Page 77 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

It was all I could do to stay standing when Tinsley finally nodded. “Done.”

She collapsed into a stool beside the counter, and I slid to my knees on the floor. Holy shit, I was exhausted, barely able to keep my eyes open.

“It needs to simmer for five or six hours,” Tinsley said.

Summoning my strength, I stood, helping myself up by holding onto the counter and gazed into the cauldron. The weird, lumpy, thick concoction had transformed. Now, it was a smooth and thin light blue liquid.

“Wow,” I whispered.

“It needs time to concentrate. Most of the liquid will cook off, leaving the completed potion. By tomorrow, it’ll be ready.”

“I guess I should go,” I said. “Come back tomorrow.” My voice sounded slurred even to my own ears. Almost like I’d been drinking.

“No way,” Tinsley said. “Not in your condition. I wouldn’t trust you to ride a bike, much less operate a car. Why don’t you stay here tonight? I live in an apartment above the store, and there’s a spare bedroom. I insist.”

Part of me wanted to argue, the part that was self-assured and independent. Then I took a step toward the door, and all my remaining energy fled my body. I nearly tumbled to the ground.

“You know what?” I said. “Good idea.”

Tinsley helped me up the stairs, though it was more like we helped each other, and then we each collapsed onto the couch in her small living room.

“I feel like I’ve run a marathon,” I said, panting for breath.

“You don’t know how much of a part of you your magic is until it gets drained,” Tinsley said.

Before either of us knew it, we’d passed out on the couch, too drained to move. I awoke several hours later. The light coming through the window had the slanted fading look of early evening. My phone had about a dozen missed calls and texts from Jace. I called him right away as Tinsley stirred awake.

“Kirsten! Are you okay? Where the hell are you?” Jace sounded two steps from full-blown panic.

“I’m still in St. Louis.”

“Still? You’ve been gone for over eight hours. I thought you’d be back home a long time ago.”

I checked my watch. It was almost seven o’clock. Damn, I really had been wiped out.

“Sorry. Tinsley was teaching me some new magic, and it totally exhausted me. I fell asleep on her couch and lost track of time. I meant to call.” My body still fought against the weariness and grogginess that threatened to drag me down. I hadn’t slept long enough to fully recover yet. “I think, to be safe, I’m gonna spend the night here and come home in the morning.”

I didn’t tell him about the potion. I’d have to find a good time to give it to him. Part of me wanted to wait until I knew for sure that what was going on between us was real. If he didn’t want me, then I’d still give him the potion, but I wanted to wait until we’d spent some more time together. After that, I’d give him the choice.

“You’re sure you’re okay? When I didn’t hear from you and you didn’t answer your phone, I thought the worst.”

“I know. Like I said, I’m sorry.”

He sighed heavily, and I could almost hear a shudder as he did, like he’d been on the verge of tears. A lump formed in my throat, and I again wondered why it was so hard for me to believe this man truly cared for me. What was wrong with me that I couldn’t let go of old fears and hang-ups?

“Just call when you’re on your way home, okay?”

“I promise.”

“See you tomorrow, and be careful.”

“I will. Bye.”

I flopped back down on the couch.

“All good?” Tinsley asked.

“Yup. I think so, anyway.”

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