Page 168 of A Legacy of the Light

“Okay?” I reply.

She hugs me once more, so tightly all the air squeezes out of my lungs, and then sprints from the library.

I turn to Finneus in question as he stands off to the side with a look of warmth and fondness.

“What was that about?” I ask.

He chuckles and shrugs.

“Will you take a walk with me, Finneus? You’re right, I shouldn’t spend my final day in the library.”

“It would be my privilege, dear,” he replies and offers me his arm.

◆◆◆

We spend the day walking the palace grounds and the city. He shows me to the garden visible from the dining room that shores the lake. He takes me to his favorite café in the city and we share a slice of lemon cake.

“I’ve always had a sweet tooth,” he confesses as we pore over the endless dessert options. In that moment, he reminds me so much of Grandpa that the longing to see him, and knowing that I will soon, makes my chest tighten.

He shows me so much of the city, and the palace, that leaving feels impossible. There’s so much of this realm that I haven’t seen. So much I haven’t learned about my heritage. Five months have passed me by in the blink of an eye, and now it’s over.

The day we spend together is bitter-sweet.

We return to the library at around five-thirty and we haven’t seen Tavish or Reyne all day. While I have enjoyed getting this time with Finneus, I would have liked to have seen them, too.

A note is waiting for Finneus on his desk. He quickly reads it before crumpling it and turning toward me with the faded brown leather book I found inside the wall of my bathroom.

“I want you to take this with you,” Finneus hands me Granny’s journal.

“Won’t you need it?” I reply, not taking it.

“No, I have everything I need from it. The books are still on the table in the sealed section so I can continue our research.” He places the journal in my hands and then holds them in his. “Thank you. For everything, my dear.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I tell him.

“Oh, but you did, Elsie.”

“Please don’t make me cry again, Finneus,” I attempt to joke.

He chuckles. “Remember that you are stronger than you know. Don’t forget that.”

“I’ll try,” I whisper.

“Now, shall we go and meet Reyne?”

“You’re coming?”

“Indeed, should I send this to your room?” he asks gesturing to the journal.

“Yes, please.”

Finneus snaps his fingers, and the book disappears, sent away on the tendrils of his magic.

I follow Finneus into the courtyard and, as we approach the iron gate that Tavish led me through on the night of the ball, he gives me an apologetic glance.

My brows pinch as he pulls a black silk scarf from the pocket of his jacket.

“What’s going on?” I ask.