Chapter 1 – The Magical Disaster

The town of Everspell was never quiet. Between potion shops that exploded at least twice a week, enchanted cats that chased glowing butterflies through the streets, and wizards who argued loudly about which love potion worked better, chaos was practically part of the city’s rhythm.

At the center of that chaos stood Lyra Dawnwell, a junior potion-brewer with more ambition than actual skill. Today was supposed to be her big moment. Her shop, Dawnwell’s Delights, was testing a new product: The Potion of Eternal Charm. According to her recipe notes, it would make anyone irresistibly likable, at least for twelve hours.

Lyra carefully placed the glittering vial on the counter. Beside her, Pip, a talking crow with too much sarcasm for his own feathers, tilted his head and muttered,
“Careful, Lyra. Last time you tested a potion, you accidentally made Mr. Higgs bark at the moon for three days straight. The neighbors are still howling about it.”

Lyra brushed him off, cheeks puffed in annoyance.
“This one’s different, Pip. I triple-checked the ingredients. Nothing can go wrong.”

Pip’s beak clicked. “Famous last words.”

Of course, something went wrong.

The shop door burst open with the jingle of enchanted bells, and in strode Kael Rowan, a swordsman-turned-mage apprentice with sharp green eyes, a scar across his jaw, and an air of someone who did not have time for nonsense. His boots thudded against the wood, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade as if even potion shops could be dangerous.

“I need a standard healing draught,” Kael said flatly, not bothering with greetings. His voice carried the weight of someone who didn’t like to repeat himself.

“Yes, yes, just a moment,” Lyra said, whirling around. But in her haste, her elbow clipped the vial.

Time slowed. Pip squawked, “Don’t let it shatter!”
Lyra lunged, arms flailing.
Kael stepped forward, reaching out with surprising reflexes.

The vial exploded between them with a flash of pink smoke. Glitter rained down, coating shelves, floor, bird, swordsman, and witch alike. A wave of warmth whooshed through the shop, and suddenly the magic took hold—on both of them.

Lyra blinked, coughing through sparkles.
Kael blinked back, scowling, and then, in the most un-Kael-like way possible, blurted out:
“You… have the prettiest sneeze I’ve ever seen.”

He froze, horrified. Lyra froze, horrified. Pip fell off the counter in a fit of cackling.

Lyra clapped both hands over her mouth. “Wait, did you just”
“I didn’t mean to say that!” Kael barked. “I mean, it’s true, but” His eyes widened as the words spilled out against his will. “It’s actually… kind of adorable, the way you wrinkle your nose.”

Lyra’s face flamed scarlet. “Stop talking!” she squeaked. But the magic pulled at her tongue, and she blurted, “You look like the kind of man who broods in dramatic lighting for fun!”

Kael stared at her. “That’s—ridiculous!” Then, after a heartbeat, “it was accurate.”

Pip wheezed. “Ohhh, this is better than free snacks.”

“Don’t just sit there!” Lyra snapped, glaring at the crow. “Help me fix this!”
“You made the mess,” Pip said smugly, fluttering up to a shelf. “I’m just here for the show. Also, you’ve got glitter in your hair. Actually, both of you do. Very festive.”

Kael tried to scowl, but only succeeded in blurting, “It… suits you.” His ears went crimson.
Lyra groaned into her hands. “This is a disaster.”

Kael crossed his arms, stiff and awkward. “I came for a simple healing potion. I did not come here to be” His jaw locked, but the words forced their way out. “charmed by a scatterbrained potion-brewer with too-bright eyes and ridiculous courage.”

Lyra’s breath caught.
Her own tongue betrayed her next. “And you’re infuriating! Rude, sharp-tongued, impossible to talk to—” she faltered, cheeks burning, “but also ridiculously handsome, and you know it.”

Silence.

Even Pip blinked at that one.

The magic fizzled in the air, glitter drifting lazily down around them. Lyra and Kael just stood there, equally mortified.

Finally, Pip broke the silence. “Well,” he drawled, “if you two want to keep showering each other with compliments until the end of time, don’t let me stop you. But maybe, just maybe, you ought to whip up an antidote before one of you confesses your undying love.”

Lyra turned beet red. “Pip!”
Kael’s jaw clenched. “…Where do we start?”

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