Page 45 of Of Curses and Courtship

There’s nothing more mortifying than being trapped with the prince, in his bedchamber—with the king just outside. I didn’t mean to open up to Helena about my feelings for him, but I did, and she immediately used them against me.

This is precisely why I don’t make friends so easily, especially in a place like this.

Perhaps the mortals are right about the fae and their cruel ways.

Helena frowns. “Wearefriends. This is what I do with my friends. I was only tryin’ to have some fun.”

Her confusion feels genuine, but I’m in no mood to care about the decorum—or lack thereof—between fae.

I huff and roll my shoulders. “My friends don’t treat me like that. I could have been in great trouble, you know. I’m still quite new to the palace.”

“But I didn’t know the king would arrive. Prince Emyr has always been more playful with the workers—and so kind.”

I despise that. The information only makes me softer for the man, and I don’t wish to be soft for him.

“You should have considered that the king may appear,” I say, shaking my head—a futile attempt at pushing away my feelings. This is all so silly. How can I be such a fool? “And that Prince Emyr would be in—in a state of undress.”

Her eyes widen, and she stops so firmly that I can’t continue pulling her along.

“He was not. Did you see his…” Her eyes drift down.

I shake my head. “Nothing of the sort, but he wasn’t wearing a shirt. So, I saw… that.”

As I expected when we met, Emyr isn’t particularly bulky… but the sight of his lean muscles and the bones just above his trousers?—

No. Enough of that.

She sighs longingly. “The other maids would love to hear about this.”

“No.” I fix her with a serious look. “I understand if this is the sort of prank you play with your other friends, but this isn’t the type of friendship I want to have. Please.Don’t tell the others what transpired today. It’s all so mortifying.”

Her expression softens. “I understand. I hear you. You…” She squints. “You don’t enjoy trickery?”

The question itself feels like a trick. I’m a fae, and I’m supposed to enjoy such things. On occasion, I may, but not now. Not like this. Admitting that will only rouse suspicion.

“I don’t enjoy the fear of losing my employment,” I say. “There must be an end to the trickery, and that’s the boundary I’m setting.”

If there is one thing Helena understands, it’s the value of hard work.

She nods. “Noted.”

I inhale slowly. “No trickery regarding the prince. Please.”

A smile twists onto her lips. “What about a touch of meddling? I do think you would be sweet together.”

My jaw drops. “He is betrothed, Helena.”

A mischievous smile plays on her lips, and in a sing-sing voice, she says, “That did nothing to stop the way he stared at you.”

She yanks her arm free from my grasp and moves forward, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

What a wench.

I can’t believe she’s becoming my new best friend.

EMYR

It only takes a moment to realize Princess Minetta’s parents don’t think highly of me. They may even despise me. What reason do they have to hate me already? I doubt tales of my recklessness have passed over the seas that rest between our kingdoms.