Page 97 of Of Curses and Courtship

And before taking her in the rain before that.

Minetta waits for me in the garden, her bright smile worsening the sickness in my gut. We are near where Ophelia and I ducked away to spend time together. Gods. We should have met somewhere else. My face is positively scalding, and I am caught off guard when Minetta swoops in to kiss my cheek.

“How wonderful it is to be back,” she murmurs.

What am I meant to say to that?

I clear my throat and nod, incapable of meeting her gaze. “Shall we take a stroll through the garden, then?”

“We shall.” She gives me a sideways glance as we wander away. “I’m eager to tell you about my travels. Are you all right? You seem as if… as if you have not had breakfast.”

My brows furrow, and I lead her in the opposite direction, away from where I was with Ophelia the evening before. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“That you are a bit aloof, I suppose.” She tilts her head to the side. “I have found that often, men are in a foul mood when they are hungry. Do you mean to tell me you are the exception to that rule?”

“No.” I nod curtly. “But I have already eaten. Thank you.”

“Then what is the problem? You do not seem thrilled to see me.”

And I should be. She doesn’t create the expectation, but it exists between us, nonetheless.

Minetta probes me with her gaze, seeking an answer. Does she carry the same guilt I do, having lied to me for so long?

Now that I look at her in daylight, she does not resemble Ophelia at all. Her hair is redder, and her wings are violet rather than lavender. The patterns in her wings are entirely different, sharp like stained glass rather than curved like Ophelia’s.

How have I been a fool for so long?

“I am sorry, but I can’t engage in pleasantries any longer.” I force myself to stand straight, lifting my head.

She stops walking. “Emyr? What is it?”

“I know you’re not the one from the ball,” I say in an even tone. “I don’t know why you tricked me, and perhaps that’s not of consequence, but?—”

Her eyes widen. “I did not trick you, Your Highness. That is a hefty accusation.”

I face her with a steely look. “What other word could you think of for this?”

“I was not fibbing—I was in attendance at the ball, and wedidshare a dance. It was lovely for me. I apologize if I was not the one you were thinking of, but… you chose me.”

She’s right. Out of everyone in the room, I chose her. Perhaps I was the one who jumped to conclusions, hoping for another glimpse of Ophelia. I still can’t remember dancing with Minetta, but I spent time with quite a few before and after Ophelia arrived.

It was only that Ophelia captured my attention so completely, just as she has now.

I tear my gaze away. “I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”

“Emyr.” She clutches my hands with her unyielding grip, holding me harder than I expect. “You cannot do this to me. I did not mean to confuse you. It was a simple misunderstanding, but that should not negate the month we spent together, planning for our future.”

I tear my hands from hers. “I don’t love you, Minetta. Marrying you won’t break this curse, nor will it bring you joy. What’s the use?”

“Please.” Her whisper is weak, and terror flashes in her gaze. “You assumed something the moment we met, but how was I to know that? Do not do this to me.”

Part of me wants to give in. I’m as weak as she is

“We must,” I say softly, “and I can’t end this alone. Surely, you will agree that it is time our engagement ends.”

“You do not love me.” She grabs my hands and squeezes them so hard it hurts. “I understand that, but I can bear you an heir. They can be the one?—”

“No.” I glare and drop her shaking hands. “Itmustbe me. You’ll not keep me from breaking this curse. No one will.”