“Oh?”
He nodded sagely. “The first time I used one of your potions, a headache reducing blend, I knew you were special. You are a rare talent.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest. “I just practiced. Anyone can do that.”
He allowed me to dodge the compliment. “If you think that’s all it is. We’ll just have to see. What do you think Mayor Tommins is going to say?”
My smile dropped. “I hadn’t considered that.”
“You traveled the entire realm to find a dragon egg and didn’t consider if you would actually be allowed to have it?”
“I had bigger concerns!”
“Right,” he snorted. “Does he know about the love potion?”
“Gods, no!” I couldn’t imagine how angry he would be if he found out my plan. It didn’t deter me from it, not even close. But it did make me apprehensive. An angry gryphon was not something I wanted to deal with any time soon.
“He was influenced by the love potion too, wasn’t he? I remember how weird he looked when he dropped into your apothecary.”
I slumped in my seat. “He might’ve been.”
Tandor barked out a loud laugh. “That’s incredible.”
I slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s not incredible! It’s awful!”
“It’s funny,” he insisted.
I grumbled, “Fine. It’s a little funny,”
“How are you going to cure them all? Convince them to eat another batch of chili?”
I considered this. “That’s actually not a terrible idea.” My chili hadn’t been the most delicious item at the potluck, but folk hadn’t gagged when they ate it, and I considered that a win.
“I was joking!”
“I know, but it’s not the worst idea.” And then a better idea came to me. I gasped, turning to grasp his wrist. “I know what we can do!”
He looked suspicious. “I don’t like that look on your face. You’re up to something.”
“No, I’m not!”
“Spit it out, little witch,” he sighed in resignation.
“Put it in your cider! We’ll only need to use a tiny pinch, there should be enough powder in that jar to cure the entire town.”
He grimaced. “My recipes are exact, Kizzi. They’ve been perfected. I can’t just toss powder into the barrel. What if it alters the taste? I don’t want the entire town thinking I’d willingly serve them gross cider.”
I shook his wrist. “You big baby. I would never ruin your precious brews. What if we just sprinkle a little bit into the bottom of the goblets as you serve drinks? That way, it’ll get to every folk.”
He looked like he was going to protest, but then he considered. “That might actually work.”
I grinned in triumph. “Of course it’ll work! Everyone loves your drinks. We can catch them before Hallow’s Eve.”
“You’re full of ideas, aren’t you?”
I nodded, releasing his wrist to pick up my warm mug. “Stick around and you might find out.”
He smiled warmly. “I certainly plan to.”
