"Dottie, I have to go."
I sit up with a start. "How long was I asleep?" I glance around as bright sunshine streams into the little cabin. "Did the snow stop?"
Throwing the covers off, I pad over to the front window, still naked but without a shred of self-consciousness after the way this man worshiped my body last night. Peering through the glass, the soft green of the forest floor greets me. Bright pink rose bushes sway into deep purple licorice flowers, and patches of sunlight stream through the thick curtain of leaves overhead.
"Where did all the snow go?" I turn around to look back at Maddox, who raises his eyes from my bare ass and stalks toward me.
I can't help but grin. He's already dressed, but the look in his eye makes me think that clothing may be optional any minute.
He pulls me into his arms, running his hands over my hips and giving my backside a firm squeeze. He leans into me, moaning against my skin as he buries his face in my neck.
I grip the lapels of his coat, pulling him close as I plant my mouth on his in a searing kiss. He immediately takes control, gripping my body as if he intends to carry me with him forever.
He places his forehead against mine when we break apart, sighing deeply. "If I asked you to stay here and wait for me, would you?"
I pull back, gazing into his eyes for a moment before answering honestly. "No. I want to check on my brothers and Toto. They must be worried sick about me."
He shakes his head. "Time works differently here. You've only been gone from Oz for a few hours as far as they know."
I nod in wonder. "Right, magic." I glance out the window as he walks away to grab a bag sitting on the small table. "Hey! Did you make it snow?"
Maddox shoulders his bag and walks back to me with a grin. "Christmas back home is your favorite time of year."
I stare at him in confusion. "How did you know that?"
"You told the class. Ten years ago in Senior History."
My breath catches, and my lips part in shocked silence as his intense eyes gaze down at me with a love I have never known.
"I'm obsessed with you, Dottie." He swallows hard, and his gaze darts back and forth from my lips to my eyes. "Have been for a very long time."
I almost choke on the butterflies that erupt in my stomach, and my whole body warms. "You faked a snowstorm because I love Christmas?" I whisper, afraid to ruin the moment.
Maddox shakes his head. "No. I wanted to force you into my bed."
I give him a mock glare as he bops my nose with his index finger. His grin mirrors mine as he dips his head to give me one last lingering kiss.
"Dottie, I’ll help your brothers. But I need you to stay out of Oz while I do it."
I swallow hard, wishing I could do that. Stay here, snug and warm in this cabin of love, and pretend that life is perfect. But I know in my heart that I can’t leave my family to handle this by themselves.
I don't want to lie to him, so instead of responding, I kiss him hard. He groans against my lips before pulling away reluctantly. Giving me one last heated look, he leaves, closing the door behind him.
The silence is immediate and overwhelming. A shiver skates through me, and I hustle over to the bed and settle under the covers. I look around at the quaint little space and wish he were still here. Within minutes, I'm throwing off the covers and gathering my things.
I pull on my clothes, smiling like a fool when I realize the buttons have all been neatly reattached to my plaid shirt. As I head out the door, I eye the beautiful shoes that started the mostincredible night of my life. I run my hand over the rough stones before putting them back in the box. Closing the lid, I leave them on the small table in the entryway.
"Until we meet again," I whisper to the box, hoping with all my heart that my wizard is waiting here for me again someday soon.
I walk out the front door of the little cabin and gaze at Fable Forest with wary concern. As tempting as it is to stay hidden and wait for Maddox to return, I need to figure out a way to help my family.
Taking a deep breath, I head down the front steps, remembering what Auntie Em told me about walking alone."Keep your head up, and act like you know where you're going, even if you don't."
I follow the little trail back to the mouth of the cave, where I hope I can find the portal back to Oz. As I step inside, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and goosebumps break out on my arms. I peer into the darkness, suddenly worried about what might be lurking there.
A twig snaps behind me. I whirl around to find a beautiful older woman in an expensive-looking pink skirt suit watching me from ten yards away. Her outfit is glaringly out of place in the middle of the woods, but nothing should surprise me in a magical forest. She doesn't look aggressive. If anything, her face holds a peaceful curiosity, her eyes kind. My first instinct is to trust her, but I glance around me to determine my chances of escape all the same. Finding myself blocked in by a large boulder to my right, and a grove of thick trees to my left, I determine my best bet is the cave.
I step closer to the mouth to buy myself more time should I need to run. The woman watches me quietly. Her bright blue eyes hold the wisdom of a thousand years, but it's impossible to guess her age. Although her stark white hair is pulled back in a chignon, reminiscent of Auntie Em's generation, this woman'sskin is flawless. If she's magical, she could be a thousand years old and I wouldn't know it.
