Chapter Text
This was a bad idea. One of his worst if Lucien was honest with himself. But what other choice did he have, Rhysand would take Feyre regardless. The deal Rhysand and Feyre had made Under the Mountain was iron clad, even Luciens clever mind couldn’t find a loop hole. The only thing he could do was to try to ensure Feyres safety, no matter the cost.
Lucien had no idea what Rhysand would demand as payment for Feyres continued safety at the Night Court. Not that Lucien had much to offer in exchange. The thought that this was venture was foolish flashed once more through Luciens mind. What did it matter what Rhysand demanded as payment. What would Tamlin do when he found out about this. If Tamils found out, Lucien tried not to wince at the phantom pain in his ribs as he imagined his High Lords anger.
Tamlin hadn’t been himself since returning from Under the Moutain. Quicker to anger. Ruthless in his protection of those he deemed to belong to him; chief of those being the newly turned Omega in there midst. Feyres safety was Tamlins paramount concern. It didnt matter, that his overprotectiveness was slowly chipping away at Feyres own sanity. As long as she was safe.
Feyre was a newly made Fae, with powers she didn’t understand, in a world that she didn’t have the first clue how to navigate. And worst of all she’d been assigned a secondary gender that most high fae saw as inferior. Lucien had done his best to look after her. Being an Omega himself he was probably the best suited to help Feyre navigate her new reality. But there was only so much Lucien could do. With Tamlins ever changing moods, the constant threat of the beasts from Aramanthas court still roaming about, not to mention the Priestess. The very thought of her made Luciens skin crawl.
While Lucien may be Tamlins second, he was still an omega, therefore wholly unsuitable in the eyes of most of the fae to be anything other than an object for there alpha to parade around. Most believed Tamlin a fool to place Lucien in a role of such high authority. Never mind that both Tarquin High Lord of the Summer Court and Thesan High Lord of the Dawn Court where Omegas. Most took one look at the Spring Court Emissary and bristled. There was an omega who needed to learn their place.
Sufficed to say Ianthes interest in the Emissary had come a little by surprise. She simpered like an omega in heat, despite being a beta. Clinging to lucien at every chance she had. Lucien had had to physically pull the priestess of his arm on more than one occasion. He was under no illusions of course, Ian the wasn’t interested in him. No, she was interested in the power Lucien held as the Spring Court second.
Lucien let his head knock against the tree he was leaning against. It was cooler on the other side of the wall. Summer fast turning to autumn. A part of him that would forever miss the home of his childhood relaxing amid the reds and yellows of the leaves. If not for Feyre he could see himself hiding here for the rest of his miserable existence. He doubted anyone would truly miss him. Of course Tamlin would be furious. He would rage and shout over one of his disappearing. But the anger would pass.
“Little lucien, i have to say you were the last person I expected to hear from.” The familiar drawl had Lucien jumping away from the tree, fists clenched,
His mechanical eye clicked in the semi darkness, searching for the high lord of the night court. Lucien let out a breath through gritted teeth as Rhysand stepped into the clearing he’d chosen for this meeting.
“Does tamlin know you reached out? I doubt this was his idea.” Lucien tried to calm his racing heart as he felt familiar claws caress his thoughts. He purposefully kept his mind blank, refusing to let Rhysand know what Tamlin would say if he found out about this.
“My high lord has asked me to leave to find any way to remove our lady from your deal.” Lucien replied smoothly, doning the familiar mask of courtier.
“Im afraid this is a wasted trip then.” Rhysand shrugged, turning as if to leave. “I have no interest in letting Feyre out of our bargain.”
“So you’re not interested in what I’m offering"?” Lucien retorted, hoping he kept the desperation out of his voice and thoughts.
Rhsyand raised his brows as if to say go on. Lucien forced himself to keep his voice steady as he said the words that would seal his fate. “I want to make a bargain with you.”
“a bargain?” Lucien refused to rise to the mockery in rhysands tone.
“I want your word that feyre will remain safe and unharmed in your court.” Lucient could have sworn surprise flashed in those violet eyes of the high lord at those words. This obviously wasn’t what Rhysand expected to hear.
“Why would I agree to that?” rhysand asked after a few moments.
“because I’m willing to give you anything you want.” Lucien forced the words out. His eye was clicking angrily in the background the only outward display lucien gave of his discomfort.
“Anything?” Rhysand drawled, eyes roaming over the omegas smaller frame. Lucien forced himself to remain still. If that was what Rhysand wanted, well it wouldn’t be the first time he’d used his omegan traits to appease an alpha on her behalf.
“I want your word feyre will be unharmed in your court first.” Lucien allowed a bite into his tone.
Rhysand seemed to consider him, his violet eyes pinning Lucien in place for what felt like an eternity. Lucien could feel the phantom tips of claws in his mind and knew Rhysand was searching for any signs of deception. Apparently satisfied what he found, Rhysand took a step back and nodded. “A favour.” Rhysand stated. “To be taken at a time of my choosing.”
“I won’t betray my high lord, or my court.” Lucien felt compelled to say.
“I would never ask you to.” Rhysand murmured. “If you agree then I swear nothing that feyre does not expressly ask for will be done to her in my court.” Lucien stared for a long minute at the night court high lord, going over every meaning of the words.
Eventually Lucien nodded, conceding he could find no loop hole in their agreement, “agreed.” Lucien nodded.
Rhysand disappeared into a cloud of smoke as Lucien looked down to a small star now inked into the inside of his wrist.
…………
By the time Lucien returned to the spring court it was nearing midnight. Lucien creep silently through Rose Hall, not wishing to wake anyone as he made his way to his room. He’d been gone longer than planned but the worry in his stomach was eased slightly having made the bargain with Rhysand. When Rhysand finally came to take his bargained for week with Feyre, Lucien could at least now be assured she was safe.
Lucien heard the click of his door opening and the familiar scent of roses waft through, his mechanical eye whirring and clicking in response. He had never learned the art of controlling it when his emotions ran high. Tamlins hand skirted the edges of the scars littering luciens back. The red head couldn’t help the shiver that ran down his spine at the feeling.
“Where were you?” Tamlin murmured, breath brushing the hair braided behind Luciens ear.
“I had business a few villages over.” Lucien replied. Tamlin never questioned luciens business, simply left the emissary to business of running the spring court. Lucien has never been so glad of his high lords uninterested. “You should be in bed. The wedding is tomorrow and there’s much to do.”
“No there isn’t.” Tamlin laugh, teeth nicking luciens ear lobe, making the red head shiver. “You and Ianthe have planned everything to the last detail.” By that he meant Ianthe. Tamlin had put the two of them in charge of planning the wedding, probably at ianthes request so she could force Lucien to spend time with her. Unluckily for her, luciens other duties had given him a legitimate reason to leave all the planning to her.
“Even so, you need your rest.” Lucien tried again.
“None of us have had any rest for months.” The reason was left unsaid. Tamlin had made no mention of Under the Mountain or Aramantha since their return, despite it being the primary cause of most said unrest.
“Still…”
“Enough omega.” Tamlin interrupted, teeth now nibbling their way over luciens scent gland. Lucien forced himself to relax. Tensing would only make what came next worse. “You know you’re still mine, don’t you.”
“Yes alpha.” The words were rehearsed, what Tamlin expected to hear.
“Good omega.” Lucien let his eye drift shut, the mechanical one still clicking and whirring away as Tamlin gently pushed him onto the bed.