Seaside Magic and The Binding Curse: Seaside Magic, #3

By Vianlix-Christine Schneider

What would you do if your life became bound to your worst enemy?
After Caroline Smith's last battle with Achilles Remis leaves her cursed, she's forced to learn how to live with the pain. But unknown to her, Achilles is suffering the same fate in the mirror world after accidently binding their lives together when he had placed the curse on her. It seems the only way to unbind them and remove the curse is for them to work together. From award-winning author Vianlix-Christine Schneider, Seaside Magic and the Binding Curse is a daring novel that asks how much you're willing to sacrifice for those you love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vianlix-Christine Schneider
• Release date: Feb 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223907602

Book preview

Prologue

October 1954

George Smith cheerfully made his way out of Samaritan Healthcare after a long day of work. His pale cheeks were rosy with joy. As he opened the building’s glass doors, the humid air welcomed him. The dark clouds above him promised rain. But everything seemed brighter as he made his way to his new car, which was waiting for him in the back of the parking lot. Not only did he get to ride in his shiny, light blue Chevrolet Bel Air, but today, he had been given a huge promotion at work.

He was now the head supervisor at the hospital, meaning higher pay and a higher level of respect. He had been working nonstop for years, hoping to get the position, and his hard work had finally paid off. At last.

He smiled at the sky, taking a deep breath in. He wished the sky would represent his mood, but he would settle for the storm clouds moving in at an alarming rate. A few trees by the lampposts were already moving with the wind that the storm was bringing. He put a hand to his gray hat as it threatened to fly off his head, his brown hair moving wildly underneath.

As he walked across the parking lot, fiddling with his car keys, his red tie frantically moved around his chest and face. His gray suit did little to keep the chilly air off him.

After opening his car door to the driver’s seat, the strong new car smell welcomed him before he even sat down. He slid into the driver’s seat and placed some paperwork in the passenger seat, along with his hat and his briefcase. He fought with the door as he tried to shut it, but the wind pushed to keep it wide open. Shutting it with a bang, he winced.

Looking over at his belongings, George noticed an envelope standing out from everything else. On it, To Caroline Smith was written above her address in his chunky handwriting. He sighed, knowing he had taken the time to write to his niece but had not taken the time to go to the post office. The letter had been sitting in his car for more than a few weeks. Maybe even a month or two.

George never wrote to Caroline, but some things had changed. For instance, her parents—Dilandro and Lucy—were back. Anxiety had gnawed at him daily. In the hopes of keeping his hands out of the fire, he had to write to her.

Why would you do that? Mia, his wife, had asked when she had walked into his home office, wearing her usual frown. Her dark hair had been pulled out of her face. She had scanned his messy desk as she stood across from it with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Not even her lovely evening dress could make her seem beautiful at that moment.

Because I want to, George had said, looking up at her. He had put down his pen, folding his hands on the desk. Do you have a problem with that?

Did you forget about the way she treated us? she had snapped. Our lives have been better since you cut all connections with her. She had held his gaze. Her father is back! What if Dilandro doesn’t know all we did to her?! Edmund doesn’t come over anymore after he found out that—

I know that!

By writing that brat, Dilandro will start asking questions!

He had dug his palms into his eyes. Yes, his brother was back, and yes, he had seen Dilandro many times since Caroline had found him in the magic mirror. But he had yet to bring anything up about Caroline’s time with him and Mia. He knew they had done nothing wrong, but others didn’t share his ways of thinking. In George’s eyes, Dilandro didn’t know about the shenanigans that had happened when his daughter had lived with them, and he wanted to keep it that way. He had hoped that if he sent Caroline a letter, making her believe he was sorry, maybe she would never bring it up to her parents.

He had picked the pen up once more. Leave it be! Don’t write to her! Why would you start—

Mia! He had slammed his fist onto the desk as he stood.

She had taken a step back.

"Please leave. I’m writing a very important letter to our niece. He had taken a deep breath, putting a hand to his temple before speaking to her with a much softer tone. I understand what you’re saying, Mia. Why do you think I am writing to her? I need to keep her quiet!"

Mia’s face had softened. She put a hand to her chest with a twisted smile. You are so smart.

Now, sitting in his car, George picked up the letter and put it in his lap. His brother had to notice that Caroline had some sort of resentment toward him and Mia. Dilandro knew that Edmund talked with Caroline constantly and gave Jewel money to help raise her and that Robert would send letters every few weeks. George feared that someday his brother would put the pieces together. That he was a terrible uncle.

But by writing this letter, he hoped that she would move past what had happened. The longer you take to send it, the larger the possibility she tells him. His mouth went dry with the thought. He just got Dilandro back. The idea of losing him once more was unbearable.

George! a bright voice called from the other side of the driver’s side window, making him jump. His boss, Nick, knocked on the glass with a smile. His voice held the tone of a sports announcer. Nice car you got there!

Nick Peter had a large black handlebar mustache that extended two inches past both sides of his face, making his light skin seem sickly pale. When he smiled, his thick mustache made his upper lip disappear. Almost like magic.

George cranked down his window. Thanks. And Nick, thank you again for the promotion, he said, meaning it with all his heart. He tried to look and sound professional, even though he was beyond excited.

You deserve it! I expect to see great things from you.

Thank you very much! he said, containing his smile.

Tonight, I would like to invite you and the misses to dinner, so we can celebrate. Mrs. Peter makes a mean onion soup. We can talk more about the promotion, while the women gossip. I’ll give you a better idea of everything new coming your way.

George nodded, smiling. I would very much enjoy that. My wife and I would be overjoyed to come.

Great! Nick pulled out a wrinkled paper that had his address written on it and passed it to him. His mustache covered his lip once more. By Monday, you’ll be ready to go.

I won’t let you down! You chose the right man for the job!

George noticed the clouds behind his boss were becoming darker as the wind picked up. A nurse walked past them, holding her skirt down with one hand and her hat with the other as she made her way to the hospital.

I know you won’t! You have worked hard, and it didn’t go unnoticed! Nick put his hand to his head to keep his hat from flying off. I just hope Mrs. Smith won’t mind you working longer hours. He raised an eyebrow that was almost as large as his mustache.

I’m sure she will do just fine. She is always saying how I get in the way of her housework.

A light rain started to fall, spotting up the windshield.

I better start heading home to beat the storm, Nick commented as he looked up at the storm clouds around them. I heard something on the news talking about a tornado watch this evening. He waved a dismissive hand. But they are never right about those things.

George nodded.

Anyway, I got to stop at the post office to pick up some things. I hope the weather will hold off until then. He turned to move away from the car.

George recalled the letter to Caroline in his hand. Mr. Peter!

He turned back as George stuck his hand out the window. The wind tried to pull the letter away from him.

If it’s not too much of a problem, may you take this with you?

Nick looked down at the letter as he grabbed it. No problem at all.

George could see his eyes moving, reading over the name and the address. My niece, he stated, making Nick look back up at him. She lives far, and I wanted her to know I…I was thinking about her. He nodded kindly.

No problem. I’ll put this in the mail for you, Nick said with a look he could not read. He seemed almost hesitant to say more as his mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally spoke. "You’re a good uncle. Writing to her. I didn’t see you as a family man."

The comment stung George’s heart, but he didn’t know why. He didn’t want a family, did he? He had wanted kids when he had first gotten married, but Mia had made it sound like it would be such a bad idea that he had started to believe it himself.

I’m trying to be, he said, surprised that there was some truth behind it.

Well, see you for dinner around seven-thirty, eight o’clock? Nick asked.

He nodded once more. See you then.

Nick waved before he ran off.

Drive safe! George called before cranking the window shut as the rain started to come down with more force. He then started his car.

I did everything in my power to keep Dilandro from knowing the truth. I hope. But anxiety turned in his stomach. What if Dilandro read the letter and then became angry as Edmund had? He didn’t know if he was prepared for what that might entail.

Pushing his thoughts aside, he pulled out of the hospital’s parking lot and turned on the radio. Mr. Sandman softly played its last few verses through the speakers. Turning onto the main road, he made his way back to his new home, and peace fell over him for the first time in a while. The letter is gone. I’ve done all I could.

But that peace melted away as fast as it had come as the wind picked up, throwing small branches and colorful leaves onto the road. Every time the wind pushed, George felt it with his steering wheel as he worked to keep the car straight on the road. Rain pounded down on the car’s roof so loudly that it filled his ears. Five minutes after he left the hospital, the road was now only visible a few feet in front of the hood; it seemed to come down in sheets.

As he gripped the steering wheel, George leaned forward in hopes of seeing what was in front of him better. The two small windshield wipers were working extra hard to keep the windshield somewhat clear. Their raddle became louder than the music—that was as cheerful as ever. His headlights did little to help show what was in front of him.

Damn… he whispered as he slowed on a two-lane road that was lined with tall trees, not feeling comfortable going the speed limit. The trees around him swayed, threatening to fall.

After moving from Moose Lake to Waterville, Washington, the commute was a bit longer than before. But he had never minded it before now since the house was bigger, and the yard was greener. Plenty of room for kids to play. Wait. Not that!

The lonely road leading to his house was much lovelier than the commute he had before. Trees lined the road with many different colorful leaves. But today, he didn’t see the beauty in any of this as his eyes strained to see the road ahead of him.

Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream) came on the radio, and George almost turned it off, finding it too cheerful for the drive’s stress. A part of him thought it would be wise to pull over, to wait for the storm to pass. But if there were really going to be tornadoes, he wanted to get home.

He reached down to the radio without taking his eyes off the road, hoping to find someone to inform him about the weather. But as he moved, he saw a figure standing in the middle of the two-lane road. Living in Washington, he knew it could be a moose at the worst place at the wrong time. Slowly, he slowed the car down to almost a stop, both hands back on the steering wheel.

As he inched closer, he noticed that whatever it was, it was far too small to be a moose. It seemed to be shaped like a human. A man.

Stopping the car completely, he lowered the radio’s volume. The knocking of the rain seemed louder, along with the sound of his windshield wipers.

The figure stood still as George looked at it, his foot ready to move from the break to the gas to drive around whoever they were. Adjusting his hands on the steering wheel, he finally made out who the figure was.

Achilles Remis.

The masked man who had killed countless Smiths. The same man who had trapped Dilandro and Lucy in the mirror world for years.

Panic coursed through George. He had thought he would never see this man again. Achilles was supposed to be locked in another world. His chest tightened as he stared at him now.

Achilles held his wand down by his side while his face hid behind a broken mask. His purple eyes looked deep into George’s soul. His skin was pale, making his dark hair seem even darker. The rain had soaked his brown vest, white shirt, dark pants, and boots.

Dread filled George’s body. Goose bumps rose from the back of his neck as he recalled his wand lying at home, who knew where. The thought that he didn’t need his wand anymore with Achilles locked away seemed so childish now.

The storm seemed to disappear as they locked eyes. Achilles lifted his arm, the wand now pointing straight at George. George’s whole body froze. Not even his foot on the brake moved to the gas. His eyes widened as his breath got stuck in his throat.

Pictures flooded his mind in a blur. Of him and his brothers growing up together, the laughs they had shared. Of Dilandro eating dinner with him after coming back from the mirror. Of young Caroline sleeping in Edmund’s arms many Christmases ago. Of Robert falling out of a large tree as a young boy and the fear George had felt. Of George helping calm Edmund when he had learned he was going to be a father. Of George asking Mia for children and her harsh no. A life, till now, he didn’t know he held so dear. A life he didn’t know was missing pieces till he was facing the end of Achilles’ wand.

As if cold water had been dumped on him, he was slapped out of his fear with a gasp. He slammed his foot on the gas pedal. His tires squealed under him as they tried to get friction on the wet road.

Achilles kept his wand aimed at him as the car moved. His voice could be heard over the howling winds. Plaguonyx!

George waited for pain, but nothing happened.

In a second, Achilles was far behind him.

He looked back in the rearview mirror. The rain had slowed just enough for him to see Achilles, who stood in place and watched him leave. His eyes seemed lost. Something about the way he stood made him look unsure about something.

George’s hands shook as he put a hand to his chest and took in a shaky breath. Nothing had come out of Achilles’ wand. No spells. No pain.

Breathing fast and heavy, he kept his eyes on the rearview mirror, watching Achilles watch him leave. Achilles became smaller in the mirror till he disappeared.

Chapter 1

Four weeks before

We are all gathered here today, a tall priest said as he glanced between Jewel and Dutch, in the sight of God and these witnesses to join Julia Marie Walker and Dutch Thomas in holy matrimony.

In front of him on the church’s altar, Jewel and Dutch both stood with joyful smiles as they looked at each other. To Caroline, it seemed as if they were trying to hold back their laughter, like they could not believe it themselves.

The sun shined through the stained-glass window behind them, filling the space in its colorful glow. The high ceilings with exposed beams made the smallest sound echo lightly. Light from the skylight above a large crucifix that hung over the altar shined down on them. It all looked picture perfect.

With rosy cheeks shining through her sun-kissed skin, Jewel held Dutch’s hands tight. Her wedding dress—which was made with long, white satin fabric and draped around her legs—shined in the sunlight. Its long sleeves matched the elegance of the rest of the dress. A satin tiara held her brown curly hair in place with a few stray hairs framing her face. By her right ear, seed pearls made a lovely flower.

Dutch had on a dark suit that made her white dress pop perfectly. His dark hair had been pulled back neatly. His light blue eyes shined as he nervously licked his lips.

Caroline stood at her grandmother’s side, holding a bouquet of flowers to her chest. The yellow roses smelled sweet, almost like fresh lemons. Her dress, a pastel pink color, softly moved around her legs each time she moved.

I, Julia Marie Walker, promise to cherish you always, Jewel said, her green eyes bright, to honor you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us.

Dutch blinked back a few tears. I, Dutch Thomas, promise to cherish you always, to honor you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us.

Both giggled under their breaths as they smiled once more at each other. Their joy alone was so strong that it spread through the whole room. Everyone was smiling: Edmund with his family, Robert with his wife Elizabeth, George and Mia, Patti, Bob, Sal, Scott, Lucy, and Dilandro, along with Elena, Hector, and their daughter.

By the power vested in me, the priest declared with a broad smile, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

Dutch’s smile only grew.

You may now kiss the bride.

His hands went to her face as hers went to his waist. Their lips locked, their first kiss as husband and wife. The room broke into applause, and they turned to face everyone. Jewel’s cheeks were a light shade of pink. Dutch winked at Caroline, who handed Jewel back her bouquet of flowers. The yellow of the flowers popped with her white dress beautifully.

Caroline listened as the music started. The happy couple began their walk down the aisle, giggling like young children while exiting the church. The two main doors were now open, flooding the church with bright sunlight.

We just did that! Dutch laughed.

Caroline smiled. Everyone followed them out the doors, conversations filling the church with echoes of joy.

Outside, Caroline watched Dutch open the car’s passenger door for Jewel, who went to her. She grabbed her granddaughter’s face with both hands and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Be good, she said lightly.

Caroline nodded. Of course.

Jewel gave her a hug before doing the same to Lucy, Dilandro, and Sal. She then turned to get in the car that would take her and Dutch off on their honeymoon. Dutch hugged Caroline as well and made sure Jewel’s dress didn’t get stuck in the car door before he shut it. White ribbons decorated the car with a small sign on the back that read Just Married.

They drove off as everyone waved and cheered.

Dilandro put his hand on Caroline’s shoulder while her mother held his other hand. Are we ready to live the life the three of us were meant to have? he asked kindly, bringing tears to his daughter’s eyes.

****

It had been four weeks since the wedding.

In that memory from one of the magic books at Jewel’s house, Caroline stood by herself, watching the car drive out of sight. In the time since her grandparents had left, she had stayed with her mother and father in Jewel’s house. It had been her first time alone with them since she was four years old, and though she enjoyed every minute of their time together, she missed Jewel and Dutch more than she had thought possible. The promise that they would soon be home from France lifted her spirits.

Caroline… a familiar distant voice, somewhere from outside the book she was in, called. Her mother. Caroline, where are you?

Flicking her wand, she placed herself out of the book and in the magic room. The many bookshelves—full of other magical books—sat on every wall, giving the room a faint ink and dust smell. As her feet touched the ground, her heart rate picked up, hammering in her chest. Winded, she rested her hands on the table in the middle of the room, dropping her wand.

Lucy opened the door, and Caroline stood tall once more as if nothing had happened.

I have been looking everywhere for you. Lucy’s light brown hair had been pulled out of her face and into a loose bun on top of her head. Her green eyes, that matched Jewel’s perfectly, scanned the open book on the table. She kept one hand on the door handle, and the other hand rested on her four-month baby bump. She was dressed in her favorite maternity outfit, a pair of pink pants with a flowing white shirt that let her bump hide under it. What are you doing?

Sorry. I was reliving Grandma and Grandpa’s wedding. Caroline closed the book.

I was starting to worry.

She turned, putting the book back on one of the many shelves. I was in here. Well, in there. She pointed over her shoulder with a smile as she turned back to Lucy.

"I know you are feeling better