Page 69 of Cursed Touch
Carter chuckled and pressed a kiss to her palm. It took everything in him to remain calm. He was chained to a damn wall by vines, not something he had anticipated by visiting Vanessa’s parents.
“Told you I should have stayed in the car,”he joked.
“I didn’t know she was going to lose her shit,”she said and shook her head.“I mean, it’s clear she’s the nymph.”
“I kind of wish I had this trick. I’d have fun having my way with you,”he teased.
Vanessa flushed at his words, but the smile at her lips spoke volumes.
“What are—oh my God, you two are soul mates?”
The hold on his body released as quickly as it had come. Carter rubbed his wrists and pushed a little magic into his wounds. Vanessa ran her hands down him, searching for any signs of injury.
“I’m okay, sweetheart.”
Relief pushed the worry from her gaze before her hand waved between him and her mom. “What the hell was that? Why would you do that? I mean, it’s clear you’ve been hiding your nymph side from me, but attacking Carter for no reason? Does Dad know? Is he also a nymph? Better start explaining, Mom, because I’m done with all the secrets and lies!”
Carter was both impressed and amused by her little speech. The fire in her reminded him of Brandy whenever he or his brothers interfered in her life. They did so out of pure love, of course, but she never cared about the why.
“I…” Daphyne looked between them, and her shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, honey.”
“Sweetheart, maybe you can tell her how we met and everything else to give her time to find the right words.”
“Are you defending her?”
Surprise filled him when she turned on him. Carter cleared his throat to stop from becoming amused. “Pretty sure all I suggested was that you start first.”
Vanessa sighed. “Oh, right.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her to a couch thirty feet away. Carter suspected it would be a long chat, and they needed whatever they could get to calm the mood.
Daphyne followed at a safe distance, with their tea on a tray. Once they settled, Vanessa started. He listened to the familiar story and watched Daphyne’s reactions.
Sadness, surprise, anger, and a few emotions he could not pinpoint flitted across her face. Her eyes rolled, and she shifted uncomfortably when Vanessa glossed over them sealing their mate status.
“Something in me changed but no one could figure it out, at least not until a lycan attacked me and Carter was unable to heal me. Thankfully, Mia recognized what I was and saved me…”
Chapter 31
Vanessa’s anxiety rose with each passing second of silence.
Her mom cleared her throat. “I didn’t know…”
Vanessa pressed closer to Carter, drawing in his heat and comfort. “Know what?”
“That you were like me. I kept a close eye on you, but when it was clear you took after your father, I quit worrying. If I’d known, I would have prepared you.”
“Is Dad—”
She shook her head. “No, honey. He’s not. I met him long ago and broke all the rules when I fell in love with a human. When I chose him, I knew I couldn’t tell him or I’d risk putting him in danger.” Daphyne sighed. “I’m so sorry. I know not telling you put you in danger, but if your magic hadn’t kicked in, telling you would have been just as dangerous. When you and Georgia became best friends, I knew she’d be forced to keep her secret, but I knew you were safe.”
Carter scoffed behind her. “You pinned me to the wall for being a witch but think a werewolf is safer?”
“I pinned you to the wall because you were using your magic in my home. Georgia is a part of the Alumbra pack, and they’ve always behaved themselves in the highest regards. There was no question Vanessa would be safe near them, as a human or nymph. I should say half nymph.”
Vanessa turned in his arms. “You used your magic?”
Carter nodded. “I did. I wanted to see if I sensed anything. It’s not like I was going to go defensive.”
