Page 118 of Of Curses and Courtship

“I’ll never understand that.”

“Nor will I. Perhaps she was bitter about the death of my father, but…”

“Taking it out on his child is wicked. If you had a child, I would love them as if they were my own.”

“I don’t doubt that.” She exhales in a puff and nods. “Her treatment of me is certainly not what my father would’ve wanted for me, or any other.”

“What sort of man was your father?” I scoot closer, draping one of my legs over her. “I would like to know more about the mortal who raised you.”

“My father was… kind, though the word is not enough to describe how warm he truly was. He was humorous. Father didn’t take life all too seriously, except when it came to caring for his home and family. He may have been a man with means, but he was unafraid of working hard.”

“He must be the one who taught you to be so dutiful.”

“I suppose he was. There was no one else to teach me.”

As frustrating as my parents are, I don’t wish for them to go anywhere. Ophelia lost both parents, was left with only an abusive stepmother, and my heart aches for her.

“Was that hard?” I murmur. “Growing up without a mother?”

“Not until I realized it was supposed to be. At first, you don’t know you want it, don’t know how to miss it, nor that youshouldmiss it. I have only the faintest, sparkling memories of her. Perhaps they are not memories at all, but hope.”

“Ah.”

“Then you grow older,” she says. “And you realize others have something you don’t. You begin to compare and contrast.Thatis what leads you to realize something is missing in your life. My father did everything a mother would have. He taught me to cook and clean, repair a fence, and curl my hair.”

“A sage man. Not all know how to do their hair.”

“I know.” She twirls a strand of my hair around herfingers. “I suppose I was lucky to have him—and you. You have fantastic hair.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Would you like to share the secret to your glistening mane?”

“It wouldn’t be a secret then.” He flashes a brilliant smile. “But, if you are lucky, I will invite you along next time I do one of my oil treatments.”

“Does that mean I’ll join you in the bath soon?”

“Oh, I think it does.” I kiss her softly, and my eyes shut as our noses and lips brush. “Let us sleep, darling. Tomorrow will be a lighter day.”

“Do you promise?”

“I’ll do everything in my power to make it so.”

Perhaps the promise is empty. The upcoming days will be busy with wedding planning, and my mother will nag us both until we’re ready to crumble. I won’t leave Ophelia to handle this world alone, not again.

That is how I will improve her days.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

OPHELIA

“This is a bad idea,” Helena whispers. “Remind me againwhyI’m doing this?”

“Because I’m the future queen.” And though the very idea of the title still makes me uncomfortable, I’ll use it for my good—and the good of this palace. “This can’t possibly get me into trouble.”

“Until you and the prince are married, I’m sure thiswillget you into trouble.” Helena may complain, but that doesn’t stop her from poking the wire into the lock. She wiggles it around, her brow furrowed as she works.

The thick book of prophecies is kept in a glass cabinet behind a lock and key. Not a magical lock, just a regular one, and my friend has no trouble?—