Page 81 of A Legacy of the Light

“Ha, quite a few. Thankfully, most of them lead to the loch. Once you’re there, finding your way back is easier.”

“Good to know,” I remark.

“I wouldn’t go wandering if I were you. Not without me.” His voice turns serious and he looks back at me to make sure I’m listening to him.

“Trust me, I have zero intention of traveling out here by myself.”

My answer satisfies him and we resume riding in the quiet.

“Thought of any real questions yet?” Tavish asks, slowing Atlas so we are riding together again.

“Not yet. I will let you know when I do,” I reply, keeping my focus on the path in front. The trees have grown in density and there isn’t much light now. Even the birds are still and quiet in the canopy above. The feeling in the air shifts from enchanting to frightening. I’m glad Tavish is riding next to me and not in front.

Noticing my shift in mood, he comments and smiles, “I told you.”

“When you said there are things here better left undisturbed, what did you mean?” My question is hesitant. I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

“Creatures, mainly. Old and fast. And fucking terrifying.”

“Yep. Definitely not coming here by myself,” I murmur, and pull Mabel a little closer to Tavish and Atlas.

A snapping sound comes from the forest to our right, where the trees are thickest. The horses’ ears flatten and Mabel moves nervously beneath me. Tavish’s gaze locks onto the direction of the sound and slows Atlas down.

I follow his lead. “What was that?” I whisper.

He scans the forest around us, his shoulders growing tense.

“Our cue to leave,” he replies quietly. “Now.”

I waste no time in urging Mabel into a gallop with Tavish close behind me. My heart races and I keep my focus straight ahead, not wanting to know what is chasing us. I would like to be able to sleep for the next thirty years thank you very much.

“Keep going, Elsie—almost there!” Tavish shouts over the sound of hooves pounding on the stone. And the sound of something racing through trees.

We keep going, and whatever is following us keeps pace in the thicket. Fear lodges in my throat and I repeat we’ll be okay over and over again in my mind to stop me from freaking the fuck out.

Ahead, the path curves slightly and the trees thin out again, letting more light through the canopy. As we round the bend, it takes me a moment to realize that I can hear only one horse running.

I pull Mabel to a stop and turn to see Tavish has paused and dismounted, just where the trees start to spread out. He unsheathes a sword from Atlas’s flank that I didn’t notice he had with him.

“Stay where you are,” he commands quietly.

He doesn’t need to tell me twice.

White mist swirls around his wrists as he raises his weapon level with his shoulder and points it toward the tree line. His magic moves down his blade, coiling around it like a snake.

My breath catches. I knew he could wield but I have only seen him use it once, and that was a small amount.

Reality crashes into me again.

This is not some fairytale I’m living in. I’m in a world with magic Seelie who are very much at war.

“Tavish,” I say nervously, wanting to get out of here.

“Stay. Put,” he commands again, cool and calm and not at all fazed about whatever is barreling through the forest toward him.

A low growl slips from his lips and the noises from whatever is pursuing us slows when it hears him. Mabel shifts and I run a surprisingly steady hand down her neck to soothe her.

Tavish twists to his left, where the last of the thick trees provides a clear border between this part of the forest and the scary part we just fled.