Chapter 32

~ Elara’s POV

I was extremely dehydrated, but Rufus refused to allow me to drink anything. He insisted that I finish the drip, and once he was sure that I was fine, he promised to let me drink water and eat until I was full. I watched him make me a potion and then give it to me to drink.

The scent assaulted my senses first. It was a thick, cloying aroma that irritated the back of my throat. Imagine the stench of burnt sugar mixed with something rotten, like a forgotten fruit left under the bed. My stomach lurched, churning with nausea. Every instinct in me screamed to reject the bitter concoction, but I had to take it.

Grimacing, I pinched my nose shut and brought the vial to my lips. The bitter taste was even worse than the smell. It was a metallic tang that lingered on my tongue, like licking a rusty spoon that had been soaking in dirt. The bitterness seemed to seep down my throat, spreading a foul sensation throughout my body. Each swallow was a battle, but I forced it down, the ur