Page 44 of A Legacy of the Light

Chapter 12

The king is dressed similarly to yesterday, in a long-line jacket in a deep blue with silver embroidery round the edges. His sword bobs along at his hip as he strides towards me. I stare at him a moment too long before remembering that this is a king, and quickly bow before greeting him. “Good evening, Your Majesty.”

“Elsie. Nice to see you again.” His tone is cold and clipped. His gaze drifts to my collar bone, looking for the damn pendant.

“You too,” I reply, unsure if I’m allowed to walk away from him or if I need to wait to be dismissed. The fact his advisor isn’t with him is a small bonus.

“How are you enjoying Elfayne?” he asks. Unlike his son, I do not feel at ease in his presence. His dark hazel eyes stare at me, unblinking, as if he’s trying to see into my soul. I have to repress a shiver that runs down my spine.

“It’s a beautiful place from what I’ve seen so far,” I reply carefully.

He only nods and says, “Indeed.”

We stand in an awkward silence as King Raghnall glares down at me.

“I’m retiring for the evening. Allow me to walk you to your rooms.”

He holds an arm out for me. Is it a request or a demand? It sure as hell didn’t sound like a request.

Shit.

I don’t want to spend any more time in his company than I need to. Certainly not alone. But I don’t see how I can refuse him. I’m heading in the same direction and can’t think of an excuse quick enough. He could also likely have me killed just for pissing him off.

I slip my arm through his and hate every point of contact between us. This close, I notice how tall he is, and how powerfully he’s built under his well-cut clothing. Keeping some distance between us is impossible and there's no escaping his proximity.

“Thank you,” I mumble quietly.

“Coming from the library?” he asks, walking at a slower pace than I would expect.

“Yes. Finneus has been helping me with research,” I tell him.

“Ah, yes. Finneus. Good man. Loyal.” The under-current to his tone makes me think that the king doesn’t like Finneus, but tolerates him.

“I couldn’t comment, Your Majesty, but from what I’ve seen of him, he seems like a good guy.”

“Did you find what you needed?” he adds.

“For now. There’s a lot for me to learn and understand.”

King Raghnall remains silent. He looks at me from the corner of his eye as he guides me through the hallways of his palace. I can’t help but notice the difference between him and Tavish. He isn’t easygoing like his son. There’s something to him that makes me want to run, very quickly. I can’t work out if it’s the fact he’s a king, and probably incredibly powerful as a result, or if there is more to it.

I keep my gaze straight ahead, taking in some of the art that I haven’t been able to examine properly. There are some amazing pieces here. So beautifully painted. In my peripheral vision, I can still feel the king’s eyes on me while I do my best to avoid meeting his gaze.

“Tell me more about your family, Elsie,” he demands.

“There’s not much to tell. It’s just me and my Grandpa.”

“No mother? No grandmother?” he pushes.

“Not anymore,” I say, keeping my tone flat.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” The king’s response isn’t sincere, merely the socially acceptable response to hearing someone has lost a loved one.

I nod my head in recognition, taking a quick look at him to show that I heard and accept his condolences, half-assed as they might be.

We continue to walk the hallways in silence at a slow pace that makes my desperation to have this interaction over heighten.

“I’m pleased Tavish has offered for you to stay with us in the palace. However, you will keep your distance from him.”