Pentacle (eBook)

Marieke Lexmond (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
336 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-0335-3 (ISBN)

Infos

When elemental powers merge in an event that shakes the very fabric of existence, the Madigans are thrust into the ultimate battle of magic, family, and fate. They discover that the true cost of power is not what they're willing to sacrifice, but rather who. Guided by whispers of wisdom from their ancestors-and hindered by the scars of their choices-the Madigans must reunite to restore the balance or risk losing everything they've fought to protect. Heart-stopping stakes, unforgettable family bonds, and a whirlwind of magic await in 'The Pentacle,' the gripping sixth and final installment of The Madigan Chronicles.

Marieke Lexmond, a multi-award-winning author and solitary witch, has lived all over the world. As a little girl, she spent all her allowance on books and realized that storytelling has always been in her blood. With her passion for writing, she earned a master's degree from the Dutch Film Academy, where she established her career in filmmaking. Her long background with film has her circling back to Los Angeles often, but she can still be found writing in magical settings like the West Coast of Ireland and New Orleans. Marieke is the founder of UnderTheWitchesHat.com, where her fans can find her celebrated books and the world of the Madigan Witches. When she is not writing, Marieke enjoys reading tarot cards, fine food, photography, and traveling with her sassy little dogs.

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As Bridget struggles to maintain her identity against the fiery pull of the Wand, Maeve's Siren nature emerges stronger than ever. Snowflake wrestles with her emotional connection to the Cup, and the Guardian of the Pentacle of Growth is forced to reveal herself. Lucy and Tara realize their relationship isn't what they remember, forcing them to navigate unfamiliar ground. As they fight to reclaim their bond, they'll stop at nothing to find the Pentacle no matter the consequences. Meanwhile, the Fates are watching, weaving threads that could either save the Madigans or doom them forever. However, deep in the astral plane, an unexpected plea for forgiveness stirs emotions and tests loyalties. When the elemental powers merge in an event that shakes the very fabric of existence, the Madigans are thrust into the ultimate battle of magic, family, and fate. They will discover that the true cost of power is not just what they're willing to sacrifice, but rather who. Guided by whispers of wisdom from their ancestors and hindered by the scars of their choices the Madigans must reunite to restore the balance or risk losing everything they've fought to protect.

Textauszug

PART 2

EIGHT OF CUPS “MOVING ON”

“Inhale the future, exhale the past.”

—Samantha Chase

NEW ORLEANS

Back in her room in Under the Witches Hat, Bridget paces up and down, waiting for her father to pick up his cell. “This is Steve…”

“Dad?” she starts talking, but it’s his voicemail answering, not him, “…can’t take your call right now; leave a message after the beep.”

“Dad, Bridget here. Give me a call. I need to speak to Lilian. It’s urgent. Please ask her to contact me, or you can text me her number. Thanks.”

She checks her watch; it’s late. No way, he will let her know tonight. Frustrated, she passes the card of the day on her dresser and picks it up—she can draw another one; it’s almost a new day. Swiftly, she shuffles and draws a card: the Eight of Cups. A whale tail disappears underwater while eight cups float around. It’s time to move on—no kidding. The Guardian of the Pentacle needs to come out of the woodwork; they can use their help. Bridget might radiate confidence; that is, however, all a façade. She hates to admit it, but she and Maeve need some guidance. Only another guardian understands the pressure they are under, and she hopes the Guardian of the Pentacle of Growth will have some ideas on how to deal with Lucy and Tara. To be honest, Bridget doesn’t have much faith in Snowflake.

FAIRY

In the meantime, Ceri Madigan, the Queen of Fairy, wakes up in a ridiculously large bed in a warm-colored room with wavering giant plants and gentle light playing on her face. The chirping of bird-like animals eases her into the day. The natural organic form of the room is soothing. Forced to make her home in one of the many castles she had inherited with her new title, Ceri took the time to reshape it in her image. There was no way she could live in a house that reminded her of Mab. The former Queen’s cruel nature had been reflected in everything around her.

The temperature in Fairy is always pleasant. However, Ceri snuggles deeper into the embrace of Maeron, her right-hand fairy, her rock and, recently, her lover. He’s more than a thousand years old, and without him, she would not have survived here.

“Did you sleep well?” His hot breath caresses her ear while his hand moves in a protective way over her belly.

Ceri’s eyes fly open, sending her witch sense through her body. There it is! She hops out of bed. “I’m pregnant.”

“You’re amazing, what a gift.” The sheer joy in Maeron’s smile overwhelms Ceri.

“On top of everything! I can’t deal with this right now. Stop looking so happy.”

“I told you before how special it is that you’re so fertile. We should be thrilled. Mab didn’t have any children.” Maeron props himself up on one elbow. “Come on, let’s celebrate.” He motions for her to return to him.

Ceri glances at her hands full of Fairy rings, they are forever intertwined with her. She became part of the essence of Fairy itself, nurturing it as it nurtures her. The burden of her new responsibilities comes crashing down. She never wanted to be Queen of Fairy, and now being pregnant is just too much. How will she ever be able to give this child the attention it deserves?

“Come here, my little witch queen. We got through it with Firefly. We will help you through this.” He throws the sheet back, revealing himself in all his deliciousness, battle scars and all.

Ceri plops down on the edge of the bed, “Firefly was born not even a year ago. This is freaky.”

Maeron moves up and tenderly draws her back toward him. “Sometimes your human side rears its head. Having children will only benefit your position.”

“These things shouldn’t be about power.” Ceri settles down, fitting easily along his body. “Children are a product of love, and they’re special.”

Maeron’s hand plays between her breasts. “This child will know it’s loved.”

Unable to process it right now, she says, “What’s on my ‘to do’ list today?”

Maeron’s long fingers freeze in place.

“Sorry.” Ceri breathes against his lips as she gives him a featherlight kiss. “This baby thing works as a downer for me.” She rolls away and leaves the bed, wrapping herself in a wide-flowing peignoir.

Maeron follows her and is dressed in mere seconds. “There’s a bunch of day-to-day meetings, there will be a delegation from creatures down south that want to talk to you, and I think it’s time you do well on your promise to Sparkle.”

Ceri turns on him. “What?! We find out I’m pregnant from you, and you encourage me to sleep with another man?”

Maeron shrugs. “Yeah, pretty much. I told you we fairies are not possessive that way. You promised him; don’t keep putting it off.”

“It’s awkward for one, and you all might not be weirded out by it, but I still am.”

Maeron’s features soften, and he kneels before her. “You’re the Queen of Fairy; you can’t afford to be squeamish. Sparkle made a tremendous sacrifice for you. He’s a friend, an ally.” Ceri pulls Maeron up and against her. “Fulfill your promise,” he tells her. “It’s time to move beyond your human shortcomings.”

For several seconds, they stand very close, their lips almost touching. “I can’t help my mixed heritage; I am what I am.” Ceri steps back. “Can you call Cosmo? I need assistance figuring out what to wear today.”

“Yes, my Lady.” With a slight bow, he disappears, and Ceri rubs her hand over her belly. It is still flat, but if Firefly’s pregnancy was anything to go by, it will show soon. Not that it matters; every fairy will be aware she’s with child when they’re in her proximity. “I love you,” she murmurs to her baby, “complication or not, I love you. It’s important you know that.” A tingling runs up her arm; the baby might be just forming, but he recognizes his mother’s affection. Ceri’s joyous laugh fills the room—it’s a boy!

“Image is everything.” Sparkle paces around Ceri’s workroom, which is decorated earth modern in stark contrast to the rest of the castle. Ceri likes to collect things, taking her time to give her space identity. Sparkle, in his full size, is still rail thin and wears a constantly shimmering outfit.

“And I thought it was about improving my subjects’ lives.” Ceri pushes out of her chair. They have an unusual bond; her biological father, Felaern, had left him behind as her guide. In his small form, Sparkle had been stuck in her ear like a jewel, teaching her as much as possible about Fairy.

“Somehow I’m still not used to seeing you in your entirety,” Ceri muses, moving into Sparkle’s path, forcing him to stop. It has been such a strangely intimate relationship, unwanted by both, but they learned to appreciate each other and became friends. When she won the battle with Mab, he fell out of her ear and, at last, could regain his regular form.

“I went with you everywhere, and now…” The raw pain crossing his face makes Ceri flinch. They’ve been struggling to find a new balance ever since.

Ceri’s compassion wells up. “Sparkle, I—”

He ignores her comment, glancing away for a second as he composes himself. “This is a good start,” he says, moving his hand up and down, showing appreciation for her outfit.

Her hair is done up to resemble a crown full of colorful precious stones. Her simple, stylish, snug-fitting pants perfectly match her bodice and flowing blouse. All tints of Fairy are tastefully blended.

“Thank you, Cosmos is gifted.” Ceri brushes the soft fabric.

Sparkle’s hands dance through the air. “It’s crucial you have a consistent appearance, that we all are perceived as unified. It helps if that comes with a specific ‘look’.”

“I don’t want to choose one color, like Mab; it’s wrong. I want everybody and everything to feel they belong,” Ceri says, moving closer.

“It can be an insigne, a logo I think you humans call it.”

Ceri doesn’t know what possesses her, Maeron’s urging her on, or the need to stop this conversation, but she caresses his face, effectively shutting him up. A flash of eager anticipation betrays how much he desires this. “We’ll come up with something,” she wets her lips before placing them hesitantly over his. At first, Sparkle stands frozen; Ceri repositions her mouth and now playfully tastes his lips with the tip of her tongue, which are surprisingly full for such a thin frame. After several long seconds, Ceri wonders if he wants this at all. She’s about to draw back when he parts his lips and responds, his tongue enthusiastically exploring her mouth while a flow of tiny twinkling stars flows from his tongue, filling her up, leaving her no other option than to swallow. The stars find their way inside her, tingling her in all the right places. With a surprised giggle of pleasure, she pulls free to fully enjoy the sensation and promptly kisses him again, hungry for more. He holds her against his body as he envelops her in his sparkly magic – doing his name justice.

The door opens, and Cal walks in. The sight of Ceri and Sparkle kissing stops him in his tracks. They’re both whole and yet slightly dematerialized as they swirl through each other, no longer visible where one body ends and the other begins. “Ooh,” he says, in awe of the beauty of this magical merging.

Ceri and Sparkle reform...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 6.6.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Fantasy
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-0335-3 / 9798317803353