Page 66 of A Legacy of the Light

“Aye, he’s fine, lass.”

A full smile breaks across my face. “I knew he would be. What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I came to tell you that my Aunt Cait sent word. Our dresses are ready if you want to come with me to get them?”

She seems tired, like she didn’t get much rest either. I doubt anyone in Elfayne did, knowing the Dorche were on the city streets.

“Will it be safe?” I’ll admit that going back into the city makes me nervous and her question surprises me.

Reyne nods. “The patrols have been increased round the city borders and in the streets, so we’ll be safe.”

“Okay. But are you sure you don’t want to be with your family today?”

If it were me, I would be clinging to Grandpa for dear life after knowing he had been fighting.

“Da will be busy today, and Mammy is in an even worse mood than normal. You’d be doing me a favor actually.” Reyne gives me a subtly pleading gaze.

“Alright, let’s go then. I want to visit Finneus first and check on him if you don’t mind?”

In my fear last night, it didn’t even cross my mind what he must be experiencing, and I want to see that he’s safe and nothing has been triggered for him.

“I don’t mind at all.”

We head to the library quickly and find Finneus at his desk. He’s hunched over and furiously scribbling across multiple sheets of paper.

“Finneus! I’m so glad you’re here!”

He looks up from his work and smiles at me gently. “Elsie, dear. Good morning.”

“Are you okay after last night?” I ask, checking over his face to see if he has any injuries. I don’t doubt that he can handle himself, but I have come to care for the librarian in the last couple of days. I feel calm in his presence.

“Yes, I’m quite well. I hadn’t left the library when the alert came through so I was safe. Thank you for checking on me.” He looks to Reyne and smiles at her kindly. “I trust everything is well with General Macleod?”

“Aye, he’s helping King Raghnall and Tavish speak with the families of the soldiers we lost.”

“I’m glad to hear he’s safe. So many lives lost again. When will it end?” he sighs solemnly.

There must be a way to stop the Dorche. If they can cause this kind of loss against the Seelie, what would happen if they invade my world? Humans are slower and weaker and don’t have magic to defend themselves. It would be slaughter.

“I’m going into the city with Reyne this morning, but I’ll be back later to carry on with my research if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, dear. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

We say goodbye to Finneus and go through the palace to the kitchens. I link arms with Reyne as we step into the courtyard, expecting to find it bloody and full of bodies. Only nothing remains. There are no bodies, no blood, and there are people going about their day as if nothing happened.

◆◆◆

There are fewer guards around the courtyard than usual. Reyne tells me that those who were at the front of the fighting and aren’t injured have been given a few days’ rest. The others are working to cover their absence.

“It all seems so . . . normal,” I comment as she leads me through the small iron gate we came through yesterday.

“What else are we supposed to do? It was a relatively small attack compared to what the villages face.”

She shrugs and I stare at her. It didn’t seem like a small attack to me.

“Do you want to train this afternoon?” Reyne asks me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“If you’re free?”