Chapter 43

Piper

What's wrong with me?

Zander's kind eyes chipped away at my heart, piercing and gutting it until I feared it resembled the one in Zander's closet. Trapped. Caged in its own self-pity.

I'd slipped from his arms after what felt like a decade, and sat down at the breakfast table. My stomach begged me to eat but every bite tasted bitter. Zander's gaze fell on the covered window, where I knew he could only see the silhouette of the trees.

I longed for him to be free, yet, I was the one standing in his way.

"I need to take a bath," I whispered.

Zander's gaze shifted toward mine. "You hardly touched your food. Don't let them get to you, Piper."

The smile on his face didn't touch his eyes.

It looked like I wasn't the only one affected by William's outburst or his lack of dignity by disobeying Zander's request to keep dark magic out of the house. "I won't be long."

I stood and walked toward the door.

Zander caught my wrist and dragged me close to him. He buried his face into my stomach and looped his arm around my waist. "I'll be waiting, Little One."

I left Zander with tears in my eyes. I hated the tension that followed me around like a lost puppy. I took the stairs two at a time until I made it into my room. I'd hardly spent any time in there lately since sleeping in Zander's room.

Grabbing clothes from the chest of drawers, I stilled when I noticed William walk into the room with me. His normal sober demeanor was hard, his jaw clenched tightly, and his hands shoved down into his pockets.

"William," I whispered.

He stopped by the post of my bed and trailed his fingertips against the wood. "You know Zander took most of the beatings for me."

"I didn't," I whispered, my throat growing tight.

He glared at me with those icy blue eyes. "Zander would tell our father that he made a mistake that I made to keep me from getting beat. He took lashings. He took so much."

I felt the weight of his story in my stomach. He felt guilty. He felt the need to break the curse because of his guilt. "William," I cleared my throat. "I'm not the easiest person to fall in love. Years of my life were shattered when I found my fiancé in the shower with another woman, just a few short weeks ago. I'm not doing this to be mean. I'm guarded because I'm hurting. I'm healing—,"

"That's all good, Piper," he said, stepping forward. "But we don't have time for you to heal. Have you noticed his tattoo? He has hardly any time left. He's going to be stuck that way forever, and you're going to miss the chance to be with the love of your life."

I pushed back my tears. "Have you ever been in love William? You can't just say it and it happens. You have to feel it. I want to feel it. I care about Zander, I liked everything about him, but it only happens when it happens—,"

"You're not trying hard enough," he said, his voice laced with anger. I stumbled back when he took a step toward me. "He loves you. Zander has never loved another woman."

When my back hit the chest of drawers, panic shot down my spine. William craned his neck toward the door and seconds later Zander filled the doorway. "What are you doing, William?"

William glanced down at his shoes.

Zander looked at me. "Go take your bath."

I eyed the two of them. "Please don't beat the hell out of one another."

Zander made no promises as I slipped into my bathroom and locked the door. Tears poured down my cheeks once I was alone. Pressure pushed on my shoulders.

I hated that I couldn't allow my walls to fully lower.

They were feet from the ground, so close to embracing everything that Zander had to offer. But that what if stood in the way. It held baggage that consisted of all my heartaches and fears.

I wanted to smash it with a bulldozer.

I wanted to watch the pieces fall to the ground as everything fell into place at the same time. I filled the tub with a lavender bubble bath and slipped into the warmth. The door opened several minutes later, and Zander's shadow fell over me. "I'm sorry about him."

"Don't be," I whispered, keeping my eyes closed. "He's worried about you, Zander. He loves you."

Zander bent down beside me and slid his palm along my collarbone. "Pressuring you isn't going to solve anything."

"He knows that. William isn't dumb. He knows that it won't, but it makes him feel in control. It makes him feel as if he's trying."

I opened my eyes and glared at Zander. The hope there burned my heart. "I'm sorry I'm late on the draw."

Zander brought his wet hand up to my mouth and slid his fingertips along my bottom lip. "Come on. Every fairytale works out in the end, Piper. Plus, you're never too late with love."

I wasn't sure if this was a fairytale, or if I even believed in them. My world had been turned upside down. "I'm scared," I whispered.

Zander bent down and pressed his mouth against mine. "Don't be. There isn't much scarier than sleeping next to a beast."

My bottom lip trembled as he winked and left me in the bathtub alone. I knew of one thing scarier than Zander—and that was losing him to that beast forever.

The hours passed slowly.

Neither Zander nor I spoke about the search party. We ate without William, and Vivian hardly said one word. The tension seared in the air, leaving behind a thick unsavory taste in my mouth.

My fingers tapped relentlessly against the table, my knee bouncing with nerves. Zander got up abruptly and bent down beside my chair. "The search team is out there."

I glanced out the window and at the lack of people in my view.

"I can feel them," he whispered, sliding his palm down my shoulder, he took my hand in his and helped me to my feet. "I want you to know that no matter how this evening turns out, that I am with you. Whatever you need, whatever you want. I'm here."

He brought my hand to his mouth and placed a small kiss there. My heart rate picked up in speed when he led me from the kitchen where the remains of our dinner sat, and toward the stairs.

We didn't make it there when the doorbell rang out over the castle. It sent vibrations of fear into my body. My fingers tightened against Zanders. He looked down. The honey color of his eyes flashed, and he smiled. "Follow me, Little One."

Zander casually walked toward the door, while I stepped to the side. He swung it open. "Can I help you?"

Henry cleared his throat. I rolled my eyes. I would have pegged him to have given up already. Wishful thinking.

"I'm sure you remember us," Henry said exasperated. "I can't imagine you get too many visitors way out here. But anyway. We're looking for this girl. We're also curious to know if you know of anything strange that goes on out here."

Zander kept his cool while I fought to keep myself together. "Strange, as in?"

"Animals."

My dad's voice broke me. It was the fear in it. The pain. I grabbed the edge of the door, meeting Zander's eyes, I opened it until we both stood where my parents could see me.

The silence deafened my surroundings.

My mother's eyes. The crinkle in my father's forehead. They were frozen in time. Shock and panic fought for center stage.

"Piper," my mother whispered, breaking the silence. "Are you—are you okay?" She reached for me, cradling my face in her palms.

Then she seemed to realize that Zander had lied, and she assumed I was being held here. She went to jerk me out into the sunlight, but I pulled back.

Her mouth opened in shock.

She pushed back her graying hair and wrapped her arms around her stomach. "What's going on?"

"That's a good question," dad said, stepping closer to me, putting distance between Zander and I. He wore his work boots that were covered in mud and grime from the bayou. "Henry, I thought you said you already came by here." He adjusted his baseball cap on his balding head and glared at Henry.

Henry scoffed. "I did. Your wife and I both did. This asshole lied to us." He pointed his finger at Zander's chest, but he easily swatted it away.

"Don't touch me," he said, his voice soft but filled with dominance.

Something Henry didn't know anything about.

Henry went to touch my arm when Zander shoved him back onto the front steps. "Don't touch her either."

"What's going on—," Amanda's voice came from behind them.

My heart swelled with warmth. She poked her head around my mother and stalled. Her blue gaze widened. "Piper? Oh my God!" she shrieked, shoving them all out of the way to hug me.

The reaction I expected from her. She began to bounce with me in her arms, and laugh, while every around us had a stare-off. "I want to know what the hell is going on," Henry said. "Why are you here? Why haven't you reached out to any of us—,"

I pulled back from Amanda's grasp. "Why would I reach out to you, Henry? The last time we saw one another, you were screwing a blonde in our shower."

Henry's face paled, and the awkward silence returned.

"Why don't you all come inside," Zander said, stepping back to allow them in. Mom and Dad didn't look like they wanted to, but Amanda walked in straight away.

"Wow," she whistled. "This place is huge," she said, making a circle.

"Sweetie," Dad said, reaching for my hand. "Are you ready to leave? We've been searching for you. Why haven't you reached out? We're very confused—,"

"Please come inside," I said. "We'll explain everything."

"There are leftovers on the table for you all if you're hungry," Zander said, eyeing Henry as he stepped over the threshold. I noticed the look in his eyes. He wanted to shove Henry into the door or lock him out, but he swallowed it down.

Slowly, I led them toward the kitchen where I assumed Vivian heard us and had everything set for them. She stepped back against the counter, avoiding eye contact as my family reluctantly sat down.

I sat next to Zander, while Amanda stole Henry's seat next to me.

I grabbed a glass of wine and watched everyone glare at me. Dad finally scoffed, and took his hat off, running his hands over his head. "Piper. I need someone to tell me what the hell is going on, right now. The search party is out looking for you. We've been worried sick, and you're out here doing God knows what with this man. Are you being kept against your will? And what the hell is on your neck—,"

"I'm not keeping Piper against her will," Zander said nonchalantly, taking a sip of his glass.

Henry scoffed. "Right, because it's so like Piper to up and leave without a word to live in this ... place, with a random guy."

"It's better than living a lie in an apartment that you bring your side chicks to. Wouldn't you think?"

Amanda chuckled beside me.

Henry's dark eyes saddened, and for a second, I almost believed him. "I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry I drove you to do this, but you're safe now. We can leave."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said. "I'm staying."

Silence overtook the room. Amanda made a small sound under her breath, while my parents glared at one another. Henry snapped first. He jumped up, his chair sliding back against the kitchen floor.

I flinched, surprised at his sudden outburst. "Piper, I don't know what this man has done to you, but you can come with us. He can't keep you here. Get up. We're leaving. You're being insane."

"I'm not leaving."

Henry reached across the table in an attempt to grab me, but he was suddenly not there. Zander, quicker than I knew possible, shoved Henry clear across the room to the island.

Henry's eyes widened in shock. Then he launched himself at Zander. My mother shrieked, and covered her mouth, moving out of the way of their fight.

Zander sidestepped Henry causing him to stumble into the wall, hitting his head.

"Stop it!" my dad shouted.

Henry swung around, grazing Zander's cheek, his eyes feral and unhinged. Dad stood up to help when William walked through the kitchen door. "What's going on?"

Henry stopped when he realized there were two of them, and swiped away the blood from his crash into the wall. "I'm trying to save Piper from this place and this caveman is trying to fight me."

"I'm not trying to do anything," Zander said. "You're beating yourself up with your lack of fighting skill."

"I—,"

"I wasn't happy there," I stood up, interrupting Henry"s defense. "I hated my life. My job was mundane. My pretend relationship. It was all a mask I wore to fit in. To make myself feel like I belonged. Here, I'm not pretending. Here, I'm happy."

My parents looked nervously at one another. "I'm not leaving."

William cleared his throat. "Why don't you all stay the night? Call the search team and tell them that you've found her. You can stay and see we aren't abusing Piper, and she isn't being held against her will. I think it will help everyone to sleep on it."

Dad looked over at William. "Who the hell are you?"

"William Blackwood. I'm Zander's brother."

Dad stared at Zander for several seconds before wiping his palm down his face. "Fine."

"Fine?" Henry shouted, tossing his arms outward. "Are you serious? We're actually going to stay here? This is insane—,"

"Shut up, Henry," my mother hissed. "Just stop it. You're making things worse."

She stood up slowly, her eyes a mix between exhaustion and relief that I was safe. "I would like to be taken to my room." She turned toward my father. "Call the team. The search is off."

William led her out of the kitchen with my father and Henry hot on their tail. My father glanced back at me but didn't say anything. It was all in his eyes. He thought I was crazy.

"Amanda can stay in my room. I'll take her," I said.

Zander stopped me once the door swung closed, and cradled my face in his palms. "You did amazing," he whispered against my mouth, bending down he kissed me deep, making fire lick at my thighs, and need rest in my stomach.

When he pulled back, he smirked, and found his way out of the kitchen, leaving Amanda and me with a quiet Vivian.

Amanda grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look at her. "Spill it. What universe did you land in, Piper? And where can I buy a ticket?"