Chapter 6

"In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows. Nature says, — he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me" ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rowan weaved through the trees into a meadow not far from where he was with Dorian. A fruitful field of Larkspurs and Cosmos bloomed in the sunlight, dancing as the wind brushed through their thin stem bodies. Rowan smiled at the sight of such a glorious flowering family before him.

He picked some, knowing his mother would be happy to have some of them in her home. While gathering, rustled movement caught his attention, his Lapis hues following the sight of a girl. She looked lost, figuring that as her head was flicked around so fast like this place was new to her. Not sure how anyone would have been lost though.

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Seraphina tossed her head around in confusion. One moment she was looking at a cute aged cottage home and now she was in the belly of a forest. She had slapped her face a few times earlier, wondering if maybe she had actually fallen asleep? Maybe she had walked back to the hotel after lunch subconsciously and just didn't know and now was dreaming? But no, the slaps she gave herself still stung, leaving her cheeks plump and red. She huffed as she had pivoted on her heels and continued on.

As she wandered around, the glow of the open meadow welcomed Seraphina in. The sight had taken her breath away, a strange warmth washed over her body as she approached it, gliding her palms along the tops of the flowers and tall grass in a gentle caress. An earthy and fresh scent filled Seraphina's senses, the pure sweet smell made her forget for a moment that she was lost. What brought her back to reality was the eyes she met. Both of them stood there a moment more, Seraphina realizing a man had been staring at her the entire time.

Seraphina gasped out in relief as ran over to him, grabbing at his arms, pleading now for his help.

"Can you tell me where I am!? I'm really lost and this got so confusing!"

"My name is Rowan, but before I tell you anything, who are you and where did you come from?"

Seraphina started to explain. She talked about how the cottage she found had led her here. She was walking around after lunch and followed this light that took her there. Seraphina detailed how the cottage was, Rowan nodding to her words giving her some assured feeling that she wasn't crazy. When she opened it and walked through, the other side was this forest. She thought for the longest time that she was dreaming instead and just didn't know. The redness on her cheeks now wasn't from the slaps from earlier, but now from embarrassment because she felt like she was starting to sound crazy, and maybe this Rowan was just agreeing with her.

As she kept on explaining, the realization of what the cottage door had done with her, she stared at Rowan in stunned silence. She studied everything about him, and soon the thought that he wasn't human came in. At first, she thought his hair was just dyed. Nothing she hadn't seen before. But then how he dressed added to the factor of him being non-human. It definitely wasn't just a cosplay, Seraphina thought to herself.

Rowan was just as silent. Staring back at Seraphina in the same stunned silence, his lips pressing to a hard line. Humans were forbidden from the magick forest. It never allowed humans in no matter what. His thoughts were all over the place now. But the main one that picked at him was the fact that she needed to get back to her world.

Rowan lead Seraphina back to the door that was all too familiar. But this time, it had more life to it. It was brighter and cleaner than what she had seen before. It was young-looking like it had just been made.

"You must go back Seraphina, you can not stay here. Once you're through, do not look back. Do not tell your friends nor your family." He reached for the door, but the handle didn't turn. The handle and the door itself had frozen closed it seemed. Rowan gaped at the door's reluctant attitude to him. The refusal to open prickled at his brain.

"Here, I'll open it and go. Thank you for your help!" Seraphina smiled as she reached for the door herself. The handle did not turn. The door didn't budge even for her.

"No humans are allowed here...it's forbidden," Rowan was taken back by this. The door appeared before her in her world. It allowed her in and now won't let her leave? He turned to Seraphina and gave out a breathy sigh with a concerned look.

"It looks as though you are not allowed to leave."

Seraphina's face grew colorless and stone frozen. She was stuck here. In this world that she knew nothing of.