Page 102 of A Legacy of the Light

Finneus looks me over carefully. “Yes, I believe that’s possible. Meet me in the library tomorrow morning at eight. It will be quiet after the ball and we will not be disturbed. Very few folk venture that deep in the stacks anyway.”

I nod my confirmation and he takes my hand again. “Come. People will get suspicious if we remain whispering in the corner. We can discuss this tomorrow.”

I let him lead me away and I sip the water, trying to steady myself. Finneus knows more than he’s letting on, but this isn’t the place to push him on it.

We go back into the throne room and I swap my water for another glass of wine that’s going down far too easily.

Reyne and Eòghann are still wrapped up in each other, talking and laughing as they whip across the floor. I can’t stop the smile on my face as I watch them.

“They look good together, don’t they?” a familiar dark voice comes from next to me. His woodsy scent follows, somehow stronger tonight. I wonder if he wears cologne or if that’s just how he smells?

I nod and hold my glass to my chest and sigh.

“Your Highness,” Finneus bows.

“Finneus, nice to see you. Enjoying your evening?”

“Very much. These events are always wonderful,” he replies. The three of us watch the room for a few moments before Finneus says, “If you’ll excuse me, I would like to snatch one of those delicious-looking chocolate pastries before they all disappear.”

He bows again to Tavish and turns to me. “I shall see you tomorrow, my dear.”

“Tomorrow,” I reply and watch him walk away before turning my attention back to Tavish. He’s watching me.

“Dance with me.” His words are exactly what Eòghann said to Reyne, but there is no question in Tavish’s gravelly voice.

“You can’t refuse a prince,” he murmurs closer to my ear when I don’t reply immediately.

I stare at him, the near-by candle light warming his eyes to the color of amber whiskey.

“You’re pulling rank on me?” I challenge.

“Yes,” he says without hesitation.

“What about the pretty brunette in the green dress?” I look around the room and find the Seelie in question staring at us with an angry glare. “I’m sure she’d be happy to dance with you. I’ll cause a riot since I’m the resident human.”

“Oh, you could definitely start a riot. But not because you’re human.” Tavish looks over my face, pausing on my lips and where the swell of my breasts push together.

So Tavish is a boob guy.

I slip my hand into the one he offers me and he takes the glass I was holding.

“Wait.” I take the wine back from him and down the remaining contents. “Liquid courage,” I whisper to him.

He laughs and leads me out onto the dance floor.

This is a bad idea.

“I don’t know how to dance like this,” I tell him. The couples around us have slipped back into choreographed steps.

Tavish puts his hand on my waist, the heat of his palm burning into me through the thin satin of my dress. I place my left hand on his shoulder, feeling the muscle beneath his fine jacket, and he takes my other hand in his broad one. The callouses from years of training rub against me as he grips me.

He pulls me close and whispers, “Just follow my lead.” His breath fans across my ear; goosebumps follow in its wake.

The musicians begin playing a slow, romantic tune and the lights in the room dim, creating an even softer glow than before. Or maybe that’s because I’m only looking at Tavish. And the way he’s looking at me, as if I’m the only person here.

He keeps the first few steps tentative and small, testing if I’m able to follow him. Surprisingly I do. I don’t trip and fall on my face and my heels don’t get caught in my dress.

Tavish gets bolder, leading me into more complicated steps, my feet following his without me even needing to think about it.