Page 12 of The Prince's Curse

“I’ve long wondered if there was another way. A kinder way,” Mina said.

“I’ve never heard you mention that,” Scarlett said. The sharpness of her tone surprised her, and she wished she could reel it back in as she watched Mina’s thoughtful expression evaporate.

A whisper of cold flicked across Scarlett’s face, betraying Mina’s disapproval. “There are a great many things I do not burden you with, child,” she said.

“Oh,” Scarlett murmured. “I’m sorry.”

Mina’s expression softened. “It’s just a theory, and one that I’m allowing Lux to pursue as long as it isn’t a distraction. Regardless, it is not for you to worry about. Tell mewhat happened. The witch attacked your dreams. I must know what she did so that I can protect you.”

“But I don’t feel safe with you here and those vampires roaming around freely,” she said.

Her aunt’s eyes suddenly went pitch black. Raising one hand, she let out a soft sigh that turned into a glacial wind. The room went so dark she was entirely blind.

A voice whispered in Scarlett’s ear, like a rasping voice from the grave. I am no helpless maiden, my love, it whispered. Icy dread pooled in Scarlett’s belly as she shuddered.

The lights flickered, and the unnatural darkness vanished as quickly as it had come. Mina’s chest heaved, but she sat upright, still holding Scarlett’s gaze. “I appreciate your concern, but please don’t mistake me for a frail old woman. Now, tell me what happened.”

She hesitated, staring into her aunt’s tired-looking eyes. The memory of Julian’s touch lingered in her mind, echoed in the gentle pulsing ache between her legs. If that was an attack, Scarlett wasn’t entirely sure she minded.

“Scarlett?” Mina said firmly. “You must tell me, my love.”

She drew a shaking breath. “I had a dream about Julian.”

“You’ve dreamed of him before,” Mina said.

He had plagued her nightmares, especially around her birthdays. Another year gone, another reminder that someone had stolen a family from her. In those dreams, he found her in the most mundane places: walking through a supermarket, reading in her room, watching the sunset. They would tussle. No matter how hard she fought, he would leave her battered and bruised. Then he would laugh and sink those vicious teeth into her throat.

Not this time.

“It was different. He was kind. We…we danced together,” she lied. “That’s never happened. He kept saying to come home to him. Over and over. And he called me…” She shook her head. “I can’t remember. He called me another name.”

Mina’s eyes narrowed. “And that’s it?”

Her cheeks heated. Could she tell? Did getting halfway to orgasm show up in her magical aura? God, she hoped not. She blurted, “No! His eyes went dark, and he started to strangle me. Just like the dreams I’ve had before. And then I woke up,” she said. She shook her head. “Why would their witch try to attack me like that?”

“They know that we’re closing in on him,” Mina said. “And they know you are a threat.”

“But how?”

“Twice you’ve tangled with the Auberon. And if Kristina Arensberg has joined their ranks, she’s likely told them all about you and your colleagues,” Mina reminded her. “They must know you put them at risk. You cannot trust any of it.”

“I won’t. What about you?” she said quietly.

Shaking her head, Mina idly wrapped a piece of fringe around her finger. “I’ll be all right. Their witch has grown powerful. Probably using forbidden magic. She knows that I’m a threat too.”

“Is she a danger to you?”

Her aunt’s smile was an unsettling contrast to her cold stare. “Kova will deal with her. As for the rest of his court, your colleagues Jordan and Marlee will arrive soon. The three of you will burn the Blade of Auberon to the ground and leave nothing but ash.”

There was a soft shuffle of footsteps as Stella walked in with a pot of tea and several cups on a tray. The younger witch regarded Scarlett with a strange look, then poured a cup of tea for Mina. “You can go back to bed. You probably need to rest,” Stella said.

Scarlett wrinkled her nose and ignored the other witch, watching as her aunt sipped from her tea. “I don’t know if I can sleep any time soon.”

“Then go burn off some energy with training. That always calms your mind,” Mina said.

“But the vampires?—”

“I have the same protective wards I’ve always had,” Mina said. “Even if Lux lost control, they cannot cross that threshold. I promise.” She held out her hands, and Scarlett instinctively bowed to let her aunt kiss the top of her head. “Thank you for being so concerned for me. Your loyalty means everything to me.”

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