Page 181 of A Legacy of the Light

The group pulls to a stop and the guards move their horses to one side, giving Tavish and me the room we need to race.

“My money’s on the human,” one of the guards whispers.

“There’s no way she’s beating Tavish,” another replies.

A wicked smile pulls at my lips.

“On your mark!” Reyne calls. There’s no hesitation from me this time.

“Ready?” she calls again.

Tavish and I nod and he throws a wink in my direction as we grip our reins tighter.

“GO!” Reyne shouts.

Mabel takes off like a bullet from a gun, as if the last few days riding at the pace of others has made her restless. Atlas has barely got off the line and we streak ahead of them. I urge her faster, and that feeling of her soul connecting to mine flows between us. Something in my chest beats. Like a second heartbeat next to my own.

Magic.

Power simmers in my blood and a pressure builds within my chest and down my arms, begging and pleading with me to unleash it.

I can feel my magic.

I tap into the feeling, exactly as Finneus tried to instruct me in the chambers. But it feels as though something is smothering it, like a band is wrapped tight around it, holding it down and wrestling it to remain buried. I channel everything I have into pulling the magic forward, to summon it, but it only flutters in my chest like the embers of a dying flame.

I reach the barn long before Tavish does. I have dismounted and am feeding Mabel a sugar cube by the time he reaches me.

“What the fuck was that?” he asks, delight spreading across his face.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I wink.

The rest of the group joins us and Reyne slaps my hand in a high five while the guards openly gawk at me.

“I told you I’d hand you your ass again, Tavish.”

Laughter breaks out around us.

◆◆◆

The sun sits low on the horizon when we reach the edges of Claver. The buildings look much like those in the city. Golden lampposts flicker to life as we ride through the town. Fewer Seelie greet Tavish here but they all bow out of respect as he passes.

The inn isn’t far into the town. It sits in a small square surrounded by pubs and cafes. It’s a tall pale building that rises four floors. Dark red shutters adorn the windows, and there are a few benches outside for Seelie to sit when the weather is warm.

We dismount, and lead the horses into the stables next to the inn. I help the young boy remove Mabel’s saddle and I spend a little longer in her pen, knowing this will be our last time together.

“Thanks, girl,” I whisper, scratching my knuckles down her nose.

Her brown eyes stare back at me and her ears twitch.

“I’m going to miss you.” I stroke my other hand down her neck and she shifts on her feet.

“We’ll take good care of her, miss,” the boy promises me.

“Please do,” I reply with a warm smile. “She’s a very special horse.”

He nods and scurries out of the stable, no doubt to help someone else.

Reyne is waiting for me at the main doors.