Monthly Bonus Content #3—'Scarf, Lake, Umber' (Farah Autumn Scenario Special)

There’s something about the scent of earth that relaxes my being. Mud is kicked up beneath my boots as I trek through the forest, leaves carpeting the ground in a lake of golden sepia, and I enjoy how idyllic the scene is before me.

The moment turns to perfection as Farah slips her hand into mine.

“So where does the trail lead?” she asks, wrinkling her nose as she looks around at the thick swathe of umber-capped trees. “Uh, does it actually lead anywhere?”

I chuckle and draw her in closer next to me. “It leads back to the warehouse. Eventually. But I thought we ought to make the most of the autumn day with a walk first.”

“Doesn’t matter what type or time of day, as long as I’m with you, babe,” she replies, bringing our hands up to kiss my knuckles.

I arch a brow, barely able to conceal my smile. “That was smooth.”

“You bring it out of me.” She grins.

Another laugh falls from me, disturbing the serenity of the forest, and we fall back into a peaceful silence as we walk on together. Our fingers remain firm twined together, as though the touch isn’t quite enough.

A few moments later, and Farah draws to a stop, eyes fluttering closed as she breathes in the air.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

A smile curves her lips. “I just…Being here, in the middle of all of this, brings back memories. The magic at this time of year is always so special.”

I glance about. “The magic?”

Her eyes open and glimmer as they meet my gaze. “The magic that’s everywhere.” Her content expression crinkles. “Can’t you feel it?”

“I mean, the moment feels magical, but I think that’s just because I’m with you.”

She snorts and rests a hand on her chest. “Wow. And you called me smooth. That was a hell of a line.” She leans in and pecks a kiss to my lips, smiling bright as she draws back.

Heat rushes through me. “Thanks. But what did you mean before?”

Her tongue runs over her lips, distracting me with the thought of just how much an even deeper kiss would warm us both, but shake the thought away as she moves over to a small pile of crisp leaves and bends down.

“Have a look at this.”

I do, crouching down beside her and staring at the leaves.

She picks one up in a delicate touch between her forefinger and thumb before gesturing to me with a hand out.

I place my hand spread up onto her awaiting palm. She rests the leaf on it. I can barely feel it, the weight of it nothing more than a feather.

“Now just feel it,” she instructs with a shrug.

I blink at her. “Feel it?”

She beams a smile, reaching out to smooth her thumbs across my eyelids so as they shut. “Keep your eyes closed and try.”

I breath out a small groan, frowning as I try to do what she says.

The leaf…feels like a leaf.

My body ignites with sudden sparking tingles as Farah’s breath washes warm against my neck, the heat spreading beneath my scarf and all the way down to radiate through my entire body.

“There is magic in the veins of this world. Feel it,” she whispers.

And I do.

Her words and warmth echo through me until the leaf feels so much more than just a leaf. Slivers of something run through the skeleton of it, tracing against the skin of my palm like the trail of a lover’s kiss. It’s delicate and fine but also radiates with a power that wants to roar through my blood.

My eyes snap open, and I watch as the leaf glows and dances over my hand.

“Oh nice!” Farah announces.

I gasp, unsure what else to do, and the leaf falls against my hand once again.

“Did I just do magic? Did you just do magic?” I shake my head as excitement and uncertainty whirl together in a heady mix. “Did the leaf do magic?”

Farah laughs. “That last one is the closest.”

We stand together, and I twirl the leaf between my fingers, watching as sunlight highlights the veins within.

“Well, you certainly know how to show your date a magical time,” I say, smirking at her as we begin walking again.

“Only you, babe,” she murmurs, drawing in close and letting out a happy breath. “Only you.”