Page 100 of Of Curses and Courtship

Tibalt holds back yet another round of laughter, coughing instead.

I love him, but heavens above, I hate him as well.

I clear my throat. “The curse requires a true love marriage to break it. I believe I can get rid of this curse once and for all, but marrying Minetta will not do the trick.”

My mother stands and smooths her skirt. “Very well. You have already decided, and there is nothing we can do about that—but we willnotchange the date of your nuptials. The harvest moon is nearly a fortnight away, and we must take advantage of it.”

I don’t wish to hasten a marriage with Ophelia, but we have centuries to enjoy each other and deepen our love. If things were different, we could have a leisurely courting period. Alas, that’s not the life I live.

Surely she will understand… will she not?

“Fine,” I murmur. “We’ll be married at the harvest moon.”

“See that you waste no more time,” my father says. “We must meet this new curse-breaker.”

OPHELIA

I don’t see Emyr—I feel him. His hand wraps around mine, and he pulls me into a darkened hallway, pressing me to a wall. The lights in these halls usually turn on when someone walks by, but they don’t now, giving us the cover of shade. His other hand moves over my mouth, muffling the gasp he pulls from me.

“Forgive me,” he whispers, his eyes glistening with mirth. “I didn’t mean to surprise you.” He drops his hand, allowing me to speak.

“Yes, you did. You enjoy surprising me.”

I enjoy it, too. Pleasure pulses between my thighs, and I squeeze them together. This is not the time, nor is it the place, for me to be so aroused.

“Perhaps.” His forehead presses to mine. “Or perhaps I just wanted to see you. It’s been too long.”

“It has been but a day.”

“As I said, too long. I’m sorry for being so busy.”

“If you’ve come to deliver the news, I’ve already heard.” I lift a brow. “You are too slow.”

“How did word get out so soon?” His eyes narrow. “Those damn gossips.”

“Who did you tell?” I play with a strand of his long, glossyhair. He has surely told enough people that it’s safe for us to steal this moment alone, but my heart still jumps with worry.

He clears his throat. “Well… everyone. My parents will release an official statement in a few days.”

My eyes widen. “You shouldn’t have?—”

“I can’t remain bound to her when my heart belongs to you.”

My chest heaves. “There are still so many other matters for us to take care of. The worsening curse, that it is impacting the high fae—did you tell your parents aboutthat?”

His expression darkens. “No, and I won’t. If they know, they will only pressure me to marry her—the more certain choice, in their eyes.”

My stomach drops. “Oh.”

“Don’t fret. I know you’re the more certain choice, no matter what they may think. I told them of you—not in name, but that I found my true love. The one who will break the curse.”

Everything he’s saying thrusts me deeper into a state of confusion, and I’m only brought out by him stating what I am so plainly—his true love. I’m the true love of the prince. He adores me enough to remain pressed to me, even though I’m dirty and damp from cleaning.

A man who once scorned the idea of true love now believes in it because of me. By the gods, what tremendous pressure—but my heart is already his, and I can’t take it back.

In the same breath, he calls me a title that comes with a significant enough burden to push me right into Hells—the one who will break the curse. The curse-breaker.

How could that be me?