“You do?” Sophia and Tiffannee said in unison.
Evan shot Sophia an annoyed expression. “Yes, eavesdropper. No, it’s not you. So it looks like I get to break two hearts tonight.”
Sophia shook her head. “Somehow, I’ll find a way to pick my fractured heart up off the ground and move on.”
“Someone else…” Tiffannee murmured as though she was trying to digest this new piece of information. “Yes, of course. Well Evan, I wish you the best.”
Evan grinned. “You too, although I know your life will seem bleak from this point forward. Maybe you can find a good therapist to get you through things.”
Sophia tapped her foot and motioned to the portal. “Although I hate to rush two parting lovers, I really must insist. Keeping the portal open too much longer is draining, and I must get the thistle to the potion maker.”
“Right.” Tiffannee backed away, her gaze longingly on Evan. She turned at the last moment, and as though trying to push herself before she changed her mind, she hurried through the portal and disappeared.
Sophia closed it at once and shook her head at Evan. “What in the hell was that all about?”
He grinned and winked at her. “I’m irresistible. You don’t see it because I don’t put my spell on you.”
“I think even if you did, I’d be immune.” Sophia laughed.
Chapter Forty-Four
Sophia took a brief shower to get the smell and grossness from Angus off her, then hurried to Roya Lane to deliver the magical thistle to Bep.
She hastened into the Rose Apothecary but then thought that maybe in her haste, she’d rushed into the wrong shop. Sophia doubled out again and checked the location and sign. It said Rose Apothecary overhead, but that didn’t make any sense.
Why would the potions shop be turned into a karaoke bar—in the middle of the afternoon?
She tentatively stuck her head back into the shop to find tables of various magical creatures throwing back drinks and cheering on the person on the stage who was singing a very good rendition of If I Had a Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies. It was a song that Liv always sang to Sophia and made her laugh at the silly references and things that her sister would buy for her like loads of macaroni and cheese or a monkey.
“You’re in the right place.” Bep came around from the side, carrying a tray of drinks that smoked and filled with strange green liquid in martini glasses. “It’s karaoke night.”
Sophia glanced at her wrist. Like Evan, she wasn’t wearing a watch. “It’s afternoon.”
“We start early because we always end up going late,” Bep explained. “Once the giants are good and lubricated, they take over the stage and don’t stop until morning. They love to sing duets if you can believe it.”
“I really can’t,” Sophia muttered as she took one of the drinks off the tray, then hesitated. “Is this safe to drink?”
“Of course.” Bep smiled.
Sophia, who’d forgotten to eat since showering took precedence, downed the drink in hopes of refilling her reserves. She wiped her hand across her mouth, not having expected it to be so strong. It was like whisky if it had been distilled in Midori melon liqueur barrels.
“Incidentally, you can also use this drink to clean toilets or the scum off your bathroom walls,” Bep imparted.
Suddenly feeling like she might need to lie down, Sophia set the glass back on the tray and drew in a deep breath. “How charming. I feel like you could have led with that piece of information.”
“Coke can also do the same thing, so it’s perfectly safe,” Bep explained. “Now what song are you going to sing?”
Sophia laughed while enjoying the current rendition of If I Had a Million Dollars. The gnome singing it was to the part about the fur coat.
“If I had a million dollars,” the short fella belted out. “Well, I’d buy you a fur coat.”
“But not a real fur coat, that’s cruel,” Sophia sang under her breath and shook her head. “I’m not here to join in the festivities, unfortunately. I need a snack and probably a nap. I’ve been riding a cow and babysitting newlyweds.”
Bep nodded as though these were normal activities. “I have complimentary steakburgers, and also fries for sale.”
Sophia frowned at the woman. “I’m not one to tell someone how to run their business, but it feels like you’re giving away the wrong thing.”
“No one wants a burger without fries,” Bep stated. “I sell the sides at a big markup and make more than enough to cover the loss leader.”
Sophia shook her head at the potions expert. “You might need to start teaching business classes at fairy godmother college. Oh, speaking of which, I have the magical thistle.” She reached into the pocket of her cloak and withdrew the weed that was also a flower.
“Oh, look at you.” Bep sounded impressed. “You were able to get the rare and hard-to-get Glenlivet Thistle. That bit about the cow makes more sense now that I remember the errand I sent you on. I guess you met Blathers. Lovely bloke, huh?”
Sophia lowered her chin. “All information that you could have supplied to make my job a little easier.”
“But less interesting,” Bep argued while inspecting the thistle.
“My job is plenty interesting even if all my so-called friends give me helpful information before my journeys,” Sophia retorted as the potions expert continued to study the weed. Sophia hummed the Barenaked Ladies song to herself and waited patiently. Then when the gnome on stage got to her favorite part, she joined in. “If I had a million dollars. If I had a million dollars…I would buy you a green dress. But not a real green dress, that’s cruel.”
Bep’s eyes rose to meet Sophia’s, and she lifted an eyebrow. “You should consider singing a song. You have a nice voice. Maybe a Stevie Nicks song or something by Wings.”
“Or something from this century,” Sophia teased. “Maybe. The burgers smell good. How long on the cure for Happily Ever After College?”
“It is going to be a little while,” Bep answered. “I’ll call you when it’s ready. Now, why don’t you take a seat and grab some food? I’ll put your name down for a song, and you can choose something that suits you. No rap or country or too folkish.”
“Good thing you don’t have any preferences,” Sophia commented, then made her way to a table.
She was about to sit down and wave over a waiter when Lunis chimed in her head. Hey, we have a problem.
Oh? More bugs with the dragon dating app?
You have no idea, Lunis stated. But no, that’s not it.
Sophia grabbed a burger off a passing waiter’s tray and immediately took a bite as the gnome finished the song, jumping into the air and landing impressively in a split on the stage. What’s the problem then?
I heard from Simi.
That took a moment to register. Like her and Lunis, the other dragons could sometimes communicate telepathically if conditions were right and circumstances dictated it. What did Simi have to say? She took another bite but barely chewed it.
It’s Wilder, Lunis answered. He can’t contact you, but he’s in trouble. The Rogue Riders captured him.