“The fuck it is, Dani! I agree with Adonis. I am NOT letting you perform this spell! It’s a fucking death sentence!” Jules yells.
“She’s right. They are all, sunshine. I can’t let you go through it either,” Killian says, looking at me with an ‘I’m sorry’ look.
“Little dove,we love you. It doesn’t matter where the fuck we are; as long as we are with you, we are happy.” Dax walks over and kisses my forehead, and I sigh. “We don’t need you to set us free. You’ve already freed us just byloving us. We are happy here as long as we have you. That’s all that matters. You’re all that matters.”
A single tear rolls down my cheek. Not because of what Amelia revealed, but from Dax’s words.
They don’t get it. None of them do.
I would do anything for my mates.
Jules stands up and hugs me. Not letting go, she says, “Promise me, Dani. Promise me you won’t read that fucking spell.” She pulls back to look in my eyes. I don’t say a word.
“Oh, she fucking promises. I’ll make sure of that.” Adonis says, breaking my silence.
“I don’t understand why Octavia would trap Adonis’ soul and curse the town. So much of this doesn’t make sense,” I say.
Killian lets out a heavy sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “Here is what I have gathered from my perspective. Octavia sought Adonis’ soul not merely out of desire but for the immense power that came with it—since he was a god. In her cunning, she ensnared him with deception, weaving a complex web of illusions that made him believe she was his destined mate. As a powerful witch, she cast a potent spell over Adonis that compelled him to love her deeply. In a moment of vulnerability, he willingly offered her a fragment of his soul, unaware of the dark influence that had led him to that choice. With that piece of him, Octavia’s power surged, elevating her to heights unmatched by any witch before her. It was almost as if she had foreseen the potential consequences, crafting a spell as a failsafe to release his soul should things spiral out of control.”
We all sit quietly, listening to Killian give a thorough explanation.
He continues, “But when she unleashed her curse, once she got some of Adonis’ power, it wasn’t just the land that bore the brunt of her wrath—she cursed us all. She knew Dax and I were close with Adonis. Her spiteful decree proclaimedthat we would share only one mate among us, a twisted notion rooted in jealousy and rivalry. We thought she cursed us with that, but now I’m second guessing some things… Octavia played mind tricks with us all. It was as if she believed this grotesque arrangement of sharing a mate would sow discord, pitting us against one another. The absurdity of her curse was staggering, not designed for practicality, but rather a malicious scheme she likely thought would never be unraveled.”
“Okay, so, she took Adonis’ soul and became more powerful, made a curse that you all would have the same mate... so, does that make me a curse then? Is all of this fake?” I ask, my heart nearly breaking at the realization.
“No! That is not what I am saying, Dani,” Killian walks over to me and takes my hand, and Adonis rubs my back. “I don’t think that is true at all. I think Suzanna gave Octavia information about something she saw in the future, and Octavia manipulated that information. You are NOT a fucking curse. You are our purpose. You are meant to be ours.”
“I would like to interject here, if I may,” Amelia says sweetly, and we all look at her. She pushes her long silver hair behind her shoulders. Her big brown eyes lock with mine. “I think Octavia created this spell for herself and herself only. That’s why it was hidden. You were destined to be their mate. Octavia didn’t curse you, Dani, she cursed the town and all the supernaturals that were in it. We are cursed; you are their destiny. Octavia had someone working with her, telling her things that would happen. You feel the bond you have with Adonis, Dax, and Killian, it’s real. You were meant to break the curse because you are their one true mate.”
I exhale the breath I was holding. “I want to talk to Suzanna again, but I’ve only seen her in the woods in the mist...”
“Absolutely not, Dani! You aren’t going into the mist. Ever. At least not without any of us present.” Adonis says sternly—the vein in his forehead popping out.
“Ugh! Don’t tell me what to do!” I shout back at him.
“Someone has to help you think straight!” Adonis yells—a muscle ticks in his jaw.
My anger quickly turns into desire. Watching him raise his voice is so sexy…
“I agree with Adonis. You can’t speak to Suzanna alone, but I do think it’s important you do so.” Adonis growls, and his gaze glares into Dax’s soul. Dax holds up his finger, “Let me finish. We should be present with Dani, but I think she should try talking to Suzanna again. To get answers. That’s all I was going to say,” Dax says the last part through gritted teeth—his tone matching Adonis’.
“Sheesh. All of this testosterone is making me uncomfortable. Dani, what do you think about having a fun sleepover with Jules and me? We can have a girl’s night while the guys blow off some steam.” Killian looks at Amelia as if he can communicate with her without speaking, and he nods at her. They clearly don’t want me here right now.
“We aren’t finished here,” Adonis says through his teeth.
I glare at him, and dismiss him.
“I think that sounds lovely. Let’s go to my house, though. I have to water my plants.” I stand up from the couch, grab my purse, and walk over to the front door.
“My car is here. So I’ll drive us girls. Boys, it’s been a fun time playing detective with you. I expect you all to figure out a way for Dani to never have to speak that spell. Shit, burn it for all I care—”
“NO!” Everyone looks at me. “No. Don’t burn it. Please. Let’s not make any decisions right now. Perhaps I should keep the spell with me—”
Dax quickly cuts me off. “I think the fuck not! It’s safe with Addy boy,” Dax smirks at Adonis, knowing damn wellhe hates when he calls him that. “You ladies go and have a fun night. Let loose. The night is still young.” Dax walks over to me before I leave and gently kisses my lips. “I love you, little dove. A lot, a lot.” He flashes his teeth, and I could melt from those dimples.
“I love you too. A lot, a lot,” I whisper back.
“I’ll sneak in later tonight when the girls are sleeping. Wear something black for me,” his smooth voice sends a ripple of chills down my spine. I bite my lip and nod.
