Page 45 of Loched in Love

The deep and heady spell overwhelming my senses shatters. I blink, drawing in a short breath as Lachlan rubs circles at my back.

A moment later it’s as if a great fog lifts, and I squeeze Lachlan’s arm in gratitude.

“Alright now, Elena?” he asks.

I nod in response and glance at the Lady of the Lake, this time more wary to gaze at her too long, because when I do my head starts to spin.

She lets out a soft sigh that sounds like music to the eardrums and rolls her bright blue eyes with dramatic elegance. “Oh, you are entirely too stubborn,” she grumbles lightly, tossing her pretty brown hair over her shoulder. “Three hundred years away, and you still haven’t learned how to properly indulge yourself. Must you always be practical?” she queries at Lachlan.

The Lady of the Lake is not entirely ready to concede it seems.

Her gaze shifts back to me, softening into a look of proud, alluring promises.

“He remembers only the sharpness of my anger,” Vivian whispers directly to me, ignoring Lachlan entirely. “But look at what he wants to deny you.”

With a flick of her wrist, the room transforms.

Like a curtain peeled back, an oasis sits before me, revealing a cavern facing a shoreline.

It’s not a palace of stone at all, but a subterranean meadow brimming with all manner of life. Bioluminescent flora begins to crawl and carpet the tiled floor, pulsing in waves of neon violet, electric cyan, and soft mint greens that I long to touch.

Ferns and thick leafy banana leaves of pure light uncurl their fronds, casting an ethereal glow on the water. Through the glowing stalks dart tiny translucent creatures shaped like miniature glass deer and glowing dragonflies leave trails of gold dust in their wake as they dance and glide through the air. A gentle warm breeze wafts nearby, smelling like happiness and sunshine.

“Imagine waking to this every day of your life,” the Lady coaxes softly, her gaze gleaming with power. “No more winter or decay. Just a canvas of living light like you’ve always dreamed.”

I stare out at the pulsing flora and fauna, my jaw absolutely slack while I gape at the meadow, and then back at Lachlan’s tense and worried face.

Euphoria overtakes me, the feeling not unlike what I experienced in my younger days at a party once in college, and I let out a breath that’s half-laugh, half groan.

“Lachlan, have you ever seen a land more magical,” I mutter, my voice in disbelief as I try to catch my bearings while my gaze tries to look everywhere at once. “I’ve never seen vegetation like this in my life. How is this possible? Usually, most flora like this need pitch-black to survive, and look! It’s changing colors, and I want to take samples of those immediately.” I point at the mint-colored moss that beckons and make my fingers itch to touch.

When it explodes into different shades of verdant green, I gasp.

Vivian tilts her head, her ancient brow furrowing at Lachlan slightly, who seems to take it in stride.

“It’s only an illusion, Elena. I know it’s beautiful, but you’ve seen enough of her magic now. Close your eyes and don’t look again,” Lachlan warns, his voice tight. “Vivian just loves to play with her mirages.”

I snap my eyes closed and instantly relax. “Right! It’s hard to believe it’s not real, but my gosh can you imagine if it was? A discovery like that would be tremendous. And not just to me, but everyone in the scientific world!” I say as my thoughts swirl and rebound on how many new plant species there could be if it weren’t an illusion.

“It’s not real, my flower,” he murmurs.

“It’s like a fool’s gold,” I say aloud, reminding myself. I smile when he laces his fingers with mine. The simple maneuver makes me want to kiss him, and I peek open my gaze to find Vivian staring at Lachlan with a cold fury in her gaze that has my eyes going wide.

The Lady of the Lake’s playful air vanishes instantly, her gaze darkening like a sudden storm over open water. The pretty meadow slams shut, plunging the cavern back into a tense, shadowy chill once she realizes her ploy didn’t work.

“Now you’ve done it,” Merlin says, twirling his glass and tutting as he does.

“Fool’s gold? You mock my generosity and would leave me bereft of your company,” Vivian hisses, her voice vibrating with power of a thousand leagues. She holds the trident just out of reach. “I mended what was broken out of old friendship, but I won’t be insulted. Your leaving my kingdom comes at a price and you’ll pay the toll. Nothing in these waters is free, well you know, Lachlan.”

Lachlan doesn’t argue. “Aye, I ken it well and managed to bring insurance.” He reaches into the small satchel and spills the contents to the floor, gold doubloons and the piece of black coral that sparkles and shines in the low light.

Before Vivian can touch them, shadows lengthen. Merlin steps forward across the earthen clay floor, his purple robe glittering. He picks up a gold coin, biting the edge, then runs a glowing finger across the coral.

“Well hello there. How did you come to find this little gem?” Merlin states, his tone dry and pragmatic as he inspects it. “They’re legit, Vivian. Pure gold from the late bronze age, and the rarest void-black coral untouched by the sun. The debt between you both is squared and then some.”

The Lady of the Lake narrows her eyes, and opens her mouth to demand more, but she’s a second too late.

“Be seeing you, Lachlan,” Merlin says, his tone jovial but firm, before the sounds of shrieking from the beautiful Lady of the Lake begin anew.