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

“He is. But it sounds like he’s going to need to stay here for a few days. I can’t leave him.”

He let out a deep breath. “I can’t say that I’m not disappointed, but I understand,” he said. “Can I see you later, though? Even if it’s only for a few minutes.”

“Yes. I’d like that.”

“Good. I’ll call you later then.”

I spent the next few hours in the hospital, waiting for answers about how my father was doing. The only time I left his bedside was to go to the cafeteria for a quick lunch.

Eventually, Samantha came to tell me that a bed was ready upstairs in one of the hospital wards.

“Take a break,” she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. “It takes a while to get a patient settled in. You can always come back later and see him. The nurses upstairs are amazing. Your father is in good hands. I promise.”

I picked up my purse, gave my dad a kiss on his forehead, and headed out, driving to Peter’s house. After the day I’d had, I needed a shoulder to cry on. When he didn’t come to the door, I texted him, hoping that maybe he was close by. No answer.

I got back in my car, intending to drive home, but instead I found myself on the road that led to the castle. After passing through the gates, I parked and walked up to the door. Just as I was about to knock, I heard a growl behind me and turned. Stalking closer with each slow, deliberate step was a wolf. It glared at me and bared its teeth, just like in my nightmare. For a moment, I stood there frozen in place by fear. Just as I’d figured out the safest path to make a run for it, the wolf began thrashing, its body jerking from side to side. In no more than a minute or two, it morphed from beast to man. Less than ten feet away from me stood Frederic. Naked. He walked toward me, clearly not the least bit embarrassed that he had no clothes on. Considering the perfection that was his body, that shouldn’t have been surprising. His chest was perfectly chiseled, his legs long and muscular.

I turned away from him.

“I can’t be the first man you’ve seen without clothes on,” he said, his tone almost mocking.

Before I could offer a reply, the door opened. Maxim glared over my shoulder at his brother. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“I was out for a run on my property. How was I supposed to know Willow was going to stop by for a visit? Last I heard, she was supposed to be gone all weekend.”

“You didn’t have to shift in front of her.” Maxim lowered his gaze and offered me his hand. “Come inside. You’re here to see Nicolai, I assume.”

I nodded.

“He’s upstairs in the library.”

I darted inside without looking over my shoulder and rushed upstairs. The door to the library was ajar, so I pushed it open, startling Nicolai. The book in his lap dropped to the floor with a loud thud.

“Willow.” He stood. “What are you doing here?”

Without thinking, I ran into his arms, tears suddenly streaming down my face. Tentatively, he wrapped an arm around me. “What happened?”

“My father’s in the hospital.” And your brother just scared me half to death.

Nicolai stroked my hair. “Is he all right?”

I eased out of his arms and looked up at him. “He had a stroke. The left side of his body is weak. His doctor thinks he’ll get better with therapy, but what if he’s wrong? My father will be miserable if he winds up being stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”

“I’m so sorry, Willow.” He wiped my tears away with the pad of his thumb. Then he took my hand. “I think I know how to help him. Come.”

He led me out of the library and down the hallway to the guest quarters, where he knocked on one of the doors. Maria answered.

“Willow’s father is ill,” Nicolai told her. “But you can use magic to heal him, can’t you?”

Maria clasped her hands together. “I can, but it would arouse all sorts of suspicion. You know that.”

“I don’t care,” I said. “Let it.”

“You should care. The last thing you want is people suspecting you’re a witch.”

“This is Beaver Falls. Almost everyone here believes in witches. I don’t think it would be a big deal if people knew I was one.”

Maria threw her head back and laughed. “They don’t really believe. Those psychics and fortune-tellers people flock to in this town provide entertainment, nothing more. Certainly a handful of witches remain in Beaver Falls, but do you know who any of them are?”

I shook my head.

“That’s because they take great care to conceal their abilities. If anyone saw you or any of them perform real magic, the consequences would be grave.”

“This is my dad we’re talking about. I’ll take my chances.”

“Fine,” she said, closing the door to her bedroom behind herself. “Then take me to him, and I’ll do what I can.”

We drove to the hospital in silence, mostly because I was too busy praying that Maria could heal my father. Once we arrived, I took her straight to my father’s room. He was fast asleep. I stood beside him and brushed the hair off his forehead. Maria stood on the opposite side of his bed. She placed her hand on the middle of his chest.

“What do you think?” I asked, hopeful.

“I can help him,” she said, “but I seek something in return.”

“And what would that be?”

“Stay in Beaver Falls. You weren’t meant to take that trip with your … boyfriend. Your father’s illness is a sign.”

“He just had a stroke,” I said, impatiently. I didn’t like that she was using my father’s misfortune to get what she wanted. “I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

“Very well.” Maria pinched her eyes shut. Her hand remained on my father’s chest, she placed