Page 116 of A Legacy of the Light

“Can I ask what happened to your mother and grandmother. I don’t mean to pry, but I would like to understand what makes you think it might have been the Dorche.”

I nod, taking a deep breath. “They went to Central Park, and then stayed out for dinner, the weather wasn’t great so Granny drove into the city. On their way home, her brakes failed, and the car was found in the river. Or that is what we were told by the police. Her car had just been serviced, and she was a careful driver, so it never made sense to me.” I pause, steadying my emotions before continuing. “Mom was almost unrecognizable because of the accident, and Granny was never found. They assumed she was thrown from the car into the river. The only sign she was there was her purse and some blood.”

Finneus reaches across the table when I finish and takes my hand. “How awful. I’m so sorry, Elsie.”

“Thank you. I never believed it. It was so sudden and I didn’t understand why Mom was in the car but not Granny. Which is why I think it’s connected somehow. And why Grandpa didn’t ask more questions, because he knew she was alive. We lost Mom, we confirmed it was her in the end, and that broke him. It broke both of us, really.”

Finneus remains silent, watching me closely.

I clear my throat. “Tell me about your brother.” He had mentioned his brother in the chambers and, in the middle of discovering that I’m not a human, it slipped me by.

He smiles wide and sits back in his chair. “His name was Lachlan, and he was everything I’m not.”

“What do you mean?”

“He was bold and loved adventure. He was a general and could never sit still. He drove our parents quite mad as a child.”

I chuckle. “He sounds great.”

“You would have liked him, I think. He was wonderfully kind and patient. There was quite an age gap between us but that didn’t prevent us from being close. I miss him terribly.”

“How old was he?”

“Almost three hundred, although he seemed older at times.”

“I’m sorry you lost him.”

“And I’m sorry for your loss, too,” he replies.

Finneus stands from the table. “I think that’s quite enough for today. We should return these books and go to bed. Please eat something?” he requests.

“I will,” I confirm, and help him return the books to the sealed chambers.

We’re nearing the exit of the library and he pauses by his desk. “I have a request if I may?”

I turn and look at him.

“I would like you to keep training with Reyne.”

My brows knit in confusion. “I had planned to, but why?”

“I want you to be able to protect yourself, if you ever need it,” he whispers.

Understanding sweeps through me. Finneus and I have bonded on a deeper level today, so I get why he’s bringing this up. I would be devastated if anything were to happen to him.

We hug before parting ways and I quickly return to my room.

As I approach, Reyne is waiting with a familiar silver tray. I take a deep breath and plaster on a false smile, not wanting to show the turmoil running through me.

“Elsie!” Reyne’s smile is wide, and her eyes glint with happiness.

“Hey!” I greet her. She balances the tray in one hand and hugs me with the other.

“How’s your head today, lass?” she asks.

“You know, I’ve definitely had worse hangovers,” I reply.

Reyne giggles and lifts the tray in her hands. “I brought dinner, if you’d like some company?”