Page 182 of A Legacy of the Light

I sigh as I reach her side.

“I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now,” she says as she looks up into the sky that’s now a pretty shade of periwinkle.

“A mix of things. I feel very conflicted about leaving,” I admit to her.

She links her arm through mine and leads me toward the entrance of the inn.

“This is our last night together. We aren’t going to be sad. We’re going to drink.”

I laugh. “Okay, but only one. Some of us have a hike in the morning.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, lass.”

We sit around a large wooden table on the ground floor of the inn. The stone floor is covered in mismatched rugs that create a feeling of chaos, yet perfect balance. Some of the guards have gone to their rooms already, wanting an early night since they were on watch the night before.

I sit between Tavish and Reyne and laugh as she beats yet another guard in an arm-wrestling contest.

“I think we need to look at the training these guards are doing, Tavish, they all seem soft,” she taunts, taking a sip of her ale.

Tavish scoffs around his own drink and Fergal sits taller in his chair.

“Nothing soft here,” he challenges, puffing out his chest.

“If you say so.”

Everyone laughs and Fergal scowls in Reyne’s direction. She winks, making me laugh harder.

My eyelids grow heavy with the warmth of the fire and I stop trying to follow the conversations happening around me.

Reyne stands and offers me her hand. “Come with me.”

I take it and she leads me away from the group. We enter a corridor that has bathrooms at the end and Reyne turns to face me.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Aye. I just wanted a moment alone with you. You got to say your piece in Elfayne and I didn’t.”

She takes a steadying breath and I clench my hands into fists, readying to fight the tears.

“You, Elsie, are like no one I’ve ever met. You have taken everything in your stride and have fitted into this world as if you have always been here. You say I helped you, but you helped me, too. You reminded me what it is to have a real friend again. I’m going to miss you so much. I hope you can come back one day, because my life won’t be the same without you in it. The time we’ve had as friends will always be special to me.”

I wrap my arms around her and we hold each other in a tight hug.

“You are brave and strong and wonderful, don’t ever forget that again, Elsie.”

I squeeze her tighter. “I won’t.”

When we pull away, both our eyes shimmer with unshed tears and the bond between two people who found true friendship in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

Tavish stands behind his chair waiting for me when Reyne and I rejoin the group. He threads his fingers through mine, ready for us to say goodnight.

I hug Reyne tight once more. “I’ll see you for breakfast?” I ask.

She nods and waves goodbye as Tavish leads me up to our room.

“Tavish?” I begin as we entwine our bodies under the sheets after showering.

“Hmm?” His deep voice rumbles into me where I lie on his chest.