Page 135 of First Light
“Yes.” Her voice was barely audible, and she found herself looking up into Lachlan’s vivid green eyes.
“We danced to this in the living room,” he said. “That beautiful night that it was snowing and the moon was full.”
“Of course I remember.”
It had been like magic, a rare early snow falling on the cedars and the redwoods around the house, the meadow that stretched from the picture window to the forest slowly growing white with drifts. Blue light peeked through the clouds, illuminating the clearing around the house and casting shadows in the trees.
“You told me the story of how your parents met.” She glanced at Robb and Elanor, who leaned together at the front of the hall, conspiring and smiling like sweethearts. “You might have left a few things out.”
“I didn’t lie. It was a match arranged by their families.”
“But not to join two powerful companies.” She stared at the strong line of his throat. “How did you hide so much, Lachlan?”
“I didn’t want to.” He leaned closer, touching his forehead to hers. “But do you see how impossible it would have been for me to explainall this?” His arm swept out, and he dipped her back.
Carys was struck dumb, staring at the floating blue candles, the sparkling gold confetti drifting in the air, and the ceiling of the great hall, which had somehow turned to delicately falling snow that smelled of cedar and moonlight.
“Lachlan.”
He drew her up slowly and leaned forward, whispering into her ear. “Do you still believe in fairy tales, Carys Morgan?”
She was silent because there was nothing to say. She rested her head on Lachlan’s shoulder, dancing under the magical snow and whirling under blue lights that danced over her head.
Don’t ever follow the lights, my Carys. They want to lead you away from me.
Carys took a deep breath and centered herself, remembering the touch of her mother’s fingers on her cheek. The gentle voice in her ear.Don’t follow the lights.
“Someone told me,” she started, “that you would marry again. That you would have to.”
Lachlan’s steps faltered a little. “Who told you that?”
“Does it matter?” It probably would have been better if he’d loved Aisling all along. She would make the perfect queen. “Alba needs a queen, doesn’t it?” She glanced at Elanor, who was watching Lachlan and Carys with soft eyes. “Your mother has a big job.”
“It’s one you’d perform excellently.” He twirled her around, changing rhythm as the music moved from the waltz to something more lively. “Maybe we’ve both been focused on the wrong thing.” His eyes locked with hers. “Who better than a mythology professor to be queen in a fairy-tale world?”
She scoffed. “What are you saying?”
“When was the last time you missed Baywood?”
“This morning.”
He didn’t respond to that.
“I miss my friends. And I know they miss you,” she whispered. “What am I supposed to tell Laura and Kiersten when I go back without you?”
“I don’t know.” He turned them in fast circles, wrapping the rhythm of the music around them both. “Maybe you won’t have to go back without me.”
“Really?” She looked at Robb and Elanor, both of whom were watching the two of them dance. Elanor was beaming and Robb… and he was almost not frowning. “You think they’re going to let you go to the Brightlands?”
The music stopped and Lachlan leaned down, his lips inches from hers. “You think they’re going to letyougo? After they already lost your sister?” He put his arm around her waist and guided her through the crowd. “And what of Dafydd? Eamer?”
“They know my life is there. My home is?—”
“What about Cadell?”
Cadell? The idea of leaving the dragon—herdragon—pierced Carys’s chest like an ice pick. What would Cadell do when Carys returned home? “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about that yet.”
“You told me that I was reckless once.” Lachlan pressed his cheek to hers and whispered in her ear. “You walk through this world thinking you leave no footsteps, Carys Morgan. But your path here could change everything.” He pulled back and stared into her eyes.“Everything.”