Page 94 of Kissing Potions and Elves
I always felt inexplicably better whenever I stepped into the café, my headaches beginning to ease the moment I saw Isobel’s smiling face. Perhaps, deep down, my soul recognized her as my fated mate, even though the suppression spell meant to hide her from me.
Isobel.It has always been her. She was always meant to be mine… just as I am hers.
“Why are you here?” she whispers in a voice so low I nearly miss it.
“What is it that you think I’ve captured?” Brakkus interrupts, whispering the line loudly to Isobel, as if it’s not my surprise appearance that’s made her forget her part but instead a simple case of stage fright.
Cyran stops short of rolling his eyes as he elbows the Orc. “Give them a moment,” he hisses, gesturing to me and Isobel.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I wait for her to speak.
“What is it that you believe I have captured, Warrior?” she asks, voice quavering.
Cautiously, I walk toward her. Cupping her cheek, I stare deep into her luminous eyes. “My heart.”
Sadness flits across her expression. “But I thought it belonged to someone else,” her voice wavers. “That it was already promised to another.”
“That’s not the line,” Brakkus whispers. “It’s— Oof!” He lets out a surprised sound as Cyran elbows him even harder this time, while Rhystan covers his mouth with his hand, trying to stifle a laugh.
“Forgive me, Isobel,” I say, taking her hand in mine. “I should have told you everything sooner. The betrothal with Elyssia was arranged long ago. It was duty, nothing more. My heart—” My voice catches as emotions lodge in my throat. “It belongs only to you, fiercely and irrevocably.”
The villagers have fallen silent, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes and bated breath, but my attention remains locked solely on the beautiful woman standing before me.
“You’re a High Elf and I’m human,” she says, tears slipping down her cheeks. “You’re nobility and I’m not. What we had… how do you know it was real and not because of the potion?”
“Because I know in my soul that what I feel for you is not because of magic… not because of a spell.”
I cup her face with both hands as I stare deep into her eyes. “You are brilliant, kind, caring, beautifully determined, adorably clumsy, fiercely stubborn, and wonderfully chaotic.” A smile quirks my lips as she slightly narrows her eyes in mock irritation. “I love you because you are exactly who you are, Isobel Bramble. And who you are is enough.”
Her eyes search mine. “You love me?”
“More deeply than I ever dreamed possible.” I lower myself to one knee. “Please. Marry me, Isobel. Be mine forever, just as I am already completely and utterly yours.”
CHAPTER 50
ISOBEL
Hot tears spill down my cheeks as his violet eyes stare deep into mine, full of love and devotion. I think of all the tender moments we’ve shared: the first time he looked at me like I was something precious, the way his touch steadied me when I was nervous, the way he sawmewhen no one else ever had.
The way he’s mine, because he chose me… just as I choose him. He sees every part of who I am and he loves me forme. “Yes,” I breathe as happiness blooms in my chest. “A thousand times, yes.”
Cheers erupt around us, along with bright laughter and applause. Rhystan whoops loudly, and Brakkus grins widely. Cyran flashes an approving smile, emerald wings fluttering, and Tressa wipes tears from her golden eyes, moved by the moment.
Hilda stands at the edge of the crowd, smiling brightly. I hadn’t even realized she was here, but I’m so glad she is. I wouldn’t have wanted her to miss this moment.
Lyrion wraps his arms around me and lifts me off my feet as he captures my mouth in a passionate kiss.
I melt against him, clinging to his solid warmth as the crowd’s joyful celebration fills the air around us. When he breaks the kiss, he rests his forehead against mine. “You are my heart, Isobel,” he murmurs. “And I am yours completely.”
Rhystan approaches as Lyrion sets me back on my feet. He embraces me warmly. “Welcome to the family.”
Brakkus and Cyran join us, each offering their congratulations. Tressa pulls me into a fierce hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispers. “You deserve all the joy in the world, my dear friend.”
Hilda’s eyes are full of tears as she tugs me into a motherly hug. “Oh, my dear, I’m so happy, I could burst.”
When they finally step back, Lyrion threads his fingers through mine as he whispers, “Let’s go home.”
I hesitate. I need to get Errol from my apartment. He’ll wonder where I am if I don’t return tonight. “I need to—”
