KADE'S POV
I'm pacing in my chambers late at night, unable to sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Ivy's face. I keep thinking about the false lead today and how we're no closer to finding her.
A soft knock at my door interrupts my thoughts.
"Who is it?" I call out.
"It's me," a familiar voice says. "Liora."
I frown. What is she doing here this late?
"Go away, Liora. We already talked today."
"Please, Kade. I have something important to tell you. Something that might help you find Ivy."
Against my better judgment, I open the door. Liora stands there wearing a flowing nightgown and a cloak. She looks different somehow. More... alluring.
"What do you want?" I ask.
"May I come in? What I have to say is private."
I step aside reluctantly. "Make it quick."
She enters and closes the door behind her. The scent that follows her is strange. Sweet and intoxicating in a way that makes my head spin slightly.
"I've been thinking about our conversation today," she says, moving closer to me.
"There's nothing more to discuss."
"There is. I realized something important." She reaches into her cloak and pulls out a small glass vial filled with clear liquid. "I brought you something that might help."
"What is that?"
"A potion. Something to ease your pain while Ivy is gone."
I back away from her. "I don't want any potions."
"This one is special," she says, uncorking the vial. "It will help you relax. Help you forget your troubles for a while."
The scent from the vial hits me immediately. It's overwhelming and familiar, like the sweetest perfume I've ever smelled. My wolf stirs with interest.
"What's in that?" I ask, though my voice sounds distant to my own ears.
"Just herbs. Natural ingredients to help with stress and worry."
She takes another step closer, and I notice something strange. The scent coming from her isn't just the potion. It's her. She smells like... like Ivy.
"How is that possible?" I whisper.
"How is what possible?" she asks with a smile.
"You smell like her. Like Ivy."
"Do I? Maybe it's because I understand her importance to you now."
The scent is getting stronger, more intoxicating. My wolf is practically purring with contentment. It's like Ivy is right here in the room with me.
I shake my head to clear it. "Something's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong," Liora says softly, moving even closer. "I just want to help you feel better."
She raises the vial toward my lips. "Just a small sip. It will take away the pain."
I find myself leaning forward, drawn by the scent. It smells exactly like Ivy's skin after she's been in the garden. Like sunshine and flowers and everything good in the world.
"That's it," Liora whispers. "Just let yourself relax."
The vial is almost to my lips when something clicks in my mind. This isn't real. This can't be real.
"No!" I shout, knocking the vial from her hand.
It crashes to the floor, spilling its contents across the stone. The intoxicating scent immediately begins to fade.
"What did you just try to give me?" I demand.
Liora's expression changes completely. The seductive look is gone, replaced by anger and frustration.
"It was just a relaxation potion," she says, but her voice sounds different now. Less convincing.
"Relaxation potions don't make you smell like someone else," I growl. "What was in that vial?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I grab her by the shoulders. "You were trying to trick me! That potion was meant to make me think you were Ivy!"
"You're being paranoid."
"Am I? Then explain why you suddenly smell exactly like my mate!"
She tries to pull away from me, but I hold her firmly.
"Answer me, Liora. What kind of potion creates fake mate scents?"
"I... I just wanted to help you feel better."
"By drugging me? By making me think you were someone else?"
"It's not like that!"
"Then what is it like? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you tried to use magic to seduce me!"
Before she can answer, there's another knock at my door. This one is urgent and insistent.
"Your Highness!" Derek's voice calls out. "We need to speak with you immediately!"
"Stay here," I tell Liora firmly. "We're not done talking."
I open the door to find Derek, Marcus, and Captain Ryan standing in the hallway. They all look excited and determined.
"What is it?" I ask.
"We found something," Derek says. "Real information this time. About where Ivy is being held."
My heart leaps. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," Marcus says. "We talked to a merchant who saw the actual kidnapping. He can describe the men who took her and where they went."
"When? Where?"
"Tonight," Captain Ryan says. "He's waiting for us in the old tavern outside town. Says he'll only talk to you personally."
I look back at Liora, who's standing by the fireplace looking nervous.
"I have to go," I tell her. "Derek, lock her up!”
“What?!” She exclaims in disbelief.