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“If that is supposed to be a particularly callous joke about my imprisonment, you can tend to yourself next time,” I snap. The venom in my voice surprises even me, but I am too angry and tired to care. A deep crimson blooms across the prince’s cheeks.

“N-No,” he stammers, his decorum evaporated. “My apologies, Miss Shivani. I did not think before I spoke. I did not…”

He closes his book and places it on his lap, sighing.

“I would not make light of your situation, I assure you. I only…I only wish to know if you are willing to stay a while longer.”

The prince looks at me earnestly, the cracks in his stoic mask showing. My irritation subsides. I study his face to search for signs of the simmering rage his father holds beneath the surface. But I can see none. Not even a trace of the beast I witnessed last night remains.That does not mean it is not there, I warn myself.

“Yes,” I tell him, sitting back. “I can stay. On the condition you answer a question for me, completely honestly.”

I do not know where my boldness comes from, but I know my dinner with the king last night has only served as a reminder, it does not matter how much I try to please and appease him or the prince. I will be executed at the end of six months, regardless. I lock eyes with the prince, determined.

“That would depend on the question,” he replies, and I roll my eyes.

“Fine. Do you know how to break the curse?”

The prince slumps back, frowning.

“True love.”

I quietly note the tinge of bitterness in his voice. He glances behind me, through his window, but when I twist to look, there is nothing there. I turn back to face him but his eyes fix on a distant spot and his jaw is set. Is he lying?

“No,” I say firmly. “Therealway to break the curse.”

“That is therealway. What are you talking about?”

I lean forward, my elbows on his bed, and look him hard in the eyes.

“Do not lie to me,” I tell him quietly, and his face scrunches in confusion.

“Have you gone mad? What in Saint’s name am I supposed to be lying about?”

I sit back as we stare at each other. There is a beat of silence as I search his face. He does not look away. He is telling the truth.

“You truly do not know,” I say finally, and we both hear the pity in my voice. The prince narrows his eyes. “The king…lied. About the curse. Or about how to break it, at least.”

The prince scoffs.

“A poor joke.”

“Your Highness…”

He grips his book so hard his hands begin to shake. Gently, I explain everything the king told me. He sits and listens with quiet fury.

“So, all those women died for nothing,” he eventually says. “They had no chance of breakingmy curse.”

I do not know what to say, so I stay quiet.

“And…” his voice breaks slightly. “I will be a monster forever.”

“No, no.” I shake my head and grasp his hand. “You are not a monster. And we will break this curse.”

He averts his eyes and gives a slight shake of his head, disbelieving.

“We will,” I insist. “Before I was…before I came here, I studied many kinds of magic.”

This catches his attention. He locks eyes with me again and sits up straighter.