Chapter 7 – Of Curses and Clumsy Confessions
490 Words
“Let me get this straight,” Elara said, narrowing her eyes at the crown prince who was currently pretending to polish his sword—but really just avoiding eye contact. “You dragged me all the way to this castle, told everyone I’m your bride, and now you’re telling me there’s a curse on you?”
Kael cleared his throat. “I didn’t exactly drag you—”
“Oh please,” she interrupted, crossing her arms. “You literally showed up at my doorstep in the middle of the night like some sketchy tindero selling magic beans.”
“That was a royal escort!” he protested, placing the sword down. “And—wait—magic beans?”
Elara smirked. “What else am I supposed to call a prince showing up unannounced with a carriage and a smug smile?”
Kael rubbed his temple. “You’re… impossible.”
She leaned forward, lowering her voice. “And you’re cursed. Spill it, Your Highness.”
---
Kael’s gaze dropped to the floor. “It’s… complicated.”
“Complicated? Kael, the way my life has been lately, I eat complicated for breakfast.” She gave him an encouraging wave. “Come on. Out with it.”
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Every woman who agrees to marry me… disappears.”
Elara blinked. “Disappears?”
“Vanished. Gone. Poof.” He made a vague hand motion. “Like they were never even here.”
“Okay… that’s creepy.” She tilted her head. “So, why am I still here?”
Kael looked away again. “Because… you didn’t exactly agree yet.”
“Oh, so your royal plan is to keep me here until I say yes, and then what? Watch me disappear too? Nice strategy, Kael. Very romantic.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I’m trying to break it.”
Elara stared at him, her sarcasm fading. “…And you think I’m the key?”
Kael’s lips curved into the smallest smile. “I know you are.”
---
“That’s… way too much pressure,” she muttered, suddenly feeling her cheeks warm. “Also, you don’t even know me that well.”
“I know enough,” Kael replied softly.
Her heart did a weird little flip, which she immediately blamed on the castle’s poor ventilation. “Right,” she said, forcing a smirk. “Well, Your Highness, if we’re going to survive this curse, we’re going to need a plan.”
“A plan?” His brow arched.
“Step one—figure out who cursed you. Step two—don’t die. Step three—don’t let me disappear. Easy.”
Kael chuckled under his breath. “And you’re in?”
Elara gave a mock salute. “For now. But if I vanish, I’m haunting you.”
Kael grinned. “I’d expect nothing less.”
- Writer
