Page 61 of Kissing Potions and Elves

“He’s already started teaching me.”

“Good.” Rhystan smiles. “My brother is an excellent teacher. I’m sure you’ll be reading in no time.”

“My progress is a bit slow, but he’s very patient,” I add.

“Patient?” Rhystan arches a teasing brow. “Are we talking about the same Elf who is grumpy as a Goblin in the morning before he’s had his tea?”

I laugh. “The very same,” I joke in return.

Rhystan chuckles.

When we move on to recalling ingredients, after the third jar, my mind suddenly goes blank. “I—I can’t see anything else,” I admit nervously. “I cannot remember what I picked up next.”

“Interesting,” Rhystan says thoughtfully. “Whatever you mixed must have had a strong bonding element. The spell is actively refusing to be broken.”

I sit up abruptly, worry tightening my chest. “What does that mean? Are you saying the potion somehow stole my memories?”

“Nothing that drastic.” He waves a dismissive hand. “It’s merely interfering with your recollection of the ingredients. It’s… resisting, in a way, because it doesn’t want to be dispelled.”

I frown. “You’re speaking as if it’s alive.”

Rhystan shrugs. “The threads of fate often work in mysterious ways.”

“Fate? You said it was a bonding spell.”

“Sometimes the two are intertwined,” he replies cryptically.

“Well, what are we going to do?” My heart skips anxiously. “I’m sure Lyrion probably wants to be free of this. Free of me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Rhystan smirks. Before I can ask what he means, he stands. “Come on, let’s give my brother the news.” His smile turns mischievous. “It appears that there will be plenty more kissing in your future.”

Heat flushes my cheeks. Stars help me, the more time I spend with Lyrion, the more I’m falling for him. Now that it looks like we’re going to be stuck together until the potion wears off, I fear he’s going to claim my heart entirely before this is over… even if he doesn’t want it.

CHAPTER 31

LYRION

Irub a weary hand over my face as I stare down at the potion book. It’s the weekend, so we’ve had an entire day of trying to figure out a way to undo the kissing potion.

Sighing heavily, I rub my temples, hoping that will dull the headache beginning to form as frustration twists in my gut.

“You look absolutely miserable,” Rhystan says as he leans casually against the doorframe.

Just behind him, Errol strolls in as though he owns the place, tail held high, eyes glittering with mischief.

Perfect. Just what I need.The two of them seem to love to pair up so they can tease me.

“I assume you’ve had no luck with your potion troubles?” Rhystan arches a brow. “Or perhaps you’re pining over your pretty human companion.”

“I’m notpiningover anyone,” I grumble irritably. “I’m just eager to break this spell so that things can get back to normal.”

“That kiss you gave Isobel yesterday suggests otherwise,”Errol says as he hops onto the table, and the tips of my ears flush with warmth.

“He has a point.” Rhystan smirks. “I saw it too.”

Heat scorches my cheeks at the memory of Rhystan discovering us kissing passionately against the cherry tree. “You know I cannot help it,” I say primly. “The potion—”

“I’ve seen how you look at her, Lyrion. You can blame magic all you want, but I don’t think that’s the only reason you’re drawn to her.”