Page 41 of Kissing Potions and Elves (Oakvale Ever After #1)
ISOBEL
M y tea has long since cooled in my hands, untouched. Moonlight covers the gardens, silvering the leaves and flowers. Hilda promised to join me out here soon, but I’m not sure I wish to talk anymore this evening. Not with the maelstrom of emotions swirling deep within as I think of Lyrion.
It isn’t just the proximity spell fading that has me anxious. It’s the uncertainty. The fear that Lyrion’s tender smiles and passionate kisses might disappear once the magic dissipates. My heart aches with a hollow longing. Stars, but I’ve fallen for him so completely.
Footsteps crunch on the gravel pathway behind me, pulling me from my troubled thoughts. “Hilda, I think I may just head off to bed. I fear I’m not very good company tonight.”
When I turn to face her, I freeze. It isn’t Hilda standing in the garden.
It’s Lyrion.
Moonlight casts deep shadows across his face, emphasizing the sharp, handsome lines of his features. His gaze holds mine with an intensity that sends my heart into a wild rhythm.
“Lyrion? What are you doing here?”
“I need to speak with you.” His voice is deep and gentle as he moves closer. “Isobel, there’s something I must tell you. Something I should have told you long ago.”
His words send a fresh wave of nerves churning through my belly even as fragile hope begins to unfurl. “What is it?”
His masculine scent floods my senses as he takes a small step closer. He lifts the cup from my grasp, setting it down beside us before taking both of my hands in his.
His thumbs trace slow, soothing circles over my knuckles. “As you are aware, the potion’s effects are fading, and I—”
My heart hammers as he hesitates, bracing myself for the words that could break my heart entirely. When he doesn’t speak, I force the words past my lips. As much as I don’t want to say them, they must be said. “Are you trying to say”—I blink back tears—“that you want me to go?”
“No,” he denies. “Quite the opposite, actually.”
I blink several times. “But without the spell’s effects, there’s no reason for me and Errol to stay here anymore.”
“I don’t want you to leave.” He lowers himself to one knee and presses a tender kiss to the back of my hand. “Magic might have brought us together, Isobel, but my heart chose you all on its own.”
I freeze. Did he just—? Could he possibly mean—?
“You… chose me?” My breath catches. “But what about the potion?”
“The potion doesn’t matter,” he insists. “The spell might have opened the door, but Isobel, my heart recognized you long before any magic. From the first time I saw you smiling in that café, I was drawn to you.” His lips curve into a tender smile. “Even then, I noticed you.”
Tears escape my lashes and roll down my cheeks. “You did?”
His expression softens as he nods. “It just took the potion for my mind to realize what my heart already knew. I have never experienced such happiness as I have since you came into my life.”
Unable to speak past the lump in my throat, tears stream freely down my face as overwhelming joy crashes through me. “Lyrion…”
He leans closer and cups my face with both hands. “The spell might have pushed us together, but what I feel stopped being about magic a long time ago. I want to explore what we have. Will you allow me to court you, Isobel?”
My heart soars even as my mind whispers caution. Yet, looking into his eyes, I know there’s only one possible answer. “Yes,” I breathe. “I will.”
He captures my mouth in a claiming kiss, stealing the breath from my lungs. His lips move against mine, gentle and possessive, an intoxicating blend of hunger and reverence that sends sparks dancing across my skin.
Curling my fingers in his tunic, I melt against his powerful frame as the warmth of his body envelops me, his strong arms tightening around my waist and pulling me impossibly closer.
His fingers thread through my hair, gripping the silken strands as he deepens our kiss, his mouth moving slowly, thoroughly, as if he’s savoring every breath we share.
My senses spin, overwhelmed by the raw intensity of this moment as everything around me fades away until it contains only Lyrion—his warmth, his taste, the passionate way he claims my lips.
Despite the joy singing through my veins, a remaining tendril of doubt curls in my chest, worried that perhaps this is merely the potion’s lingering effects. That once the magic dissipates, he’ll realize his mistake and let me go.
Breathless, I pull back just enough to look up at him. “Are you sure—absolutely sure—that it’s not the potion still?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything.” He cups my chin, directing my gaze to his. “No magic could make me feel like this.”
Relief crashes over me as happiness fills my chest.
“Well, it’s about time,” Rhystan’s voice pierces the darkness, startling us both.
We pull apart, surprised to find Hilda, Rhystan, and even Errol, on the garden path.
“I was beginning to worry the two of you would never admit your feelings for one another,” Rhystan adds.
Hilda beams, clasping her hands over her heart. “We’re so happy for you both.”
Errol tips his chin up proudly, as if this was all his doing.
Heat floods my cheeks but I laugh, leaning into Lyrion’s side as his arm slips protectively around my waist. “How long have you been standing there?” he asks, voice gruff, but I note the slight quirk of his mouth.
“Long enough.” Rhystan grins.
Errol purrs happily as he head bumps Rhystan. He then winds himself around Lyrion’s legs until he picks him up and scratches under his chin.
“Yes, yes.” Lyrion gives him an indulgent look. “You were right from the start.”
“Right about what?” I ask.
“He says he knew how I felt about you from the very beginning. It was only a matter of time before I realized it.”
Errol tips up his chin in a smug look as Lyrion strokes his fur.
“This calls for a celebration,” Hilda announces. “Let’s all go back inside and we can have some tea and honey cake.”
With Lyrion’s hand in mine, we walk back inside the manor. The future is bright and shining before us, and stars help me, I’m so happy I can’t stop smiling.