Page 15 of Cursed Magic

“You foolish, naive girl. Do you really think running away will protect you from pain? From loss?” Her voice gentled, taking on an almost wistful tone. “I’ve lived for centuries. I’ve seen alliances form and deteriorate, watched countless lovers come together and then break each other’s hearts. And let me tell you, there is no escaping the ache of loss, no matter what you do. Severing all relationships will only leave you lonely, which is a whole different kind of hurt. Pain is as much a part of life as blood running through your veins.”

But that was the thing—I wouldn’t be alone. “All I need is Briar.”

“You think you’re protecting yourself by leaving? By cutting ties yourself before they can be severed by another? All you’re doing is denying yourself the chance to truly live.” Raven released a long sigh. “Not only that, but it’s clear that Briar wants relationships with others.”

I huffed and closed my eyes for a moment. I hadn’t considered that which was ridiculous in retrospect. When I opened them once again, Briar nodded.

“I love you, but I want to have a mate and family.” Briarlifted both hands and warmth flooded back into her eyes. “Reid’s rejection, the loss of our pack, and us being separated are all still so fresh. You’ll change your mind when you have time to heal.”

Suddenly, I felt as if I were submerged under water, and my lungs burned like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t fathom changing my mind, and yet, I’d have to. Briar desired a family. That was something that I couldn’t keep from her unless I constantly alpha-willed her, and what kind of relationship would we have if I did that?

“Ember, you have to understand that closing yourself off isn’t living; it’s merely existing. I’ve watched countless humans over the centuries, seen how fleeting and fragile their connections can be. If you go somewhere and surround yourselves with humans, you’re even more likely to be betrayed. Supernaturals have the capacity for so much more connection. Our bonds run deeper; our loyalties, fiercer.”

I rolled my shoulders and got my feet under me. I didn’t want to be examined like a lab specimen. As I stood a little, my legs buckled, indicating that I’d been squatting too long. I sat in the space between the mid-row seats and stretched out my legs, feeling Briar’s gaze on me the entire time.

Raven continued, “I’ve seen packs torn apart by betrayal, but I’ve also witnessed unwavering loyalty when they had a shared hardship. I’ve watched vampires who were once bitter enemies become the closest of allies over centuries. There’s a depth to supernatural relationships that humans can rarely fathom.”

From my spot, I could see Raven’s face in the rearview mirror. Her expression was strained, and black strands of hair framed her face, making her features appear sharper.

I wanted to plug my ears, but that would be childishand stupid. Pointless too—I’d still be able to hear her with my supernatural hearing.

“Think about it, Ember.” She glanced in the mirror, our gazes connecting. “In a human lifetime, how many true, deep connections can one form, given how quickly they age and the hardships they face without magic? The subconscious feeling of being prey, without understanding that it causes so much turmoil in their lives, to the point where they lash out at one another. We supernaturals have the potential for so much more. We are the top of the food chain and can forge bonds that last centuries, weathering storms that would break lesser relationships.”

I closed my eyes, trying to block out her words, but memories of the past flashed through my mind.

The warmth of my mother’s embrace as she comforted me as a child after a nightmare, her familiar scent of lavender and pine wrapping around me like her strong arms. The pride in my father’s eyes as he watched me shift without any issues for the first time. The uncontrollable laughter shared with Briar as we splashed in the crystal-clear river that had almost caused our deaths, our giggles echoing through the woods.

Then came more recent memories: Ryker’s strong arms carrying me after I was attacked by a vampire, his touch sending sparks through my body. The fierce protectiveness in his eyes as he jumped in front of the knife to protect my sister.

As Raven’s words hit me like a ton of bricks, my face warmed with embarrassment and guilt. Briar turned in her seat to look at me, so I averted my gaze to the floorboard between the middle seats. I needed a moment to process my emotions and couldn’t do that while locking eyes with her.

“I didn’t realize you were struggling so much,” Briar saidquietly. “About what happened with Reid. The betrayal and hurt you experienced. You always take things in stride and rarely show weakness, so I had no clue how much it impacted you. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you more.”

My head snapped up. “Don’t you dare apologize.” I placed a hand over my heart. “I wanted to handle it alone. You weren’t responsible for helping me overcome that.”

“Why do you always do that?” Briar frowned. “You never want my help, yet you’re the first person I come to when I need someone.”

Was that even a serious question? “Because I’m your big sister, and it’s my responsibility to protect you from everything…even myself.”

Hurt shadowed her eyes, and disappointment etched into her features. “I’m not a kid anymore, Ember. I want you to rely on me too, instead of telling me what to do and forcing your will on me.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. I’d somehow made the situation even worse. “I… I’m so sorry,” I choked. “To both of you. Briar, of course I rely on you, but I wasn’t in the right head space to talk about it. I’m just now getting to that point. I didn’t mean to make it seem like I don’t value your opinion or want you to be there for me. Your warmth is one of the qualities I admire most about you, and it’s why you’re putting your foot down with me now for wanting to leave the very people who risked their lives to save you.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but I lifted a finger because I needed to get it all out before I let something that needed to be said slip from my mind. “I never want you to resent me. I was so focused on keeping you safe that I lost sight of what really matters—your happiness and freedom to choose your own path.”

The last bit of disappointment and anger vanished fromher face as she reached for me, placing her hand on my still-numb leg.

Her eyes glistened. “I know. That’s why I argued with you—because there’s no doubt in my mind how much you love and care for me. You’re an amazingly strong person, and I do trust you with both my emotional and physical safety.”

Between her validation and Ryker improving each minute, my lungs began working normally once more, and I took a deep breath. “And I do the same with you.” Her wolf might not be as strong as mine, but she loved more fiercely than I ever could.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t done yet. “Raven, I didn’t mean to be ungrateful. If you all hadn’t shown up tonight, there’s no way the six of us would’ve gotten away. You and Queen Ambrosia gave us the resources to remain safe while I focused on locating Briar, and then you gave us the vehicles that helped us get Briar back. To be clear, I didn’t want to abandon you.” I let out a shaky breath, hating that I’d almost done to them what I resented other packs for doing to us. “I didn’t think of it that way—I was focused on protecting the only family and pack member I have left.”

Raven pressed her lips into a line, her expression shifting from hurt to understanding. “I know, Ember. Believe me, I understand the desperate need to protect those you love. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you learn that the pain of loss never truly fades. It’s a constant companion, whispering in your ear at random times or during quiet moments. The pain can suffocate me unexpectedly.”

She leaned her head back against the headrest and turned into the paved driveway. “But that same pain is what makes the connections we forge so precious. It’s the pricewe pay for allowing ourselves to care and love. And that’s the only thing that has gotten me through at times, especially right now when there’s so much at stake.”

I grimaced, remembering that she’d just lost someone she cared deeply for in the recent nest eradication. Kendric had been distraught over telling her about it.

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