Medeia, The Witch of the Wood

Chapter 1

I took another step, snow crunching softly under my leather boots, and entered the woods. The canopy of pine and snow gave me much-needed protection from the fierce storm that raged above. Casting my gaze ahead, I caught glimpses of the few fluffy snowflakes that managed to break through the natural barrier and coat the ground in frost.

As I walked, hidden lanterns blazed to light in the hollow trees that lined the pathway. The air smelled fresh with rich hints of pine, frost, and frozen jasmine. Wafts of freshly baked pumpkin loaves floated to me on a soft breeze and brought me into its cozy embrace. I followed the trail of twigs and pine, all the way to the overgrown cottage that was nestled amid a grove of trees.

The large heavy oak door was framed by two tall evergreens and blended into the foliage around the home. An evergreen wreath complete with holly hung in the center. Stepping up the handmade stone steps and wrapping my hand around the iron handle, I pulled open the door. A wall of toasty air met my red cheeks and brought with it the ambrosial scents of home-baked goods.

"Hello?" Someone called from further inside. Her voice was heavenly. Each word sounded like it belonged in a song. I felt a smile grow on my face and closed the door quietly behind me. I quickly undressed, hanging up my long leather coat, scarf, and layers onto the pegs in the wooden wall. Drying my heeled boots on the mat, I strode into the hallway, following the strong scents of home to an open archway on the right.

A figure clad in a long cream dress swayed side to side in front of the kitchen sink, humming a familiar song. Her hair cascaded down her back in warm brown waves and shone in the golden light of the oil lamps. She had no shoes on, instead wearing fuzzy wool socks that I knew ran all the way up to her knees. Her long cream skirt reached her ankles and her waist was cinched by a thick leather belt, that could easily pass for a corset. Her back was to me as she dried her hands on her white apron and moved to the counter, kneading a big slab of dough with fervor. My smile still hadn't left my face and didn't show signs of any time soon, as I tip-toed into the pleasant room and closed the distance.

My arms slowly wrapped around her waist and I felt her jump slightly, but immediately ease back into me. I rested my chin on her right shoulder and peered over.

"I knew I heard someone. You scared me" Despite the words, I heard the smile in her melodic voice and snuggled my face into the crook of her neck. She was warm and she was home. I planted a kiss on that sensitive spot and she leaned her head on mine.

"Have you eaten?" She pulled away, taking some of her warmth with her and turning. Her sage green eyes met my rosy complexion and she took my hand, feeling the residual cold from the outside. "You're freezing" she frowned and I was about to open my mouth to calm her but she grasped my hands in hers and brought them to her full lips. Blowing hot air onto my frigid digits and holding them close to the exposed skin over her heart. Her dress had a deep square neckline, lined with small ruffles, that revealed her olive skin. I looked at her kind eyes and saw the worry in them, despite how trivial my discomfort was. Something in my chest warmed.

Once she deemed me out of danger for frostbite, she turned to the stove and the mauve-colored kettle that waited there. Pouring us both two healthy portions of jasmine mint tea, she served them in mismatching mugs and placed them on a wooden tray. She gathered a bowl of sugar from the cabinets I had installed just last spring, and a small bud vase full of milk. While she worked I sat at the rickety kitchen table that was placed to the right of the room, against a wall adorned with dried flowers and an assortment of faded paintings.

Her skirts flared as she turned towards me, setting the wooden tray on the tabletop. She took the seat opposite me and smiled.

"What? Is there something wrong?" She felt her face as if something could ever be off with her perfect features. I smiled again, feeling her radiant aura brush against my skin.