Page 8 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

Before her mother left the world of the living, her family often spent weekends by the lake, in the Sorcery Gardens – a beautiful place with remains of ancient arches, alcoves and statues surrounded by flower alleys and thickets of ivy.

A lot of families and couples visited it during summer and spring seasons just to take a rest from their daily routine and the bustling city.

These little trips were her only time away from home and seeing such a beautiful place, she kept wondering what the rest of the world looked like.

Maybe she didn't leave her city or the potion shop she worked in, but her mind traveled to a lot of different places.

Violette squirmed on her spot, trying to find a new comfortable pose. Her legs had been eager to jump out the carriage and take a little walk. Dante only took a sidelong glance at her.

“Maybe we could make a stop?” she finally burst into the air.

“No.” The flat answer left his mouth as he was looking out the window, afar, with his fingers resting under his nose.

“Why? We've been driving for several hours already, my back is stiff, I want a little break.”

“I see you are not used to traveling in a carriage.” He finally turned his gaze to her, looking no less bored than she was.

“Are you not uncomfortable?” she questioned.

With these words he stretched and in a satisfied tone said, “No, I'm fine.”

“Well, I'm not,” Violette frowned.

“Don't see how it should be my problem.”

“Oh, it will be your problem if we do not stop. I promise you.” Her brows drew together, while lips curled in a scornful smile.

“Going to threaten me with your magic wand again?”

“No, I'll just be talking nonstop and making staying in this carriage impossible to you so you want to jump out before we reach our destination.”

“Who said I don't want to do it already?”

She held his gaze, crossing hands at her chest, her brows knitted.

“If you want to hear real complaints I will gladly give you this opportunity, I am not that proud. So, at first, I–”

“Fine.” He glared. “Ten minutes. No more.”

A winning smile lit up her face.

Soon enough, the view of cozy cottages and passing people on the other side of the street flashed through the carriage window.

The horses stopped and Violette finally stepped out of the stuffy coach to breathe some fresh air.

A satisfying sound left her mouth as she inhaled and then turned her head over the shoulder.

“You are not going?”

“It's you who wanted to stop,” Dante said indifferently.

“Too proud to get out?” She raised a brow and an edge of her mouth.

He didn't say anything, only closed the door and leaned to the back.

Violette stepped on the wide busy street.

People were quickly pacing by, reminding her of her hometown.

Two women with wicker baskets filled with flowers passed by, animatedly chatting with each other.

Behind a woman with her chin tipped towards the sky and a little white dog loping merrily ahead, a man was trailing with a mountain of multi-colored boxes and packages, barely balancing on his legs.

Violette's gaze shifted to a man with a top hat on gray haired head, holding a long black cane, swaggering right in front of her nose, forcing her to pull back.

And then her eyes found the man with a stack of packages again.

One of the beautiful boxes tied with silk ribbon flew down and before hitting the floor it levitated back to its place on the pile of boxes in his hands.

He looked out and his gaze locked on the magic wand in Violette's hand, the expression painted on his face seemed quite strange, his eyes opened widely .

“Thanks,” he mumbled quickly, escaping her gaze and immediately rushed away.

Violette tilted her head to the side, pondering about his reaction, but as soon as she heard a bell of a clock, her thoughts scattered away. She remembered she didn’t have much time and the sounds her stomach was making were definitely a sign to find something to eat.

The town they arrived in was a small and cozy place with a lot of low cottages and not many shops, however she noticed pretty stores with fancy signboards.

One of them had female mannequins in long opulent ball gowns, totally different from the fashion Violette was used to.

She raised her eyes to the lettering above – ‘Dresses by Madam Filaiguille’.

Another little shop with a sunshade in a color of pale pink, decorated with vines of flowers called ‘Soiree's Fallalery’, meanwhile the next one could brag with a variety of colorful brimmed hats on its displays.

This street was hardly different from where she lives, however small houses were not a common occurrence there.

This place reminded her rather of an old fairytale town.

A big antique chantry and a fountain on the square was a revived picture from the romances where couples would meet for the first time or secretly meet at midnight.

A beige leaflet flew past Violette’s eyes, playfully dancing in the air, her gaze following it until she noticed a cute bakery shop on the other side of the road .

The smell of fresh baked bread and berry jam were curling in the air inside, she almost could see a scent strip coming from behind the counter.

The showcase had been filled with different buns, little pies, bread, rolls and jam cookies.

The options were endless and everything looked especially delicious, so Violette was on the verge of buying every type of treat here.

Though her stomach was begging her for at least a small piece.

However, every bun looked enchanting, bakeries on the Magic Lands were different; some of them had incredibly whimsical and fun sweets, radiating true charms. Some of the most impressive sweets she'd ever seen – little cakes in the shape of clouds, floating in the air above the plate.

There were cookies that could change their color or shape in a beat but here – in this shop – the baked goods were absolutely ordinary. Yet, the smell was just unbelievable.

She’d made sure she got enough for the remaining trip when her gaze shifted to the clock outside the window and it struck her – she had to hurry up.

The way to the carriage was pretty quick, although Violette turned on the wrong road once and almost wandered onto another street.

She finished her raspberry roll just before she got in.

“Are you satisfied now?” Dante grumbled.

“More than,” she sang. Her mood immediately improved. And it's no wonder – how can you be happy when your stomach is rumbling and your legs are completely stiff?

Dante knocked on the wall and the carriage moved, then his gaze settled on Violette pulling out blueberry tartlets from the paper bag.

Her eyes raised. “You want some?” She held out one tartlet.

Dante eyed her for a solid ten seconds then closed his eyes and leaned on the back of the carriage wall.

“Rude,” she mumbled.

Without a word he straightened his legs and threw them over her seat, making Violette snort as she took another bite of her delicious treats.