Page 39 of Flowerheart

But my teachers never spoke of such matters. Problems of one’s heart were outside our domain, the Council said.

It was why potions like Euphoria were illegal.

It was why potions like Euphoria were sought out.

I swallowed. “There... there is no treatment for that, sir. I’m sorry—”

He carefully removed a few golden coins from his wallet and placed them on the counter. “Please, ma’am. I’ve heard others say that such a potion exists. Is... is this enough? I could pay you more later.”

Madam Ben Ammar had asked me to be on the lookout. To report to her about this potion. Could it be spreadinghere?Could someone be selling it close by?

“Is it Euphoria you’re looking for?” I asked him.

His eyes widened. “Yes. Do you have some?”

I hid my hands under the counter as they began to shake. “That potion is contraband.” My magic chantedhername in my ear, and the hair on my neck stood on end, like someone had crept up behind me. “Who told you about it?”

He swept his money back into his wallet. His eyes had grown dark and somber. “Never mind.”

Xavier stepped into the tent, carrying two small paper bags in one hand. He must have seen the worry on my face, for he frowned at the man between us almost immediately.

“I’m the owner of this shop, sir,” said Xavier. “I apologize for my absence—is there something I can help you with?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think you have what I’m looking for.”

The hopelessness in his voice chilled me.

“Do we have anything at all to help with melancholy?” I asked.

Xavier blanched. “I—I’m sorry, sir. Such a potion doesn’t exist. Not yet, anyhow—”

“It exists,” the man said coldly. “Iknowit does.”

He stormed past, making his way towards the entrance of the tent. But Xavier stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Are you referring to Euphoria?”

My heart leapt into my throat. I supposed it made sense that he knew about this potion, as a Councilmember. But I thought of Madam Ben Ammar’s distrust of him, and of the night he’d spent shielding the bubbling cauldron from my view. Surelyhe’d not sell something illegal. Let alone in the middle of the marketplace...

“Yes.” The customer’s shoulders trembled. His eyes glimmered with tears. “Please, I... I need help.”

“It’s not safe to take it. After a few days—”

“I know,” he murmured. His eyes seemed so distant, so empty, like he was barely there at all. “Please, sir.”

“I’m sorry,” Xavier told the man again. “There’s nothing I can do. And I beg you—do not go looking for this potion. The happiness it gives is not worth the consequences.”

The man stared wordlessly at the two of us and then, as silently as a ghost, he slipped out of the tent.

After a moment, Xavier draped the flaps of the tent shut. He slumped onto an old crate in place of a chair. “Curse me, what a mess.”

“Should we tell the Council?”

“I’ll send them a note,” he mumbled.

The silence was thick and heavy around us. Xavier stared blankly ahead of him, his posture sagging with fatigue—and sadness.

“You know quite a lot about Euphoria,” I said.

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