EOK Gifford-Smith

"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

"Ophelia!" she said. "I was just coming to get you. Are you ready to try the connection spell?"


"Good, good. Come along." Klaeris started walking again at a brisk pace. "I'll admit," she said. "I'm very excited by the whole situation. I really am rooting for you. If she does love you back, please, please tell me." 


"I... uh, sure." I didn't know how to interact with this strange, fan-girl version of the Matriarch. "As long as it's not too personal."


"Oh, just think of it," Klaeris continued. "Two witches separated by law being reunited in love and magic. I'm just happy to be a part of it all. And, of course, here for you if you need anything."


Klaeris led us to a large workroom--probably a conference room the witches had repurposed as a space to work large spells. Here the Matriarch had assembled a circle of telephones, radios, cameras, and even a router. None of them were plugged in.


Chapter 37: Across Space