Filed To Story: Cursed Legacies Series Free PDF by Morgan B Lee
“Fuck off,” I scowl. “I told you, we’re not going to just use Maven to break our curses?—“
“It’s not about the curses anymore.” He checks to make sure the bedroom door is still closed before lowering his voice. “The magic in Maven’s blood tastes stronger now that we’ve bonded. I think completing the quintet bonds will help her be even stronger than she already is—and if that fucking bastard is after her, I want our quintet to be as strong as possible to help keep her safe.”
My teeth clench at the reminder of the wraith who came for Maven. I’m no empath, and she’s good at hiding her feelings—but the hollow, haunted expression she wore after the run-in with the wraith was clear as day.
I can’t imagine the horrors in Maven’s past, but if I have anything to say about it, her future will be nothing but comfort and pleasure.
So even though I’m nowhere near good enough for her, even though I’ve hurt her and been a complete asshole…if there’s a chance that bonding with her will help us take on whatever comes next, then I’ll try anything—any of the theories.
My expression must reflect my new determination because Silas nods, smirking.
“I need to gather some final ingredients for my Starfall Eve gift to Maven out in the woods. Otherwise, I’d stay and watch. Just remember: no edging.”
Heat floods my face. This damn blood fae is just as much of a voyeur as I am, but the jackass also seems to have figured out that I happen to like the idea of an audience.
“Don’t worry. I’ll show our innocent virgin how to treat our keeper right,” Crypt drawls, patting my shoulder.
I smack his hand away, my face red. “I’m not innocent, and shut the fuck up, both of you.”
“I’ll return shortly,” Silas goes on, “but if you three are still at it, I’ll happily?—“
Crypt’s markings light up, and he visibly cringes. He mutters something about wisps, and the air warps as he blurs out of existence to take care of Limbo.
“Curses left and right,” I sigh.
“Everywhere but right here,” Silas brags before going into the bedroom to change.
I roll my eyes and tidy the kitchen, ensuring nothing burns in Baelfire’s absence. By the time Silas slips into one of the coats on the coat rack and leaves the cabin, I’m a nervous wreck once again.
Because I’m alone here with Maven. Who I can’t stop thinking about.
As if the gods are testing me, my keeper comes out in only an oversized black hoodie—no pants. I’m not sure if she’s wearing panties.
I realize I’ve been staring at her legs far too hard, trying to figure out that little mystery, when she grins and hops up to sit on one of the counters.
“This a better angle for you?” she teases.
I whirl around, pretending to check a steaming casserole dish on the counter to hide the heat on my face.
“Um…no, I was just—sorry.”
I hear a soft scraping sound and look over to see her twirling a little dagger on the kitchen counter beside her, her gaze far away. It’s not Pierce. Where did she even pull that thing from?
And since I’m weak, I glance down between her legs to see that she’s wearing lacy black panties under her hoodie that has ridden up to show off her legs.
When my keeper speaks, I’m still frozen with longing, my gaze locked on those beautiful thighs begging to be touched.
“If you’re not too busy staring, what’s in the bags?”
I startle so hard that I almost knock the casserole dish off the counter. “Shit, I didn’t mean to…um, they’re gifts. For you.”
Maven blinks. “Why would you get me gifts?”
“First of all, I always want to get you gifts. But second of all, it’s a Starfall Eve tradition. Humans have been giving gifts to celebrate the end of the reign of monsters for a long time. The humans even invented some old tale about an old guy with a beard in a garish red suit who passed out gifts to the poor right after the wars.”
“Like that guy you gave money to. Seemed generous.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well…it’s an overly commercialized holiday, but the perk is that there’s a lot of charity this time of year. More importantly, I get an excuse to spoil you. Not that this is much, since we’re out in the boonies, but…here.”
I pull out the first item from one of the bags: an oversized, comfortable, skull-patterned black hoodie. I have no idea if Maven will like it, but?—
Her face lights up.
I go weak in the knees.
Holy shit, I love being the reason for that expression on her pretty face. I swear to myself that as soon as we’re not on the run, I’m going to buy her the entire fucking world just to see more of that look she’s wearing right now.
She accepts the hoodie with a grin when I offer it. “Thank you.” Then her brow furrows. “Fuck, I didn’t get you anyth?—“
“I also got you this,” I interrupt because there’s no way my keeper gets to feel bad about not following a tradition she knew nothing about.
She tips her head as she reads the label on the bottle. “Sore muscle massage oil?”
I nod, my cheeks warming as I realize she might not like this gift. “You push yourself hard constantly. I thought you probably get sore, and this might help. If you want. If you don’t like it?—“
“I do. Will you massage me with it?” Her smirk is teasing and tempting at the same time.
I fumble, swallowing hard as my heart starts to pound. “If…you want.”
“I do want.”
Maven slides off the counter, grabbing my free hand to still it. Only then do I realize I started fidgeting with the buttons of my wool car jacket.
Her mesmerizing, dark gaze doesn’t move from mine, pinning me in place as she studies me.
“Romance doesn’t come naturally to me,” Maven begins hesitantly. “I’m abysmal at expressing myself unless it’s with a blade, but I know that you’re terrified of hurting me with your curse.”
What an understatement. Even now, anxiety has frost climbing up my arms as I subtly try to move away, just in case my proximity to my keeper will somehow do her harm.
I can’t stand the idea of ruining everything we could have together. I shouldn’t be alone with this gorgeous, confident, brave enigma, and I shouldn’t be aching for her like this.
Massage oil? What the fuck was I thinking? I can’t massage her—she won’t like my cold hands on all that smooth skin. Gods above, I hate myself for how badly I want her when I could end up hurting her.
When I take another step back, Maven steps forward until I’m backed against one of the counters with nowhere to go. I try to swallow again but fail.
“Maven…” I warn.
“I want to show you there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“But what if?—“
“Everett.” She reaches up to brush her fingers through my hair. “I want you. Do you want me?”
So fucking much it hurts.
But I only manage to nod, my hands itching to land on her hips and close the space between us.
“Good. That’s all we need,” my keeper insists.
“But—“
“Your curse is supposed to kill anyone you fall for. I know.” Her gaze is both astute and careful at once. “So tell me. Why hasn’t it hurt me?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.