The Cursed Prince by Teresa Roman (reading e books txt) 📕

“I’m pretty sure I’ve got it written down in one of my old address books. I’ll see if I can track it down and get it to you,” he said. “But I should warn you, Delilah tends to say some crazy things. Don’t believe everything she tells you.”

I fell asleep that night with Nicolai Korzha on my mind. I woke up a few times, and every time I did, I tried to train my mind to think about something else, but as soon as I fell back asleep, his face filled my head again. Those dark eyes of his stared right at me. His full lips beckoned me to kiss them. A fire sparked inside of me at the thought. I could almost feel his strong arms wrapped around me the way they had been when he’d stopped me from falling the night before.

I woke up the next morning feeling uneasy. Sometime during the night I’d decided that there really was no other explanation for what I’d seen at the castle other than the one Nicolai and his brothers had given me. Which meant I needed answers. Answers that I hoped my aunt could give me, because I had no idea who else to turn to for them.

By the time I got dressed, my father was already gone. He’d left Delilah’s phone number on the kitchen table. I slipped it into my purse and grabbed a nutrition bar before heading to my office.

I was the first one in, which came as no surprise since our receptionist, Maggie, was notoriously late. So were the other two accountants I shared the office with. Our firm was owned by one of my father’s buddies and his son, both of whom came and went as they pleased. We all had our own clients and pretty much did our own thing, so even though we shared an office, some days I barely saw them. I took a seat behind my desk and fished Delilah’s number out of my purse, laying it down in front of me. Instead of reaching for the phone, I drummed my fingernails on the top of my desk, trying to decide what I’d say.

I decided to call Peter instead. He’d left a message for me yesterday, and I hadn’t yet returned it.

He answered on the first ring. “It’s a good thing you called. I was beginning to think my biggest fear had come true. That you decided to leave me for one of the Korzha brothers. You wouldn’t do that to me, though, would you?”

“Of course not.”

“What are you doing tonight? I want to see you.”

“I made plans already … with Grace.” I was going to have to text her and ask her to cover for me in case their paths somehow crossed. “But I’m free tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Something in his voice sounded off. I wondered if he knew I was lying or if it was just my guilty conscience making me think that way. “I suppose I can wait another day.”

After I hung up, I stared at my phone again. I was almost certain that Nicolai’s brothers were wrong about me being a witch. But that didn’t mean talking to Delilah would be a waste of time. The legend surrounding Beaver Falls had to have come from somewhere. Maybe my aunt would know something or someone that could help Nicolai. I dialed her number even though I still hadn’t figured out what I was going to say to her. I’d just have to play things by ear.

“Willow,” she said after I told her who was calling. “It’s been ages. How are you doing?”

“I’m good.”

“Are you still living in Beaver Falls?”

“Yes.”

“You must be bored to tears. There’s not much for someone your age to do there.”

“I know. But I don’t want my dad to be here all alone, and I don’t think I’ll ever get him to agree to move.”

“You’re right about that,” she said, her voice tinged with sadness. “He’ll never leave that house. He still misses Abby so much that I doubt anything can make him leave the home they shared.”

Hearing how much my dad loved my mother always made me wistful. “I wish I’d gotten a chance to know her better.”

“Me too.”

I couldn’t think of what to say next, so I just held the phone to my ear, trying to think of the right questions to ask in order to get the answers I wanted.

Delilah broke the silence. “Well, are you going to tell me why you called? I get the feeling there’s something you want to ask me.”

I was about to tell her that I just wanted to say hello but quickly changed my mind. I wasn’t going to get anywhere that way. “I had a conversation with someone recently, and it got me thinking. You know what everyone says about Beaver Falls and witches, right? Dad says it’s nonsense, but I guess I was wondering if you think there’s any truth to it?”

She hesitated before replying, “That’s a strange question.”

“Well?”

“Why are you asking me?” she said, her voice a pitch higher.

“Your family has lived in Beaver Falls for generations. I figured if anyone would know, it’s you.”

“I suppose you have a point,” she replied. “So to answer your question, yes, I don’t only think the rumors are true, I know they are.”

That wasn’t what I’d expected her to say. “You know? How?”

She sucked in a deep breath, “I’m not sure I’m the right person to be asking about all this.”

“Why not?”

Aunt Delilah was silent for a moment before replying. “I shouldn’t tell you any of this, but you’re not a child anymore, and you deserve to know the truth,” she said. “You have to promise me first that you won’t let your father know I said anything, though, or he’ll hunt me down and shoot me where I stand.”

I sat up straight in my chair. “I won’t say anything, I swear.”

“You and I, we come from a long line of witches. If the women