Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (13 page)

Aland covered her hand with his. “As do I, daughter. I do hope that his assessment of Marek is correct.”

“Marek is a good man, Father. Archibald would have chosen nothing less.”

“Thea, what happened to you before the chandelier fell?”

Thea wasn’t ready for the shift. “I woke from a nightmare and could not remove myself from it.”

“How is that so?” Aland turned to her now, concern apparent. “How did you not know you were awake?”

“I can’t describe it, Father. When I looked around, I did not see our chambers, but the woods of my dream. I was running through woods, and I could not get out.” It was as much as she dared tell him.

“How did you hurt your foot?”

“I don’t know. I moved to get out of bed, and noticed that I had blood seeping from my toe. I have no explanation for what occurred. It added to my fright.” She looked down, unwilling to meet his eyes. She was too afraid to see blame in them.

“I am sorry, Father. Had I not been hysterical, Archibald…”

“Child, it was but an accident. A horrible one, to be sure, but an accident all the same. You must not blame yourself.”

Thea’s composure cracked. “I do, Father. Utterly. Had I not been a goose, he would not have been there trying to right me. But I was, and he died.” She struggled to keep her face calm.

“Daughter, I am telling you, as a ruler, you cannot take responsibility for every death. As a leader, you will take enough responsibility as it is. You cannot do so for accidents.”

“I thank you for your words, Father.” She looked away.

“We will speak of this more, Thea. I know of what I speak.”

“I know that. I do not wish to argue.”

“Very well. I wish to see you in my chambers in the morning.” His voice brooked no discussion.

“Of course, Father. I am at your disposal, as you know.”

He nodded, and turned to speak to her mother. Thea met Ceridwen’s eyes, and felt the love in that one glance.

She looked over to the other side to see Sebastian and Adelaide still talking animatedly. That would set the gossips aflame. So be it. She deliberately did not interject herself into the conversation, but sat, quiet and content. She watched the court.

The death of Archibald would not end with his burial, she could tell. People were unsettled. His death had rattled people, bringing up concerns. What, she could not tell. Everyone celebrated when the betrothal was announced. How had things changed so in a few days?

She resolved to meander more, and not be so focused on her problems. After the funeral.

Chapter Six

Thea collapsed onto her bed. The funeral had worn her out. There had been a wonderful service for him in the castle chapel. She and her father had spoken. In spite of the restlessness she’d observed the evening before, she could tell that people liked to see the high regard in which Archibald had been held. He was not a noble but merely a soldier. He’d impressed Aland on several campaigns and when the conflict ended, Aland had brought him back to the castle.

Thankfully, her meeting with her father had been postponed. She had no idea as to what he wanted to speak with her about. She couldn’t stop the frisson of fear that washed through her. His pronouncements had not given her much joy lately.

Marek came into the sleeping chamber. “My lady, I will be just outside the door, if that is acceptable.”

She sat up. “Of course. Will you be comfortable with that, Lord Marek?”

“I shall, my lady. You have but to call, and I shall be there.”

“Thank you, Lord Marek. And I thank you for being there for us all today. It has not been an easy day.” He didn’t respond, and she could feel his hesitation.

“You are free to speak your mind, Lord Marek.”

“I shall miss him greatly, my lady.”

“I will as well, my lord.” He smiled, and left the room.

Thea lay back onto the bed. Her sisters began to trickle into the room, many with the same idea.

“I am beyond tired,” said Celestria, flopping down next to her. “It is so hard to stay awake today!”

“I know,” Thea said. “It doesn’t feel like I’m getting any rest at night.”

“I nearly nodded off in the middle of the service,” said Esmay as she passed by. “Thankfully, Sybbl nudged me hard, and it brought me back to attention.” She yawned, and went to her own bed.

“Maybe we can nap today,” said Emaline. “I am sorely in need of a nap.”

“Why don’t you send word to Father?” Thea waved her hand towards the door. “We can eat in our rooms and maybe go to bed early.”

There was a murmur of assent, and Emaline went back out, presumably to send someone to tell Father. Thea sighed. She could go to sleep right now. She turned her head. Celestria had fallen asleep next to her. What a wonderful idea. She closed her eyes.

When she woke, the candles were lit throughout the sleeping chamber. Thea propped herself up on her elbows, looking around. It looked like they had all napped. Unlike the last several nights, she had not dreamed.

She sat up fully, stretching. She still felt sore, and her right foot hurt where her toe had bled. It throbbed slightly.

It was not yet full dark. Moving carefully, so as not to disturb Celestria, she edged out of bed. She walked quietly through the solarium, and opened the doors to the hallway. Marek stood with another guard across from the doors.

“My lady? May I help you?” He sounded nervous.

“I am fine, Marek. We all fell asleep. Could you have some dinner brought up?”

“I believe the king would like your company this evening, my lady.”

Thea smiled. “I will be happy to go and see him, if you would accompany me. I can have dinner arranged also.” Marek led her to their private sitting room. She’d last been here when she and her father argued. It wouldn’t be as intense now, not with her mother present. She hoped.

Marek opened the door, and she entered. He didn’t come in, but closed the door behind her.

Her mother sat before the fire.

“Thea! Marek said you had all fallen asleep. Are you well?”

“We’re all so tired, Mother. That’s all. How are you this evening?”

“Sad, my dear. Very sad. Your Father is sleeping also. It’s been a long day for us all.”

“It has. It doesn’t seem real that Archibald is not here.”

Her mother sighed, indicating the chair across from her. Thea sat down. “No, it doesn’t. How is your foot, dearest? I notice you are favoring it a bit.”

“It hurts, but it’s nothing to fuss over, Mother. May I ask, have you seen Sebastian today?”

“I have. Why do you ask? I would think your focus would be...elsewhere.”

Her mother was trying to be delicate. Thea could appreciate it.

“I am not thrilled with the marriage, Mother. Let’s not pretend otherwise. Not here. But I find it odd that during a crisis, my future mate is not much to be seen.”

“Perhaps he feels that he needs to let you mourn in peace,” Ceridwen said mildly.

“Have you seen much of our other guests?” It was the best way she could ask about Casimir without naming him.

“I believe a number of our male guests went hunting today. With the influx of visitors, the kitchens are glad of the help to supply them. And the young men are restless.”

“Mother, is there any chance that I could beg off this marriage? I do not see myself enjoying even a fraction of the happiness I see between you and Father.”

“Really? How so, Thea? While I understand your personal preferences, I do not see such a lack of harmony.”

“He does not respect me as an equal,” Thea said bluntly. “And if I am honest, which my vanity struggles with, I do not think I am his first choice, either. What is really going on here, Mother?”

“What do you mean?” Ceridwen looked guarded.

“I mean that Father seems to have some reservations as well, but he pushes ahead. Everyone is telling me how wonderful this will be, but it seems to be mere words. And having seen him in the company of others, I do not believe I am his preference. So why persist with this engagement which does not bring the happiness it ought to anyone involved?”

She felt very reckless, putting it all out in the open. Even though she was not telling her father, telling her mother was pretty much the same. Ceridwen would tell him all. Thea didn’t mind. Her mother yelled less.

“Thea, you must trust that your father makes decisions based on his wish for the best for you. If nothing else, you must trust that.”

More oddness. Thea could hear the smallest of pleas in Ceridwen’s words.

“I do trust him. But I do not understand this move. There are too many things that do not sit well. They continue to not sit well. Please consider that. However,” Thea got up. “I did not come to see you in order to argue. I wanted to let you know that all of us are so tired, we would like to eat in our rooms this evening. You and Father are welcome to join us,” she said hopefully.

“I would love nothing more. I think that we must eat in hall,” Ceridwen said with regret.

“Of course. Will you let Father know I came to see him? We had plans to meet, but events keep thwarting us.”

“Yes, my dear.” Ceridwen stood also. She moved close to Thea and enveloped her in a hug. Thea relaxed against her mother. She always smelled good and comforting, like her garden in the sun.

“Thank you, Mother.”

Ceridwen just nodded, and sat back down. Thea left. When she reached her rooms, Marek still stood at the door.

“My lady. I do not think any of your sisters are yet awake.”

“That’s alright, Marek. They need their sleep. I am going to lie down again. When we wake, we’ll be joining my parents.”

“Of course.”

She opened the door and listened. No noises, so they were all probably still sleeping. She felt wide awake, and she did not go back to bed, but to sit in one of the cushioned seats near the windows.

Where was Casimir? She’d seen him briefly at the funeral, but other than that, she had not seen him since he went off with Sebastian and all Sebastian’s courtiers. It made her nervous. She didn’t like that she had no contact with him.

It was as though Archibald’s death had ripped open a gash in their court, and what lay inside did not look pretty.

She turned as she heard someone else enter the room.

“I blame you for Casimir’s leaving.” Isobel’s voice was low, and there was a hardness Thea had never heard from her sister before.

“I tried to talk with Father. He had already settled on this as the way to proceed.” Thea felt badly for not being completely honest, but she also knew that no matter what, Isobel would not take kindly to anything she said.

“Why could you not let him be?” Isobel asked.

“There was nothing to let be,” Thea said. “I have loved Casimir since I was young. I am sorry to tell you this, but you deserve the truth from me.”

“When he fostered here?” Isobel responded.

Thea nodded. “Yes.” She wanted to say more, but didn’t know how to start.

“Then why do you not fight harder to keep him here?”

“I cannot, Isobel. I cannot. I don’t want him to leave, either. I don’t think…” She didn’t finish her sentence.

“What?” Isobel came closer, pressing her.

“I do not think that Father is being entirely honest regarding Casimir as his choice to act as emissary to the court of the Empress. I believe...I think, that is...that Sebastian knows of Casimir’s feelings, and perhaps mine. I think Father was...persuaded in his choice.”

“That is not honorable,” Isobel said heatedly.

“According to Casimir, all’s fair in the making of a good match. I don’t agree,” she said with a wry laugh, “But that is his thought.

“You’ve talked with him since the announcement?” Now Thea could hear the hurt and despair.

“Yes. We did,” she said gently.

Isobel sat heavily next to her, crying. “I could love him, Thea.”

“I understand. I cannot tell you how to feel, Isobel. I can only tell you my truth and let you choose from there. I don’t want you to feel any more hurt than you have in this matter.”

Isobel stood abruptly. She dashed at her face, wiping the tears. “I can’t tell you that I forgive you. I don’t. I don’t know if I can. I do accept that you care for him. I expect that you will attempt to keep him from harm. I don’t know why, but I feel like bad things are coming.”

Thea reached for Isobel’s hand to stay her leaving. “Do you feel it too? I feel as though a shadow is upon us.”

“Of course there is.” Isobel removed her hand, staring down at Thea. “You brought it.” She walked away, leaving Thea’s hand hanging in mid-air, grasping for what would not come.

***

Thea lay in bed. She had lost her appetite after speaking with Isobel earlier. They had gone to dinner, and she’d returned to their rooms as soon as she’d eaten. She couldn’t face anyone, not with the truth of Isobel’s words beating against her.

Now everyone else had retired, but Thea could not sleep. Isobel’s words rang in her head, refusing to go away, or even take a rest. Over and over, like the sea against the shore. She threw back the bedclothes and walked back out into the solarium. At least everyone else slept, and she could be alone.

How long she sat near the long windows, she didn’t know. The moon sat high over the castle. She gasped as she saw the reflection of a candle in the window.

“It’s time, Thea. You are not ready, and you need to be ready.” Angharad stood in fully dressed in a beautiful ball gown, holding the candle.

“What do you mean?”

“We must hurry.” Emaline joined Angharad. “We don’t wish to miss them. Come, Thea.” She stepped around Angharad and took Thea’s hand, drawing her back towards the dressing room. Thea allowed her to lead, her mouth falling open as they walked back into the sleeping chamber.

All her sisters were in various states of dress, as though they were attending another ball. Ignoring them, Emaline led Thea to the dressing room.

“You will want your blue,” she said. “You have not worn that yet. Your prince will enjoy seeing you in it.”

“What are you talking about?”

Emaline didn’t answer, but pulled the blue dress Thea had worn the night of the fateful ball out, and began to unlace it.

Thea could tell that none of her sisters were fully there. It was as though they moved in a dream. A dream! This was the dream! The dream they had all been dreaming over the past week! Angharad joined them, setting down the candle and taking up a brush, intending to do Thea’s hair. She opened her mouth to yell at Emaline and Angharad to wake, and then closed it. As frightening as this was, perhaps she would find out what was going on.

She allowed herself to be dressed. Her hair pinned up, and jewelry chosen for her. None of her sisters spoke, or even made much noise. It was eerie.

When she was dressed, she stood. She didn’t know what to do next, so she walked out into the sleeping chamber. The rest of her sisters were dressed, and clustered around her bed. She joined them, and they all looked at her.

“Why do you wait, Thea? We cannot be late.” Adelaide said. It didn’t sound like her, and that gave Thea a chill.

“What do I do?”

“The finial,” Adelaide said, nodding to the one to the right of the head of the bed. Thea moved towards it, reaching out to touch it.

Once she laid her hand on it, she had to jump back. The bed slid away from her, revealing a staircase underneath. Thea peered in. No light showed at the bottom.

“Thea, we must go,” Adelaide sounded worried.

Thea looked around. They all waited for her—she could feel their impatience as though it were another person in the room. Apparently, she had to lead this.