Page 57 of Magic Potions and the Merman's Lure

Chapter 36

Keri

I straighten the hem of my dress as I peer down at my experiment. Distorted through the glass, Adiele frowns as she eyes it from the other side of the table. The shimmering glow of the core created by the tide of magic between Ro and me from the talaxi pearl sits in a dish to the side as a visual reminder of what we are working for.

“So, what exactly are we doing?” she asks as she cranes her head to look into another beaker. “You have the core, I figured everything from there would be easy.”

“More or less. Now it is more down to fine-tuning. I am testing the nature of these different waters that I’ve gathered through distillation with various substances,” I explain. “While we now have the core ingredient, the water itself is also going to be fundamentally important. Each has an energetic signature, but I’m trying to narrow it down to its various properties. Whatever I make for Ro is going to have to start from a similar base that will undergo more complex processes with other substances to finally get a reliable potion for Ro. I’m just not certain which to start with.”

Adiele shrugs. “They all look like tinted water to me. I mean, I can feel the energy, but nothing at all like what you said. Perhaps your aunt should be the one to help you with this. Katherine Durmont is the strongest energy mage I know.”

“She’s busy this weekend,” I admit. “Something about witnessing the formal construction of a fairy grove in some far-off mountain community. Fulfilling a promise, she said.”

“Oh.” Adiele tilts her head as she observes another beaker. “Well, which one feels most like Ro’s magic? Anything give a seafood special vibe?”

I chuckle at her wisecrack and shake my head. “I honestly don’t know. All of these are made with plants that have occult associations with water properties. I have a distilled water base from a blue lotus. Then there’s this one from seaweed. Hell, I’ve even got one made from ground-up shell material.” I scrub the back of my neck with one hand. “Maybe I just need to have Ro test them and get his opinion. He’s the aquatic, right?”

Adiele grins over at me. “Somehow, I don’t think it will be quite that easy, but sure, why not? I take it that you’re seeing him again today.”

I blush at the knowing way she wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. She just can’t help herself. That’s the last time I tell her anything about my love life. Now that she knows that Ro and I are an affirmed couple she hasn’t let up. But then again, keeping secrets from diviners is nearly impossible. She somehow knew that Ro and I spent the last few days intimately entangled without me having to say a word. All she needed was confirmation, and I haven’t been able to escape it since.

A sharp knock at the door saves me, and I rush over to let Ro in, happy to let him have his share of Adiele’s teasing. I’m trying not to appear too eager as I throw the door open, but I can’t keep the ecstatic smile off my face as I greet him. His slow, answering smile is absolutely worth the kissy noises that my friend makes behind my back, even more so when he sweeps me into a hug like he hasn’t seen me in forever and I’m the best thing since shrimp was pulled out of the water.

He turns his head and swoops in to slant his mouth over mine, stealing my breath, my every thought, and my heart with his kiss. A leisurely kiss of the sweetest sort of exploration is enough to distract me to where I completely forget we have an audience. It isn’t until Adiele clears her throat when his playful fingers skim just under the hem of my skirt that brings me crashing back to reality.

My friend exaggeratedly, fans her face as we break apart and untangle from each other. “Wow. You’re so welcome.”

I drag my attention from Ro’s impressive chest to give my friend a puzzled look. “Huh?”

“You know... for getting you two together,” she explains, wiggling her fingers in our direction. “I wish I could claim it’s because I saw it but that would be a brazen lie and would tempt my great-grandmother to make the trip beyond the grave to smack me upside the head. But I’m still claiming all the credit because obviously there was some serious magic at work the moment you met—which, naturally, wouldn’t have happened without me.”

“Yes, because this tiny town is so enormous that there was no chance of Ro and I running into each other,” I reply dryly.

Adiele snorts in amusement. “You mean if you didn’t practically live at the library or in your apartment when not dragged over to my place for divination lessons?” She rolls her eyes and scoffs. “Like I said, you’re welcome.”

Ro’s nose brushes my cheek, making me aware of the fact that he has bent down to engulf me once more within his embrace. “Let her have her accolades, my sweet Keri. Even a hunter is quick to boast about his hunt regardless of how lamed a beast may be. Let her enjoy her moment,” he murmurs, his breath teasing my ear.

“Oh, fine,” I mumble, only because I’m far too distracted to argue with him or Adiele right now. “Let’s get to work, then. I have a few ideas I want to try.” I glance at the door curiously. “Where is Gryn? Don’t tell me he is still doing patrols along the edge of your claimed territory in punishment.”

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