The Cursed Prince, Teresa Roman [the reader ebook TXT] 📗

“Let’s just say I was sort of distracted.”

“By what?”

I told her about meeting Nicolai, and how Frederic and Maxim showed up at my house to invite me over again yesterday. I left out the part about Nicolai being cursed, but I did tell her that he’d asked if we could be friends and that I’d agreed to visit him again today. “Which is the reason I’m here. I need you to cover for me in case you run into Peter.”

“You know I will,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re playing with fire here? You’re dating Peter, but you’re spending time with another guy.”

“It’s not like that. Nicolai just wants a friend. Someone he can talk to.” I searched my mind for the best way to explain the situation so that it would make sense to her. “The thing is, Nicolai is sick,” I said, using the same lie I had with my father. “He’s pretty much stuck in that castle. So he’s lonely. That’s why his brothers throw those dinner parties, even though most of the time he’s just not up to attending them.”

“That’s so … sad.”

“I know. That’s why I want to help Nicolai. I feel so bad for what he’s going through.”

Grace shrugged. “I hear you. But I’m not so sure there isn’t something else going on. This whole situation seems rather odd.”

“Something else like what?”

“What if Nicolai isn’t actually sick? What if he’s a vampire and plans on making you his next meal?”

I laughed. “You’ve been watching too many movies. And what ever happened to your royal family fantasy? The last we talked, you were sure the Korzhas were princes.”

Her eyes widened. “What if they’re both? Wouldn’t that be awesome to be both immortal and royalty?”

I shook my head. “Girl, you’re crazy.” Not that the actual truth about the Korzhas was any stranger than what Grace was suggesting, but there was no way I was telling her that.

“Don’t worry about Peter. If I run into him, I’ll be certain to mention that we’re hanging out later.”

“I’m going to explain everything to him eventually.”

“I’m sure he’ll understand. It’s not like you guys are married, and even if you were, there’s nothing wrong with having a friend who’s a guy. Peter will realize that you’re just trying to do something good for your fellow man … or vampire.”

I gave her an exasperated look. Even though I was fairly certain the Korzhas weren’t vampires, I was also certain there was a lot they hadn’t told me. Like why someone had cursed Nicolai in the first place. That was another reason I wanted to return to the castle. If I was going to help Nicolai, then I deserved answers, and one way or another, I planned on getting them tonight.

Chapter 8

Frederic answered the door.

“Where’s Nicolai?” I asked as he led me down the hallway.

“He’s upstairs in the library.” As we reached the foyer, he turned to face me. “But before you go to him, I’d like to have a few words with you.”

“Okay,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the uneasy way he made me feel.

I followed him into the drawing room and took a seat on one of the sofas. Frederic sat opposite me, crossed his legs, and brushed a piece of lint off his pants before lifting his gaze to meet mine.

“I’ll get straight to the point. An old family friend will be arriving tomorrow from our country. She has agreed to help teach you about magic and witchcraft.”

“I don’t think that’s going to help Nicolai.”

Frederic frowned. “Why not?”

Frederic’s eyes brightened as I told him about my conversation with Delilah earlier.

“This is good news,” he said with a smile.

“I might be a witch.” It felt so strange to say those words. “But what good will I be to Nicolai if my powers are bound?”

“I’m certain unbinding them will be a fairly easy thing to do.”

I couldn’t help the thrill that ran through me at Frederic’s words. Despite Delilah’s warnings, I was curious. Now that the shock of learning my true heritage was wearing off, I found myself excited at the prospect of learning magic. And not just because I wanted to help Nicolai.

“That’s all well and good, but can a witch really be taught to lift a curse?” I asked.

Frederic thought about my question for a moment before replying. “Perhaps you’re right. But at this time you are our best chance. We have exhausted every possible solution thus far. Still, I refuse to give up hope just yet.”

“I should tell you that I have a boyfriend. So just in case you were considering it, the whole true love’s kiss thing isn’t going to work.”

Frederic shook his head, arched his eyebrow and in a condescending voice said, “You watch too many Disney movies.”

From our brief interactions with each other over the past few days it was obvious he didn’t like me, that the only reason he deigned to share space with me was because he thought I could help Nicolai. I sat up straight and glared at him. “Is there anything else?”

“You will need to be here every day for lessons.”

“I can’t do that. I just told you, I have a boyfriend. There’s no way he’s going to go for that, and even if he did, I have a job. I don’t have the time to come here every day to learn magic.”

“Quit your job. I’ll pay you double what you make now.”

I stared at him. “Are you kidding me? I’m not just going to give up my job.”

“Listen to me, Willow. For two years, my brother has been trapped inside this castle. And in some ways, we are trapped right here with him. My father refuses to let any of us return home until Nicolai can return with us. I would do just about anything to leave this godforsaken place and never come here again. Do you understand me?”

“Fine, since you asked so nicely. I’ll show up as often as possible for these lessons