Page 68 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
Elryk pets my head, running his fingers through my hair in a soothing manner. “Sweetheart, a Conduit has nothing to fear when it comes to ley lines. You possess the natural ability to not only tap into that power but to share it with others so that they may use it safely.”
I pull his arms around me. “That doesn’t make me feel much better. I had no idea it was so dangerous. The magic felt almost… friendly?”
“Your fae ancestry means you have a natural affinity toward it. From what I understand, most scholars believe that it was the dragons and the fae who united to create the magical ley lines in this realm. But the truth has been lost to time, especially since the dragons and the fae had a falling-out millennia ago and stopped visiting this realm as often.”
“So, I didn’t hurt you when I inadvertently shared the magic with you?” I ask, frowning.
He shakes his head again. “No. One of the things a Conduit does naturally is transmute the magic from a ley line into something that will work with the recipient’s own natural talents. That’s why a Conduit can use their ability to enhance the abilities of almost any magic user.”
“Fuck me sideways,” I whisper. “Won’t that make me a constant target for baddies looking to take over the world or whatever?” I groan and cover my eyes with my arm. “Gah! My bad luck is still stalking me like a creeper.”
Elryk chuckles. “No, my love. I wouldn’t say it’s bad luck so much as your ability does make you a wee bit of a magnet for trouble. However, you have me as a mate, so that means you dinnae have anything to worry about.”
I pull back and look him dead in the eye. “Elryk DarkWing, are yousureyou want to take that burden—akame—on as a mate? Especially knowing that this might only be the start of a whole pack of ridiculous fools coming after me now that they know I exist.”
Elryk leans down and gently kisses my forehead. “I’ve no doubts, mo ghràidh. Let them come. I’ll help you deal with them each and every time. Besides, if you agree to our mating, once we’ve undergone the bonding ceremony, there’s no one and nothing that can pull us apart.”
“Sounds like you kind of get a bum deal in this whole situation,” I mutter sulkily. “None of my past boyfriends could ever put up with my bad luck for long. I’m worried you’ll get tired of me.”
Elryk leans in and nuzzles my ear, sending a very different kind of shiver coursing through me. “That’s where you’re dead wrong, sweetheart. I’m the lucky one in this scenario. For years, I’ve been alone. I never thought I’d have a fated mate. To begranted one who’s as beautiful and amazing as you, I can’t think of myself as anything but blessed by the Goddess. Nothing could ever make me get tired of you, mo ghràidh.”
“Elryk,” I whisper, my chest strangely tight and full.
“You told me when you had your tarot card reading, The Star card was the one you pulled, and it was the catalyst that prompted you to come here—and, ultimately, to find me. I shall always think of you, my bright and beautiful mate, as my very own lucky star.”
I chuckle wetly as I fight back tears. “Did you know you’re ridiculously sweet and adorable?” I wipe my eyes. “Also, that line just makes me want to bust out singing some old-school Madonna for you.”
Mom would be so proud.
And fuckity fuck fuck fuck! I need to contact her and Dad. How many days has it been since I last messaged them?
Elryk flicks his tongue out and licks the skin along the side of my neck. “You can sing anything you want to me.”
All thoughts of my parents go flying out of my head.
I gasp as he tugs on my earlobe with his teeth.
“There’s no bad luck when it comes to you, Noah. You’re my heart, my home, and my future.” He hesitates for a moment and then swallows. “I know we haven’t known each other long, and I recognize some of this is accelerated by the magical bond that we share, but I do love you, Noah Price. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my one and only fated mate.” His hands are trembling as he takes hold of mine. “I cannae help but love you. The very essence of my being yearns for you, and you alone. There’s no one in this world who was meant to be with me except you. You’re everything to me.”
I think I’m more surprised than Elryk when I start crying.
“Dinnae cry, mo ghràidh,” Elryk says, wiping at my tears with a panicked look on his face.
Somehow, it makes him even more endearing to me.
All this time, I knew what he was saying when he called me mo ghràidh. Believe me, I’ve watchedOutlanderaplenty, so I knew he’s been calling me his love for some time now. But I don’t think I fully believed that’s how he felt about me until this moment.
“Elryk DarkWing, how can you just go and slay me with the most beautiful and passionate love confession I’ve ever received, dammit?!” I sniff back snot—I am not a cute crier—but I can’t stop the tears streaming down my cheeks. “No one’s ever said anything like that to me before. You make me feel like I’m special and treasured in a way I’ve always wanted to be for someone.”
“Aye, sweetheart. You’re more precious to me than anything else in this world.”
“Gah! There you go again. I can’t even with you.” I wipe furiously at my eyes. “Dammit if I don’t love you too, you big, sweet, sexy gargoyle.”
“Do you mean that?” There’s so much hope shining in his eyes that I can’t look away.
I don’t care if what we’re feeling is all part of a Goddess’s magical manipulation bringing us together as fated mates. My heart already belongs to this man.
“Of course I do. I fucking love you, Elryk. And believe me, I wouldn’t ugly-cry like this for anyone but the man I love. No one else is allowed to see how puffy-eyed and snotty I get.”
