Page 100 of A Legacy of the Light

Tavish doesn’t rebuff her like he does the other courtiers either. When she rises from her curtsey, he lifts her hand to his mouth, placing a kiss to the back of it and she looks away demurely as her cheeks blush.

An ugly emotion swims through me.

He’s not mine. I have no right to be jealous.

Raghnall watches them closely with satisfaction, and jealousy claws its way deeper into my chest. He told me to stay away because he’s already chosen who Tavish will be with.

“I will not have my court disrupted.” He really meant he won’t have anyone else but her with Tavish.

Dark hazel eyes snap to mine and satisfaction morphs into smugness. I lift my chin slightly before turning back to Reyne. In this moment, I decide I won’t cower before his warning any longer.

◆◆◆

The music changes, becoming louder and more upbeat. The center of the throne room clears as a few couples line up to start dancing and we watch the Seelie move through elaborate steps in their pairs for a few songs.

“You know all those steps?” I ask Reyne, impressed after watching the fifth dance.

“Aye, they’re so much fun. I’ll teach you if you want?”

“Maybe.” What romance-loving girl wouldn’t want to learn a traditional dance for a ball? But I don’t know if I’ll be here when the next ball happens, so there’s little point in learning.

The music changes to something softer and more informal. A few couples leave the dance floor to get drinks or mingle around. Other Seelie replace them and wrap their arms around each other and dance in ways that I’m much more familiar with. Reyne and I continue to watch for another half hour, passing comments between us about who we think are just being polite and who are really into each other.

“Are you going to dance with me, Reyne?” a voice asks from behind us.

The way Reyne stiffens tells me exactly who it is. I squeeze her hand between our dresses so he doesn’t see the subtle encouragement I give her.

Eòghann walks around her side, his eyes exploring every inch of her. His look so intense and hungry that it even makes me blush. He’s so hungry for her. He looks smart in his cerulean blue jacket with gold trim, open to his chest to reveal a white fitted shirt underneath.

“Hi,” Reyne whispers.

He lifts her left hand and presses the back of it to his lips, deepening the color in Reyne’s face.

“You look beautiful, Reyne,” he says with sensuality, not letting go of her hand. “Dance with me?” The plea in his voice makes my romantic heart swoon.

I don’t understand how Reyne can be so oblivious to how into her he is. Reyne doesn’t reply to him. She just stares.

He turns his attention to me. “Good evening, Elsie. You look lovely, too.”

“Thank you, Eòghann.”

“Do you mind if I steal your friend for a dance?”

“Not at all. She’s been dying to dance for a half hour now.”

That’s no exaggeration. Reyne was swaying as we watched the dances, sometimes even doing a few steps herself.

Reyne snaps her head to me. “Do you not mind?”

“No, go.” I push her toward him and smile.

Eòghann laces their fingers together and leads her away.

Reyne looks over her shoulder and mouths, “Help me.”

“You’ve got this,” I mouth back with a thumbs-up. Her eyes sparkle with excitement and she gives me an awkward wave as he guides her to the middle of the floor. A passing server offers me a try of wine, I take a glass, thanking him, and watch Eòghann and Reyne.

He places one hand on her lower back, the other taking her hand. Reyne rests her palm on his shoulder and they begin to sweep around the room. I sip my drink while I take them in. They move across the floor like they were made to dance with each other, moving in perfect unison. He lifts her above his head to twirl her and my gasp is lost in the sound of the throne room. Reyne smiles wide and Eòghann holds her close.