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

“Willow will find you when the two of us are done with her lessons.”

My eyes followed Nicolai as he walked out of the room. I ignored my strange impulse to run after him and ask him to kiss me. I imagined what his lips would feel like on mine, and my insides clenched. Then I pictured him telling me that he wanted me to be his. All I had to do was break up with Peter, and he’d stay in Beaver Falls forever to be with me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and put my palm on my forehead. I didn’t feel well. Maybe I had a fever.

“You have feelings for him, don’t you?” Maria said, studying me as I stared at the spot where Nicolai had stood moments ago.

“Don’t be ridiculous. We met a week ago. I barely know him.”

“Have you never heard of love at first sight?”

“You mean lust at first sight?”

“There is that. But if all it took was a handsome face, then why is it that only Nicolai has piqued your interest? His brothers are just as fine-looking as he is.”

“He has not piqued my interest. We’re friends, nothing more.”

“You’re drawn to him, even though you don’t want to be.”

Maria was overly perceptive. I wondered if that came from being a witch. “It doesn’t matter whether or not I’m drawn to him. Nicolai is a prince, and I’m just a nobody from some stupid small town that Nicolai and his brothers can’t wait to get away from. Once Nicolai’s curse is lifted, he’ll return home and marry some perfectly beautiful princess and forget he ever knew me.”

“You are as lovely, lovelier even, than most princesses I’ve met. I’ve lived a long life and have met a great deal of nobility. Many cannot hold a candle to you.”

It was an incredible compliment, especially coming from Maria, who didn’t seem like the type to give them out easily, but despite it, I bit my lip, trying to fight back frustrated tears. “Ugh, sometimes I wish I’d never stepped foot in this damn castle.”

“But you did. And there is a reason for that.”

“If you’re going to start talking about destiny, then you can just stop. I don’t believe in that.”

“Since you’re so stubborn, I think, for now, that I’ll refrain from telling you what I do and don’t believe in.”

“I. Am. Not. Stubborn.”

Maria laughed then shook her head. “You’re here to learn magic, not to argue with an old lady like me,” she said. “Take your books out.”

I took the spell book out and laid it down on an end table. It opened on its own, pages flipping until finally stopping on one with pyrokinesis spells.

Maria pointed to the fireplace. “Remember, you must focus.”

“You want me to start a fire?”

Maria nodded.

I looked down at the spell book, reading each word on the pages in front of me carefully. Then I turned my gaze toward the fireplace. Focus and trust, focus and trust. No matter how hard I tried, nothing happened. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and the muscles in my neck tightened. I glanced at Maria, expecting anger from her and a lecture about concentration. Instead, she just shook her head. “It’s no use. Go. Look for Nicolai. Your time is better spent with him than with me.”

“Why can’t I do this?”

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.”

I put my hands on my hips. “You don’t know that.”

Maria crossed her arms and turned her back to me. “Don’t forget your books.”

Conversation obviously closed, I gathered them and left without another word. I found Nicolai upstairs in the library. He smiled as I entered the room. “That was quick,” he said.

I didn’t bother explaining why. Instead, I put my books down and took a seat, too exhausted to remain on my feet.

“You look tired,” he said.

“It’s been a long day.”

Nicolai stood behind me and brushed my hair to the side. He put his hands on my shoulders and rubbed them, massaging the tension away. I closed my eyes, relaxing as he eased my rigid muscles. “I’m still amazed that I can do this.”

“Do what?”

“Touch you without falling to my knees in agony.”

I imagined how hard that had to be. His curse meant he hadn’t made love to a woman in almost two years. An image of the two of us in bed flashed through my mind. My heart quickened, and my face heated. I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. Get a grip, Willow.

“Tell me about your day. How did you spend it?” he said, snapping me back to reality.

“I woke up late and made pancakes for breakfast,” I said. “Then I met Peter at the park.”

His hands tensed. “The park? It feels like ages since I’ve visited it. Are the ducks still there?”

I smiled. “Yes. There seems to be more and more of them every year.”

“What flowers are in bloom? Describe them to me.”

“I’m not very good at describing things, but the next time I go I can take pictures.”

“That would be lovely.”

I reached behind me for Nicolai’s hand. “Sit beside me.”

“As you wish.”

“Tell me about you,” I said. “I feel like you know almost everything there is to know about me, but I don’t know that much about you.”

“What would you like to know?”

“I want to know what you’re good at, besides massages. And what your favorite color is. What you like to eat. Your favorite movie. What kind of music you like. That sort of thing.”

“That’s a long list.”

“I’m a curious person.”

“I love the sound of string instruments. Not just as part of an orchestra either. Some of my favorite pieces are solo performances. Especially cello, which is why I also play.”

“You play cello?”

He nodded.

I also loved stringed instruments. “Would you play for me someday?”

“I’d love to.”

“What about your favorite color?”

“Blue, like you. I don’t really have a favorite movie. I’ve always preferred spending time outside instead of in a movie theater or at home in front of the TV.”

I was just