Bonds: A Cursed Six novel (The Cursed Six Book 1)

by Clarrisa R. Smithe

  "They call it that because the trees go on forever, and they are also tremendously tall. Patches of forest look so similar that some people enter and never return. Special guides can lead you through so you do not get lost. I have only visited the outskirts, but there is a man in my family's household, Sir Thomas, who could lead you through with ease. Even then, I wonder if I would care to visit. How horrible it would be to enter a place and never leave it."

  As her own expression grew gravely serious, she was surprised to see Lady Constance's lips twitch into a little smile. "Yes, how horrible."

  Perhaps she was like Eleanor and believed there to be a sense of adventure in exploring dangerous places. For that, Astrid pitied her, for the trees were old and wise, as were the creatures and spirits who dwelled within. They were too much for a single woman to handle, especially one who was not born and bred in Thellemere.

  "Though I suppose, it's not that horrible," Lady Constance continued. "You and I are expected to remain in Redthorn for the rest of our lives and never truly leave it. I must ask, does that make you sad? I was born here, but you were not. You had a life back in Thellemere. With your family."

  Of course it made her sad and she missed her siblings more with each passing day. Fortunately with each day that passed she had been kept busier, so her mind was occupied with thoughts of the wedding, becoming Tristian's bride, and mother to their child. Rarely did she had the chance to think of her brothers and sister.

  "It makes me sad, but I am glad to be here. It's a great honour to marry into the royal house of Hanson. Redthorn is a beautiful country and I wish to know more about it."

  "More about it? In what way?"

  "It's customs. Laws, traditions and such. Anything that may help me serve the family and kingdom better."

  "You are keen to be a good princess, and a good queen when the time comes?"

  Astrid nodded. "Absolutely. A good ruler should not only govern their people but should be servant to them and the land."

  "An interesting concept. Though of course, as queen consort you would not be participating much in the actual ruling."

  She felt as though she was about to flush. She knew that, of course, and it was almost laughable that anyone would allow her, the stupid foreign piece she was, to play a part in the running of the country. It was not like Thellemere where the queen held as much power as the king.

  "Of course."

  "But in your homeland things are conducted differently. Your traditions differ quite substantially from ours."

  "You have studied them?"

  Lady Constance nodded. "Anyone who claims to have received a good education ought to have studied the tradition of the bordering kingdoms. Redthorn does not like to learn from them, but mostly we accept that things are done a certain way and it suits foreigners, just we have our own practices. With you being from Thellemere, however, and one day you will hold some influence as queen even if you are not ruling as Prince Tristian will, there may be some problems."

  She thought that the other woman was attempting to be kind to her, for there was no possibility of there not being any problems or trouble. There most certainly would be. There had been enough already with her coming here with her belly full with Tristian's child. Tomorrow was the day that would save their little one from the weight of bastardy.

  "Prince Tristian wishes for me to have lessons. I think it's nice that he wants me to continue with my education."

  The little smile had returned to Lady Constance's face as she gave a small shake of her head. "Purification. He wants to you go through purification, not education. It is not your mind that needs to be exercised, but your soul."

  She already knew that he thought her to be a heathen, so it was no surprise that someone else had concerns over her faith, or lack of when it came to her following their own. There would always be gods and not even Tristian could remove them from her heart. Perhaps she could pretend to learn and follow their religion, trained as she had always been, hopefully so that nobody would question her sincerity.

  "He used that word, yes."

  "You cannot learn the faith as one would learn a subject, Princess Astrid. One expands their knowledge through written works, that is true, yet to find God properly, if one is not blessed at birth, one must endure purification."

  "Endure?"

  "It's taxing. You'll be very glad to get into bed at the end of the day."

  If it was taxing to the extent Lady Constant seemed to suggest, it would be best if the matter was discussed with Tristian. Perhaps he had ideas already to modify it, for he was extremely interested in ensuring that she slept, ate, and did everything properly for the sake of her and the baby's health.

  "Prince Tristian might have some concerns about that. He likes me to get plenty of rest."

  "I would not be performing my duty as overseer of the purification process if I allowed you to get rest whenever Prince Tristian deemed it appropriate."

  Astrid's eyes widened. It was her understanding that as her husband, not to mention as crown prince of Redthorn, his wishes regarding her health and anything else to do with her were to be prioritised beyond all others.

  "B-but—"

  "You should remember, always, that Prince Tristian sanctioned and is in complete support of every aspect of your purification. Everything that is to happen," Lady Constance stated as she came to her feet, "will be with his full blessing."

  She felt a weight in her stomach, as if a stone had been dropped and was weighing her down as she was wading through murky waters. Suddenly, she did not feel so sure of Lady Constance at all. The warmth had dropped from her voice and had been replaced with something pragmatic, curt, even cold.

  "W-what will happen?"

  Lady Constance turned to smile over her shoulder as she stood a foot or so away from the door. "Do not worry yourself too much now. Do not worry at all. Everything will be properly prepared. I know what I am doing." Her hand reached the handle and she pulled the door open. "Rest now, as Prince Tristian commanded. Enjoy your final night as an unmarried woman. Not a virgin, of course, but there's plenty about you, Astrid Misseldon, that is deceptive and impure. I am glad I will be the one to rid you of all your falsities and impurities."

  To be continued...