“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?”
That wasn’t what she was expecting. “I do.”
“Why don’t you wear it?”
“How would I explain a jewel that my parents didn’t give me?” Thea rolled her eyes. “Even you should know that would be problematic. I keep it in my pocket for the moment you have need of it.” She couldn’t stop her sarcasm.
Catrin ignored the gibe. “It’s time to put it to use. When Casimir retires tonight, you’ll make sure the potion is in his drink.”
“I’m not a servant. I don’t deliver drinks.” Thea couldn’t hide her scorn.
“Then figure it out,” Catrin said, anger starting to show. “I don’t care how you manage it. You will give him the potion.”
“Why are you doing this? I thought you loved and cared for him. In forcing me to do this, you are letting him die.”
“You have so little faith in your beloved?” Catrin mocked her.
“Against your sorcery, yes.”
“Well, you’re learning. The moment Casimir volunteered for this, his fate was set.”
Thea couldn’t stop the tears that sprang from her eyes. She didn’t want Catrin to see her cry, but she had no control.
“It’s good to know you’re not heartless, Thea. It’s not entirely bleak. Casimir is strong. He may yet figure out where you go. You can’t give up hope.”
Catrin’s words were such a twisting of what Casimir had said to her that Thea thought she might be sick.
“How am I to manage this?”
“That is not my concern. You’re supposed to be resourceful.”
“I won’t do it. He deserves a chance.”
Catrin laughed. “Why did you not fight like this for Ulric?”
Thea flushed. Catrin always seemed to focus on her insecurities. She didn’t feel she’d done enough to try and save Ulric. But she was not going to admit that to Catrin. “I fought as much as I could for him. Nor was I told I had to help him to his death via your poison! I’m more used to you now, and can better handle you.” She knew the words would make Catrin mad. She was too tired to care.
“If you wish to think so,” Catrin replied. “Don’t change the subject. You will make sure that Casimir gets the poti
on tonight. And the next two nights.”
“If I don’t?”
“I’ll make you sorrier than you already are.” Catrin had turned away, and she glanced back over her shoulder to look at Thea. “That’s all.”
That’s all. Like she was instructing Thea to take a walk in the gardens. Was there ever to be an end to Catrin’s destructive ways? “Fine. Anything else?”
“No.” Catrin walked away, and Thea was back in her bed.
She opened her eyes and saw the ceiling of her chamber. She started to cry. She’d been hopeful that there was a way for her and Casimir to be together. In spite of her anger at his volunteering for this, she’d had a small flicker of hope that they might actually be together.
That hope was gone. All hope was gone. Not only would Casimir die, but Catrin would make Thea take his life. She put the pillow over her head and cried.
***
The rest of the day passed in a blur. She had food sent to her chambers and didn’t come out during the day. She couldn’t escape dinner, however. She sat between her father and Adelaide. She would have liked to have sat near Casimir, but he was seated next to Ceridwen.
She dreaded the end of dinner. It meant that Casimir would go to their rooms and begin the fruitless search for an answer to a mystery that he would never solve.
Hating the thought of what comes doesn’t stop time, and all too soon Aland stood and announced that it was time for Casimir to go to the princesses’ chambers.
Thea moved woodenly along with her sisters. She didn’t want to do this. Nor did she want to give Casimir a potion that would send him to the scaffold.
“Thea?” Her father waited expectantly.
“I’m sorry. I was not attending.”
“I asked you if you would show Casimir the room near the solarium.”
“Yes, I will.” It was the same room Ulric had slept in.
“Good. We’re done then. Casimir, I leave you in Thea’s hands. Good luck.”
Thea watched her father walk away. It again struck her as odd that he was so concerned about their reputations yet left her standing with a man waiting to head into her rooms.
“Let’s show you to your room.” She opened the door, and Casimir followed.
When they entered the solarium, he stopped. “Thea, this is lovely. I’ve always seen the windows from the garden, but it’s truly amazing.”
“Father built it after there were four or five of us. It let the nurses keep us contained, and sort of outside without having to worry that one of us would fall down a hole in the gardens.”
“That’s not very sentimental,” he laughed. “But how splendid for all of you now.”
It was hard to ignore his enthusiasm. “It is. We spend a lot of time in this room.”
“Will I be allowed to sit in the solarium?”
“I, I don’t know. You’re only the second man we’ve ever had visit us. We don’t really have rules about it.”
“If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to. Perhaps you could ask your sisters, as well?”
“Of course.” She was distracted. If he sat with them, she’d be able to order wine and get the potion into his drink.
Thea gasped, appalled at her thoughts. What was wrong with her? Was she actually contemplating doing what Catrin wanted? She had to admit that she was. The thought made her hot with shame.
Casimir asked, “What’s wrong, Thea?”
He must have heard her gasp. “Oh, it’s nothing, Casimir. Nothing. I’ll leave you to get settled. If my sisters are agreeable, I will be back for you.” She walked to the door of his room and opened it. “Here you are.”
He walked in, looking around. “This will do fine, Thea.” He whirled around. Closing the distance between them, he took her hand and yanked her into the room. “Is it possible to have some time with you?” he whispered. As he spoke, he gathered her to him, kissing her temple.
She put out her hands and gently pushed him away. “No, as well you know. Not only are you on your honor to behave, so are we. I shouldn’t have to tell you Isobel will be waiting to tattle to Father if she feels you and I don’t behave.”
Casimir heaved a sigh as he ran his hands through his hair. “I should have seen her interest and stayed away from her. I was so full of thoughts of you that I didn’t see it. I’m sorry. She’s made things more difficult than they need to be.”
Thea said, “More than you will ever know.”
Casimir frowned. “There’s more? You can tell me anything. You know that.”
Thea shook her head. “No, it’s between us as sisters. There is no need to involve anyone else. Certainly not you!” She laughed a little at the thought of Isobel being taken to task by Casimir. Isobel would never forgive her.
Casimir stepped closer again. “I know you’re not happy with me. But we will be together, you’ll see. And then we’ll laugh about this,” he stroked her cheek. “I can’t stop touching you,” he whispered.
“I don’t want you to,” Thea whispered back.
Casimir closed his eyes. “That I should hear that from you. Thea, you have no idea of the effect you have on me.”
“I’d say it’s the same you have on me,” she said.
He reached out and cupped the back of her head, bringing her close to him. Leaning down, he kissed her. Soft at first, and then headfirst into the intense feeling of falling.
Oh heavens. Thea wasn’t sure she could keep upright. “I have to go. I can’t linger in here,” she whispered into his lips, panting.
He kissed her one last time. “Until later, then.”
She nodded. She wasn’t sure she could speak. She walked slowly to the door to give herself time to recover. He threw every one of her senses, her head, heart, her everything, into a frenzy.
Backing away, she walked out the door and closed it. Leaning her head against it, she took deep breaths trying to calm her heart. All he did was brush against her or breathe on her, and her body lost the ability to function normally.
“Having a little interlude?” Isobel asked from behind her. Thea turned to see her standing with arms crossed and a nasty expression on her face.
“I am. Don’t be hateful because you’re not.” Without waiting for Isobel to reply, she walked away. The small gasps she heard from some of her sisters told her that her barb had hit the mark.
She wasn’t being fair. Isobel cared for him too, in her selfish, shallow fashion. This couldn’t feel good for her either. But Thea was not going to see it. Isobel had caused so much harm, had made things worse, when possible. She could carry the burden of feeling hurt. She deserved it.
Thea had to laugh. She was very good at justifying her own poor behavior. But in this case, she wasn’t going to give in or apologize. Isobel would just have to deal with it, like everyone else.
Remembering Casimir’s request, she stuck her head back in the solarium. “I know it’s nothing we’ve done before, but Casimir has asked if we would allow him to sit in the solarium with us this evening.”
No one offered dissent. “Good. Thank you. I’ll let him know.”
“He can’t stand to be away from you?” Lord, Isobel just would not quit. Thea knew this came from a place of anger and hurt, but she just made things worse.
“Well, he’s not looking to spend time with you, if that’s what you’re asking.” Thea smirked, and left again. She’d have to answer for her hatefulness. She made a resolution to stop rising to the bait. It made both of them look bad, and she knew she had hurt Isobel’s feelings.
But would she spare you? She hasn’t as of yet, the nasty little voice in her head said. I’m better than this, she thought. I don’t need to be so hateful.
She went to her dressing room and sat at her table. Fiddling with her hair, making it look less mussed. She knew well and good she was merely wasting time until she went to get Casimir.
Thinking of him being here brought her back to the issue she was avoiding. She had to give him the potion. Catrin hadn’t made the
threat, but she didn’t need to. She’d told Thea early on that if she didn’t do what she was told, Catrin would kill one of her sisters. So, it was to come down to lose the man she loved, or lose her sisters.
She couldn’t choose, but she would have to. Sadly, she got up from her table and went to ask one of the maids for wine. She didn’t want to but didn’t see where she had a choice.
When she came back, she knocked on the door of Casimir’s room. He opened it almost immediately.
“We would be honored if you would join us before you retire,” Thea said quietly. She met his eyes and was lost.
Recalling that they were not alone, she stepped back and chose a place on one of the couches. Casimir came into the solarium, and sat on the couch next to Thea. No one said anything. As the silence became awkward, the maid entered carrying a tray with cups and a pitcher. Thea jumped up, and took the tray to a sideboard against the wall.
“I’ll do this.” She dismissed the maid, who hurried away. “Casimir, would you like a cup?”
“I would. Thank you. And thank you for inviting me to sit with you. I’m not quite ready to retire.”
“I’d think you would be tired after the events of the last two days.”
Thea groaned. “Isobel, is this really necessary?” She didn’t turn around.
“Yes, I think so,” Isobel said cheerfully. “Tell us, Casimir. What made you choose this path? Particularly after seeing how it ended with Prince Ulric.”
Thea carefully poured a cup for everyone. She could feel her hands shaking, and her heart beating. The blood thumped through her ears. The pendant with the potion was in her pocket, just as she’d kept it in a pocket every day since Catrin had given it to her. She filled the last cup and set the pitcher down softly. Her hands were sweating as she put her right hand in the pocket and drew out the pendant.
Was she really going to do this? Did she have a choice? Catrin would kill one of her sisters. But this would kill Casimir. Motionless, she considered. Casimir might be able to wake from the potion. Any sister felled by Catrin would have no chance of waking. Even though her heart broke with the thought, she opened the catch, and poured some of the powder into a cup. Catrin hadn’t told her how much to use. Directions wouldn’t have mattered, nervous as she was.
Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) Page 27