Page 44 of Loched in Love

“Fine, give me the weapon,” she says, raising off the couch to pick up the heavy pulsing metal. “I broke it, so I suppose I should fix it, though it will take some time to reinforce the weld though, weeks perhaps.”

I wonder what game she’s playing at, with her easy response. Even if it does take weeks before I can use the trident again, she’s not usually so helpful without a cause. It’s never wise to do business with any water spirit without items to haggle, which is why I made to grab the treasures I left here so long ago, but Vivian is acting like the old terms need not apply.

A flash of magic, and the trident drifts up into the air, and I wait to see what she does next. Either way, I’ll be ready with a few surprises of my own if Vivian decides to try and keep us. I’ll not let anything stand in the way of Elena’s happiness, and I mean to take and keep her as far away from Vivian’s clutches as I can.

Just as soon as my trident is mended, we can be on our way, gods be good.

Chapter 15

ELENA PIERSON

This must be what the fellowship felt like when standing in Galadriel’s presence. The thought comes and goes as I stare up at the literal goddess before me while she performs magic before my very eyes.

I’d swear her long hair is the color of the richest soil, and her gaze glows a deep, bright blue I can’t seem to look away from. She’s absolutely gorgeous, and her power is all consuming.

“I’ve missed using my power this way,” she says, an excited lilt to her voice.

She’s so shiny.

I fight to keep myself in place on the couch next to Lachlan, when everything in me wants to be near this pretty woman. I’d almost be happy to simply stare at her for hours.

“Can you tone it down a notch Vivian?” Lachlan asks, rubbing lightly up my arm.

The simple touch grounds me, and I lean into his side.

“Oh of course. You’ll have to forgive me, Elena, it’s been some time since we’ve had mortal guests. But I don’t think we’ve ever had one so lovely,” Vivian remarks.

Oh.

Her smile goes megawatt, and I preen under her compliment, my body swimming under waves of undulation. If she keeps this up, I feel like I could fly.

She thinks I’m lovely.

I think she’s breathtaking, like a rose in mid-bloom or a Thomas Kinkade painting.

A mist rises and I can see a fog coating around our feet and legs, perched as we are on the couch. Lachlan seems content to wait while Merlin grabs up another of the goblets of wine Vivian poured.

Lachlan’s trident lifts into the air with a dainty wave of Vivian’s hand, and I marvel at what she’ll do next.

I watch in rapt fascination as the metal spear begins to glow a bioluminescent blue that envelopes the weapon. As the light flares, the jagged metal edge fuses and another prong springs forth, flowing together like a molten pool until the trident gleams. Unbroken and perfect.

I sit stupefied and unmoving as my brain tries and fails to come up with a logical explanation of how she’s able to manipulate matter this way, and try to calm my breathing.

“Now the weld, like I said, will take some time to take hold. You’ll need a few days before attempting to use it, but it is beautiful is it not?”

“It is,” I murmur, entirely under her spell.

“You know, you could stay with me,” Vivian entices, her gaze locked onto us both with intoxicating warmth. She extends her palm up to me, as if asking me to take it. “Both of you. Enter the deep. Here, your love will never wrinkle or falter, your breath will never fail, and we shall rule the depths and tides together as companions for eternity. Why return to a world that crumbles, when you can reign with me in a kingdom that will never fade.”

The sensation intensifies so great I can hardly stand it. I take a half step to reach her, completely mesmerized by the promise in her gaze. The air feels tight and heavy, saturated with the sweet scent of apples.

Before I can take another step, Lachlan grabs hold of my arm to stop me. He steps in front of me, his stance rigid and unyielding.

“No, Vivian,” he says, his voice cutting through the heavy sedation pulling at my bones. “You can’t keep us here, and I mean to make my way back to my homeland soon. We haven’t the time to stay as your pets. Now tone it down. I’ll not ask again.”

“Fine,” she huffs.

“Pity that you can’t stay, but I understand why you can’t,” Merlin states, his tone bored. He claps unexpectedly, making me jump.