Forbidden Forest

Talia

I've always wanted to have a boyfriend. It might seem like a ridiculous goal in life. Other girls dream of careers, while I want to find my person. Someone who loves me. 

But it seems impossible. I'm a college student, and I've never even kissed a man. There isn't a bone of experience in my whole body. 

It's unfortunate.

My best friends, Sally and Victoria, are both heartbreakers. They date men to the left and right on campus, while I've always been the awkward one that makes all the men run in the opposite direction. 

Why?

Because I want a relationship too much. I want someone whose warm body I can curl up against at night. Inhaling their scent, holding their hand, and kissing their soft lips, I want all of that!

They don't have to be pretty, rich, or some famous jock. I don't care about appearance or money—I just want to find someone who gets me!

Sadly, I'm a party pooper, and guys run when I try to make conversation.

I guess I can understand why...

I'm eighteen years old, and when guys ask me what I want, I sometimes blurt out that I wish to have children; no wonder men look at me weirdly. 

I should probably hide what I innerly desire, but I've always been a blabbering, non-stop-talking idiot. My personality isn't helpful.

Sighing, I pick up the fantasy book I was recommended to read by my friends and slump down against my fluffy pillows. I'm only wearing my pajamas. I'm ready for sleep, but first, I'm going to start this new romantic book about demons.  

Humming to myself, I leaf through the introduction pages but find myself drawn to the cover image. 

It's somewhat distracting. 

There is a shirtless demon daddy on the first page. He has dark hair, blazing eyes and a nice tattoo on his chest. I giggle as my fingers touch his abs.

"Of course, you have a six-pack..." I mutter. "You must be heavily retouched. Men like this don't exist in real life, but damn, whoever designed you sure was talented..."

I flip back to the first chapter, only to let out a dreamy sigh when I see the chapter is named "Meet cute." It immediately makes me feel a twinge of jealousy toward the main character.

"I wish I could take your place, girl. If my instincts are correct, you're about to meet the man of your dreams and find your happily ever after with Mr. Frontpage Daddy."

As I say those words, something odd happens.

The page of the book lights up in gold, like that scene in the second Harry Potter movie. Only this time, there are whispers, and the ink disappears from every page of the book until they spin around my head in real life. 

"What the heck?!"

Everything that happens next is a blur.

Orange lights fill my vision until everything around me stops, then starts again.

For a minute, it's like time is frozen, and my life is over. I'm cold and suffering, but only momentarily.

Somewhere in the distance, someone calls my name. And then, with a jerk, I'm pulled into the book's page. It's like being inside a giant vortex. I'm traveling at the speed of light and screaming until I'm spat out in a heap of sand.

What. The. Heck.

Where am I?!

My eyes widen as I take in my surroundings. This isn't earth!

The skies are above me, but there are two suns!

I stare up at the sky, and my jaw drops to the floor. This is way too bizarre. Am I dead? Is this hell? Wait. Why would I go there? I've never done an evil deed in my entire short life!

Is this a nightmare?!

I hold on to that thought, for it's the only reason I don't pass out when I see the largest freaking man I've ever seen staring at me. The weirdest part is that he has wings!