Page 101 of A Legacy of the Light

The song comes to an end, and Eòghann doesn’t hesitate in leading her straight into another dance. I can’t take my eyes off them.

“Hello, Elsie, dear.”

I turn and find Finneus next to me, smiling over the rim of his glasses.

“Finneus!” I exclaim, hugging him.

He chuckles and pats my back as he returns the gesture.

“I’m sorry. Are you not a hugger? I’m just happy to see you,” I say as I pull away.

“No need to apologize. I missed you in the library today.” He takes my hand and pats it, much like Grandpa sometimes does. I take him in properly. His gray hair is combed and pulled back into a low ponytail. His clothes, normally a bit dusty from the books, are smart and pressed. The jacket is a deep purple velvet that fits him well with the cuffs embroidered in gold.

He takes my other hand and holds them both out as he steps back. “You look wonderful, my dear.”

“So do you,” I reply. “You clean up well.”

“It’s been known to happen from time to time,” he grins mischievously at me, and releases a hand to run it down the front of his jacket. There’s a familiarity in his blue eyes that I haven’t noticed before.

I don’t know much about Finneus, other than that he has a daughter, his wife died in the Dorche attack over a century ago, and some of his magic is connected to the library. I want to get to know him better, and try to understand why he feels familiar to me. He’s also been supportive and patient these last few days and I feel comfortable around him. Like I can trust him.

Tavish’s comments about my tattoo push their way through the alcohol haze that has started to form around my brain. I need to ask Finneus about the sealed chambers, and if he will show them to me tomorrow.

I quickly glance around me to see how close other Seelie are. There are too many people around for me to risk asking here.

“Shall we get a drink?” I suggest.

Finneus glances down at the flute in my hand with a quizzical expression.

“I . . .” I peek down at my glass and see that it’s full but I can’t discuss this openly with him here. I place it on the ground near a pillar. “I finished this one.” Holding his gaze, I plead with him with my eyes to go along with it.

Finneus nods subtly and offers me his arm. “I rather fancy some scotch.”

Taking his arm, he leads me from the throne room to a quiet corner with only one or two Seelie milling around. He takes a glass of water and hands it to me from a nearby table and a glass of amber liquid for himself. Scotch, I assume.

“Is everything okay?” he asks in a low voice.

“Yes. I just needed to talk to you away from everyone.” I check around us to make sure other Seelie are out of ear-shot.

“They won’t hear us from over there,” Finneus assures me, noticing my movements.

“Tomorrow, could you show me the sealed chambers in the library?”

Finneus takes a sip of his drink and tilts his head to one side. “I can. But why do you want to see them?”

“I was with Tavish today, and he said the tattoo I have is similar to a symbol on one of the sealed chambers, and I would like to see it.”

Finneus turns serious. “What is the symbol?”

“Four circles crossed in the middle.”

He tenses. “That certainly sounds familiar. Where did you get the inspiration?”

“I found it in one of my granny’s journals when I was around eighteen.”

“The grandmother who is no longer with us?”

“Yes. Grandpa said the Craobh was hers too.” I lean in closer to him. “I feel like there are too many coincidences between her past and Elfayne. Do you think it’s possible she came from here?”