Page 92 of Losing My Siren Luna

Chapter 30

Eventually, we did make it to the garden we originally set out for. Lachlan had this expression like he had just won the greatest prize, all from one kiss.

I can’t say that I felt much different. It was a great moment for me as well. I finally felt free from the ghost of Lachlan from my past. It was a small act, but felt enormous to me. Now, I do not flinch or hesitate when Lachlan grasps my hand, kisses the back of it, or when he places his arm on my shoulder, hugging me to his side. This feels….right. Like this was how we were meant to be.

The garden that used to belong to Lachlan’s mother was beautiful. It was a maze of foliage, blooming roses, and flower-covered vines over wooden archways. The center of the maze had an elaborate fountain with, of all things, a mermaid at its center. She was gorgeously intricate with her carved scales and the delicate way her tail and fins folded to the sides, like water currents were pressing down on them. Water was spewing from her uplifted hands, cascading down her marble body into the pool below.

“She’s beautiful,” I whispered, reaching out and bending over the pool to touch the delicate carving in her tail fin.

“She’s alright,” Lachlan shrugs, “You are by far the most beautiful thing here.”

My face feels as if it is going to burst into flames as he stares at me, his expression matching his words. “Your overpraise is going to go to my head,” I mutter.

“Good,” he smirks, “I don’t want you to have any doubts about how attractive you are again.”

“In that case, maybe you should tell me more,” I giggled, making his smile stretch impossibly wider.

“Lord, I love that sound,” he hums, pulling me to his side and resting his nose on the top of my head. He inhales deeply, then lets out a satisfied sigh. “I always want to be the reason for your laughter.”

Goodness, he is saying so many embarrassing things tonight. “I laugh plenty,” I told him.

“Not with me. I get so jealous watching you laugh and act playfully with everyone else. I can’t even tell you how frustrating it gets seeing you be so carefree with the fish boy when I can barely get you to hold a conversation with me.”

“Fish boy?” I lifted a brow skeptically. “I’m halffishtoo.”

“I think you’re more like a dolphin,” he laughs deeply. “They’re more intelligent.”

“Cedric is very smart,” I defended my friend.

“Devious maybe,” he smirks. “The man likes to try and rile me up.”

I press my lips together to keep my laughter in. Cedric does like to pick fights with Lachlan when he can.

We sat on a bench near the fountain and sat as the sun began to set, painting the sky in an array of bright colors. Lachlan has one of my hands in his, playing with my fingers, his touch lingering on my wedding band often. The setting of the sun brings the cold night air, making me shiver slightly. When he notices, he wraps an arm around my shoulders, snuggling me into his side in a very natural way, like he has done it a million times before. We fit together perfectly.

“Do you want to head back inside?” he asks, kissing the top of my head. “Neither of us brought a jacket.”

“It was warm earlier,” I sighed, another gust of wind hitting us and making me shiver, the cold water from the fountain spraying us slightly.

“It gets cold here at night. I’ll have to start remembering to bring a jacket when I know we will be out late.”

“You say that like this will be a common occurrence,” I looked up, smirking at him.

“It will be,” he grins, “I want to make this our evening ritual. Walking together in this private garden, telling each other about our days. I can’t think of a better way to spend my evenings.”

“Oh my,”Val purrs, “If he keeps sweet talking you like this, I can think of any number of ways that you two could spend the evenings that would be much more fun than looking at plants and recycled water.”Val plays a few very naughty images in my head, making me blush furiously.

“No way. I can tolerate this, butthat,” I resist shaking my head, “No thank you. I’m nowhere near ready for that.”

“I know,”she sighs, “He is yummy to look at, though.”

That he is. His strong jaw and handsome features would make any woman eager to throw herself in his bed. That fact has been proven plenty already. More times than I wish to think about. My only experience has left me traumatized to the act. I’m not ready for that yet. Maybe one day….

Lachlan groans slightly, causing me to look up at him. His eyes are slightly glazed. He must be mind linking with someone.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Cherum,” he sighs. “He’s hunting for you. He says to take you back or he will come find you.”