Page 45 of Eat Slay Love

Cosmo reappeared, smiling that foxlike grin of his as he lifted a delicate golden pitcher. “Now, we begin the true essence of alchemy!”

We both turned Cosmo’s way.

Waiters began placing dishes onto our table.

Cosmo raised his hands in the air. “This is the first ofthreetransformations tonight. We call itChrysopoeia—the transmutation of the ordinary into gold.”

Before me, a sleek, obsidian-black bar sat in the center of the table.

Next, our waitress placed a small, crystalline carafe filled with a shimmering liquid that rippled between bronze and silver as if caught between worlds.

Cosmo gestured grandly. “Alchemy is about change—about taking what is and seeing what itcouldbecome. So, I would like you to do this. Please, pour your elixir over that bar on your plate, and witness the impossible.”

Oh this is so much fun.

I lifted my carafe, the weight of it cool in my palm, and tilted it over the black surface.

The moment the liquid touched the bar, it bled outward like veins of molten metal, shifting from dark obsidian to a radiant, gleaming gold.

Oh shit.

The transformation was instant, mesmerizing, and I couldn’t help myself—I chuckled, giddy with delight.

Fabien didn’t pour his immediately. Instead, he turned toward me, his emerald eyes devouring the way I smiled, the way my joy lit up the space between us.

In fact, he lookedenthralled—like he’d rather watch me than the miracle happening on the table.

The loveliness of his attention sent a delicious thrill down my spine.

After a long moment, he finally poured his elixir, but his gaze never left me.

“Don’t eat that just yet.” Cosmo, seemingly pleased by the reactions in the room, pressed forward. “Next, we move to theElixir of Life—the legendary drink said to grant immortality, to defy time itself.”

Cosmo lifted his hand, and the waitstaff flowed in, placing before each of us a delicate glass filled with a glowing pink liquid.

Wisps of smoke curled up from its surface, spiraling like a living thing, the scent of something exotic and decadent filling the air.

Cosmo winked. “Try the elixir.”

I lifted my glass, hesitant but intrigued, and took a sip.

Oh.

The moment it hit my tongue, it was as if the drinkexplodedinside me—bright, floral, citrus, and honeyed warmth unfolding in waves that lingered, stretching out the moment into something infinite.

Just. . .wow.

I pressed my lips together and let out a shuddering breath, stunned by the sheer pleasure of it.

“Holy shit,” I whispered, setting the glass down carefully, because I needed a damn moment to process what was happening in my mouth. “I think I might actually live forever.”

Fabien still hadn’t touched his. He just watched me, his expression dark and amused, like he was savoringmyreaction more than the drink itself.

“You really enjoy pleasure, don’t you?” he murmured.

I looked at him, heat rising to my cheeks. “Is that a bad thing?”

His lips curled at the corners. “Not at all.”

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