Page 89 of A Legacy of the Light

“I’m going to take it as one anyway.”

“If your ego needs that, then sure, it’s a compliment,” I tease, turning my attention to the fire as Tavish dresses.

He lays my clothes out so they can get warm and sits next to me, closer than he has before. We sit in silence for a few minutes while I dry off under the thick blanket. I shiver as the cold seeps into me.

“Are you cold?” Tavish asks.

“A little. I’m going to get dressed.”

I stand and hesitate, realizing he’s watching my movements. “Some privacy, please?”

He lifts a brow but complies and shuts his eyes. I’m aware he saw a lot of my body in the water but watching me dress again feels too intimate.

“Can I ask you something?” he prompts as I’m trying to pull my pants over my wet thighs.

I glance over at him to makes sure his eyes are still closed before replying, “Sure.”

“What’s the tattoo on your thigh?”

At the top of my right leg, just below the line of my panties, are the four circles I got tattooed when I turned twenty-one.

“You spotted that?” It’s tiny. Given the rest of my body on show I figured he wouldn’t have noticed it.

“Yes,” he replies.

“I found it in one of Granny’s journals a few years ago. I liked it. It felt like it represented the four of us, so I got it tattooed.”

“Why did you get it there?”

“So my Mom or Granny wouldn’t see it and lose their shit.”

Tavish laughs and I finally manage to get the pants up my legs and my shirt on.

“Okay, I’m decent.” I join him on the magic cloud and he opens his eyes again when he feels my body next to his.

“That symbol is on one of the sealed doors in the library.”

“What? Are you serious?” I snap my eyes to his.

He nods. “Ask Finneus to show you when you’re next in the library.”

It feels like there are too many coincidences, too many overlaps between Granny’s history and what I’m discovering in Elfayne.

Chapter 22

We sit by the fire, sharing the fruit Tavish has brought for us.

“Thanks again for showing me this place. It really is beautiful.”

Tavish swallows a slice of apple. “You’re welcome. I’ve never brought anyone else here.”

“Why not?”

“It’s special to me. I come here when things get too much. When the deaths and constant fighting wear me down.”

“Why did you bring me here?” I ask, grateful he wanted to share this with me.

“After last night I thought you might need it. Like your soul is as weary as mine.” He looks at me with sadness and understanding.