Page 80 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
Elryk leads me to a library I didn’t even know existed in the castle.
The room has a vaulted ceiling and high-arched windows that look out over the moors and rolling hills, rugged peaks visible in the distance.
Every available wall has been converted into bookshelf space, which has been packed to the brim with books old and new, their spines facing us. Despite its large size, the library is quite cozy and has a distinctly homey vibe. The stone floor is covered in thick rugs and the furniture is oversized and cushy—perfect for curling up with a book and a cup of coffee.
I whirl on Elryk accusingly. “How have you not shown me this place until now?”
He blinks. “I haven’t really had time.”
That gives me pause and I try to count back to the night we met when I was doing a header off the train. Has it really only been a few days since Elryk first saved me? It feels like so much longer.
“Okay, fair.” I gaze around me in wonder. “But this place is incredible. Once we’ve dealt with these baddies coming to mess with us, I’ll probably spend a lot of my time in here every day. It’s the perfect place to write and draw.” I hug myself and do a little happy dance. The plan for a whole series of Otherkind children’s books is slowly forming in my mind.
Elryk studies me with vulnerable hope flickering in his eyes. “You mean that, don’t you? You truly want to make this castle your home with me.”
I step closer, pressing my smaller body against his bigger, bulkier one, and want to purr. “As you would say, ‘Aye,’ I do. I love you.”
His green eyes melt at my words. “I love you more than anyone else in all the realms.”
See what I mean? How could I not love this man? So sweet.
He leans down and kisses me, and I enthusiastically return the gesture. But before we can get too carried away, he pulls back, and I give him a frowny pout of displeasure that makes him chuckle.
“I’ve something to show you.” He leads me over to one of the bookcases and runs his finger along a row of books before he pulls one out, and I gasp.
Part of the bookcase swings open to reveal that it’s a hidden door!
“Young Frankenstein, eat your heart out,” I whisper.
I lean closer to the opening, listening carefully.
“Aw, nuts. No mysterious violin playing, so definitely no Frau Blücher hiding down there.”
Elryk arches a questioning eyebrow at me.
I mock swoon. “You haven’t seenYoung Frankenstein?It’s a Mel Brooks classic.” I shake my head. “Your film education is sorely lacking, but never fear, we’ll have plenty of time on cozy winter nights to curl up under a blanket together and watch all my favorites.”
His features soften and he smiles. “I look forward to it. Any time with you is precious to me.”
I clutch a hand to my chest and gasp. “You’re far too deadly for my heart, Mr. Hotter-than-Goliath.” Seriously, he’s not a man of many words, but when he does speak, he’s always sincere and can slay me with the sweetest sentiment.
“I take it we’re going through there?” I gesture toward the door.
“It would be more accurate to say we’re going down there. This leads into our castle’s cellar.”
“Like a basement? Do most castles have basements? I thought they had, like, dungeons or something. That’s what most Hollywood movies tend to go for.”
Elryk’s lips twitch and I can tell he’s fighting not to laugh. “No dungeons, but our cellar is a bit different than most. You’ll understand when we get down there.” He passes through the door and grabs a large lantern-style flashlight hanging on the wall, then turns it on to lead me down a long, winding set of stone stairs and into what seems like a dark abyss.
This is the most Gothic and rustic part of the castle that I’ve seen so far. It doesn’t appear to have been modernized or updated, possibly even since the castle was built.
“Has this always been here?” I ask, my voice a whisper that echoes in the void we’re descending into.
“Aye, DarkWing Castle was built on this spot because the node of the ley line is deep beneath the ground here.”
I clutch onto his arm as my foot nearly misses the next step. “The node is directly under the castle?”
And no, my voice did not squeak.
