Page 114 of Of Curses and Courtship

Emyr’s parents, however much they may disapprove of me, plan our betrothal party with great speed. It appears they’re in a rush for the wedding, even if it’s with someone they look down upon.

Someone like me.

But no one can look down on me tonight. As I float through the room in my champagne gown, some may whisper that he’s moving on too quickly, but that’s of no consequence to me.

Helena is by my side, which also feels fated. She was my first friend in the palace, aside from Emyr himself, and she’s not here as an employee; I wouldn’t have allowed that. Tonight, she is our guest.

Her gown is nearly as brilliant as mine, a lovely forest green, and while Emyr has spent the night being dragged around by fae whom I don’t know, Helena and I entertain ourselves with sparkling drinks and tiny sandwiches.

“Are you sure your betrothed doesn’t need you?” she whispers. “He looks positively miserable.”

I glance in Emyr’s direction. He’s speaking to a masculinefae who appears older than any I’ve seen, with sparse hair and drooping cheeks. He must be thousands of years old. Emyr’s sweet smile fades by the moment.

“He appears to be in fine spirits.” I smile and press my lips against the rim of my glass. “He said he’ll handle the worst parts of our rushed marriage, and I would consider this one of them.”

“No one knows where she’s from,” someone whispers loudly.

I cringe.

“She appears to be a Moon Fae,” someone else says, “but…”

Helena gasps, her fingers flying to her parted lips. “They mustn’t realize you can hear them.”

“No,” I say. “They don’t care, and nor do I.”

I loop my arm with Helena’s and lead her away.

People will talk about us; Emyr already warned me. Though I’ve never considered myself mysterious, they will, and they’ll have much to say about our blossoming courtship. That we will be wed in just a few weeks will only add to the rumors. They’ll think I’m with child, no matter how difficult it usually is for fae to become pregnant, or they’ll come up with another scandal entirely.

“I’ve always known the royals were rude,” Helena mutters, “but I didn’t know they would bethisrude, especially to someone who’ll become their queen.”

Become their queen? No. I’m not ready to think about that.

I sniff. “I’m not surprised in the least.”

It’s all so much like my stepmother. The moment someone believes they are above you, whether by status or morals, they’ll try to push you even lower. Regardless of the status I’ll gain once Emyr and I are married, they still look atme as a maid. It doesn’t matter that I can no longer do my job, by royal order.

Helena looks off to the side. “Sadly, there’s something here thatmaysurprise you. Hope you’re ready.”

My stepmother.

It must be.

I’m unsure how she received an invitation, but my heart is racing. Waiting. Waiting.

“No…” I look around for a wall to lean on.

“Princess Minetta is here,” Helena whispers. “And she’s coming right for us.”

Oh. Oh no. Is that better or worse than I expected? I turn around just in time for her to appear before me, with vibrant red hair and glistening lips. Her wings are a perfect match for mine, but unlike me, she knows how to command a room. Everyone is watching us. The whispering ceases.

This is the woman Emyr was supposed to marry.

After a moment of silence, the murmurs that have been following me all night grow. They’re a buzzing, deafening sound in my ear. If Princess Minetta greets me, I can’t hear it past the rushing of my pulse and the whispers.

They’re all whispering aboutme.

“Your Highness.” Without thinking, I curtsy. “How wonderful it is to see you.”