Page 37 of Forever Touched

He’d used his supernatural speed to catch me unaware, which had clearly been his intention. I flinched at his closeness but didn’t jerk back. As much as I wanted to, retreating would be a sign of weakness, and I definitely couldn’t afford to look weak right now.

“Well, hello there,” he said, his voice almost a croon. “I’m King Ambrose, which I’m guessing you already know. And you are?”

I struggled to swallow as I stared into his garnet-colored eyes. Eyes that regarded me with open curiosity. “Star.”

He tilted his head, those penetrating eyes slightly narrowing. “Just Star?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He studied me for an unbearable moment before saying, “Well, here’s the thing,Star.” He said it as if all too aware that Star was my stage name. “I want to know what you’ve done to my son. He’s never taken an interest in a witch before. Not sexually, anyway. Did you enchant him with a spell?”

Whoa. Not evenIwas ready for that one. My mouth opened, but nothing came out. When all I did was gape like a fish, he whipped a hand up and caught my chin.

“What. Have you done. To my son?” he slowly enunciated, his eyes boring into mine.

Fear spiked through my calm facade. I waited for thepullto suck the words from my mouth, but it never came. He couldn’t thrall me. Not with his son’s blood fresh in my system.

“Don’t touch her!” Everett suddenly snapped. He was at my side in a flash, ripping me away from his father. His arms banded around me like a shield, trembling with barely-restrained fury.

Shocked senseless, I didn’t even think about pulling away. And I wasn’t the only shocked one. The king’s mouth fell open as he took in his son’s anger. He looked between the two of us for several moments, and then his expression filled with sudden understanding.

“Oh, I see.”

“Seewhat?” Everett hissed, holding me so tightly that my ribs ached.

The king watched his son for a moment longer, then quietly said, “She’s your soulmate. It’s why you brought her home instead of hiding her away.”

Every line of Everett’s body stretched taut. I didn’t react, certain I’d heard wrong. Did he just saysoulmate?

“No. That’s impossible.” Everett vehemently shook his head. “I’ve had sex with her.Twice.” I winced at how dirty he made it sound. “I would know by now if I shared a bond with her. I haven’t felt her emotions and there’s been no telepathic connection.”

I didn’t say anything, and yet, the king’s attention abruptly swung to me. “You know something. What is it?”

I gawked at him, about to deny knowing anything, but a sudden memory came to me. I swallowed, certain I was going to be sick. “This morning when I was attacked, he said he heard me scream. It’s how he knew I was in trouble. Only . . . I didn’t scream. Not out loud anyway.”

Everett jerked against me, like he’d just been shot. When his armstightened painfully, I made a small sound. He let go of me and leapt back as if he’d just been burned.

“Lochlan, escort Miss Star to a room on the third floor,” King Ambrose said. “Everett is in no condition to do so.”

As Everett’s brother moved forward, Everett whirled toward him with a growl. Loch slowed, holding his hands up. “It’s okay, Ev. I won’t touch her.”

That didn’t seem to appease him. He reached for me again, but I quickly evaded his hands, suddenly needing space.Lotsof it. “Actually,” I began, deciding to address the king, “I need to head home. My . . . my family will be worried that I didn’t come back this morning, and I can’t find my phone.”

Everett reached for me again. “You’re not going anywhere, Star—”

“Everett.”

The crown prince drew up short, just shy of touching me. Curling his hands into fists, he dropped them and faced his father.

“Miss Star will not be held prisoner in our home. We have no grounds to keep her here, and you heard what she said. Her family is worried. Now, let your brother take her home. We need to talk.”

Everett’s fists began to tremble. He looked ready to explode, and I braced myself for whatever violence was about to unfold. But, after a lengthy moment, his trembling ceased and he slowly unclenched his fists.

“Take her,” he gruffly said, jerking his chin at his brother. “But don’t—”

“Touch her. I know,” Loch interrupted quietly. “You have my word.”

As Loch gestured for me to follow him, I took a tentative step forward.

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