Page 31 of Of Curses and Courtship

Isa’s bedchamber is as extravagant as the rest of the palace, but even darker than the great hall. She busies herself lighting candles, and I stand in the doorway, unsure of what to do with myself.

“I will have a tub brought for you to bathe in,” she says, “and we’ll find you something to wear in no time. For now, relax.”

“I don’t know how to do that right now.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my pointed ear. “This is my first time at any fae palace, you know. In fact, I’ve never visited amortalpalace—aside from the ball, of course.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Yes. I imagined as much. Do you find it overwhelming?”

“Quite. In fact, I would say that is an understatement.”

“It’s all right if you do not know how to drop your glamour. With time, you’ll no longer have to force those walls down.”

I don’t realize I am still holding my glamour until she points it out. Maintaining my mortal facade is second nature, even though it creates tension in my body. I’m clenching my jaw to keep the magic in place.

“Apologies.” I exhale, and my wings unfold. “The fae of these parts aren’t used to someone hiding, are they?”

“They’re not—and they may confuse you for a mortal, if you’re not careful.”

“I imagine that’s something I’d like to avoid. Are there many mortals in this palace?”

“No.” She lifts a brow. “And while there are plenty of halflings where I hail from, there are none in this palace, either.”

Then why won’t she invite me to the Moon Palace? I suppose I can’t invite myself. No, it appears even Isa’s generosity has come to an end.

My jaw tightens once more, and my wings stiffen behind me. “Then I have exchanged one life of secrecy and lies for another?”

“Only until the curse is broken.”

“Curse?” I shake my head. “What is this curse? Does it have to do with the prophecy?”

“I cannot say. All you must know is that once the prince is married to his true love, the curse will break. There is an end to this darkness. Soon, dear one.”

The invitation we received makes sense now. He didn’t throw a ball for fun and festivities, no matter how much fae are supposed to enjoy those things. It was for… for something related to this curse.

Perhaps Lady Ashbridge was right about one thing. Hetruly wanted to sweep a mortal off their feet and into his palace.

I snort. “Surely the balls will help with that.”

“I don’t see why not.” She lifts a brow. “I’ve heard whispers that he already found the one at the latest ball.”

He found the one?

The latest ball was last night, was it not? There is no chance he’s already thrown another ball, and I was at that ball.Me. How did he meet someone else?

Perhaps… am I supposed to be the one he found, even after I rejected him? Or did he find someone after I left?

Oh, that man is so frustrating.

The room spins. When was the last time I had something to eat?

“Who?” I press. “Who, pray tell, is that man marrying?”

She gives me a knowing look. “His betrothed is a Moon Fae, much like yourself. The princess of my land, Minetta.”

Then he has a type, and all his flattery means nothing. I should have known better than to trust someone like him. I may have lowered my glamour and worn a beautiful gown to the ball, but it wasn’t enough. What could he possibly want withme?

It was all a game. The moment I left, he found someone new—someone worthy of marrying a prince. Someone who can break the curse.

“Good for him.” I shuck off my cloak and drape it over a chair. “I’m tired of speaking about that cursed prince. All I care for now is a bath—preferably hot, but I’ll take whatever is available.”