"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

This was not my best plan. I have had better ideas. Like that time I punched a guy without knowing how I would get out of the situation. Or when I challenged a Matriarch to a magical duel. Or when I jumped out of a tree without being able to see the ground. Or that other time I challenged a Matriarch to a duel.


The point is, I'm not very good at doing the right thing. Or maybe, I'm very good at doing what FEELS like the right thing, even if it isn't the most tactful, effective solution. Unsurprisingly, this problem is compounded if you put me in a room full of witches and try to force me into a deal I want nothing to do with.


"You all suck." I told the assembled witches. "Every one of you is terrible, and I hate your guts."


In retrospect, I think the pure audacity of what I was doing saved me. No one said anything. Mouths hung open in surprise, witches leaned forward in their seat, not quite certain if they had heard me correctly.


Chapter 46: Burning Every Bridge