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

removes his jewelry, then his pants, leaving them there.

“You joining us, Cyrus?” Emeric’s not at all shy about his nudity.

Griffin lowers the book he’s reading.

“There’s not enough room on the bed. We can create one there.” He points near the open space by the fire.

“I’m good with that.”

I take Cyrus’s hand and lead him farther into the room. Lifting my shirt off, I leave it and my shorts on the lounge chair. Cyrus decides to stay, removing his pants and leaving them next to my clothes. The night air is warm, the fire isn’t needed yet, but it gives off ambient light and makes the bedroom romantic.

The three of them go downstairs to gather more blankets and pillows. When they return, I stay snuggled in Griffin’s bed as they create a fluffy bed with an array of pillows on the floor. Emeric is the first to find a spot, stretching his wings out just like he does his arms, yawns, then folds his beautiful red and white wings against his back. Waving me over, I snuggle up to him as Griffin and Cyrus find a comfortable spot on the other side of me.

“This might be uncomfortable for the three of you to sleep this way, but I really like having all of you with me.”

“Babe, we all want to be near you.”

“We’d rather see each other naked than sleep alone, love.”

Griffin leans in and kisses me as I lie in Emeric’s arms. This is bliss—pure bliss. I curl into Emeric’s warm chest and let sleep take over.

Flames burn with a violent rage, lifting toward the dark, ashen sky. Stepping out of the flames with clawed feet and leathery skin, he stalks toward me. His red-flamed eyes bear down on me as I release my magic, holding him back. Black-and-red wings tear out from his back, and he lifts into the air. Roaring down like an angry dragon, he slams onto the ground. It shakes beneath his sheer force, and I’m thrown back, my magic fading from my hands as I slam onto something hard. He raises his hands, flames surging around me. I release my magic, and he laughs—a guttural, savage laugh.

“You’re no match for me, little witch. I will destroy you.”

Rising, I inhale sharply, fear trembling my limbs. Griffin pulls me to his chest, stroking my hair and back.

“The flask, Emeric. Get it.”

Emeric disappears downstairs.

“What is it?” Cyrus asks with concern. He comes to my other side, caressing my face. “Are you all right? You’re pale.”

“It’s the vision Ancor showed her. He said it would cause nightmares.”

“It was real, Griffin. It was real.” Tears stream down my face, and Cyrus wipes them away.

Emeric comes back and hands me the flask. “Drink this.”

Taking it from his hand, I gulp down the sour liquid. Within seconds, my nerves settle, and the memory of the dream fades. My shoulders relax, but Griffin doesn’t release me. He kisses my head and runs his hand through my hair.

“How do you feel?”

“Better.” Setting down the empty flask, I pull a blanket over me and Griffin. “I don’t think that was a nightmare. It felt real… like I was having a vision.”

“It wasn’t, I promise. The vision Ancor showed you was traumatizing because you’re a seer, you’re sensitive to visions like the one you saw. He knew you would have nightmares; it’s why he gave me the flask.”

“I don’t know. I’m not convinced it wasn’t a vision.”

Emeric lifts my arm, his essence swirling in the palm of his other hand. Tracing it over the feathers branded on my arm, he creates soothing heat that travels from my arm into the rest of my body. I snuggle into Griffin as Emeric continues to trace over my tattooed feathers. Cyrus caresses a hand over my forehead and mutters a spell. Sleep comes heavily, lowering my lids, and I drift off to the touch of their comforting hands on my body.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

SELENE

When I wake, Cyrus is carrying a tray of hot tea, muffins, and fruit into Griffin’s bedroom, still in his briefs. The warm sun’s rays indicate its late morning. I lower the blanket as Cyrus sets the tray on the stone edge of the firepit and hands me a cup of tea.

“Thank you. This is nice.” I take a sip, savoring the peach flavor. “Where are Griffin and Emeric?”

“Emeric is meeting with another supernatural, then taking care of guardian duties. Griffin is running on the beach. Do you remember waking up last night?”

“Yeah, I remember I had a bad dream,”—I set the teacup down and gather a blueberry muffin— “but I don’t remember what it was about. I hope I didn’t worry you guys too much.”

Cyrus smiles, brightening the warm hazel eyes behind his glasses.

“Nothing we couldn’t handle.”

“Great. Are we doing more magic lessons today?”

“Not until later this evening. I have two classes I need to teach, then I’ll return for our lessons.”

“What is today?” I look around the bedroom for a clock. “I don’t know where my phone is or what day it is. Does Griffin not have clocks in this house?”

“It’s Friday, and no, he doesn’t.”

“It’s Friday? Shit, I need to go home.” Setting down my half-eaten muffin, I gather my clothes. “I have an art show tomorrow. At least, I hope it’s still happening.”

Cyrus finishes off his tea, then comes over to me, taking my hand in his.

“Selene, I have something for you.”

With my shorts on and my t-shirt dangling over my arm, I stop to watch Cyrus reach down and take something out of his pants pocket.

“I made this for you.”

He gifts me a sparkling silver chain with a triangular pendant with a horizontal line near the top point. It’s unique and pretty. I already love it.

“It’s the symbol of the air element, and it’s charmed. You’ll be able to portal whenever, wherever.”

“Thank you.” Taking it from his hand, I hold it in mine as I hug him. “This means a lot to me.”

I lean back to kiss him,