Page 145 of Of Curses and Courtship

“This was the plan before your mother died?”

“We began planning shortly after what happened toyou. Mother may have been able to turn the rest of the town against you, but she couldn’t turn us.”

Perhaps they were immune to their mother’s magic, or perhaps the sorceress had some weak spots after all. There’s a chance the sisters were the only ones she did not compel.

“That’s good to hear.” Ophelia glances at me. “There’s plenty of room for you in the palace.”

“There is,” I say firmly. “You are Ophelia’s family, which means you are always welcome in our home. Stay as long as you’d like.”

“Thank you,” Elisa murmurs. “We may just do that.”

I don’t know much about the sisters, but based on their presence at my ball, I can assume it is an offer that once would have elicited great excitement. Now, the most Elisa can manage is a slight smile.

All is not well, but I hope we are on the way to healing.

The kingdom comes into view. It’s the moment I have been dreading and waiting for. The others continue chattering, but I’m silent, staring at the horizon. Tibalt looks back at me.

I nod. He nods back. It’s a silent acknowledgment.

Something has changed.

The others, except for Helena, may not know this land well enough to tell the difference. I do. The darkness remains, but it’s slighter now. More sunlight peeks throughthe clouds. The breeze is sweeter, as if the salty ocean air can finally carry to the kingdom.

I’ve always wanted to visit our beach house. Perhaps soon, I can. Raia and Elisa would probably like to join us as well.

Ophelia’s fingers intertwine with mine, and she squeezes. “It’s different now, isn’t it?”

I lift a brow. “You can see the arcane shift, too?”

“No. I canfeelit.”

“But the curse hasn’t completely lifted,” I say. “I don’t know if it’s slowly wearing off, or if our wedding is truly required to end it all?—”

“I wouldn’t worry so much about that.” She leans in and drops her voice to a low whisper. The others can likely still hear us, but Ophelia does not seem to mind—and neither do I. “Minetta’s heart is already spoken for, but you’ll still take me as your wife, won’t you?”

I hold her chin and fix her with a serious look. “I wouldn’t take the hand of anyone else. You are, and forever will be, my truest love.”

In the jostling carriage, surrounded by chattering voices, I kiss her hard on the mouth. And then, when the others squeal and tease, she kissesme.

“Emyr! You little fool.”My mother cries and flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “We’ve had men looking for you for days. Days!”

My shoulders slump. “I’m sorry, Mother.”

“What did you do?” my father asks. “The curse?—”

“I’m aware—it was terrible of me to run.” My voice breaks. “I was supposed to marry Minetta, but I couldn’t, notwhen Ophelia was missing, but she… she is back now, you see.”

“No.” Father pushes past. His strong hands land on my shoulders, and he fixes me with a steely gaze. “The curse is no more, my son. What did you do? Did you and Ophelia?—”

Is it broken? Truly?

My lips part, and I shake my head. “We didn’t elope, if that’s what you mean to ask. How do you know it is broken? I still… I still see it, Father. The darkness is still present.”

I shudder.

“That may be so.” My father looks at the small crowd behind me, mainly consisting of faces he does not recognize. “Come. There’s something I must show you.”

“And what about my friends?” I ask.