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

about to reassure him that it would happen soon, that his curse would be lifted, and he’d get to go outdoors and feel the sun kissing his skin. But then I remembered him asking me not to lie to him or promise things I couldn’t be sure would happen. “I’m sorry, Nicolai. I didn’t mean to make you think about your curse.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve gotten used to my life the way it is now.” Nicolai stared into my eyes

and then took my hand. “I’m not going to lie, I think about the world outside the walls of this castle all the time, but right at this moment, I’m exactly where I want to be.”

My heart skipped a beat, and a strange fluttery feeling came over me. I tried to think of something to say but couldn’t come up with a single word.

Nicolai tugged on my hand. “Come,” he said. “You haven’t seen the whole castle yet. I’ve got a lot more to show you.”

I followed him out of the room. This time we headed left instead of right. He pointed out a few more bedrooms, mainly used by guests, when they had them.

“Can I ask you something?” I said.

“Of course.”

“Why is it that that your brothers hardly ever leave this castle?’

“They leave it all the time, they just don’t venture into town very much. There’s very little need to do so,” Nicolai explained. “Everything we need to enjoy ourselves can be found within these walls or on the grounds. We have both an indoor and outdoor pool, a full gym, a home theater.”

“Must be nice,” I murmured.

“I suppose,” he said. “Although when this sort of lifestyle is all you’ve ever known, sometimes it can be hard to appreciate what you have.”

“People talk, you know. They wonder why you guys stay to yourselves so much.”

“Ever since I was a little boy, my parents brought me and my brothers here to Beaver Falls for holiday. Our time here was supposed to give us a chance to escape the responsibilities we have as sons of the king and queen. We are under the microscope enough as it is.”

“I see your point.”

We continued down another hallway where Nicolai showed me the servants’ quarters. Then we went down a set of stairs where the indoor pool and gym that he’d mentioned earlier were found.

“You seem tired,” Nicolai said after we returned to the library. “Why don’t I have a room made up for you? I can send someone to your home for a change of clothing if you like.”

I shook my head. Peter would be livid if he found out I spent the night here. And I had a feeling my father wouldn’t be happy either. “No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll sleep better in my own bed.”

“Will you come back tomorrow?”

I really needed to put some distance between us, but at the same time, I couldn’t bring myself to turn down his request. “Maria would kill me if I didn’t.”

I kissed Nicolai on the cheek and ran down the stairs before he could ask if my lessons with Maria were the only reason I planned on returning. I couldn’t find Maria anywhere, so Maxim had one of the castle’s servants give me a ride home instead. His name was Stefan, but since he didn’t speak English very well, the drive was mostly a silent one, which suited me just fine since I wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

That night, I had another nightmare. Except this time, it wasn’t about werewolves, but about some sort of horned demonic creature with fang-like teeth and dagger-like talons that Nicolai once again couldn’t save me from because he was trapped inside the castle.

I woke up trembling and had a hard time getting back to sleep. But eventually I did, and by the time I woke up in the morning, I felt much better than I had the day before. Eager to prove myself to Maria, I got out of bed early. Before leaving the house, I called Peter. I wanted to hear his voice and tell him what a nice time I’d had with him the day before. And I wanted him to say the same thing back to me. I figured that a little fortification before I saw Nicolai wouldn’t hurt, but Peter didn’t answer his phone.

I shook off my disappointment and got in my car. The first thing Maria did when I arrived at the castle was scold me. She pointed to the stack of books I’d left behind the day before. “You’re supposed to be studying.” I’d been in such a rush to get home that I’d forgotten all about them.

“I have been, I swear. I was just tired yesterday.”

She looked unconvinced but dropped the subject and opened up the spell book. This time, the pyrokinesis spell came easily to me. It took only a few tries before I got a fire started in the fireplace and another few tries before I put it out.

“You are a very talented witch, Willow.” Maria sounded like a proud parent.

I smiled at her, pleased that I’d made a good impression after my utter failure the day before. “All I needed was a good night’s rest.”

Maria crossed her arms. “Among other things.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If I told you, you wouldn’t listen, so I’m not going to bother wasting my words.”

“Please tell me this isn’t about Peter.”

Maria’s eyes flashed. She put her hands on her hips. I was sure she was about to give me another lecture, but instead she let out a deep breath, walked up to me and wrapped her hands around my wrists. “You may not believe this, but I care for you, Willow. Just like I care for the pack of wolves that lives inside this castle.”

I lifted my gaze to meet her eyes. She came across as harsh, but underneath her tough exterior Maria had a caring heart. I wasn’t sure how much the Korzhas were paying her, but she