Page 410 of Evil Hearts

“Do not bite it again!” Brian warned, stepping forward, his voice sharp with urgency. “The magic within is potent. It has already changed you. Consuming it again may seal your fate forever.”

Elara’s breath quickened. “But I have to try! I can’t just leave them like this!”

Ignoring Brian’s warning, she raised the apple to her lips and bit down. A burst of sweetness flooded her mouth, but this time it was accompanied by a surge of energy that coursed through her veins. Her surroundings began to swirl, the forest blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors. The laughter of her family echoed around her, mingled with whispers of the forest.

“Elara!” a chorus of voices called out, familiar yet distant. She could see fleeting images of her past—her fiancé laughing at a joke, her mother’s gentle smile, friends sharing secrets in the castle garden. But with each moment, the memories began to fade like smoke slipping through her fingers.

As the last remnants of her memories slipped away, a powerful transformation overtook her. She felt herself shifting, her body adapting to the magic of the forest. Her senses heightened—the scents of damp earth and blooming flowers filled her nostrils, the sounds of rustling leaves becoming a symphony that resonated deep within her.

“Elara!” Brian’s voice cut through the haze, but it was as if he were speaking from miles away. “Fight it! You must resist!”

Unfortunately, Elara was lost in the magic, her thoughts swirling, memories dissolving into a haze of light. She could feel her form changing, her skin tingling as it transformed. The weight of her humanity slipped away, replaced by something wild and ethereal.

“Embrace your true self,” Brian urged, desperation edging his voice. “Remember who you were meant to be.”

In that moment of chaos, Elara felt a flicker of recognition—a glimmer of who she used to be. But it was fleeting, vanishing like a wisp of smoke. The last remnants of her former life flickered and faded, and she gasped as a wave of power surged through her.

The next thing she knew was darkness.

Chapter 3

Elara awoke tothe soft whisper of leaves swaying in the wind, sunlight filtering through the branches overhead in a kaleidoscope of greens and golds and… molds and ferns and refreshing faunas. Blinking against the brightness, she sat up and took in her surroundings.

The forest was alive—vibrant and humming with energy. Yet, despite its beauty, a sense of disorientation washed over her like a cold wave. She wobbled a little and leaned against an unusually large tree with quite inconspicuous leaves.

Where am I?

She stood, brushing the damp earth off her tunic. It felt unfamiliar against her skin, and she glanced down at herself. Gone were her regal gowns; in their place was a simple garment woven from fibers that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal light. She ran her fingers along the fabric, feeling its warmth and pulse as if it had a life of its own.

“Brian?” she called, a mix of hope and apprehension threading through her voice. She remembered his name from her fragmented memories, the haunting echo of a past she could not quite grasp.

Emerging from behind a colossal oak tree, Brian stepped into view. His presence was commanding, even among the towering trees. Elara noticed how the shadows danced around him,curling in the sunlight as if eager to do his bidding. The stark contrast of his dark attire against the vibrant forest made him appear otherworldly.

“Good morning, Elara,” he said, his tone cool, yet there was a spark of something beneath the surface. “Welcome to your new home.”

“New home?” she echoed, confusion swirling in her mind. “What do you mean? What happened to me? To my family?”

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing for a moment. Instead, he studied her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. “You were transformed. Your memories of the royal life are gone. Or I should say will be gone shortly. You are now part of the forest.”

“Part of the forest?” she whispered, glancing around at the towering trees and vibrant flora. She felt the life around her, the whisper of magic brushing against her skin. “But I don’t belong here.”

Brian stepped closer, his dark eyes searching hers. “You do. You were chosen, Elara. The forest is not just a place; it is a living entity that pulses with magic. And now, so do you.”

As his words sank in, a flicker of something awakened within her—a power, perhaps, though she didn’t yet understand it. She took a deep breath, trying to anchor herself. “What do you mean, I have magic? How can I possibly have magic?”

“Close your eyes,” he instructed, his voice dropping to a low, melodic tone that wrapped around her like a warm embrace. “Feel the energy of the forest. Let it guide you.”

Elara hesitated, her heart racing as she complied. She closed her eyes, allowing the sounds of the forest to wash over her—the rustle of leaves, the distant song of birds, the gentle burbling of a stream nearby. Slowly, she began to focus on her breath, inhaling deeply, feeling the air fill her lungs.

In that moment, she felt it—a current of energy thrumming beneath her skin. It pulsed and flowed like a river, alive and vibrant. Opening her eyes, she gasped, her heart racing. “I can feel it! It’s… everywhere!”

Brian nodded, a flicker of pride flashing across his face. “That’s the magic of the forest. It resides in every creature, every leaf, every drop of water. And now, it flows through you.”

“But how do I control it?” she asked, a mix of excitement and trepidation building within her. “What if I can’t? What if I lose control?”

“Then you’ll cause chaos,” he replied, his tone clipped. “You must learn to channel your emotions, to focus the energy. But first, you need to understand the forest’s inhabitants. They will guide you, as will I—though I won’t always be easy to deal with.”

She studied him, intrigued by the duality of his demeanor. He was both a mentor and a mystery. “Why are you so cryptic? You seem like you’re holding back information.”

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