Page 57 of Kissing Potions and Elves

Isobel blushes, and a flicker of mild jealousy twists in my gut.

“So, dear Brother.” Rhystan leans casually back in his chair, gesturing at the two of us. “How exactly did this little arrangement come about?”

Before I can answer, Errol interjects.“Lyrion adopted us.”

“Is that so?”Rhystan’s mouth quirks in amusement.

I purse my lips.“I did no such thing.”

Before I can say any more, Errol lifts his tail, stretching languidly before he strolls casually across the kitchen. As he passes me, his voice rings clearly in my mind, deliberately loud enough for Rhystan to hear as well.“Do try to keep your lips to yourself today, Lyrion. Poor Isobel has suffered enough of your kisses already.”

Rhystan’s jaw nearly hits the floor, eyes wide as his head whips toward me. “Wait.Kisses?”

Heat scorches my face as Isobel looks between us, confused and completely unaware of Errol’s meddling.

My mind scrambles frantically for a believable explanation, but before I can come up with one, Errol pauses at the doorway and adds,“It’s the kissing potion’s fault, naturally. It makes him unable to resist her. Quite scandalous, really.”

Rhystan gapes at me, completely speechless for perhaps the first time in his life. When he closes his mouth, he gives me a pointed look that suggests we’re going to have a long talk about this.

Gods above, this visit might be more dreadful than I thought.

CHAPTER 29

LYRION

The café hums with quiet energy, the soothing scent of freshly brewed tea mingling pleasantly with the warm, comforting aroma of baked pastries. I sit at my usual spot, watching Isobel weave gracefully between tables, smiling at customers.

She’s effortless and natural, her laughter ringing out, sending sharp jolts of possessiveness straight through my chest.

Rhystan sits in the chair opposite me, lifting his cup to his lips, his violet eyes sparkling with unmistakable amusement as he follows my gaze. “You know, Brother,” he drawls, “if you stare at her any harder, you’re going to burn holes in the back of that poor girl’s head.”

“Iam notstaring.”Gods, am I truly that obvious?

“Really?” Rhystan gives me a pointed look. “Then you wouldn’t mind if I took her out for dinner tonight?”

My jaw tightens, irritation spiking through my veins. “Don’t even think about it.”

“So youarejealous.” He smirks. “This is fascinating. Tell me everything.”

“It’s not jealousy,” I grumble, glancing away. “It’s… complicated.”

“Oh yes, you mentioned ‘complicated’ earlier.” Rhystan leans forward, voice dropping conspiratorially. “The cat was joking, right? Surely you haven’t actually been kissing your charming human companion.”

He settles back in his chair, calmly sipping at his tea.

As much as I wish I could deny it, I cannot. “I have.”

He splutters violently into his cup, violet eyes flying wide. “You didwhat?”

Several heads snap in our direction, including Isobel, staring at us in concern.

“Keep it together,” I mutter under my breath. “You’re drawing attention.”

“You can’t just admit something like that and expect me not to react,” he says incredulously. He leans in even closer, glancing around cautiously before whispering. “I mean… you’re telling me you kissed her. Our people don’t do that. I’ve seen humans kiss before—” His eyes widen dramatically. “It’s positively indecent. It almost looks like they’re matingwith their mouths.”

I nearly choke on my tea, coughing loudly enough to earn several startled glances from nearby patrons. “Vaelar’s blade, Rhystan,” I hiss. “You can’t just say things like that in public!”

“But it’s true,” he insists, clearly both fascinated and horrified. “All that mouth and tongue movement, and swapping saliva—it’s absolutely scandalous.”