Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (22 page)

“Of course,” Aland waved lazily at her as though he hadn’t been snarling at her earlier. “Take one of your ladies with you. Marek!” He looked around, and Marek appeared from the shadows.

“Sire?” Marek asked, leaning forward.

“Take the Lady Thea and her lady to her chambers. Let no one in until I arrive.”

Marek bowed, and stood back to let Thea pass.

She gave a scathing look to both Casimir and Sebastian, and swept past them. Lisette came hurrying forward as she saw Thea leaving. The members of the court bowed as she passed, and without looking to the left or the right, Thea left the hall.

“My lady, how may I assist you?” Lisette asked. In an undertone she said, “What is wrong?”

“Men,” Thea said, with impatience. “I do not understand how they think!”

Lisette laughed. “No one does, Thea, not even them. Slow down! There is no need to rush!”

“I can’t. I want some time alone before this farce gets underway,” Thea said. She didn’t slow her pace even though she could feel Lisette, with her shorter stride, hurry to keep up with her.

She swung open the doors to their chambers and walked in. Without breaking stride, she went to the chamber off the solarium her father had designated. Taking a candelabra from the solarium, she went in and lit candles. Once she’d put the candelabra back, she stood at the door and looked out into the solarium.

Through all this, Lisette had just watched, making no comment. “What are you about, Thea? I can sense you’re holding something in. You can tell me.”

Thea looked at her. “No, Lisette, I cannot. I wish I could be unburdened, but I cannot share with anyone. I don’t know what is going on,” she crossed her fingers behind her back, sending up a prayer for forgiveness for lying to her best friend. “I don’t feel good about this. You know Father has had one of Mother’s ladies in here every night?”

Lisette nodded, but didn’t speak.

“What do you hear from that? What have they been saying?”

Lisette suddenly looked uncomfortable. Thea stepped closer to her. “Do not withhold. Tell me. Even if it’s bad.”

“The report is that the ladies all fall asleep. No one was being honest at first, but now they are. The thought is…” she broke off.

“What?”

“That they are being given a sleeping draught,” Lisette almost whispered. Thea could tell she didn’t like saying the words aloud.

“Is my father aware of this?”

Lisette shook her head vigorously. “Oh, no! No one has told him. I believe that Lady Tremaine is afraid to tell him. It would fall on her, as the head of the Ladies of the Bedchamber. Who wants to admit that they are not doing their duty? Not that such has kept her from talking to others,” Lisette finished scornfully. “She’s not fit for the honor your mother accords her.”

Thea sighed. “Worse and worse, isn’t it?”

“Thea, do they fall asleep?”

“I have seen them in the middle of the night, and yes, they are asleep,” Thea said carefully.  “But not due to any action on the part of my sisters or I.”

“I wouldn’t think so,” said Lisette in a normal tone. “But you asked what people were saying.”

“It’s worse than I thought.” She turned back to look at Ulric’s room. Over her shoulder, she said, “It’s only going to get worse, Lisette. I can feel it.”

In an uncharacteristic move, Lisette stood next to her, and put an arm around her. Thea rested her head on the smaller girl’s shoulder. What she wouldn’t give to tell all, but she couldn’t risk Lisette.

She stood upright, squaring her shoulders. “Well, then. Let’s no longer delay. Would you let Marek know he can search our chambers? Then I am going to lie down, and if you would, let the king know that Ulric’s chambers are prepared?”

“Will you be all right?” Lisette gave her shoulders a squeeze.

“No, but there’s no helping that, is there?” Thea couldn’t stop the bitterness. “We can only go forward.”

Lisette nodded and hurried from the room. Thea watched her, and then went into the solarium as Marek walked through.

“You are alone, my lady.”

“Thank you, Marek. When His Majesty comes, will you let him know that you have checked, and I am resting while I await him?”

Marek nodded and left. Thea went to the sleeping room and lay on her bed. Running from snide princes all afternoon and the verbal fencing this evening had worn her out.

She’d just close her eyes for a moment.

***

Thea woke in a room not her own. She wasn’t in bed any longer. She stood in what appeared to be the circular tower room where she’d initially met Catrin.  Yes, it was. She spied the table that was curved to fit right up to the wall. She looked up. Unlike the last time, sunlight streamed in through the slits at the top of the room. That meant that Catrin had to be here as well.

Sighing, Thea looked for her.

“Welcome again, Thea. How fare you these days?”

“Other than some issues with getting enough sleep, I am well. Thank you for asking, Catrin.”

Catrin appeared as if out of nowhere. The room still had no door. Thea thought Catrin would be annoyed, but she smiled as though they were friendly.

“You’re always so much fun to talk with, Thea. You keep me guessing as to what mood you’ll be in. Sadly, you still refuse to give up Casimir.”

“You told me that I set the curse in motion when I refused to give him up the first time we met, and that it wouldn’t matter if I changed my mind. You tipped your hand, Catrin. No sense in giving up someone I love if I am already damned.”

“Ah, but what about your sisters? Your family?”

Thea looked at her. “I’ve already doomed them as well. So what is the harm in still choosing to love Casimir? You have done your worst.” Hardly daring to believe herself, but too tired to care, Thea shrugged. It was dismissive, but she didn’t care anymore. Nothing she did would make this woman happy or stay her from the course of hurting Thea and her family.

“Well, that is certainly your choice and your business.” Catrin gave her a slight smile. “Let us move onto other matters. I see that your father’s foolish pronouncement has reeled in an unwitting suitor. Do I hear right? Does he devil your betrothed and have aspirations of you?”

“I could not say.”

“And tonight is the first night, when Ulric must begin to figure it all out?” Catrin’s voice held laughter, but it was mocking, not nice.

“Yes, it is.”

“Good to see my sources remain true. Just in case he should escape the sleeping spell, you will take this—” she handed Thea a necklace with a locket on it. “And if he should not be sleeping when it is time for you to dance, you will offer him wine with the contents of the locket mixed in.”

Thea crossed her arms. She wouldn’t take the locket. “I am not doing it.”

“Oh yes, you will, my dear. You shouldn’t need it, but if so, you will indeed give him wine from your own hand.”

Thea glared. “You are so intent on making me miserable. What you don’t realize is that I am forced to do the things you want. You are the evil person, not I. You are the person who controls all this.”

“You still don’t realize that you face a consequence for every choice you make. Perhaps at some point you finally will. If not, those around you will pay for your arrogance.” Catrin was not bothered by her words. “Remember. Do as you are told, or one of your sisters will die.”

Thea opened her mouth to argue some more when she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she opened her eyes, she saw the ceiling of her sleeping chamber. How did Catrin do that? Hesitantly, she reached up to her neck. She could feel a long chain. Following the chain with her fingers, she found a locket at the end. She lifted it up to look at it.

It was a very pretty jewel. Sapphire, hollowed out. There was a clasp on one side and a hinge on the other. The craftsmanship itself was truly lovely.

Sitting up, she gingerly opened the locket. There was powder in it. She looked around. Would Catrin know if she dumped it right now? She sighed. Probably. How Catrin kept so well informed, she didn’t know. But a woman who could transport people, and maintain a whole world underground probably didn’t find it difficult to spy on others.

Swinging her legs out of bed, she went to her dressing table. She knew such a locket would cause comment. So she needed to hide it among her clothes. She played with it, moving it this way and that. There was no way to completely hide it. Finally, she settled for tucking it into a pocket inside her gown. She wouldn’t be lying if Catrin asked if she kept it on her always. Nor did she want anyone to find it lying about.

“I hate her,” she muttered. She jumped when she heard the outer doors open. Hurrying, she went into the solarium to be met by her father, Ulric, and all of her sisters.

“Thea, I have come to show Ulric his chambers for the next three nights.” Aland gave her a hard look.

Whatever was that for? “Of course, Father.”

He moved past her and opened the chamber door. “Ulric, I trust that I will not have to worry for my daughters. While I wish to know why their slippers are ruined nightly, I do not wish to hear of anything untoward.” He glowered at Ulric.

At least he was taking some care for them, Thea thought. Ulric looked startled at Aland’s sudden ferocity. Thea felt sorry for him. She’d been on the receiving end of that glare at times, and it was unnerving.

“Additionally, Marek, and his guards will be right outside the door. Daughters, should you have need of them, they will come if you call.” He looked around at all the girls.

“Thank you for your care, Father,” Thea said. It seemed he’d taken her earlier words to heart. The rest of her sisters murmured their thanks.

“Very well, then. Ulric, I wish you luck. Daughters, I shall see you in the morning,” He left the room, and Thea could hear the snick of the doors being locked. She looked at Ulric.

“Is there anything you need before you retire?” She asked.

“No, I thank you, Princesses,” Ulric bowed to all of them. “I will be fine. I’ll say goodnight.” He turned and walked into the room, shutting the door behind him. Thea thought he looked rattled.

“Well, let’s go to bed.” Sybbl said. “Sleep while we can.”

Silently, everyone moved towards the sleeping chamber. Thea could see that all her sisters were tired, that like her, all were wearing masks. No one spoke because no one had any energy left.

Oh, please, please, please let Ulric succeed, she thought. She didn’t know how long her sisters would last in this state.

They all changed, and got into bed. The serving girls came in, and doused most of the candles.

Thea turned over, ignoring everything for a bit. They’d be awake soon enough.

Chapter Ten

When she opened her eyes again, she could tell it was late in the evening, as it always was when they woke to go below ground. She didn’t know why they always woke now when it was time to go. Before, they’d slept through it. She wished they were still sleeping. But once she and her sisters had become aware of what was going on, they all woke at night.

Thea sat up, and saw that her sisters were also beginning to stir.

“Addy, are you awake?”

“Oh, I am now, sadly,” said Adelaide.

“Will you come with me for a moment?”

“Why?”

Thea was already out of bed, and Adelaide hurried to follow her. Thea walked quickly to the door to Ulric’s room, and then proceeded to stomp her feet loudly back and forth in front of it.

“What are you doing, Thea?”

“Jump up and down with me, Addy! We need to make enough noise!” Thea hopped now, kicking the door as she went back and forth past it. Adelaide joined her, a frown on her face.

Thea stopped and laid her hand on Adelaide’s arm to still her as well. She leaned to the door to listen. She could hear nothing from within. Turning her back, she let her head fall against the door, thumping on it.

Stopping again, she listened. Nothing.

“What are we doing?” Adelaide hissed.

“I was hoping that Ulric would be awake. It seems he is victim to the same spell as the ladies that sit with us,” Thea said, walking away from the door.

“Oh, I didn’t think of that,” Adelaide said. “What a good idea.”

“It would have been had we woken him.” Thea felt very low suddenly. How would anyone discover the secret? “We may as well get ready.” As they walked back into the sleeping chambers, she went to the lady-in-waiting, and stomped in front of her. As she did every night, the lady-in-waiting didn’t stir, didn’t even flinch.

Thea sighed. She saw Adelaide looking at her, and smiled wanly. “I have to try. Even when I know it’s futile.”

Adelaide didn’t respond. She squeezed Thea’s hand, and they moved towards the dressing room.

***

Watching Roderick row across the lake, Thea wondered if this was to be her life forevermore. Every time she thought there might be a way out, Catrin changed the rules. She didn’t want Thea to succeed, didn’t want the curse to be broken, and wanted any number of bad things to happen to the Royal Family.

A tear ran down her face. Roderick, happily describing the evening’s festivities, didn’t notice. He wouldn’t, either. He happily described the same thing each night, unaware that he’d done the same the night before, and the night before that, and the night before that...She felt sick that his brother lay above them, moving closer to death.

Another tear ran down her face. She swiped at her cheek, not wanting the traces of tears to be seen by anyone. She forced a smile onto her face. It was just another evening to get through.

***

When Thea woke again—and it was starting to feel like all she did was wake up—she saw that no one else was awake. She lay in bed, considering what the day would bring.
May as well get up, and see how Ulric would handle not having any more knowledge than he went to bed with.
Thea thought, glumly.  She dressed, and upon leaving her chambers, spied Marek. “Do you ever sleep, my lord?” She asked.

He smiled. “I go to sleep after everyone else and return before most wake.”

“Was anything amiss last night?” She wanted to know if he’d heard her and Adelaide, if he’d heard anything.

“No, nothing, and none of the Guard did either.”

A thought struck her. “Did you unlock the doors?” She distinctly remembered them locking after her father left.

He nodded. “I did. I unlocked them at first light.”

“Thank you.” She hadn’t considered it, but asking to be let out would just add insult to injury.

“Where are you off to this morning? Breakfast with their Majesties?”

“I am. No one else is up, so I’d like to go and sit with my parents,” Thea replied.

Marek didn’t answer, only nodded and escorted her as she wondered what this breakfast would bring. She’d not had much luck with having a quiet morning with her parents as of late.

When she reached her parents’ sitting room, she entered after knocking, dropped a curtsy and immediately went to the table where they sat.

“How are you this morning, Thea?” Her mother asked.

“More importantly, how is Ulric?” Aland put down the papers he’d been reading.

“Thank you, Mother. I am well. Father, I do not know. He was not awake when I left.”

“Think you he discovered anything?”

“I don’t know. Haven’t you gotten your report from the lady-in-waiting yet?” While her words were harsh, her tone was pleasant. She was no longer offended for her or her sisters. She felt bad that the poor ladies were forced to watch for something, and never had anything to report.

“No.” Aland wasn’t ruffled. “Not as of yet. I hoped you might have something to report.”

“I do not. But I am glad to share in the morning meal with you both.” Thea changed the subject. She wasn’t going to fight.

“I’ll let you know when I do, then.” Aland allowed the subject change. Hopefully he was tired of fighting too.

Thea met Ceridwen’s eyes. They both smiled.

“I had thought to go hunting this morning,” Aland said. “Would you care to join us?”

“Is the entire court going?”

“I thought just family and some of our honored guests.” Aland had gone back to looking over his papers.

“I think hunting sounds grand, Father. I’d like to bring my falcon.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll do a small party.” He nodded at Tomas, who had been discreetly hovering by a side door. “Tomas, set it up, please.” Tomas nodded, and left the room.

“Father, may I broach another subject?”

Aland sighed heavily and put his papers down once more. “Yes?”

“I think that Sebastian is most uncomfortable with Ulric.”

Her parents shared a glance, and Thea was surprised to see smiles on the faces of both.

“Well, he does seem to find himself on the defensive, doesn’t he?” Ceridwen asked.

“What does that mean?”

“How are you getting along with your sisters?” Aland’s question came out of nowhere.

“What are you talking about, Father?”

“Have you not noticed that all three of the princes at our court follow you around like a dog looking for scraps?” Ceridwen smiled.

“Haven’t you already awarded me to the one dog?” Thea countered with some irritation.

“That doesn’t stop others from hoping,” Aland answered.

“This is funny to you?”

“Yes, it is,” Aland said. “For years, because I let you all have your way, have been seen as far too indulgent—” he ignored Thea’s near snort. “Being seen, as I said, as too indulgent, the list of suitors has not been very promising. But look now. I betroth you, and some sort of mischief befalls our kingdom, and you have three swains aspiring to your hand.”

Thea’s heart leapt. Did this mean that her father would consider ending the engagement?

“While you will marry Sebastian, it bodes well for your sisters. I just hope they are not put out that you seem to be receiving the lion’s share of attention at the moment.”

“You are welcome to offer Sebastian to another, Father. You know that.”

“That is nothing that we need to discuss, daughter.” He waved away her words and picked up his papers again.

“It makes perfect sense that Sebastian would be uncomfortable,” Ceridwen said. “It’s a good thing for him to see that his bride is well thought of and sought after. Perhaps this will work to assuage some of the things that have been a concern.” She nodded at Thea, who remembered the conversation in the garden with her mother about their lack of suitability.

“I doubt it. I don’t love him. I love another.”

Aland rattled his papers, but didn’t say anything. Ceridwen also turned her attention to her food, and Thea felt herself bubble up with anger. Then she released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding, and let her anger go. This way would not get her what she wanted from her father. There was no sense pursuing it.

The three of them finished eating in silence. In spite of their tense words before, it was not strained. Thea stood. “Thank you for allowing me to join you. I shall return to my sisters and see who would be interested in joining the hunting party.”

As she walked back to her rooms, she forced herself to think only of Casimir, and how she might be able to spend some time with him under the noses of everyone determined to keep them apart.

***

Thea shaded her eyes. Talia, her falcon, was returning to her, claws full of rabbit. She held up her arm and braced herself. Talia had a habit of landing nearly full tilt. The thud of the bird on her arm made her stumble a bit and, of course, there were three princes ready to help her.

She waved them away. She handed the rabbit that Talia had dropped to one of the falconer’s assistants. Talia snatched the raw meat Thea held at the end of the gauntlet. Once the raptor had finished her meat, Thea stroked the bird’s head and breast.

Aland, nearby, rolled his eyes. Thea laughed. She and her father disagreed mightily on whether touching the bird was needed, but Talia liked it. After she’d calmed, she’d sit on the gauntlet, edging closer to Thea. She didn’t need a hood immediately. The head falconer praised Thea on how she handled her bird.

“Stop, Father! You have your bird, and I mine.”

Aland looked to his bird, Nicodemus, sitting on the hand of one of the assistants. Thea thought the bird and man alike. Both aloof at times, with a quick strike meant to get the job done with maximum efficiency.

“I’ll not quarrel with you on this, Thea. Talia does exceedingly well at hunting.” His praise sounded begrudging, but Thea knew it was the best she’d get.

“The result of my lady’s training, no doubt?” Ulric asked.

“I have had her since she was a chick,” Thea responded. “She and I work very well together.”

“I remember when you got her,” Casimir said. “She rather chose you, didn’t she?”

Thea laughed. “She did! I’d forgotten that. She latched onto my finger and fluttered into my hair, refusing to leave it!” The image made her laugh more, and Casimir laughed with her. She was amused at both Sebastian and Ulric scowling.

“Had I known we shared a love of falconry, I’d have brought my peregrine,” Sebastian said.

“How could you not know Thea was skilled?” Casimir had to be putting on the level of surprise. No one used such exaggerated facial expressions.

Thinking of her breakfast conversation, she cast a swift glance at her parents. Both met her eyes with small smiles and looked away.

“I am not surprised at Thea being skilled in whatever she set her mind to.” Sebastian came back smoothly.

Thea raised her brows. This was a departure from his earlier idea of her being too pretty to be concerned with anything. She kept silent, wanting to see where this would go.

“Well, perhaps you will be able to learn more of your intended,” Casimir said.

“Did you sleep well last night, my Lord Ulric?” Thea asked, not wanting this conversation to end with Casimir and Sebastian at one another. Casimir grinned at Sebastian. Sebastian looked at him with no expression, then looked away.

“I did, thank you, my lady.”

“Then how do you mean to uncover the great mystery?” Sebastian asked abruptly. While he hadn’t reacted to Casimir, it was apparent he was not happy.

Thea looked at Aland. She’d told him that Sebastian didn’t handle adversity well. Here was more proof. And yet this was the man for her? For Gallivas?

“That is my secret, not to be revealed yet,” Ulric said. He sounded as confident as ever.

Thea studied him. Had he been awake? She’d made as much noise as possible without feeling she’d bent Catrin’s precious rules. He’d not made a sound. So had he been able to see where they went?

A flutter of hope rose in her chest. She wanted to believe it so.

“So speaks a man who knows nothing.” Sebastian was dismissive.

“Or a man who knows all,” Casimir interjected, earning himself a glare from Sebastian.

Thea was glad to be out of doors with Talia, but this was not relaxing. More dogs fighting for table scraps.

“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I wish to actually work with my falcon,” she said, stepping away from all three of them. They were tiresome, even her beloved Casimir. Particularly as she knew he was deviling the other two. She sent Talia skyward again, refusing to listen to the sharp banter behind her.

Most of her sisters had not come with them. Only a few, other than Thea, enjoyed falconry. Celestria, Esmay, and Viviana. For all that she was the youngest, Viviana was far and away the best. She could see the three of them spanned out to either side of her, and she smiled. At least in this, they could just be themselves.

She hoped her other sisters were able to relax.