Page 41 of Kissing Potions and Elves
If I can’t break free of this potion’s hold, I risk succumbing to it. Every moment spent with Isobel draws me closer to the edge. And if I chose her, my parents might disown me, and breaking my betrothal to Elyssia would disgrace my family’s Great House of Thornwylde. The repercussions of such a scandal would be nothing short of severe.
As all these pressures weigh on my mind, I keep coming back to the same conclusion. Before I upend my entire life, I need to know if it’s the potion or if it’s truly Isobel that is making me feel this way.
Lost in thought, I absently say again, “Please, hand me the Silverleaf. The same jar we used last time.”
Her expression brightens suddenly, and she eagerly reaches for a jar, placing it triumphantly in my palm.
I glance down, and my heart nearly stops. “What in the stars, Isobel?” I stare at her in disbelief. “We cannot add this to the mix. This isalyrianroot. Are you trying to poison us?”
She recoils as if struck. “What? No, I—”
“This would all be so much easier if you could just recall what you put in my tea.” I blow out a frustrated sigh. “How in the seven hells can you not remember what you used?” The harsh words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
Her face crumples and remorse floods me instantly. “Isobel, I’m sorry, I—”
But it’s too late. She turns and flees the room, racing down the hall.
I curse under my breath.What have I done?
Quickly, I follow after her into the gardens.
She’s sitting beneath the cherry tree with Errol in her arms as her shoulders shake with quiet sobs.
I’m so ashamed. I hate that I’ve hurt her.
The cat lifts his head, green eyes narrowed accusingly.“You upset her.”
“I know,”I reply in his mind. “That’s why I’m here.”
“As you should be,”Errol sniffs disdainfully. He flicks his tail.“This is the part where you’re supposed to grovel, Elf.”
“What do you think I’m going to do?”I retort as I sink to my knees beside her.
She stiffens, not looking up, her fingers tightening in Errol’s fur.
“Isobel, please forgive me. I’m tired and frustrated, but that’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have spoken so harshly. The last thing I want is to hurt you.”
“I can’t read,” she murmurs in a voice so low I almost miss it. A tear slips down her cheek. “That’s why I can’t remember what I put in your tea. I was matching the letters and symbols from the potion book and the jars, and I got confused. I—I’m so sorry.”
Her shoulders shake harder, and each sob is a sharp blade to my heart.
“I never meant for any of this to happen,” she continues, voice thick with emotion. “My family was poor. We had no money for an education and then a sickness came to our village and they died and”—she draws in a shaking breath—“it was just me and Errol. We lost everything.
“By the time winter came, we were homeless and starving. When I applied for the job with Tressa, I was desperate. She never asked if I could read, and I was afraid to tell her that I couldn’t. I thought it would be fine. I mean, it’s just tea, right?” She laughs bitterly, wiping at her tears.
“But then she showed me the potion book, and I thought… IhopedI could manage. That’s why I would volunteer to work the front and wait on the tables, while Tressa mixed everything. And I was doing well until…” She gestures weakly toward me.
“Everyone is supposed to be able to read.” A fresh wave of hiccupping sobs escapes her. “I’ve tried to teach myself, but it’s no use. I’m so ashamed. And you’re so smart, Lyrion. I didn’t want you to think I was stupid, but… I am.” Her voice drops to a low whisper. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
My heart aches fiercely for her, for everything she’s endured, for all the hardship and loss she’s suffered, and for how low she thinks of herself.
“Isobel.” I reach out and cup her chin, tipping her face up to mine. When she finally looks up, her eyes are wide and vulnerable. “Illiteracy isn’t something to be ashamed of, and it doesn’t mean you aren’t intelligent. It’s easily remedied.”
I meet her gaze evenly. “You’ve been through so much, but you didn’t let it defeat you. You lost everything, but you still managed to take care of yourself and Errol. I’ve never met anyone as strong or determined as you. And I’ve never admired anyone more.”
She blinks, hope flickering in her tear-filled eyes. “You think I’m strong?”
“I know you are,” I state firmly. “And if you’d like, I can teach you to read.”
