WormWood

Running From A Proposal

As I made my way off of The Cedarwood Witches' porch I came face to face with Malcom. I saw him shake his head in disapproval. "I can explain!" I blurted out. "There's no need, I understand why you're here." he said reassuringly. I looked at him with a puzzled expression, " You're not upset?" he shook his head, "Just disappointed that you didn't tell me. I assume you're here looking for a way to cure your mother of her ailments. Am I right?" I nodded, "How'd you find me here?"

He looked at me with a smile, "I asked the inn keeper if she saw you. She pointed me in your direction. I have to admit I was shocked that you would disobey your father." he gave a laugh. I gave a slight eye roll and walked a bit ahead of him, "If you think I wouldn't disobey him, then you know nothing about me." I said with a bit of playfulness behind my voice. Maybe Malcom isn't as bad as I thought. I mean, if he were anyone else, I'd be in serious trouble. "Let's shop a bit around and gather a few more things before we take off," he said as he caught up to me.

After a morning of shopping for additional herbs and other medicinal products, we finally decided to head home. I was surprised at how quiet Malcom was on our way back home. He didn't say much, just looked like he was in heavy thought. I didn't mind the silence one bit, I was in my own thoughts. My mind just kept circling back to the forest and death's flower. Would I survive going there for a second time? Would all my memories of being there be erased just like last time? I knew these questions wouldn't be answered until I finally decided to step foot in there.

Although I felt fear from my unanswered questions, I also reminded myself that I felt a calmness come from the forest. What if the man from my dreams is in there? Maybe he's the one calling out to me. In my dreams, he's the one that always provides me with a sense of relief. I shook that silly thought from my mind, it's just a dream, I told myself.

"Home at last," Malcom broke the silence, and I looked up, staring directly towards Wormwood forest. The pull I usually felt was much stronger, the forest was calling me. My anxiety heightened because of how strongly I felt myself wanting to run into the forest. I turned my gaze away and made haste to my home.

I saw my father waiting outside. It was like he knew exactly what time I'd be arriving. "Hello darling," he greeted me as I dismounted my horse. Once I got my footing, I ran into his embrace, "How's mother?" I asked immediately. "Still the same, not worse nor better." A slight frown appeared on his face. "I'm happy that your home." he said, trying to mask his emotions. "I'm happy to be home, I got a bunch of herbs for mother I'll go get started on making up some medicine." He released me from his embrace and I went to my horse to grab my sack of herbs. Malcom and my father began a conversation. I thanked Malcom and bid him goodnight before taking off into the house.

It took me a few hours into the night but I made up a bunch of concoctions following the Witch's directions. I made enough to last a month. I knew I needed to stock up in preparation. After all, I will be entering the forest soon. I needed to get my hands on death's flower as soon as possible. Once I finished cleaning up in the kitchen, I made my way up to my room. I was far too tired to wash up or change into a nightgown, so I laid on my bed and soon drifted off into dreamland.

"Iris!" I heard my name being yelled. I awoke on the forest floor and began looking around. As I went to stand, a strong gust of wind came ripping through and knocked me over. I went head first into the frozen ground. I let out a sigh of pain and raised my hands to touch the bump that was forming on my forehead. I felt like I was in a daze as I made myself stand up, "Hello" I yelled out in a panic. At that same moment, I heard a threatening growl come from the bushes in front of me. I backed away and looked around, trying to find a rock or branch to use as a weapon. Unfortunately, there was nothing in sight.

A big figure started to make it's way out of the bushes. It looked like a wolf but the scale of it was larger than I had ever seen and its eyes were glowing bright red. I continued to back away in fear, but I never let my eyes leave the wolf, knowing if I did, it could pounce and I would be dead in seconds. "Iris", I heard whispered behind me. I didn't dare to turn around, I found a strong pair of arms engulfing me and I was soon in a calming embrace. "I won't let anything hurt you." Once he said those words, the intimidating wolf that was in front of me was nowhere in sight.

I turned around quickly and was met with beautiful hazel eyes and medium-length brown hair. From his nose down it was blacked out. I reached out and touched where his chin would be and it suddenly came into view. I slowly moved my hand up to his lips where he placed soft kisses on my finger tips. I was almost able to see him completely. The urge to place my lips onto his was overwhelming. I wasn't going to ignore the gut feeling I had, so I leaned in for a kiss. Our lips met and sparks shot through me. My whole body was aching for more. I brought my arms up around his neck and pulled him into me, deepening our kiss.

I let out a subtle moan and I could feel myself heating up from his touch. I could sense he was starting to pull away, but I didn't want him to. I pulled him back in and our noses touched in the process. I opened my eyes in the midst of our kissing and pulled away to see the most handsome man I'd ever seen. His pale skin was balanced so well by the warmth in his eyes, he was blessed with a completely symmetrical toned face and lips so succulent that I couldn't help but place soft kisses onto them once again.

The sound of knocking jolted me awake. I shot up in bed and let out a soft groan of frustration. "Iris, you've slept in again" I heard my father say from the other side of my door. "Sorry." I managed to groan out as I made myself get out of bed. "I'll be down in a minute." I said as I started to undo the laces of my corset. I quickly changed into a warm but flattering forest green dress and quickly braided my hair back, leaving out some front pieces to frame my face.

I made my way downstairs and readied breakfast for my father and mother. "I made medicine for mother. Everything should be labeled with what it is and how much should be given in a dosage." I explained to my father as he sat down to eat."I saw you made an abundance," he said while pointing at the stash on the hutch. "I just wanted to prepare in advance, didn't want any of the herbs to go bad before use." he nodded letting me know I did a good job before I took off up stairs with my mothers breakfast and medicine.

I entered my mother's room with a smile. She continued to stare out the window without acknowledging me. "Good morning, mother." I greeted her, still smiling. She turned to look at me, she made an attempt to smile. I set the tray of food down on the end stand and leaned over the bed to help her sit up more. I sat with her and began feeding her while recapping my adventure to Cedarwood. I left out a few details obviously. I didn't want her worrying after all. Once she finished eating, I gave her a small dose of her medicine and then helped bathe her with a cloth in bed. I found a warm nightgown to put her in, the house seemed to be colder than usual. I guessed it was probably very cold outside. I tucked her back into bed, making sure she was comfortable. I threw a few logs onto the fire in her bedroom and kissed her on the forehead. I left the room, allowing her to get some rest.

I am planning on leaving for the forest tonight. I just needed to go into town and gather a few items for my journey. I grabbed a warm cloak from my room and made my way downstairs to find Malcom and my father talking. "I'm about to head to town, do you need anything while I'm out?" I asked my father. "I need you to have a seat." a look of disappointment and anger stained his face. "Okay." I said in confusion as I sat down in the living room. "Malcom has informed me of your visit to the witch in Cedarwood." I felt my heart drop. "I can expla.." My father cut me off before finishing, "I don't need an explanation, Malcom has proposed an offer to keep your secret as long as you marry him and you will comply." I looked over to Malcom I could tell my face was red hot from anger, "I will not!" I blurted out. My father stood, "Yes you will!" he raised his voice for the first time in my entire life. I bit my lip from saying anything further.

"I just didn't feel right about keeping it a secret, I had to tell someone. I hope you understand." Malcom explained in a smug tone. I should've known he'd use this against me, all he needed was blackmail to get me to be his and I walked right into his trap. I stood and looked at both of them for a moment before bolting for the front door. I opened the door and was smacked in the face with bitterly cold air. "Grab her," I heard my father yell out to Malcom as I stepped out and began running. I ran towards the forest knowing damn well Malcom would not enter. He chased after me, he was never too far behind.

Just as I neared the edge of the forest I was tackled to the ground. "Get off of me!" I yelled out as Malcom climbed on top of me, pinning me to the ground. "Just accept that you're mine!" he yelled back as he turned me around to face him. He moved his face closer to mine, trying to plant a kiss on me. I kept fighting him trying to get him off. "Will you stop struggling?" he yelled out as he gripped my face with his hands. I wiggled my face around and was able to bite into his hand. He let out a scream of pain, the taste of metallic was now in my mouth. I knew I had drawn blood so I released his hand from my bite. Just as I did, he made a fist and pulled back. I braced myself for the punch when a gust of wind blew through and flung him off of me. I took this as my chance to get away. I scurried to my feet and ran the last foot into the forest. As I looked back, I couldn't see anything. Malcom was no longer there, Wormwood was no longer in sight, it was just tall trees in every direction I looked.