Chapter 2 – Forced Together

The next morning, Lyra woke up with a headache that sparkled. Literally, tiny flecks of glitter still clung to her hair, glowing faintly like mischievous fireflies. She groaned into her pillow, wishing she could bury herself until the spell wore off.

Pip, perched on the windowsill, gave a dramatic sigh.
“Well, congratulations. You’ve invented the most dangerous potion in town. A truth-babbler. Entirely unmarketable, but highly entertaining. Shall I fetch Kael? He’s been pacing outside since dawn.”

Lyra shot up. “WHAT?!”

Sure enough, when she peeked out the window, Kael Rowan stood in front of her shop, looking like a man trying very hard not to look desperate. His sword was strapped across his back, his cloak still dusted with glitter from last night’s accident, and his jaw clenched so tight she could practically hear his teeth grind.

When Lyra opened the door, Kael spun on his heel.
“We need to fix this. Now.”

Lyra crossed her arms. “Oh, good morning to you, too. And thank you so much for barging into my life and accusing me of—”
“You look… nice with your hair messy,” Kael blurted. His eyes widened in horror. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

Pip cackled so hard he nearly toppled off the sill. “Oh, this is delicious.”

Lyra couldn’t help but snort, even as her cheeks warmed. “See? The potion’s still working. It’s like truth serum mixed with word vomit.”

Kael pinched the bridge of his nose. “If this continues, I’ll accidentally confess state secrets, or worse… feelings.” He winced at his own words, visibly fighting the magic. “I didn’t mean—ugh. You see? This is dangerous.”

Lyra, trying not to laugh too hard, grabbed her satchel. “Fine. We’ll fix it. But to brew an antidote, I’ll need rare ingredients. Which means…” She hesitated dramatically, enjoying how his scowl deepened.
“We’ll have to go on a little quest.”

Kael groaned like she’d just sentenced him to death. “Of course. Why wouldn’t this ridiculous potion require a perilous journey?”

Pip fluttered down and landed on Kael’s shoulder, talons digging in just enough to make him twitch. “Oh, I like this arrangement. Grumpy swordsman, reckless witch, and me, the brains of the operation.”

“Get off me,” Kael growled.
“No,” Pip chirped smugly.

Lyra smirked. “See? We’re already bonding.”

Kael muttered something about regretting every life choice that had led him here, but when Lyra stepped onto the cobblestone street, he fell into step beside her, long strides matching her bounce.

The town bustled around them: shopkeepers hawking enchanted trinkets, street performers juggling fireballs, and enchanted dogs chasing enchanted cats. A few passersby glanced curiously at the unlikely trio.

“Just to be clear,” Kael said stiffly, “I’m only helping because I don’t want to blurt out… private things.”
“Of course,” Lyra replied sweetly, fighting a grin.

And then, against his will, Kael muttered, “Though your smile is infuriatingly distracting.”

Lyra nearly tripped over her own feet. “What?”
Kael snapped his mouth shut, glaring at the cobblestones as if they’d personally betrayed him.

Pip whistled, wings flaring. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun. I give it two days before you two are professing eternal devotion. Three, if you’re stubborn.”

“Three?” Lyra squeaked.
Kael groaned. “We’re doomed.”