Page 125 of Of Curses and Courtship

He shakes his head. “I switched with the night guard only an hour ago.”

“Find the night guard and tell him to speak with me. Quickly.” I sound far too much like my father, barking at guards. “You must find my betrothed. If you see her, I’ll be the first to know. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hours pass, and my dread grows. She’s gone. I can’t find Helena, and even Tibalt hasn’t seen her—hasn’t seen either of them.

I pace around what was once her shared bedchamber. The room is emptier without her presence, but most of Helena’s things still linger.

“Perhaps they’ve gone to look at gowns,” Tibalt says.

“No.” I shake my head. “She would’ve told me when we were speaking of gowns the evening before.”

Including a folded note on top of her pillow.

“Read that, please,” I mutter. “I don’t have the stomach for it.”

Tibalt lifts the letter. “It’s for you.”

“Dammit all.” I bang my forehead against a wall with a soft thud.

“You are right.” He clears his throat and stows the letter away. “They’ve left. This letter is from Helena. She doesn’t know where they are going, but… she says Ophelia seems upset, to say the least.”

Tibalt is likely hiding the extent of Ophelia’s distress, but I can’t complain. That’s what I need.

I’m moments from weeping with desperation. “What am I to do?”

“Is that truly a question?” Tibalt’s eyes lift from the letter and lock onto mine with severity. “Helena wants you to find them. So, you must do that—and I’ll join, of course.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

OPHELIA

Lady Ashbridge drags us inside with more strength than a mortal woman her age should possess. To my great surprise, I follow without kicking or fighting back. It’s as if she has me under…

Under a spell.

She pushes us into a room, and I land on my hands and knees with a thud. Helena isn’t so lucky. Her cheek presses to the ground, her hands on either side of her face as she forces herself upright.

“Where are we?” Helena looks around in alarm. Her voice is higher than usual; the words nearly squeak out.

“My old bedchamber. And you’ve now met my lovely stepmother.”

This place was once one I loved. My father read me bedtime stories in the corner, and my dresses once hung in the closet. Now, it’s cold and dusty.

“Do not call me that,” Lady Ashbridge snaps. “You will refer to me as Lady Ashbridge, and you will remain here until I decide what to do with you.”

“What in the realms does that mean? Let us go at once,and we’ll not embark on your land again. This was an accident.”

“Do you think I did not witness the fae magic you possess?” She spits the words past cruel lips. “Opening a portal near my home? You are a danger. You have always been a danger. I was a fool to let you run free.”

“Madame—”

“My decision is final.” She closes the door shut with a slam, and with a twist of a key, the door locks from the outside.

Trapped.

I had months of beautiful freedom, even within the dark depths of the palace, but I’m once again stuck in this terrible place.