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

Many dancers are twirling their skirts and stomping their boots. Griffin takes hold of my hands, begins stomping his foot, then releases one hand and twirls me. The rhythm of their music thrums through my body, and my smile widens as I mimic Griffin’s moves. The ale is warming my body, relaxing my muscles, and furthering my joy of the soiree.

Griffin swings me out, pulls me back in, swirls me again, pulls me into his arms, and kisses me. I’m lost in the heart-thumping music and the aroma of his sand-and-saltwater scent, my limbs loose, and my mind free. I deepen the kiss, and Griffin’s hands grip my ass, pulling me tight against him as he moans into my mouth. With his hand at the nape of my neck, he holds me close as his lips trail warm kisses across my skin to my neck, where he feathers his lips along my ear.

“I’ve never desired anything so much in my life.”

“Why me?” I whisper.

“I don’t know, but now that I’ve found you, I’m never letting go.”

Griffin places his hand on my back, twirling us together, my long, dark hair fanning out around us. His essence encircles us, cocooning us in a swirl of oceanic colors. My hands tingle beneath us but with more pressure than I usually feel with his essence. My palms are sweaty, roasting with heat. A bright turquoise glow emits from my hands, swirling with an ethereal glow similar to Griffin’s essence. Griffin keeps spinning us, and my surroundings blur. Pinching my eyes closed, I let whatever I’m feeling, whatever I’m doing, be released. A pulse of pressure escapes from my hands, and I’m thrown back, landing hard on my ass. My eyes flip open to see Griffin has been knocked back, too. The music slows, and the band members lower their instruments as dancers come to a stop, watching me with interest.

Griffin’s lips turn up, and I breathe a breath of relief I didn’t do something wrong. He’s quick to his feet, moving to me with unnatural speed. He’s at my side, reaching a hand out and placing one behind my back.

“It’s okay. You’re all right.”

“Did I hurt anyone?”

“No, not at all.”

I take his help to stand.

“What was that?”

“Your magic has been dormant for a long time. You’ll learn to control it. Let’s take a walk.” Griffin gives a smile and wave to the band and dancers. “She’s all right.” The music starts back up as we walk hand-in-hand back toward his house.

“This has been a strange day.”

“I’m relieved you finally believe me. You worried me for a while.”

“Are you kidding?” Pushing my hair behind my ears, I laugh. “I thought you were a psychopath with everything you were saying to me.”

“Now, I understand why. You don’t know anything about your ancestry.”

“Will you help me understand?”

“That’s why I brought you here. You need time in a safe place to explore your magic.”

“What do you mean, I need a safe place?”

Griffin stops along the path to his house and plucks a flower from a vine. The large, pink petals sparkle with dust that coats my skin as he tucks the flower behind my ear.

“Don’t worry about that yet. I promised you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, and I won’t… ever.”

“How is it you care so much for me, yet barely know me?”

“I know how valuable you are and what you are to me.”

I stop along the dimming path, the sun dropping below the horizon, its pink and orange glow disappearing.

“What am I to you?”

Griffin’s hand caresses my cheek, his liquid eyes shimmering as he looks at me with adoration.

“You’re the woman I’ll love for the rest of my life.”

CHAPTER FIVE

SELENE

Griffin reveals the mystery of what is on the rooftop of his house. The door at the top of the stairwell opens to a rooftop bedroom. In the center is a stone firepit with orange flames licking the sky. To the right of the firepit is a canopy bed made of wood with branches as the canopy top. A few sheer cream sheets romantically dangle from the branches. The blanket and pillows are the same cream color and appear as soft as feathers.

On the opposite side is a broad white chaise lounge with the legs and base made of wood. Next to it, a table with several books haphazardly stacked on it. In the far corner, a two-seat wooden table overlooks the ocean. With my hand in his, he leads me past the fire to the chaise lounge chair. Settling in, he pulls me onto it with him, putting an arm around me.

“This is beautiful and relaxing up here. Is this where you sleep?”

“It is. I don’t like being confined indoors for very long.”

“Then why the beach house?”

“My friends and I use it, and I wanted it to be modern for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes, for you.”

His hand caresses through my hair as he kisses my head.

“How long have you known I exist?”

“Several years. Ancor was the first one to see the prophecy. Later, I began seeing the same images.”

“When you see things, are you dreaming?”

“Most of the time, that’s how it works for me. Ancor has honed his skills and can see images without dreaming.”

“Is it possible I’m a seer since I dreamed of this place?”

“It is, yes.”

“What do you know about my ancestry?”

My fingers slip inside Griffin’s shirt, making circles along his chest. As I do, he kisses my head again, his lips lingering and creating the familiar tingling warmth.

“Druid magic is old magic. It has the ability to harness all the elements.”

“Like earth, air, fire, and water?”

“Yes, and blood. Blood is the fifth element.”

“I’ve never heard that before.”

“Every creature has blood running through them. There is no life without blood.”

“How does a druid witch harness blood?”

“With blood magic. It’s the most powerful of all magic, but also the most dangerous.” Griffin raises his hand, a swirl of glowing blue essence circling in his palm. “Blood magic can harm the wielder or drive