Page 92 of A Legacy of the Light

We ease the horses into a trot for the rest of the journey and make it back to the palace in decent time.

As we ride through the wooden gates into the courtyard, Tavish turns to the nearest guard. “There’s a Brollachan roaming in the woods by the heather fields. Send half a unit to run it off. Do not engage.”

The guard bows. “Yes, Your Highness,” he says, and rushes off to communicate Tavish’s command.

“The soldiers will be okay, won’t they?” I ask. Their task isn’t an enviable one.

“They’ll be fine,” he assures me in a much softer tone than he used with the guard. “This is what they’re trained for.”

We dismount and lead Mabel and Atlas back into the stables. The hands we saw earlier today are waiting for us.

“Please give her extra attention,” I ask the young Seelie, who told me his name was Fraser, when he takes the reins from me. “She’s been a dream to ride, and showed up the Prince of Elfayne. That deserves an extra sugar cube or two.”

“Can you not tell everyone?” Tavish grumbles from behind me.

Fraser laughs. “Aye, I will, miss,” he replies while looking over my shoulder at Tavish, stifling his laughter further.

I say goodbye to Mabel and promise we’ll go out again soon, then watch as she is led back to her stable.

Tavish and I walk across the courtyard and into the busy kitchens. He swipes a delicious-looking torte from the table and hands it to me as we slip into the corridor unnoticed.

“There are a few things I need to attend to before the ball. Will you be okay finding your way back to your room?” he asks as I take a bite into the chocolate pastry with raspberries on top.

“Yes, I know my way back from here. And thank you again for today. I really needed it. Aside from the Brollachan. And the death fish.”

He laughs and I hand him the last part of the torte. He takes it from me and finishes it one bite.

“You’re welcome. But please don’t go around telling everyone how you spanked my arse in that race. I have a reputation to maintain.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” I mock with an overly elaborate curtsey.

“You are trouble,” he teases with laughter.

I stand on my tiptoes and loop my arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. “I mean it. Thank you.”

“Anytime, Elsie,” he whispers as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in tighter. “I’ll see you at the ball?” he asks, releasing me.

I smile. “See you at the ball.”

“Save me a dance!” he calls as he heads off down the hall.

“Absolutely not!” I shout after him, earning me a strange look from the two female Seelie who pass me.

◆◆◆

We arrived back around two-thirty, so I have plenty of time for a hot bath before Reyne shows up for us to get ready. I lock the door to my room after I enter and remove my boots, my feet feeling sticky after putting socks onto wet feet after our swim.

Another note from Reyne, a shaver, and some sort of body cream, are waiting for me when I enter the bathroom.

You haven’t asked, but I figured you might need these for tonight. Reyne x

This Seelie is my guardian angel. The thought had crossed my mind on the ride back with Tavish but I didn’t know where I could find Reyne to ask. I didn’t feel confident enough to ask someone else around the palace yet. I run the taps and pour in more of the jasmine-scented bubble bath Reyne left on my first day, and wait for the tub to fill up.

The Craobh Beatha gets stashed into its usual hiding place since I won’t be wearing it tonight, as my dress doesn’t allow me to hide it.

Trepidation fills me as I think about the ball. So far, I have really only dealt with the king, his slimy assistant, Tavish, Reyne, and her aunt. They have all been welcoming, aside from the king and his shadow, who I feel have tolerated my presence more than anything.

Tonight, I will be in front of the entire Seelie court. Will they immediately know I’m human? I’m hoping for some kind of drama to keep the attention off me.