Page 55 of A Legacy of the Light

I open the door to a young Seelie with light brown hair, dressed in what I recognize as staff clothing. Gray pants and a white shirt. She hands me a hair dryer, straightener, and curling iron.

“Thanks,” I mumble, taking the items from her. The young Seelie hurries off down the corridor without saying another word.

Weird. She’s likely just busy.

Locking the main door whenever I’m alone is becoming a habit, and I make sure I’m secure before going into the bedroom to dry out my hair and tame it into something more presentable.

I take the time to blow it out properly, and use the curling iron to give it some shape. By the time I’m done, my hair hangs in blonde curls down to the middle of my back. I don’t normally let it grow out like this, but since I’ve put little effort into my appearance for a while, I haven’t bothered with a haircut recently. I actually don’t hate it.

After reading the book I borrowed from the library for a little while, I take the lilac dress and white pumps from the wardrobe, as Reyne recommended. Quickly changing, I don’t spend too long looking at my reflection. I rarely wear dresses. They make me uncomfortable. Rach had to practically beg me to wear the red one last week.

This one is pretty, though. The lilac is flecked with gold thread, which seems to be a common theme in Elfayne. It stops just below my knee, and the hemline is longer round the back. The dress wraps round my front and is secured with a belt made of the same fabric, giving me room to move and breathe comfortably.

The neckline is low, but not so low I’m in danger of flashing the Seelie royal family, and the capped sleeves flutter around my shoulders. It’s not something I would have chosen, but it complements my figure and pale skin.

I’m swamped by nerves when there’s another knock at my door.

“Elsie, it’s Tavish. Are you ready for dinner?” The sound of his voice is muffled by the wood.

“Yes, coming,” I call back.

You’ve got this, you’ve got this, I chant as I move to the door.

The greeting I was about to give dies on my tongue when I see Tavish. So far, his wardrobe has consisted of all-black everything, which works for him. But tonight, Tavish is dressed in deep green, his pants cut close to his thighs, showcasing their strength. His black boots come up to his knees and are so highly polished the light reflects off them. The white shirt he’s wearing under the jacket clings to his frame and leaves little to the imagination. Not that I need any help with that after today.

We’re not going down that road right now.

He’s only armed with his dagger this evening, its hilt poking from his belt.

“You look nice,” I tell him, feeling the need to explain my gawking. Friends can tell each other that, right?

It takes Tavish a minute to respond and he clears his throat before he does. “So do you. Lilac suits you,” he comments.

I dip my head to hide the faint blush in my cheeks.

Come on, get it together, I chide myself.

“Shall we?” he asks, offering me his arm.

Nodding, I close the door behind me and slip my arm through his. I can’t help comparing how I felt being this close to his father. I wanted to run from King Raghnall.

My proximity to Tavish doesn’t elicit the same feelings. In fact, goosebumps spread across my arm where it rests on his.

Why am I suddenly noticing how good he smells? Like the forest after a heavy rainstorm. I haven’t even thought about it before today and now here I am praying another wave of it will drift in my direction as we walk arm in arm through the halls.

“No pendant tonight?” Tavish enquires.

“Not tonight. Only you and the king know I have it. I want to keep it that way.”

I don’t mention that Finneus knows too. Given its power, the fewer people who know I have it, the better. And strangely, I don’t care that Hume knows.

“I’d say that’s wise. It will undoubtedly stop my father from staring at your chest all evening.” He bumps his shoulder with mine as we walk.

“Gross! Don’t say that. That’s your Dad!”

Tavish shrugs with a smile on his face, and continues to lead me through his home.

“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you . . .” I start.