Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5)

he?
“She signed a blood oath,” Ivy said coolly. “If she doesn’t honor the terms of that, she will die.”
“And I’ll die with her,” Trent said without flinching. “Then the curse will never be broken.”
Trent and Isach faced off with Ivy, who was clutching the arms of the chair so tight her knuckles were whiter than freshly fallen snow. Somewhere in the house, a clock ticked, each second more painful than the last. The only thing that hurt worse was the sharp beating of my heart.
“Very well.” Ivy’s words were clipped. “Sit, and we’ll… negotiate.” She spat the word as if it were vile.
I released a pent-up breath, and tension eased from my body. My heart rate slowly returned to a more normal, less painful rhythm. I once again sat between Trent and Isach, but this time, I was much more alert.
I needed to know everything that was said—and all the stuff that wasn’t said but implied—because I was officially in a negotiation for my life, my immortality, and my future with Trent that could very well include parenthood.

CHAPTER THREE:
Terms
THREE HOURS LATER, WE FINALLY LEFT Ivy’s house with the agreement that we’d return no later than five o’clock tomorrow with an answer.
Now, I sat at Trent’s kitchen table, surrounded by him, Isach, Whitney, and Sean. Jax, Colt, and Wyatt had gone hunting, and Karina was sleeping off a migraine. I’d asked for Whitney to be there because I needed another girl in the room, someone who would understand how I felt and would take my side if needed.
Sean was here because he’d been in existence longer than any of us, and he’d be able to offer advice no one else could.
“So, let me make sure I understand,” I said, flexing my fingers against the tabletop. “Ivy and Isach make this potion together. Trent and I drink it, and we…” Flames of embarrassment heated my face.
Talking to my friends about having sex with Trent was weird enough, but to talk about it in front of Isach and Sean? I wanted to hide under the table.
“You do the funnest part of this whole thing. You make a baby,” Whitney said, nudging me with her shoulder and wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I gave her a disbelieving look, unsure if I was even more embarrassed or grateful she’d said what I couldn’t seem to. “Yes, that,” I said, clearing my throat. “Isach then binds the baby’s magic, right?”
Isach nodded.
“That won’t hurt the baby, will it? Or me? Like, it won’t cause any issues?” I asked.
“None,” Isach said. “It’s perfectly safe. I promise. The binding spell doesn’t just bind the magic. It hides it, which will make it harder for any witch to sense the power. It will protect you and the baby.”
“Okay, good. Then, shortly after the baby’s born, Trent changes me, and the curse will be broken,” I said, glancing at Trent.
He smiled. “Yes. Don’t worry. I’m still going to change you.”
I sighed with relief. On the way from Ivy’s house, he’d repeatedly promised me he would change me no matter what, that he’d been bluffing to get Ivy to do what we wanted. Still, doubts had wiggled into my mind, and it was going to be hard to get rid of them.
“Once you change, the Zoya will come for you,” Isach said. “You’ll need to be prepared.” He folded his hands on top of the table, and for the first time ever, I could see how tired he was with… everything.
My heart went out to him. All he wanted was a normal life—a life he could spend with Abby without interference. I knew how he felt, how he was driven by the need for a sense of normalcy. I’d been fighting for the same exact thing since my mother died.
“We’ll be ready,” Sean said. “But will you?” He pinned Isach with a hard stare. “When the time comes, who will you stand with, Isach? Can you really take a stand against your own coven?”
“He already has,” I said.
An intense wave of protectiveness rose up in me. Why couldn’t anyone else see how much Isach had already done for us, for me?
“He’s been lying to his coven for months about my very existence,” I said. “And he’s helping us now.” I narrowed my eyes and glared at Sean.
“She’s right, Dad,” Trent said softly. “Isach’s with us. Right?” He turned his attention to Isach.
“Right,” Isach said without hesitation.
“Okay.” Sean sighed. He moved from where he’d been standing behind the chair and sat. “So, what are the terms of this deal?”
“Trent and I have to swear another blood oath that we’ll align ourselves with her coven against the Zoya.” My voice was much too calm considering what I’d just said, but my life had been anything but normal lately.
“And I have to swear a blood oath that I’ll stand with the Rose Coven when the Zoya make a move,” Isach said.
He failed to mention Ivy had invited him to join her coven. Maybe he’d decided not to accept that offer.
“So, then, all we have to worry about is the Zoya attacking once the curse is broken?” Whitney asked.
“Yes,” Isach said.
I leaned back in my chair, and Trent draped his arm around my shoulders.
“What if we can’t beat the Zoya?” I asked the one question I knew was probably on everyone’s mind. “I mean, I know the magical balance will be restored, which will give Ivy and her coven more power, but how much is it going to weaken the Zoya?”
“Enough,” Isach said. “Excuse me.” He stood abruptly and walked out of the house.
I chased after him. “Isach, wait!”
He stopped near his car and turned to face me. His expression was unreadable, but a war waged behind his eyes.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
“It’s just… I’m sitting in there plotting to take down my coven. I’ve known those people my entire life, and now I’m trying to kill them.” He shook his head.
“Isach.” My voice cracked, and I hesitantly placed my hand on his arm. “If you don’t