was surprised at how soft and warm his hand felt and could’ve sworn her heartbeat increased at that. “Good for me, indeed.”
