Page 112 of Magical Melee

My heart quickened as the sand bits turned glittery. This was all new, and I had to do my best to shove logic aside, or I’d be worried that I was looking at something radioactive. “What does it do?”

“This is called Figgle Sand. It’s used for so many spells, but tonight it is for a really good one,” Stella said, winking. “Very much needed, if you ask me.”

“Tell me more.”

“Your first spell is called a ‘Forget My Ex’ spell. Perfect for a recent divorcee, I’d say. Sprinkle a pinch of this Figgle Sand into a glass of wine, let it dissolve, and it’ll make your ex’s name taste like vinegar for the night whether you think it or say it. Trust me, it works.”

“So, I’m not exactly forgetting. I’m just conditioning myself not to think of him.” I burst out laughing. “That’s… actually brilliant. I’ll take it.”

“Isn’t it? That way, you don’t erase your memories, which could also include Celeste or anyone else with whom he mayhave shared headspace. Conditioning with magic is way more practical than outright erasure and more permanent practices,” Stella explained. “And for those especially tough days, I’ve got this.” She pulled over a small vial of bright pink powder. “The ‘Clean Slate’ spell. You write down all your ex’s worst qualities, burn the list with a dash of this, andpoof! Instant catharsis.”

“What is that stuff exactly?”

“This pink stuff is called Mitterfizz Fuzz.” Her eyes brightened. “It is a multi-purpose ingredient. A little for this and a little for that…”

“How do we get our hands on ingredients like these?”

“It’s not always easy. Sometimes, trolls help us collect items, or we swap with goblins. Some of us hunt for and gather the herbs, fungi, and other substances.”

I laughed again, feeling some of the tension I’d been carrying start to melt away. “Okay, I’m officially impressed. What else have you got in there?”

They all seemed harmless.

Stella smirked, pulling out a bundle of dried lavender and a small vial of clear liquid. “For our more practical purposes, here’s a simple warding spell. Keeps out unwanted visitors—magical or otherwise.”

I nodded, filing that one away for future use. “All right, show me how it’s done.”

For the next hour, Stella walked me through the steps of each spell, her patient and playful teaching style making it feel less like a lesson and more like a fun experiment. We laughed as I accidentally spilled some of the pink powder onto the counter. Stella watched me write my list of Alex's annoyances and smiled.

“Darling, you’re practically carving it into the paper,” she said, shaking her head. “You’ll scare off more than bad memories with that intensity.”

“What can I say? I’m committed to the craft,” I replied, grinning as I carefully burned the list in the sink. The pink powder sparked and fizzled, and I felt a genuine sense of release for the first time in days. I didn’t care if it was psychosomatic or real-life alchemy. The feelings washing over me were real to me, and that was all that counted.

By the time we finished, the kitchen smelled of lavender and smoke, and my spirits were noticeably lighter.

Stella leaned against the counter and smiled. “Take this and always keep it near.” She handed me the bundle of herbs. “And if you ever feel in danger, just recite,By light and will your darkness be gone. Time will cast you to the beyond.” Her eyes steadied on mine. “You think you can remember that?”

I nodded, feeling the weight of the words settle around me.

No matter how much I tried to forget the incident with Gideon, it was always lurking in the back of my mind.

“Will this work with Gideon or his goons?”

“It depends. It never hurts to try.” She smiled. “You did well, Maeve. You’ve got a natural knack for this.”

“So, he’s too powerful for my beginning spells.”

“Nobody is ever too powerful for something as pure as your heart, Maeve. It will catch him off guard. But he is powerful. Almost as powerful as Keegan.”

Just hearing Keegan’s name made my heart skip a beat, and I prayed Stella couldn’t tell.

Since she feasted on the very liquid that pulsed through my body, something told me she probably noticed if my heart’s rhythm ticked faster.

But, thankfully, she didn’t say anything.

I smiled, feeling a genuine sense of accomplishment. “Thanks, Stella. This was… exactly what I needed.”

“Good,” Stella said, pouring us both a cup of tea. “Because magic isn’t just about fighting off dark forces or saving the day. Sometimes, it’s about finding joy in the little things. Even if those little things involve making your ex’s name taste like vinegar.”