Page 2 of The Demon Prince's Accidental Mate
“My father was killed,” I said. “And he was an asshole, but he was the only person who knew anything about my mother. I find myself experiencing loss and grief at his death because of it. But I don’t want to feel that way. I hated the bastard. I just wish he could have told me about her before he died!”
I gasped, covering my mouth as the words came flying out, but Andie just cackled delightfully, clapping her hands together, pleased by my forthrightness.
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to put that on you.”
“Nothing to apologize for, dear, nothing at all,” she assured me, waving a hand to dismiss my concerns. “Old Andie understands. Yes, she does.”
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “I just wish I could ask him about her and get some answers. But that chance is gone, I guess.”
Old Andie stilled, her eyes bright and alive as she leaned forward.
“What if it’s not?”
Chapter Two
Lily
Istared.
Was she suggesting what I thought she was? It didn’t seem likely. She was probably just going to try to sell me on some sort of spiritual book or journey. That had to be it.
But what if she wasn’t?
“What are you saying?” I scoffed, deciding to probe just in case. “That we should use magic to contact him?”
Old Andie’s eyes lit up. “Yes.”
My eyebrows came together. “Magic isn’t real.”
The old lady cackled, a burst of energy that had me shuffling back a step as if lightning might suddenly burst forth from her fingertips or something. Nothing like that happened, of course.
“I should go,” I said, turning toward the door.
It swung shut in my face, its carved line glowing. I spun back to look at Andie.
“You have the taint of it on you,” she said softly.
My chest tightened.
“Yes. You know of what I mean. It’s there, around you. I can see it. Feel it. You act like you don’t believe, but you’veseen it. Haven’t you?”
“I …” The instant denial died on my lips as I looked at Andie.
She could just as easily have a button that closed the door remotely. It wasn’t necessarily magic.
“You’re not crazy, dearie, not crazy at all. You can trust Old Andie. She’s seen it all before.”
“Not this,” I said dismissively, though as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I cursed myself. I had effectively confirmed what she was saying with the slip of my tongue.
Andie laughed again. “Old Andie can surprise you, yes.”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “But it doesn’t make me eager to try. Besides, I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Her watery brown eyes were unflinching as she looked at me.
“And I suppose you know someone who could contact my dead father?” I asked.
She nodded vigorously, the movement bouncing her frizzy white hair all over the place, only to settle back down perfectly in the same spots.
