Page 19 of Of Curses and Courtship

“Let us go,” Elisa says, yanking Raia out the door. “Our carriage awaits, and it won’t linger for long. I’m ready to dance until my toes are positively numb.”

Once the clip-clop of their departing carriage fades, the house sinks into quiet dread. My father smiles down upon me from his portrait. His watchful eye casts a seed of disappointment in my chest.

Why should he be disappointed? I’m disappointed inhim. He’s the one who left me here. My father’s death was a matter of health, and I know it is no fault of his, but there are days when I wish to blame him. It’s far easier than missing him.

“Oh, Father, why must you look at me like that?” I slam the front door shut and wander through the silent abode, my bare feet padding against the cool wooden floor. “I’m sure you would have done this quite differently, considering howyou and Mother met—then again, howdidyou meet? It’s not as if you told me a single thing.”

Bitter laughter falls from my lips. I truly do have a list of chores to focus on this evening, but I no longer feel like scrubbing our clothing or sweeping the floors. Anger bubbles up in me, a rage that can only be directed at my father’s old portrait. How long will it be until the lady of the house burns it? How long until she stops pretending to mourn my father?

“You left me without answers,” I shout. “Now… now I am alone.”

“Not quite.”

I jump, staring around the room with wide eyes. “Then reveal yourself, ghoul.”

Bells ring and laughter follows, the mirth more memorable than the voice itself.

She’s back. The water faerie has returned in all her silver glory. Her lavender hair flows to the middle of her back, and her cape is longer today, dragging against our polished floors.

“I apologize—you shouldn’t have to see me this way.” My heart pounds. “I wasn’t expecting you to come, in truth. I thought you were a creation of my mind.”

“I’m much more than that. You see?” She takes my hand. “Shall we go? The festivities have already begun, and I would hate for you to be late.”

I look down at my tragic, dirty attire. “Do Ilookready?”

“Right you are. There is always work to be done.” She lets out a burst of chaotic laughter and circles me like I’m prey. She clicks her tongue. “There ismuchwork to be done here.”

I suppose Iamprey. I can only stand, frozen, waiting for her to do what she pleases. She may devour me whole if the others in my village are correct. If they’re wrong… if she has magic that can help…

Perhaps I’ll find the answers I’ve been searching for. Or perhaps I’ll find more, something like love—but no. I cannot linger on the thought or the yearning to end the night with the breathtaking fae from the tavern. That is far too dangerous.

Answers. That’s all. I will leave it at that.

“I know just the thing.” She pinches my cheeks. “Close your eyes.”

A fae wishes for me to close my eyes, but to what end? So she can sink her teeth into my neck?

I press my lips together. “Why should I?”

She giggles. “Because I cannot work with such scrutinizing pressure. Now, do as I said.”

A small huff passes through my nose, but I listen to her command, my eyelids flickering shut.

She continues shuffling around, tugging at my arms as she goes.“Your hips are quite wide.”

It takes effort to resist the urge to pull back. “Yes. I’ve heard that many times.”

“Unsurprising—and I don’t mean it as an insult, dear.”

“More of a backhanded compliment?” I ask, quite used to those.

“No, no. It’s all about the measurements. Now, keep your eyes closed. All I need you to do is make a wish. Wish for a beautiful gown and a lovely night at the ball.”

I hesitate. “What if I long to wish for something else?”

“Then I may choose whether or not to grant it. What do you wish for, Lady Ophelia?”

I peer into the darkness of my eyelids. There are other things I could wish for. I could ask for my father to return to the land of the living—but such wishes, even from the most talented fae, rarely have happy endings. There’s a possibility of asking for a way to escape my wicked stepmother. Yes, that does sound quite nice…