Page 36 of Kissing Potions and Elves
“It’s the combination with the tea,” she replies. “I believe it’s enhancing the effects. The magic should fade in a few hours. Take him back home. I can handle things here.”
“Alright.”
“Come with me,” I tell Lyrion, as I take his hand to lead him away. A thrill pulses through me when his fingers immediately entwine with mine, as though it’s the most natural thing in the world.
He follows eagerly, greeting everyone and complimenting their shoes, their hair, their stalls, while they study him in bewildered surprise. This is probably the most he’s ever talked with any of them.
Just when I think it can’t possibly get any worse, Lyrion spots Mayor Finley—the Fox Shifter—strolling by as he greets festivalgoers.
“Finley, my good Fox!” he calls out. “These festivities are wonderful! You’re doing a fantastic jobmayoringtoday!”
Finley freezes mid-step, his tufted ears twitching uncertainly as he slowly pivots to stare at Lyrion with a baffled expression. After an awkward pause, he offers a tentative wave. “Er... thank you?”
“You should try Tressa’s scones.” Lyrion points enthusiastically toward Tressa. “They’re amazing.”
Mayor Finley nods slowly, eyes flicking between us before he flashes a polite smile. “I’ll... be sure to do that.”
Taking his arm gently, I steer my deliriously happy Elf away from the festival, silently hoping this spell wears off before he decides to start singing ballads or reciting poetry.
“I just need to grab my cloak from the café,” I tell him.
Once we’re safely inside the kitchen, I turn to face him.
My breath catches at the intense hunger in his expression. “Isobel.” His voice is low and rough as his gaze drops to my lips. “I need you.”
Moon help me, when he folds me into his arms and seals his mouth over mine, I practically melt into him, the passionate kiss chasing every coherent thought from my mind.
When he finally pulls back, he rests his forehead against my own and closes his eyes. “You taste like sunshine, Isobel.”
My heart flutters. I had no idea he could sound so romantic. He’s looking at me with such open affection that it almost hurts. Tentative hope stirs in my chest, but I force myself to tamp it back down. It’s just the magic making him say such things.
When we step out of the café, the atmosphere has grown even more festive. Lively music fills the air as several people dance around the village square.
A startled squeak escapes me as Lyrion sweeps me into the dance, weaving effortlessly among the other couples. Allowing myself to get caught up in the moment, I laugh as he spins me away and then pulls me back, his brilliant violet eyes full of happiness.
When the song finally ends, he takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine as he leads me to a vendor cart to buy two honey cakes.
“Because you love them,” he says, answering my unspoken question, and my heart flips traitorously.
As we walk back home, Lyrion whistles a happy tune. He stops to converse with a squirrel and a bluebird, laughing at something they say before we continue down the path.
It’s strange, but nice to see him so happy and carefree. I just hope that when the magic wears off, he doesn’t regret these unguarded moments.
When we reach the manor, he insists upon sitting out in the garden. He pulls out his notebook and begins sketchingone of the roses along the fence while I go tell Hilda what has happened.
“This isn’t the first time he’s had something like this happen to him.” She shrugs. “He and his brother used to play pranks on each other all the time when they first started learning potion mixing. It got so bad I had to tell them that if they continued causing mischief, they’d turn into little Goblins, the two of them.”
I laugh. “Did it work?”
“Aye,” she says. “Like a charm.”
Hilda starts for the kitchen. “I’ll fix him a pot of tea. Perhaps that will help flush it out of his system a bit faster.”
It’s been several hours and while the effects of Tressa’s magic seem to have worn off for the most part, they’re not entirely gone.
After dinner, I bid Lyrion goodnight and then go to my room while he retires to his.
I take a quick bath and then change into my silken sleep gown. Pulling a robe over my shoulders, I step back into the bedroom only to be startled to find Lyrion standing next to the bed. “Stars in heaven! You gave me a fright.”
