Twelve bottles of shimmering blue liquid sat on Aegis's desk, arranged in neat rows.
Each one glowed softly, the kind of sugary glow that made you want to drink it even if you weren't a mage. The mana potions were perfect—full restoration in under two minutes, stable enough to transport, pretty enough to display.
Twelve thousand gold, literally sitting right in front of her.
Aegis picked one up, turning it in the morning light. The liquid swirled lazily inside.
"Rosalie outdid herself," she murmured.
Her manor's study had come a long way in the past weeks. The holes in the walls were patched, the windows replaced, the furniture actually functional. It still wasn't impressive by noble standards, but it was hers.
The door opened and Evelyn walked in, ledger tucked under one arm, expression tight.
That expression made Aegis set the potion down.
"What's wrong?"
