One summer’s day, as I wonder through the lush green woods, I come upon a hollow tree. There’s nothing beautiful about it, nothing to make it stand out amongst the others, and yet I’m drawn to it, like the pull of music. 

My eyes are heavy, my feet weary, and so I sit to rest, just for a while. The forest is silent save for the rustle of squirrels as they leap between branches, and my eyes close without my permission.

When they open, the tree is lit by the ethereal glow of the moon, and there, before me is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. His hair is long, his skin fair, and his eyes sparkle like the finest opals.

He says nothing. He gives me no name. He simply holds out his hand. An invitation. 

I say nothing. I give him no name. I simply take his hand, and accept.

Before I can draw a breath, he sweeps me into a dance, twirling me around the hollowed-out tree, lifting me high and dipping me low to silent music. 

Our dance slows, his face so close we are sharing breath, and the smile in his shimmering eyes softens, and for just a moment I think he might steal a kiss, but he draws away, and, bowing low, presents a purple flower, with flawless petals. 

I lift the bloom to my nose, inhaling deeply. The scent is heady and dizzying, making my body heavy. The beautiful man lays me back to the ground, his lips brushing my eyelids, and sleep takes me again. 

When my eyes next open, the forest is bright, the birds chirping their morning songs. The dream fades quickly, leaving me with just his opalescent eyes, even as I clutch the flower with the perfect petals.