Page 74 of Of Curses and Courtship

“I didn’t pick this book for you for that purpose.” He finally peels himself away from the book’s dense pages, angling to look at me. “That’s what I am reading up on, but I want you to learn to use your magic. I believe it will aid our common purpose.”

Emyr cannot understand how unappealing my magic is. There’s no light and beauty to it. It’s only feelings. Useless feelings.

I frown, my brows scrunching together. “I’ve been trying.”

“Yes, but learning before youtrymay help.” He gives me a gentle smile. “You underestimate yourself, but Moon Fae—while they harness a different sort of magic—are powerful magicians as well.”

I press my lips together. “Perhaps you’re right.”

There’s something about the event at the lake that I’ve not told him, and I worry about what it may mean for me. For the part I’ll play in it all, and the prophecy I haven’t dared ask him about.

“By the lake,” I say. “The curse… I could feel it through my magic.”

The thought alone makes my stomach flip. I hold onto the table’s edge, worried I will be sick.

“I had a sense that you did.” He frowns. “If that was too much for you, we don’t have to utilize the gift, but when I say Moon Fae are strong, I mean it. You can do more than feel. You can change… transform… manipulate. And, if you can feel the curse, then perhaps you can be the one to change it.”

How could he believe that? He’s spent so long attempting to break the curse, as have the others in his kingdom.

“What could I? I’m but one weak half-fae. There’s surely a Moon Fae better equipped than I am.”

“I believe you can transform the energy of the curse.”

I look up. “And what? Turn it into something better?”

He nods gravely. “That is my idea. There is a chance, isn’t there?”

Emyr wantsmeto break the curse. A halfling, one who can tumble the palace and realm instead—if the prophecy is to be believed.

Pressure. It pushes down on my head, grounding me into the wooden chair beneath me. I focus on the inhale and how it lifts my chest. “But it would take far too long for me to learn to do such a thing, Your Highness.”

“We’ve waited a hundred years, little halfling. We can wait for you, too.”

He’s lying, and we both know it. We have one moonbefore he must marry someone else. The moon in the sky, bright and full, taunts me in the night. One month. Can I learn to work my magic in time?

“All right,” I murmur. “I’ll read this book to the best of my abilities, and we shall see what it teaches me.”

“We’ll do this together, Miss Ophelia, but you must believe in yourself.” He peers at me from beneath his lashes. “If you can’t have faith, believe inme, for my belief in you?—”

“This is becoming quite complicated.”

“I’m afraid you’re right.” He chuckles. “Now, read your book.”

“Alas, I can’t.” I stand, pressing the book to my chest. “I’m going to town with Helena, but if you will allow it, I’ll read this in the carriage.”

His brows furrow. “Are you two going out alone? Shall I send a guard to remain by your side? Perhaps Tibalt?—”

“Don’t be so silly.” I roll my eyes and turn away, hiding how pleased the small gesture makes me. “We’ll be just fine, and I’ll see you again shortly, I’m certain.”

“All right, then. Be safe.”

“I’ll try.”

“Let us get a pastry,”Helena whispers. “We deserve a treat after pouring our heart and soul into our duties, don’t we?”

I lift a brow. “But, Miss Helena, wealwaysgive our all to our duties.”

“Even more of a reason to buy ourselves a goodie.”