Page 50 of Cursed

“So you enjoy watching them?” Landis asks. “Is that what you want?”

“They are beautiful,” I whisper. “It’s the love I can feel. Can you sense it too?”

“I can.”

Arden rumbles in my ear. “As much as I want you for my own, the nature of true mating covens is that we can share in our mutual love. You’re obviously our nexus… our center. But from what I know about mated covens, love flows freely. So Branden and Rourke’s relationshipwouldn’tbe out of bounds. Or if Landis found another of our coven to be with.”

Through our bond, I don’t sense my druid has a desire for the other males. He doesn’t mind a stray touch. And he quite enjoys watching as they pleasure me, but his focus primarily resides with me.

Landis leans in and kisses me, diving his tongue between my parted lips.“I appreciate you wanting to make sure I’m happy. However, you are all I need.”

“But will you tell me if you need more?”

“I need more of you,” he says aloud. His shadows creep up my legs and tickle the needy spot between them.

Three flower faeries fly up, and shadowcock block me.

Quade sees them approach and joins us.

Tavi announces, “Sparkle Mage, before we remove the bubble, we’d like to honor you.”

“Me?” I ask, but I get up as she waves me to the center of the circle.

When I stand where she indicates, one by one, faeries drop a flower, their personal sacred plant, at my feet. A small circle of petal offerings surrounds me within minutes. Hundreds of, if not a thousand, faeries honor me with a gift of their essence. I have no idea what it means, but I know this must be a rare thing. And internally, I’m freaking out a bit, trying to keep calm.

Landis whispers in my mind.“Hollis says they are making you an honorary faerie. Accepting you into their tribe. All the flower clans are represented.”

Tears form in my eyes because until recently with my mates, I’ve never been included or accepted. I’ve been the perpetual outsider. When it appears the ceremonial circle has been completed, I let the tears of joy flow down my cheeks as I nod to all the faeries.

“Thank you, Sparkle Mage, for blessing us with your presence. You will always have the loyalty and assistance of the faerie folk.”

I smile and bow. “I am honored by you. Thank you for having me here and accepting me. You have made my heart happy, and I’ve never felt more welcomed in all my life.”

“You are always welcome, just as the Fae Queen is.”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve been mentioned with her.” I ask, “Why is that?”

“She has a sparkle too. Same but different.”

“I’m supposed to be related to her.”

“We know. She told us.”

“What?” My eyes are so wide with shock that I think they might pop out. “The Fae Queen.TheFae Queen knows aboutme?”

“She foresaw your time a thousand years ago, that you’d arrive as she and the magic fades.”

My head swims with the idea I was destined to exist. Many generations ago, my ancestor had a vision of me? And knew I would herald the time of her and magic’s demise?

“I’m not the reason she’s dying, am I?”

They shake their heads. “No. It’s her time. And magic will either go with her, or it will change and survive. But that’s not up to her.”

“You know how to fix the magic?” I ask desperately. My hands grip the sweater I’m wearing, and I feel my mates holding me steady—either in spirit or with a hand on my back.

The faeries shrug, a bit solemn for once. “We were hoping you would know.”

“Can I speak to the Queen?”

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