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

you stormed out of our home tonight, furious. He’s worried that you’re going to turn your back on Nicolai.”

“I’m not turning my back on him. I just need some time to cool off.”

“Nicolai needs you. We need you,” Maxim said. “Which means we don’t have the time or patience for your little temper tantrum.”

“Are you trying to piss me off?” I expected Frederic to talk to me like this, not Maxim. “Or does it just come naturally to you?”

He let out a deep breath. “I apologize. Things were quite tense this evening after you left. I shouldn’t be taking it out on you though.”

“Is Nicolai okay?”

“He’s furious with Maria for deceiving you, and with Frederic for, well, you know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nic so despondent. He’s afraid you won’t return.”

“I … I just need a little time to clear my head, that’s all.”

“Whether you choose to believe it or not, Maria was only trying to protect you. I don’t condone what she did, but what choice was she left with? You refuse to even entertain the notion that that boyfriend of yours is sinister.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not this again.”

“Maria is very old. She has seen more than you could possibly imagine. Our family has come to learn that when she says something, we’re better off listening,” Maxim said. “Besides, what possible reason would she have to lie to you? Do you think she wants your boyfriend for herself?”

“Of course I don’t.” I crossed my arms, irritated by Maxim’s questions. He was right, Maria had no reason to lie to me. Which meant she was truly convinced that Peter was an incubus. I’d just have to figure out how to convince her otherwise.

“Can I let Nicolai know that you’ll see him in the morning?”

I wanted to say no, to draw some boundaries. It felt like my life had been taken over, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that. No matter how bad I feared this whole thing would end, I couldn’t bring myself to stay away from Nicolai. I dropped my arms to my sides. “That’s fine.”

Maxim smiled. “Thank you, Willow.” He gave my arm a quick squeeze then turned. I watched him for a moment as he walked away before going back inside McAllister’s.

“What did he want?” Grace asked as I sat down beside her.

“To tell me that Nicolai isn’t feeling well. He wants me to visit in the morning.”

“What’s wrong with Nicolai anyway? Does he have cancer or something?”

“I think his doctors are still trying to figure it all out,” I said, the lie coming more easily this time. I didn’t like that it did.

“Let’s hope they figure it out soon. Because I’m not sure how much longer you’re going to be able to keep Peter from finding out about your friendship with the Korzha brothers. He’s not going to like it. Not that I’d blame him. If my boyfriend was friends with the female version of Maxim, I’d be pretty jealous.”

I leaned back in my chair. “If I tell you something, do you swear to keep it to yourself?”

“Of course I will. I’m your best friend. Remember?”

“I think I might possibly kind of have a crush on Nicolai.” I lifted my gaze to catch Grace’s reaction to my confession.

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

I nodded.

“Have you told him?”

“No. I can’t,” I said. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you were right about the Korzhas. They are royalty. And Nicolai already has a bride waiting for him back in his country. So I’m not about to screw up our friendship by telling him, or screw up my relationship with Peter, who I might actually have a future with.”

“That doesn’t sound very romantic.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I really do like Peter a lot. A lot, a lot. If my dad hadn’t gotten sick yesterday, right about now Peter and I would be in his cabin in the Catskills doing you know what.”

“You haven’t known Nicolai for very long,” Grace pointed out.

“I know that. Which is another reason why I’m not going to let my stupid little infatuation mess things up with Peter.”

“Okay.” Grace took a swig of beer. “Hear me out. I’m not saying that I believe in love at first sight or anything, ‘cause you know I think that’s bullshit. But I do think you can feel an instant attraction to someone.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“That maybe you should tell Nicolai what you’re feeling and find out if he feels the same way. A lot of relationships start out with two people connecting for whatever reason and then getting to know each other better.”

I shook my head. “I’m not doing that. In another few weeks, Nicolai will be on a plane home, and once he’s gone he’s probably never coming back to Beaver Falls.”

Grace sighed. “I hear what you’re saying. It sucks, though. Marrying a prince would be terribly romantic.”

The starry look in her eyes made me laugh. Or maybe it was the beer I’d just finished.

“What’s so funny?” Grace asked.

“This whole thing. When you think about it, it’s so ridiculous. I have a crush on a prince. A freaking prince.”

“It is kind of crazy. Even for weird-ass Beaver Falls.” Grace gulped down the last bit of her beer. “So is Nicolai as handsome as Maxim?”

“More.”

“Oh, shit, girl.” Grace grinned. “You’re in trouble.”

“Don’t I know it.”

Chapter 16

I had trouble falling asleep that night. A crazy jumble of thoughts and feelings filled my head. Anger, confusion, desire, fear. As I lay in bed trying to sleep, doubt managed to creep its way into my mind. What if Maria wasn’t lying? What if Peter really was an incubus? The thought made me sick to my stomach. I pushed it out of my head. But almost as soon as I did, it returned. I had no idea how, but eventually I managed to drift off.

I awoke to the sound of my phone ringing. Peter.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said. “How’s my girl