Page 18 of Of Curses and Courtship

CHAPTER FIVE

OPHELIA

Icannot go to this ball. Iwillnot go to this ball.

But I long to go to the ball.

The dreaded day arrives, and the desire to be closer to the fae has only grown. There is no saying that the moon fae who offered to grant my wishes was anything more than a figment of my imagination. Regardless, I haven’t heard from her since.

Where is my promised gown? My stepsisters have their attire prepared for the event, but I don’t. I sit by the window and patch up an old, brown gown. It’s all I have, but no matter the embellishments I add, it won’t do for the ball. I poke the needle through the fabric and sigh.

My stepmother storms into the room with a crazed look on her face. A hand, covered in gaudy rings, flies to her chest. “Good. You’re here.”

“Where else would we be?” I mutter, pulling my thread tight.

“That is quite enough of your smart mouth.” Lady Ashbridge buttons her coat. What is she dressed for? “Youknow I have reason for my concern, and worst of all, I am afraid I must leave at once.”

“What?” Raia gasps. “What happened, Mama? You seem unnerved.”

Raia is right. Lady Ashbridge is in great disarray, so distracted that she doesn’t appear to notice the elegant state of her daughters, with their curled hair and made-up faces.

“It is an emergency with our estate,” Lady Ashbridge says. “I will have to travel by horse to reach our attorney.”

The water fae’s words ring in my ears. Shedidpromise a distraction. Perhaps… perhaps…

A spark of hope glimmers in the distance, but I don’t dare reach out and take it. Hope isn’t allowed to live in my broken heart.

“That is all right, Madam.” I put my sewing aside and stand, offering my kindest smile. “I will be sure the house and your daughters are safe while you are away.”

Her eyes narrow. “It will not be long. Only for the night.”

And on the exact evening of the ball. What a shame.

“All will be well.”

Lady Ashbridge stares for another long moment. “Raia, I entrustyouto keep the house from burning to the ground.”

Of course, she leaves the youngest in charge—not because she’s best equipped for the job, but because she’s firmly under Lady Ashbridge’s thumb.

“Yes, Mama,” Raia says.

Raia may be as rebellious as Elisa, but she’s often more loyal to their mother. I can only hope her loyalty falters tonight. Without saying a thing, I return to my spot by the window.

The lady of the house takes her leave, but that doesn’t mean I will be attending the ball—it only means my stepsisters will be able to sneak out more easily, which they seem alltoo thrilled about. Hours tick by, and my sisters ready themselves for a night out, but I don’t. There is no way for me to.

“Are you sure you don’t wish to join us?” Elisa is already halfway out the door when she thinks to invite me. Distracted, I suppose.

“Quite positive. My only intention this evening is to catch up on my chores.”

Raia glances out the door and back at me. It’s hard to say whether she’s second-guessing leaving me behind or if she’s fighting guilt about disobeying her mother.

“Go.” I urge them with a wave of my hands. “She’s gone, which can only mean the fates favor your decision to indulge in a night of revelry. Lady Ashbridge will never know, so long as you can keep your secret.”

I give Raia a sharp, knowing look.

“We can,” Elisa says.

It’s not her I’m worried about.