Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (12 page)

“What?” Asked Viviana.

“She said I was a danger to Casimir. That he was too good for me, and I would pull him down if I did not give him up. That if I truly loved him, I would let him go and not bring him to harm.”

“What does that even mean?” Asked Beatrix. “How can you bring harm to Casimir, or anyone, for that matter? We are a peaceful kingdom. Casimir doesn’t desire war or conquest. He works hard to ensure all those of the realm prosper. How can that be harmful?”

“I don’t know,” Thea said. She tapped her finger on her chin, going through the conversation again. “She told me she had long known both my and Casimir’s families, and that based on that, she had to save Casimir from me and my family.”

“That makes no sense,” said Esmay. “Are you sure she is not just a madwoman, Thea?”

“I would love nothing more than to agree with you. But she pulled me from the forest to a room in a flash of light and sent me back the same way. That is something more than mere madness. She may indeed be mad, but she is an enchantress. I didn’t even think they existed.”

“Was she warty and old and crooked?” Asked Viviana.

“No. She was the age of our parents, perhaps, and pretty. She also said she was a princess, but I am not aware of any princess with her name or any who practices the magical arts.”

“I think she’s carrying some sort of grudge against our house,” said Beatrix.

“Yes, well, it’s having the desired effect,” said Thea, looking past them all to the sleeping chamber. She could still hear Isobel crying, although the sobs had lessened.

“Creating discontent within our house would work towards assuaging that grudge,” said Sybbl. “Even if he doesn’t know of the particulars, this has already hurt Father and will hurt Mother.”

“What do I do? This is all such a mess!” Thea threw up her hands again. “I am thankful to speak with all of you, but that doesn’t help me with what I ought to do.”

“We go on as before. We see if we can figure out what is going on with our dreams. We don’t speak of this to anyone. Not a word,” Emaline stood up, glaring round at the rest of them. “I agree that we can’t know if it was the curse that caused Archibald’s death, but I do not want to have another die to find out.”

At the sight of her sisters nodding in agreement, Thea started to cry. “Thank you, thank you,” she wept. “I am so grateful to be able to share this with you and not have you shun me for it.”

“I would imagine you will carry more guilt than any of us could hurl at you,” said Sybbl bluntly. “I see no need to add to that.”

At her words, Thea wept harder. She had not expected to be forgiven. Accepted? She was not sure what. She certainly had not expected to be believed. The relief at being able to speak to another was immense. Adelaide put her arm around Thea’s shoulders, and Thea wept unreservedly.

The priest’s arrival was announced.
Thea’s tears and Isobel’s absence were not even questioned, given the circumstances.
Thea sat long with him, planning the funeral. It would be what she would want for any member of the family. Finally, the priest took his leave. She looked out the window.

“It is nearing time for the evening meal. Are we going to be seen out tonight?”

“What do you think, Thea?” Serafina asked.

“I think we ought to, for the sake of Archibald’s memory. As much as I hate to say it, to quiet the gossip that has had an entire day to simmer. Do you think we might prevail on Isobel to join us?” She gave a quick glance to the sleeping chamber.

“I don’t know, but I will ask her,” said Sybbl. “I think she might, for Archibald’s sake.” She disappeared into the room beyond.

“I am ready to leave here. We’ve been here all day!” Mirabelle stretched.

Thea smiled at her. It was harder to be cooped up for her younger sisters. She stood and went to the door, beckoning to a serving girl. “Would you tell my parents we wish to dine with them this evening?”

The girl sped away as Thea closed the door. It was odd that she hadn’t seen either of her parents since her father left this morning. Nor had Sebastian come by. It really was not done to ignore your betrothed after something like this.

With her hand still on the door handle, she thought it over. Her father had not seemed overjoyed with Sebastian yesterday. While he had been when he made the announcement, none of that joy was present as they talked in the gardens. She had been surprised by the change in her father’s manner toward Sebastian, but too focused on talking with both Casimir and Sebastian to question it at the time. She would need to figure a way to diplomatically ask him about it. Her heart leapt at the thought that he might be having second thoughts.

It would not do to focus on such happy considerations. She pushed them to the side and went to prepare for what would, no doubt, be an emotionally draining evening.

***

Thea eyed the court. The gossip mill was in full swing. When she and her sisters had come in, an excited murmur had run through the room. None of the guests who had traveled to celebrate her betrothal had left. If anything, the crowds of people looked greater. No one seemed worried about the death of a valued courtier.

Of course, no one else looked at it as confirmation of a curse either, so perhaps they could be forgiven. Although no one outside her family seemed to mourn him as they did. While she understood it, she did not like it. There was far more discussion regarding Marek, their new guard.

He was a nice man and thorough. Quiet, like Archibald. When she’d sent word to her parents, he had returned with their invitation to dine in the hall. He’d spoken briefly about his hope that he would measure up to his predecessor. Favor at court being what it was, Thea had been surprised and gratified to see a sheen of tears in his eyes.

Right now, he stood behind her chair. Tonight, she was on the right hand of the king, and Sebastian next to her. He had been most solicitous when she’d come into the hall.

Thea found she was still nettled with him, in spite of his kind apology the night before. He knew of Casimir’s interest. He ignored it in favor of his own interests. And in complete disregard of hers.

“I hope that you will attend with us when we bury Archibald.” She looked directly at Sebastian. “He is being laid to rest in the family plot.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows raised. “Indeed? I had not realized he was so valued a retainer.”

“He had been with us since I was young. I grew up with him, as have my sisters. He is family.”

She had to give him credit. He recovered from his lack of interest well. “In that case, not yet being family, I am honored to be invited. Will this be a public affair?”

“Yes, it will. He has earned the right to be lauded. But we will bury him privately. You are welcome to join us, should you wish.”

She could tell he did NOT wish, but would not say so.

“I should be honored,” he said, inclining his head. They both turned to their plates. Thea knew she was being bull headed but didn’t feel like making the effort to move past it. After a moment, Sebastian turned to the person next to him, who happened to be Adelaide.

Thea wasn’t sure if that was good or bad for Adelaide. She risked a peek at Addy—her face was happy. She was pleased to speak with Sebastian, and he was pleased to speak with someone who was not castigating him.

She could see the ladies who had cornered her yesterday, Lady McIvers and Lady Tottenham, eyeing all three of them speculatively. She smiled brightly at them and raised her cup.

They had not expected her to be watching them, and both blushed and turned away from the head table. Thea smiled into her cup.

“You should not devil them,” her father leaned towards her, not taking his eyes from watching the rest of the hall. “It does you no good. Plus, they do not forget.”

“They are making a mountain out of the fact that Sebastian speaks to my sister.”

She felt Aland shrug. “That’s their place, Thea. There will always be those you can count on to get the word out, as it were. Once you recognize them, they are useful. And it makes them happy.”

“Yes, I am sure spreading as much speculation as possible does make them happy.” She didn’t feel as magnanimous as he did.

He quietly laughed. “Well, you and your betrothed should be besotted with one another. It’s how it’s supposed to be. Real life has nothing to do with what is supposed to be. He’s so handsome, you’re so beautiful. Rise above it, my girl. It is not worth embroiling yourself in.”

“Father, may I ask a personal question?”

He looked instantly wary. “You may. I reserve the right to decline to answer.”

“Did something...untoward happen at your wedding?” She didn’t realize it, but she lowered her voice as she asked.

“Why do you ask, daughter?” His more formal answer told her she’d struck on something.

“The gossips alluded to it yesterday, but ran like a fox before the hounds when Mother gave them the eye.”

“Our parents were most happy. Not all our neighbors were, and there was one who made a scene at our wedding. No,” he held up his hand. “I will not tell you more, but it was quite the scandal at the time, in spite of all the importance it didn’t have.”

Thea felt deflated. Ever since pondering her father’s actions yesterday, and then her mother’s, she felt there may be reasons other than the match itself for her father agreeing to Sebastian.

Casimir was on the other side of Adelaide, which gave her no opportunity to speak with him. It wouldn’t do to
halloo
at him down the table. Nor did she have the freedom to wander and stop and speak with whomever she chose, unlike the rest of the courtiers present in the dining hall. No, her father expected that the court would come to them, and he enforced that idea with his daughters.

All well and good for maintaining royal standards but inconvenient when one wanted to conduct clandestine conversations in plain sight.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her father standing up beside her. He didn’t speak, just waited for people to quiet. Thea tensed, remembering his last announcement.

“I stand before you once again, although not as happy as I was the last time I asked for your ears.” He looked down. “As you may have heard, Archibald, head of the princesses’ guard, was killed this morning. The grief we feel at his passing cannot be expressed. There is no replacement for such a man. We ask that you offer your prayers for his safe journey home.” He bowed his head, and the rest of the court followed suit.

Thea could hear the shufflings from those unused to her father being silent. A few people coughed. Then her father began to speak again.

“Archibald, as you know, believed in being prepared for every eventuality. Even for the time when he would no longer be with us. Therefore, we have taken his advice and appointed Marek, Earl of Courceny, as the new head of the princesses’ guard. Marek,” he turned to look beyond Thea where she knew Marek stood, “Congratulations.” He inclined his head. The rest of the court did as well.

Marek placed his fist over his heart, and bowed to Aland. Her father continued. “We are also able to relate that we have spoken to the Prince Casimir at length. He has agreed, with his father’s consent, to journey to the kingdom of the Empress of Samir, to bring her son back to foster in our court. We are fortunate and honored to have such an ally as the Prince Casimir and his kingdom of Ethion. To Casimir!” Aland raised his glass. “We wish you Godspeed and great success in the court of the Empress.”

Everyone lifted their cups. Thea raised hers without much heart. She glanced down the table. Isobel’s eyes were red. She could see that many of the court had taken notice. At least no one would suspect her and Casimir of anything. Perhaps it would also throw off Sebastian.

She risked a glance at him. He was staring at Casimir. Casimir must have felt it, because he lifted his cup to Sebastian with a sardonic grin on his face. Thea didn’t imagine the air of smug satisfaction that passed across Sebastian’s face. She turned back to her father. She didn’t know if she could keep her composure, when what she really wanted to do was to toss her drink at Sebastian.

“Now, in celebration of those who have left us, and those now allied with us, let us eat!” At Aland’s words, servants entered carrying trays loaded with boar and game. Platters of bread appeared like magic.

Thea thought about her words to Sebastian some time ago. She had learned through her father to pay attention to the tenor of the court. The manner in which many fell to the food told her they were relieved to be doing routine things. That the past few days of things not being normal had set the court off, particularly as the most recent event was one of tragedy. She leaned into her father.

“Things are somewhat off, Father.”

“I know.” His expression didn’t change. “We must set things to right as quickly as possible. Too much change in too short a time gives people too many things to ponder.”

She nodded, using The Gaze to survey those before her. It would not do to look anything other than somber given the events of the day. “You speak as though you don’t want them to think.”

“In some cases, I do not. Too many thinking together often gives me great headaches.” Aland sounded tired.

“I miss him already,” she said.