CHAPTER SIXTEEN-THE WHITE LIGHTER

“No, my love. Try again, please.” With his chin over her shoulder and his arms crossed, Rafik shook his head and scrutinized the way she chopped the root. The scent of spiced cider and the lyrical purr of his voice made Tessa pause before she continued to work.

Every time he shifted on his feet or made a gesture with his hands, he wafted his familiar scent around the dusty air, and it clung to her skin like the little burrs that attach themselves in the woods.

It was the third time he had her repeat the process for today’s potion, and she became more flustered by the minute.

All her life, she was given numerous accolades and pats on the back for her natural talents but learning a skill like potions took more than her Fate-given abilities. Potions took finesse and were challenging in a new way to her, and she was getting tired and cranky from her constant failures.

The f