Page 42 of Cursed (Blood Moon Pack #1)

A woman’s voice rings out. “Wake Up!”

Opening her eyes, Nori finds herself lying on soft, green grass, the blades cool against her face. The gentle lapping of water draws her attention to a nearby pond, sparkling under the glow of an impossibly large full moon.

Warm air brushes against her skin, and a soft breeze carries the faint scent of flowers to her nose. Disoriented, Nori pushes herself up, sitting on her hip. Her gaze sweeps across the night sky where billions of bright stars stretch endlessly above her.

She frowns because it’s winter at the Blood Moon Castle .

She should be cold. There should be snow on the ground. There should be…

“Hello, Norina Valcrest!”

Nori turns toward the voice, barely able to make out the figure of a woman because she glows with such an intense light that Nori lifts a hand to shield her eyes.

“Oh, sorry. Is that better?”

The light dims, and Nori’s jaw drops open.

A woman of breathtaking beauty sits next to her.

Her skin shimmers with an ethereal glow, and waves of raven hair cascade over her shoulders.

Every feature of her face is flawless—large, striking, golden eyes, a perfectly delicate nose, and full, ruby-red lips.

The power radiating off the woman’s divine body floats all around Nori.

Suddenly remembering the woman tried to greet her, Nori responds, but her words come out in a stutter. “Y-Yes, that’s b-better, and hello. Wow, you are truly magnificent. Who...Who are you? Where am I?”

“I am Freya, Goddess of the Moon, of course.” Nori’s whole body flinches in surprise, her eyes grow wide, and she almost chokes on her gasp.

She whispers to Aylin, “ Holy shit! ”

Aylin must be in shock because she doesn’t respond at all.

An exquisitely radiant smile slides over Freya’s face. “Your body is currently on a horse in front of the male who took you. While I didn’t orchestrate the kidnapping, I am pleased with this turn of events.”

Nori remembers following the Guard Bergeron down the stairs, and the rest is blank. “I was kidnapped from the Blood Moon Castle, and that pleases you?”

“In a way, yes.”

Frowning now, Nori asks, “So, you…you wanted me to be taken away from Ryland? Are you saying I should reject the Mate Bond?”

Aylin finds her voice. “ No way, Nori! We are not rejecting them! ”

Freya laughs the most charming, lyrical laugh, making Nori smile, despite her concern over the Bond.

“Definitely not, silly girl! I sent you directly into his path at precisely the right moment. I’m not quite sure why you haven't accepted your true Fated Mate yet.”

“Well, he did accidentally almost kill me,” Nori replies. “Plus, we are still getting to know each other.”

“I see you’ve let him Claim you, though,” Freya says with a smirk.

Nori rolls her eyes, and her lips curve into a soft smile. “Well. That couldn’t be helped. I lose all the thoughts in my head when that man puts his hands on me. Wait! Did you say Fated Mate?”

That musical laugh erupts from Freya’s mouth again. “Yes, Nori. Ryland is your Fated Mate, dear. ”

Aylin laughs joyfully in Nori’s mind. “ I told you we should accept the Bond! Fated Mates! Wow! ”

Freya takes Nori’s hands. “I brought you here, daughter, to tell you that you are going to play a pivotal role in the times to come. You need to start preparing now for the war that will ultimately be waged.”

“Me? I’m nobody. And what war? How could I possibly play any kind of role?” Nori’s heart starts pounding at the thought of a war.

Freya’s brows furrow, and her golden eyes glow as they narrow into a fierce glare. Freya’s booming voice echoes across the meadow. “You are Goddess-blessed, Norina Valcrest! You are The Lightbringer. You will bring about the end of the abominations!”

Nori shrinks back from the Goddess, but then Freya takes a breath. Her face returns to normal, and her voice lowers in volume. “You must learn to use the power I have bestowed upon you, and for that, you will need your Mate.”

Nori is a bit unnerved by Freya’s sudden mood swing from fierce to friendly. “O-OK. I—I will work on all of that.”

Straightening her shoulders, Nori gathers her courage and anxiously asks, “You said you put me in Ryland’s path. Did you also bond me to Malrik Blackstone? How could you do that?”

Freya frowns for a millisecond. “It was necessary. It was time for you to leave and find your way to your Fated Mate. ”

Freya rises, pulling Nori up with her into a brief embrace. “Now go, Nori, and prepare yourself for what’s to come!”

Freya’s face melts into a menacing sneer, and she growls loudly in Nori’s face. “WAKE UP!”