“Luna I can’t! If I run from this then she’d only claim one of you!” Owain ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. How many times would they need to have this argument?

Lunette, his younger sister, looked ready to fight the wit- the sorceress with her bare hands. “Wain, this is insane! You could be going to your death for all we know! What if she sacrifices you in some sort of twisted baking ritual? Why can’t you just wait for the Royal Army to get here! This witch would be no match for the Lady Silvershine’s soldiers.”

Owain sank heavily into the couch, jostling the now ever silent Adeline, who’s hand he gave a reassuring squeeze. She felt terribly for him but he wouldn’t let her try to make this her fault, no one told him to offer the sorceress anything she desired, that had been his own foolishness. “We have no idea when or if the Royal Army will even be making their rounds this year! ” He could feel the smile he’d put on begin to strain. “No, I have to to go, maybe I can convince her to set me free after I do whatever it is she wants.”

His brave face started to falter as he heard his mother sob in the other room and Esprela slam her door down the hall. Adeline’s hand grasped his own firmly. “Little brother, it's my fault all of this is happening, I’m sure that the witch won't care if its me instead of you that she takes. Let me-“

Owain surged up from the old couch. “No! I’m going and that’s the end of it!” He looked seriously into both of his sisters eyes; why wouldn’t they understand? “It’ll be alright, I’ll figure this out.” He looked nervously out the window, the moon had just begun to rise. Varavere would likely arrive before long.

He rechecked his large traveling pack, ignoring the stares of his angry sisters. “She’ll probably be here soon, I-I don’t want to leave with everyone being so upset with me.” Gods, it was had to speak. Owain did not want to cry in front of them, he was trying so hard to keep up a brave face.

It cracked as soon as he felt Adeline lay a hand on his back. Faster than he’d expected, he was crying into his big sister’s shoulder, Lunette silently wrapping her arms around both of them. Only a few more moments before Esprela and his mother rushed in to join them, the whole family crying now. How he’d miss them! He didn't regret saving Adeline, but Owain wished he’d found another way than signing away his life to a terrifying sorceress. Eventually they broke apart and he hefted his pack onto his shoulder.

“We’ll keep the shop ready for you, my beautiful son.” His mother's voice murmured. Her blue eyes were red from crying. He couldn’t speak, he’d just start blubbering again. Owain nodded instead.

“And you’d better come back quick, Wain. I mean it.” He grunted as he felt Esprela’s fist impact his side. So small but so strong! He smiled shakily.

“Well, I still think this is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done; but it was pretty cool of you to save our big sister like that.” Lunette tousled his hair. Come on you big baby, hold back the tears!

“Please, try come home soon, Wain.” Adeline’s voice was constricted and she was clearly fighting through tears. Owain nodded before enveloping all of his family into another fierce hug.

A violent wind blew in all of their shutters at once. Sonorous laughter rang throughout their small living room. Smoke billowed forcefully through their open windows, swirling into a form he had been dreading to see again. A blue satin dress, a fanged smile that lacked any warmth and burning maroon eyes that stared just a little too wide. Varavere, the sorceress, had finally come to claim him. “Hello little lambling, did you miss me?”

Before he could stop them, his sisters and mother formed a defensive line between him and the laughing woman. “Wait! Don’t hurt them!” He cried as he desperately tried to hold all four back at once.

One by one his family began to slump in his arms, sinking drowsily to the floor. “Hurt them?” She floated over to him with a laugh, slender hands outstretched. “They’ve done nothing wrong, baker. I’m only here to collect you.”

He closed his eyes fearfully as her soft hands clasped his face. “Please.” Damn, he couldn't get the words out!

“Please what?” She breathed out softly. Why was she caressing his hair so tenderly? He wanted to cry again, this woman was so damn scary!

“Please, sp-spare them. Y-ou can kill me but ple-” A delicate finger shushed him, he cracked open his eyes.

Varavere was giggling. Though, now she was somehow floating upside down. “Hush now, my lost little lamb. They are safe, and so are you. For now.”

Owain stared at her dumbly. “Wh-huh?” Her giggles only increased. The way her shimmering hair was splaying outwards, it was almost like she was underwater. He fought the strange urge to touch it. His family was beginning to stir beneath them.

“I do not need your blood or your soul or whatever else you’ve concocted. Only, your baking skill. Well, and perhaps some light manual labor. How do you feel about gardening?” She was playing with his cheeks, stretching them in odd patterns.

“Bagki? Garbenging?” It was difficult to speak with her mushing his face around. Owain was only just beginning to process the fact that she wouldn't be killing him tonight. His legs felt like the jelly he used in his donuts, but he stood strong. If he fell, it’d be right on his family. Thankfully they were now awake, but some magic seemed to be binding them to the ground and keeping them silent. Esprella’s eyes were particularly murderous, so it was likely for the best.

Varavere patted his cheeks as she spoke, now floating right side up. She was near enough they could kiss if he leaned a bit forward. The intensity in her glowing gaze was so bright that it blinded him. “Yes! Good boy! Of course, I may be persuaded to allow you a few trips home, should your behavior prove…adequate.”

He could go home! “Thank you, Lady Varavere. Thank you so much!” She grinned as she swirled around him, her body seemed to be made of smoke.

“Yes, yes. I know I am quite wonderful.” She said, nodding to herself. “Now let us fly, I want fresh bread tonight!” Owain stumbled forward, instinctively resisting her pull as she herded him towards the largest open window.

His eyes were wide with alarm as he was yanked over his still prone family and hopped towards the nighttime air. “Wa-wait! Lady Varavere I can’t fly!” The wind was somehow pushing him so forcefully it lifted him to the the windowsill.

Varavere’s manic grin floated upside down before his eyes. “Nonsense! Just flap your arms extra hard!” With that, he was pushed fully into the open air. He screamed a rather unmanly yelp and pumped his arms like a bird’s before he realized he was floating! The sorceress’ laughter was soft and teasing in his ears as she swept them ever higher into the sky. “You are a silly man, Owain! Did you really think flapping your arms would help?” Musical giggles came from all around him. It was like she was the wind itself! He could see her shape shimmering beside him but his body felt like it was being held in a hundred different hands.

Owain’s eyes were watering fiercely but he tried to keep them open to take in a sight he never thought he’d ever get to. His village from a bird’s eye view! It really was smaller than he’d thought. Only a few glowing crystal lamps lit the houses and streets, the rest was left in the early dark of fresh night. “Th-is is-s inc-redibl-e” He chattered out, only just now realizing how freezing cold it was so high up. He wished he’d worn something warmer than just a sweater and pants. They began speeding over the same dark woods he’d stumbled through a month ago.

Warmth flooded his senses. “My apologies, lambling. I forgot you don’t have wool enough to stay warm up here. Better?” Her voice whispered, the sound seeming to slide over his skin. He shivered despite the new warmth.

“Yes, my lady-” Her smokey face appeared in front of his own, frowning.

“Enough ‘my lady’, I’m no noble. I am Varavere and that is more than enough.” A shifting hand caressed his whipping hair. “Vara, if you behave to my liking, little lamb.”

Owain blushed deeply, an odd mix of embarrassed and afraid. He wished she’d stop calling him all the sheep names. “Alright, Varavere. Then call me-”

“Call you what, Ba-ba-baker boy?” She blinked innocently at him through long blonde lashes.

Owain turned his hand, chagrined. “Owain.” He muttered.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Oh, but you were just such the cutest little lost lamb in my forest. How cruel it would be for you to ask me to stop.” Ethereal hands toyed with his pointed ears. They were slowing down and lowering over the tree tops now, had they almost arrived?

He needed to remain on her good side if he ever wished to make it home, so she could call him whatever she liked. He sighed as she giggled. “Call me whatever you want, Varavere.” At least he wasn’t such a stuttering mess anymore.

Ghostly hands patted his cheeks as they alighted softly on the root covered forest ground. “Good boy, you’re learning so quickly.” The sorceress fully materialized out of the air. “Come along, Owain.” He scrubbed at his eyes after he watched her walk straight into the trunk of a large oak tree. Did she expect him to know this magic? Her head poked back out of the bark, eyes crinckled. “Just walk through, Lambling. It won’t hurt you.” He moved after her disappeared face.

With a deep breath, he put a hand through the bark, stumbling slightly as it phased right through. He dipped it in and out a few times in wonder before something yanked him through fully.

He was nose to nose with the erratic sorceress, who blinked in surprise before spinning away. Owain took in the secret chamber in wonder. It was a spacious, circular room, high ceilinged with a surprisingly large space for a kitchen to one side and a small bed to the other surrounded by handcrafted furniture and shelves of scrolls and books. There were broad windows that somehow showed the view outside the tree, as well as three small, closed doors. The floor was a mix of soft grass and plush rugs.

Her magic was incredible! He wished he knew more magic than just spells to help him in the kitchen. Owain also noted that there was only one small oven, he wondered how she thought he could bake large quantities of anything with only that small thing.

The witch, snagged a book from her bedside table and pointed at a nearby crystal lamp, which lit the room in much brighter light. “Well,” She said while peeking over the spine of her large book. “Get baking! I’d like your best bread, oh and warm butter!”

Owain lowered his large pack to the ground and rolled his shoulders. Varavere was really asking him to bake bread from scratch this late in the evening? He held back a frustrated huff. Centuries of practice, and a few choice spells; would make this trivial, but it was still tedious. “Do you have baking tools of your own?” He asked as he began piling various trays, bowls, and other miscellany on her long counter.

The sorceress steepled the book on her chest and blinked at him for a long moment. “Baking tools?” Her thick brows furrowed. “I told you to prepare.”

Owain froze, a measuring cup in his hand. He mustn’t anger her, especially not this early! “I have what I need for the bare minimum, but there are many different specialty tools that I could not bring from my shop.” He swallowed nervously.

Varavere’s face scrunched in displeasure. “I don’t want just the ‘bare minimum’, baker. I want your best.” Oh no, she was angry! She blew a long sigh and the air in the house swirled gently. “Just bread tonight is fine. We’ll have to find tools of our own tomorrow. Aren’t I magnanimous? I’m letting your sisters keep what they need to run your shop.” They way she nodded to herself made him think fondly back on the raven he’d befriended recently, he hoped he’d get to see her again. She was such a funny bird.

Owain placed the last of his baking instruments on the counter and nodded vigorously at her. “Yes, Varavere, you’re very graceful and kind. I’m still so thankful to you for saving Adeline.” Owain tried to sound as earnest as possible, but it was difficult with one so frustrating as the sorceress. He breathed out slowly as she only nodded to herself once more and went back to her book.

It took him awhile to get her plainly disused kitchen into shape enough that he could properly bake, but eventually he’d made enough progress to start kneading the dough. Her pantry was sorely lacking and he’d had to use the flour he’d brought with him but he could make due until they went for more supplies. His concentration began to slip as he noted her floating above him, a strange look in her eyes. He gave her a questioning glance but she only smiled that vicious smile of hers and waved.

It was good that Owain had removed his sweater. He wasn’t sure, but it felt like that house had warmed considerably since he’d begun working. At least it wasn’t as hot as the shop when all the ovens were at full blast. A small amount of magic later and he’d placed the dough in her small oven, he was only making a small baguette as that was really all that would fit.

Brightly glowing eyes remained locked on him as he’d worked, though now she’d gone back to reading her book. This time upside down by the softly glowing lamp. “Should just be a short while, Varavere.” He sank into a chair at her small dining table. “Did you need anything else?

The sorceress’ too wide eyes scorched along the length of his arms before locking onto his face. “Tonight? No, no.” She pointed at the right most door. “That is the wash room, you may ready yourself for bed.” Would he get used to her propensity to float upside down? Probably. Owain nodded gratefully before making for what he found to be a pleasantly large washroom. There was a decadent bronze tub in the corner, and a large sink and counter; positively packed with different lotions, creams, and tonics.

He finished his evening ablutions quickly, wanting to check on the bread. When he emerged from the wash room he was greeted by the sight of Varavere laying two thick blankets on one of the plush rugs beside her bed. Blazing eyes found his with a smile that showed perhaps too many teeth. “I’m still making your stable, little sheep. You’ll have to make do with this arrangement for now.” She patted a pillow before placing it on the topmost blanket.

Owain smiled awkwardly, he didn’t much mind sleeping on the ground, but it was a little unexpected. “This is fine, Varavere. Thank you for…making it comfortable.” It felt odd to express thanks for being allowed to sleep on the floor but he really didn’t want to make her angry again.

She spun in a small circle before floating back to her own bed. “Well I couldn’t have you sleep outside, could I? Wouldn’t want the wolves to get you.” She was smiling but he didn’t think she was making another sheep joke.

He cleared his throat with a nod. “Yes, well I’ll check the bread…now.” Ugh, this was profoundly uncomfortable! Thankfully the bread was almost done. The oven may have been small but it’s magic was potent. Owain went digging once more through her woefully empty larder and was able to find at least a little butter that looked rather fresh. Oddly, it seemed to be from the dairy woman’s house if the familiar brown paper wrap was any indication. It looked like it’d been clawed open. The thought of Varavere doing something as mundane as purchasing butter made him laugh, though he stifled it into his elbow.

In short order he’d slathered a few pieces of hot bread in butter and brought it to the sorceress on a large plate. “Here you g-”.

The plate was swiftly snatched from his hands. Varavere said not so much as thank you before tearing into the bread. She had as little manners as Miss Raven! The sorceress cried out in happiness. “Your bread is always so delicious! Excellent work, my little lamb.”

Owain looked down at her curiously. “You’ve had my bread before, Varavere?”

She paused, cheeks full, and stared at him wide eyed. “Have you ever seen me waiting in line in your shop?”

He hummed a no. “I suppose not but-”

“Hush! Hush, Owain. I am eating! Go get your own bread!” She twirled her finger and he was spun in a standing circle to once more face the oven. Owain decided to leave it be, she probably just misspoke. He would definitely remember seeing her at his shop.

Once they’d both eaten their share of bread, with his being only a meager few slices, they both settled in their respective beds. The rug and grass were surprisingly supple but he still missed his large bed at home. Wonderfully, the top blanket she’d lent him wasn’t quite large enough to cover his shoulders and feet at the same time. The sorceress clapped her hands and the various crystals that lit the room all dimmed at once. The red glow of her eyes was all that he could really see in the dark.

“A great first day! Now sleep well, little sheep. We’ve got so much to do tomorrow!” She turned to face the wall.

After the stressful month and whirlwind night he’d just had, Owain almost wanted to cry; he murmured his own goodnight instead.