He pulled back from her suddenly. “You are mine, Thea. I won’t let anyone else have you. Not ever. This past month has been torture for me.”
Thea put her finger to his lips. She didn’t know when they’d get a chance to be alone again. She cradled his face in her hands, and drew him to her. She kissed him gently, carefully. Then, acting on instinct that she didn’t know she had, she bit his bottom lip.
His reaction was instantaneous. He crushed her to him, moving so fast that he knocked them both over. He landed on top of her, allowing Thea to feel the way he fit with her, into her. He kissed her hungrily, leaving a trail down her jaw and then onto her throat. Thea arched her neck, terrified he would go on, terrified he wouldn’t.
Something caught his attention because he lifted his head, looking down the path where Marek had gone. Wordlessly, he stood, bringing Thea up with him.
“My lady, I am just glad I was here to help you. May I assist you in anything else?” Casimir asked loudly.
Thea’s eyes widened. Marek was coming towards them. He saw them, and ran to her.
“My lady Thea, are you all right?”
Thea gave a shaky laugh. “I am, Marek, thank you. I employed your…cure most forcefully. My hands are rather blistered, and I am tired. When I stood, my legs gave out. Casimir was kind enough to keep me from falling.”
Marek eyed her, and then Casimir. “My lady, you might want to take some time to repair your…” Marek gestured vaguely with his hand around his head. “You are looking disheveled.”
“I am sure I am,” she said. “I’ve just given this poor tree what for. While it’s still standing, it’s a bit bruised.” She gestured to where she saw cuts in the bark from her stick.
Marek leaned in, inspecting the cuts. “You have indeed, my lady. But it’s a successful treatment, isn’t it?”
“It is. I shall remember it. Casimir, if you would, Marek will accompany me back.”
Casimir’s eyes flashed at her. Thea silently implored him. She couldn’t afford for him to be seen coming from the woods with her. Not with the way things were now.
Finally, he nodded. “Of course, Thea. I am just glad I was here to render help when needed.”
“As am I,” Thea said. She didn’t move, and Casimir stepped back onto the path. Bowing to her, he left. Thea watched him go. Marek stood silently at her side.
“You need to be careful, my lady.”
Thea didn’t even try to pretend. “Don’t I know it, Marek. Don’t I know it. Well, at least I have an explanation for looking as though I’d been dragged by horses. Would you please help me take the worst off?” She brushed her dress, shaking it to get the small twigs and leaves from it. Marek walked around her, inspecting the effect.
“Perhaps some tidying of your hair?” Marek suggested.
Thea smoothed her hair into place. A few more shakes of her skirts and she looked up at him. “I am not fussing any longer. You brought me out here, and I fell when I was attempting to win a fight with a tree. Does my father know of this practice?”
“Yes, he does.”
“Then my explanation will not invite suspicion. Will you keep any other aspects of our walk to yourself?”
“Of course. As you wish.”
Thea couldn’t hear anything in his tone. “I am sorry to involve you in intrigue.”
To her surprise, Marek smiled. “You have nothing to apologize for. If I may be so bold, my lady, those of us in the castle would much prefer your choice.”
“Really? That is astonishing, Marek! Both the princes are fine men.”
His smile disappeared into a carefully neutral expression. “There are degrees of fine, my lady. I’ll say no more. You may trust me.”
“Thank you, Marek. And thank you for the walk. May I request your presence should I need to abuse a poor tree again?”
“You may.”
“We’d best get back.” She stood up straight. She did feel better, and not just because she’d been able to see Casimir. She felt that she would no longer wrap her hands around Isobel’s neck. That was surely an improvement.
They walked in silence. As they reached the edge of the trees where the gardens began, Marek held up a hand. He stepped out, and looked back and forth, searching.
“What do you seek?”
“I wish to ensure that we do not walk back onto the grounds with anyone else.”
Thea understood. She and Casimir couldn’t afford to invite anymore scandal. It was bad enough that Casimir spoke up for a betrothed woman. If she were caught with him, Sebastian would be within his rights to challenge Casimir to a duel. There were enough chances for Casimir to lose his life. No need to add to it.
They moved quickly through the garden and got to the stairs without incident. Marek opened the door and lit the torch. As she hurried behind him, she could feel her hands stinging. When they reached the top, and Marek was snuffing the torch, she asked, “Marek, is there anything to help with the blisters I now have?”
“I will have a salve sent up to you. Discreetly.” She saw the flash of his teeth in the semi-dark. He swung the door open and allowed her to exit the stairway.
She waited for him to close the door and followed him towards her rooms. At her door, she put her hand on his arm. “I want to thank you for helping me to find a solution. It’s one I think will serve me well.”
Marek smiled, but didn’t speak. Thea opened the door and headed in.
As she came into the solarium, Serafina jumped up. “Thea! You’re back! Oh!” She took in Thea’s appearance. “What happened to you?”
“I went for a walk. In the course of my walk, I fell. Thankfully, I didn’t run into anyone. Where’s Isobel?”
“She’s gone to her bed. I believe she’s been crying since you left.” Sybbl didn’t look up from the book she was reading.
“She deserves to cry.” Thea wasn’t going to indulge anyone’s attempts to make her feel bad for what she’d said.
“I agree. I’m merely imparting information.” Sybbl looked up then. The corners of her mouth turned up. “You are a right mess, Thea. You’d better tidy up.”
“I’m heading for a bath right now. Serafina, would you ring for a maid to start filling the tub? I’m also expecting something from Marek.”
“What happened to your hands?” Celestria gasped.
Thea smiled. “I managed to rid myself of some of my anger. My hands suffered for it.”
“These are going to be painful tomorrow,” Beatrix said, taking one of Thea’s hands.
Thea took her hand back. “They will. But I am restored to a less volatile temper, so it’s worth it.” She smiled at her sisters and went into the dressing area. Taking off her clothes, she put on a dressing gown to wait for the bath.
As the maids dragged out the tub and began the process of filling it, she laid down on her bed. She saw Isobel curled on her own bed and ignored her. She knew it was not kind, but she couldn’t forgive. Nor would she lie about it. Better to say nothing.
She must have dozed, because she found herself staring at a young girl touching her shoulder carefully.
“My lady, I have a salve from Lord Marek. He instructed me to tell you to put it on immediately. As well as after your bath.” She held out a small pot.
Thea took it. “Thank you. Is the bath ready?”
“Almost, my lady. If the salve needs time to sit, you will have time.” She hurried away.
Thea opened the pot, and sniffed. She could smell marigold in it. Smoothing some on her hands, she felt an immediate lessening of pain. She’d need to put more on after the bath, but there was enough for several days’ use.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. She could hear someone walking past her bed but kept her eyes closed. The feet stopped.
“Thea,” Isobel said quietly.
“No, Isobel, I don’t wish to hear it. You’re always striding about, willing to find fault and hurl accusations at us all. You never listen to anything you don’t wish to he
ar. And you are merciless when making your argument. Now you can experience that which you serve up. I am uninterested in anything you have to say. I don’t care whether you’re sorry. I may have cast a shadow over the castle, but you ensured that daylight will be a long time coming. Now please leave me alone.”
She could hear Isobel crying as she walked away. Thea hardened her heart. It wasn’t enough that Isobel wanted someone who didn’t want her, and had determined to have him no matter the cost. She’d also managed it so that if she couldn’t have him, she’d see him dead. Thea wasn’t sure that had made it through to Isobel, but she’d keep telling her until it got through.
And even then, she wasn’t sure she’d forgive Isobel.
Finally, the bath was ready. Thea handed over her dressing gown and got into the tub. Even with the salve, her hands burned in the water. One of the maids started to wash her hair. For the first time all day, she allowed herself to relax. She thought about seeing Casimir this afternoon.
Thoughts of his kissing her, lying atop her—the heat flamed in her cheeks. She’d wanted to be closer to him, to touch him, feel his skin on hers. She was both sad and relieved that Marek had been close by. When she’d bitten Casimir’s lip, he seemed to lose control. The thought thrilled her. She hoped she’d be able to see him without blushing, without their last meeting coming immediately to mind.
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.
Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) Page 26