Page 149 of Of Curses and Courtship

Her face becomes grave. “I was led to believe you… well, that you died with your mother.”

My stomach drops. “Oh.”

“It was an accident when I stumbled upon you in Far Water. I was in town for the ball, and when I saw you in the village, you looked just like your mother.” Her eyes grew misty. “Then, when I saw you two lock eyes in the village, I knew what you were.”

“A halfling?”

“No, dear one. A curse breaker.”

I press my lips together. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to know you sooner.”

“We have plenty of time now.”

“That’s right. She’s here now,” Emyr says, squeezing my shoulder. “And she will remain for as long as she’d like. Now that the curse is broken, we have all the time to spend with the people we care for.”

EMYR

My parents have given us an entire wing now that we’re married, and it’s a good thing, considering what we have planned tonight.

Ophelia and I return to our bedchamber, having had a few drinks and danced until our feet were sore. Giggles fall from her lips as I unlock the door. She stands behind me, rubbing my chest and crotch.

I groan. “Please, darling. Allow me to focus on the task at hand.”

“Youare the task in my hands.” She presses harder, as if to make a point.

At last, I unlock the door and stumble inside. Ophelia—my wife—is still wearing the champagne, glittering gown she’s worn all evening. She reaches behind as if to unfasten it, struggling, gasping. I allow the adorable display to continue for a few moments before moving behind her, chuckling under my breath.

“My Queen.” I tug at the ties of her gown, and they come undone with ease. “Allow me.”

She inhales heavily. “Thank you.”

I push the fabric down, letting it drop. As I remove the rest of her underthings, revealing her smooth skin, I workfar too slowly for my liking. The torture will be worth it. My lips press against her shoulder, my hands brushing over goose-bumped skin.

“Tell me what you’d like to do with me tonight,” I say. “I will give it to you. All you must do is ask.”

She turns in a fluid motion. Her soft wings brush against my chin as she goes, and when I finally see her face, her eyes dance with light.

“What if I want three of you?” She unfastens my breeches. “Is that possible, My King?”

If Ophelia asks me for something that is within my control, it’s done. If it’s out of my control, I will find a way to make it happen nonetheless. This? It is all too easy.

“Yes,” I breathe. “That’s more than possible.”

She pauses, her expression somber. “Are you sure? I only want this if you want it, and if you have the energy for it tonight.”

Ophelia and I have spent a considerable amount of time in the bedroom. Most of the time, it’s just the two of us, and I know I can please her just as well without my doubles. It took me a while to learn to trust that, but she is one of the few who has never made me feel pressured to use them. That only makes me want to use my magic more in this way, finally feeling safe to explore my pleasure fully. For the first time, it doesn’t exhaust me to use my magic in this way… and I crave it.

My doubles appear on either side of me, each as aroused as I am.

“Areyousure you can handle what we have to give you?” I murmur.

“Yes,” Ophelia breathes. “Please. I’ve dreamt of this since we met.”

“What did you dream of?” we all ask.

One of my doubles moves behind her. He palms herbreast. With a snap of my fingers, their clothes are removed, even though most of mine remain.

“Filling me completely.” Ophelia trembles in his touch.