Page 68 of A Legacy of the Light

“We are friends, and I’m very glad you’re here. Which, by the way, no one has explained to me yet.”

Her confession stuns me. I figured Tavish would have said something to her about how I came to be in Elfayne.

“I . . . uhh . . . has Tavish not said anything to you?” I ask, not knowing how much I’m allowed to reveal.

“He hasn’t. But I figured there’s a reason for that. Which is why I’ve not asked you either. I just hope you’ll be able to tell me soon enough.”

We remain in silence as we climb the last of the path, through the gates and into the courtyard. As we pass through, a few guards are training in the rings. The numbers are much lower than yesterday, and I am once again struck by how normal everything feels here.

Reyne and I agree to meet back here in ten minutes, and I hurry to my room to change into training clothes.

In the hallways of the royal wing, I cross paths with Tavish. His limp is gone and you would never have known he had been injured. The cut on his forehead has completely healed, too.

“Elsie, good morning.”

“Hey, what time did you leave?” I ask.

“It was early. I needed to help Father and General Macleod.” Tavish looks sad. He’s carrying it in his frame and it’s lining his eyes. It makes me want to throw my arms around him.

“Is there anything I can help with?” I prompt. After seeing the wreckage in the city, the need to do something is stronger.

“Not at the minute. But thank you for the offer. And for last night.” He looks at me so intently that I have to look away, a soft blush spreading across my cheeks.

“It’s no problem,” I murmur quietly. “It’s the least I could do. After everything.”

“Where are you off to now?” he asks.

“I’m going to change, and then training with Reyne, before going back into the library with Finneus. There’s still so much I have to research.”

“I’m sure Finneus will enjoy your company,” he replies.

“And I . . . would like to help to see if there’s a way to stop the Dorche.”

Tavish snaps his gaze to mine. “Why?” There’s a tightness to his shoulders as he waits for my reply.

“Well, fifty of your soldiers were killed last night and innocent people were hurt. You were injured. If they invade my world, humans won’t stand a chance. We aren’t as strong or as fast as Seelie and we would be wiped out. If there’s something I can find that might help, I want to do it.”

Tavish looks at me for a second longer. “Any help you give will be appreciated, but Finneus has been over everything we have and hasn’t been able to find any answers.”

“What about in the sealed rooms?” I ask, remembering what the librarian told me about the old chambers at the back.

Tavish shakes his head. “They are spelled to the blood of the Darrows, so we can’t get in them.” The tightness in his body remains.

“Oh, how frustrating. Maybe the answers are in there.”

“I guess we’ll never know.” Tension radiates from him, as if not being able to get into those rooms frustrates him, too.

Tavish and I say our goodbyes, he wishes me luck with my training and I ask him to let me know if he thinks of any way I can help.

Reyne is waiting for me when I go back to the courtyard.

“Are you sore after yesterday?” she asks me.

“A little,” I admit. Honestly, I expected it to be worse.

“We’ll only do a light session today so you’re not sore for the ball tomorrow.”

I nod, grateful she has thought about that, because I had not. I just want to be active and feel like I’m doing something.