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

cushion and places his arm on the back of the couch. The way he sits is so inviting. There’s a part of me that wonders what it would be like to crawl into his lap and snuggle in his arms. Would he be warm and affectionate?

“How did you meet Cyrus?”

“At university.”

“You went to school together? There’s a supernatural school?”

Griffin’s smile tilts his lips. “There is. It’s completely hidden from humans with magic. As most magic is.”

“Why? There are so many humans who would love to know there’s magic and to live among supernaturals.”

The expression on his face morphs into grief or maybe frustration. Seeing his lips flatten into a tight line and his eyes dull causes a reaction in me. I’m beginning to care about this man, this Fae.

“But not all humans feel that way. For centuries, there have been humans who have hunted supernaturals into extinction. To them, we are abominations or demons. The only way we could stay alive was to go into hiding, permanently. The world had to believe we had truly gone extinct, and eventually, we became mere fairytales. There is still one organization that remains and believes supernaturals are still alive, and they will never give up searching for us. They’re called the Holy Accolades. They’ve had different names throughout history, but always the same agenda—find and terminate.”

“Have you ever met this group, the Holy Accolades?”

Sadness fills his eyes, and the corners of his mouth turn down.

“Yes. I have, but that’s a story for another day.”

Scooting closer, I touch my fingertips to his and revel in the feel of his essence, creating that warm tingling sensation in me. Griffin watches me, a smile forming.

“Why does your essence make me feel this way?”

“Because you’re mine.”

I pull my fingers back, and he sighs.

“Things are going to happen fast, Selene. I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

“I… I don’t know. Why did you want to take me into the woods?”

“To see the Fae woods for yourself. There would be no denying magic if you went in there.”

“Will you take me? I’d like to see.”

That question perks him up.

“Grab your shoes.”

Once again, I follow him down the sandy path toward the woods behind his house. There’s nothing special or unique about them. It appears I’m about to enter a thickly wooded forest on an island. That is until we pass through an arch covered in vines and yellow flowers, and the forest changes into something out of one of my paintings. There are massive trees, big enough for a house to be inside the trunk, and that’s exactly what I see in some of them. At the center of the wooded circle is a market square. There are winged creatures, pointed ear creatures who look human like Griffin, and a few snarly creatures who look like trolls. All of them are in the square, shopping, enjoying the music playing from a small band, or having picnics. Others are dancing, drinking, and chatting.

Flowers, bright and large, explode out of vining plants wrapped around trees, and in the distance, birds chirp and sing. A few wild animals are at the edge of the woods, with more below them, drinking from a pond. It’s a fairy wonderland—exquisite, beautiful, and sparkling with life and color. I’m in awe of its magnificence and frightened how similar it is to things I’ve painted.

“Griffin, I… I think I’ve dreamed of this place.”

“You have. I saw it in your paintings.”

“How is that possible?”

“I don’t know, love, but I knew you were undoubtedly her when I saw your paintings.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like I said, you’re the one who will help us.”

Griffin takes my hand, and I let him lead me into the market square. Many Fae creatures watch us with curiosity. My gaze lingers over everything, taking in the details of this extraordinary place. At a wood-and-cloth tent stand, Griffin hands me a piece of exotic fruit I can’t identify, but I try it, anyway. Biting into the round green fruit, the juice dribbles down my mouth. I wipe my hand over my lips and indulge in the delicious flavor.

“What is it?”

“Devotion fruit.”

“Hmm?” My chewing slows.

“You’re not going to be suddenly devoted to me. It’s like passionfruit. You’re familiar with that, right?”

“Yes,” I get out between bites.

A woman with little tan horns sticking out of her head and flowing golden blond hair approaches Griffin and caresses his arm as though she’s quite familiar with him.

“Hey, gorgeous, how’d you get a witch in here?”

Griffin gives a side hug to the pretty, pointy-eared woman, and a twinge of jealousy hits me square in the chest.

“Cyrus.”

“How is that handsome creature doing?”

“Good, he’ll be here tomorrow.”

Horn girl puts out a hand, not for me to shake, but as though I should take it and kiss it. My brow arches as I shake my head. Horn girl looks at me with a grimace as if I’m rude.

“Haven, she doesn’t know our culture. She grew up human.”

“Oh,” she snarls. “How unfortunate.”

“How did you know I’m a… witch?”

“I can smell it on you. You reek of old magic. Druid magic.”

My mouth gapes.

“You know your own magic, don’t you?” Her hazel-green eyes narrow on me with scrutiny.

“I’m learning.” That’s sort of true.

“Ah, well, Griffin the golden will be an excellent teacher.”

Haven caresses Griffin’s shoulder again as she departs.

“You’ve slept with horn girl, haven’t you?”

Griffin’s cheeks flush.

“Yeah, that confirms it. So, why not enter into a relationship with her? She’s clearly into you.”

“She’s not the one for me.”

Griffin’s eyes linger on me as his hand takes mine again and stirs his essence, stimulating my hand and spreading into the rest of my body. Makes me wonder what it would be like to have him inside me, with that essence all around us, consuming me, enhancing the pleasure I already feel from him. Jeez, why am I suddenly so horny? Probably the damn devotion fruit.

“Where are we going?”

Griffin seems as though he’s on a mission. When we stop outside one of the tree homes, I