Page 123 of Valpar

Goddess, we’re utterly screwed.

But I was determined to get us both out of here. He helped me when I needed it all those years. Really, he was my companion not the other way around.

Ivy dusted her hands off and took the bottle from Karma. “Now for the show.” She took the bottle and swirled it in her hand. It was corked at the top, but with the bottle being translucent, you could still see the liquid inside sloshing about.

“This is a magic-breaking potion. It has some fancy name.” Ivy waved her hand carelessly. “All I know is it will break whatever spell that is on you, and you will remember every damn thing you’ve been through. Down to the last detail.”

I threaded my fingers together and looked away from her.

“Drink this, or we kill your pet.” She put her free hand on her hip. “You’ll become the depressed little loser you really are, and not want to even go back to your happy, insignificant life with your adoptive family. Put everyone out of their misery, trying to push you off on some orc and give the rest of the fairies a chance.”

If they had been spying on me, then they should know that the curse would be broken soon, since he was my mate. Did she really not think I was his?

“Why break it now?” I asked. “I’ll have to remember my past soon.”

Ivy strolled up to me with the bottle in her hand. She leaned forward, her nose close to mine. “Like I said, you aren’t really his mate. Besides, once you take this and realize what sort of past you had, trust me, you won’t want to live anyway. You won’t want to go back.”

Simon cried and huffed with the rope wrapped around his body and snout. He tried to shake his head, kicking the dirt beneath him.

Was my life that terrible before?

I tentatively took the bottle in my hand, and Ivy and Karma smiled in triumph. She backed away and grabbed a small flame from Karma that I had not seen before, putting it under the letter.

“Wait no!” I reached out, but she held it away from me, an enormous grin on her face.

I watched as the fire slowly consumed the letter and the pieces dropped to the ground.

Once I take this potion, I won’t have my words to bring myself through the trauma of my past. What ever I had said to help me get through—they were gone.

Why did they have to be so cruel?

“We won’t face murder charges,” Karma said happily, “because technically, we didn’t kill you. Supposedly, you were to remember your memories anyway. We just sped it along. We didn’t kidnap you; you willingly came with us. We’ve broken no laws.” He leaned his body back while he fluttered in the air, placing both of his hands behind his head.

They coerced me, but I couldn’t argue anymore. I had to get Simon free. “Release Simon and I’ll take it.” I said with as much courage as I could.

“You aren’t the one with the knife.” Ivy said as she pulled it from a sleeve on her thigh under her dress. “I suggest you get going. Just drop it on your skin, that’s all you need.” She placed the knife under Simon’s neck, and he stilled, his nose flaring.

I held on to the bottle tighter and placed my hand on top, feeling the cork. I knew nothing about magic, but just holding the bottle and knowing I would regain my memories just from the liquid inside, I knew that my life would change forever.

I wouldn’t have Valpar or my family here with me. That was what Ivy and Karma were hoping for.

I couldn’t believe they would go this far—how can people be so cruel.

I would do it though—for Simon. My first best friend.

Before I popped off the top, footsteps came from the right. The thicket, where branches barely holding dark navy leaves and dead flowers, moved. The branches were so thick, I could hardly see the other side. Once it became louder, I backed away, moving toward Simon. Ivy didn't stop me, both her and Karma were stunned to see someone come out of the brush.

A tall woman, with snow white skin and hair that fell to her hips, approached us. Her features were delicate and ethereal, with high cheekbones and a slender nose. The woman’s lips were adorned with a soft, gentle smile, contrasting with the mysterious aura that emanated from her captivating eyes. The pale blue irises seemed to hold secrets. Secrets I didn’t really want to know. Her face was friendly, but the light blue eyes were unsettling. She wore a sage green dress with a matching cape that went over her head.

I clutched the bottle because I had nothing to hold on to, and partly, because it was my only way to free Simon.

Ivy walked around me with her eyebrows raised. “Esmeray? What are you doing here?”

The woman, Esmeray, smiled and lifted her hand. “I’ve come to see Calliope.” Her eyes lingered on me and a chill ran down my body. “Here is your coin. I will take her, and you no longer need to worry about the human.”

Karma and Ivy looked at one another, and Ivy shook her head. “No,” Ivy stepped in front of me. “She’s ours, we are—”

With a flick of Esmeray’s finger, Ivy’s body exploded into a burst of white petals. I jumped, falling backwards, holding onto the potion. Karma screamed and held onto the tree limb Simon was tied to, as if for dear life.

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