“But for the real thing, the real queen will be there. So Val could play Lena and be in love with Demetri.” Johannes makes another face like he sucked on a lemon.
I look to the princess, sure she’ll immediately decline. She won’t want to share a stage with her stepmother and Beron, no matter how good her disguise. To my surprise, she looks thoughtful. “I could…you’ll disguise me, right?”
“Of course,” I promise. “Strongest illusions around.”
Her hand goes to her moonstone, where Lumi is in hiding once more. Illusions on top of illusions. “Okay.”
“There, happy now?” I ask Joha.
He nods.
“You’re her understudy though, and right now, you’re in.” That brings a groan and a sneeze. “Oy. Save a few of your new pills for the day of the play. There’s no sneezing in acting! Now where were we?”
“The love potions,” Katja reminds us.
“Fairies, gather round,” Aili resumes.
Kat flutters into place and addresses Val and me, or rather, the queen and Beron. “Our fairest queen, our king of shadows, won’t thou help these lovers find their ever after? For Sander and Mia wish to wed, but she is promised to Demetri. If only he returned the love of dearest Lena, all could, by gentle day, find their love most true.”
“But how?” Aili prompts.
“With this.” Kat lifts the vials in each hand. We lean in for a better look, just as I hope the real queen and Beron will. “A drop upon his eyes, and the next thing he looks upon, he shall pursue with the soul of love. Take these vials, and toss the juice upon Demetri and Lena, that their love might bloom from its sweet nectar. And if you need a demonstration, toss themthus!”
With great flourish, Kat tosses the snowmelt into both our faces and quickly flies away. I don’t want her staying near the Ice Queen after tossing potion in her face.
I wipe water from my eyes. Why did I stand in for this part again? That was cold!
In front of me, Val blinks slowly. To everyone’s surprise, she steps close and takes my face in her hands.
She tilts her head. “Oh, what perfect man is this? This striking prince, a god, divine!”
My face goes hot. “Uh, you don’t have to—”
“To what should I compare thine eyes, my love? I thought I knew my heart, but have I ever known such a dream?” Her hand buries in my hair.
My mouth drops open. Nothing comes out.
From the other side of the clearing, Katja squints at us, then peers into the vials.
“Um…cut? Doc, what did you put in that vial?”
“Nothing, I swear! Pure snowmelt.”
Sapphire eyes bore into mine, captivating my gaze when Val speaks. “You are my home, returned. My heart made whole. You have my love, my life, my soul.”
It’s a bolt to the chest, a spell I have no defence against. My breath catches. My chest aches. Her words stake her claim on my heart, andstorms…how I want them to be hers. Her words, meant for me, not for a role she’s playing or a potion she took.
I’ve never wanted anything so badly.
These aren’t the real love potions. So what’s making her gaze so soft, her smile so enticing, and her hands so sweet on my skin? Even I’m not this good of an actor.
“Someone bring Val some water, please.”
But she blinks, takes a step back, and goes back to normal. “How was that?”
I’m stunned.
My knees are weak.
