Chapter 1

1

Lachlan

I wake to my phone ringing by the side of my head.

Oof, I fell asleep reading on the couch again. Merman-strength or not, I was getting too old for anything but a high-quality mattress.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Did I seriously wake you? Aren’t you up with the cows, typically?”

“I don’t have any cows,” I grumble, rubbing my eyes. “Are you calling for a reason?”

“Yeah, I am coming by later today, with someone. It’s important you be there so we can talk.”

I mumble an OK and hang up. I prefer my days people-free for the most part, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen my brother Murphy. I wonder who he is bringing.

My cabin on Lake Nereid doesn’t have cows, but I do have to get up and feed the chickens.

The crisp morning air greets me in the backyard. I longingly look out at the water as my chickens peck at my feet.

I feel an urge to take a quick swim, so I walk down to the bank, slip out of my sweats, and dive right in. The cold water invigorates my foggy mind as my legs and feet shift into a long, strong, purple fishtail. I race the length of the lake several times before getting out to eat breakfast.

A six egg omelet later, I dress and head out to my wood shack to split some logs. The Spring day warms the air as my woodpile increases and I strip off my flannel. As I work up a good sweat, a voice behind me breaks my focus.

“As you can see, Madame Liora, my brother is a beast of a man. I can imagine many women would sleep peacefully next to so much muscle.”

“Ah, brother. I expected you later.”

I toss down the ax, grab my flannel, and wipe my face down.

“Lachlan, I would like you to meet Madame Liora. She is a matchmaker that I have hired.”

As I walk over to shake the strange woman’s hand, I size her up. This is a quick feat as she barely stands a full five feet. She stares at me with vibrant violet blue eyes and her hair is long and silver in color.

“It is nice to meet you,” Liora says as she shakes my hand.

She then closes her eyes for a long moment, without letting go. I look at Murphy in confusion but he nods at me, indicating I should go with it.

Once she lets go, I invite them in for a drink. We settle on my back patio, watching the chickens do their thing with the lake sparkling in the background. I clear my throat.

“OK, Murphy, spill it. What is a matchmaker?”

“Ah, yes. Well, as you know, when I married Mair I became prince of the merpeople. I am expected to take over for the King once he gives his OK.”

I nod. Murphy grew up on Ravenhart Mountain with me and our brothers, Carlow and Beck. But, once he fell for Princess Mair, he left the mountain to live with his bride and her family in the merpeople capitol in the Pacific. He is being groomed to become the future king.

“Well, my father-in-law has informed me that he won’t deem me ready for the crown until my side of the family is more robust. Our parents are gone. I am the only one married. Mair and I have the twins but the King would like to see my brothers married, with children, before giving his blessing on the transfer of power.”

I stare at my brother. Is he about to ask me to get married and produce a litter of merspawn?

“So, brother, I have hired Madame Liora here to help with this large endeavor.”

Liora smiles up at me. Her eyes are not only beautiful but promise a kindness I am not used to. She begins to speak to me.

“Lachlan, I live at the foot of this mountain in Branwen Beach. I come from a family of witches and I personally practice tactile magic.”

I look at my brother, who is smiling at me in a way I think he believes is encouraging. Liora continues.

“What I can do is read people when I touch their hands with mine. Along with guiding spells, I am able to locate this person’s true love mate. This process has a mind of its own so I cannot predict how long it will take. I’ve found mates within an hour before and a couple of times it took me years.”

“Years?” Murphy blanches.

“I did warn you, prince, that a true love’s match could take time.”

“Yes, madame, you did. Sorry to interrupt.”

“Lachlan, I pride myself in making matches that are purely a combination of true love and best fit. Even if the two people are very different in multiple ways, I am able to determine that they are meant to be together. If you can place your trust in me like your brother here, I would be happy to help you find your partner in life.”

Madame Liora looks at me over her steaming cup of tea, apparently waiting for me to say something.

I have to admit to myself, I was not against falling in love. I just never met anyone I found interesting for more than a couple of weeks and I’m pretty sure those women could have said the same about me. I like living on my own up here on the mountain. I am happy. But I could also be happy sharing this life with the right woman. I clear my throat.

“I don’t see the harm in you trying. And I’ll always be there for my brothers. Madame Liora, let’s do this.”

I reach my hands toward her and she grasps them across the table. She closes her eyes and smiles slightly. After a couple of minutes, she stands up.

“Perfect, I got what I needed,” Liora turns to Murphy, “we can go visit your brother Beck now.”

Murphy is brimming with excitement and slaps my back.

“Thank you, brother, you’ve always been good to me.”

After they leave, I walk out to the lake and take a long swim. I have to admit to myself, I am a little excited at the prospect of falling hard for someone.

It’ll be a first.