The Enchanted brew
1159 Words
Caius
A memory.
He sat at the Alpha’s grand table in Seryna’s old packhouse. The Luna and Alpha, once smug and sharp-eyed, now stared down in stiff submission. The air was thick with unspoken tension.
“To what do we owe this unexpected visit, Your Majesty?”
Caius leaned back, expression unreadable. “A surprise inspection. Given your mishandling of the graduation ceremony last year, I thought it wise to remind you—my warning was not a courtesy.”
Silence stretched long.
“You were told to leave the girl alone. I trust there will be no future misunderstandings.”
The Luna pressed her lips into a tight line and bowed her head. The Alpha followed suit.
Caius rose slowly. “Good. Then we understand each other.”
The memory dissolved like mist.
Now, standing on the palace balcony, Caius exhaled. Below, the capital glowed beneath the full moon, silver light spilling across rooftops and glass-paneled courtyards.
Tonight’s ball would be filled with dignitaries and physicians from across the realm. But none of that mattered.
His eyes would only search for her.
The scent of her clung to him like a vow—vanilla and sun-warmed coconut. His lips still burned from their kiss. Every night since, the bond howled louder. Every day, the ache grew.
Kael stirred within, pacing.
"She needs to know who we are," the wolf growled. "She is ours."
Caius gripped the balcony rail.
"We reveal ourselves tonight, Kael. But we tread lightly. Her heart has been broken before... and we will not be the ones to shatter it again."
Kael quieted. The wind lifted the edge of Caius’s cloak.
He knew the moment he saw her, everything would change.
The Enchanted Brew
The Enchanted Brew smelled like lavender honey and roasted cinnamon. The table glowed faintly from the enchanted sugar cubes Liora had insisted on ordering.
Seryna stirred her tea, her moonstone ring catching the light.
“So,” Nerissa said, leaning in, “what’s he like?”
“Yes,” Liora added, wings fluttering. “Tell us everything.”
Seryna hesitated. “I couldn’t see his face. He was cloaked. But his scent...”
She exhaled slowly. “Coconut and dark chocolate. Fire and calm. The moment I smelled him, I knew.”
Liora’s eyes widened. “The scent?”
Seryna nodded. “He’s my mate.”
Nerissa clutched her chest. “Okay. That’s hot.”
“And then?” Nerissa pressed. “Don’t stop now. Tell us you kissed him. Or that he bit you. No—that would’ve left a mark—wait, did he—?”
“He kissed me,” Seryna said.
“And then?” Liora leaned forward.
“He disappeared. Just... vanished.”
After delivering the most dramatic exit line of all time, Rose muttered. '‘I’ll see you again, little mate.’ Then poof.'
Seryna smiled. “Yeah. That.”
“So what’s the problem?” Nerissa asked. “If someone kissed me like that and smelled like dessert, I’d be planning our oceanfront cottage.”
Seryna looked down. “Because it’s real. And that’s what scares me. The last time, it wasn’t even a bond... and it nearly destroyed me.”
Liora reached across the table. “You’re not alone this time.”
“We’ll vet him,” Nerissa said. “First question: Can you cook? Second: Will you die if we hex you?”
“If he fails,” Liora added, “we’ll turn him into a toad.”
“Or drown him in the prettiest fountain we can find,” Nerissa said. “With flowers.”
Seryna laughed, blinking fast. “I love you both.”
“Obviously,” Nerissa said, popping another mystery pop into her mouth. “Also, this one tastes like vanilla mooncake. I would marry it if I could.”
Liora rolled her eyes. “You said that about the mer-scones last week.”
“Let me live my truth.”
Their mugs clinked.
“To fate,” Liora said.
“To whatever this night brings,” Seryna added.
“To sexy mystery mates and enchanted pastries,” Nerissa declared.
And they drank.
Then, the capital bells rang—twelve slow chimes.
Seryna froze. “Oh no.”
“The salon!” Liora gasped.
“We’re late!” Nerissa shouted. “Come on, girls—fly like you mean it!”
They burst from the café, laughter trailing behind.
“Which way?” Liora asked, wings lifting.
“East!” Seryna pointed.
Liora grabbed their hands and launched into the air.
Nerissa screamed, “I didn’t mean it literally!”
Celestia Tress & Charms
They arrived at the salon, and it shimmered like a seaside dream. Coral-framed windows rippled like water. The driftwood doors were carved with seashell charms that jingled softly.
Inside, the air smelled of salt and coconut. Mermaid stylists moved with grace, their water magic washing, drying, and shaping hair in moments.
A mirror winked: Welcome, beautiful. We’ve been expecting you.
Maria stood at the front with a stylist—tan skin, long teal hair twisted into a pearl-studded crown. She beamed.
“There you are,” Maria said. “We were just about to send a wave after you.”
“We got distracted by pastries,” Nerissa said. “And fate.”
The stylist laughed. “Classic combination. Come, we’ve prepared our best stations.”
Chairs glided forward.
Seryna took a breath and followed.
Back at the Hotel
Seryna stood before the mirror.
Her Lunaria Veilcloth gown shimmered like mist spun from moonlight. Gold embroidery traced crescent moons and falling stars. Tiny opaline sequins sparkled like dew.
Her black curls were swept into a soft, elegant updo, ringlets coiled and pinned with care. A few tendrils framed her face. The golden serpent Maria had gifted her nestled in her hair, its emerald eyes gleaming faintly.
Her moonstone ring pulsed.
Even Rose was quiet.
Maria entered and stopped. “You look...” Her voice caught. “Like the night the Moon Goddess first walked the earth.”
Seryna turned. “Thank you.”
“You are becoming something divine,” Maria whispered.
Footsteps echoed.
Nerissa and Liora entered.
Nerissa’s tideglass gown rippled like seawater. Liora’s moodwoven dress shifted from rose to lavender. Both were radiant.
Seryna’s breath caught.
“You...” she said. “You both look amazing.”
Nerissa grinned. “Thank you this took a lot of work, One pearl tried to claim asylum in my cleavage.”
Liora burst out laughing. “You invited it.”
“What can I say I'm the High priestess of saltwater seduction,” Nerissa declared dramatically.
Seryna laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“And fabulous.”
Seryna reached for their hands. “Whatever happens tonight...”
“We go in together,” Nerissa said.
“And we come out together,” Liora finished.
Then the palace bells began to ring. The ball had begun
- Writer
