Page 11 of The Soulmate Bakery

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.’

CHAPTER FOUR

Raven’s house was arguably my favourite place in Maple Falls. Made out of dark-brown bricks, the double-fronted home looked like a giant, decadent chocolate cake. The two front gardens were fresh with bright emerald-green grass, bordered by blooming baby-pink tulips. The stone walk led to steps up to the house, and by the porch there was a tall street lamp that looked like it was plucked out of another time.

I knocked on the door, and moments later it swung open.

I was greeted by Mrs Hawthorne, who was wearing a red-lipped smile, an ankle-grazing sundress with billowy sleeves and patterned with red roses, and a wide-brimmed hat. She had gardening gloves on, and she smelled amazing. She always smelled amazing.

‘Maya, darling,’ Mrs Hawthrone said, jovially. ‘Come in, come in. It’s too cold to be standing in the doorway like that.’

As I stepped in, I was enveloped by warmth, so much so that I shucked off my cardigan and draped it over my arm. Moments later, footsteps thundered, and I saw Chief Inspector Hawthorne – clad in his uniform – coming down the winding staircase. He looked like Orion, but older, with salt-and-pepper hair, and years of training that showed in his broad shoulders. His eyes were all Raven’s though. I used to find it strange, having a father in the house. Mine had passed away when I was a baby. It’d always just been me, Rani and my mother. Raven’s dad had been the closest thing to a father figure I’d ever had.

‘Maya,’ Chief Inspector Hawthorne boomed. ‘It’s been too long since you were last here.’

I nodded sagely, a smile twitching at the corner of my mouth. ‘Less than twenty-four hours.’

He grinned and slung an arm around my shoulders to give me a little squeeze. ‘Like I said, too long, kiddo.’

‘I should just move in,’ I replied.