Page 93 of Kissing Potions and Elves
“I understand this is all highly irregular,” Rhystan whispers to Cyran from behind me. “But my brother’s having a deeply profound realization at the moment and we need your help so he can win back the woman he loves.”
“Please,” I add.
“Fine.” Cyran stops short of rolling his eyes. “But don’t make me regret this, Elf. Do you understand?”
I nod and he passes me his tunic and cloak. “But hurry. The ‘warrior’ is supposed to be on stage any minute now,” he warns as he hands me the script. “Try not to mess up your lines.”
“Thank you, Cyran.”
He dips his chin in a subtle nod.
Quickly, I change into the outfit. Brakkus gives me my cue, and my heart pounds as I push through the curtains.
CHAPTER 48
ISOBEL
The crowd is silent as they listen to the tale unfolding before them. Thinking of Lyrion and all that happened between us, I pour everything I have into my performance, drawing the audience deep into the Huntress’s sorrowful yet beautiful story.
She prays for the Hunter to return to her just as I still long for my broody Elf to come back to me. To tell me he’s sorry, that his heart is mine and mine alone.
I’ve tried to forget him. To be strong and carry on… to pretend everything is fine and that I’m happy. But the truth is, I miss Lyrion. With every fiber of my being.
I miss talking with him, laughing with him, and all the quiet moments we spent together in between.
He saw all of my flaws and my shortcomings and he didn’t judge me for them. He made me feel seen in a way that no one else ever has.
Sadness tightens my chest. I know I should move on, but I don’t know how. Not when my heart insists that he is the one—the other half of my soul.
And the worst part is that his lie has made me question everything. I cannot deny that I still love him, but I don’t know if he ever truly loved me. And now… I don’t think I ever will.
Sighing heavily, I force myself to push down my despair. I’m about to speak my next line, but when I glance at Brakkus, I notice Cyran standing beside him. I blink in confusion. He’s no longer wearing his Warrior costume even though it’s almost time for his part on the stage.
“What are you doing?” I mouth. “You’re supposed to be—”
I freeze. A cool breeze brushes over my skin, carrying the smell of pine and parchment.Lyrion.My pulse trips. I’d know his scent anywhere.
But it can’t be. He’s gone. Back to Rivenyl. Far from here. Far from me.
My chest aches. Traitorous tears threaten to escape my lashes, but I blink them away. Slowly, like I’m walking into a dream I’m terrified to wake from, I turn.
My lips part in shock as he strides onto the stage dressed as the Warrior, and my heart slams against my ribs so hard it hurts.
His violet eyes lock on mine and the world falls away. It’s him. The one who holds my heart.It’s always been him.
CHAPTER 49
LYRION
“Huntress,” I speak the lines of the Warrior as I step forward, desperate to win the heart of my Huntress. “I believe you’ve captured something that belongs to me.”
The world narrows sharply around us as Isobel turns to face me, her lips parted in shock. Time slows as her gaze meets mine. The noise, the festival, even my racing heart all fade away as a gentle warmth blooms deep within my chest. My breath catches sharply, magic tingling across my skin in a rush of awareness.
Stars above, it’s her.Isobel is my fated mate.
My knees threaten to buckle as realization crashes over me, fierce and undeniable. TheHeartshadespell—the one designed to dull the recognition of one’s fated mate—dissolved the moment I officially ended my betrothal to Elyssia, finally allowing me to see clearly.
Everything makes sense. Now I understand why my heart had yearned so deeply, why every moment spent away from her felt impossibly wrong.
