Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (30 page)

She would probably have to see Sebastian tonight, as well. She felt ashamed of her churlish thoughts, but he lacked because he wasn’t Casimir. His behavior didn’t help, although Thea understood it, particularly after today. If he was as angry at Casimir as she had been with Isobel, then he likely spoke without thinking and sounded petty and irrational. She felt an unexpected pang of empathy for him.

She didn’t think he loved her, not the way she loved Casimir. She felt certain that he returned Addy’s feelings. If he was angry about having to marry where he didn’t want to, that would also affect his actions.

It didn’t excuse them, however. She managed her emotions in public. As a future king, he should be able to as well.

Sighing, she pushed thoughts of Sebastian away. Right now, when she had blessed peace, and silence, she wanted to think about Casimir and how he’d touched her and the timber of his voice… She sank into the bathing tub, closing her eyes.

When the maid rinsed her hair, Thea said, “Leave me for a while. I’ll call you in when I need further assistance.” The maid bobbed, and hurried away.

She could hear her sisters in the solarium. Their voices were a gentle hum, a soothing sound. With her eyes closed, she could almost pretend everything was normal.

Chapter Thirteen

She allowed herself to be in a dreamy state for the rest of the afternoon. Her bath finished, she settled herself in front of the big fireplace in their sleeping chamber to spread her hair out.

Her outburst must have really alarmed her sisters, because no one came near her. She usually enjoyed the support of her family, but today she didn’t want it, and she didn’t miss it. She allowed herself to daydream that Casimir would solve the mystery. If that happened, she’d be married by the end of the week. They could take what they started in the woods further. A shiver at the thought ran through her entire body.

She reluctantly allowed one of the maids to dress her body and her hair. She didn’t want to attend the hall this evening, but she knew she had no choice.

Her father greeted her coolly as she sat next to him. “Thea. I hope that you are in better spirits than you were this afternoon.”

She gave him a bright smile. “No, Father, I am not. I am not speaking to one of my sisters, I am furious another man has volunteered for a chance to die. I hear my betrothed is indulging in a fit of temper that suggests he never left leading strings, and I haven’t slept well in over a month. I’d say I am in no better place than I was. I am, however, determined to be a part of bringing all this chaos to an end, so maybe I am in better spirits.”

Aland stared at her, his mouth open. “What’s gotten into you?” He managed finally.

“I am becoming the ruler you want me to be. It’s taken all of this for me to understand I was not prepared. We, as a kingdom and as a family, have not had major obstacles to overcome. Now we do. I will not be bowed by them.” She gave him another smile, and bent her attention to her meal.

Suddenly, Aland began to laugh. He kept laughing, and first her mother, and then her sisters all stared. Then as he kept laughing, leaning over, and pounding on the table, the people in the hall stopped their conversation and their dinner and just watched him.

He tried to speak several times. Each time, he fell back into his chair, dissolving in laughter. Thea watched him as he tried to control himself and wasn’t able to stop. He would stop laughing for maybe a full minute and then be off again.

She leaned back in her chair and waited. The rest of the court found this fascinating and, in some faces, she saw a little fear. This kind of laughter was often associated with madness.

She took stock of those closest—and her eyes met Casimir’s. In spite of her earlier hope and intention, her cheeks burst into flame. She didn’t break away, though. Let people think she blushed because of what he’d done in declaring for her.

Sebastian sat next to Casimir —
who thought that was a wise idea?
She stifled a giggle. They were studiously ignoring one another, although both stared a hole in her. Sebastian was angry. She could see it coming off him like the haze on a summer’s day.

He’d obviously seen her blush because he broke off eye contact and started to rip his bread into chunks.
The bread is having a hard time today
she thought, feeling another giggle rise up.

At least the two of them were on the other side of her mother. Too far to try to talk about anything of substance and much too far to quarrel quietly. Probably why her mother placed them there.

A glance to her left showed her father to have finally mastered himself.

“I was beginning to wonder,” she said to him.

“Wonder what?” He asked, wiping his eyes. “Lord, I needed that.”

“I’m not so sure, Father. The court gapes as though you’ve gone mad right before their eyes.”

“It matters not. I’m the king. If I wish to be mad occasionally, everyone else will smile, nod, and pretend I’ve just said the cleverest thing they’ve ever heard.” He shrugged.

“Aren’t you going to explain?” She put her hands on the table and gave him the full force of her glare.

“Why? It doesn’t matter. If I want to laugh like a loon, it is my right. As it is theirs to accept it as one of the eccentricities of their ruler.”

“It’s your kingdom, you’re correct.” Thea took a bite of her food and chewed.

“I am amused at your sudden backbone, daughter. I wish it had made an appearance before now, but you are correct. We have had nothing present a challenge like this.” He sobered. “Two deaths in less than a month. I struggle with that, no matter what you might think.”

“It’s good to know you struggle,” Thea said.

“I’m glad to see you have decided to leave your rooms. I think mourning is fine, but one can’t just pretend that duty and responsibility go away. They don’t.”

“Why did you accept Casimir’s bid to take on your challenge?”

“Gracious, Thea! You expect me to stop a man from doing as he wishes? He is not breaking the law. I cannot tell him anything.”

“You could ban him from the kingdom.”

“I could, but it would not solve the problem. No, this must play itself out. Just as it did with Ulric.”

Thea lowered her voice. Because she and Aland were talking easily, she knew it looked banal to those who watched, so their intense focus had shifted away. People were eating and talking to one another. “Father, if you kill Casimir, I will not forgive you.”

“I don’t have a choice, Thea.”

“That excuse is tired, Father. Has Casimir formally accepted the challenge?”

“Not yet. You were still abed. I couldn’t have him loitering about your chamber.”

“Such restraint. I appreciate it.”

“I think he will formally accept the challenge tonight, then he will begin watching tomorrow night.”

Thea didn’t answer. She was thinking that the entire time she’d been lying in bed, she’d not dreamed of Catrin once. Not even a hint. Which was odd, given Catrin’s propensity to gloat. As much as she hated the woman, it made her nervous.

She also thought that she would need to sneak away with Casimir again. She knew he would sleep through the night via enchantment. Just like the ladies-in-waiting. Just like Ulric. And he would die five days from now. She would have to sit there and watch him die, and never see him again.

She’d have to spend the next five days saying goodbye. Because there was no way Casimir could succeed. Catrin had made sure of that.

How do you let go of the one you love? Thea had hoped not to discover such for many years. She’d have to let go of hers within the week.

“I don’t accept this, Father. I think you could stop this. As you so smugly informed me before, you are the king. People must accept what you want them to. For whatever reason, you are choosing to let these men foolishly race towards death. I don’t understand why. I cannot support this. Nor will I.”

She put down her spoon. Her appetite was gone. Timely, as the servants were clearing the tables in the hall. She sat back, and one of the footmen offered her more cider. She accepted and took a long drink of it.

Esmay, who sat next to her, leaned in. “Are you all right?”

Thea nodded absently. “It’s like one long, horrid nightmare road, Esmay. I feel like I can’t step off the road no matter what I do. Even when I think I have a chance to step away, I find that every plan leads me right back on the road. There’s no stepping off and no end in sight.”

“That is very dark, Thea.”

“What do you see, Esmay? Where do you see this ending?” Thea shifted in her seat to eye Esmay.

“I don’t know. I wish I did. I understand why you are feeling so down. I just don’t want to stay there.”

Thea saw the unhappiness in her sister’s face. “I’m sorry. I am being extremely gloomy. I feel very low.”

“We all do. But if we let it take over, then Catrin wins.” Esmay said the witch’s name in a whisper.

“You’re right. I can’t let her win. It’s hard, though.”

“We won’t be like this forever. I believe that.”

Thea wanted nothing more than to lean into Esmay and rest her head. It wouldn’t look good in front of all these people, so she refrained. “Thank you, Esmay. I appreciate it.”

“We have to stick together. If we don’t, we fail. That’s why you have to forgive Isobel, Thea.”

“What? No, you can’t ask that of me! Given what we know, what are his chances of success? Isobel knows that just as well as the rest of us, yet she encouraged him.”

Esmay didn’t reply but sat back in her chair. Looking past her father, Thea could see Casimir standing. He held up his hands to attract attention, and a hush fell over the crowd.

“I told you all that I would take up the challenge that His Majesty laid out. That I would solve the mystery of the twelve princesses, and I would take the one I wanted for my own. The king has graciously offered three nights to discover what is happening. I have spoken with His Majesty, and we have agreed that the first night of the challenge will begin tomorrow night.”

The crowd cheered, and Casimir bowed. When he straightened, he didn’t sit back down. “I stand by the choice I made previously, as well. I choose the Princess Thea as my bride!” He leaned forward and looked at Thea. He touched his hand to his heart, and his lips, and bowed to her.

The people in the hall cheered even more loudly than before. Sebastian, sitting next to him, leaned back in his chair with arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He stared directly ahead.

“Provided she’ll have me, of course.” He gave a wave to the crowd and then sat down.

At Casimir’s words, Sebastian sat forward. Once Casimir sat, Sebastian whispered something into his ear that made Casimir whip his head towards him. Sebastian smirked, and Casimir replied. The entire tableau was one of anger and tension, if not outright hatred.

Even her parents were watching the two men converse. Aland jumped, which Thea took to mean that Ceridwen had probably kicked him under the table. He stood, and the hall quieted.

“As Prince Casimir has said, we agreed to begin the first night of the challenge tomorrow. So tonight, now that all our daughters are with us once more, let us raise a glass to Ulric!” He lifted his cup, and ‘To Ulric’ echoed through the hall. Aland drank deeply. He lifted his glass again and shouted, “To Casimir” and the roar of the echo made the walls sing.

Or so it felt to Thea. She took a drink of her cider, still watching Sebastian and Casimir. While Sebastian had raised his cup high in honor of Ulric, he’d set it on the table when Aland toasted Casimir.

Thea hoped that they would not come to blows, but the prospect seemed less and less likely.

***

Thea practiced a dance of avoidance for the rest of the evening. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. No one wanted to talk to her. Finally, she took herself to bed with a feeling of relief. She snuggled into the bedclothes, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep and wake up sometime next year.

However, since bed time had become nap time before they went below, she knew she wouldn’t even get one full night of sleep. It was beginning to take a toll on them all, not being able to sleep the entire night through. If she were being honest, it probably contributed to her intense anger at Isobel. She just didn’t have patience for anything anymore.

Nevertheless, she closed her eyes to eke out as much sleep as she could before it was time to get up again. When she did awaken from her nap, she couldn’t stop yawning. This was one of the times she was so glad she didn’t have to heavily engage with people once they all went below. Smile, nod, make an appropriate murmur from time to time and nothing more was required.

Thea was surprised not to see Catrin. Actually, she was relieved. The way Catrin felt about Casimir and his being tied to Thea, she had worried that Catrin would be angry and lashing out. So not seeing her was a positive.

Once back in their chamber, she decided that she would sleep in. No sense in getting up when in reality, she didn’t have much to do. She’d eat when she got up. If that meant she missed morning and noon meals that was fine. She didn’t want to watch Casimir fend off Sebastian, or fight with her father, or ignore her sisters. None of those had even the slightest appeal to her.

When the maid came to wake her with gentle words, Thea said, “Please tell the king that I am not well this morning and will keep to my rooms.” She didn’t hear what the maid said because she rolled over and went back to sleep.

The sun had moved higher in the sky, according to the light flooding the windows when she woke again. She lay still, listening. No one was in the chambers. She stretched. The feeling of exhaustion had lessened. Thea made a note to tell her sisters that perhaps spending the mornings in bed might be the best way to combat their nighttime dancing.

Today was the day that Casimir would come to their chambers and begin his quest to discover their secrets and uncover the mystery. The thought depressed her so greatly that she pulled the blanket back up and did her best to block out the world.

Just as she could feel herself falling asleep again, she opened her eyes. She was back in Catrin’s tower.

This time, she didn’t cower. “Where are you, Catrin? Why am I here now?”

Catrin appeared in front of her. “I like that, Thea. No pleasantries. Let’s get to our business. Here it is. Do you still have the pendant I gave you?”