Unbound: The Cursed Trilogy, Book One by Betty Legend (small books to read .txt) 📕

assume we’ve arrived. An aged exterior wall and porch are tucked into one of the massive trees. The front door has a carved wooden handle, and all around the little porch, trinkets dangle from strings. A breeze passes through and jingles the trinkets, making a pretty cacophony of sounds.

“Bring her in,” a voice calls from inside.

Griffin leads me into what looks like a one or two-bedroom cabin. In the living room and kitchen combo is an old man with long white hair, a black button-down shirt, flowered blue shorts, and worn-out black flip flops. It’s an unusual sight as if the man wakes up and throws on whatever he wants without thinking about it. I already like that about him. He’s standing over a small wooden table, a black glazed bowl in the center with a bluish-white mist coming out of it.

“Selene, this is Ancor. He’s our Seer and was also my tutor.”

“Are you a seer, too?”

Griffin nods. “I am. It’s how I discovered you.”

“Sit,” is all Ancor says in his raspy voice. His eyes don’t make contact with me, but as I sit in one of the wooden chairs, I notice his solid black eyes.

“Your magic is faint but incredibly strong, fairy painter.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s quiet, like a trickle of a creek in the forest, but once you release it, it will flow like the force of a powerful, raging river.”

“How do I let it out?”

“This drink will awaken it and allow Griffin’s essence to call to it.”

Ancor gathers a small, black cup from his cupboard. Once it’s full of the misty liquid, he hands it to me.

“Drink, fairy painter. Don’t be afraid of what you are.”

Gathering the cup, I look between these two strange men. If this is all a dream, part of me hopes I don’t wake up. This world is far more interesting than the one I know.

I put the cup to my lips and swallow down the sweet-flavored liquid. I expect something extravagant to happen, but I don’t feel any different except for an ache in my stomach as if I ate too much food or something that doesn’t agree with me. I sit there, both of them watching me with interest. My fingertip twitches, then another, and Ancor’s lips curl.

“She’s awakening.”

There’s a strange sensation in my hands, and I look at them, seeing a hint of an electric blue glow, but it’s gone just as quickly as it came.

“What should I expect to happen?”

“Not much right now,” Griffin shares. “But now that your magic has been awakened, we’ll work on calling to it, then teach you to harness it.”

This was anticlimactic. I drink a sweet potion, and now I’m magical. Seriously, what have I got myself into? I’m probably doped up on shrooms Griffin put in my food, rolling around on the floor, imagining all of this.

“You’re not imagining any of this, fairy painter. Your magic wants you here. It’s why you’ve dreamed of it.”

“Can you read minds?”

“Images and emotions. You’re expressive of both. Perhaps you should try enjoying Mordeeves Island. You may find it’s more familiar to you than your home.” Ancor walks out of the room without as much as a farewell.

“He’s right.” Griffin takes my hand once more. “You should enjoy the island tonight. Explore everything, but Selene, don’t leave my side. You’re vulnerable until you know your magic.”

“All right. I admit I’d like to see and experience more.”

Griffin raises my hand and kisses it, the gesture stirring those butterflies into a frenzy.

“I’m glad that’s how you feel.”

I’m led out of Ancor’s home back into the Fae forest. I have so many more questions but don’t want to drive Griffin crazy with them, so I begin with the one I want to know the most.

“Will you show me your magic?”

“I promise I will, but I’m not sure you’re ready for it.” He looks at my pouty lips and leans in to kiss me on the cheek. “How about we have a drink and dance?”

“Sounds fun.”

We wind our way back to the market square where the band is playing. Another wood-and-cloth tent is near the band. A different horned woman, this one with dark brown curling horns, is serving drinks at the tent. As we approach, she smiles, and her pointy ears move like Griffin’s. Curiosity is in her brown eyes. She probably can scent I’m a druid witch as Haven did. Wait a minute, did I really just think that? I suppose it is time to believe in everything I’m seeing, and Griffin is telling me. Which leads me to so many more questions.

“Enjoy the musical soiree.”

Taking the glazed wooden cups handed to us, I sniff mine. It’s scented like a fruity ale. With my first sip comes a new burst of flavor, blackberry and something woodsy. It’s strong but tasty. Griffin takes several gulps, empties his cup, and sets it back down on the wooden table. Assuming I should do the same, I set my empty glass on the wooden table and receive a polite smile from the horned woman.

“I’m so pleased you like it.”

Griffin winks at me and takes my hand, directing me toward the band.

“Drinking it in one go is a compliment to the maker of the ale. That was nice of you.”

“Is everything free and handmade here?”

“Yes. Everything is free, and nothing is wasted. We live off the land.”

“What about your house and the modern clothes?”

“I bring luxuries from the mainland. Fellow Fae helped me build the house.”

“How did you get the materials here? Never mind, Cyrus’s portal?”

“Yes.”

“Is Cyrus your best friend?”

“He is. He has no family left of his own and comes here often.”

“What does he do on the mainland?”

“He’s a professor.”

“How about you?”

“I own a beach resort on the mainland.”

“This is incredible. How often do you come here?”

“Once a month. My magic is stronger here.”

I want to ask more, but the band has left the stage, joining the crowd of dancers. They carry instruments made of wood and strings, their music uplifting and fast-paced.