Page 123 of A Legacy of the Light

“Shut up,” I scold her, without really meaning it.

Eventually, I caved and told Reyne what happened between Tavish and me the day before he left for Alba. She smirked at me over the rim of her coffee cup in response. When I asked her why she was so subdued, she told me my reaction to receiving one of his letters was a dead giveaway.

In truth, it was nice to have a girlfriend to talk to about it all. It kept me from spiraling in my own mind about what it meant.

We squeeze through the bodies pressed together in the courtyard, ending up behind the first line of armed guards as the procession rounds from the front of the palace.

King Raghnall rides at the head of the party, surrounded by heavily armed guards, on a massive chestnut horse that makes even Atlas look small.

My gaze doesn’t linger on him for long as I search for Tavish in the returning group. Almost immediately, I find him riding to the king’s right.

Tavish’s dark brown hair is sprinkled with snow and the black fabric of his cloak is pulled up tight around his chin, the broad handle of a sword visible over his shoulder.

My heart skips in my chest as his beauty captivates me in a way it hasn’t before. A few weeks away from him has only intensified my attraction to him.

He scans the crowd, searching for someone.

Is he looking for me?

My question is answered when hazel eyes lock with green ones. The corners of his eyes crinkle with a smile so wide, it’s a wonder his face doesn’t hurt. My cheeks pull up involuntarily and Tavish continues to stare at me as he rides toward the stables.

A small amount of relief courses through me after I scan his face for any injuries. He’s only windswept from his travels, and tiredness lines his handsome face.

As he gets closer to me, the white flakes clinging to the ends of his lashes make the lighter flecks in his eyes stand out. I couldn’t stop staring at him even if a naked man streaked in front of me swinging his dick about like a baby elephant discovering their trunk for the first time.

Reyne nudges me and giggles. I nudge her back without taking my eyes off the Prince of Elfayne. He only breaks eye contact with me when he rides past us and I’m no longer in his direct line of sight.

The party nears the stables and dismounts, handing the reins off to the waiting stable hands, Fraser among them. Tavish is quickly lost in the bustle of staff, rushing to assist the king and his son.

They are ushered into the palace and I stretch up onto my tiptoes to see if Tavish went with them. I can’t see him in the throngs of Seelie, and disappointment runs rampant through my body.

It was silly to think he would come and greet me right away. He likely has things to discuss with his father and the council.

“Do you want to have dinner with me and Eòghann tonight?”

Reyne’s question prompts me to stop searching for Tavish and focus on her again.

“No thanks. I would rather not be third wheel while you guys suck face. But thanks for the offer,” I tease with a smile.

Reyne huffs and playfully pinches my arm. I swat her away with a laugh.

She and Eòghann have been pretty much inseparable since the ball, and I have zero desire to witness the depth of their attraction up close and personal. They sparred in the ring last week. The tension between them when she had him pinned beneath her was hot as fuck and that was enough for me. I’m happy for Reyne, and Eòghann seems like a great guy from the interactions we’ve had so far, but I will leave them to their romantic dinner.

By the time the courtyard has cleared and we finish our cooldowns and stretches, it’s around four in the afternoon and a good inch of snow has stuck to the ground. The cold doesn’t chill me like I expect it would. Back home, I would feel the cold so easily. When it snowed, I’d wrap up so much that Rach would laugh herself hoarse at the number of layers I would wear. I wonder if being here is connecting me to my Seelie heritage. Has being born and raised in the human world suppressed the Seelie in me?

Reyne and I say goodbye in the kitchens and I walk back to my room, looking forward to a long hot bath, and a quiet dinner by myself.

I haven’t picked up any romance novels lately and have instead brought books back from the library with me on Seelie culture, its history, and magic. The one currently in my room is the first book Finneus presented me with: Seelie Magic: A Wielding History. I intend to read the chapters on light wielders in more detail tonight.

“Hey, Alaister,” I smile as I approach the two guards on duty at the door to the private quarters. I’ve seen Alaister a few times now since that night the Dorche attacked, the cut on his face healed fully within a day or two. He was one of the first to warm to me, and after he saved me, we’ve become friends. I quietly asked him why everyone avoided me when we were both training the first week Tavish was away. He told me no one here had ever met a human before and didn’t really know how to approach or act around me.

Since others have seen me interact with him and Colin, my “Hellos”and “Good Mornings”have had replies with tentative smiles. With the king and his slimy advisor away, the palace has been more relaxed.

“Afternoon, Elsie.” Alaister dips his head in greeting, his hand resting on top of the sword hanging from his hip. “How was training today?” he asks casually.

“Cold.”

Alaister huffs out a laugh. “Aye, we saw the snow start to come down a while ago. You’ve been out there the whole time? Won’t you get sick or something?” He sounds genuinely concerned.