Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three by Betty Legend (recommended ebook reader txt) 📗

Phoenix emerges from the bedroom we converted into a lightless room for him. I’m resting in Cyrus’s lap, enjoying his massage, as Killian heals my ankles. Taking one look at me, Phoenix’s lip curls, his fangs visible.

“What happened?”

“Most of the day, I practiced using my magic to fight Garrett, Everett, and Bennett.”

The wounds on the Redwood shifters are healing, but the blood evidence still remains.

“She’s learning quick,” Everett tells him as he wipes a wet cloth over his arm.

“I’m not surprised,” Phoenix replies with a hint of pride. “Your magic must be at full strength to keep up with her.” His brows furrow as the thoughts turn in his mind. “How long has this been going on?”

“We just started discussing the topic,” Griffin shares, his long legs outstretched on the coffee table from the chair he’s sitting in, his messy hair falling in his eyes.

“Whatever is happening between all of you,”—Everett waves a finger toward each of us—“it’s affecting supernaturals. Our magic has been growing stronger for several weeks now.”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “Our bonds must be reversing the curse the stronger they get.”

“Has to be,” Cyrus confirms.

“Our bonds are making changes, but the curse isn’t broken yet.” Emeric says what we’re probably all thinking.

Phoenix brushes his hand through his hair, a remorseful expression stealing the contentment that was there moments ago.

Thanking Killian with a kiss, I sit farther into the comfort of Cyrus’s arms. Leaning back with me, he lovingly strokes my arm and side.

“I wonder if we’ll all know when the curse is completely broken or if the change will be gradual?”

“I’m leaning toward a gradual increase in supernaturals’ abilities with what we know so far,” Cyrus says behind me.

“I agree.” Griffin nods. “It’s been a gradual decline of magic, which leads me to believe it will be a gradual growth of magic.”

“However it happens, keep doing what you’re doing,” Garrett encourages from his seat across from me and Cyrus.

Phoenix’s gaze lingers on me. We’re the only ones left to fully bond. He’s been doing well controlling his bloodlust. Maybe it’s time we spent more time alone together.

“We will,” I assure both him and Phoenix.

Cyrus rubs my arm to receive my attention.

“Now that Phoenix is awake, do you want to perform the protection spell?”

Phoenix’s brows knit together in question.

“I’m going to cast a protection spell on all of us, like a barrier spell against evil.”

“How do you know it will work?” He asks with curiosity, not criticism.

“I don’t. We won’t know if it worked until it’s needed.”

“What do you need for it?”

Phoenix’s belief in me curls the corners of my mouth, matching the warmth spreading inside me.

“Blood from each of you.”

Killian dips his chin at Phoenix. “You should feed beforehand.”

“I already had the thought.” His tone notes insult. “Selene, do you mind taking a walk with me?”

“Of course.”

Leaving Cyrus with a kiss, I join Phoenix outside on the porch. Taking my hand, he leads us to the wooden chairs, his features tightened in thought.

“What’s wrong?”

Caressing my hand, he meets my concerned gaze.

“You’re the first thing I think about when I wake, Selene. I come looking for you and always find you with them, then have to spend time catching up on what I’ve missed. I feel like the outsider, looking in.”

“I’m sorry. This hasn’t been an ideal way for us to bond, but it has helped with your bloodlust. You seem completely in control of it now.”

“Thanks to the elixir you had made. Without it, I don’t know if I would be able to sit here with you like this. There are moments where I feel a nagging ache in the back of my throat, but I have learned to recognize it and control it.”

“Perhaps it’s time we spent more time alone. It might be time I release the barrier spell on Killian’s property.”

Phoenix lowers his head, his brows pinching together before looking back at me.

“I want that, yet I’m apprehensive.”

“It’s a big request of Killian, but maybe the guys can leave us alone for a few days. I know I can handle it if something happens.”

“I suppose we won’t know until we try.”

“It’s true.”

“I know the four of them will balk at the idea.” He frowns, annoyed.

“I’m going to ask anyway. They know how important it is we bond.”

Bringing my hand to his lips, he kisses it. “I would like to be able to wake with you next to me.”

The affection in his kiss tugs at my lips. “I’d like that too.”

“It’s settled then. After I finish hunting, we can talk about it with them. I’m not leaving you to handle that conversation alone.”

“I appreciate that.”

“This spell you want to cast, are you comfortable using blood magic?”

“I’m nervous but believe it’s a good way to learn. It’s not a dangerous spell, just complicated.”

“I’ll help you any way I can. I’ve seen witches use magic a time or two.”

A thought puckers my lips. “Have you dated a witch before?”

“You want the truth?”

“Yes.”

Phoenix’s head tilts. “I haven’t had a longstanding relationship with a witch, but I have had a physical relationship with one.”

“Oh.”

“It was before Vivian. When I met Vivian, I found someone I could have a real companionship with.”

“You must miss her.”

Before he glances away, I catch the pain in his eyes.

“I do, but if she was still living, I’d be in a difficult position.”

“How so?”

Returning his attention to me, his icy eyes linger over my face, his expression filled with desire.

“She would have hated how much I want you. It would have created a rift between us.”

“I don’t think I would’ve asked you to choose, not with five of you having to share me.”

“I appreciate knowing that.” The corner of his mouth pulls back. “Vivian would’ve wanted me to choose between the two of you, and I don’t know that I could have given her what she wanted.”

Biting my lip, I lean closer. The scent of his cologne greets me, luring me even closer.

“Do you feel what I feel?”

Placing two fingers under my chin, he