Page 133 of Of Curses and Courtship

“Eat,” Lady Ashbridge says. “I will bring you another meal this evening.”

“Why?” I spit out. “Will you keep us captive forever?”

It’s a strange thing to ask aloud. As cruel as the lady of the house has always been, I never thought she was the type to hurt someone. What is the end of this wretched plan of hers? Surely she won’t do away with us.

Fae often live long lives, but we’re easy to kill. I’ve seen evidence of that when poor Tibalt slashed through the corrupt carriage driver. That death will forever be on my hands, and I can hardly live with it.

How can Lady Ashbridge, or anyone, exist withtwodeaths?

“Why would I tell you my plans?” Lady Ashbridge smiles a wicked smile. Her lithe fingers glide over the old, wooden doorframe; it may appear feeble, but it’s the only thing keeping us trapped.

“Then you have no plan at all.” I lift my chin higher. “If you won’t tell me, I believe you are without direction.”

While I speak, I send tendrils of magic toward the lady. Her emotions aren’t high. Some wear their feelings on their face, or else right above their head, making them too easy to pluck right out. Lady Ashbridge hides hers deep in a cage in her chest. I can sense the cage around them, but reaching the emotion is another thing.

Another lock I can’t pick.

What is it that makes her want to treat us with so much cruelty?

I push my magic into the chest in her heart, exhaling sharply.

“Do not misunderstand me, child,” she says. “I have plans for you. And?—”

All of my magic rushes back at me, and I stumble onto the bed.

“Stay out of my heart,” Lady Ashbridge snaps.

My pulse races. “How did you?—?”

“Do you think I cannot feel your revolting fae magic poking and prodding?” She clicks her tongue. “What a fool you have become while pampered by that rotten prince.”

How does she know where I’ve been?

I exchange a look with Helena, whose fingers twitch at her sides. She may be planning something, and I don’t know what, but I’ll keep Lady Ashbridge distracted.

“Then you’ve been spying on me,” I say. “How?”

“I have eyes and ears all over that castle. That is all you need to know.”

Her answers are becoming increasingly less sensible.

My brows furrow. “I never knewanyof this, Madame. I had no idea you were interested in the castle and the fae, beyond your prejudice.”

Her eyes narrow, and she holds the doorknob. “There is much you do not know about me, but you will not pry it from me, no matter how many times you ask. Eat before your bread grows stale.”

Lady Ashbridge is dismissing herself. She’ll leave. We’re losing our chance, what little chance we have.

“Wait—” I call.

It’s a desperate attempt at giving my friend another moment of preparation, but it seems she doesn’t need it. Helena holds her hands at her chest and spreads them apart—light bursts into the room.

I duck and cover my eyes, blinded by the sunlight.

Lady Ashbridge stumbles and screams.

“Now,” Helena yells. “Run!”

How can I run when I can barely see a thing? I follow Helena’s voice, sprinting through the bright sunlight. Helena’s hand grips mine, soft and firm beneath my fingers, and she leads me down the stairs.