Page 135 of Of Curses and Courtship

“Enough,” I say, cutting her hysterics short. “Crying over the past does nothing to help us in the present. Is there any way you can help free us? Will you find the key? We have someone coming to rescue us, and if you can help him inside…”

After everything, even with Raia’s crocodile tears, I shouldn’t trust her. Her adventurous side and the part of her that wishes to remain in her mother’s good graces are constantly at war, and there’s a chance she will betray me again.

It doesn’t matter; I’m at my lowest. If the sorceress wishes to kill me, so be it. There’s nothing more she can do to ruin me.

“We will help,” Elisa says. “And we will not tell mother we have seen you.”

“Then you should hurry off.” I rise and press my hand to the door. “She’s a sneaky woman, and she has ears everywhere. Don’t let her know we have spoken. Raia?”

Raia sniffles. “Yes?”

“Donotlet her know.”

“I won’t,” she says.

Perhaps I can’t trust Raia, but my stepsisters are my onlyhope. After all I’ve been through, I don’t wish to lose friendship and hope. They’re the only lights at the end of this tunnel.

Their shoes click as they take their leave. The sound disappears, and I’m left in the darkened room with Helena again—another day of mediocre meals and stale air. The prince may never come, may not even know where to find us.

I float back to the bed and sit, stretching out my wings. After keeping them hidden for so long, I never knew how hard it would be to return to tucking them away.

I run my hands over a silky wing.

“Were you close with your sisters?” Helena asks. “You’ve never told me about them.”

“My stepsisters—but we were once dear friends, yes.” The sun creeps over the horizon, threatening us with another dreaded day. “Until they betrayed me. They’re the reason I was exiled from this town.”

Helena winces. “That is quite the betrayal.”

“It was, but they are victims of Lady Ashbridge as much as I am.” I smooth out my other wing. “If they free us from this awful place, all will be forgiven.”

“And if they betray you again?”

I have no family left. My stepsisters are as close as I have, but if they go to such lengths to keep me in this place…

My throat tightens. “Then I no longer have sisters.”

Helena wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer. “But you’ll always have me.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

EMYR

Istumble through the portal after nightfall, having spent a day on the road. I’m just where I need to be, but it’s taken too long. Anything could have happened to Ophelia on this day.

I must find her before it’s too late.

Far Water only reminds me of Ophelia and everything we shared, however short-lived our betrothal may have been. I am not in the heart of the village, as I was last time. Instead, I stand in front of unrecognizable scenery—someone’s home. I’m alone, without my loyal guard to protect me.

My hands shake as I take in the sight of the looming Gothic home. The curse is lighter here, though still present, but I know that is not the reason for the darkness shrouding the home. It’s the sorceress inside.

How did Ophelia live in such a dreary place for so long? My beloved is stronger than she thinks she is.

I pull my coat tighter and take a step toward the rusted gate.

A little voice calls from behind me. “Wait!”

It’s not Ophelia; I know her voice better than I know myown. Her tunes are the ones that hum through my mind in silent moments. If she chooses not to be with me, she’ll still be the one who lights up my mind.