Page 41 of Loched in Love

“Doubloons, and a piece of the rarest coral. They’re guaranteed to get us safe passage out of here. The coral was once protected by a pod of mermaids, cousins of Vivian’s, and I know she’ll want to get her mitts on it. We may be able to get my trident sorted by bartering it too.”

“How did you know these were here?”

“Well, I brought them from my own collection back home to give them to her once upon a time. And ended up hiding them here for safe keeping instead, you ken,” he says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

“Hey, it’s okay. It was three hundred years ago,” I whisper, marveling at the priceless gold and treasures in my hands.

The coral is smooth, cold to the touch, and is the deepest color of black I’ve ever seen, and the doubloons are so worn and faded with time, I couldn’t begin to even know what era they’re from.

“Either way. We can now use it to barter and get her to fix my trident,” he says matter-of-factly.

“I don’t suppose you’d let me go grab my sample kit from my luggage just for funsies?” I ask, gazing down at the blue and brightly glowing water from where he pulled his goodie bag.

“No. simply because I wouldn’t risk it. You mustn’t touch or take anything from here, including something as small as a water sample. Vivian’s magic is strong, but I do know of a similar water source near my home I will show you once we reach it. You can take all the samples your heart desires.”

“Oh. Right, okay. Where to next?” I ask, handing him back the coral and gold.

He tucks them back into the small satchel and pulls the ties closed before taking my hand in his and kissing it.

He kisses my wrist next, and then up my arm trailing goosebumps in his wake until I’m hauled against him, like something out of Morticia Addams’ nightmares.

My heart now hammering like crazy, he eats at my lips until I’m dizzy, a melting puddle in his arms, moaning into his mouth before he pulls back and gives me a soft grin.

His thumb brushes against the corner of my mouth as he stares into my eyes. “Aye, that’ll do. I just needed you to know your lips are the only ones I’ll ever want to kiss. Now, let’s go find the witch and get out of here.”

Chapter 14

LACHLAN MACBETH

Elena’s wee hand in mine is like a balm to my bruised heart. Every moment spent with her is like water washing away the isolation and loneliness that was damn near all consuming. She’s like the rain washing away all the aches of my soul, and I’ll not take a second of it for granted.

The thought crosses my mind as we walk through the old villa, searching each room for Vivian, but so far there’s been no sign of her, nor anyone else for that matter. Not that I mind so much with Elena by my side.

We walk through the old vestibule, leading to the main bedrooms, as I point out old marble statues and artworks Vivian has dotted around the place, holding my key bearing cup carefully in my other grip.

Elena takes it all in stride, her gaze full of reverence as if we’re on an adventure, and I suppose we are.

Getting to spend any amount of time with her feels intoxicating. The time feels precious and stolen, the unraveling of her secrets and the quiet sound of her excitement leaves me breathless.

The position I’ve forced her into is less than desirable I know. Most women would balk at having to come here at all, the house of an ex, and I half expected to be leveled with accusations at the least before we arrived. Instead, Elena has only offered a calm presence and a steadfast loyalty that seems unwavering in its intensity.

“Thank you for coming with me. I mean to make it up to you once we leave here,” I tell her.

“Oh, I don’t mind. Who else can say they visited the Lady of the Lake while they were in England?” she says, amusement clear in the tone of her voice.

The idea that Vivian could be less than thrilled by mine and my mate’s visit isn’t a new one, but my instincts tell me it’ll be like every other supernatural encounter. Generally, true mate bonds are held in high regard, and it’s usually a point of celebration as such an event is rare. I highly doubt Vivian will be anything but cordial.

Besides, it’s been so long now, there’s no chance she’s not still put out by my not mating with her.

“Are you sure she’s home?” Elena asks, sounding uncertain.

“We should find out soon enough,” I mutter.

We pass through yet another large entranceway, this one leading to the main bedrooms below stairs in the southern wing, Vivian’s portion of the palace. The villa is U-shaped, a bathhouse of sorts is seated at the outside courtyard, with the building wrapping lazily around it in stone columns placed like sentries. The inner workings of the house itself are made up of the bath where my chest was hidden, the main villa, bathhouse, and northern and southern wings respectively.

“This place is huge,” I hear her mutter under her breath.

It is big. A large place built to keep Vivian occupied and in a state of relaxation, and the whole thing is practically humming with her power.