Page 21 of A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star (Tales from the Tarot)

One week later…

Noah

“ O h, this is different,” I say as I buckle myself into the driver’s seat of one of the Land Rover’s that belongs to the DarkWing clan.

I’ve discovered that the clan doesn’t keep a large number of vehicles at the castle, particularly since many of them fly wherever they need to go, but they do require some for transporting food and other supplies. And the occasional fated mate and family, of course.

My parents hop in the back and Elryk settles into the front passenger seat, which is honestly a bit of a mind fuck because the interior of the vehicle is the reverse of what I’m used to back in the States.

Thankfully, Elryk’s back to his usual vigorous and healthy self after a rather grumpy and frustrating weeklong stay in the medical wing of the castle. I think Dr. Martha might have killed him if I hadn’t been there to keep him in check.

The man’s not used to lying around and doing nothing, that’s for sure.

I spent as much time as possible with him in his room every day working on my next children’s book, Kraken in a Kilt . I’ve already had some preliminary conversations with my agent and she’s excited about shopping this one around. She thinks I’ve got a real shot at a publisher wanting this LGBTQ-inclusive Otherkind children’s series. “Otherkind parents have been begging for this type of story, Noah,” were her exact words.

When I wasn’t working on my book, I also brought a laptop to Elryk’s medical room and forced him to watch some essential movie classics with me so he could begin improving his overall film knowledge.

“If you hope to understand me better,” I told him one day, “you’d best start learning my movie references ASAP.”

That seemed to motivate him quite a bit.

I also conducted a bit of sexy-time quizzing on him, which has turned him into a very enthusiastic pupil, if I do say so myself.

I smirk as I turn the key in the ignition and the engine revs to life.

“Vroom, vroom,” I say, beaming at Elryk.

Even in such an oversized vehicle, he’s still a giant squished into a human-sized seat. The top of his head brushes the ceiling, and his knees nearly touch the dashboard even with the seat pushed all the way back.

“Do you have enough room, Mom?” I ask.

She’s seated behind my mate, but the small stature we’ve both been blessed with pays off sometimes.

“I’m fine, honey. Plenty of space for this old lady.”

Dad reaches over and takes her hand, kissing it. “You’re not that old, Delilah. And you’re still as beautiful as the day we met.”

Mom flushes happily. “Oh, Gavin, you sweet talker, you.”

She leans over and kisses him, making him grin like a lovesick fool.

Life goals right there for me and Elryk.

Because I actually believe we’ll still be together thirty years from now too.

“Are we ready to go check out the Interspecies Highland Games?” I ask, my voice full of excitement.

Everyone offers their agreement, but Dad and Elryk are far more subdued than me and Mom.

“Thank goodness this thing has GPS too,” I tell Elryk as I input our destination while whistling a jaunty little tune.

“Aye, but we call it Sat Nav, love.”

“Eh, tomato, tomahto.”

“I suppose it’s rather late to be asking, but have you driven over here before?” My big, sexy mate has a wary and, dare I say, nervous look on his face.

I tap my chin thoughtfully. “Well, unless you count my very temporary stint as a London double-decker bus driver, this will be my first time.”

His dark gray face goes strangely pale.

“Are you all right? Do we need to go back and see Dr. Martha?”

He shakes his head. “No, I’m fine. But you do know we drive on the opposite side of the road to the States, right?”

I wave a hand airily. “Naturally, my good man. I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually.”

He gulps and whispers, “Eventually?”

I shrug. “Practice makes perfect, as they say, and how am I going to learn without trying?”

“That’s very true, Noah,” Mom says from the back seat. I send her a quick high five.

I put my foot on the gas and rev the engine. “Have I told you that I’ve watched all the Fast and the Furious films?”

“Oh, sweet Goddess above,” Elryk mutters. “Save me now.”

I chortle. “Not because they’re all great films—although a few of them are pretty decent—but because there’s plenty of man-candy to enjoy. And who doesn’t love the exhilaration of a good car race and even car chase?”

“We’re just driving to Drumnadrochit for the Interspecies Highland Games, my love. It’s not a drag race on the Strip.”

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 ley line. 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 immigrating fated 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— Highlander meets Outlander honeymoon 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 from Clueless. ” 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?”

“We did indeed.”

“What Elryk really needs to watch are the three Lord of the Rings films,” Dad offers in his calm and steady voice.

Naturally, I’d had to inform Dad about this travesty early on when he met Elryk. He’s as concerned as I am.

“Ooh! We should all do that together,” I suggest.

“Great idea, son,” Dad says, reaching forward to clasp my shoulder briefly.

I sigh happily. Having my parents here is great. I kind of wish they could stay here too.

Hmmm. Something to talk to Elryk about, perhaps…

We continue to zoom along down the road that curves through the Highlands, and I alternate between focusing on the lane in front of me and the glorious landscape all around me. My new home is truly breathtaking in its wild and untamed beauty. With all my dreams of visiting, I never thought I’d be lucky enough to actually live here.

I really should send that magic store owner a thank you card. It’s all because I had that Tarot reading that I ended up coming here in the first place and found my destiny. I know that Elryk calls me his lucky star, but secretly, I think he’s mine.

I’m so damn lucky to be his fated mate and a member of the DarkWing clan.

I swerve a little as I notice I’m drifting into the right lane, and Elryk clears his throat loudly. “Perhaps we should pull over and I can take the wheel.”

“It’s all good. I’m having a blast.”

“Driving on the opposite side of the road is so interesting,” Mom agrees.

Dad has his eyes closed and is snoozing, his head resting against his window.

Before long, we’re getting close to Drumnadrochit, and I have to make a right-hand turn into the event parking lot. This is a bit weird to do from the left lane, and I automatically nose the vehicle into the lane that I’m more used to turning into.

Elryk curses.

Loudly.

I end up swerving out of the way of an oncoming Mini Cooper. They honk and I just wave out the window.

“My bad!”

By the time I park, Elryk’s white as a sheet, which makes me frown.

“Are you in pain? Do you need some medicine?” I fumble around in the backpack I’ve brought with me. “Dr. Martha gave me some pain relief pills for you if you need them.”

He stares at me aghast. “I don’t need any pills. But I’m driving us home. Understand?”

I pout. “Aww.”

He closes his eyes and mutters something to himself, then opens them and forces a smile. “Partnership is all about equality, right? Seems only fair since you drove us here, I’ll drive us back.”

Well, when he puts it that way.

I beam at him and reach out my hand to shake. “You’ve got a deal, partner.”

He slumps in obvious relief.

“That’s actually a good plan. This way, I can take pictures with my phone of the countryside on our way back. I’ll admit, it was a little hard to pay attention to everything while also focusing on the road. The beauty of the landscape was quite distracting.”

“I could tell,” he gripes as we get out of the vehicle.

Mom starts snapping photos with her phone the instant she’s outside. “This is just gorgeous, isn’t it?”

I wrap my arms around her and give her a hug. “It is. I love it here.”

She leans up and kisses my cheek. “I’ve never seen you so happy. It’s wonderful.” She turns to Elryk. “Now you two go and enjoy your date. Gavin and I will be enjoying ours too.”

Elryk bows to her slightly. He’s so gentlemanly sometimes.

“Indeed. Let’s meet back here at five.”

We head our separate ways and I immediately link arms with Elryk, which makes him flash me a genuine smile.

The grounds are set up for a variety of Highland Game events, and booths featuring merchandise and food vendors are lined up all around us.

“Let’s get a snack before things start,” I suggest.

We start off with some chips, aka french fries, with curry.

“I’ve never had this before,” I admit.

“Wait till you taste it. It’s bloody marvelous,” he boasts.

I dip a nice, crispy fry in the fragrant curry, which has more of a gravy-like consistency, and pop it in my mouth. A delicious explosion of salty and spicy flavor blooms on my tongue, and I moan decadently.

“How has this not been a part of my life until now?”

Elryk’s eyes are fixated on my lips in a way that’s deeply satisfying, so I put on a bit of a show for him as I eat my portion.

Once we’ve demolished the curry and chips together, I spy something out of the corner of my eye that pulls me in like a food magnet.

My eyes stare at the food truck sign. “Deep. Fried. Mars bar?”

The older man in the food truck gives me a gap-toothed grin. “Aye, lad. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried this Scottish delicacy.”

I lick my lips to confirm I’m not drooling. “How do you prepare this magical thing?”

“We batter a Mars bar and then deep-fry it.” He chuckles. “And then you eat it.” He leans over the counter. “There’s a bit of an art to deep-frying these babies, but I’m a true professional. You willnae be disappointed, I promise you.”

“Sold!” I slap some cash down on the counter and wait in eager anticipation of this culinary experience of a lifetime.

A few minutes later, he hands over the fried Mars bar wrapped in paper. It’s still steaming hot, so I blow on it before taking a cautious bite.

The crispy, salty, and sweet combination of the fried batter and the melted, gooey Mars bar in the middle has me moaning like I charge by the second on an OnlyFans account.

Elryk grins. “Bloody good, isn’t it?”

“It’s fucking fantastic,” I say around a mouthful of the delicious concoction.

We continue to wander the grounds as I finish my treat. “You’d think with all the fried food Americans eat, they would have discovered some of these fantastic delights,” I muse.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. “Now that you’re a resident of Scotland, you’ll be able to have them anytime you like.”

I pat my stomach. “I think I’ll have to keep them as once-in-a-while treats if I want to keep my figure. Besides, my arteries won’t thank me if I eat that much fried food on a regular basis.”

“You’re beautiful to me no matter what,” Elryk growls.

“Likewise. Although I’d certainly be happy if you keep the muscles for a good long time.”

He throws his head back and laughs, loud and deep, drawing the attention of many around him, as well as more than a few admiring glances.

My man is sexy as fuck—and he’s all mine.

Eventually, I spy my old drinking buddies from the train up ahead, and I start waving my arms like I’m an overly enthusiastic cheerleader.

The moment I reach them, Iain scoops me up into a big hug. “If it isn’t wee little Noah! Glad you could make it.”

“How’re you enjoying Scotland?” Angus asks, his red hair downright fiery in the sunshine.

“It’s amazing. I love it here,” I say earnestly.

Craig flexes his biceps. “Are you excited to see us show off our caber-tossing skills?”

I laugh. “You know it.”

Jack, ever the quiet one, just smiles at me.

Iain sets me back down and gives me a cheeky wink, his bald head gleaming in the sunlight. “I promised I’d introduce you to some Scotsmen that might be interested in getting to know you better…” He trails off and his eyes widen as Elryk comes to stand next to me, his bare muscular arms crossed over his even bigger chest and his wings bristling. As usual, his expression is on the foreboding side.

Aww, my mate’s so cute when he’s trying not to be jealous.

I loop my arm through his and smirk at Iain. “No need, my good man, I already caught myself a supersexy Scottish gargoyle—and I’m keeping him.”

This seems to mollify Elryk, who gives me an adorably sappy smile.

“I can see that,” Iain says slowly and then beams at us both. “Congratulations.”

“It’s true love,” I tell him. “I’m moving here permanently.”

They all gape at me, and even Jack’s eyes go huge.

“Well, now, what a turn of events that is. Good on you both, and welcome to Scotland, Noah. We’re happy to have you here on a permanent basis.”

Angus gulps as he studies Elryk. My mate’s massive body makes even Angus look average-sized. “Are you competing in any of the events?”

“I just might,” he growls.

I give him a gentle smack on the arm. “No, he isn’t. He’s under doctor’s orders to take it easy. We’re just here to watch today.”

All four of them flash relieved smiles.

“I thought our chances of winning the caber toss might be sunk. Thank goodness!” Angus says.

We hear a loud announcement calling for all participants to go to their designated areas.

“Let’s meet up after things are done,” Iain suggests. “We could all have dinner together and catch up. I cannae wait to hear the story about both of you.”

“Sounds lovely. Let’s do it,” I agree.

Elryk grumbles something incoherent but subsides when I poke him in his rib.

I wish them all luck, and my four friends wander off, waving over their shoulders back at us.

We head over to the area where we can watch the events, and I pull out a wool blanket from my backpack for us to sit on.

Once the caber tossing starts, which is just as awesome as you might imagine, I pull out a separate blanket to wrap around myself because it’s damn cold in October here and a thermos full of hot tea just for my sweetie pie.

Coffee’s still my favorite but he might be wooing me over to tolerating tea.

I pour him a steaming cup and the smile of gratitude he sends my way makes my heart flutter and my nerve endings dance.

“Will it always be like this?” I blurt out.

He seems to intuitively know what I mean. “Aye, mo ghràidh. The intensity of the connection between fated mates never fades.”

I snuggle into him, relishing that electric-blanket-of-the-soul sensation only he can give me. “That might scare off some people but not me.”

He arches an amused eyebrow. “Is that right?”

“Aye,” I tease him. “I like it intense—if you catch my drift.”

The answering heat in his gaze makes me fan myself.

“You know, we could sneak away from here for a bit,” he suggests.

I chuckle. “No way. It’s too damn cold out here. My dick will shrivel and try to hide. Besides, I want to watch the contests.”

“I can toss a caber too,” he grumbles.

“Of course you can, you big, sexy Scotsman, you.”

He growls and leans in to nip my earlobe, making me gasp.

Two can play at this game.

I wriggle my butt in his lap, making him groan.

Heh.

“How about you show me later? And maybe you can finally teach me what that tail of yours can do too.”

A deep, delicious rumble bubbles up in his chest, sending a tingle of awareness straight to my balls.

“Anything you want, my love. I’m yours, forever and always.”

I pull him down for a kiss, giving him a taste of what he can expect from me later.

“The Goddess brought us together, and nothing and no one will ever tear us apart.”

He holds me tight. “Aye, mo ghràidh. You’re my lucky star.”

“The Star card led me here and to you. It took me a while, but I finally realized what my true heart’s desire is.” I kiss him. “It’s you, Elryk. Forever and always.”