Page 38 of Forever Touched

“Don’t be afraid, Miss Star,” King Ambrose said. “Everett won’t try to stop you again.”

I paused to glance back at the king and say, “I’m not afraid. I just don’t want him to break all my ribs.”

He stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing. Clutching his stomach, he wagged a finger at me and said, “I’m starting to like you, young lady. I really hope you don’t prove to be a disappointment.”

He kept on laughing, but I felt the threat deep in my bones. He was going to keep an eye on me. And now that I was on his radar, I didn’t know how much longer I could hide my true identity—not to mention the truth about my shady nightclub job.

Loch and I managed to leave the castle without incident, but I could practicallyfeelEverett’s restless energy as I left the building. What if it was true? What if we were really . . . soulmates?

I knew little about the soulmate bond, only that it was more powerful than a witch’s bond with their familiar. I couldn’t imagine feeling closer to someone than I did with Pepper. She wasliterallya part of me, a piece of her celestial spirit now mine. It was the price all spirits had to pay if they chose to inhabit the earthly plane, be they angel or demon. Many spirits that made the sacrifice chose not to seek out the mortal who now owned a sliver of their essence, but my familiar had found me when I was just a child. I didn’t remember a time when she hadn’t been in my life.

Besides my dad and the school for witches I’d attended, she’d helped me learn how to harness my Oracle magic. It had originally been hers, after all. I’d brought her with me that terrible night six years ago, another huge mistake I’d made. If I hadn’t, she could have moved on to discover a better life for herself instead of being cooped up in a dank basement.

This world wasn’t safe for a mouse familiar. Her celestial spiritwas powerful, and so was her magic, but her tiny body wasn’t. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her.

An uncomfortable silence settled over us as Everett’s brother drove me from the castle. I’d thoughtEverettwas quiet, but his brother was even more so. Deciding that idle chit chat would just be a waste of energy, I sank into the seat of the expensive black Lexus and enjoyed the view. The six-story limestone castle was situated on the west side of the island, surrounded by thick forest and rocky coastline. The road we were on was smooth, lazily winding through pine trees and majestic oaks.

After a few minutes, I rolled down my window to enjoy the experience more fully, inhaling the salty air rich with flora and fauna. Loch looked over at me but didn’t say a word, which I was slowly starting to appreciate. It almost felt like he understood how overwhelmed I was and that silence would help me process it all. When it became clear that he had no intention of touching me, I allowed myself to relax, if only a little.

We were nearing the gated bridge, the only entrance and exit to the island, when I finally broke the silence. “If you could drop me off at Dreamscape Lounge, that would be great. My car is still parked there, and I need to find my phone. My family is probably worried sick.”

He nodded, easily accepting my explanation as truth. He had no reason to suspect otherwise.

Half an hour later, my stomach broke the silence again. As it loudly growled, I peeked at Everett’s brother. A faint smirk tilted his lips, but he didn’t say a word. When we neared Bangor, though, he veered off the main road. Realizing where he was going, I struggled to keep my jaw from dropping.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think a vampire prince wouldvisit a fast food drive-thru.

He waited for me to order, then ordered a burger for himself.

“You eat food?” I blurted before I could think better of it. Apparently, the thought of filling my belly had loosened my tongue.

“Occasionally,” he replied, speaking to me for the first time. “I only enjoy savory foods, though. Anything sweet tastes gross to me.”

He handed me the large milkshake I’d ordered with a small grimace. I couldn’t quite smother a laugh.

“Thank you for this. You didn’t have to,” I said, taking a large gulp of my drink. I swallowed a moan as the cold liquid deliciously slid down my throat.

“I wanted to,” was all he said, pulling onto the highway again.

The greasy food more than hit the spot, and I gobbled it down faster than was appropriate. When I caught him side-eyeing me, I quickly wiped my mouth with a napkin and said, “Almost being drained makes you super hungry, I guess.”

Something like sympathy flickered in his dark eyes, which made me feel all sorts of confused. Why was he being soniceto me? Of all the vampires in the world, he should hate witches the most. Even more than Everett.

As if he knew where my thoughts had strayed, he quietly said, “My wife is a witch. She would have loved to meet you today, but she’s having a girls’ weekend with her best friend Isla. Her husband, Kade, came over to help with the twins. He and Isla often reside in Rosewood because of her job. They have a lakehouse there, newly remodeled so Isla can enjoy seeing the sun without getting hurt. She’s a Feltore, by the way.”

Overwhelmed by the influx of information he’d just shared, I focused on the most surprising tidbit. “Your wife is a witch? I heard the stories about her many years ago from my dad. I thought she wasturned.”

“She was, but the bond she shares with me and her familiar transformed her into a half witch, half vampire hybrid.”

My jaw did drop this time. “My dad didn’t mention that part. I didn’t know something like that was possible.”

“Neither did I. But since meeting McKenna, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. To embrace the impossible. I definitely didn’t anticipate fate giving me a witch for a soulmate.”

I blinked at him, certain I’d heard wrong. “You’re soulmates?”

His mouth curved into a soft smile. “Yes. And it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Hearing how genuine he sounded, sudden pain squeezed my chest. I could tell that he loved her.Trulyloved her. I couldn’t imagine finding love like that. Wouldn’t even dare dream that it was possible. I recalled the intimate moments I’d shared with Everett, and the pain increased tenfold.

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