Page 6 of Cursed By the Love Witch

Finding a piece of parchment, I scroll a note to Prue and attach it to the love potion. Nestling both inside the charging bowl so they can be at their strongest before tonight's festivities, I survey my handiwork. I’ll bring another happy couple together tonight and eliminate the thorn in my side for the past semester.

Perhaps I am being too harsh—or I’m not as kind-hearted as many would believe—but I care little. I know what it’s liketo suffer under someone who goes unchecked for their cruelty. If only someone had acted bold enough when I was younger, I wouldn’t have a permanent reminder of those dark times.

This is a lesson he needs to learn.

A strong breeze blows the windows open in Mistress Saege’s room. The day's final bell has rung, and she has still not left her office. Inhaling deeply, I let the spring breeze calm me. Walking towards the nearest window, I push it open further and whistle for a raven. Scribbling down a quick note to Prue to collect her potion in the next few hours.

I watch the midnight-colored bird take flight.

Below in the courtyard, I can see students already making their way near the forest’s edge to help begin decorating for the party. I need to start getting ready myself. Collecting my things from the workbench, I cast one last glance at my charging potions. The easy part is done.

Now, all that’s left to figure out is how to get the High Warlock to ingest the potion without him noticing.

3

DARCEE

Staring at myself in the full-length mirror, I’m the picture of pink perfection.

The top half of my hair is pulled back from my face and secured with a pale pink bow that matches the color of my dress. The skirt hits about mid-thigh and flares out in a perfect complement to my lacy bell sleeves. My silver pentagram hangs from my neck and falls between my breasts, which are just slightly highlighted by the v-shaped neckline of my dress. Lastly, I slip on a pair of towering platform heels.

My magenta eyes glow, surrounded by thick, dark lashes. I’ve painted my lips a rich rose color to highlight the glow of my cheeks. I love these parties—I love dressing up and mingling with other students. It’s typically the best place for me to find a pair of lovers who need my guiding hand to bring them together.

However, tonight is different.

Tonight is not for my enjoyment; I am a woman on a mission. While getting ready, I searched my brain for how to slip the sleeping potion to the High Warlock. A sinking feeling floods my stomach as I consider that he may not even attend the party. If so, what will I do then? I cannot think of such a thing.

This plan is rash—foolish—and yet it must be done. No actual harm will come to the High Warlock, and all of us suffering in his presence will be freed. I should be heralded a hero, but I’ll take a passing grade and walking across the stage at graduation as all the thanks I need.

A sharp ringing cuts through my thoughts as the bell tolls nine times. If the High Warlock is attending the party, he won’t be staying for very long. I’m running behind, and I cannot afford to wait another moment.

Securing a thick leather band around my waist, I slip out of my dorm room and hustle down the hall. Taking the winding staircases and cutting down several hallways, I finally find myself in Mistress Saege’s castle wing. I push into her classroom, the stillness broken up by the intense breeze blowing in from the window. It carries voices from the party below. The wind upends several bowls of dried flowers and scatters pieces of parchment. With a wave of my hand, the window loudly clicks shut.

Walking over to the charging bowl, only one potion remains. While I was getting ready, Prue sent me a raven, telling me she had picked up her love potion. Her thanks and love had poured through the note, and I couldn’t be more excited for my friend.

Oh, howlovelylove is!

As much as I wish I could sit in this content feeling, the potion still lingering in the bowl sends a shiver down my spine. I reach for it, and my hand pauses. Again, is this the right thing to do? My intuition, which has seen me through even the darkest moments, is annoyingly silent.

The darkness of my past yawns open. Memories I’ve longed to suppress move my hand of its own accord, snatching up the potion and doing the one thing I didn’t have the power to do before.

Act.

It will be brilliant if my poorly thought-out plan goes off without a hitch. After I slip the potion into the High Warlock’s drink tonight, he’ll feel ill due to the high dose. Everyone knows he lives deep within theWicked Woods. His cottage is impenetrable to enter unless guided by him. He’ll slumber away in there without anyone coming to look.

I’ll graduate, and no one will be the wiser until he wakes. It is a selfish plan, but as I remember my humiliation and Mistress Saege’s tears, my resolve strengthens further. If putting a cruel male to sleep makes me a bad person, so be it. I will not allow his disdain to rob me of the one thing I’ve wanted since I first discovered my magic.

With steady hands, I lift the potion. The magic hums behind the glass and tickles my palm. I uncork it and sniff—the floral scent is pleasant. The potion has significantly dulled in color. The bright magenta it once was is turning milky and pale. It must be strong to incapacitate a strong warlock such as him.

Looking inward, I find the final tendrils of my magic, which is waning due to how much spellwork I’ve done today. Leaving the vial uncorked, I slice the tip of my finger with my nail and watch a thick ruby droplet of my blood pool there. Blood magic is intense—necessary in only the most dire circumstances.

Most students are forbidden from using it, but Mistress Saege has been teaching me how to enhance my potions with it for years. Swallowing, I hang my finger over the lips of the container and watch the drop of my blood hit the potion. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and allow my warm magic to flow from me along with my intention.

“Dear Goddess, hear my plea. Strengthen this potion for me. Dear Goddess, hear my plea. Strengthen this potion for me.”

I repeat the phrases over and over until the vial in my hand begins to heat. Blinking open, I marvel at the spell's rich red color. It glitters and swirls within the bottle, its power palpable.A sense of relief washes over me. This potion has received the strength of the Goddess, indicating that She approves of what I’m doing.

At least, that’s what I tell myself as I secure the potion to the belt around my waist. It dangles off my hip and looks like a standard potion a love witch would have. No one will think twice when they see it, assuming it is another of my love spells I’m delivering during the party.

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