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

“What if your brothers walk in?”

He lifted his head. “Do you think I care what they think?”

“The thing is, if you don’t stop doing that thing you do with your tongue and my neck, I might be tempted to drag you to your bedroom and have my way with you.”

Nicolai smiled. “We wouldn’t want that, now would we?”

I swatted his chest with my hand. He grabbed it.

“As much as I’d like to lift you over my shoulder and carry you down the hall and into my room, you’re right. Because when the time comes for us to be together in that way, I’ll need all night to make love to you the way you deserve.” The intensity of his gaze made me tremble. He pulled me closer and pressed me to him.

“You seem happier today, Willow, so I’m afraid to tell you this, but Maria is leaving. She’ll be gone for a few days.”

“I know. She already told me.”

“And you’re okay with it?”

“It’s not like with my brothers … or my father. She’ll be back.”

Nicolai took my hand, and we walked out onto the balcony. Even though it was dark out, the air was warm and felt good as it caressed my skin. The sensation made me realize that other than my father’s funeral, I hadn’t left the castle since my father died.

“This might not be the best time to bring this up, Nicolai, but you do realize I can’t stay here forever, don’t you?”

He turned to me, his jaw clenched and brow furrowed. “You’re not leaving until Peter has been dealt with.”

“We haven’t seen or heard from him since the night my father died. What if he decided to cut his losses and leave Beaver Falls for good?”

“He hasn’t.”

“Nicolai, I have a job, and a home that needs tending to.”

“If anything were to happen to you, Willow.” Nicolai shook his head. “I don’t even want to think about it.”

“I’m not defenseless, you know.”

Nicolai pounded his fist into the railing. “You’re not, but I am.” He shook his head. “I’ve never wanted to leave this castle more than I do now. If I wasn’t trapped here, I could find that demon myself and get rid of him myself. But instead, I’ve kept you here, trapped right beside me. You deserve better.”

I put my hand on his cheek. “Nicolai, please don’t think that way.”

“I’ve never felt more powerless in my life than I do now.”

“You’re not powerless,” I said, determined to make him understand that he was the only good thing in my life. “If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know how I would have gotten through everything that’s happened.”

“I swear,” he replied, pulling me into his arms. “One way or another I will make it up to you.”

I wasn’t sure what Nicolai meant by that, and I didn’t bother to ask. Instead I kissed him.

Chapter 22

Two days passed. Nicolai and I spent them taking walks around the castle. He had the kitchen staff prepare my favorite meals, and afterward he played his cello for me. Despite the romantic gestures, I had a hard time pushing thoughts of Peter out of my head. At night he haunted my dreams leaving me with the feeling that he was soon coming for me.

“The dreams are a sign,” Nicolai said over dinner. “A witch’s dreams are often prophetic.”

“A sign of what?”

“That he’ll soon make his move.”

I pushed my plate away, my appetite suddenly gone. “I wish Maria was back.”

“My brothers are more than capable of protecting you.”

At least one of them remained in the castle at all times. In spite of Nicolai’s demand that they put their search on hold until Maria returned, the other two occasionally left to see if they could pick up a trace of Peter’s scent. I wasn’t sure which course was wiser so I usually kept my mouth shut when Nicolai and his brothers argued.

Despite Nicolai’s assurances, I couldn’t stop worrying.

Werewolf versus incubus. I wasn’t sure who’d win in a fight like that. It all depended on how long it had been since Peter had fed. Over a week had passed since my father’s death. The power he’d drained from my dad had to have waned by now, but Beaver Falls undoubtedly had plenty of other victims for Peter to choose from.

“If you’re not going to finish your dinner, then come.” Nicolai reached for my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “Let me play for you.”

We headed toward the music room. When we were almost there something seemed to catch Nicolai’s attention. He stopped walking and turned his head.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he replied. “I’m just being paranoid, that’s all.”

We took a few more steps, and once more Nicolai froze. “Peter,” he whispered.

“Are you sure?”

Nicolai nodded.

My heart pounded, and my hands grew clammy. “How do you know?”

“His scent.”

“Where are your brothers?”

“Home, I think. They would’ve told me if they were going out,” Nicolai replied. He tugged on my hand, dragging me further down the hallway until we reached the music room. He pulled me into it. “I want you to stay in here.”

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“To help my brothers.”

Fear clawed at me. As badly as Nicolai wanted to help, we both knew he couldn’t. His curse left him practically defenseless.

“Nicolai, don’t go.” I begged. “Please stay with me.”

His face paled.

“What’s wrong.”

“He’s coming this way.”

I shoved my way past Nicolai but froze as soon as I saw that Peter stood at the other end of the hallway. Before I could react, he was face to face with us. In less than a second, he’d traveled the length of the hallway.

Peter lifted his hand and gestured to me. “Come here, Willow.” His voice was almost mesmerizing.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

The words were barely out of my mouth when Nicolai pushed me back into the music room and locked the doors behind us.

Peter pounded on the door. “Stop making this so difficult. Give Willow to me and I won’t harm you.”

“Willow is mine