I wasn't ever going to belong to Bodin.

I wasn't his for the taking!

Bodin Charters had been my friend since we were kids. Painfully shy and uncomfortable in crowds.

I was always the outgoing one. Willing to fight and shout for what I wanted.

But Bodin wanted something now.

Me.

I had told him he'd not have me countless times over the years. I was waiting for a man who wrote me sonnets and climbed walls to sneak into my chambers.

Bodin would never do any of that. He didn't have an unpredictable bone in his body...
Until he did.

My father was ill and had been for a long time. I didn't know Bodin, who'd inherited the Charter's fortune and property, had persuaded my father to make me his ward upon his deathbed.

Now my father is gone.

And Bodin is stating I can't be his ward because it'd be improper. I must become his wife.

I won't.

But as his ward, he has law over me. Law where he can make me do things I don't want to do.

And he keeps reminding me, he'll have more sway over me as my husband so I best start learning to obey him.

The devil I will.

Unfortunately, I'm finding Bodin is a far more clever devil then I expected...

His by Law  (New Link)

He put a finger to his lips and shushed me. Nodding for me to close my eyes. 


I obeyed and the sound of grating bark grew louder. 


I obeyed and found Bodin shoulder to shoulder with me. Pointing across the distance throught the trees. 


There was a massive oak there. And its trunk had split a third of the way in. And a face was twisted from it like a malformed branch. Staring at us through glowing green eyes. Seeing her leaning from the tree, I could make out her shape. The curves of small bark-coated breasts and a tiny waist complete with a knothole for belly button. 


As I watched, she lowered two branches which jutted from her torso. The leaved stems retracting as her arms dropped. Turning to multi-fingered hands which she angled in our direction. Outstretching her arms yearningly toward us as if begging for a hug. 


Glimpsing Another Realm