“Are you sure it will be ready before the ball?” he asked.
“Yes. It has to stay overnight. In the morning I'll go to the river and then I'll finish the potion.”
Dante thoughtfully nodded.
“Good,” he said but instead of leaving as he intended he suddenly turned around.
“Lastly,” he added, throwing something in her direction. “Take this. If something goes wrong.”
She caught the little object – a little vial with pink liquid, almost lilac color. She recognized what it was.
“What is it?” A question escaped her mouth, confusion swept over her face.
“I thought you were an expert in potions,” he taunted. “A love potion.”
“I know. But why? You want me to use it on the Lord?”
He sighed and crossed the room. “You want to get to the trophy room? If so, that's what will make him do anything for you.”
“You think I can't charm him?”
“Well…” His hands crossed over his solid chest, eyes rolled, lips slanting in a weak smirk.
“Really?” she spat, offended. “You think I can't pull a man without a magic spell? If I don’t have a boyfriend that doesn't mean I can't flirt or I can't be interesting.”
That was a lie, she didn't know how to flirt and it was making her nervous but she wouldn't let him humiliate her like that. She believed she was a pleasant person to be around and she could befriend the young lord without any potion, especially such a pathetic one.
“Prove it,” he suddenly voiced.
She went still. “What?”
“Prove it. Imagine I'm your target and you have to seduce me. Go on.”
“I won't do it,” she frowned.
“So you can't prove it then?”
“I…I–Oh, you're such a menace!” Her teeth bit into her lower lip. “Did somebody tell you that it's so hard to even stay in one room with you?” She drew a step, her brows furrowed. “You're so ignorant, and selfish. And thinking about yourself so highly, just like any arrogant nobleman. It's getting old, Dante. You’re no better than Lord Adrogans.”
He kept his eyes on her with an unbothered smile.
“Tell me, how is it to be that careless? How is it when nobody even crosses your mind?” She stalked closer, leaning forward.
“I didn't say nobody is crossing my mind, Little Witch,” he paused. “I just ignore it.”
“Andwho are you thinking about?” she nearly whispered. A deep breath escaped her lungs as her lips turned out to be close to his face, her eyes radiating boldness.
He straightened up.
“Does it really matter? You just said I am arrogant and selfish, didn't you?”
“Maybe, I believe there's something else in you.” The line between her brows weakened as her lips slightly parted. Her chest heaved, almost touching his with the last words.
“Then you're just wasting your time,” he said with a faded smile. “You know, girls like you, who believe and see the best in people usually get trapped in bad situations.”
“I'm already in one,” she breathed slowly, air hot against his skin. Just inches away from his face.
His gaze was no less intense and he was about to open his mouth but then he almost closed it, leaving a barely visible gap.
