Because he was taking her child to safety, he was sure Eloise would help Cordelia. Cordelia was kneeling in an alcove at the back of the room beside an old-fashioned faucet set into the wall above a stone bowl. When he entered, her head shot up. Fear flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced with relief. “Thank the gods, you’re back.” Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined a time when she’d be pleased to see him. “This is Eloise.” He nodded to the woman at his side, who took a tentative step toward Cordelia. “Good. Come and help me, please.” She held out a cleaning cloth. “I need all the symbols on my skin scrubbed off” Her breath caught, and her chest heaved a few times before she continued. “We’re running out of time.” Cordelia was naked except for her plain white underwear. He should have averted his eyes, but his gaze was drawn to the five intricate black Celtic symbols decorating her slender back. They must be the magical wards controlling her water nymph allure.
