Page 127 of Of Curses and Courtship

Ophelia left me without a word. If she wants to go, I don’t wish to stop her. Her happiness is more important than breaking any curse, and there’s no saying that we can break the curse at all if she doesn’t love me.

Gods, but she had seemed so happy, even at the end. I can’t erase how she smiled at me, how she kissed me, and how her pupils dilated in the dark, quiet of my bedchamber when she peered up at me from her knees.

We were in love, and now I’m left with an aching chest as I doubt whether we were truly in love at all.

I only return to the palace because Tibalt forces me to. With his hand on my back, he walks inside. It may seem like a friendly gesture to some, as though he’s comforting me, but I know he’s keeping me from running.

The sun is falling, and with it, the curse will rise as it does each night.

There’s no saying who it will ravage next.

It could even go for her.

Considering that Ophelia and I will no longer be married, I must tell my parents that our land is falling apart, really and truly. That the high fae are in trouble. The curse is worsening, and the only way to cure it has slipped through my fingers. I’m the only one who knows how horrendous it is. I took down as many corrupt high fae as possible, but…

What if there are more? How long will it be before my father hears the news? When will he realize I could’ve told him sooner?

Tibalt’s hand falls away once we step inside. “Shall we do something to get your mind off her?”

“No.” I wring my hands together. “There’s something else I must do.”

“Involving your parents, I presume.” His brows furrow. “Would you like me to be there?”

“No. I must be alone.”

I’ve usually been happy to be on my own, but there was always one being who could help me at my lowest.

Without my guard by my side, I creep to the infirmary. It seems every cursed fae is watching me. I’m certain rumors are already flying around the castle, and before long, the rest of the kingdom will hear the whispers as well.

Corrupt fae cackle, snap, and screech from their cages. My head pounds, and tears threaten to stream down my cheeks. This is my fault. I am the one who should save them.

I hold my head high as I approach the healer. “I would like to see him.”

We both know who I am speaking about without me naming them. I haven’t visited Spark in some time, but with the curse gripping more and more fae… I must act now.

“I assume you have made a choice?” the healer asks.

“Yes. I have.”

It brings me no joy to make this decision, but seeing my old companion in this state is just as joyless. Has he known a moment of rest since he was brought here? He growls as if he despises me, but deep in those dark eyes, there’s great pain.

I press a hand to my chest and rub. Tears prick at my eyes and finally fall. It’s difficult to say whether I cry for my companion or my lost betrothed. Perhaps it is both. Gods. I’m losing both at once, aren’t I?

Spark throws his body at the cage and bites the metal holding him in place, clamping down hard enough that it may hurt his poor fangs. Even though he reaches out with malice and pain, my companionisreaching for me.

He needs me.

I choke out a sob. The healer stands there, saying nothing. Footsteps approach, but I don’t turn my head until someone speaks.

“She is gone,” my father says. “Soon, this will be the fate of every common fae in our palace.”

He says it as if it is my fault, and the dam breaks.

I glare at my father with blurred, stinging vision. “It will not only be the common fae. The high fae have been cursed now, too. There are only a few instances, but?—”

“What did you say?” he snaps. “Repeat yourself, if what you say is true.”

“It’s true, Father, and I said exactly as you heard.” I wipe my tears on the back of my dirty hands, holding my head higher. “Why’re you here? Surely you don’t care for my sick friend, or any of these other fae.”