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

night outside of this vision or dream.

“I know, I can hear them, but I’m not ready to go back. I have more questions.”

The burgundy red dress, billowing out around her ankles, lifts in the warm breeze as she nods in understanding.

“Those supernatural men love you dearly.”

“I love them just as much.”

Effervescent blue eyes close momentarily, and her brows furrow as if she’s remembering something.

“Hold on to that, Selene. It will get you through the most difficult hardships.”

“It sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”

“I am. Evil is always out there, waiting, wanting, planning. Keeping your loved ones close and your magic strong will help you defeat any adversary.”

“Will the devil come for us now that the curse is broken?”

“Yes, he will. He’ll want your power, just like he wanted mine. He’ll want to exploit it, to use in his own malicious schemes.”

“How do I stop him?”

“Destroy all gateways he’s created. Bind him to hell.”

“How?”

“You can’t do it alone. You’ll need the strength of bonded magic.”

There’s an unexpected energy pull at my core, and I grimace from the pressure. Cataleya’s spectral head tilts to the side as she studies me.

“Your mate is fearful for you. He’s trying to reach you.”

Closing my eyes, I attempt to communicate through the same energy tugging at me.

I’m all right. I’m safe.

The pressure releases and I release a breath in relief.

“His magic is strong, stronger than he realizes.” Cataleya smiles. “All of your magic is stronger than each of you know.”

“Ancor said I haven’t come close to reaching my full potential.”

“It’s true. You haven’t.” Blue eyes sparkle with knowledge I have yet to learn. “You’re a daughter of druid magic. My blood is your blood.” She raises a ghostly hand and points at everything around us. “You and I are as connected as you are to the world around you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Through every birth, we pass on parts of our magic to the next child of magic. In you, lies a part of your mother, your grandmother, and so on.”

Worry tightens my chest as my palm covers my belly.

“You worry for your unborn child.”

“Yes. I’m scared of fighting the devil. I’m afraid he’ll somehow kill any one of the men I love or hurt me or my child.”

“You’re strong, Selene, as a woman, a druid witch, and as a mother. I know you’ll prevail against evil.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you’re the daughter of my magic, the daughter of my blood.” Her solidity fades in and out, her body no longer as defined. “Our time is running out.”

“What do I do now that the curse is broken?”

Outstretching her arm, it’s as if she wants to touch me. I reach out my hand, but when I meet hers, it slides right through her ghostly form.

“Live, Selene. Live.”

Cataleya’s body fades into air, her form completely gone. I close my eyes, prepared to wake in my bed, but nothing changes. The sweet aroma of the flowers around me still reaches my nostrils. I touch the large leaves of the bushes, and that’s when I see him—my father. Emerging into a nearly solid form, he stands before me, a bright smile below his similar blue eyes. He’s dressed in the last outfit I remember him wearing, a black polo and dark gray pants.

“My little fairy painter, you’ve grown into a beautiful woman.”

Tears well in my eyes as I stare at him. I could never bring myself to ask Ancor how he knew my father’s nickname for me, the memories too painful. I always assumed Ancor saw the images. I didn’t mind him using my father’s nickname. It brought a little of him back to me.

“I’ve missed you so much.”

“I know, my sweet girl. I’ve missed you too.”

Tears trickle down my cheeks, and he extends a hand to wipe them away, but his hand loses form, unable to. With sad eyes, he frowns, then his attention lowers to my belly, and he smiles.

“I’m going to be a grandfather.”

“You are.” Heartache tightens my chest, wishing so much he could be a part of my child’s life. “I’m scared, Dad.”

“It’s okay to be afraid. Fear reminds you, you’re alive. It helps you prepare for challenges, and my little girl has never been afraid of conquering challenges.”

A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. “You’re right.” I wipe my face. “I wish Mom could be here to see you.”

“I visit her sometimes.”

“You do?”

“In her dreams. She invites me in, and I walk in her dreams, talking with her, reminding her how much I love her.”

“How?”

“Your mother tried to avoid magic, but it’s still alive in her.”

“I always wanted to have magic like the beautiful stories you told me. Now I do.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when you were young. I thought we had more time.”

“It’s okay. Everything worked out. I have the love of five incredible, supernatural men.”

“I’m aware,” he smirks.

“Weird, isn’t it?”

“It’s all a matter of perspective.”

“I love them.”

“I know, and they love you, which I’m grateful for.”

“It makes me feel so good to hear you say that.”

“Would you like to know a secret, fairy painter?” My father’s mischievous grin splits his lips.

“Yes,” I squeal. He used to ask me the same question when I was little. I loved the feeling I was so important to my dad, he’d tell me his treasured secrets. Now, I know the secrets weren’t fairytales—they were real. “What?”

He points to my belly. “I’ll have a grandson soon.”

I suck in a breath. “Really?”

“Yes, I’m certain.”

“A boy.” More tears stream down my face. “I’m having a boy! Whose child is it?”

My dad’s chest rises and falls as he laughs. “I can’t share all my secrets at once.”

My heart fills with affectionate memories. It’s the same thing he’d say when I begged him for more secrets and stories.

“Will I have more children?”

“What will be, will be, my sweet girl. Don’t be so eager for the future that you forget to live in the present.”

“Ancor said the same thing—what will be, will be.”

“Ancor is a wise and magically gifted man,