“Aren't you a cheeky monkey? I'll remember that later when you're over my knee.”
“What! How come?”
“Because before this day is through, you're going to run off again.”
I didn't know if I should laugh or be outraged. “No, I won't. I already promised.”
“And that's why you'll find yourself over my lap, because you promised.”
I glared at him over the froth of my beer. “No, I won't.”
“Dare to bet on that?”
He wanted me to bet against myself. I downed my beer and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, an act of mild crudeness to seal the deal. “Sure, I'll take that bet, Daddy. But what do I get if I win?”
“Hmm.” He tapped his fingertips together like an evil genius. “What will Luna win if she doesn't run? How about a million dollars?”
I laughed. “Haha, Mr. Funny.”
“I'm deadly serious, lass. If you win, I'll give you a million dollars, and you're free to leave anytime you want. But I hope you'll stay with me until the end of your trip, as I verra much enjoy your company.”
His thickening accent did all kinds of things to me, my throbbing clit just one of them. But something about the way he said all of that hit a trigger within me, and I was suddenly uncomfortable with a deal that included a sum of money I never expected to see in my lifetime.
“How about if I win, I get to... hmm, let's see. I know! If I win, you will go on a tour of your own castle incognito with me, and then we can hear all the nasty details they say about you.”
Artair laughed. “Fine, and if I win?”
I rolled my eyes. “We already know what you get.”
“Done!” Artair threw some bills on the table. “Come, lass, there is plenty to see.”
I stood and allowed him to lead me from the pub and up a winding road toward the mile. We stopped at all the stores alongthe way, and he bought me a Dumbledore wand from theHarry Potterstore.
“Careful, or I'll cast a spell on you,” I warned, waving the wand at Artair.
“You already did.” He held his hands over his heart like I'd shot him, and I giggled. When we got to the top of the road, Graeme magically appeared and took our souvenirs from us before we turned left to head up to the castle.
Along the way, we passed the witch's well, which looked way bigger in TikTok videos than in real life. It was a tiny fountain attached to the outer wall of a store with a plaque.
“Why so glum, chum?”
I couldn't help but smile. “Seriously, did you just say that? What happened to my sophisticated lawyer, huh?”
“He's taking a day off. Now, why so down?”
“Look at this thing! How can this possibly commemorate all those incredible women who died because people were overly paranoid?”
He gave me a quizzical look.
“They weren't witches, Artair; they were misunderstood women, and probably most of them were healers.”
He nodded his head sagely. “There is a witchy restaurant across the way I think you'll find more than makes up for what is missing at this monument. I'll take you after the castle tour. How does that sound?”
“It sounds perfect. Thank you.”
The castle itself was massive, but only three parts were open to the public. One held the crown jewels and portraits of Mary, Queen of Scots, and James VI of Scotland and I of England, respectively.
The Stone of Scone was encased behind a huge glass barrier, along with the crown jewels, which were incredible. I would have gawked longer, but there was quite the line of tourists who wereexpected to keep moving. That section of the castle had its own gift shop, and Artair bought me freshwater pearl bracelets in every color they had to make up for the one that broke at the airport when I lifted my pack onto my back to hurry to board the plane.
