Page 13 of The Soulmate Bakery

Raven narrowed her gaze. ‘Orion.’

It hit me, that for the first time in a while, the three of us were together again. Orion had left our trio long ago and when he and I had … well … that was to say Raven had been away that summer. Something in my chest ached with the nostalgia, something that I quickly snuffed out.

‘Fine,’ he sighed, and then flicked his eyes to mine. ‘Look, Reverie, I don’t want you to bake for me. I want you to bake for the Treasure Trove.’

‘And what exactly is the Treasure Trove?’ I asked, confused.

‘It used to be a laundromat – you remember Washeteria don’t you?’ Orion said, tipping his head to one side. ‘Well, my friend inherited it. After her parents died. Her parents’ dream was to open a bakery, but they never got the chance. So, my friend did it. Except she can’t bake to save her life, and she needs help. Your help.’

‘You have friends?’ I asked, unable to stop the remark from slipping out.

Orion’s smile turned razor-sharp. ‘Melodie is someone I consider a great friend.’

I felt my jaw tense, and my traitorous heart clenched.

‘Melodie’s nice,’ Raven chimed in, unknowingly making my teeth clench further. ‘And I’d heard about her opening the Treasure Trove. Didn’t realize it was failing.’

Orion broke his gaze from mine, and his mouth twisted sympathetically. ‘Yeah, it’s been pretty bad. Melodie’s not great at asking for help either, and she can’t afford to hire anyone right now. I can’t imagine a kitchen witch agreeing to help without any pay.’

‘So, you’re going to blackmail one into helping,’ I cut in sharply, but Orion didn’t look the least bit repentant. ‘Smart thinking, except for the fact that I already have a job. When exactly do you expect me to help with the Treasure Trove?’

‘You’ll have to take a break from the Wishing Well,’ Orion said slowly, like it was obvious.

I gawked at him. ‘You want me to leave my job – where I’m trying to get an apprenticeship – to come work at the Treasure Trove?’

‘Just tell your boss that you’re taking some time to focus on your spellcasting – which is technically the truth. And don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone it’s you who’s helping in the back. Ivy will never know that you’re working at another bakery.’

‘Maya could get into major trouble for quitting the Wishing Well – even temporarily – to work at the Treasure Trove.’ Raven voiced my worries perfectly.

‘She could also get in trouble if someone finds out she cast the curse,’ Orion reminded us. ‘What’s worse, having your magic bound or losing your potential apprenticeship? I’d point out that having your licence suspended would probably lose you your apprenticeship anyway.’

I hated how he was always right. ‘And you actually know how to break the curse?’ I asked, resigned to my fate.

‘I spent all night thinking about it,’ Orion pushed off the door frame to come stand at the foot of Raven’s bed. ‘The spell you accidentally cast is a love spell, yes, but it wasn’t what you intended, was it?’

Raven and I shared a glance. I took a breath before deciding to tell Orion the truth.

‘No, it wasn’t my intention. I was trying to cast –’ the words stuck in my throat, but I forced them out – ‘a soulmate spell.’

Orion blinked. Once. Twice. And then a frown caused his mouth to curl. ‘Why are you looking for your soulmate?’

‘That – that doesn’t matter,’ I said, my cheeks going hot.

Orion scoffed. ‘Actually, it does matter. To break this curse, you’re going to need to meet the requirements of both spells, meaning you’ll have to find your soulmate and share true love’s kiss under the autumn moon.’

‘What?’ I screeched, lurching forward.

He continued, unperturbed by my outburst. ‘Everyone knows that spells are stronger under moonlight, and the full moon will be brightest during the night of the Fallen Leaves Festival.’

I stared at Orion like he’d spontaneously grown a third horn.

‘You’ll cast the first part of the counterspell, which will reveal your soulmate,’ Orion added, his expression tightening. ‘Then you’ll just have to kiss them.’ He paused, a brief look of pain flashing over his face before smoothing out into disinterest.

‘But – but – but –’ I spluttered, unsure of where to start.

‘Maya,’ Raven cut in, softly. ‘Maybe this is a good thing, you know. This was your original plan, remember. Maybe this could be a chance for you to confess your feelings to him.’

I thought I was going to be sick. There it was: that feeling of wanting to projectile vomit crawling right up my throat. Graphic, I know, but the thought of telling Silas Moon about my feelings was nausea inducing.