The Imperial Witch ⚜ Ch. 9

There was still work to be done, but Faraja knew that if they didn't hurry - especially with a botched potion - the effects could be permanent.

Rushing to the dorms, she found Medea and Samira trying to keep the victim locked in a closet.

"Faraja! You're here!"

"How's it going, any change?" she asked.

"Hard to say. Although considering the door locks from both sides for 'safety', he could easily come out to tell us," Samira huffed.

"Actually he'd just keep muttering Valentina's name and try to get to her. That's all he can really do..." Medea explained.

"Okay. Keep him locked in as long as possible. I'll try to get an antidote going." The princess ran to the library and found Valentina frantically going through spell books. "Find anything?"

"Maybe one or two, but nothing for sure."

"Keep looking." She turned a book on the table to see where it was opened, quickly reading the effects of the potion. She doubted it would free him from the spell, so she looked at the other one. "Val, this might just work."

"Really?" she asked excitedly. "Okay, now what?"

"Go get a cauldron and a vial with an easy stopper. I'll work on getting the ingredients." The friends crossed different ways to rush to get the items. Going to the student storage room, she started pulling herbs and odd things off the shelves. "Eye of newt, essence of dryad, wing of sprite, wilted rose... Oh where's the wilted rose?"

Rushing out to compile everything into the cauldron, she paused. By the staircase was a bouquet, obviously a few days old. And in it were wilted roses. She snagged a dying bloom and rushed back to the library, where Valentina was waiting.

"You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find an easy stopper. I think I got one though."

"Good. I have to go back to the ballroom, but I'll bring back the potion as soon as it's done."

"Alright," the girl said anxiously. "Faraja, thank you."

She huffed. "No more love potions for you miss!" Grabbing the small cauldron, she dropped the ingredients in and ran back to the ballroom.

Looking around, she found a secluded corner that might not be disturbed. Quickly, she set up the cauldron and opened the book. Following the instructions carefully, the liquid turned from grey to a lumiscent peach. The moment it looked completed, she filled the vial with it and rushed back out to finish her part of the decorating.

The clock ticked on, and she was worried the others might not be able to hold Bain off. She didn't finish the last of the details until minutes before the ball was to begin.

She went to the doors and watched as the crowd starting coming. Her heart pounding, she hid the glowing potion in her hands and started heading back to the dorms.

She didn't get far before she saw Valentina running. Looking down the relatively dark path, she saw three people chasing her. No, two were holding back the third.

That was him.

The witch readied her hand and ran to catch them. She'd only have one chance to do this.

"Faraja! Hurry!" Valentina pleaded.

Taking a breath, she unstopped the vial and threw the glowing liquid onto his face. Watching anxiously, she waited to see it touch his lips, then his tongue.