Page 12 of Once Charmed, Twice Cursed
Footsteps sound on the stairs, and Brendan appears. “Weston?What’s going on? What’re you doing down here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” the duke says hotly. “This...vagabond just saw fit to assault me.”
“Because I asked him to,” I cut in. “Because you laid hands on me.”
Brendan shoots me a look clearly intended to silence me. “Alverton’s your intended. It’s not inappropriate for him to touch you.”
Weston pales beneath his golden tan. “Intended? You’re… No. You’re marrying Bria tohim?”
As the dust-storm of my panic settles, rational thought peeks through. Why does Weston sound so horrified? Does that mean he actually cares? And what is he doing in our foyer at eight o’clock in the morning? He must have a reason for showing up so early.
Which means maybe... Just maybe...
Hope flares in the dead canyon beneath my ribs. “Ask,” I say.
Weston’s attention swivels toward me. “What?”
“Ask.” Desperation hurls words up my throat. “Please. For the love of Fortuna, justask. I can’t marry him.”
Weston’s eyes are pools of yellow fire, his focus so concentrated that it’s like a hot poker tunneling through my skin. The moment looms, threatening to crush me beneath its weight.
But Weston ultimately straightens, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. His gaze swings to Brendan. “Let me marry Bria.”
Air whooshes from my lungs. My entire being implodes into a cloud of glittering light.
I can’t believe it. One hundred and one proposals. Thank the goddess, one hundred and one.
The duke is the first to recover, his laugh slashing across the quiet like a whip. “What? Don’t be ridiculous, boy.”
Brendan glares down at his best friend, his expression thunderous. “What did you just say?”
Weston raises his chin. “I said I’ll marry her. Don’t yoke her to this...” He surveys the duke as if contemplating someone far beneath his station. Which, really, he is.
“…brute,” he finishes. “I can even make you an offer. Not as large as his, but I have some money. And I’ll give Bria a home. I’ll protect her. I’ll give her my...” He trails off.
Tingles trail down my spine. I wait.
Weston swallows hard. “Everything. I’ll give her everything. Even if we never touch.”
A squeak flies from my throat. If I weren’t leaning against the wall, I would crumple.
But Brendan’s frown deepens. “What’re you talking about? A Null can’t marry a Charm. And my best friend can’t marry mysister.”
“Yes,” I say. “Yes, yes, yes. I can.” I don’t even care about Weston’s insistence on no touching. I’ll convince him. I’ll make him see.
“Double,” the duke says.
I flinch. I’d almost forgotten him.
“What?” My brother’s focus shifts.
The duke gives me a once-over and smiles. The sensation is like being slathered with rancid butter. “Now that I’ve seen her, I’ll double my offer.”
My brother goes rigid. A gleam sneaks into his eyes. One I recognize.
My heart swan dives into my feet. “Oh, no,” I say. “No, please. I want Weston.”
But Brendan isn’t listening. He’scalculating. I can see the numbers spinning behind his eyes, soaking into his mind. Poisoning him.
