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

“I never want to lose you. You have my heart and losing you would break me.”

Sitting up, he places his hands on my face as I sit up with him.

“Baby, you’ll never lose me. I’d go to the ends of the earth, walk through any hell dimension, fight any being to protect you, and I have zero interest in any other woman. You fucking complete me.”

Our lips meet, and neither of us releases for air. The emotion and energy pushing and pulling between us are like magnets sealing to one another. When we come apart, my body is flush with arousal and love. Emeric’s crimson-tinged eyes linger over mine, staring at me with a depth of emotion deeper than any ocean.

“I’d like to give you wings.”

My confused expression leads him to continue.

“Turn around, baby. I want to give you wings.”

Excitement jumpstarts my movements. I turn around, my bare back facing him. He moves my hair off my shoulder, the strands falling over my chest.

“It will hurt.” He caresses his hands over my back, massaging my muscles. “But I know you can handle it.”

“It’s worth it. I want them. I’ll feel even more connected to you.”

“That’s why I want to do it, and you’ll be so beautiful with them.” He puts his chest to my back, caressing over my arms and chest, creating pleasured bumps along my skin. Kissing my cheek, he separates from me. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Emeric reaches his right hand outward, and a circular flame emerges in the earth around us. It blazes high enough someone would struggle to walk through it, but far enough away, I’m not burning up from its proximity.

“What’s that for?”

“In case they hear you cry out.”

Emeric’s fiery touch contacts my skin, and the searing heat shocks my body, my groan loud as I clench the dirt beneath me. Sweat dampens my skin as I grimace through the excruciating pain.

“One wing is done, baby… almost finished.”

The burning heat cutting into my flesh begins on the right side. Emeric takes my hand as he brands the new tattoo into my skin. Clenching my teeth, I cry out. Growling comes from our right, and I whip my head in the direction of Killian just outside the flames.

“What are you doing to her?” Eyes ablaze with bronze-gold, his claws extend from his hands.

“He’s giving… me… a tattoo,” I mutter.

The last of the tattoo is branded into my skin, and I breathe a breath of relief. Falling into Emeric’s arms, I wait for the pain to settle. The flames around us simmer down to a darkened ash in the dirt.

Killian erupts from the outside of the flames, fury in his eyes, his gaze intent on Emeric.

“It’s okay, Killian. I wanted him to.”

“It’s going to take me a minute. My wolf wants to rip him to shreds. We thought he was hurting you.”

“Are you fucking joking? You thought I’d actually hurt her?” Emeric’s tone is just as angry as Killian’s.

Shit.

“Isn’t that what you just fucking did?”

“Would you be losing your shit right now if she’d got a tattoo with a tattoo artist?”

“Maybe, fuck, I don’t know. Take your hands off her.”

Killian pulls me into his arms, protectively wrapping them around me. Emeric curses under his breath, grabbing his jeans.

“Calm the fuck down, wolf. This was our time together. You didn’t need to come bursting in, thinking you’re a hero. She’s safe with me. I’d never hurt her. You should know that by now.”

“Stop, both of you, please.” I withdraw from Killian and grab my clothes to dress. “Killian, I wanted the tattoo, and Emeric wouldn’t hurt me. Emeric, please cut him some slack. His wolf gets fiercely protective.”

Emeric and Killian square off, their chests expanding, their gazes sharply focused on the other.

“You know what, forget it. If you want to fight it out, fine! Maybe you both need to unleash some testosterone. I’m going back to the house.”

I don’t look back. It would only hurt me to. I hear fists contacting skin but keep walking farther into the woods. It’s not long before I hear growling and grunting, the sounds heart-wrenching.

CHAPTER FIVE

SELENE

Phoenix’s pale-blue eyes emerge out of the shadows, his silhouette departing from the darkness of the trees and appearing in the evening light. The light cast on his face accentuates the dangerous, handsome man standing in front of me.

“You shouldn’t walk alone with predators lurking in the woods.”

“You’re the worst of them all, so I should be safe if you escort me.”

Phoenix quirks a smile.

“Trouble in paradise?” Joining my side, he walks in step with me.

“They have their moments.”

“You’re quite upset. I can hear it in your elevated heartbeat.”

“I am upset. I don’t want them to fight, but I also get they’re not always going to get along. Not when they’re sharing me.” I glance at him, gauging his reaction. Tilting his head to the side, he clicks his tongue in cheek.

“It’s very difficult having to accept sharing you. You’re special, Selene. Each of us wants a special bond with you.” His hand grazes mine, and my heart skips a beat.

“I know. Each of you tell me so.” My fingers slide between his, and he gives me a sideways glance, the corner of his mouth upturned.

“How well can you see in the darkness?”

“Nearly as well as day.”

“Can you lead me back to the house? I could portal, but I’d rather walk with you.”

“Yes, I’ll lead you. I’d like this time with you.”

“No biting, though.”

Phoenix drops his head, a chuckle slipping from his lips. “Deal.”

We continue on in silence, our feet crunching dry leaves.

“What can you hear and smell around us?”

“Every animal moving around us, every leaf and branch moving in the breeze, the scents animals have left behind, the smell of your hair, the scent of sex between your legs, and the burnt flesh on your back.”

“So, literally everything?”

“Yes.” Phoenix stops us, turning me to face him with our joined hands. “I can help you heal faster.”

“How?”

“By drinking my blood.”

My nose scrunches. “I have tasted blood