Page 62 of Kissing Potions and Elves

“Enough,” I snap. I look over his shoulder. “Speaking of Isobel… where is she?”

“Out in the garden with Hilda,”Errol replies. He looks between me and Rhystan.“I think I’ll go join them.”

He leaps gracefully from the table and flicks his tail as he gives me an imperious look.“Oh, and before I forget,could you remind Hilda to pick up some more of that delicious fish from the market? I’d like that for dinner again tomorrow.”

I scoff, while Rhystan chuckles as Errol saunters out into the hallway and leaves.

“I like that cat.” My brother grins.

“Of course you do.” I purse my lips. “You’re like two peas in a pod.”

Once Errol’s out of earshot, Rhystan turns to me. “Our parents sent a raven this morning.”

Panic tightens my chest as my mind churns with possible reasons for them to send a message. The one before this suggested they were going to come a bit earlier than expected, and I dread what this one may be about. “What did they want?”

“They want us to attend a ball in Bridgeford. Lord Alvaryus is hosting a grand party at his summer home next weekend to celebrate the engagement of his daughter, Lady Tayra, to LordFenrin. Father and Mother cannot attend, unfortunately, so naturally, the responsibility falls to us.”

“Lady Tayra?” My mouth drifts open. “Are they serious? I cannot go to her engagement party.”

“Why ever not?” Rhystan’s lips curve up in a knowing smirk as he adds sarcastically, “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you, Lyrion.”

I narrow my eyes. “I doubt that.”

Rhystan grins. “Do you remember that song she sang to you in front of everyone at the Winter ball?”

“To be fair, I had no idea she was singing it to me, directly,” I point out.

“That’s for sure,” he drawls. “When you offered to make her a tonic to soothe her sore throat, she was mortified.”

“I wastryingto be kind.”

“By telling her she was brave to get up there and sing in front of everyone with a sore throat?” He laughs. “You were practically telling her that her voice was terrible, you know.”

“She sounded like a warbling bird. That’s why I thought she was ill,” I stress. “I wasn’t trying to be rude.” I lift my chin. “Besides, she shouldn’t have been serenading me anyway. She knows I’m betrothed to Elyssia.”

“Hope springs eternal.” Rhystan’s grin grows wider.

“You see,” I mutter, folding my arms. “This is why I actively avoid social gatherings.”

“Well, I suppose you dodged an arrow with that one, didn’t you?” He chuckles. “Now Lord Fenrin will be the one that has to live with her warbling.”

I roll my eyes a moment before my expression sobers. “I can’t possibly go to the ball, Rhystan.”

“Why not? I’m sure she’s probably already forgotten what happened. Besides, she’s the one getting engaged now.”

“That’s not the reason,” I stress. “Have you forgotten the proximity spell with Isobel? I literally cannot attend without her.”

Rhystan shrugs nonchalantly. “Then bring her.”

“Bring her?”My voice rises in pitch. “Have you lost your senses? That’d be like walking her into a den of wolves. The Elven nobility will devour her whole.”

“I doubt Isobel will be the only human there.”

I give him a pointed look. “She’ll probably be the only human who isn’t a servant. She’ll be out of place amongst all those vipers, and how in the seven hells will I even be able to explain her presence?”

“Just tell them she’s your research assistant.”

“My research assistant?” I stare at him as if he’s grown a second head. “At a ball? Do you hear yourself?”