Page 48 of Kissing Potions and Elves (Oakvale Ever After #1)
ISOBEL
T he crowd is silent as they listen to the tale unfolding before them. Thinking of Lyrion and all that happened between us, I pour everything I have into my performance, drawing the audience deep into the Huntress’s sorrowful yet beautiful story.
She prays for the Hunter to return to her just as I still long for my broody Elf to come back to me. To tell me he’s sorry, that his heart is mine and mine alone.
I’ve tried to forget him. To be strong and carry on… to pretend everything is fine and that I’m happy. But the truth is, I miss Lyrion. With every fiber of my being.
I miss talking with him, laughing with him, and all the quiet moments we spent together in between.
He saw all of my flaws and my shortcomings and he didn’t judge me for them. He made me feel seen in a way that no one else ever has.
Sadness tightens my chest. I know I should move on, but I don’t know how. Not when my heart insists that he is the one—the other half of my soul.
And the worst part is that his lie has made me question everything. I cannot deny that I still love him, but I don’t know if he ever truly loved me. And now… I don’t think I ever will.
Sighing heavily, I force myself to push down my despair. I’m about to speak my next line, but when I glance at Brakkus, I notice Cyran standing beside him. I blink in confusion. He’s no longer wearing his Warrior costume even though it’s almost time for his part on the stage.
“What are you doing?” I mouth. “You’re supposed to be—”
I freeze. A cool breeze brushes over my skin, carrying the smell of pine and parchment. Lyrion. My pulse trips. I’d know his scent anywhere.
But it can’t be. He’s gone. Back to Rivenyl. Far from here. Far from me.
My chest aches. Traitorous tears threaten to escape my lashes, but I blink them away. Slowly, like I’m walking into a dream I’m terrified to wake from, I turn.
My lips part in shock as he strides onto the stage dressed as the Warrior, and my heart slams against my ribs so hard it hurts.
His violet eyes lock on mine and the world falls away. It’s him. The one who holds my heart. It’s always been him.