Page 116 of Of Curses and Courtship

“Of course, you aren’t unaware.” She shakes her head. “This is quite the secret to keep. It may be nothing. The king and queen, do they…?”

“No—and they mustn’t know.” I rub my temples. “We must pray Minetta does not tell them. The prince loves me. Our marriagewillbreak this curse. I am not the halfling in the prophecy.”

Helena touches my back tentatively. The slight touch is a comfort—it lets me know my friend is not entirely afraid ofme. She shouldn’t be. We slept alone in a little room for so long; it should be plain to see that I am not a threat.

“I’m sure it will,” Helena says. “Prophecy or not, he adores you. That love has always been the key, right?”

“Indeed.”

I have greater questions than the curse and prophecy.

There is no way she could make such a leap. How in the realm does Minetta know what I am?

Fresh air will dome some good.

No one at this party knows me, nor do they want me here. A few people introduce themselves and congratulate me, but it doesn’t feel as if they mean what they say.

Worst of all, Emyr’s parents keep him busy. They sweep him around the ballroom all evening, leaving him no time to spend with me. I’ve never wanted to be the type who needs their partner’s attention, but on a night like this… I do. I need him right now.

The only other option is taking a moment for myself.

The world is pitch dark. The only light is from the wings of high fae scattered about near the ground, and the occasional pixie floating by. There’s not so much as a firefly to add to the brightness of the evening.

I lean against the stone rail of the balcony, pressing my cool fingers into the rough surface. My wings flutter in an urge to flee. Showing my wings to the world has become much more comfortable, but that desire to be elsewhere won’t go away so easily.

No matter how much I wish to be with Emyr.

Once again, I am left alone while those around me celebrate. The irony of it all is that now, they’re celebratingme.

“There you are.”

Even Emyr’s voice can’t help me relax tonight.

I turn to him and force on a smile, however half-hearted it may be. “Here I am, indeed.”

He steps closer. “I’ve been looking for you all evening.”

Perhaps if that were the case, I wouldn’t have faced Princess Minetta alone. Does he truly not understand what I’ve been through?

“Oh?” I lift a brow, press my lips together, and turn my head to the side. “It didn’t appear as if you were.”

His fingers brush against mine. “Are you upset with me, my little halfling? Apologies. I’m easily distracted in a crowd, I will admit.”

For the first time since we met, I flinch at the title he’s given me.Little halfling. It had once been taunting, and then sweet, and now… now, it’s a reminder of something I long to forget.

“No, no. Not upset—and certainly not with you.” I squeeze his hand, reminding myself that he is here—I’m not alone. “This party isn’t really for us, is it?”

“No. Forgive me for not warning you, but I knew it would be like this. It’s for my parents, and the palace, not for us.” He leans closer, and his sweet aroma wraps around me, finally soothing my racing, bleeding heart. “Do you know whatwasfor us?”

I shake my head.

“That day on the beach. No one can take it from us. That’s why I planned it.”

He’s right, of course. The memories of that day will always exist in my mind. I can practically feel the sea salt in the air, the frigid water lapping against my feet, and Emyr peering up at me with sparkling eyes.

All for us. And we’ll have many more days like that once this is all over.

“Promise,” I whisper. “Promise me that you’ll never let them take our love.”