Page 123 of Of Curses and Courtship

“You don’t have to understand. It’s for the best that you don’t, but you’ll wake up tomorrow, and I’ll be gone. I didn’t want it to be a shock.”

“Why?” Her eyes narrow. “Can you give me a good reason for you to leave?”

“I can’t.

“Then I don’t believe you, not one bit. He must have done something. I’ll march to his bedchamber and knock some sense into him.”

“Helena!” Even in my moment of despair, she makes me laugh. “You mustn’t speak of such things. He’s your prince as well, and I’m leaving for my own reasons.”

“Then I’m going with you.” She holds her head higher. “Those are the only options, I’m afraid.”

I must not hear her properly.

Helena has a family to care for and friends in the palace. Though I would never say it aloud, she’s not the strongest of the fae. If she chooses to come with me in the dead of night, she’s putting herself in danger, and her family as well.

I shouldn’t accept the offer, but my time in the Sun Palace has weakened me. I long to have people by my side.

“You would do that? For me?”

“I’d do far more than this for you.” Her gaze moves to the little desk crammed into the corner. “Give me a minute to pack, and we’ll be off.”

“Quickly. We must leave before sunrise.”

Helenaand I have no carriage. We leave on foot, ambling down the road, tempting the curse to swallow us whole. Yet excitement rushes through my body with each step. Even though I’m running from the one I love, I cannot help but feel… free.

The burden is gone. I’m saving the palace from myself, as intended, and he’ll break the curse with someone else; Emyr is very lovable, after all. He’ll find someone new. This is no longer my responsibility. I’ve spent so long being given responsibilities and duties that weren’t mine, and I can no longer take this one on.

“Can’t we stop for a bit?” Helena whines, not for the first time. “I’m bloody tired, and my feet are aching something awful.”

I look at her over my shoulder. “We’ve only just begun our journey.”

“I have a bit of money for a tavern. C’mon.”

We must eventually take a break, but it’s too soon. If we stop now, Emyr may soar through the skies and find us, and if he asks me to come home… I’m weak enough to listen. And regret it.

With the sun rising soon, it will be easier for the winged prince to find us.

The energy thrumming through me gives me the wrong ideas, and it sparks at my fingertips. I’ve been practicing my magic for weeks now. Surely… surely I can create something…

My attention lands on a puddle of darkened water. The rain has been a nuisance, filling my boots and coating me in coolness, but it may be helpful.

Look to water, Isa once said.

“I have another idea,” I say. “What if I make us a portal?”

Helena’s eyes widen. “What do you know about portal magic?”

“I have been researching in the library. Emyr—he gave me a book. The instructions were quite clear.”

I’ve never been brave enough to try magic of this caliber. According to what I’ve read, we may be trapped between dimensions if the portal isn’t made precisely.

Would that be worse than where I am now, stuck between two worlds that don’t want me?

“Researching is not the same as doing it,” Helena cries. “I’ve heard about people getting stuck in those things, you know.”

“But it may work.” My smile is big enough to hurt my cheeks. “You must trust me. We can take the portal somewhere else, andthenwe can find a tavern.”

“But why? Surely there is one nearby?”