Kelly’s house was exactly what one would have expected of a Chaos witch. The two-storied suburban house stood amidst a middle css residential area, fnked between two simir houses, all separated by well-trimmed hedges. Kelly’s house seemed modest, compared to Mom’s, but still rger than her house, her real home with Dad. Then again, Ruby supposed, Kelly and her husband required the space for their seven children. Even at the distance and without having to double check the text message that Kelly sent her, Ruby confirmed. Kelly’s house was unmistakable. Not in a sense that screamed a witch lived here. But more akin to suspend-your-belief-when-you-step-in kind of aura that shrouded the house.

  Ruby weaved between the carelessly tossed aside Bobby car, tricycle and bicycles blocking the pathway to reach the doorbell. No intercom. Only a traditional electric bell received the visitors. So she rang and waited. Another bicycle sat parked beneath the roofed patio. A basketball net hung precariously above. Ruby watched them all, basking in the sense of a sudden nostalgia.

  When she was nine, Dad fixed the net, even though neither of them pyed basketball. Dad then cimed that it would help with activity when friends visited.

  After moments, which seemed longer than they actually sted, Ruby heard voices. Probably Zoey. Ruby reeled her attention and pstered her best pleasant girl smile impression since she was unsure if Kelly told her daughter anything.

  The shuffling noise persisted through closed doors. Finally, a lock clicked open.

  “Meisje, you are te. I expected you an hour or so ago.”

  Ruby blinked.

  Cybele Veldman greeted her. The sudden appearance stunned Ruby. Cybele seemed unfazed and wore her usual eccentricity. She still had her Doc Martens and torn jeans from the previous night. They were paired with a bck t-shirt printed with some underground anarchist graffiti art. Equally probably was the fact that Cybele might have stood in front of a belching unicorn and proudly walked away with it. Ruby wouldn’t put it past Cybele Veldman.

  “Cybele.” Ruby gave herself ample pause. “I am meeting Kelly.”

  “I know.” Cybele blocked. Her expression remained impassive, neutral... definitely non-hostile and perhaps a bit jittery.

  Ruby watched. She noticed Cybele fidgeting. She shifted on unstable footings and pulled her hands from within torn jeans pockets.

  “Can I have a word with you, Meisje?” Without a preamble, Cybele pulled Ruby in. “I am sorry about st night. I was an ass. No excuses. But in my defence, people say I don’t come with a filter. And you are... I mean, looking at you...”

  “Stop Cybele.” Ruby cut in. “Examine your own words. You say ‘No excuses’ and then you followed it with an excuse.”

  “I am sorry. Looks weird, isn’t it? I know. I am kind of weird that way.” Cybele kept her head moving, looking over Ruby’s shoulders, checking her shoes and basically everywhere except meeting Ruby. “Meisje, I messed up. Can you, like, ummm... forgive and put it past us? Friends, right?” A hesitant pause ter, Cybele offered her palm.

  Ruby stared. Cybele had always carried her air of unpredictability. Ruby witnessed it firsthand and was a victim to it.

  “Most people find me difficult and I am.” A smile settled, one part genuine, two parts hesitation. “But I don’t do anything out of ill-intentions. They just come out that way.”

  Ruby took her offered palm because Cybele was the first girl to offer her friendship. Everyone has their quirks, and Cybele had hers. Ruby affirmed, with enough effort, she could look beyond.

  The sound of light footsteps descending the stairs made Ruby turn her attention in the direction.

  “So you are another of Mom’s witchy friends.” A girl of the same age as Ruby stopped behind Cybele. Ruby assumed she was Zoey, Kelly’s daughter. “I mean, you are too young... Like, my age.”

  “I am actually eighteen.” Ruby pulled a smug smile. It said, I am an adult, you are still a kid, so respect me.

  “Dude, seriously. The difference between us is probably seven or eight months. Stop giving me that look.”

  That hurt. Not the way Zoey snubbed with her response, but she used ‘Dude’. That stung. Suddenly, Kelly’s house was frigid and unreceptive.

  Ruby resisted whatever emotions that surreptitiously brewed in her from showing on her face. Zoey seemed... she actually looked like every other girl of her age. An ill-fitting shirt of one size rger than her paired with a tight skinny jeans. The tips of her hair were dyed green. She even sported various wrist bands with green earth and save ocean themes. On the surface, Ruby might have pegged Zoey as an ally. Yet, she called her a dude.

  “So you coming with us?” Zoey ignored Ruby’s silence and flicked her gaze to Cybele. “Is she?”

  “You want to join us?” Cybele asked. “We are going to this electronic recycling pce... Actually, dumpster diving in an electronic junkyard, in fact. I am building her an awesome rig. You would be surprised by the amount of quality and still salvageable stuff that people toss away.”

  While Ruby debated responding, Zoey thrust her phone, the screen unlocked, to her. Ruby scanned the QR code solely because refusing may come across as rude. Deleting Zoey’s contact ter was always an option. Then she realised she was expected to share her contact. So Ruby unlocked her mobile and shared.

  After moments, Ruby returned Zoey’s expectant stare.

  “I asked whether you are joining. The rig Cybele is building for me is cool.” When Ruby didn’t respond, she continued. “So, are you joining?”

  “She isn’t going anywhere with you girls.” Kelly arrived in her characteristic harem pants. Three-year-old Sarah toddled behind her. “She is going to help me bake cookies for Owen’s birthday party, which...” Kelly’s scorned mom gaze flickered from Ruby to Cybele and eventually settled on Zoey. “... Someone promised to help, but used the pretext of collecting electronic parts as an excuse.”

  “Okay Mom. I love you.” Zoey rushed out, dragging Cybele with her.

  “Honey, are you bothered by her calling you dude?” Kelly asked. The care she conveyed the previous night still lingered around her. “Don’t take it seriously. She calls everyone that. Even her female friends, including Cybele.”

  “I am fine.” Ruby replied while keeping her voice steady. Her control faltered. “Do I... Do I... Look... Boyish?”

  “No, honey.” Kelly quickly pulled her close. She ignored the two boys locked in eternal sibling rivalry and the other ten-year-old girl with headphones and a tablet glued to her hand. Kelly’s attention remained on Ruby as she guided her towards the kitchen. “No you don’t. And my Zoey is not the most perceptive one. Even if she were, she would not figure anything. So be a bit confident.”

  Zoey’s word still echoed inside. The word was a thorn that dug deeper inside.

  “You are beautiful.” Kelly’s words seemed as real as her touch. She gave Ruby no reason not to believe. “You don’t need any validation. If anyone has trouble seeing your true self, they are probably wrong. Don’t ever question yourself.”

  Kelly may ck Mom’s domineering aura. But she made up for that with her voice that carried her sincerity. That was the real magic there. Raising Ruby’s spirit with her sheer presence was Kelly’s specialty.

  “This might come as a surprise.” Ruby beamed her winning smile. “But despite my past, I am actually pretty confident in the kitchen.”

  It was all thanks to Selina and her attention she craved that prompted her to spend time with her now-stepmom indulging in cooking. Those were details Ruby decided insignificant to mention in her current context.

  Kelly didn’t seem surprised, nor curious. Instead, she nodded.

  “Now here are a few details you should know, honey.” She handed her her pink apron. “I cannot directly assist you with the baking because the st time I baked, my magic happened.” Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. “The ingredients morphed.”

  “Food poisoning? Drugs?”

  “Worse.” Kelly beckoned Ruby closer. “Double espresso. Imagine a dozen six-year-olds running on double espresso. And they all had whistles.” Kelly shivered as though waking from a horrible nightmare. “My poor Jace had to take five aspirins to get through the day.”

  “My condolences.” Ruby agreed since she had once volunteered to baby-sit Ethan and Logan. Granted, Ruby was fourteen or fifteen and the twins were eleven or twelve, still, Ruby deemed them monsters. In hindsight, that might have been a premonition.

  “So you understand my predicament.” Kelly smiled, a relief filled expression. “You are doing me a huge favour, honey. Don’t worry, I will put a good word to Morgane.”

  “No need.” Ruby stopped. Her fingers fidgeted. They moved involuntarily. Ruby realised she had her fingers pressed against her lobes. Her earlobes. Where her gift hung.

  Adornments.

  Ruby blushed.

  “I mean...” Ruby swallowed. “Just don’t tell Mom... about the cooking, that is.”

  “Oh honey.” Kelly’s smile conveyed her understanding. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe.”

  With Sarah settled in her highchair like a boss, Ruby prepared herself. Kelly’s apron, despite the choice of colour, was a perfect fit. Ruby realised how much she liked the feel of Kelly’s apron. They carried the essence of Kelly, gentle, unassuming, but always there, protective and surrounding.

  Baking, especially when done correctly, always brought joy. That was what Selina repeated often. Mixing flour, adding eggs, stirring them together... watching them come alive, rise slowly, bake evenly, gain that proper brown, it evoked feelings akin to letting pet projects grow. Except these projects are meant to be eaten. And they must taste heavenly.

  Kelly soon disappeared, dragged by her mom duties, leaving Ruby alone with a curious Sarah. As she cracked the eggs and mixed the flour, Ruby quickly fell into a rhythm. She hummed a chirpy tune. It soon turned into a cacophonous song when Sarah joined. Lyrics became optional. On occasions, Ruby did hear Kelly scream, ‘Nathan, leave Cadence alone,’ or ‘Connor, give your brother’s stuff back.’

  Ruby’s attention was on melting butter when Liam scuttled in. His hands clutched a sheet of paper.

  “Is this for me? Well, thank you.” It turned out to be some drawing made of crayons and markers. Some girl stood in front of a field.

  “It’s you. I drew you as a superhero because you were awesome.” Liam pointed.

  In the picture, Ruby did resemble a superhero… after mowed by a steamroller. She was even given a tiara and cape in the drawing.

  “That’s good, little man, but next time don’t make my breast look like pyramids.” Her breasts were definitely not sharp and pointy and all things polyhedron.

  Liam stood fidgeting for a bit while Ruby added extract essence to the dough.

  “Ruby, if Liam is there, he is trying to charm you into getting extra cookies,” Kelly shouted from another room. “Don’t let him trick you.”

  “Is that what you were trying?” Ruby stared down.

  “No.” He pointed at his masterpiece. “Those are your wings.” Ruby dismissed those as a bck, superhero cape. “You can shoot your feathers like ninja knives.”

  “All wrong.” Sarah uttered shuffling in her highchair.

  “No. It isn’t. I saw it.” Liam snapped back. “She can shoot them and made a bde wall out of it. I saw it with my own eyes.”

  “All wrong. Wrong.” Sarah spped her palms on seat. She even kicked her feet in the air.

  “Wait. Is that what you saw on the football field?” Ruby leaned. Liam’s revetion intrigued her.

  “Yeah. You were cool and awesome there.” It didn’t appear as though Liam was tossing compliments to bait cookies.

  “I saw mineself.” Sarah almost threw a tantrum. “No bck wings. Pretty butterfly wings. No bck.”

  Ruby’s gaze darted like trapped swallows between the two siblings. Then she lowered herself to meet Sarah at eye level. “Did you really see butterfly wings on my back?”

  “All colours.” Sarah added. “Change colours. Pretty ones.”

  “Now don’t fight. Py nice with your sister, Liam.” Ruby returned to the cookie cutter. She supposed Sarah, with her vocabury of a three-year-old, cannot provide anything more.

  Kelly returned, dragging Ruby’s attention back from her internal thoughts.

  Ruined of the prospect of fresh cookies, Liam scuttled out in dejection. Sarah sat silently. Ruby didn’t bother them. Instead, her attention returned to her baking. With the cookie cutter ready, she prepared cookie sheets.

  Only when Ruby slid the oven trays inside, she finally realised Kelly watching her.

  “What?” she asked, pulling Kelly’s apron free. Her skin tingled. A blush crept along her skin.

  Kelly carried her silence. She took Liam’s picture and pasted it on the refrigerator, beside other pictures drawn by his siblings. Then she knelt beside Sarah’s highchair.

  “Honey, can you keep mommy company? We need girl time together.”

  Sarah smiled through her baby-teeth, all cherubic cheeks and happy expressions.

  “How about we talk, Ruby? If you are not willing to reveal or still processing, I won’t force it out of you.”

  Ruby blinked, trying her best nonchant expression. Kelly appeared harmless. She exactly leveraged that to broach nuanced topics effortlessly.

  “I am your friend. And I know you will confide everything… eventually. You can start slow. Like why you are visiting? What happened with Morgane?”

  “That kind of obvious, huh?” Ruby exhaled a resigned sigh.

  “I mean, you texted and next, your mother called to say thanks. Then you arrived. Your ears weren’t pierced, but you have expensive pearl earrings on silver csps.” Kelly smiled, revealing that she knew more than what she let on. “Honey, the cookies will take a while in the oven. we have time to kill.”

  “Our mother-daughter morning started awkwardly.” A shudder passed through her frame. Ruby found her hands clutching her arms. She stared at the oven timer. It dispyed seconds ticking. Nothing registered. “Mom was... I don’t know how to define things between us.”

  “That’s because you are trying to fit them inside strict definitions.” Kelly paused, searching through Ruby’s expressions. “Remember, Morgane isn’t used to parenting, either. Now let’s get to the proper topic. Did you talk to her about st night?”

  Ruby panicked. Her hands, however, went straight towards her lobes. Suddenly, the words ‘drained of colour’ made real sense. Kelly was there when she called Mom’s name.

  Kelly waited, catching Ruby’s fingers move along her lobes.

  “It’s sweet, your gesture. You liked things of your mother.” Kelly smiled. Her smile carried multiple connotations. Each one implied scandalous interpretations.

  Ruby lowered her attention. Another blush followed. “Um... yeah. I mean, they are beautiful.”

  “You can talk your heart, honey,” Kelly encouraged.

  “I mean... um...” Ruby trailed, feeling her emotions boil and brew inside. “Last night I called her name.”

  “No, I didn’t mean that. I meant what happened on the beyond. When we lifted you from the pool... Honey, things changed. For you and for those around you.” Kelly’s voice remained tender. Her gestures were ced with hints. “Morgane is not just your mother. She is the witch-mother of the Coven.”

  “So?”

  “She will try her best.” The notion seemed rather ambiguous. “None of us have Aspects. But your mother has.”

  Ruby tapped her fingertips on the kitchen isnd, hoping the minutes would slip fast. Suddenly, lunch with Mom and Jochen Rosenkranz felt like a merciful offer she denied. She didn’t want to confront topics that Kelly forced her to face. Of approaching Mom for guidance. Of facing the mysterious death and tragedy, her Aspect warned.

  Of revealing everything.

  Nor did she want to entertain the idea of what would follow should she fail. Now the joy of baking cookies, the one that Selina conferred to her, was there no more. Instead, they just super-heated inside. Their browning crusts, their rising fluffiness, all reminded her, time, her time was slipping.

  The timer rang.

  Ruby, assisted by Kelly, retrieved the cookies. More interminable charged moments passed in silence while they waited for the cookies to cool down. Kelly’s pink apron was around her again. She didn’t mutter any protest when Kelly tied the knot behind.

  “Sorry, you simply look too adorable standing in apron and kitchen mittens.” Kelly dug her phone out. “If you don’t mind, can I?” Soon, the first of the fshes came, capturing Ruby with a tray filled with still cooling cookies. “You have the glow around you. Very natural. One day you will make some girl or girls very lucky.”

  Ruby imagined greeting Mom with freshly baked cookies in a simir apron and mittens. Suddenly, as incongruent as it might seem, that conjured image seemed like a hazy dream.

  “You know chaos magic, at times, comes with its own perks.” Kelly took the tray from Ruby’s grasp and pced it on the kitchen isnd to cool. “This maternal glow about you cannot usually appear unless you touched someone very compatible with you. That is how I knew Jace was the rig…”

  The rest of Kelly’s words trailed and faded away. Ruby’s thoughts were consumed with the kiss from Mom. Her emotions seethed and travelled, surging through her blood, reaching deep inside, touching pces beyond. Ruby realised her cheeks burned a scalding crimson. A deep sense welled inside. All because Mom kissed her.

  “By the way, honey, Morgane likes it.”

  “What?”

  “The picture I posted.” Kelly murmured, eyes still fixed on her mobile screen. “She is typing now.”

  “Where did you post?

  “In our chat group. The one that Cybele set up. I mean, I asked if I can and you offered no objection.”

  Ruby thought Kelly meant taking the picture, not the posting.

  “Don’t worry. Your Mom thinks you are delightfully charming. Her words, if I may add. And she also added, ‘Darling, can’t wait to get home one day and have her greet me dressed simirly’.”

  Ruby couldn’t stop herself from blushing. Mom’s words implied certain undertones.

  I cannot wait either.

  Kelly pressed her phone against her. Ruby watched Mom’s three dots dancing. Her attention never wavered, staring. Observing. Waiting. Everything carried out with singur intention. This time, she heard the thrumming of her heartbeat reach her ears.

  Kelly, dear. You are spoiling my little girl. How can I ever repay? Mom typed.

  Just teasing, Morgane. Came Kelly’s reply. I promise I won’t steal your precious Ruby.

  Mom’s typing came visible through bubbles rising. Then they faded.

  Whatever. Now I don’t know whether I can wait till dinner. She looks darned tempting in that outfit. Mom ended her message with a winking emoji.

  I know, isn’t she? She looks gorgeous. Kelly sent her reply.

  Ruby stared numbly while watching their exchanges. Her breath caught while the surreal exposition struck her. All of a sudden, that fantasy seemed a very pusible reality. Especially when they both shared the same longing.

  “Honey, you are okay?”

  Kelly’s touch startled her. Mom’s words reverberated inside her skull. And Kelly’s reply added to the kindling.

  Kelly tapped her mobile screen. Her finger swiped, closing their chat.

  “You get to have the honour.” She gestured with her chin towards the cookie tray. “Since you baked them. You get to taste them first.” Kelly winked. “Come, my adorable little baker. You captivated someone’s heart with your pretty little outfit.”

  Ruby plucked one cookie. Her hands moved involuntarily. Then she bit. The cookie tasted surprisingly delicious. Then she helped herself to another because Kelly wouldn’t mind. And then a third because she skipped breakfast.

  Kelly’s lips... they moved slightly. Her lips looked supple. Her teeth, white. Inside, Kelly’s tongue... Ruby wondered about its texture, its wetness... its taste. Ruby leaned forward. Her lips pressed against Kelly’s. Ruby’s kiss lingered. Their lips remained joined. Then Ruby opened her mouth, beckoning Kelly’s tongue.

  Kelly tasted sweeter. Her kiss seemed richer than any cookie Ruby baked. Her softness, her wetness... everything burned through Ruby’s senses. Kelly’s palms found purchase on Ruby’s cheeks.

  When Kelly broke the kiss, she tilted her head to the other side.

  “Jace! Jace!!” she called in an ever rising crescendo. “I think the cookie essence morphed again.”

  “What is it this time?” A tired male voice came.

  “Aphrodisiac.” Kelly returned her attention. Her finger slowly moved to trace Ruby’s lips. “Honey, trust me, okay? I know what I am doing. I need you to remain calm while I reach my fingers inside your throat to help you throw up.”

  “No way. Shit. Not this again.” Ruby pulled back with jaws tightly clenched. “I refuse.”

  “Honey, you are not making it any easy for me.”

  “I better take the kids out. You do what you must do.” Jace groaned.

  Kelly lifted Sarah from her highchair and gently dropped her on the floor. Sarah immediately stumbled out, following her father’s voice.

  “Lets try another way then.” Ruby was transfixed by the way Kelly’s lips moved. It made her heart throb. Her pulse quickened.

  Kelly’s mobile chimed. Then it rang. Again. And Again. Without bothering to answer her mobile, Kelly returned her full attention to Ruby. She whispered. Her voice carried her magic. Her lips conveyed her intentions.

  “Follow me please.” Kelly slowly dragged and Ruby willingly followed her to her bedroom. “Now lie please.”

  Ruby obeyed, climbing atop her bed. As soon as she id, her body sank within Kelly’s soft mattress. Ruby stared. Apprehension and anticipation raced in tandem.

  Kelly simply stood. Her gaze considered Ruby, silently assessing.

  “Honey, now we don’t know how powerful the effect would be. So the obvious is not going to happen.” Kelly helped Ruby through the apron and her blouse, but her bra still remained. “We have two choices. Either you work it through. You have a powerful Aspect. Or I will have to call your Mom. Morgane would know.” After a pause, Kelly facepalmed and added. “I mean to counter the effect, not deal with your arousal.”

  Ruby nodded, following her meaning.

  “So I am leaving you alone. Please lock yourself inside. If you need me, call. If it gets worse, I will ring Morgane.”

  Ruby watched Kelly leave. But Kelly paused, standing beside her vanity table, considering her mobile. “Oh, Morgane has sent you text messages. You better read them. I am sure they may help you through.”

  With not a moment to spare, Kelly walked outside, closing her bedroom doors. Ruby heard her footsteps fading with every passing second.

  Ruby reached inside her pockets, her attention wavering between reading Mom’s messages... she presumed Mom already suspected Kelly’s magic may mess up... But her body burned. So Ruby chose. She needed relief. To work it through.

  She closed her eyelids, hoping her imagination may conjure images, events, situations, whatever... provided she found her sweet release. Ruby imagined her best fantasies. Of girls, touching her alluringly. Of them kissing her. Of their tongues meeting. Of hands exploring...

  They all came up bnk. Eventually, she pulled her mobile and tapped the notification from Mom’s messages.

  I caught a glimpse of you in Kelly’s pce, with that cute expression in apron and mittens. It reminded me of a certain view I have been longing to admire up close.

  That made her breath hitch and heart skip a beat. She scrolled to the next one.

  Ruby dear, I have got a sweet tooth. I wonder if you can satisfy my cravings with something delectable.

  Surely, this was all sheer coincidence. Ruby bit her lower lip, while her eyes glued to the st part, reading and re-reading. She isn’t interpreting too much in that. Right?

  She moved to the message that followed next. That came with photo added of Mom’s kitchen, a few cracked eggs, and flour and butter in a mixer.

  Your lips are so soft, full and adorable. I can’t help but wanting to fill them with something soft and delicious.

  Ruby’s lips now ached. Probably from the biting. She navigated to the next message.

  As your mother I should know, but darling you are now so intriguing. Do you ever think what it would be like to explore new things together? I find myself curious about secrets you would reveal.

  Suddenly, it was very hot. Ruby shimmied out of her jeans and her bra was discarded next. She was sweaty. Drenched in absolutely and abhorring, stinking sweat.

  Ruby continued scrolling. The next message was a picture of her that Kelly shared, with Mom’s text beneath.

  Looking at you... I had a dream about us at dawn. It involved silks, pearls and soft candle light.

  Ruby’s palm was already pying with her nipples. An arduous task since they both demanded her attention but giving in meant, dropping her mobile. She really didn’t want to miss Mom’s messages.

  I have always wanted to run my fingers through your hair, but now I find myself thinking what else my fingers could do...

  Even though the picture that came with the message was of Mom kneading dough, that did not prevent Ruby from abandoning her slips. Or her mind from wandering what else Mom’s fingers were capable of. From the video, Ruby knew Mom to be proficient with her fingers. Or’s face then was proof enough. But receiving the message consolidated her fantasy more.

  Sometimes I wish I could freeze time, just so I can extend those fleeting moments of catching you with that strikingly beautiful expressions.

  Ruby thrashed her limbs, wanting to twist like a human pretzel. Mom called her expressions strikingly beautiful. Her core started throbbing, demanding attention more than her fingers could provide.

  Tonight, let’s explore some things together. It would be a special time. I have a few surprises in store that will leave you breathless.

  Ruby was already breathless. Her aching clit responded well to Mom’s painted imagery. The messages conjured vivid, steamy thoughts because Mom’s words... they all seemed real. Her fingers parted her lips, moving slowly. Fingertips kissed her treasured pearl. Each subtle pressure demanded more to be applied.

  There’s a certain art to undressing slowly, and I can’t help but imagine you mastering the art with me as your captive audience.

  That undid everything. Ruby wanted to rush home. To Mom. To the promised silks and pearls. Ruby covered in yers of silks and pearls kissing her skin. And Mom in her impervious and sharply cut suit sitting in the glow of thousand candles. The expression, the smirk, the power and the lust all belonging to Morgane Spenard, wielded carefully in her impossible to shift pose.

  And she, abandoning her expensive yers, one by one. Slowly. Tantalisingly. All while watching Mom’s expressions shift. For Mom’s gaze to linger. Then she would stop midway through. And slowly, oh... ever slowly, approach Mom. Step. After. Step. She will part her legs. Lift her dress... all while waiting Mom’s approval. Her consent. Her lust.

  Then Ruby’s gaze flickered. Another message from Mom.

  Think of my hands caressing your breasts, my mouth sucking your nipples as I gently rock my hips against yours.

  That test message consolidated everything she felt. Everything she wanted.

  When Mom obliged, Ruby will reward. By sinking slowly, letting Mom feel her soft, slick, warmth. When their hips met, Mom will thrust. A slow deliberate thrust.

  And Ruby came. Hard. Her toes curled. Her vision faded. Her breath escaped. Her body arched. And she shuddered. Every single muscle, sinew, nerve, bone, skin, her body... they all thrashed, twisted, convulsed. Every ounce, her body screamed, forcing her muscles beyond her limits.

  Her pleasure crested, building, higher, higher... until it broke. Waves upon waves crashed, submerging her. Ruby rode them. She rode through her orgasms. Yes. Multiple. Until her vision returned.

  Just when Ruby presumed she had survived the worse. Another notification intruded.

  My fingers ache to reach the secret contours of your body, slipping between your thighs to find your wetness and your sweetness beckoning me closer.

  That started the chain reaction. Ruby found her arousal back on the steering wheel.

  Mom’s messages, Mom’s words... they are all real. Now Ruby needed the relief. Desperately. Again. Her fingers slipped. They massaged. Pressed. Parted her folds. Tapped on her throbbing clit. Because Mom’s words… Mom touched through her messages. Her desires were there. She lost all control and another climax took her.

  Now slide your fingers between your legs. Imagine my tongue doing the same. Tasting your sweet essence as you arch and moan for me... and only for me.

  That initiated another round for Ruby.

  I want to hear you lose control, feel your body tremble beneath mine, and taste the sweetness of your release on my tongue.

  Ruby was fully exhausted but she could still go on because Mom demanded of it... too.

  Another notification pinged but Ruby was too engrossed in the riding wave of ever surging bliss to open her eyes or even toss her head.

  Eventually when crity slowly returned, through hazy gaze and hooded lids, Ruby scrolled to the test message.

  My fingers can’t wait to clench your snow white mane as I slid into your heat and drink from your green eyes while you come undone moaning my name.

  Ruby typed.

  Mom, I don’t have ptinum blonde hair or green eyes.

  In a blissful euphoria, she tapped the send button.

  Then reality hit her like a runaway freight train.

  WHAT?

  She desperately tried to delete her message, but Mom’s response came faster.

  Oh shit....

  Another one followed.

  OH SHIT...

  And then, the third.

  Darling, please. So... so... wrong. Ignore the st few messages. Those weren’t meant for you. How do you delete this thing?

  “That makes it two of us Mom.” Ruby found herself uttering.

  When Ruby dressed up, made herself somewhat presentable and exited Kelly’s bedroom, she felt like she had carried the weight of the world. Those were some powerful releases even if she wasn’t the object of affection.

  Kelly flipped channel with a remote. “Honey, feeling okay?” She tossed the remote and walked up to Ruby.

  “Just peachy.” Ruby’s smile did not betray her emotions. She kept them well hidden. “I am okay. Shouldn’t we dispose the cookies?”

  “Don’t you worry about those. I have taken care of them.” Kelly wiped sweat from Ruby’s brow with a warm towel as though she anticipated and kept it prepared for Ruby. “They are in a sealed jar. I am hurling them into an industrial waste disposal facility.”

  Ruby nodded, relieved. “I guess I should leave now.”

  “Wait till Jace returns. I will drive you back.”

  “No, it’s all good. I need fresh air, I will walk for a bit. Then guess, it’s the public transport.” The offer came as genuine and even strangely, if Ruby might accept, deeply caring, but her mind craved solitude. Something she cannot achieve when Kelly with her overbearing attitude loomed over her.

  Dread coiled around Ruby as she stepped inside Mom’s pce. Not dread as in fear, but of confronting her thoughts. Of her emotions. Of her feelings.

  And Mom would dig through her innermost secrets as easy as peeling a banana.

  What Mom wrote. What Ruby experienced. Those words. All real. As real as they could ever be. No. As close to real as they could ever get. If Mom decided to wield her non-nurturing side, the one that consolidated everything Morgane Spenard was, that invoked the image of Morrigan, the war queen, then this time, it was all on Ruby. The bme resided on her. And for a valid reason.

  The wide doors of the Vil looked haunting. Ruby ambled dragging her heavy shadow.

  Then her mobile rang. Twice. She attended.

  It was Zoey.

  “Ruby... Ruby... You need to help me.” She spoke between heaving breaths, like she ran a marathon and was now hunted by a serial killer in clown mask. “I tried Cybele but she... she isn’t... picking.”

  “Zoey, you alright? You don’t sound good.”

  “I’m feeling...” More heavy breathing and whimpered moans followed. “... very hot... and weird. I think it was Mom’s cooking effect. She asked me to dispose it.”

  “Zoey, please tell me you didn’t eat any cookies in a sealed jar?”

  “Ruby, you are the only other witch I can turn to.” Zoey pleaded. “This is not something I can expin to my mom. Please come and get me.”

  “Okay. Wait where ever you are. I am coming.”

  Ruby gave one final gnce at the Vil door and then strode in the opposite direction with resolute conviction.

  AnnouncementI am overwhelmed by some of your comments and insightful suggestions, not to mention kinks that you have shared. So here this goes. I have some backlogs of Her Guardian Bride from Stars prepared. If all goes per pn, starting middle of February, I would publish my next story of Hallie and Phaedra's adventure on the pnet Vatune.

  Feel Free to follow for additional updates.

  bsky

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  ElenaV