Page 30 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

My body shook as sobs threatened to consume me. Then a thought flashed to mind. The library! There had to be information about the spell there in the potions section. I left my bedroom and headed for the library, keeping my footsteps unhurried so as not to draw attention. Yet, every guard and servant that walked past sent the fine hairs at my nape to prickling. It felt as if all eyes were locked on me—judging my every move.

Leaving the servant’s wing, I passed the kitchen and hooked a right down another corridor—this one far more spacious than the last. As I headed to the library, a servant stepped out of one of the guest chambers, her hands full of towels. She bumped into me, and the towels fell in a heap on the floor.

“Watch where you’re going!” I growled.

The brunette fae went pale. “I-I’m sorry, Rosalana. I didn’t see yo?—”

“Yeah, you are sorry, bitch.” I lifted my nose, giving the servant an imperious glare. “Now, pick these towels up.”

The female fae’s lower lip trembled as her eyes moistened with tears. I didn’t give a damn; my mind was too focused on getting to the library. And the little wench had delayed me enough as it was.

Kicking the towels out of my way, I stomped off. Finding the large double doors that led to the grand library, I swept inside on all sides of me spanned bookcases. They towered overhead, at least three stories up. The library opened before me like a labyrinth, with books as far as the eye could see. In the middle of the library rose a spiraling stairwell that emptied onto suspended walkways bordering the bookcases.

I swallowed thickly. Dread constricted my heart at the thought of combing through all these books for the right spell. Inhaling a shaky breath, I walked down each aisle till I found the section titled ‘potions and incantations’ Four broad bookcases comprised the section; the books that perched on the shelves had fat spines and a myriad of pages. I eyed the library rolling ladder to my left and sighed.

Well, I guess I better get to it…

Three hours had passed by at a crawl before my weary eyes fell on one book entitled ‘Potions of the Heart.’ My ears perked up.

That looks promising…

Reaching up, I plucked the large book from the shelf. The leather binding still appeared new, if not covered in dust—cobwebs clinging to the corners. I crawled down the rolling ladder and sat in the corner of the aisle, tucked away in the shadows.

Batting away the cobwebs and wiping at the thick film of dust on the cover, I opened the book. Page after page had spells penned on them, from spells to kiss the first person one laid eyes on, to how to heal a broken heart. My frustration mounted as I neared the back of the book, the pages dwindling. I heaved a sigh and began to close the book when a title flashed into view. ‘Forging the bond.’ My eyes widened, and I opened the book fully, devouring the words.

‘The forging the bond spell is classified as a forbidden spell, no longer in practice today, though in ancient times spurned lovers resorted to such debase practices. The spell listed henceforth should only be viewed for research purposes.’

I rolled my eyes and quickly skimmed the page. “Used to break the bond between mates and forge anew with another,” I whispered as I read the words penned down. My heart danced inside my chest. My gaze dropped to the list of ingredients. It read:

‘Simply gather the list of ingredients below.

Nightshade, a drop of blood from the caster, lavender oil, mandrake root, and a strand of hair of the subject of the potion.

Gather the ingredients and combine them into a pulp, then say the incantation of the ancients. Then the potion is complete.

Laughter bubbled up within my throat.Yes! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.

I felt a prickle at the back of my scalp. Whipping my head about, I searched for prying eyes.

Nothing.

Get a hold of yourself Rosalana! You’re letting your nerves get the best of you!Sucking in a deep breath, I cast a furtive glance around and then tore the page from the book and stuffed itinto my dress pocket. Keeping my stance relaxed, I exited the library and headed to the garden. Once I had gathered the ingredients, I grabbed a bowl from the kitchen and a pestle, then returned to my room. I opened the drawer in my nightstand and reached far back inside, withdrawing a lock of raven hair secured by a leather tie.

Drake’s hair.

I had collected a snippet of his hair when we were kids after begging him for a lock—he had sighed and swiftly cut the end of his hair, handing it to me. I had kept it all these years. Gathering the ingredients, I placed them inside the bowl. I ground them into a pulp, then pricked my fingertip with my talon. I squeezed the drop of blood into the bowl, then tossed in a strand of Drake’s hair. Speaking softly, so no one could hear, I read aloud the spell. A bright beam of light broke forth from the bowl, nearly blinding me. I threw up a hand and slammed my eyelids shut.

Then the bright light dimmed behind my eyelids. My eyes stinging, I lowered my arm and cracked my eyelids open. A ruby-red liquid filled the bowl where the pulp had once been. I drew the bowl toward my nostrils and sniffed. A pungent smell snapped at my nostrils, and I reared back, my nose wrinkling.

“Stars, this stuff smells awful,” I hissed.

How will I ever get Drake to drink this? He will surely realize it's a potion!I racked my brain for a solution.

I have to find some kind of way to hide the odor from him. Perhaps…I could mix it inside an alcoholic beverage.I shook my head.He still might smell it, though. What if…I get him drunk first and then offer it to him laced in an alcoholic beverage?

A wicked grin curled myYes! Of course. I’ll give it to him under the guise of wishing he’d relax.

I knew of the one place where Drake liked to drink and unwind…the Fae Club, Nightingale.

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