The Temptation of Magic Readalong: Day 3!

Beautiful photo by @bookish_archive!

Hi fairies!

Happy Wednesday and welcome to day 3 of our readalong of The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott. I’m so excited to be reading this one with you, I hope you all love it!

But before we start reading, we have our secret giveaway! What’s that? Oh, just a chance to get your next FairyLoot for free as a reward for reading! Doesn’t really get better than that! And your chances are so good too! We don’t really announce this anywhere else as we truly want the person from the readalong to win! If you’d like to try your luck, all you need to do is follow these steps!

1. Take a photo of our edition of The Temptation of Magic
2. Include the hashtag #MagicFairy
3. Do all of this by the end of July 2nd.
4. Mention down below in your comment that you have entered and include your Instagram handle (also super important!)

Good luck!

 I hope you’re all having a fun time reading so far!

Today we’re reading from chapter 20 to the end of chapter 30. Let’s do this!

When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the beginning of the book. Happy reading!

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Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott from Chapter 20 to the end of Chapter 30. Please only read on if you have finished this section!

–!SPOILERS!–

Today’s reading starts with Kyan’s POV, where he admits feeling a unique and growing attraction to Nicole. Their connection and budding feelings are undeniable and I am internally screaming. I love them already!

In Lynch’s room, Lynch tells Kyan he’ll only reveal the painting if the Wake spares him in exchange for its secrets. Kyan refuses. Kyan then calls his fellow Empyreal, Callum, asking if he’s ever had prey that wants to negotiate with the Wake. Callum asks to catch up, but Kyan declines. I have a sneaky feeling Callum will show up anyway. Would this be a good or bad thing? Who knows… 👀

After visiting Lanhydrock and learning of her mother’s connection to Kyan, Nicole searches her mother’s journals but finds none from 1902, the year of the event. Why would her mother omit that year? What is she hiding? Tell me your theories in the comments!

We learn that female Empyreals are even rarer than males, and Nicole wonders if this is due to the Wake killing them off. And honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s true.

Nicole notices a small circle, the symbol of the Wake, on her mother’s journal cover. Peeling back the leather, she finds a hidden entry from 1902 about the oath-taking ceremony. It reveals that the oath prevents Empyreals from harming the Wake’s true leaders, and that their goal is to summon The Wild Hunt and the Dark Age. The Wake are the real predators!

Nicole almost admits she has feelings for Kyan but tries to convince herself it’s just hormones and adrenaline. Sure, it is…you keep telling yourself that.

Nicole finds an entry in a book, likely written by her mother, about the ‘October Hunter’s Moon,’ which binds a mated Empyreal pair. Could Nicole and Kyan be Empyreal mates? What do you think?

In the next chapter, we learn more about Kyan’s past: he killed the creature that razed their forest home, and passed out with his dying mother in his arms. He also killed another Empyreal under the Wake’s orders with his own hands. Yikes, I feel so bad for Kyan.

Not him being stood in front of the kettle like a ‘giant gargoyle’. I’m cackling. 

Surprised by Kyan’s kindness, Nicole accidentally cracks her teacup, cutting and scalding her hand. To distract him from seeing her rapidly healing wound, SHE KISSES HIM!

I am screaminggg. Give me all the tension and romance please!!

After their kiss, Nicole realises her blood is on his t-shirt and he could use it to find out her true nature. She is able to get his t-shirt but unbeknownst to her, he finds some of her blood on the shattered teacup after she leaves.

Kyan tastes her blood and senses she is more than just a Seer, though he doesn’t know what. He ponders his mission and its truth (about time!!!). When he asks the Wake about the painting’s importance, they brush him off. How are warning bells not ringing in his head loud and clear?!

I love how protective and attentive Kyan is; he’s like a cute guard dog! The fact he attends her lectures just to keep her safe, even when it’s not part of his mission, says it all.

Him already looking at her when she looks at him!!! Yessss, our guy is definitely down bad. (Alexa, play Down Bad by Taylor Swift).

When Nicole asks Kyan about the Wild Hunt, he mentions that the best Empyreals, if killed, are said to be recruited by the goddess, if the Wild Hunt ever manifests. He also mentions Druids believed in soulmates, which makes Nicole question why her mother hid information about Empyreals having mates in the book she found. This cements my theory about them potentially being mates or something close… 👀

Okay we love a man who cooks! During their dinner, Kyan opens up to Nicole, sharing his family history, past names and how he came to be an Empyreal, as well as touching upon the death of his mother and Alexandra. Nicole shows him her visions of Lynch.

There we have it, our second kiss!! Smiling, giggling and kicking my feet right now.

And would you look at that, Callum has arrived to ruin the moment. Upon seeing Nicole, he instantly connects her to her mother from all those years ago, eager to question her. The three of them then head to the museum, knowing Lynch is also headed there. Callum and Nicole agree to search the archives for the painting whilst Kyan deals with Lynch.

When Kyan finds Lynch, he informs him he hasn’t contacted the Wake as requested. In response, Lynch removes the crystal and stabs Kyan with it. Sensing trouble, Callum heads toward Kyan, leaving Nicole alone in the archives where Lynch appears. He tells her he will come and find her when they have more time to be alone. *Shivers*.

We end today’s reading rather tensely with Kyan and Nicole having a bit of an argument. I hope they make up soon and Kyan will be okay!

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Well, the ending of today’s reading has me excited (but scared) to continue! This book is so captivating!

Do you have any theories on what Lynch might be planning?

Why do you think Nicole’s mother hid the information about mated Empyreals?

And most importantly, are you swooning over their romance as much as I am?! 😍

I’m so excited to see what will happen in tomorrow’s chapters, see you there fairies!

Love,
Jodie