Page 47 of Secrets & Curses of Cerithia

“How did he visit her if he was dead?”

“Mates can visit dreams, even if one is dead, as long as the other is waiting for them before moving on to the next life.”

Cassius had said he met my mother. Did that mean she saw him in her visions too? If she had seen the horrors he would do to me, then why didn’t she kill him to change my fate?

“Bayla always told me when she had a dream about you, but never the details. I think she feared for my safety. That is why she wrote a letter and said you would come to me in the future, and I must give it to you.”

“So how do we get to the letter?” I asked.

“You break me out of this cage, and I can handle the rest,” she smiled. I nodded as I scanned the woman with my magic once more for danger. My darkness wasn’t alert to anything, so I used my fire magic to melt the locks off. The door popped open, and Rosaline smiled as she scuddled out.

“You might feel queasy,” she warned as she lifted her arms, and a white light appeared in her hands. Rosaline grabbed the ball of light and stretched it wide enough to step through before dragging me into it with her. A moment later, we appeared to be in a bookstore.

She was right; I did feel queasy. My stomach rolled, and I closed my eyes tightly, trying not to hurl all over her store. Rosaline reached out to help steady me.

“This happens all the time to others who travel by light. There is nothing to worry about; it will pass.” She patted my hand softly. I nodded as my darkness crept from me and absorbed some of her magic for us. This would come in handy.

“Did the enchantment stop you from using your magic to break free?” I asked, trying to distract myself.

“No, it was only used to keep anyone from finding me. They had a witch come and put a magic shielding spell on me.”

“Are you a witch?” I asked, unable to tell. I opened my eyes as my stomach settled. She turned to me and lifted her white hair to reveal her pointed fae ears.

“No.”

My head spun as I glanced around the dimly lit room, stepping in slow circles to take everything in. My fingers brushed the old leather-bound books as I passed by the shelves, leaving dust behind. I was sure these books had not been touched in years and found it… charming. I liked the thought of something untouched by the cruel realm of reality.

“Come.”

She led me through fancy velvet drapes behind the counter and down a short hall until we reached an iron door. Her wrinkly hand grabbed a singular key from her pocket. The top of it having a skull on the top of it.

A sense of lightness flowed through me as I eagerly followed Rosaline. I wanted to learn anything new. I followed her in after a small light sprang to life and illuminated the space. It was cold and smelled of an unpleasant wetness.

Rosaline picked up a small, blood-red box and struggled to pop it open.

“I loved your mother as if she were my own daughter. I wish she and Killian were still here, but I like to think they are in the next life together. It brings me comfort. Now that you are getting closer to breaking the curse, I will always have a part of her through you too.” She smiled as she handed me an envelope.

“Bayla tried to protect you from your father, but she couldn’t.”

“My father?”

Rosaline squeezed my hand with sadness painted in her eyes.

“Read the letter. I will be back when you’re done.”

Before I could say anything, the woman seemed to disappear before my eyes. I glanced around the small, dingy space before opening the letter gently. My heart pounded at the thought of what I would learn from my mother. What was so important that she had to write it for me?

Slowly, I unfolded the pages.

My dearest Thea,

Writing this letter is so painful, knowing that if you read it, I will be long gone. The thought of not seeing you grow into a powerful woman makes my heart physically ache. As I write this, you are picking flowers in the garden, and I watch you in wonder. You are everything that I could wish for—smart, brave, kind, and powerful.

I hope that you forgive me for what I confess to you in this letter and know that I did everything for you. I love you more than anything, but sometimes love brings us to do things that we do not wish to.

I am sorry that I caused your life to be hard. It is my fault that when you are older, you will die for the choices I made. I have sealed your fate to be so difficult. When my mate, Killian, died, I was so lost in grief. But I knew I needed an heir to make sure the blood witches continued. The thought made me sick,but your father approached me, and he was so kind. Trusting him is what gave me you, and I will forever be grateful, but it was the start of my own downfall.

I had visions of Elloryon being destroyed as soon as I fell pregnant with you. I went to the gods with the vision, and we made a bargain. A bargain that I now wish I wouldn’t have made because it was the start of your downfall as well.

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