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

pages of potion recipes. Love potions, healing potions, wish-granting potions, the list went on. I even found one for binding a witch’s power and wondered if that’s what my mother had used on me.

At close to five, I left my office and went home, staying only to change my clothes. My father was in the kitchen, cooking.

“You’re not staying for dinner tonight either?” he asked.

“Sorry, Dad. But I’ve got plans again.”

He frowned. “You’ve had them every night this week. Is everything all right?”

“If it wasn’t, I’d tell you. You know that.”

“Did you hear about the Korzhas’ new houseguest?” he asked.

“You mean Maria?” I shouldn’t have been surprised that he had. She stood out. And people in Beaver Falls liked to talk.

“Is that her name?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you getting mixed up with those folks. Dinner is one thing, but you’ve been over there almost every day since then. Don’t try to deny it either. I know that’s where you’re headed.”

I put my hands on my hips. “Dad, you worry too much.”

“Willow—”

Before he could offer any more warnings, I kissed him on his forehead. “I’ll see you later, Dad,” I said, and then dashed outside and back into my car.

When I arrived at the Korzhas’, Alexander informed me that Nicolai was in the salon, waiting for me. I went to find him.

The table was set for two. I took a seat across from Nicolai.

“Where’s Maria?” I asked.

“She’ll come after we’ve finished eating.”

I stared at the food on the table. There was a basket of sliced bread along with a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers and stuffed cabbage, something I had never tried before, and wasn’t sure I’d like.

“I promise you’ll like it,” Nicolai said, noticing my hesitation.

He turned out to be right. The cabbage rolls were mouthwateringly delicious. I would’ve helped myself to more if I didn’t feel so awkward about stuffing my face in front of Nicolai.

“Maria told me about the potion she made for you,” Nicolai said. “Do you feel any different?”

I shrugged. “Not really.”

“Something about you has changed, though. I’m not a witch, but I can sense it.”

“Changed in a good way or a bad way?”

“I’m not sure I could ever bring myself to use the word bad when referring to you, Willow.”

My face heated, and I looked down at my plate, hoping Nicolai didn’t notice my reaction to his compliment.

We ate in silence for a few minutes. Through my brain fog I managed to come up with a question to break the quiet. “So, um, what do you do in here all day?”

Nicolai leaned back in his chair, contemplating his answer. “I read a lot. I eat, and sleep, and talk to my brothers.” He sighed. “I also spend a lot of time staring at the world outside the walls of this castle.”

“Why do you torture yourself that way?”

“I can’t seem to stop myself.”

Before I could reply, Maria swept into the room, her arms loaded with books. “Are you ready to begin, Willow?”

I pushed my half-finished meal away. “I think so.”

“Good.” She turned to look at Nicolai. “We’ll need some privacy, please.”

Nicolai stood. “Don’t work her too hard.”

Maria stared at him. “You do want to leave this castle, don’t you?”

“It’s okay, Nicolai. I’ll be fine,” I said.

Hesitantly, he walked away, leaving Maria and me alone.

She put the books down on the table and opened one of them. “Come here,” she commanded.

I walked up to her and peered over her shoulder.

“These are telekinesis spells. I want you to practice one.” She pointed to the page then turned to look at me. “Getting a spell to work takes more than just saying the words. It’s nothing like that nonsense you see in movies and on TV. You have to focus on the words and bring them to life. You must use your will to make what you want happen. In the beginning, it will take a great deal of effort, but soon it will become second nature to you. You need to practice, though. I cannot stress that enough.”

I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”

“Above everything trust and belief are what make magic happen. Trust in the power that resides inside yourself and belief that you were meant to have those powers. Magic takes conviction and concentration. You have to believe in what you’re doing, or nothing will happen.”

The concentration part I could do, but the belief part was a bit more of a challenge.

“What do I do first?”

“Read the words in your mind. There are power in them. Concentrate on what you want to happen. When you’re ready, say them. It doesn’t have to be loud, whispering is fine. With time you’ll find a method that works for you. Start with a small object. The better you get at this spell, the bigger the object you’ll be able to move.”

For a moment the thought of saying the words on the page in front of me seemed silly. But then I thought about Nicolai, and for the first time since I’d drunk the potion Maria had given me, I felt power brewing inside me, and the words just flowed.

Object in my sight. Now is the time to take flight.

Nothing happened. Maria had me try again, and again I failed.

“This isn’t working.”

“You’re getting frustrated,” Maria said. “Don’t. Just concentrate.”

I tried again. This time the fork I’d used to eat dinner with moved an inch or two. I covered my mouth with my hands shocked that I’d actually made something happen.

“Close isn’t good enough,” Maria chided.

On my next attempt the same thing happened. The fork moved, but it didn’t fly into the air like I’d hoped it would.

“Focus on where you want the fork to go. That will help.”

I stared at it again, picturing the path I wanted it to take in my mind. It still only moved a few inches.

“Deep breaths, Willow. And relax. You’re too tense. Magical energy can’t flow through a body that’s wound so tight.”

I closed my eyes and took a few meditative breaths.