Page 24 of A Legacy of the Light

“Ready to head back to your rooms?”

“Yes.” I glance at the clock above the fireplace. It’s two-thirty in the afternoon.

“Great. Reyne will come to you around six with some dinner. Since it’s your first night here, and you’ve been given a lot of pretty big information today, I figured you’d want some time to process it all.”

“Thank you. That’s very thoughtful.”

“She’s also had more clothes brought to your room while we’ve been wandering, so you should have enough for now. Tomorrow, if you’re up for it, we could go into the city to find you something to wear for the ball?”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure you’ve got way more interesting things to do than take me shopping, and I have no money to buy anything.”

“Elsie, I told you, your money is no good here. I’m a prince, I’m not short of money, so please let me help you.”

Under any other circumstances I’d think he was showing off, but I’m beginning to think Tavish is just that nice of a person, and he wasn’t bragging when he said it.

“Perhaps Reyne can take me, then? I really don’t want to take up any more of your time and she might be better suited to help me pick out something that won’t shout, ‘hello, I’m a simple human and clearly don’t belong here’.”

“For what it’s worth, Elsie, I have excellent taste.” He gestures to the outfit I put on this morning, scanning my body for a quick second before he continues, “But I’m happy to let Reyne show you the city. This time.” With that, Tavish leads me from the library.

The guards dip their heads as we pass through the door into the private quarters and the colder hallways that Reyne had first led me through.

“As I said before, only those with permission from me or my father can get into this part of the palace, so you’ll be completely safe. My rooms are two doors down from yours on the right. If you need me for anything, come and knock. I’ll be away this afternoon, though.”

I have to hurry to keep up with Tavish since he takes such large steps, but mutter my thanks to him again.

We come to a stop outside the rooms I’ll be staying in while I’m here.

“The door locks from the inside so you can make yourself feel more comfortable, but look out for Reyne arriving with dinner. If you like, you could join me for breakfast tomorrow before you go into the city?” He suggests.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“I’ll see you at eight, then.” Tavish turns back the way we came, to do whatever Seelie princes do with their day.

“Tavish?”

He stops and looks over his shoulder. “Yes?”

“Is there a way for me to get a message to my Grandpa and my friend? They’re all I have. I don’t want them to worry about me if I’m going to be here for a while.”

He considers for a moment. “Getting messages through the barrier when it’s sealed isn’t easy. But write your messages. You’ll find paper and a pen in the office in your rooms. Give them to Reyne. She will bring them to me, and I’ll see to it that they reach your family. I should warn you, they won’t be able to respond.”

I nod, and the knot that has sat in my chest since this morning loosens a little. At least I can tell them I’m safe and will be back as soon as I can.

Tavish turns to leave again.

“Wait!”

He looks back at me. Balancing the books in one arm, I take a few steps toward him. I hesitate for a brief second before awkwardly throwing the other around his neck. He might not be a hugger. “Thank you so much for everything,” I whisper.

The last few hours have been a complete mind-fuck, but Tavish has been patient and shown more kindness than I could have ever expected.

He wraps one arm around my waist, half hugging me back.

“Now I’m eighty-five percent convinced you won’t murder me.”

As I release him, Tavish laughs.

Chapter 8