Page 49 of Sweet Poison

There goes my fucking heart again.

Suddenly as if pulled from a storybook, the rain fades to a mere drizzle, and the moonlight fades away. Just as quickly, the darkness of the forest is pierced by a soft, ethereal glow that lights up the surroundings, casting a gentle light through the trees.

I stop and look up, taking in the surroundings, and what I see is nothing short of magical—even I have to admit. The grass and the towering trees have come alive with what seems like an otherworldly luminescence. Mushrooms of every shape and size are glowing softly in hues of blue, green, and purple. The little fuckers seem to be forming patterns and trails, almost as if leading us somewhere. Then like a magic act fireflies dart through the air, their green light twinkling like distant stars, adding to the moment’s enchantment.

What the fuck…

Willow gasps softly beside me, I look at her, her eyes shine wide with wonder. “Oh, wow…I’ve never seen anything like this,” she breathes, her voice laced with awe and disbelief. “How beautiful and rare…”

The funny-looking mushrooms’ glow is indeed mesmerizing, casting a gentle light that makes the entire forest look like an enchanted realm from a fairy tale. Their bioluminescence paintspatterns on the wet ground, creating a mosaic of colors that shift and dance with every step we take.

Looking at it, it seems fitting since I have an ethereal being beside me right now.

I turn to Willow completely, focusing only on her. I take in her wide, amazed eyes as she stares at the magic all around us, while my gaze is fixed on the real magic right in front of me—her. “Neither have I,” I whisper, my chest tightening with each passing second as I stare at her.

As I’m lost in the beauty of her, the rain lessens to a light mist that adds a dreamy quality to the scene. The fireflies dance through the glowing mushrooms, their light blending seamlessly with the magic of the fungi.

“Maybe they’re trying to guide us,” Willow suggests. “Are you helping us?” She speaks to the creatures as if they can understand a word she’s saying then begins to follow their glow. I was two seconds away from deeming her completely out of her goddamn mind for believing those ugly shrooms could help us when I noticed they were forming a natural path, leading us.

Willow moves fast, and I follow closely behind, making sure she doesn’t trip over any rocks or hurt herself. As we move forward, the forest seems to transform our surroundings into a realm that feels both rare and familiar. The sense of being lost fades into the background as I follow the wild fairy in front of me, moving almost instinctively.

Willow glances back at me, her face illuminated in hues of green and purple from the gentle glow of the mushrooms and the fireflies. “See! I told you they’re very friendly and useful creatures,” she says with a smile. “I can’t believe we’re seeing this.”

The wind tousles her hair in every direction, and her smile shines brighter than any light coming from the mushrooms or the night sky. I come to a sudden stop, unable to tear my eyesaway from her. Her untamed hair dances with the gentle flurry of fireflies. They flit around her head, their tiny lights creating a crown that frames her beautiful face in a delicate, otherworldly glow. I’ve never seen a sight this beautiful and I’ve been all around the world and seen the seven wonders of it too and not even that compares to the sight of Willow O’ Sullivan right now.

The fireflies’ lights play among the brown curls of her hair, giving her an almost regal appearance—like a queen of this hidden, magical realm. Her sweet, kind eyes reflect pure happiness as she basks in the magic and warmth. She not only looks breathtakingly beautiful but like she belongs here—like she’s a part of this dreamlike world. My heart skips a beat, struck by the realization that I’ve never seen or met anyone quite like Willow. In this moment, with the forest glowing around us and the fireflies dancing above her, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Willow,” I say, my voice hushed and filled with awe.

She turns to me, her eyes sparkling. “Yes?”

“Do you believe in magic?”

Her eyes widen, a soft blush spreads across her cheeks as she nods enthusiastically. “I do.” She steps closer, until we’re just inches apart, and I can’t help but marvel at how small she is compared to me.

“Sometimes I do too,” I blurt out before I can think better of it.

When you’re near, I want to say, but I hold back.

Willow’s lips curve into a gentle, knowing smile as she steps closer, her breath warm and delicate. “Magic is all around you, Madden Hunt. You just have to open your heart and let it in.” Her words hang in the air like a soft song, and I feel a shiver spread through me.

The way she speaks, her voice barely above a murmur, penetrates my dusty ass heartstrings.

I look into her eyes, the colors reflecting back at me mirror the magic around us. “You really believe that?” I ask, loud enough that she can hear me.

Her gaze never wavers and her smile doesn’t falter as she nods gently. “I do. Sometimes we get so caught up in our pain and fears that we forget how much wonder and magic there is in the world— in us. Magic is everywhere, waiting to be seen, felt, and embraced by you.”

The words she speaks weave into the very fabric of my being, wrapping around my heart like a delicate thread. I find myself drawn to her, a feeling that is both exhilarating and terrifying. The emotions I thought I’d buried long ago swirl in my stomach, awakening a warmth that reminds me I’m human, not a heartless shell of a man.

“You just have to believe, Madden.” Willow whispers as the space between us feels charged, and I’m suddenly aware of how close we are. I’m inches away from feeling her soft, cherry lips on mine.

My heart pounds harshly on my chest, each beat echoing with a primal need I haven’t felt in a long time—the need to own this beautiful fairy. Without thinking twice, I lean in, my breath mingling with hers as I move closer, feeling an irresistible pull toward her.

As if she feels the same, her eyes flutter closed, her lips parting slightly as she leans in closer. The moment feels real and raw, filled with something beautiful that feels almost like a promise.

Just as I’m about to lose all control, close the gap and kiss her, a sudden annoying as fuck voice cuts through the moment. “Willow. Oh, God, there you are!” Someone flashes their light on us.

Willow pulls back abruptly, startled.

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