Chapter 6: Into The Woods
Devran’s woods mirrored his personality—sticky, inconvenient, and impossible to get rid of.
The mud clung to my boots just like his neediness clung to every conversation. The trees were short but obnoxiously rooted, spreading their gnarled fingers across the forest floor like Devran trying to insert himself into everyone’s business.
And here I am—dragging an unconscious Love Fairy through his ridiculous woods, cradling a mysterious emerald, and moments away from bumping into the most annoying person I know.
It reeked of dark magic here—thick and heavy in the air. Most Love Fairies wouldn’t last a second. Fortunately for Scarlette, she’s bound to me. Unfortunately for me, she’s also getting heavier by the minute.
Just when I’m about to curse every tree root in this forest, I spot a clearing up ahead—dry ground, blessedly firm. And somewhere nearby, the gentle gurgle of a stream. Huh. Even in a cursed forest like this, there’s a peaceful corner.
I set Scarlette down on a patch of cracked earth and looked at her.
Oddly peaceful. Her face, up close, had this strange calm to it—if you ignored the streaks of violet in her red hair. Was she really unconscious... or just pretending? Knowing her, I’d put money on the latter.
Naturally, there was only one logical way to verify.
I walked over to the stream, conjured a flask from the shadows, filled it with cold water, and returned with the most reasonable plan in mind.
I poured it directly onto her face.
"Wake up!" I shouted.
Nothing.