Page 193 of Castings & Curses

“Because they did not know. Your emergence as a woman of magic would come when you needed it most, which is now. I am sure throughout your upbringing, and also lately, you felt a sense of urgency in your soul. An intuition that something was trying to come forth but was not ready.”

Bellatrix nodded. “I still do not know who cursed me.”

“You're betrothed of course,” replied the witch. “A year ago, in October, you made your great escape from Maldinia castle.”

“Yes, my father wished me to marry Prince Roarke of Centenshire. He was a wealthy heir to his throne, and my father believed it would make the Maldinian empire stronger to combine the two thrones under one ruler.”

“Ah, but what your father did not know was that Prince Roarke was skilled in wizardry. What makes that fact more terrifying is his unrelenting desire to have you as his wife. The night of your escape was also the night of the Blood Hunter Full Moon, the same lunar phase that you were born under. When your escape became known throughout the palace, Roarke was furious that your father had broken his promise of the marriage. He took your parents captive and claimed the throne as his own.”

“What about Jaiyana?”

“She escaped. However, the livid prince was not only upset at the King, but upset with you, Bellatrix, for your disappearance meant a rejection, and no one refuses the Prince of Centenshire. Under the full moon, he uttered a curse that would bar the Meadowbrook women from finding true love and never knowing happiness. Never in their lifetimes could they speak words of love to anyone.”

“How do we break the curse?” asked Bellatrix.

Folding her arms, Tiahanna raised an eyebrow. “In order for me to tell you that, I must ask a favor in return. The secrets to breaking a curse of such magnitude will require you to embark on a journey where risk of life is high liability. If you do succeed and take back what is rightfully yours, then I would like to be rewarded for the knowledge I have bestowed upon you.”

“I agree to your terms. What do you desire?” asked Bellatrix. “I am afraid I do not have much money.”

“Witches have no need for money, witches have magic. Money is less than desirable to a powerful woman like myself,” replied Tiahanna. She turned to the other conjurers who were seated among the trees watching the interaction intently. “The Good Witches of the Woods and myself ask for Recognition.”

“Recognition?” repeated Bellatrix.

“Yes. For many years we have been confined to our home among the ghost trees, for your father had forbidden magic and banished us from the kingdom. That is why we live at the border of the realm. We have many talents that we wish to use to help others and make society a better place, but we cannot help the people of Maldinia because your father has taken away our rights as citizens of the realm.”

“I accept your request,” replied Bellatrix.

“Then I must ask for a token to keep until the promise of Recognition is fulfilled. An object of value.”

Looking down at her hand, on her forefinger was a golden ring cast in the shape of a crown, a connection to her past. Bellatrix’s memory told her that her sister possessed the same ring. A gift to them from their mother. With trembling hands she removed the worldly possession from her finger and placed it into the witch’s outstretched palm. “This is all I have.”

“It will do,” replied Tiahanna as she put the ring into the pocket of her gown, “to hold until the payment of Recognition has been achieved.”

The witch moved her hands apart from each other, and a yellow mist began to form between her fingers. Tiahanna began to speak in a low voice. “This year the Blood Hunter Moon returns again, the same phase that was present during the time of your birth and Roarke’s casting of the curse. The Blood Hunter Moon appears once every eighteen years. However, out of the conjure of magic within the enchantment of the woods, Fate has decided the Blood Hunter Moon will appear for a second year in a row. This creates trouble, for this time it will be a supermoon, when the lunar orbit is closest to our realm. This will occur in the shadow creating a lunar eclipse which symbolizes completion and the height of power. If the curse is not broken before the moon moves out of the eclipse, then the curse Roarke has placed upon you will become permanent forever. One of the enhancements of our blessing upon your person is that your magic will be the strongest, which will heighten your chances of success in this quest that may end your life.”

“In order to break the curse, you must first find your sister. As twins, your powers are stronger together, and you will need each other to achieve victory. Then you will travel to the cave of Aldenshine. There you will obtain three crystals to aid in your fight.”

“What do we do when we find the crystals?” asked Eryx.

“The answer will come when it is time,” replied Tiahanna. “In order to prepare for your battle, you must learn to use your powers.” She motioned for a young wizard to come forth.

“This is my nephew Grünholz. He is very skilled in the art of magic and will be your guide on the journey ahead. I also have someone else who will be resourceful in your quest.”

A black cat jumped onto the tree stump next to Bellatrix. Its silhouette appeared familiar.

“Jinx!” cried the princess as she cuddled the cat in her arms. She felt a sense of connection to her sister. The emerald-eyed feline had been the twins' pride and joy.

“Bellatrix! I missed you! Easy there! Wow, Princess, your powers have made you quite strong,” Jinx spoke.

The maiden gasped, “You can talk?”

“I always could talk! When you believed in magic, it opened the door for anything to be possible; therefore, now you can hear me speak,” purred Jinx as he rubbed against her arm.

“In order to take back what is rightfully yours, you must connect the past with the present and future,” said Tiahanna, “What better way than to reunite you with your beloved pet since childhood.”

“Thank you, Tiahanna,” murmured Bellatrix.

“You can thank me if you fulfill your destiny. I feel the effects of the growing supermoon and the oncoming eclipse. You must hurry. For when the Blood Hunter Moon rises in Scorpio and kisses the sun, the magic and love of the Meadowbrooks will be no more.”

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