Page 101 of Of Curses and Courtship

“Emyr?” someone calls—his father, I realize.

The king.

I expect the prince to pull away from me. Instead, hesplits himself in two—something I’m still growing used to. His double walks to his father while he remains pressed to me, his hand sliding over my mouth again.

He plants soft kisses on my neck, and I melt, not truly listening to the mutterings of Emyr’s double and his father.

Warmth pools in my belly.

“Your mother and I demand an audience with your new betrothed,” the king says. “It must be soon. We’ll have to give our approval before you announce your betrothal.”

Betrothal? Announcement? It’s so soon.

My eyes widen. I am grateful Emyr is too busy sinking his teeth into my neck to make note of the shock that is certain to be in my expression.

“I will arrange it,” the other Emyr says, sounding unlike I have ever heard—he is stiff and robotic, and it has little to do with his use of the magical double. That is how he speaks to his family, I suppose.

“See to it quickly,” the king says.

The second Emyr returns, and the hand moves from my mouth.

“I am sorry to shock you like that,” he murmurs, the sound coming from both versions of him.

“It… it’s all happening so quickly.”

“If you don’t wish to?—”

“No.” I shake my head. “I may not feel ready now, but Iwillbe. Our marriage is important to the land and to me. I love this palace as much as you do.”

The Sun Palace is my new home, but it is my home nevertheless. It’s the place that took me in when I had nowhere to go. If I can be the one to save it, I will.

His expression softens as he merges into one, and he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “How I love you.” He moves his fingers below my skirt, and despite the fear in my body, arousal lights me up.

There is no gasp from me, no surprise, when his fingers find my bare cunt.

“Ah…” He chuckles. “You are already prepared for me, are you?”

He kisses me again, long and slow, rolling over my clit with his sacred touch. My mouth opens to release a moan, but he swallows it, delving his tongue past my lips.

“Someone will see,” I whimper.

“They won’t. It is only us, alone in the dark.” He rubs faster. “I wish to make you unravel like this—just this once—then you may return to your duties.”

“That is…” I sigh softly. “That is acceptable, Your Highness.”

“Heavens.” He grunts. His hard length presses against my thigh, but rather than taking me as he may wish, he continues circling his fingers, faster and faster. Sparks of magic flow into me. Is it his magic, or my arousal?

My fingers dig into his back, desperate for something to clutch as he pushes deep into my hole.

“There you go,” he says, so sweetly. “Unravel for me, little halfling. Clench around me. Give me all your pleasure. It belongs to me, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” I whimper. “Yes, Your Highness.”

He stares me deep in the eyes with ravenous hunger. “You know… I never liked the sound of that title until it was on your filthy lips.”

I smile a lazy, crooked smile. “I love you, too.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE