Cursed by the Phantom Prince (Once Upon A Curse)

Chapter 10

10

TOREN

C onflicting emotions warred inside me ever since the princess had regained consciousness. I felt responsible for her collapse and her current state. She’d looked extremely pale, her violet eyes wide with confusion and worry. I’d made her feel those things, though I hadn’t done it intentionally. The handmaiden and the Flare guard were right to not trust me. This was a terrible idea. I shouldn’t have come here myself. I was only going to make things worse.

“It’s too late for that,” Larek singsonged, like he could read my thoughts. “We’re here now, in the middle of this deception that you insisted upon. Either you see it through or you confess to the queen and princess about your presence here.”

The latter option was tempting. The longer I spent in the princess’s presence, the more I found myself wishing it could remain like this. I’d lost sight of my mission for being here. I had to reorient myself. Lives were at stake and I couldn’t afford to be distracted, no matter how much I craved to be with her every single moment.

“You’re right,” I grumbled, expecting him to gloat that he’d been right all along. “I must see this through.”

Saying the words out loud made ash coat my tongue. I was the Moon Court Prince who was tedious in my strategies but somehow the Court of Dawn Princess had disarmed me, making me question every plan I’d put into motion.

“She’s an intriguing woman,” Larek complimented, making me bite my cheek so I wouldn’t snap at him.

“Yes, she is,” I agreed through gritted teeth. “Do you think meeting with her so soon after her recovery is wise?”

“She could have declined my request,” he shrugged, the movement jostling the falcon on his shoulder.

I supposed that was true. However, it bothered me that she had agreed to a meeting with my companion alone. Shouldn’t she have a chaperone? Anything could happen when she’s alone with another man.

You trust Larek.

I didn’t know what had come over me. I was irritated but I couldn’t put my finger on why. It was frustrating that I had no idea what the hell I was feeling. I debated confiding in Larek but I couldn’t put a name to my emotions, so I decided to bite my tongue, for now.

“What are you hoping to accomplish?”

“Are you jealous?” Larek asked, amusement clear in his tone.

I opened my mouth to rebuke his question but I found myself instead able to put a name to the emotions that had been plaguing me. I was jealous. I hated that Larek could be himself around her when I had to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. The need for her to see me as myself was an idea that was becoming more and more appealing as time passed.

“Yes, I am,” I answered, taking him by surprise just by admitting it.

“Well, that was fast,” he muttered so quietly I almost didn’t hear it. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“You say that but I can’t help but worry.”

Larek chuckled, leaning forward in his chair, his milky eyes watching me like he could see me. “This is unexpected.”

“What is?” I snapped, annoyed by his constant riddles.

“You like her.”

“I…” Did I like her? Was that what this was? “I do like her,” I said slowly, doing my best to find the right words. “It might be more than that.”

“Enamored?”

I shrugged, unsure if that was the correct word, but I couldn’t deny that there was something about her that spoke to a part of me that I thought I no longer had.

“Possibly,” I conceded, shaking my head. I couldn’t afford to be distracted like this but I found a small part of me just wanted a break. To simply exist without the burden of saving my court weighing on my shoulders every god's damned second.

“Well, whatever it is, I’m proud of you,” Larek announced nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair with an amused expression on his face.

“Your face doesn’t match your words.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Larek said, wiping the amusement from his face. “Do you plan to speak to her? I’m sure she has questions about what she saw in your mind. What will you say?”

“I don’t know since I have no idea what she saw but if she asks I’ll answer truthfully.”

“Truthfully…to an extent.”

I nodded; I’d answer her questions but wouldn’t offer any other details.

“What do you plan to talk with her about?” I wondered, suddenly very interested to know what would be discussed.

“I was planning on telling her the truth.”

“What?”

“The truth about what's happening in the Moon Court…with a couple embellishments.”

“What sort of embellishments?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“You know how the Moon Court is divided, father against son, and that the realm is dying from the curse placed on you and your lineage.”

“So, you’re going to basically tell her everything?”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? Honesty over half-truths?”

It was, but I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by what my court had become. Granted it hadn’t been my fault, but it was my responsibility now. I had to put right what my ancestors had botched. The whole realm depended on it.

“Is it the right time? I mean, after everything that happened last night, maybe she isn’t ready to hear the truth.” I was reaching and I could tell that Larek knew it.

“I’ll observe her mannerisms and if I’m satisfied I’ll then brooch the subject. I’ll tell her only the minimum but it’ll be up to you to tell her the rest.”

I sighed, feeling like it was too soon for all of this. I wasn't sure what I thought would happen. That I’d meet the princess, confess everything within the first day of meeting her then pray that she’d still agree to marriage? It sounded far fetched even to me and that was my plan initially.

In the end none of this mattered. I still had to convince her to agree to the terms then bring her to the Moon Court. This was a deception, but a deception of desperation, which weighed easier on my conscience.

“Alright,” I said, giving the blind Fae my blessing.

“Now that that’s settled, I need to prepare for my stroll through the gardens with the princess.”

“How do you need to prepare for that?” I wondered, curious what his answer would be.

“Do you think I just ooze charm? No, I must prepare to play this part for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes, for you, you love-sick fool,” he chuckled, then seemed to refocus on me. “Toren, I believe that you will make a great king one day. You have the drive and the foresight to lead the Fae into a new era. You are stern when you need to be but soft hearted at your center. I believe in your vision and I know that others will as well. I’ve never doubted you, old friend.”

Emotions filled my throat making it hard to speak but pushed past it and thanked him.

“Thank me after I’ve secured the princess’s sympathies,” he said, waving for me to leave the room.

I did what he asked, hoping that he didn’t overdo it and ruin any hope I had of creating an alliance.