Page 66 of Kissing Potions and Elves

Momentary panic floods my veins as Nyxus surges forward. But when Lyrion tightens his arm around me, I relax back against him, his solid presence reassuring as we race through the woods.

The cool wind wraps around us, exhilarating and wild, sweeping away my earlier fears in a rush of pure, breathtaking freedom unlike anything I’ve ever known.

Rhystan rides up beside us. “Enjoying the ride, Isobel?”

“It’s incredible,” I admit breathlessly.

He grins. “Care to race?”

I immediately tense. We’re already traveling fast enough in my opinion and I definitely don’t like the idea of going any faster.

“Not today,” Lyrion tells his brother. Leaning close, he speaks softly in my ear. “Don’t worry, Isobel, I have you.”

A smile tugs at my lips as I relax once more and whisper back, “Thank you.”

As we ride, the forest blurs around us, shafts of sunlight spearing through the dense canopy above. Wrapped securely in Lyrion’s protective embrace, warmth and safety envelop me.

After a few hours, the trees thin, revealing a river tumbling gently over a series of small waterfalls. Rhystan slows to a halt, and we follow suit. He turns toward us, gaze scanning the flowing waters. “We should rest here for a bit and then find a safe place to cross.”

Lyrion dismounts and then lifts me from Nyxus’s back and onto the ground. He digs through our satchel and hands me the waterskin and a wrapped cloth containing some dried meat, cheese, bread, and fruit.

The wolves cautiously approach the edge of the water and begin to drink.

Rhystan observes them a moment, then glances back at us. “Good. There’s no Kelpies nearby.” He flashes what I’m sure is meant to be a reassuring grin. “If there were, the wolves would have sensed them.”

I am anything but reassured as I gaze out at the turbulent water. “Is it deep?” My gaze flicks anxiously between Lyrion and his brother. “I—I can’t swim.”

“It’s alright.” Lyrion’s expression softens. “If we ride the wolves across, the water should only reach our ankles, if that.”

I swallow hard and give him a small nod, feigning a bravery I don’t truly feel.

“We’ll keep you safe.” He arches a teasing brow. “Besides, I promised Errol I’d take care of you, and I wouldn’t want to risk his wrath.”

I laugh before his expression turns serious again. “And when we return home, we’ll add swimming lessons to your education, in addition to your letters, if you’d like.”

My heart fills with warmth. “I would like that.”

Nyxus pads back to us and then settles down beside me, curling his massive form around my back. I lean against his thick fur, stroking his neck.

“He wants to assure you that he’s sure-footed,” Lyrion says. “He promises to get you across safely.”

“Thank you, Nyxus.” I pet his shoulder and then offer him the last of my dried meat.

He scarfs it down and then nudges me with his muzzle. I laugh as he licks my cheek.

“It’s official,” Rhystan announces with a grin. “You’ve been accepted into the pack.”

When we’ve finished our meal, we climb onto Nyxus’s back. Lyrion bands his arm around my waist as we ride along the riverbank searching for an easy place to cross.

Without warning, Nyxus freezes beneath us. Fear ripples down my spine as he lowers his head, his ears flattening as a deep growl rumbles in his chest.

CHAPTER 33

ISOBEL

Panic tightens my chest as the river’s surface ripples, then shimmers as something darts just beneath it.

“What is that?” I whisper, clutching Lyrion’s arm around my waist.