Page 26 of A Legacy of the Light

I sigh again. I’ll only torture myself repeatedly asking these questions I can’t get answers to. Accepting the unknown for now, I relax in the tub until the tension in my shoulders eases and the water cools.

Eventually, I clamber out and take the fluffy towel from the stool to wrap around myself. I wince when I see my hands. I’ve stayed in so long my fingertips have wrinkled.

Entering the bedroom, I notice a pair of light gray fluffy slippers poking out from under the bed and smile. God bless Reyne. I slip them on, along with the robe, allowing myself to dry off before dressing, and then head back to the study to finish my message to Grandpa.

Grandpa,

There’s no way for me to write this letter without sounding like I’ve completely lost my marbles. I do want you to know that I haven’t lost them (I think) and that I’m okay. I’m safe.

The pendant you gave me, that was Granny’s? It’s really strange, Grandpa. It’s taken me somewhere. Have you heard of Elfayne? I hadn’t either until this morning but that’s where I am. It reminds me of all the stories Granny told me when I was young about where she grew up in Scotland. Apparently, it’s near there.

It’s complicated to explain by letter. I’m going to try to get home, but that could take a while. There’s no way for you to contact me while I’m here but I need you to know that I’m okay and not to worry. Someone here will help me get this letter to you.

We’ll talk about everything when I’m home. I have so many questions. I’ve written to Rach and told her that I’ve taken an extended vacation to Europe and won’t get any cell service, so you need to keep up with that story. If she asks, just say you don’t know where I am or when I’ll be back. I didn’t want to lie to you, so please don’t think I’ve been kidnapped and drugged or something scary. I swear I’m okay. You’ll not be able to get here either since the borders are pretty secure.

I’ve asked Rach to check in with you, so she’ll likely visit every week to make sure you’re okay.

I love you, Grandpa. I’ll see you as soon as I’m able to get home. The next cheesecakes are on me.

Love,

Elsie-Pelsie x

I cringe at the sign-off, but no-one else knows about that nickname. It will reassure him that this letter really has come from me, and that I’m okay. I seal the envelope and write Grandpa’s address on the front. I take this, and the letter I wrote to Rach, out into the kitchen with me so I don’t forget to give them to Reyne.

A small clock next to the fireplace tells me I still have a couple of hours before Reyne arrives. In the bedroom, I change into an oversized cream sweater and comfy black leggings that I find in the bottom drawer.

I’m surprised they have this kind of fashion here, I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t something that seems so familiar.

Grabbing a glass of the juice that Reyne left this morning, I note that the fireplace has been cleaned out. A basket full of fresh logs and matches has been placed on the stone hearth next to it, so I can keep a fire going.

Working out how to get the fire going takes me a minute, but once I do, I congratulate myself. I’m a city girl through and through, and I was a kid the last time we went camping. Grandpa always lit the fires on those trips.

I take one of the novels I brought from the library to the sofa and select a fluffy ivory blanket to curl up under before I settle into the deep cushions.

Before opening the book, I admire the view over the lake. The sun is shifting behind the mountains now it’s later in the afternoon, painting what was a clear blue sky with shafts of orange and pinks as the day draws to a close. A thrill sweeps through me as I consider what the night-time view will be like.

I open the novel and begin reading. This is the story of a Seelie warrior who falls in love with the daughter of his greatest rival. It’s told entirely from his perspective, which I haven’t come across in a romance book before, and it’s what compelled me to borrow it when I leafed through its pages in the library.

I make it twenty pages before the comfort of the sofa, the warmth, and the crackling of the fire lull me to sleep.

◆◆◆

The blanket and book fall off my lap as I jolt awake. A second sharp knock on the door makes my heart race harder as I make sense of my surroundings.

“Elsie, are you in there? It’s Reyne.”

I place my palm on my chest and release a slow breath, realizing I haven’t put the pendant back on after my bath.

“Coming, give me a sec!” I yell and quickly go into the bathroom to grab the pendant. The way the king was eyeing it told me that if I leave it unattended, someone might try to take it from me. It’s the only connection I have to my family and my home right now, and I’m not prepared to part from it, despite my earlier thoughts on handing it over.

I jog across the living room and pull the stool from under the handle, unlock the door and open it to Reyne, who is carrying a large tray with covered dishes. I open the door wider and gesture for her to come in. She eyes me speculatively as she passes me, spotting the stool in my hand.

I shrug. “It helped me feel a bit safer. I know you and Tavish have been nice to me so far, but I don’t really know you or anything about Elfayne, or about Seelie.”

Reyne puts the tray on the breakfast bar and flicks a few lights on to brighten the space. “I understand, lass. I’m glad you took some extra steps to make yourself safe. Not all Seelie are kind.”

She busies herself putting the kettle on the stove and taking some tea and mugs from the cupboard above the countertop.