Page 171 of A Legacy of the Light

“Take care of her for me,” I whisper.

“Always,” he replies gently, lifting me off the ground. “Be careful,” he says solemnly, placing me back on my feet.

“I will.”

Reyne sobs behind him and Eòghann shakes his head before stepping to the side. She wastes no time in coming to me and we hold onto each other.

“You’re coming with me, remember?” I remind her.

“I know,” she sniffles. “It’s just our last time in the city together.”

“I know,” I reply. “And if I don’t say my goodbyes now, I’ll never be able to go through that barrier.” I take a step back and hold her hands in mine, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes briefly before nodding for me to continue.

“I can’t thank you enough, Reyne, for what you have done, and not just tonight. For welcoming me with open arms, being there for me and being a true friend when I needed you the most. You have helped me find me again and I will be eternally grateful to you for that.”

Her tears dance in the light of the flames.

“You have helped me open up, and heal, and live again, and helped me find some of what I lost nearly two years ago. You are a badass, Reyne Macleod, and it’s a privilege to be able to call you my friend.”

Her lips tremble with the effort of keeping her emotions in check. “I love you, Elsie,” she finally says.

“I love you, too.” And we hold each other close.

“Come on, Rey,” Eòghann gently prompts.

Reyne cups my face in her hands. “See you in the morning, lass.”

“Aye, see you in the morning,” I reply, making her laugh through the tears.

She steps into Eòghann’s waiting arms and together they walk back to the palace, leaving me alone with Tavish.

He’s been very quiet this evening. He’s joined in the conversation here and there, but largely he’s been a comforting presence by my side while I have this moment to say goodbye.

He stands next to the table now, watching me.

“Thank you,” I say.

He closes the distance between us, only an inch of space remaining. “For what, little warrior?”

“Tonight. Everything,” I whisper.

“You have nothing to thank me for. You deserve the world.”

Tears fall to my face again and he wipes them away gently.

“I’m going to dehydrate at this rate,” I announce.

“We wouldn’t want that,” he replies with a soft chuckle.

I turn to watch the lake and he curls his arms around my torso so his chest is pressed against my back. I lean my head back into him and we watch the sun set for the second night in a row.

When it’s descended behind the mountains and the night sky is twinkling above us, Tavish asks, “Dance with me?”

“Here? There’s no music?” I reply.

He turns me in his arms and smiles down at me, his tall frame and wide physique so at odds with the kindness that radiates from him.

Out of nowhere, the band that played the night of the ball appears and the music we danced to, in this very spot, weaves around us once again. Tavish takes me in his arms under the moon and the stars, and dances with me on the shores of Ederline until he owns every piece of my healing heart.