Page 6 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

“Should we make a vow?” she asked, swirling the liquid in the chalice.

“Having drunk from this cup, you swear to help me to remove the curse cast on me, in return for which I swear to help you to cure your father of the illness and give him the medicine,” he declared.

Her eyes lowered to the cup, her lips touched its cold edge and with that everything started spinning.

It tasted and looked like wine, but much sweeter.

Luscious as a dream, as a lovely promise which it surely wasn't. Its taste was heady and she couldn't stop.

Her consciousness started to fade, nothing felt real, and a strange feeling tingled her body.

Maybe this is how such strong magic works.

The ground began to slip away from under her feet, and wine spilled down her chin and neck.

Her mind clouded – there was nothing but this drink that no longer felt as such.

She drank as if her life depended on it, magic flooded all her being – her body and her mind.

The word promise hung in her head as if tied by a golden thread, ringing in the ears.

Promise. Promise. Promise.

She felt such joy and happiness in one second and such darkness and emptiness when she came back to reality.

It ended as soon as it started, she simply felt like she should stop.

A single glimpse into the cup – it looked as if she had taken just two or three sips.

But it felt like she guzzled the entire cup.

“Your turn,” she said, handing him the drink, her eyes escaping his direct gaze as her betraying cheeks flushed with a pale shade of crimson.

Dante took the chalice from her hand while she wiped her mouth, keeping an eye on him.

He slid away the black scarf, revealing a solid black mask on his mouth with an opening that reminded her of bars, but no matter how she tried to scrutinize it, she couldn’t see it clearly.

Interesting choice of decoration, indeed.

She almost shot him another question about why exactly he was cursed but as she opened her mouth she forgot what the question was.

“How do you even eat in this?” she asked instead, her brows pulled together.

“I would like not to bother myself with explanations,” he said coldly and lifted the cup to his mouth. His mask had a big enough opening to drink, even if some of the drops would be spilled, but she doubted it would let him eat easily.

Her hand reached for the handkerchief in her pocket, still feeling the remnants of the wine on her face.

“Such a strange feeling.” She wiped the corners of her lips. And as soon as Dante placed the cup back on the pedestal she threw another question, “So, what now?”

“Ever wanted to travel?”

“Let's say ‘yes’.” She pursed her lips, a look of distrust crossing her face.

“We'll be going to a slightly different place than this.” The corners of his eyes raised cryptically.

“To the south?”

His eyes narrowed and she felt like he wanted to say ‘Are you stupid?’ but instead he simply voiced, “More different.”

This only made her more confused.

“If you've ever thought about traveling, then you're probably familiar with the Valley of Enchanted Stories,” he uttered.

“We called this way the continent over the ocean,” she noted thoughtfully.

A smirk wrapped his lips.

“Wait. You are not serious, right? It will be a very long trip.”

“We live in a magical world, I think we are able to make it there much quicker,” he waved.

Violette got lost in her thoughts. In fact, the news of traveling to the lands she had read and heard so much about was incredibly tempting.

Life on the continent had promised to be very different from the one she'd known.

The magic that she used, the magic that lived in her, which was weaved in the air, came precisely from those lands.

No one remembered a time when the world was not surrounded by magic, but everyone knew that its source was the Valley of Enchanted Stories .

The place where princesses were enchanted into birds, cursed by evil sorceresses, knights were fighting with dragons, and enchantresses blessed heroes for their great exploits.

The place where the great love stories were born and were fighting for their existence.

“Don't worry, Little Witch, it won't take long.”

“I'm not worrying,” she confessed. “I’ve heard a lot of stories about these lands. In truth, I'm quite curious to finally see the homeland of the old fairytales.”

“I would not say it's an exciting place, but as you wish,” he said, his voice devoid of any enthusiasm before he headed to the exit.

Such strange words to say about the place that breathes magic and legendary stories.

How could it not be exciting? While Violette was absolutely happy to live with wizards, she would never pass up the opportunity to see the great kingdoms and their inhabitants.

She already saw plenty of newcomers from the Valley of Enchanted Stories, it was no secret that some of them moved here, as it's been known the Magic Lands were a more progressive place and much more modern compared to the old towns and castles on another continent.

And yet, Violette wanted, at least, to see a glimpse of it.

How could she believe someone's words when she didn't see it with her own eyes to make up her own mind about it?

The only question that came to her mind after Dante's statement was, “Have you been there before?”

“Let's say I'm quite familiar with it,” he said vaguely.

“That’s not an informative answer.”

“It's still an answer, though,” he insisted.

She rolled her eyes but wasn't about to give up on her curiosity. “And where exactly are we going?”

“Not far. There's a little place on the west of the lands where we are likely to find a clue to how to break the spell.”

“Fine. And yet, I still don't understand my role in it,” she remarked.

“I said I want you to break the spell. Do I look like a wizard to you?” He side-eyed her like this suggestion could have offended him.

“Not even close,” she said, waving him off.

“Then put two and two together.”

Her forehead creased in a frown. She had too many questions, especially about the place they are going to. Dante distinctly didn't enjoy her questions but could he blame her? It’s not everyday something like this happens.

She quickly caught up with him as he voiced, “We are pretty lucky. It's not far from the portal here. We can get there on foot.”

Violette looked around – everything that surrounded them made it seem like they were closer to the south than north; the warmer air and light wind was not usual at this time of the year for the north of the Magic Lands.

So Dante's words didn't make much sense – the Stone Arch, the portal to the Valley of Enchanted Stories, was far away. Walking there could take days.

“I don't want to upset you, but we won't reach the Stone Arch by foot. It's a long trip and I thought you wanted to finish our deal as soon as possible,” she doubted.

“Who said I was talking about the Stone Arch?”

“It's the only accessible portal. All others were sealed by the Magic Council if you didn't know.”

“Except a few others,” he said ambiguously.

“Well, nobody knows for sure which one and where,” she blurted.

He eyed her with a self-confident look. And it made her assume he knew of at least one. “Fine, wise guy,” she drawled disdainfully, “What is it?”

“I'd rather spend our little walk in silence, if you don't mind.”

“I do mind.”

“If only there was someone who cares, right?” he said simply and continued on his way like Violette doesn't even exist.

“You're not really courteous for someone who needs help,” she remarked, jogging up to his side.

“Why should I care about your favor? You'll still help me.”

It was true. Now that they had sealed their deal with a spell, there was no going back.

At least Violette could benefit from this.

Her mother taught her to always look on the bright side of life, even when it's hard to find something good in the situation.

So she started to list the advantages in her mind on their way to the portal.

Maybe, even, her companion will not be as bad as he seems right now, though she really doubted it.

They stood near another cavern on the edge of the forest. Two oak trees stood like guardians on both sides of the entrance, only the rustling of their leaves disturbed the silence which settled around.

Violette raised her eyes to the sharp edges of the cave etched with ancient magic signs, following them right to the top to a little image of an eight-pointed star, concluding in the winding frame made of spirals.

This cave looked smaller and lower than the previous. Instead of leading just into the deep, its path lay somewhere down. Violette dropped her gaze down to the little slippery path.

“And where does this lead to? Is this a portal itself or–” She hadn't taken her eyes off the depth of the cave.

“Only one way to find out,” Dante said with ease and stepped in.

Violette’s steps faltered, her fingers gripping the edges of her cloak.

After a deep breath she stepped forward, trailing behind Dante.

They didn't descend deeply, as the path suddenly ended and they ran into a wall covered in thickets of green leafy vines.

She didn't have time to voice her thoughts as Dante, without a word, moved the climber plants and walked in.

His figure disappeared behind the leaves.

A line formed between Violette's brows. She stroked her fingers over the vines, a light breeze tickled her fingertips.

One step and she found herself surrounded by the thick stems and leaves. Her hands reached forward, making her way. A bright blue light flew past her eyes – a little butterfly. She followed the twinkling and in a few moments ended up on the other side.

Violette felt the grass under her feet, the fresh scent of a summer night reached her nose.

The flickering yellow lights were serenely floating in the air, like fairy pollen levitating just a few inches above the ground.

The warm light immediately attracted her attention, inviting her to look at the tree with glowing leaves.

She stalked forward, her heart fluttering.

This place was breathing with magic . She'd never seen something so beautiful, inspiring peace in the soul, before.

It felt like entering a sacred place hidden from prying eyes, from the outside world.

The bright light blinded her for just a second as the flying line of fireflies glimmered before her eyes. Her lips parted in astonishment, gaze trailed to the top and how surprised she was to see a night sky instead of the stone ceiling of the cave. Was it an illusion or entirely another dimension?

A big blue bird with a resplendent tail iridescent in the surrounding lights on the willow's branch set eyes on the girl.

It eyed her for a few seconds and then continued preening its feathers.

Violette recognized this bird from the old books about magical animals, an extremely rare species to meet .

Ahead, in the glow of a golden light, a gracious willow had leaned over the dark waters of the wide lake. Dante already was ahead, waiting for her.

“What is this place?” she asked, stepping from foot to foot.

“Our way to another continent,” he said dryly, moving from his spot forward.

They appeared to be on the edge of the lake.

“See that swirl over there?” He pointed with his chin ahead.

Her gaze lugged to the center of the lake and then back to him.

“Yes,” she expressed but then again glanced at the water swirl and then back at him. “No…” Her stomach sank.

A brazen smirk slanted Dante’s mouth.

“No, don't tell me it's our portal,” she repeated, disappointed.

“What, never heard about a water portal?” He stepped with his boots into the water.

Violette cowered. “Weren't they closed because a lot of people drowned using them?”

“Stupid folks just kept confusing portals with real swirls, their fault,” he said simply. Everything he was saying to her, no matter if it was about the people drowning or about legends, sounded from his mouth like ordinary daily conversation, not really involving any emotions.

She opened her mouth, her brows pulled closer .

“Are you coming?” Dante called her over the shoulder.

Her nails clasped the neckline of her cloak. “Don't tell me all of it just to drown me.”

“Hm,” he said thoughtfully, “As much as this idea sounds tempting, I still need you. But remind me about it later for sure.”

Violette's face became stony in a split second and she finally moved forward right in the water. The chill went down her spine as it finally covered the edges of her boots and touched her knees. The sound of rippling water cut through the air as they moved deeper. When the water reached her waist, she stopped, unsure if this was a good idea. Of course it wasn’t, she already knew the answer. And nonetheless, here she was.

The sharp low voice broke through the silence.

“What? I can hold you by the hand if you are scared.” The faint smirk conveying the baleful look appeared on Dante's face.

She scrunched her nose and huffed, stepping further, feeling her boots sinking in the sand.

Finally the swirl showed up in front of her eyes. She perfectly knew the rules – you just need to dive. Now that she knows how portal transportation feels, she wasn't really pleased with using one. Her gaze once again dropped down to the swirl as she bit her lip.

“Just dive in, it's not so bad,” Dante spoke.

“You first.” She raised her eyes to him .

He looked like he couldn't care less, he clearly used it before, perhaps more than just one time. The water swayed and without spare words his head disappeared under, but not before he shot her a glance.

Violette stared at the spot where he vanished for a solid minute as if waiting for him to jump out of the water and scare her, but after it didn't happen, she gathered all her resolve together, took a deep breath and finally dived.