Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Yanique nods at me.
“Okay, but what would make you hide this from Kendrick?” she finally asks. “You just wanted to know more about his bloodline. That’s not a big deal.”
“Yes, at first. Before…” I clasp my hands over my belly.
“Venus,” she draws out.
“I have a plan. I have to try this for my child,” I say with desperation.
“Try what?”
“Do you remember the stories of the ancients?”
She purses her lips, taking a moment to think. We’ve been told the legends since we were young girls. Way before I met Kendrick in the flesh.
“The original warlocks and witches were created by the gods. They made them to be in their own image. They mirrored them in every way,” Yanique replies. “Tanrı, the alpha god, was pleased. They were his kings and queens, as he so fondly called them. Some of the gods were not happy with this.”
“Yes, but there is more,” I tell her. “Reading the scrolls, I learned so much more.”
My sister spins away from me and starts to pace. Her face is covered in worry. She runs a hand through her wild hair.
“Should you be going through these things?”
Her words are laced with apprehension. I understand her concern. As young girls, we were warned against digging into places we don’t belong.
“The scrolls came to me.” I plead with my eyes for her to listen.
“Okay, okay, I’m listening. Go on.”
She stops pacing, pursing her lips. She tilts her head to the side, arms folded over her chest. From the drop of her right hip, it’s clear she’s annoyed with me. The stance is all too familiar.
“The other gods didn’t like that the kings and queens held as much power as they did. A few of the gods got together and decided to do something about it. They decided to curse them. Not just any curse, they cursed them three times over.”
“Curses, curses! You’ve been reading about curses! I don’t know, Venus.” She begins to pace again.
“Sister, let me finish.”
My own annoyance rises. I need to explain this so she will understand why it’s important for me to do this. Why Kendrick can’t know just yet.
Sweat starts to bead on my forehead. The underground alcoves may be cool, with their light breezes, but so much is at stake for me and this child—for my love. My nerves are starting to overheat me.
“You know you are walking a thin line.”
“I hear your warning, but let me explain.”
“Fine.” She releases a breath and pouts.
“The gods made the ancients mortal. They also made it so any human could force a warlock and his family into servitude.” A shaky breath passes my lips. “Then there was the mate bond. One of the gods fell in love with one of the warlocks. However, his sentiments were not returned.
“In his anger, he made it so the warlocks would be bound to fated mates. Never the love of their choosing. At any time, this mate could appear, and they would be bound to love them forever.” Pausing, I fan my heated face.
“Are you sure you’re not Kendrick’s mate?” My sister asks, her voice filled with hope.
Tears well up in my eyes. I shake my head from side to side. As much as I wish, I know for a fact I’m not Kendrick’s mate.
“The scrolls say Tanrı was furious when he found out what the others had done behind his back. He did what he could to reverse the misdeeds of the others. Though they would never be immortal again, Tanrı extended their lives.
“While they were still vulnerable to being enslaved, he made the fact hidden. Any human who found out and tried to enforce the bond of servitude would also take on a curse as a repercussion for the binding, causing the bond to run out with time.”
“And the mates?” she asks as if holding on with bated breath.
“The scrolls do not reveal what was done. I’ve read and read. There is nothing. I’ve read of mate after mate after mate,” I reply.
“Then, I don’t understand. What—”
“There has to be a way,” I cut her off. I lick my lips. “Everything I’ve read points to the bloodlines. Their mates have never been human. I don’t think our blood is strong enough. If there was just a way to find what in their blood triggers the bond. Maybe I can—”
“Oh, gods. Have you lost it?” Yanique’s voice rises.
The soft winds in the cave pick up. My eyes widen. I knew my sisters would be upset with me if I told them what I’d been up to. The rising of Yanique’s power proves me right.
I look up at her pleadingly. She’s looking back at me like I’ve lost my mind. Her annoyance with me is clear in the tightening of her lips.
“Yan—”
She holds her hand up to halt me.
“You cannot be serious. You are talking about playing with fate. This is not some simple spell or fix. You want to trick fate into thinking you are his mate.” She covers her face with her hands and groans.