Page 99 of Kissing Potions and Elves
LYRION
Isobel left early this morning to gather the last of her things and inform the boarding house that she is moving out of her apartment. So when there’s a knock at the door, I smile thinking it’s her as I go to open it.
I blink in surprise when I instead find my mother and father.
My heart drops into my stomach. The last time we talked was when I returned home to officially dissolve my betrothal to Elyssia. To say they were disappointed in me is an understatement.
I left as soon as it was done, leaving them a note informing them of my intent to return to Oakvale and bind myself to Isobel—a human.
Looking between the two of them, I lift my chin. “If you are here to dissuade me from taking Isobel as my mate, you are wasting your time,” I state firmly. “She is mine and I am hers. I will wed her with or without your approval.”
“Lyrion, dear, there’s no need for theatrics,” my mother says smoothly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “Ifyou wish to bind yourself to a human, that’s fine. Right, Errol?” she asks my father before turning her sharp gaze back to me. “Besides, it’s not as if it’s such a shocking thing to do now anyway. Not after our own King Caelen wed the human Queen Lyana.”
She shrugs. “The crown might even look more favorably upon our Great House because of it.”
My mouth drifts open. My parents have always been of the opinion that humans are beneath High Elves. This is definitely not how I expected them to react to the news that I’m planning on marrying one of them.
My father strides in behind my mother, tall and imposing as ever, his piercing violet eyes scanning the room. His gaze lands abruptly on Errol, who sits perched imperiously atop the cushioned bench.
Father gestures to the feline. “I didn’t realize you had a cat.”
“My name is Errol,”he replies, observing my parents with a regal disdain only he can manage.“And who exactly are you, and why are you in my home?”
“Errol?” My father frowns. “You named your cat after me?”
I open my mouth to explain, but Errol answers first, projecting his thoughts clearly.“Actually, I am not Lyrion’s cat. He and Isobel are my wards,”he points out.“And I’m their guardian.”
My father’s brows shoot up as he stares at Errol. “I beg your pardon?”
Rhystan chooses this exact moment to stroll into the hall, stopping dead in his tracks when he sees our parents. Shock flits across his face before shifting into a diplomatic smile. “Mother, Father! What a pleasant surprise.”
Errol winds himself around Rhystan’s legs, head-butting his shin.“And Rhystan, too.”He glances at my father.“He arrivedshortly after Isobel and I moved in, and I graciously decided to adopt him into my guardianship as well.”
Rhystan grins as I pinch the bridge of my nose, bracing myself for Mother’s reaction to the news that I’m not only going to marry a human, but we’re living together before we’ve officially been bound.
“Lyrion!” Mother gasps, eyes wide. “You’ve already moved her in with you?”
My shoulders stiffen, bracing for the reprimand. “Mother, I—”
“How could you do this? Youknowbetter. It’s improper to move a female into your home before you are officially bonded.”
“Well, technically, we’ve been here since—”Errol starts, but Rhystan swiftly steps forward, scooping the cat up and whispering something in his ear. Errol’s eyes light with excitement, and he promptly quiets, though his expression remains smug.
Rhystan looks pointedly at me. “Fish,” he mouths, indicating his promised bribe to the feline.
My brother turns his attention back to my parents, flashing a charming grin. “They just moved in yesterday,” he says smoothly. “And not to worry, because they are staying in one of the guest rooms.”
“As if that makes it any better.” Mother sighs. “Oh, Lyrion, why must you always be so eccentric?” She shakes her head. “What will the poor girl’s parents think?” Her eyes snap to mine. “If they don’t know, I suggest you not tell them, don’t you think, Errol?”
Father nods.
“Now, where is she?” Mother scans the room. “Your father and I would very much like to meet her. And which Great House is she from and what kingdom?” She looks at me. “We’ll need to reach out to her family about the ceremony. Perhaps we canconvince them to have two. A proper Elven one and”—she waves a dismissive hand—“whatever strange human traditions they have for such events.”
“Her parents died a few years ago. She doesn’t have any family except for Errol.” I gesture to the cat. “And she is not of noble birth.”
Mother goes still.
“Is she a scholar then?” Father asks hopefully. “Did you meet her while working on your—your project?”
