By the time evening rolled around, the base of the cake was perfect. It had a flawless, fluffy texture that didn't crumble when I attempted to decorate it. I had piped the sides with delicate icing work — a stunning filigree of flowers and swirls — but it needed more. The only thing was, I didn't know what to add.

Oryal left before night fell as he really needed to rest. He stood, watching me work, almost falling asleep into the batch of poisoned icing. I demanded that he head home to take care of himself. It didn't seem like he wanted to leave or let me out of his sight, but he complied, giving me a quick half-hug before he went.

His scent of cedar and flower blossoms had hung around me for the rest of the evening, as if he were still looking over my shoulder to observe the precision it took to decorate a cake. It kept me going until my own eyes struggled to stay open.

The next morning arrived quicker than I would have liked and I dragged myself from my bed just as the sun peered over the horizon. My dreams had been filled with the possible final touches I could add to the cake, and I finally knew how to make it more beautiful than anything I had designed before.

The bounty hunter arrived as soon as I was packaging it into an enchanted case for it to be picked up by the royal guard.

"This is..." Oryal began, staring in awe at the order I had rushed to complete.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I grinned. "I've finally finished. The topping was inspired by you."

Taking it out of the case again, I let him see it in all its glory. Crafted purely out of fondant was a pink butterfly that appeared to have landed in the centre. Vines wrapped around the base of its legs, reminiscent of his power. I had some edible glitter left over from a different request, so I sprinkled some over the wings to give it the shimmer it lacked. It was the only part of the cake that wasn't poisonous.

"It truly is beautiful," Oryal answered. His fingers reached out to touch it but he stopped himself when he realised what he was doing. As if on cue, a real one landed on the window sill, admiring its twin.

"You never told me what pink means." I placed my hands on my hips and shot the bounty hunter a suspicious glare. "Is it still a secret like everything else?"

He shook his head with a shy smile. "No. The pink is-" The bell above the door of Deathly Delights chimed, signifying someone had entered.

The royal guard was here.

My heart leapt into my throat as Oryal brushed some of the flour off of my face. "I'll be right here in the kitchen if you need me. I'll be listening in to make sure nothing happens." He removed his axe from his back, ready to attack the guard if he had any ill intentions.

I could only nod in response. Sealing the cake in its enchanted case, I took a deep breath and made my way to the front counter. The cake was made to his specifications, so there was no need to worry. Right?

"Good morning," I greeted with the warmest grin I could muster. "You're right on time."

The man bedecked in the familiar full suit of armour approached the counter, his hands tucked behind his back as he surveyed the room. Shadows danced under the gaps in the strong metal, concealing his appearance yet again. The dragon soaring into the air with a crown floating above its head that was carved into his chest plate sunk fear into my chest. His King was going to poison another monarch with this cake. There would be a full-blown war. At least the Kingdom of Yuris wasn't involved.

"I did say I would return in a week's time." His voice was muffled beneath his helmet. "Is everything I asked for included?"

"Of course. Even the Noxol which was freshly sourced." My hands dived below the counter to fiddle with the seam of my skirt, something to distract me from analysing his every reaction.

The guard paused, eyeing the cake with a low hum. "I'll have to take your word for it. You do know what will happen if I discover one of the poisons is missing." At his threat, the sound of shuffling behind me and a heavy weapon appeared.

I laughed nervously to cover the noise. "Very much aware. But, I would never give someone a half-finished request. It's against the policy of Deathly Delights."

He dropped a silk, magenta pouch filled with coins beside the cake case. So many had been stuffed inside that it appeared the drawstring couldn't fully close. "This is the rest of the payment you requested. In addition to this, you'll also have the crown's promise to keep your business a secret. Considering you don't act out against it, of course."

Picking up the pouch, I assessed the contents it held. It was the exact amount I had requested, perhaps more. "I'm not liable for the actions of my customers. I never ask what their orders are for and, if they happen to tell me, it's kept a secret."

"I'll remember those words." The guard reached to grab the cake, but I stopped him, placing my hand on top of the case to stop it from moving.

"A little advice before you leave." He snatched his hands back, waiting for me to continue. "Whoever takes the cake out of the case and plates it needs to wear gloves, which they will quickly dispose of after. Getting some of the ingredients on your skin won't be fatal straight away like digesting it will, but it's still a life that would be lost."

"What about travel?"

"The enchanted case will do most of the protecting, even for movement to stop the cake from being damaged. However, if the case is destroyed, there's nothing I can do to help you. The travel safety is in your hands. I assure you, the poison will not seep through the case."

He nodded as he took in all the information, mentally noting it down. "Thank you for your services. Hopefully, we'll never cross paths again."

"I wish you well on your journey back."

The royal guard picked up the case, carefully balancing it in his hands, and I headed to the door to help him out of the bakery. After watching him walk down the path toward a horse which was hidden behind some trees, I locked the door and flipped the sign back to 'closed'. Dealing with customers was not something I wanted to do today, especially not the old crone who would yell down my ear for an hour about my sudden disappearance and lack of work.

Oryal peered out from the kitchen doorway. "I assume that all went well."

"As well as it could." There weren't any reservations for my execution, no instant death, or even a sighting of a weapon. Now that it was all over, my panic had washed away. No longer was it a storm where waves crashed against rocky cliffs. Instead, it gently lapped at a sandy shore.

I stretched my arms in front of me and twisted my neck from side to side as I headed into the kitchen. "Now, there's no excuse for me to tidy up the mess I've made." Where did I start? I could wipe down the tables, but then the equipment needed to be cleared away first. Only that equipment needed washing in the already full sink.

The bounty hunter cleared his throat to hook my attention. "Love."

"What?" I turned to face him with confusion riddling my features.

"That's what the pink butterflies mean. Or, a deep affection if you want to be specific."

My body froze in place, unable to move from pure shock. "For me?"

Oryal nodded and stepped closer, leaning on the counter opposite me. His hands fidgeted nervously, his gaze wavering between mine and the ground, but it finally settled on me. "When I helped get the vampire fangs for your parents, I saw you working while I was discussing the terms of the job. The passion you have for your work, as well as your beauty in general, wasn't something I could ignore. You're remarkably attractive."

I felt my face flush, my cheeks heating with a temperature that could have turned them the same shade as my hair. This was not what I had been expecting.

"My sister was the one who convinced me to try and talk to you, to work up the courage to make myself part of your life so I could get to know you better, but I never could. Out of all the creatures I've faced and all the fights I pushed myself through, this was nothing in comparison. Tiala teased me for it, but I was determined I would succeed one day."

"Then I approached you," I mused out loud.

"You did. I couldn't believe the luck the gods had blessed me with. This leads me to the condition I have for helping you get the Noxol."

"And what would that be?" My heart thudded rapidly in my chest, the sound loud in my ears.

"I want to spend more time with you and talk to you more often. I would like to get to know you, if you'll allow me." Oryal's voice was a low rumble, as if he couldn't believe what he was saying.

I smiled, walking over to him and placing my hands on his chest. A pink butterfly landed on the bounty hunter's shoulder. "I would like that very much." On the journey back from the Ivory Forest, I was not only frightened of the royal guard and the order that loomed over me, but I was scared I wouldn't see Oryal again too. He was only there to help me get the Noxol, he would return to his normal life and we would part ways unless I needed his assistance again.

This condition was more than I could have ever hoped for.

Oryal leaned forward, tucking a crimson strand of hair behind my ear with his face inching closer and closer to mine. "I'm very happy to hear that. So, so happy," he whispered. Words spoken only for the two of us to hear.

My eyes landed on his lips as they parted, the soft appearance of them could only be a hoax. It was as if an ancient magic found only in a twilight grove had enchanted them, an illusion to entrance me. There was only one way to find out if they felt as smooth as they looked.

A key turning in the front door of Deathly Delights pulled us apart, the threat of an intruder shattering the magical moment we had been sharing. Who could it be? I couldn't have any customers as the door was locked and nobody else had a key. Nobody but...

The bounty hunter grabbed his axe and moved in front of me as the door opened, ready to take down anyone who had interrupted us.

"Tae, honey?" A familiar voice cut through the silence. The voice of my mother. I hadn't heard her speak in so long.

Two figures walked into the kitchen to find both me and Oryal with flushed faces. My mother's red hair was fastened into two neat braids that trailed all the way down her back and several bags were bundled in her arms. My father had even more luggage trailing behind him, his worn features even more apparent with the grey streaks in his blonde hair.

My father grinned, opening his arms wide to embrace his daughter. "We're home."

Chapter Word Count: 1,962
Total Word Count: 23,925