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

by Lisa Manifold

  “This is horrible. I didn’t even know our slippers were worn,” said Adelaide. “What can that mean?”

  Thea sighed. “Did you all dream last night?” She looked around. Every last one of her sisters nodded. “Sit and let us speak on this.”

  “This doesn’t bode well,” Sybbl said to Mirabelle in an audible whisper.

  “It doesn’t,” said Thea. “I did not dream last night. The reason being that I was awake. Let me ask you, sisters, do you feel that if we speak of this outside of ourselves, we endanger those we may speak to?” Again, they all nodded.

  “Then this must go no further than us. Last night, I saw why we are all dreaming of being in a castle and dancing. We are.”

  A moment of silence, and then the questions came, tumbling over each other to a background of panicked murmurs.

  “What do you mean we are?”

  “Do you mean we are actually leaving the castle?”

  “Thea! Where are we going?”

  “We’re not just dreaming? How can that be?”

  Thea held up a hand. “I woke late in the evening. The castle was quiet. I couldn’t sleep, so I went to the solarium. As I did, I noticed that all of you were up, getting dressed, but no one was talking or laughing as we usually do. You insisted I join you, and helped me get dressed. Everyone was in fine clothing, and then once dressed, you all gathered around my bed.”

  She told them everything about the finial, and the woods, and the lake and the boats and the castle and the princes. And Catrin. Her entire conversation with Catrin.

  “Could you have not been humble with her?” Celestria asked.

  “No. I am becoming convinced that nothing I do will make her happy. It wouldn’t matter if I publicly supported Casimir marrying another—she admitted that she had no end in mind when she laid this curse on me, on us. It’s only a whim that made her think it might be amusing to dangle the chance of ending this in front of me.” She made a face.

  “I wish you could have seen her. Evil, smug woman. She had no remorse for what happened with Archibald, she just told me that she said not to talk of it. The fact that she arranged all this seems to escape her. I truly believe that we are dealing with a madwoman.”

  She stood and began to pace again. “I had hopes that the men would find the staircase, but I managed to run my foot under the bed, and there is no sign of a stair. I placed my hand on the finial, and nothing happened! So now, I tell you this because I feel I must be honest and because I cannot see a way out. We must have someone discover this, and I don’t know how to make it happen!”

  “So this dancing every night is the curse?” Sybbl asked. “It’s rather silly, as curses go.”

  “Is it?” Adelaide asked. “Let us see what has happened. Archibald is gone, we are all falling asleep in our soup daily, which thankfully, has not been noticed. Well, by other than us. Our father is incensed, and you can be sure that gossip is making the rounds regarding our need for new slippers. I’d say it was a pretty successful curse. Even worse, she gives us a way out, but finding a way to get to that way out will be extremely difficult. It’s just enough hope that we do not despair, but not much more. She must be a powerful witch, Thea.”

  “I agree,” said Thea. “She has the entire world going on below our bedchamber. Somehow, she’s bewitched the princes we all dance with into being there. When I was talking with her, it felt as though she could almost read my mind.” She shuddered.

  “Come now, aren’t you exaggerating somewhat?” Isobel scoffed.

  “Does our situation at present seem mild?” Thea snapped back.

  “I just think you’re giving her more import than she is worth. Yes, she’s powerful, but from what you say, she is emphasizing that you have a choice in this. Maybe not a great deal of choice, but you have it. I agree that she is powerful, but she’s driven by anger.” Isobel tapped her teeth. “What we need to do is figure out how to ensure someone discovers us.”

  “One of the reasons Father is so angry is that he is worried what this will do to our reputations.” Thea grimaced. “And my betrothal. I was not helpful and reminded him I would be fine with such a breach, but I would not want my feelings to create negativity for all of you.” She sat back down heavily onto the bed.

  “Let’s be honest,” Esmay said. “If we are stuck in this somehow, our reputations won’t matter. We’re stuck. You said we didn’t seem truly awake, am I correct?” She directed her questions to Thea.

  “No, no one did. Except me. It was eerie.” Her sisters had not seemed alive.

  “So we must find a way to end this.” Beatrix was firm.

  For the first time since she’d met Catrin, Thea felt...better. She was tired. She ached. Her heart ached. Her head ached. Everything ached. But she’d been honest with her sisters, and finally, she didn’t feel so alone. That was something for which to be grateful.

  “Oh, no!” She stood up, holding her hand to her head. “Lisette is due today to go over my wardrobe. We meant to do it several days ago, but with all that occurred...I had thought to tell her all, but clearly that’s not possible.”

  “Oh, dear,” Emaline was quiet. “She will be difficult to put off. You must think of something that is not about the curse, Thea. She’ll know you are lying otherwise.”

  Emaline was right. Lisette was like a sister, only better because she didn’t have all the sisterly concerns to get in the way.

  “What am I going to tell her?” Thea fell back onto her bed.

  “Tell her the whole sordid tale of romance,” Adelaide said. “You are betrothed, but not in love. Tell her all about how we are all at odds since Father paid no attention to our feelings when he decreed you would marry Sebastian.” She smiled at Thea. Thea was glad to see the hard, distant edge that Addy had displayed recently was gone.

  “That is an excellent idea, Adelaide. She knows I don’t like strife with any of you. I’ll have to be careful. I can’t lose Lisette. It would be like losing one of you. Thank you. It makes it better not having to sort it all out alone.”

  “Are you sure that it was your words that killed Archibald?” Celestria asked.

  “I wasn’t, until I talked with Catrin last night.”

  “Catrin’s not unbeatable.” Isobel returned to the previous discussion.

  “She’s not easy to best,” Thea replied. “I thought surely Marek would discover the stairway. He didn’t even come close. So if you have ideas, I am open to discussion about them. I don’t want to go on like this.” She angrily tossed a pillow back onto the bed. “I’m also infuriated my—our—course is being directed by someone like her.”

  “Then let’s find a way to outsmart her!” Isobel exclaimed.

  “I am open to any ideas you have,” Thea said. She was happy that Isobel’s ire had something else to focus on. She didn’t how long it would last, but it made her very happy.

  A knock on the outer doors stopped conversation. Without waiting for a response, one of the doors opened and Lisette appeared in the doorway to the bed chamber.

  “Well, aren’t you all lazy slugabeds!” She walked towards Thea. “My lady, let’s go ensure you won’t shame us all.” She stood next to Thea’s bed, hands on hips.

  No one corrected her less than formal manner. They had all known Lisette for too long to insist on formality when they were alone. It was a relief to merely be someone’s friend.

  “Had you been here two days ago, that worry would not be even a passing thought,” Thea said, standing, and moving to the dressing room. “You are neglecting your duties shockingly.” She could hear some of her sisters giggling.

  “Ah. My lady, I do apologize. Shall I grovel appropriately to make amends?”

  Thea turned to see Lisette in the midst of a deep curtsy. She sighed and rolled her eyes. “No, goose. Just move along and help me figure out what to wear. I know everyone watching and waiting to see me wear the same thing twice or look less than fashionable.”

  As they walked into the large d
ressing room, Lisette said, “I think you’re being a little hard on yourself. Perhaps they are somewhat….” She trailed off.

  “Venomous?” Thea finished for her.

  “Ill-natured at times. It’s normal. We see one another frequently, so the veneer of good manners and breeding slips at times.”

  “You’re very charitable this morning,” Thea said.

  “I am feeling the effects of seeing someone I love pass on. I feel as though too much time is wasted on the trivial.”

  Thea was instantly chastised. “You shame me, Lisette. Truly.”

  “Oh, Thea! I am sorry! That is not my intent! I have been considering myself and my actions, not anyone else’s and certainly not yours. Do not berate yourself. You are, though, aren’t you?”

  “It’s my fault he’s gone.” Thea said flatly.

  “No, it’s not. It was an accident. A horrible accident, to be sure, but accidental all the same. You must not carry this, Thea.” Lisette put her hands on Thea’s shoulders and looked her right in the eye.

  “How can I not? Oh, Lisette, I miss him. It’s like an ache.”

  “I know. I keep looking for him, and my heart weeps a little when I see Marek.”

  “I am not impugning Marek,” Thea began, but Lisette cut her off.

  “I know that. It will take time to get used to seeing him.”

  “How long? My heart hurts every time I see him because I keep thinking, I need to tell Archibald this or talk to him about that.” Thea could feel the tears welling.

  Lisette hugged her, and Thea let her.

  “Now, come here and let me look at what you’ve got, and we’ll figure out what you’ll need.” She turned to Thea’s wardrobe, and began rifling through it.

  “Lord, Thea, some of these items are years old!”

  “But the fabrics are beautiful and were very costly. I can’t just discard them!” Her mother had taught them that in spite of the riches available, it was imprudent to be spendthrift.

  “Then we need to remake them and change the decoration. I agree, the fabric is lovely, but the cut—oh, no, we can’t have you in this.” Still holding several gowns in her arms, she marched to the door of the dressing room. Thea could hear her out in the solarium, then one of the main doors opening. Within a moment, Lisette marched back in, still carrying the gowns.

  “I’ve sent for the seamstresses. They may need to work late, but we can update this. Now, please sit, Thea, and let’s go through what I have your permission to remake.”

  Thea did as directed. It felt comforting to let Lisette take care of her.

  “So now, tell me what has happened. Why are you betrothed to Sebastian, and not Casimir?”

  Lisette’s head was buried in the wardrobe. Thea knew she would not miss a word regardless.

  “I don’t know, and that is the honest truth. For whatever reason, Father has accepted Sebastian’s suit even though I’ve told him that I oppose the match. I don’t understand it. He talks as though he has no choice in the matter.”

  “As the king, I cannot believe that.”

  “Nor can I,” agreed Thea. “Something doesn’t sit right with me, but Father is resolute in his decision. I can’t bring up Casimir, but surely he knows! It feels like we dance round one another!”

  “What happened the other day in the garden, when you three were sitting together?”

  “Sebastian and Casimir traded barbs. I am biased, to be sure, but I think Casimir came out on top of that one. Sebastian…” she lowered her voice, “Also received a dressing down of sorts from my father, and he stomped off. It wasn’t a good afternoon for him...although he asked my pardon at dinner. I still don’t truly believe him, and did you see the group of knights from his court?”

  “They are certainly fond of imbibing,” Lisette said primly.

  Thea looked at her, and Lisette couldn’t keep up her pursed lips. They both burst out laughing.

  “Father wasn’t happy with them. He had guards escort all the ladies to their chambers.”

  “I heard they caroused until early morning.”

  “Your rooms were not nearby, were they?” Thea realized she didn’t even know where they were housed. “Are they still here? I haven’t seen Sebastian privately since then.”

  Lisette cocked her head. “You haven’t? He’s been out with his men, riding and shooting, and they spend time in the tilting and practice yard.”

  Thea shrugged. “Truly, Lisette, if he spends more time with them, he spends less with me. I don’t want to marry him. So the less time I have to pretend to be overjoyed for this union, the better.”

  “And the better to see Casimir?”

  “Yes, well, that won’t be happening, either. Didn’t you hear my father? Casimir is to be the region’s emissary to the Empress of Samir. I must tell you.” she lowered her voice, “I think Sebastian had something to do with that suggestion.”

  “He watches you like a hawk, so it wouldn’t surprise me.” Lisette leaned back into the wardrobe. “You will need to be careful.”

  “Lisette, did you know that Sebastian was interested?” Since Thea hadn’t seen it herself, even though her sisters claimed to, she wanted to see what someone else thought.

  “He certainly made efforts to be noticed by you. Only those who know you, I think, would have seen that you paid him no mind.”

  “Father claims he didn’t see me rejecting him, so he thought I’d be happy with Sebastian.”

  “With all due respect to both you and your father,” Lisette pulled her head from the wardrobe, holding shoes, “I do not believe the king is being entirely honest. No, you did not outright reject him, but you did not pay him any notice at all and certainly not to the level that would allow for a successful suit.”

  “Does it not seem odd then, that my father would accept him?”

  “What does Casimir say? What did your father say when Casimir asked for your hand?”

  “He never even got the chance to ask.” Thea said, glumly.

  “I’d be interested to hear what reason the king would give for not considering any other suitor for your hand,” Lisette said. “While Sebastian has a great deal to offer, there is a relationship, though strained, between Ethion and Gallivas. Not as much with Laurycia. It would have made sense for His Majesty to hold out for an offer from Ethion or even proffer one himself!”

  “I’ll have to find a time to ask.” Thea said impatiently. “I can’t be seen to be fawning over another man, particularly one as eligible as Casimir.”

  “Yes, he is most desirable. It would seem that the king’s decision has created havoc between you and your sisters.”

  Thea looked at Lisette, who was studiously examining a riding boot. “Yes, there has been.”

  “How are all of you doing?”

  “We are struggling through things.” Thea sighed. “It’s been hard. You know I don’t like fighting with any of them. There have been a fair number of tears shed and accusations hurled.”

  “I’m sorry, Thea. I—” She stopped.

  The seamstresses were hovering at the door to the dressing room. Thea had been so intent on her conversation she hadn’t heard them approach.

  She and Lisette immediately dropped into appropriate formality. Thea let Lisette take the lead on directions regarding the garments to be remade, as well as what needed to be constructed new.

  The seamstresses left carrying armloads of dresses. Thea sat at her table, tired. Suddenly, she sat up.

  “Lisette, has there been any gossip about the cobbler?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My father called me in this morning, and railed at me. Apparently, the maids have brought an absurd number of slippers to the cobbler, who brought them to the steward, and Father thinks that we are sneaking away and ruining our slippers. The conversation did not end well. He accused me of leading my sisters out and about to ruin our reputation, as well.”

  Lisette just stared. “I don’t even know how to best respond to t
hat, Thea. It makes no sense. I haven’t heard anything, but I will circulate and see what people are saying. Thea, may I ask a question that is not meant with any disrespect?”

  “Of course. If I were going to have you hauled away for disrespect, it would have been long before now.” Thea leaned on her table, wanting nothing more than a nap.

  “Is your father well? So much of what you tell me does not seem like the king we all know.” Lisette sounded extremely nervous, and Thea sat up. Thea had heard her father state that a courtier who could be honest in spite of self-preservation concerns was a treasure. She would not have Lisette be concerned over speaking honestly to her.

  “Lisette, I beg of you to say such things to no one else, but I am glad that you are concerned enough to say them to me. I am unsure how to answer you. I feel something is greatly amiss with my father. I do not know what it might be, and that bothers me as well. We have always been close and worked well together as ruler and heir. Something has gone from that relationship. So your question is fair, and I understand that you ask out of love and genuine concern for his well-being.”

  Thea couldn’t miss Lisette’s sag of relief. She knew she trod upon treacherous ground.

  “I thank you for your indulgence. I speak only from concern, but I…”

  Thea patted her arm. “You’re fine. Let’s move on.” As the Crown Princess, she couldn’t entertain this conversation, but it was good to know that Lisette’s thoughts had gone to the same place her own had.

  In spite of not being able to unburden herself entirely, it felt good to be honest with Lisette as much as she could. They finished going through her jewelry, and Thea gave Lisette permission to meet with the queen over jewelry concerns. Personally, Thea thought Lisette was asking for more than she needed, but Lisette had protested.

  “It’s my duty to make sure you are turned out to the best of your ability. It doesn’t matter that you are not happy with the engagement. If you do not look your best—look resplendent—I shall suffer for it.”