"Do you like me?" I asked. "Do you really like me?"
Imogen nodded. Water gathered at the edges of her eyes. "Yeah," she whispered, in a voice pained enough to crack my heart.
"Then let's...go out, after this," I said. "We'll go on a date. We can figure this out together, and we can take one step at a time. Okay?"
Imogen nodded again. I took her hands in mine. 
Heartwood: Forbidden is the tale of the young, headstrong Ophelia stepping into a world of magic and witches. At first it seems like her greatest challenge will be finding her Familiar or drawing her Implement from a great tree, but then she runs into Imogen, daughter and heir to the Magnolia family, and learns very quickly that romance and magic probably shouldn't be allowed to mix. If Ophelia plays the game well, she might be able to get the girl and still end up on top. But Ophelia has never been good at following the rules... 
Heartwood: Forbidden is created by EOK Gifford-Smith, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Heartwood: Forbidden

Adriana left Imogen and me alone to pack. It was a painful experience.


"Clothes for a few days," Imogen said. "I don't know how long we will stay there, but it won't be more than a week."


Imogen continued. "And you'll want something you can wear in extreme heat. We'll be spending some time in India."


"Maybe also pack something you feel nice in?" Imogen hesitated a bit. "The Baobabs aren't going to expect you to dress up, but they'll probably throw some kind of celebration when we arrive. And it's nice to, you know, look nice."


We both fell quiet. Imogen stood an awkward distance away from me and rubbed her shoulder with one hand nervously. It was a miracle she couldn't hear my heart beating. We were alone in her mother's office, save for Aurelia, who paced anxiously behind Imogen's feet.


"Do you think you could be ready in-" Imogen started to say.


Chapter 10: Around the World in a Few Minutes