Page 73 of Of Curses and Courtship

“I should’ve killed it.” He runs his fingers through his frazzled hair. Emyr’s voice, usually lilted and playful, shakes with fear. He trembles from head to toe. “Why didn’t I strike it down before it poisons the rest? Too weak. Always too weak.”

“It couldn’t have hurt us,” I murmur. “It was only a frog, Emyr. Everything is all right.”

“No! Nothing is all right.” He looks at me with a wildexpression, his eyes red-rimmed and filled with tears. “This is my fault. Can you not see that?”

I shake my head. “I don’t?—”

“I’m meant to be breaking this curse, and I’m taking too long. Spark will be next. He’s already next. I must stop this.”

Wind sweeps over me, tinged with the wretched curse, sending goose bumps across my flesh. “You’re doing your best. You and Princess Minetta are to be wed, and?—”

“No. No.” He stares into the shadowed woods. “I must do this myself. There is another way. Sooner. Sooner, or everyone I care for will—” His chest heaves with each breath.

“You’re all right.” I move beside him and rub my thumb against the back of his hand. “You will break this curse, one way or another, and I… I will do anything to help you.”

His tragic eyes meet mine, and his wings wrap around us, sheltering us from the world. “Will you truly help me, little halfling? You will swear allegiance to such a coward?”

“Why not? I am part of this palace now, and you… you arenota coward, Emyr.”

It takes several moments for him to say anything. His breathing finally slows, no longer ragged and desperate, and his shoulders relax. “I suppose you’re one of us now, part of this palace, but you’re still too good to befriend the likes of me.”

“Enough. I’m happy to be your friend.”

And the longing—the ache for something I can never have—it must wait. We have a curse to take care of, and though I know little about it…

No one, high fae or common, should have to feel that wretched feeling the curse brought upon me. Not even a little frog.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

OPHELIA

For once, Emyr and I meet on purpose. I’m no longer running to the library for silence, but instead… I am running to him. I sit by his side as he scours through piles of books, his eyes racing down each page. It’s a wonder he’s absorbing the information so swiftly.

It’s still quiet in here, even though a few other fae float around the space—including the tall, strict librarian. Emyr and I huddle in the back, sitting at a dark oak table with towers of books between us.

My friendship with Emyr is quite different from my friendship with Helena. Where she and I usually chat about palace happenings or practice our magic for fun, Emyr and I have a common purpose now. We’re doing the impossible—we’re going against the prophecy and breaking a curse on our own.

If I can do away with this curse, perhaps I’ll no longer have to hide who I am. Perhaps I can visit home and see my stepsisters again. I can be a halfling in peace.

“I have to say…” I turn back to my book and force my attention to remain on the worn pages. “This may be the longest you’ve been quiet.”

‘This”—he taps the page—“is a new book. I must focus.”

“Then why did you request my company?”

“Because two sets of eyes are better than one, and I enjoy your presence.”

We haven’t discussed what happened at the lake—or more specifically, what happened after—but I can’t shake the vision. Emyr, always so full of mirth, was crying on his knees. It’s not the first time I have seen him cry, and I have a feeling it won’t be the last, but the look of terror in his eye… that was unusual.

Thinking of his bloodshot eyes sends bumps across my skin.

“Well, I don’t think there is anything in this book about curses.” I shut the book and let my fingers wander over the lettering on the cover.

Moon magic…

This book is written for a fae like me, but it’s useless in addressing the problems we face. I may take it back to my room and read it for leisure, but my time with Emyr must be well spent. He is a busy man.

I won’t think about what—or who—keeps him so busy.