Page 99 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
I reach over and pat his arm. “It’s all good. There probably aren’t any po-po all the way out here. We can let it rip once we get out on the main road.”
“How exciting!” Mom says.
Dad reaches up between the seats to pat Elryk’s shoulder. “Hang in there, son. You get used to them after a while. Best to just go with the flow.”
I put the vehicle in drive and head down the long dirt lane leading away from the castle.
Okay, I know I’m ridiculously upbeat and energized today, but life is good at the moment.
We soundly defeated the Sluagh, and almost everyone is healed and back to work at the castle. No casualties on our side was a major win, especially when we were up against such an imposing foe. Our clan leader, Kelwyn, made it clear to me that a large part of this was due to the power I was able to share with everyone during the battle. It’s certainly made me a bit of a celebrity among the members of the clan, that’s for sure.
I know the Sluagh won’t be the only threat we face. There will be others. Such is the reality when we’re protecting a magical leyline. But for now, I’m reveling in the peace and serenity of my new life at DarkWing Castle.
And today is the first time Elryk and I will be having a date off the estate!
Well, unless you count our evening of training over in Loch Ness with Nasser. But I don’t really consider that a date since it was work, even though it did conclude with some fucking worthy of a Guinness Book of World Records award.
Today is much more romantic. There’s no work involved. We’re just going to relax and have a good time together, dammit!
Yes, my parents are coming with us, but we plan to split up at the event since they intend to have their own date as well.
When Braewyn brought them to the castle, my mom took one look at me and burst into tears before wrapping herself around me in true Mama Bear fashion.
I’ll admit, I was looking a little worse for wear. It was the morning after the battle, and I had massive bruises forming on my forehead and especially around the newly stitched wound over my eyebrow.
Once I’d managed to calm her down with the help of my dad, I sat with them for a few hours and told them the whole convoluted tale of how I ended up at DarkWing Castle, awakened to my powers as a Conduit, and became fated mates with Elryk.
Naturally, my mom thought the whole story was dreamy—like something out of one of her favorite romance novels—and that Elryk and I were lovers destined to be together from the moment we were born.
Dad was a bit more concerned about practical matters, like relocating here permanently and what I’d have to do about a visa or citizenship.
Thankfully, Elryk has that part under control. Apparently, all human governments have protocols in place for the immigratingfated mates of their Otherkind citizens. I’ve been granted a temporary visa and will be eligible for citizenship once Elryk and I complete the official bonding ceremony.
We’ve decided to wait a while on that though. For all intents and purposes, the ceremony is much like a human wedding but includes magic. Elryk and I have decided to spend some more time living together and getting to know each other better before tying the proverbial knot.
It will happen, just not right away.
I’m very content to take our time. After all, we have plenty of it. Besides, I’m already planning the ultimate—and super romantic—HighlandermeetsOutlanderhoneymoon road trip to end all road trips.
Eventually, the dirt lane we’re on finally connects with a two-lane paved road. I follow the GPS instructions and turn left.
Elryk clutches the dashboard. “Wrong lane,” he grits out between clenched teeth.
“Whoops,” I say as I veer over to the left-hand side of the road. “My bad. Consider that my cute Cher moment fromClueless.” I reach over and pat his arm.
“Please keep your hands on the steering wheel, mate.”
“Relax. I’ve got this.”
“Thank the Goddess and all that is holy that there aren’t any other drivers on this road at the moment,” he mutters.
I’m used to ignoring his grumbling after a week with him in the medical wing, so I simply turn on the radio and crank up the volume when The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” comes on the radio.
“I know this is a 1980s Scottish classic, but I first encountered it when I watched the movie,Benny and Joon. We should totally watch it together sometime. Gotta love a very hot young Johnny Depp rocking those Buster Keaton vibes.”
He clutches the grab handle above his window.
“Oh! That’s a good one,” Mom says. “Didn’t we watch that together when you were in high school?”
