Page 40 of Kissing Potions and Elves
“You need rest.” My voice comes out a bit gruffer than intended. “We’ll stay close tonight until this effect fades.”
“Alright,” she murmurs. Her trust melts something sharp-edged inside my chest as I carry her back to the cottage. I walk upstairs toward my bedroom, heart hammering nervously at the prospect of sharing such an intimate space.
But if this will help her feel better, I have no choice. I don’t want her to experience any discomfort. She matters far too much.
Setting her gently on the bed, I pull the blankets over her. Her luminous eyes meet mine. Unable to stop myself, I brush a finger along her cheek, watching in wonder as a pink flush follows in its wake. “Sleep,” I murmur. “I’ll be nearby.” I gesture to the chair beside the bed.
As I start to pull away, she whimpers softly, and her fingers catch mine. “Please stay,” she whispers, shy and hesitant. “Even just the small distance… I don’t want to risk…” Her voice trails off, but I understand. She doesn’t want to feel ill again.
It would be wrong to share a bed with someone I’m not bound to.
“Please, stay with me,” she murmurs again, and my resolve crumbles beneath her plea.
Earth and sky, why can’t I refuse her anything?
I give her a slight nod and then slide onto the bed beside her. I’m surprised when she rolls toward me, tucking herself against my side. Carefully, I wrap an arm around her.
A strange warmth fills my chest as I feel her relax against me, her breaths becoming soft and even.
“Just tonight,” I mutter, mostly to myself. And even as I say this, I wonder if it’s a lie because I worry I won’t ever be able to push her away again.
CHAPTER 20
LYRION
Sunlight streams through the windows, illuminating the array of herb jars spread across my worktable. Isobel stands close by, nervously glancing between the open potion book and the labeled containers.
Since she can’t recall what else she might have put in the tea she gave me, we’re trying something different. I glance at the listed ingredients on the page once more, studying it carefully. It’s a complicated recipe, but if we do it right, it can nullify the effects of the kissing potion.
I’m desperate for this to work. I received a raven from my parents yesterday, informing me that they may be coming for a visit sooner than expected. The envelope, bearing my family crest, burns like hot iron in my pocket even now. It’s another reminder. Another warning.
They plan to bring Elyssia—my betrothed—with them. Apparently, she and my mother want to discuss the details of our upcoming bonding ceremony.
I really don’t want to have to explain why an unbonded female is living with me in my home, much less about the kissing potion and all it entails.
My people consider kissing to be a rather unhygienic custom among humans and some of the other races. I, myself, used to believe this, but having kissed Isobel several times now, I believe I understand the appeal.
I’m exhausted. I’ve barely slept in the past three nights. This is our fifth attempt in four hours today, but I’m not ready to give up just yet.
Need burns through me as my gaze drops again to Isobel’s lips. I cannot keep giving into the potion’s effects. I can barely think straight as the urge to pull her into my arms and seal my mouth over hers threatens to consume me. It’s driving me mad.
“Are you sure about this?” she asks a bit nervously. “What if we end up making things worse? Like when we tried to undo the proximity spell.”
I’ve already considered this, but we don’t have a choice. We need to rid ourselves of the potion’s effects so I’ll know if what I’m feeling is real or not.
And I need this situation resolved before my family and Elyssia arrive. Vaelar help me, I can’t afford to be thinking about Isobel’s soft lips and her lovely face when my betrothed is here. This damnable potion has me utterly undone.
I gesture toward the shelf. “Hand me the Moonlit Lavender.”
Her hand hovers uncertainly, fingers trembling slightly as she stands before the shelves. I bite back a frustrated groan. She’s not even anywhere near the right spot.
“Never mind.” I snatch the jar myself. “Please, give me the Silverleaf.”
She hesitates again, eyes flicking helplessly between me and the shelves. I scrub my hand roughly over my face. The urge tokiss her again is a fire in my veins, but I force it back down. “Moon and stars, Isobel,pleasefocus. I need your help.”
“I—I’m sorry,” she whispers.
Guilt twists within. I shouldn’t be impatient, but my emotions are a tangled mess and I feel as if everything is spiraling out of my control.
