Page 140 of Of Curses and Courtship

“Do you think you’re so sly?” Lady Ashbridge asks. “I knew your prince was coming. I’ve known all along, and that… that was the point, child.”

I jerk my head in Raia’s direction.

“It wasn’t me,” Raia says. “Honest. I didn’t tell her a thing.”

“Do not blame my daughter for your foolishness.” Lady Ashbridge circles us as if we are prey. She gestures to Minetta. “Shetold me.”

Minetta looks at us with wide, pleading eyes—theeyesLady Ashbridge reportedly has around the palace. Minetta has been a spy all along.

Emyr stands stiffly beside me, and somewhere… in the smoke… there he is again.

His magical double stands mere feet behind Lady Ashbridge.

His magic may be our remaining hope.

“I’ll blame the one who raised her,” I say, sounding braver than I feel.

My stepsisters remain with us. We outnumber Lady Ashbridge, but she has greater strength than we do. The only one in the group who has magic to rival hers is Emyr, but his magic is not built for a battlefield. Mine certainly is not.

“This is precisely where I wanted you, you know.” Lady Ashbridge stops in front of me. She leans in, her face jarringly close to mine. “Now, I can kill you both, and there will be no one else to take the throne. The Sun Palace will be forever cursed.”

The prophecy.

This is how I, the halfling, bring destruction to the Sun Palace. I’m the ruin after all.

“You should have stayed away from me.” I don’t look at Emyr, even though I am speaking to him. “Now, we will both die?—”

“I’ll die with you,” he says. “If that is how it must be, then so be it.”

My throat tightens, making words impossible.

Lady Ashbridge raises her hand in the air and summons a dagger. She inspects the silver blade. “Fae are easy to kill, you know.”

“Then why did you not kill my father?” Emyr asks. “Certainly that would have been easier than cursing the land.”

Lady Ashbridge glances at him carelessly. “I loved him. You know the feeling, I imagine.”

He nods.

“Good. Then we have an understanding of each other.” Without looking away from Emyr, she presses the dagger tomy neck. “Our commonalities may help us bond, Your Highness. As one example, we both have ties to Princess Minetta.”

I remain perfectly still, but my shaking hands may give away my fear. “And whatareyour ties to Minetta?”

“Her family owes me a debt.” She shrugs. “Their sole heir grew ill, and I gave her life. Your ball was the perfect opportunity to use the favor I’ve been saving for many years, but before Princess Minetta could gain your affection,someone elseswooped in.” Lady Ashbridge glares at me.

Clearly, she thinks it is my fault. Lady Ashbridge has always blamed me, butsheis to blame for it all. Minetta didn’t lie to Emyr of her own free will. It was for Lady Ashbridge—the sorceress.

“You found a way for the princess to weasel into my castle either way,” Emyr drones. “Congratulations.”

“But she was not good enough to trick you into loving her.” Lady Ashbridge stares at Minetta and sighs. “Pity. I will find a use for her yet.”

Minetta lets out muffled, screaming sounds.

“I will let you make the choice.” Lady Ashbridge smiles a wretched smile. “Would you like me to kill Ophelia first?”

“No.” Emyr’s answer comes without a moment of hesitation. Behind her, his double creeps closer. “Allow it to be me. I’ve always had a preference for being the center of attention.”

Minetta seems to spot his double, but she can say nothing. Her screams cease.