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

new feeling of excitement. That’s what I am—a gifted druid witch, living in a beautiful world full of magic.

“Thank you for taking great care with it. It’s extremely valuable to me,” Emeric tells him.

“Of course, Guardian. It’s my honor.”

Emeric gives the man a pat on his shoulder and the two smile at one another. Griffin leads us out of the tent as my stomach grumbles with hunger.

“Why don’t you and the others find something to eat while Emeric and I get the mushrooms.”

Cyrus takes my hand. “I’ll take her to the food tents.”

Griffin leans in and kisses me. “Enjoy yourself. We’ll see you later.” He and Emeric disappear into the crowd while the rest of us follow Cyrus. As soon as we round another end of an aisle, Killian’s nostrils flare.

“There’s wild boar here.” His wolf senses have kicked in, entranced by the scent of what he wants. He veers toward the tent, and we follow him. Phoenix caresses my back, gathering my attention.

“I’m going to hunt in the woods.”

Killian snaps out of his scent spell. “I’ll join you in wolf form. I need to run free, and my wolf would enjoy fresh, wild boar.”

Phoenix waves his hand, and the two venture off in the direction of the dark forest.

Cyrus kisses me on the cheek as we walk past tents of steaming meats and vegetables. “What are you hungry for?”

“I think I could pick anything here and enjoy it. Is the wild boar good? Killian was excited about it.”

“It is. It’s smoked, thinly sliced, and seasoned to perfection.”

“I’m sold.”

Reaching the tent, we wait in line and accept the thin, square wooden plates piled with smoking meat and vegetables. The aroma of the fresh food and seasonings makes my mouth water.

“It’s strange not paying for this and not having utensils.”

Cyrus leads me to an open area of grass lit up with hanging lanterns, where Fae are sitting and eating.

“It took a while for me to get used to it as well.” Cyrus sits, and I sit next to him, our shoulders touching. “Griffin educated me on their ways. They work together as a community. Some hunt, others garden, cook, or work with medicine. Whatever their talent is, they move into that area of skill by the time they’re older teenagers.”

Cyrus uses his hand to pick up half of a potato from his plate and eats it. I go for the meat first and moan after the first bite.

“Oh, my goodness, this is delicious.”

“Better than mainland food, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s nice to eat fresh food that’s not packed with preservatives and chemicals.”

“I agree. Nothing beats fresh food from a garden or woods, right to these reusable plates.”

“I like it here. The way of life is peaceful, generous, and social.”

Cyrus watches the children near us chase one another, his mouth curling.

“It’s a stark contrast from my lecture hall of detached young adults hunched over their phones.”

“I’m sure. That is the only thing I struggle with here, not being able to communicate with my mom or Rachel.”

“I have an idea about that.”

“What is it?”

“We can spell three mirrors and link them. Anytime you want to reach out to your mom or Rachel, you cast the spell, then you’ll appear in their mirror, and they will appear in yours, kind of like video chat calls.”

“I love the idea! We can use the mirrors at the same time every week, so they know when to be at their mirror. Do you mind if we head back home and work on it?”

“Not at all.”

After clearing our plates, we leave them at the tent that collects them to be cleaned. It amazes me how the Fae think of everything here. Taking my hand, Cyrus leads the way back to our house. We’re the only ones to have returned. It’s quiet when we enter, and Cyrus and I use the advantage to focus on our project. In the magic room, I set out spell books and look over the herbs.

“We’ll have to portal to a store for the mirrors.”

“I’ll go,” Cyrus insists. “It won’t take me long.”

“All right. Pick out pretty ones.”

“Of course, gorgeous. Would you expect anything less of me?”

With a grin, I walk up to him and curl my fingers around the fabric of his shirt to pull him closer.

“Not with you. You pay attention and know what everyone likes. You’re thoughtful like that.” Our lips touch and the warmth of our love spreads through me. “Be safe. I love you.”

“I will.” With the wave of his hand, a portal emerges. Stepping through it, he and the glowing silver circle disappear.

At the countertop, I set out ingredients I’m nearly certain will work for the spell. As I place the last of them on the counter, I hear the front door open and close. Opening the magic room door, I peek my head out. Griffin sees me and joins me in the room.

“What are you working on?”

Moving a stool out from under the countertop, Griffin perches himself on it.

“Cyrus and I are spelling three mirrors so I can communicate with my mom and Rachel.”

“That’s creative.”

Double-checking a spell book, I run my finger below the words, then put several herbs into a bowl.

“Cyrus’s brilliant idea.”

“Of course,” Griffin smiles.

“Did you eat dinner?”

“I did after I left Emeric at Cadmar’s tent. He wanted to remain there. He’s quite attached to the sword.”

“That’s understandable. It’s the only thing he has of his mother that I know of.”

Leaning on the counter, Griffin watches me with interest.

“You’re right, it is.”

As I add crushed and sand-like kyanite stone into the bowl, I force my air energy to the bowl and watch with excitement as the ingredients blend together, forming a shimmering powder.

“I think it worked!”

Griffin leans forward, looking inside the bowl, and grins.

“Your skills have grown immensely since the first day I brought you here. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you.” Stepping closer, I kiss him. “That means a lot to me.”

Placing a few strands behind my ear, he admires me, his gaze holding mine. “We’re