Page 14 of A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star (Tales from the Tarot)

Chapter fourteen

Noah

Mama Delilah’s Daily Horoscope Reading

New experiences bring with them new realizations. Keep an open mind but be sure to keep your wits about you. Hold your friends close and your enemies as far away as possible. This is a vulnerable time for Sagittarius. You’re special, Sagittarius, and others are starting to realize that. They may try to steal your thunder, so don’t trust everyone who approaches you. Remember, you and water signs don’t mix too well this month. Steer clear!

O ne moment I’m sitting in the rowboat, holding on to Elryk while I use my mental tentacles to feel up the magic ley line— heh —and the next, I’m crashing into dark, icy water.

The breath leaves my lungs in a pained whoosh the instant I make impact. My entire body seizes in revolt against the freezing cold loch. I struggle to react as every physical part of me tries to shut down at once. My loaned heavy coat is now a water-logged weight dragging me down, and even when I can finally manage to feebly kick my legs, I don’t make much headway toward the surface. By now, I wouldn’t even know where it was if it weren’t for the commotion happening overhead.

This is a whole other type of brain freeze, but my sluggish mind can’t fully comprehend what’s happening let alone the situation I’m in.

Suddenly, a tentacle wraps around my waist and yanks me up and out of the water. I dangle in the air and gasp and sputter, pulling in glorious lungfuls of oxygen.

I can’t entirely make sense of what’s happening below me while I’m trying very hard not to go hypothermic, but someone or something is fighting with Elryk and Nasser.

From what I can sense with my newfound abilities, they also appear to be using magic. It’s not entirely visible to my human eyes, but I can distinguish the vibrations in the air now.

The boat I’d been sitting in not too long ago has been reduced to splinters of wood bobbing on the surface of the roiling water as Nasser strikes back with his free tentacles and Elryk assists him from the air, diving and swooping on our attackers.

Without warning, Nasser shouts to Elryk. “Go long!”

“Wha—AHHHH!” The tentacle holding me yanks back hard and then flings me into the air.

I go screaming all the way.

“Aaaaaahhhhhh!”

The force of Nasser’s throw catapults me toward the shoreline at what feels like light speed—which is exactly as terrifying as it sounds. Definitely the closest I’ve ever come to flying on my own, but I don’t recommend it.

Just as I’m about to crash into a tree, Elryk swoops in to rescue me from near death for the second time in our brief acquaintance.

“You cut that a bit close,” I tell him tartly as I try to hide how badly I’m shaking.

It’s not much use since I’m in his arms and he can feel every damn tremble.

I squint in the darkness and can see that Elryk appears a little worse for wear. His usual man-bun has come loose, letting the beautiful long waves of his thick, dark hair hang around his shoulders. He’s also sporting a bloody gash on his forehead.

Damn him for looking so mouth-wateringly yummy even after a fight!

Evidently, being dunked in a freezing Loch Ness makes me a grouchy bastard.

“Aye, that was a wee bit too close for comfort, but I will say it wasn’t my idea,” Elryk growls, casting an accusing look back at Nasser.

I follow his gaze in time to witness a now fully transformed Nasser breach the surface of the loch in all his glory.

What also becomes clear to me is now that Nasser has gone kraken-sized— eat your heart out, McDonald’s —he’s got a complete handle on the situation and is evidently having fun with two opponents he’s grabbed in his tentacles. He’s gleefully alternating between tossing them up in the air and then dunking them in the loch.

“Uh… is that the kraken equivalent of waterboarding?” I ask, letting out a nervous laugh as my teeth start to chatter.

“Hmm. That’s probably a good analogy. Nasser likes to toy with his foes. And it’s been a while since he had anyone to tangle with.”

Now that the danger has passed, the frigid cold suffusing my entire body feels like it’s taken up residence in my very core, and I fear I might never be warm again.

While I’m grateful to be out of the water, being wet in this cold air is nearly as bad.

Lines of concern form on Elryk’s face. “I’ll explain everything shortly, but I need to get you warmed up and fast. Hold on and I’ll fly us to Nasser’s cabin. It’s not far.” Clutching me tightly in his arms, Elryk flies through the forest until we reach a small log cabin nestled far from human eyes.

My mental tentacles—as I shall now forever call them—pick up on what has now become the recognizable resonance of magical energy as we get closer to the cabin.

“What was that m-m-magic?” I ask, shaking uncontrollably now. “A barrier. It protects this place and also keeps it from the eyes of others.”

Confused, my mind still foggy, I glance around. “How did we get through it?”

Elryk gives me a tight smile, unable to hide the worry in his eyes. “There are advantages to being the mate of a Barrier Master. I’m the one who put this barrier up for Nasser years ago, so it answers to my command first and foremost.”

“That’s am-m-mazing. How m-many b-barriers do you m-maintain?”

I’m so cold I can’t stop my teeth from chattering.

Also, now I’m getting worried about Elryk. My mate’s already maintaining the huge barrier at DarkWing Castle and now I discover he’s helping others. Things are going to change now that I’m here. I won’t let him break himself under the weight of too much responsibility.

“For now, just this small one and the main one back at the castle. Fortunately, this barrier requires much less maintenance on my part. Because Nasser has an ability that is similar to a Conduit, although nowhere near as powerful as yours, he can channel some of his own magic into the barrier to keep it in tip-top shape. I only have to do maintenance on it every couple of years.”

That sounds manageable, but a growing sense of resolve is building within me. I think I see what the Goddess was planning.

I have a sneaking suspicion my raison d’être in our partnership might be keeping this magnificent man safe and superpowered so he can be The Ultimate Barrier Master without burning himself out.

Do I like to aim high? You bet your ass I do.

When we land, Elryk strides to the front door of the cabin and opens it with no difficulty. Clearly, Nasser doesn’t keep it locked, but then again, if he’s got a magical barrier, I suppose I understand why.

“Hurry and get out of those wet clothes while I start a fire,” Elryk tells me as he hurries over to the woodstove used to heat the cabin.

With clumsy, trembling fingers, I manage to unbutton the sodden coat I’d been lent. I don’t want to think about what I’ll have to tell the kid who owns it.

Next, I peel off my wet clothes and undergarments before draping them over some furniture to dry.

Elryk strides over to me.

And promptly drops his kilt.

I gawk at him like I’ve never seen a naked gargoyle before.

Granted, I haven’t gotten the greatest full-body view of Elryk in all his glory until now. Our hot session on the couch in the castle had been kind of quick and dirty, and more than a tad desperate. We’d been so lust-addled I don’t know that either of us were thinking straight.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—Elryk DarkWing is definitely hotter than Goliath.

And I honestly didn’t think that was possible.

3-D realness for the win!

He’s so big and beautiful in all the very best ways. I’ll admit, I’ve always had a thing for muscular guys, and Elryk has every man I’ve ever met completely beat in that department. The hard lines of his body look like they were sculpted by that Goddess he believes in. They’re positively divine. His thin gray tail flicks out behind as he bustles around the cabin, and I find myself intrigued.

It’s certainly a lot less intimidating than Nasser’s enormous tentacles!

This is also the first time I’ve seen Elryk with his hair down, and fucking hell if that isn’t going to feature in my nightly fantasies for a long time. In his current state, he resembles some wild, ancient warrior just returned from battle and ready to indulge in some conquering of the sexual variety.

I immediately look down at my sad, flaccid dick, which has damn near tried to climb up into my body due to the cold.

You’re missing out on a prime opportunity, buddy.

Elryk seems oblivious to my thoughts as he grabs a heavy duvet off the bed and wraps it around us and moves us to sit on a rug in front of the woodstove. He nestles me in his lap and envelops me with his much bigger body, which is somehow radiating heat despite everything.

Gargoyles definitely have some serious anatomical advantages over humans.

Elryk’s naked chest pressed against the icy skin of my back is like heaven and inspires some naughty thoughts that I’m still too cold to even attempt to follow through on.

In our blanket cocoon, he begins to rub my arms and back, trying to get the blood circulating.

“I’ve got you now. You’re all right.”

“Still so cold,” I whisper.

“I’ll warm you up, love.”

Gradually, the woodstove heats the cabin enough to be cozy and that, in combination with Elryk’s tender ministrations, helps the worst of my full-body shivering start to subside.

Heaving a contented sigh, I snuggle into Elryk’s warmth while we cuddle in front of the stove.

“So what exactly happened out there?” I finally manage to ask again.

Elryk strokes my back in soothing circles. “We were attacked. They chose the perfect moment, when we were all distracted by you finally making contact with the ley line, and got the drop on us.”

I beam at him. “Screw them, but yay me. My mental tentacles stroked that line for all they were worth.”

“Aye, mo ghràidh. I felt it. The power you shared with me was… unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

Uh… what?

“Wait. I shared the power with you? How?”

He stares at me and then a slow smile spreads across his face. “You didn’t realize you were sharing it with me?”

I tilt my head to the side, considering. “Hmm. I didn’t realize I was doing anything much at all. Basically, I was like an excited kid during their kindergarten’s show-and-tell. I just wanted to let you see what I’d done.”

Elryk leans in and nuzzles my neck. “Interesting. Since I am your mate, sharing your power with me might be purely instinctual. Your Conduit side knew exactly what to do even if you didn’t.”

I snort, unable to repress that part of me that has never gotten too old for a bit of juvenile humor. “Heh. So I probed you with my mental tentacles and injected you with my power?” I waggle my eyebrows at him. “Kinky.”

Elryk barks out a laugh before he captures me in a mesmerizing gaze full of awe, one that I can’t look away from. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”

I swallow hard, my heart hammering in my chest at his words. “Is once really enough?”

He leans down and takes my mouth in a languid, sensual kiss that feels like he’s laying claim to me with slow but relentless determination.

And I fucking love it.

When he finally pulls back, I’m warm all over, and my cock has decided to stop hiding. It’s ready to make good on my earlier fantasies.

But I’m briefly distracted when my eyes return to the gash on Elryk’s forehead.

I reach up and gingerly press my fingertips close to the wound, and he winces.

“Are you okay? Should we try to find some medical supplies here?”

The cabin’s quite small, so I don’t even know if there’s a bathroom of any kind.

“Dinnae fash yerself. It’s not too bad. Those mage bastards destroyed the rowboat, though. Everything happened so fast that I had barely a fraction of a second to react. The easiest and safest thing I could do was throw you overboard before their blast hit us. I apologize.”

“Was that how you got this wound?”

“Aye. Most likely from a bit of wood shrapnel when the boat exploded.”

My brain catches up to what he’s saying. “So it was mages who attacked us? Why?”

“Two of them. From what Nasser and I could tell, they seem to be the ones that hired that sleekit bastard, Malcolm, who tried to kidnap you off the sleeper train. No doubt they were hoping to get access to the ley line through your powers.”

I frown. “How would they even know who I am? And why would they need me for that?”

Elryk shakes his head. “Mo ghràidh, I dinnae think you realize just how momentous an event it is to have a Conduit appear here after so many years without one. Your kind are quite rare in the Terran realm, and as a result, many crave to have that power in their possession.” He sighs. “It’s a burden a Conduit must bear. While many want access to the power a ley line possesses, not just anyone can easily tap into that raw magic. For most, doing so would cause them to be incinerated on the spot.”

I feel my heart drop into my stomach like a stone. “And you let me just touch it?!” My voice comes out slightly hysterical but I think it’s totally fucking justified.

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 you sure you want to take that burden—aka me —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 be granted 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 watched Outlander aplenty, 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.”

Elryk takes hold of my hand in his much larger one, and I try to stop imagining writing out my name as Noah DarkWing someday.

“The big question now becomes, do you want to spend the rest of your life with me, especially knowing it means staying here in another country and living at DarkWing Castle?” He averts his gaze. “I’m not sure that I’m an ideal choice. I’d hate for you to be unhappy here, or only staying out of a sense of obligation.”

My sweet gargoyle is too kind for his own good.

“One thing you’ll learn about me pretty fast is that I won’t be coerced into anything I don’t want. I know how to speak my mind. If I have a problem or a concern, I’ll tell you. Maybe a little too often even.” I squeeze his hand back. “No one can know exactly what the future holds, not even your clan’s Oracle, but I know that when I’m with you, I’m happy and it just feels right. You fascinate me in all the very best ways. I want to learn more about you, in the bedroom and beyond.”

Elryk flushes with pleasure.

“And moving here and living in DarkWing Castle on a permanent basis? Sure, the idea’s a little intimidating, but I’d say it’s exciting overall. I mean, you know this already, but it’s a freaking castle ! That’s so cool. Not many people get the opportunity to live in a bona fide castle, and Scotland is so beautiful. The landscape here in the Highlands is truly majestic, and I can’t wait to explore more of it with you. I’ve already been thinking about what it would mean to stay here and how my life would need to change.”

He cocks his head, watching me intently. “And what have you considered?”

“Well, first off, I mean sure, I’m a Conduit or whatever, but that’s not exactly a paying job now, is it?”

“No, but the clan would pay you for your services.”

I shake my head. “I figure if they give me room and board in order to help you maintain the barrier to the castle, that seems more than fair. What I’m talking about is making a living, doing something that’s fulfilling for me on a personal level.”

Elryk nods slowly. “I see the conundrum. Alas, there aren’t many job opportunities outside of the estate. The closest town of a decent size is at least a forty-five-minute commute each way, maybe longer.”

“Damn. That does make things tough.”

Elryk’s starting to look worried again, but I pat his veiny forearm to offer reassurance. Mmmm. I’ve always had a thing for nice forearms on a man. I kind of want to lick him. Would that be rude? Or just plain weird? I mean, he did lick my neck, after all, so he has no room to complain.

But my libido is derailing this conversation when I still have stuff I need to make clear to him.

“Never fear. I have some ideas on how to address this problem. First and foremost, I have a dream I’ve been working on for some time, and I feel like this new path in life that I find myself on might be more likely to yield positive results.”

“And what’s that?” Elryk’s worry immediately transforms into curiosity.

I beam at him. “I’ve been trying to get published as a children’s book author for a while now. This could be my chance to pursue that full time.”

Elryk smiles. “That sounds wonderful. I had no idea. Tell me more.”

I nod shyly. “I got interested in it because there weren’t a lot of really affirming books for me when I was young, even though I knew I was gay from a pretty early age. It would have been so empowering to have more children’s books where I saw myself represented and that could inspire me. That’s what made me start thinking about how I could address this problem myself.”

“Do you write the books only, or do you also illustrate them?”

“Both.”

“You’re so talented.” Elryk pulls me close again. “I’ll help you make your dream come true, my love.”

Fuck. This man is blowing up every cynical wall I’ve ever put up against letting myself fall in love again.

Men have wanted my body before, but they’ve never wanted to support me in other ways, let alone help me achieve my dreams.

I pull Elryk’s head down to my level and thoroughly ravish his mouth. When I let go, we’re both panting, and his eyes look like they’re glowing a brighter green.

I reach between us and grab his hardening cock. “I want you to fuck me right fucking now.” I arch an eyebrow at him. “ Mate .”