Magical Acts: (Skeleton Key) Read Online Free

does that mean the rest of the myth is true? A woman you loved cursed you?”
    “I loved what turned out to be a façade. The woman I so eagerly offered my heart did not exist.” He stopped and clasped her hand resting on his arm. “And I paid the price for my naiveté. As did my parents.”
    “If you’re truly more than a century old, then is the mage who cursed you dead?”
    He grimaced. “Unfortunately not. But she must be satisfied with her revenge. Otherwise, she would track me every three-moon night to inflict more pain.” The unusual color of his eyes enraptured her. “If you could find a different path, Gretta, would you take it?”
    She shrugged, unable to answer such an impractical question. She glanced down the street. A couple of blocks away sat the squat two-story building that housed the bakery. For a moment, Gretta wished she could live on Janele’s generosity. How lovely it would be to pursue a career in the healing arts. No more night shifts. No more dough sticking to her skin and clothes. No more purposeless life.
    “Such longing,” whispered Auron. “What are you thinking?”
    Honestly, why was he bothering so much with her? She was a plain girl from a small town—surely not worth his notice. She couldn’t fathom why he wanted to know her thoughts. She didn’t intend on burdening this stranger with her greatest desire, yet she found herself blurting, “I would train to be a healer.”
    “That is a noble profession. I think you would be an excellent healer.”
    She blushed at the compliment. “Thank you.”
    The closer they got to the bakery, the harder Gretta’s heart thudded. The more time they spent time together, the less she wanted to leave his side.
    “Do you believe curses can be broken?”
    “Yes. But Auron, it doesn’t matter what people believe,” said Gretta. “It matters how they act.”
    “Such wise words.” He studied her, his eyes blazing with an emotion Gretta dared not name. “You are a fascinating woman.”
    “Oh yes,” she said drolly. “I’m so fascinating and so beautiful I turn away mages and their charming lies day and night.”
    “I do not lie, Gretta.” Auron lifted a finger to her face. “I am glad you have not turned me away.” She gasped as fear and longing jumbled together in the pit of her stomach. She had feelings now and again for suitors, but not this kind of yearning. It was an ache in her heart, her soul.
    “Thank you for escorting me. The bakery I work at is at the end of the street.”
    “Do you go in the front door?”
    “No. There are stairs on the far side. I must go to the top floor.” She smiled. “I’m truly fine to continue on my own.”
    “What kind of rescuer would I be if I didn’t deliver you as promised?” asked Auron. To Gretta’s thrilled shock, he scooped her into his arms and took a running jump.
    They lifted high into the air.
    And flew across the sky.
    N atalie reluctantly stopped reading and digitally bookmarked the page. She sighed in pleasure. No matter how many times she read the story, Auron never failed to stir her romantic soul. How lucky you are, Gretta.
    She turned off her tablet and slipped it into her bag.
    “Hello.”
    Natalie looked up and met the gaze of a man standing near her table. His eyes were the most amazing dark blue. Her attention was caught by an unusual silver ring, at least one-inch wide and shaped like a bone with a skull in its middle—its eyes sapphires—gleamed on his right hand. Was that a wedding ring? Wrong hand, idiot. Her face went hot. Why did she care? This guy was just being nice.
    “Hi.” She couldn’t stop staring at his eyes. She swore they were the same color as the skull’s sapphires.
    He smiled—the kind of smile she’d seen Elaina get a hundred times from flirting men. Oh, God. Was he flirting? She rose on shaky legs. She was unprepared for his interest and rather shocked that he’d noticed her at all.
    “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
    “Do you?” He