Page 54 of A Legacy of the Light

“You can’t say you’re sorry and then keep laughing, Reyne.” I try to scold her, but can’t wipe the smile off my face.

“You’re right.” She tries to straighten her face and fails miserably.

As we both burst out laughing again, I can feel eyes on us, different than before. I peek over my shoulder and see Tavish is looking over at me with a gentle curve to his mouth. That perfectly shaped mouth. He catches me staring and winks at me again. I quickly turn my head away and the blush on my cheeks deepens.

◆◆◆

We do a few more exercises before Reyne decides we’ve done enough for today. I already know I’m going to be sore tomorrow. We stretch out again and spend some time doing cooldown exercises. These are my favorite, I decide. These are lazy girl exercises.

On our way out of the training area, my eyes involuntarily find Tavish. Thankfully he’s put a shirt on now, so my cooldown isn’t entirely wasted, but it clings to him in all the right ways.

We step into the main courtyard to be greeted by a cool breeze. While the training rings are open to the elements, their position means there isn’t much of a breeze coming through. Not today, anyway. I tilt my head up and welcome the cold wind across my clammy face.

“You’re having dinner with the king tonight, right?” Reyne asks, pulling my attention back to her.

“Yeah. What should I wear?” I ask, suddenly nervous.

“I’d wear the lilac dress in your wardrobe. It won’t be very formal with the three of you, but wearing pants would be frowned upon.” Reyne’s tone indicates she thinks that’s a stupid rule. I’m really starting to like her and her secret bad-assery.

“Do you need any help getting ready?” she asks.

“I should be okay, but are hairdryers or curling irons a thing here?” I reply.

“Aye, I’ll get one of each sent to you. I keep forgetting that you have no idea what we have and don’t have compared to home,” she continues, telling me that aside from the internet, I’ll find most things here.

We reach the door to the kitchens and Reyne stops me with a hand on my arm. “Are you doing okay?” she asks softly.

“What do you mean?”

“With everything? Being away from home, weird drunk guys, and a new magical realm to learn about?”

I consider before I answer. I told myself last night that I would accept the kindness Tavish and Reyne offer me, so I decide to open up to her a little.

“I won’t lie and say I’m not scared shitless. It’s a lot to process. But Granny always told me it’s what we do in the face of fear that counts. So I’m going to make the best of it, I guess.”

Reyne squeezes my arm. “I’m here if you need to talk, lass.”

“Thanks, Reyne. I’m glad we met.”

“Me, too. Now get going. You smell like Uncle Hamish after a night on the ale.”

She pushes me toward the kitchen door with a smile on her face. I feel like she’s starting to open up more to me as well. I don’t know who Hamish is, but I do know she’s right and I need a shower.

Chapter 15

Back in my room, I have around four hours before dinner with Tavish and the king. I’m thankful to find everything as I left it, including the Craobh Beatha in the tampon basket.

I take a long hot shower, letting the warmth soothe my aching muscles. Admittedly, the quiver in my legs gets so bad, I have to sit on the floor to wash my hair. After drying myself off, I slip into the robe and leave my hair wrapped in a towel and lie on the bed for a while.

I’m a creature of comfort. I like to be in my own space, with things I’m familiar with. I’m surprised I haven’t felt more homesick. I’m the sort of girl who looks forward to her own bed after a vacation.

While it has been a shock, Elfayne hasn’t brought up any of those usual feelings for me. I do miss Grandpa, though. Granted, I didn’t see him every day, but knowing he was there if I needed him always brought me comfort. I’m well and truly on my own for the first time in twenty-five years. But that thought doesn’t hold the weight it did yesterday.

A knock on the door interrupts my reflection. I pull the robe tighter around myself.

“Who is it?” I call.

“Sorry to bother you, miss. Reyne asked me to bring you a few things.”