Chapter Three #3
‘It wasn’t supposed to be a love spell, it was supposed to be a soul–’ I blustered, feeling my cheeks heat up.
I was not about to tell Orion the reason I cast the spell. I’d made myself look bad in front of him enough times already.
‘Fine,’ Orion replied, and his jaw tightened. ‘But we need to tell your mother –’
‘No.’
The word tore out of me and, before I knew it, I was right in front of Orion. He didn’t look intimidated by my abrupt intrusion into his space, only confused as he continued leaning back against the countertop.
‘No, you cannot tell my mother that I cast the spell,’ I demanded.
‘She specifically asked me to help break the curse,’ Orion retorted. ‘What would you like me to do instead?’
‘Help me,’ I said, desperately.
Orion’s eyebrow raised imperiously. Through gritted teeth, I said, ‘I cannot get another point on my licence. One more and I’m magic bound.’
Orion opened his mouth to say something, to probably remind me it was my own fault I was in this position, but I cut him off.
‘Please, Orion,’ I asked.
Something in his eyes gentled and, for several long moments, neither of us said anything. I wondered if he was thinking about the last time I’d asked for his help. The way I’d pleaded then, and how he’d ignored it.
‘Orion, Maya,’ Mum called. ‘Is everything OK in there?’
Orion’s head turned to the doorway, and then back to me. The soft gaze disappeared, replaced now by a look I was much more familiar with – frustration.
‘Please,’ I whispered once more.
Orion inhaled sharply and then stepped neatly around me. He went right out of the kitchen, and I trailed behind him – feeling like a deflated balloon. In the living room, the mess I’d made had been cleared, in perfect time for my other mess to take centre stage.
‘Apologies about that, Orion,’ Mum said, all prim and proper. ‘Do continue with telling us about your theory?’
I didn’t even look at Orion as I waited for him to do what he always did: ruin my life.
‘Actually, Madam Mayor, my theory isn’t quite complete. I’m confident that the cursed townsfolk ingested the rogue spell, but I’m not quite sure what it was. I’ll need to trace the origins of the curse and work my way backwards to find the caster.’
I clenched my teeth hard to stop my jaw from dropping.
‘But you’re sure that you can find the person and break the curse?’ Elder Sabrina asked, genuine concern colouring her voice.
Orion nodded assuredly, an easy smile gracing his mouth. ‘Of course. I studied this kind of curse magic for the last year, and it should be simple to reverse once I find the person responsible.’
The relief on Mum’s face was palpable. ‘Thank you, Orion. Honestly, I’m not sure how many times you can save the Reverie family, but I am grateful.’
I tried not to let my outrage show and kept my angry defence to myself. I did not say that Orion Hawthorne had never saved me. That all he’d done that summer was humiliate me.
‘If that’s all, Madam Mayor, Elders, I should get be getting back home,’ Orion said, and Mum nodded agreeably. But rather than just walking out of the door, Orion turned to me. ‘Maya, would you mind walking me out? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.’
Without a word, I followed Orion to the foyer.
When we stepped outside, the sun had set, casting Maple Falls in an inky darkness.
‘Why did you –’ I immediately started as soon as the door swung shut, but he shushed me with a raised finger. ‘Don’t shush –’
Orion pressed his palm to my front door and muttered something under his breath; his eyes flashed a brilliant silver colour, the pupil tightening to a slit. My door shimmered in a similar silver colour, and then he finally turned to me.
‘Silencing charm,’ Orion explained, without a hint of arrogance in his voice.
Like he hadn’t just warded an ordinary door with a press of his hand.
The display of his magic made something stir inside me.
Dragons were more proficient in charms than any other creatures, but even Raven’s magic wasn’t as effortless as this.
In the face of Orion’s talent, my mishap with the soulmate spell felt like I was a child who’d scrawled on the white walls with crayons.
‘Why didn’t you tell my mother and the Coven that I was the one who cast the spell?’ I said, ignoring the feeling of envy stabbing at me.
Orion’s eyes squinted in amusement. ‘I would have thought it was quite self-explanatory, Reverie. I want to help you break the spell, without your mother knowing.’
‘Good,’ I said, relief and shock flooding through me. ‘Good, so we can start –’
‘But I won’t do it for free,’ Orion cut in, and this time, his mouth curved upwards in a way that could only be described as wicked.
‘What do you want?’ I asked, suspicious. I couldn’t think of a single thing he’d need my help with.
He stepped closer, I felt his warmth seep into me and suddenly, I was completely unable to move.
Orion ducked his head, so our gazes collided, and when he spoke there was no missing the amusement in his voice. ‘All I want is for you to bake for me.’