Helion Spellcleaver and the Lady of Autumn ; A new start

Part 16

A bed creaked somewhere in the house by the river. A thump was heard and some banging. Someone probably closed a box or a closed with a bit more force than needed.

Elain threw her black dress she'd worn in Hewn City the time she'd met Eris. It wasn't her favourite, nor did it make her feel good, she'd decided to take it with her just in case. After finding where she thrown it the first and last time Elain had worn that dress.

'Here lady. I packed your jewellery.' The wraith extended a beautifully carved cherry wood jewellery box towards Elain.

'Thanks Cerridwen. Have you put all that I asked here?'

'Yes. Two pairs of earrings Lord Lucien has gifted you. The gold and silver bracelets from Lady Nesta, the sapphire necklaces Lady Feyre and Lord Rhys gifted you. Also five pink pearl hair clips and the rings you found in you father's home.' The home where Elain and Nesta had lived with their father after Tamlin took Feyre had been severely burned, but Elain had found some pieces of clothes and jewellery miraculously unscathed.

'And Nuala?'

'She's packing your shoes lady.'

Elain took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She could feel a headache blooming in her temples yet despite it she smiled.

'I have told you there is no need to call me "lady". We are friends, no?'

'Yes, Lady.' Elain sighed, shaking her head softly. She'd been trying to get the wraiths to simply call her "Elain" for years now but to no avail.

'You think it will be enough? I'm going to stay there for three weeks and I'm gonna need all the glamour possible.' Somehow Elain found her peace and confidence in jewellery. Without a ring or a hair piece at least she didn't feel complete. As if something from her look was absent.

'I can pack some more for you if you need.' Cerridwen extended her hand towards the box but Elain turned around. 'No need.' She replied walking towards the vanity. 'I will chose myself.'

'Or you could buy more pieces there. I am sure there are magesmiths and jewellers in the Autumn Court.'

'There must be. But maybe I won't get the chance to leave the palace.' Elain shivered. 'I still can't believe I am going there. Right into the lion's den.'

'At least you have the Lady of the Autumn Court there.'

'Yes, getting to meet Aurelia again, is the only positive prospect of this.' Elain spoke with rummaging through another bigger jewellery box. She took from it ten hair pins, some silver, some gold with different beautiful ornaments on one end. Blue and purple butterfies and flowers. One in particular was bigger and shinier than the others. It had a <flower> flower with a long dangling chain. That one in particular was Elain's favourite hair pin. And as such it was much needed for when Elain left.

'Lord Lucien is coming tomorrow. '

'I know.' Elain spoke expressionlessly. Yet on the inside she was buzzing from the anticipation of meeting Lucien again and spending a whopping three weeks with him. As stressful as it sounded Elain also couldn't help but feel excited for this new adventure. No one knew her there, she say or do anything without thinking about anyone's opinion. And if she got too lost or stranded to far she had Lucien as her light. He'd help her find the way back to safety. Without meaning to Elain couldn't help but smile to herself. It was a small smile but it was there.

☀️

Elain woke up with a grin pasted in her face. Lucien would come to pick her up today. They'd go together to a whole new place.

A whole new place for her to explore. Elain doubted Aurelia could leave the palace but she bet Lucien would know lots of beautiful places. The whole house hummed with excitement and worry. Mostly Nesta.