Page 110 of Married to the Devil

“This potion is a powerful working and rare. Something like this could do some real damage in the wrong hands,” she says, unlocking a small pull drawer in the wall.

Of course it’s rare. The ingredients in the original potion are nearly impossible to get and heinous in nature, but Zena’s focus is on finding working substitutions for things that shouldn’t be available on the black market. Her disgust for thelazy solutionsas she calls them is what made Kalos start working with her in the first place.

Her expression is serious when I near. The crow’s feet from sun exposure crinkle in concentration as she writes a clear label on the small blue bottle in her grip.

Fertility Aid: Use with caution.

“What’s the caution mean?” I ask, frowning.

“It means there could be side effects.”

“You didn’t say anything about side effects.”

“All potions have side effects.” Zena glares at me like I’m an idiot. “The most common reaction is for the female to feel like they’re going into heat. Other side effects have been limited to a few days at most and are more run-of-the-mill, like a runny nose.”

I swallow, not liking that this isn’t nearly as risk free as I thought. “But it will work?”

She blinks. Again, doubting my intelligence. “Of course.”

“And the supplies are…ethically sourced?”

Zena looks like she’s going to smack me. “Benjamin Barnes, are you really asking me that?”

There’s a moment of chagrin at that since I’ll never know if Benjamin is my full name or not and Barnes was a surname another street kid gave me, but she’s right to be frustrated. I’ve never doubted her.

But I’ve never needed something for someone who’s been so important to me before.

“I have to be sure,” I say.

“Yes. That’s why it costs so much. If you want details, I can give details.”

I swallow, not wanting to know such things because potions never have palatable ingredients, but nod. “I…care about the recipient.”

I love her.I keep those last words to myself, but some of the emotion must leak through because Zena loses some of her prickliness.

“It will work. If conception can happen, it will happen. My substitutions have been tested thoroughly. Mushrooms have been the most helpful substrate for recipes like this one.” Zena snorts before continuing. “I very much doubt that the lady of the territory wants to ingest pixie flesh, and the lion’s mane alternative suffused in blood works far better.”

This time when my stomach turns, it’s not from hearing about mushrooms. “I don’t know what you’re implying.”

Zena eyes me. “It’s no secret that the two of you are close, and then you call me up asking for a fertility potion? The only other you’d be working for is Kalos, and the gods know the dragon doesn’t seem to need help in that area.”

This was the risk of contracting with someone who lives in Leonid territory, but it’s unavoidable. Stoneheart and Stella need to conceive outside of her natural fertility cycle, and Zena is the only potion maker I trust with this.

“This can’t get out,” I say.

“Don’t insult me.” Zena waves her hand. “I’m discreet.” She stills and the hairs on the back of my neck rise when her sharp green eyes focus on me in consideration. “But there are rumors, and they aren’t hard to hear.”

“What rumors?” I ask, but I can guess, and the lightness in my chest from the last couple of days dims.

“Loud whispers that the lady of the territory is closer to her bodyguard than her husband. Most aren’t saying it in a malicious way. They understand it was an arranged mating…”

“And others?” I ask.

“They’re looking to start trouble. I’ll say a blessing for the three of you that the potion will take. I don’t want to return to the dark days, and Frank taking over would result in that.”

The three of us. As if it’s as simple as that. I drag my hand down my face.

“My thanks,” I say.

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