"This is ridiculous." I focus on my bauble. Golden light illuminates the hallway. "I don't have real magic." "Patience." His scaly hands are surprisingly smooth as they guide my fingers around the straw. "Close your eyes. Focus on your breath." I inhale, closing my eyes. He lets go of my hands, and I'm in full control of the spinning wheel. "Feel the magic flowing through your body," he whispers. "Trace the magic moving through your arms, to your palms. Feel it warm your fingertips." A shiver travels up my spine. The golden light from my bauble flickers. "Trust me, Princess. I'm not your enemy," he says in my ear. "Allow yourself to relax into your breath. You are strong. You are powerful." The light from my bauble shines brighter as the straw in my hands hardens into gold. - This story is based off of Disney's The Black Cauldron. I don't own the characters of The Black Cauldron or of Once Upon a Time. I don't own the picture used for the cover (I found it on pinterest).