Page 36 of Kissing Potions and Elves (Oakvale Ever After #1)
LYRION
G ently, I drape another blanket over Isobel’s sleeping form to ensure she remains warm for the night.
“Well, aren’t you the attentive caretaker,” Rhystan says in a low voice so as not to awaken her.
I narrow my eyes at my brother even as heat creeps up the back of my neck. He leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, his nightclothes loose and comfortable, eyes dancing mischievously in the firelight.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” I grumble.
“And miss witnessing such tender moments I can tease you relentlessly about later?” He smirks. “I think not.”
Suppressing an irritated sigh, I stride past him into the adjoining bedroom. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re utterly smitten,” he tosses back cheerfully, following closely behind.
Instead of taking the bait, I close the cleansing room door in his face so I can change into my own nightclothes. Besides, there’s nothing I could have said to convince him he’s wrong, because he isn’t.
When I step back into the bedroom, the room is quiet. Silvery moonlight filters in through the curtains, providing just enough illumination that I can see Rhystan’s already in his bed.
Lying down, I pull the covers up to my chest and stare at the ceiling. Closing my eyes, I allow my thoughts to drift to the memory of my dance with Isobel.
“Lyrion,” Rhystan’s voice whispers loudly through the darkness. “Are you asleep?”
My eyes snap open. “If I were,” I grumble. “I’m definitely not anymore.”
Rhystan chuckles. “Just making sure.”
I hear him shift, then the gentle snap of his fingers as he directs the Fae lights, in the corner of the room to brighten, filling the room with faint golden light.
He rolls onto his side to face me. “Doesn’t this just remind you of when we were children? Whispering in the dark so as not to awaken Mother and Father.”
“Yes,” I reply flatly. “And I distinctly remember you being as equally annoying then as you are now.”
Rhystan huffs out a laugh. “And I recall you being just as grumpy.” He grins. “Nice to see some things never change.”
Despite my best efforts, my lips twitch. Shaking my head, I stop short of rolling my eyes. “We need to leave early tomorrow. You should go to sleep, Rhystan.”
“Not yet. We need to talk, Brother.”
“About what?”
“About Isobel. I saw the way you looked at her tonight. You can’t pretend any longer, Lyrion.”
“What are you going on about? I’m not pretending anything.”
“I’m your twin, remember?” Rhystan arches a brow. “You cannot hide things from me. Besides, it’s clear to anyone with eyes that you’re in love with her.”
My jaw tightens. Silence between us stretches a moment before I realize he’s right. I cannot hide anything from him, and I can’t even remember the reasons why I wanted to in the first place. If I cannot talk to him, then I can confide in no one. “You’re right.” I sigh heavily. “I am.”
Rhystan’s brows shoot up to his forehead. “Well that was rather quick.” He smirks. “And here I thought I’d have to pry the truth out of you.”
A reluctant warmth spreads through me at my brother’s easy acceptance.
His expression turns serious. “What about your betrothed?”
I’ve already considered this, and the decision is firm and clear within my heart. “I’ll send a raven to Elyssia and our parents when we return to Oakvale. It wouldn’t be fair to Elyssia, or to Isobel, to do otherwise.”
“I agree. But what are you going to tell Mother and Father? I’d hate to be you when Mother finds out. She’ll—”
“Have to get over it,” I finish his sentence.
Rhystan nods slowly. “And while she’s doing that, I’ll obviously become the favored son,” he teases. “It will be hard to carry that banner, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for your happiness, Brother.”
“Of course,” I reply sarcastically. “You’re such a martyr.”
We both laugh a moment before I look across at him, grateful for his support. “Thank you, Rhystan.”
His mouth curves up in a grin. “Always, Brother. Now, try to sleep. Tomorrow you can charm your lovely Isobel on the journey back home.”
I roll my eyes, though a smile tugs at my lips. I turn away, the lantern light dimming as Rhystan settles down, his breathing slowly evening out into sleep.
My mind drifts inevitably back to Isobel and the gentle hitch in her breath as my lips brushed hers, the warmth of her body pressed against mine as we danced beneath the stars.
Love. Not the potion’s influence, not magic, but something deeper, truer. Real. I wasn’t sure of it before, but I am now.
Tomorrow, I’ll find the courage to tell her… to speak the truth of what she means to me. Hope burns bright in my chest as I close my eyes and allow myself to fall away into sleep.