Page 85 of Dragon's Secret Baby

“I can help you increase that bond, to find her as soon as we can. I’m worried about her and her strength… or lack thereof right now.”

“Do it,” I said. I couldn’t worry about the curse and all that entailed.

I needed Danna to survive this, and I would do whatever the fae suggested.

“Give me your hands,” Circe said.

I held out my hands, and she took them.

She closed her eyes, and her magic rose around her. I closed my eyes, too, and I let the magic wash over me, trying to give into it, but Circe let go of me and yanked her hands back.

“What?” I asked.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What?!” I cried out.

Circe shook her head. “No, that’s not how I mean it. Something isn’t right. Something dark is blocking my magic. It’s like…”

“A curse,” I said grimly. “Yeah, I know.”

Circe frowned. “You’re cursed.” A statement, not a question.

“Yes.” I felt the familiar wall rise up around me, guarding me.

I was cursed, I was a screw-up, I couldn’t even save my mate thanks to this bullshit.

“What happened?” Circe asked.

“I don’t know much, because I was so young,” I said with a pseudo-nonchalant shrug. “Promised to a dark fae at birth, the promise was broken, the curse fell in place and ruined the rest of my life. Storybook stuff.”

Circe frowned. “You were an innocent child.”

“Yeah,” I said. “That’s what I’m told.” I was getting more and more upset. Danna needed me, but I couldn’t help her because I couldn’t find her… because of this fucking curse that made everything in my life a living nightmare. Would I have to live without love forever?

“No, you don’t get it,” Circe said. “Your innocence means that the curse doesn’t have a hold. You didn’t choose it, so you don’t have to wear it.”

I frowned. “I have no idea what you’re saying.”

“Here,” Circe said.

She grabbed my hands and pulsed so much magic into me I struggled to keep my balance. I was suddenly submerged in magic, drowning in it. It pushed into my lungs, making it impossible to breathe. I gasped for air, frantic, the panic taking over.

And then, the water was gone, and all I could see was white light.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

I couldn’t see Circe, but I could feel her.

“I’m getting rid of it,” Circe said.

She came into view slowly. I blinked at her. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” she said. “Your father should have taken you to see the fae to help you. Why didn’t he?”

I clenched my jaw. “He wasn’t the sticking-around type.”

“And no fae picked up on this?”