Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (18 page)

Thea nodded, and filed in behind her parents. Sebastian still held her hand. As she passed Casimir, he glowered briefly at their joined hands and then cleared the expression from his face. Her sisters were following behind her, and still Sebastian stayed with her.

You’re not family yet
, she thought mutinously. As they exited the hall, Aland turned to his daughters.

“Go to your rooms. Do not dawdle. This is an announcement that will have people up late and there will be many roaming this evening. We need to give the court time to settle down about my decision. I will,” he said, looking at Thea, “be willing to entertain conversation on the matter with you tomorrow. Any of you who wish to may join your mother and me for breakfast. Sebastian, while I do not invite you to breakfast, I will be happy to see you later in the day, should you wish. Would you be so kind as to escort the princesses and their guard to their rooms?”

Sebastian had no choice but to agree as her father didn’t wait for an answer. He turned and swept her mother up with him, making for their rooms. Marek stepped forth, leading them all towards their chambers.

“I will be interested to hear what your father has to say in private,” Sebastian said, gazing into the distance. “I’ll be interested to hear what my father has to say,” he turned and looked at Thea with a grin.

She didn’t answer, merely nodded. She could feel fear beginning to set in, like a cold fog that started around your feet and slowly enveloped you. Had Catrin seen such a move from her father? She dropped Sebastian’s hand and rubbed her arms as a chill swept over her.

***

As they readied themselves for bed, Thea heard people enter. It was not the habit of anyone to enter their rooms after they retired. She set down her brush and walked towards the door.

Marek walked towards her, followed by one of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting.

“My lady, the king has sent her to stay with you this evening. He doesn’t wish to have anything happen to you. The king has also ordered there be someone present at all times whenever any of you are within chambers.”

Why her father hadn’t thought of this before, she didn’t know. Why now? What if one of them said something revealing? The thought filled her with horror – if the woman learned anything from any of them, she would die.

“You may tell my father thank you for his concern,” she said, not waiting for his response. It was no different than having a lady-in-waiting in their chambers any other time. Only this was her mother’s lady, which told her that her father was hoping to discover something. She was just afraid one of them would slip.

The woman sat down in a chair. The good thing about those who served the royal family in their private chambers was that they knew how to be unobtrusive. In spite of her worry, Thea forgot she was there.

They made themselves ready for bed, and gradually fell asleep. Thea remembered thinking that at least they had not endangered her mother’s lady. She hoped that they would go back to not remembering waking, now that there was someone to witness them getting up in the middle of the night.

But it was not to be. Thea woke suddenly. She was instantly awake and alert. She sat up and looked over to where the lady-in-waiting sat. The woman was asleep. She could see that her sisters were stirring. It didn’t make sense that they were awake but the lady-in-waiting was not.

“Is she awake?” Serafina appeared by the side of Thea’s bed.

“I don’t know. Let’s see.” Thea went over to her and stomped her feet. The woman didn’t stir. Thea felt someone behind her.

“Does she wake at all?” Serafina whispered.

Thea stomped again. Nothing. She jumped up and down several times, and still, the woman didn’t move.

“No. She does not. If you recall, we were like this, too. She’s going to ensure that we never get free,” Thea said, unable to stop the horror of such a thought.

Serafina put an arm around her. “We must keep more hope than that, Thea. We will be discovered, and in a way that does not cause anyone else to die. We must not give in to despair.”

“You are right,” Thea sighed. “It seems, though, as if the rules change every time we feel we have a handle on them. I am so angry Father would risk her.” She nodded to the woman.

Serafina led her away, back towards her bed…and the staircase. “He does not know, Thea. If he did, he would not risk her. We know now that her being here will not risk her, either.”

Thea didn’t answer. There was nothing to say. It was time to go below.

***

The next morning, she woke before her sisters. They usually returned before first light. She’d been able to sleep a little more, but not deeply or restfully. Her mind was too busy.

She rose and went to her parents’ sitting room for breakfast. As she knocked, the door flew open, and she nearly collided with Tomas.

“My lady! A thousand apologies!” He gave a deep bow.

“It’s fine. Are they within?”

He backed up and held the door open wide. Thea strode in. Her parents looked up.

“I didn’t think anyone would join us,” said Aland. “I’m glad you’re here, Thea. Please, sit.”

Tomas set a plate in front of her, but Thea didn’t move towards the food.

“Father, what are you thinking?”

“Thea!”

“I am thinking I need to face this potential scandal head-on, and make the best of it I can. You have not heard the rumors, Thea. I have. Daily, and from several sources, some stories so farfetched it makes the both of us cringe in the retelling.” He shook his head.

“Will you really allow anyone to apply to solve the puzzle of our slippers?”

“Of course. Anyone may take the risk. If they are willing to put their lives on the line, I don’t see why all stations of life are not capable.”

“So you will be happy if one of us ends up with the stable boy?”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Aland didn’t look bothered by her outburst or her tone.

“Why not? Any may apply.”

“Because if one fails, one dies. It seems unfair to say, ‘Find out where my daughters go ruin their shoes at night or die!’ I understand that. However, the measure of life versus death is a good measure of what is important to a man. A man is not going to risk his life lightly. I venture to say we may not have any takers at all. No one wants to risk dying for a completely uncertain future with immeasurable odds.”

Thea considered his words and then nodded.

“I know it sounds barbaric to you, or you wouldn’t be here spitting fire at me with your looks, but I did it to protect you girls.”

Thea nodded. “I don’t agree, but I see your point, Father.”

“As well, I am telling the world that in spite of the mess we find ourselves in, which, by the by, you could end today if you would tell me true regarding the slippers…” He raised his brows at Thea.

“No? Well, I must try. As I was saying, I am letting the world know that yes, something is amiss with my daughters. I hinted at some sort of nefarious methods or persons last evening. I want the mystery solved. I am also letting the world know that my daughters are valuable. That in spite of this, they are not to be dismissed. I want to ensure you keep your engagement, and that your sisters are able to make their own. If I do not place a high value on all of you, no one else will either.”

“It makes sense, in a completely convoluted way,” answered Thea slowly. “I am afraid, Father. I do not want to be known as the princess who let men die.”

“Men die for far less. I think the honor of twelve princesses and the hand of one of them is a fine trade off. What will the lady-in-waiting who stayed with you last night tell me if I ask?”

“As far as I am aware, she did fine. She was still asleep when I left.”

“That does not bode well for her ability to see you are safe,” Ceridwen said with a frown.

“Why now?” Thea asked.

“I admit, I was remiss in not doing so before,” said Aland. “However, now I will be able to produce a bevy of those we trust who can testify that none of you are running off at night. Trust me Thea. We need to be able to make such a statement. I do not want your honor compromised. The thought that any of you might leave the castle unattended does just that. I need to negate such rumors.”

“That won’t stop people from talking.”

“No, it won’t. But it lends credence to our position and shows a willingness to give our people verification from outside the family that what I am telling them is the truth.”

“Why aren’t you shouting at me?” This conversation was far calmer than Thea had anticipated.

“I realized I would get no answers from you. Perhaps you really do not know. If that is the case, I need to aid in discovery, not hinder it.”

“Will you really allow someone who fails to die?”

Aland’s face hardened. “Absolutely. I plan to speak to anyone who presents themselves and let them know they may leave with no stain on their honor before I announce them as a candidate to solve the mystery. I will tell them that I will not grant clemency at the last minute, and I will offer them one last chance to leave. I don’t want anyone to die, Thea. I really don’t. There is no other possible outcome, however.”

“You could have decided on a different plan, one that didn’t involve proclamations to the kingdom and beyond!”

Aland slammed his hand on the table. “I had thought to keep my temper but you must try it! Did I not tell you that the rumors are becoming bolder? That my daughters’ honor was in danger of being compromised? If none of you can give me an answer, then I must do what I can!”

He stood, throwing down his napkin. “This conversation is over. If you wish to end these trials, then please come to me with a reasonable explanation. If not, things will happen as I direct. You have left me with no other alternatives!”

He stomped from the room.

Thea sighed, making eye contact with her mother. How long would it take for some foolish man to think he could best the challenge?

***

It took four days. In that time, she had not joined her parents in private again. She and her sisters barely spoke. They were all tired and irritable, and everyone was very aware of the nightly addition to their chambers. Like the first night, whichever lady-in-waiting was assigned to the task fell asleep and did not wake.

On the fifth morning after the king’s proclamation, a maidservant, followed by Lisette, came rushing in.

“My ladies!” Lisette raised her voice to be heard. “My apologies for bursting in, but your father requests your presence in the great hall! I believe, although I am not sure, that a candidate has arrived!”

There was a burst of noise at her announcement as everyone sprang out of bed. Thea felt excitement for the first time in days. This was someone who had no knowledge of them and might have a chance to free them.

Once dressed, they followed Lisette out. She led them to the chambers of the king and queen. This time, however, not to their small sitting room, but to the more formal receiving room. Aland turned as they entered.

“Lady Lisette, I thank you. Daughters, as Lady Lisette may have told you, a young man has come forth wishing to try his luck. He awaits us in the great hall. I would have all of you treat this with the respect it deserves. He does you a very great honor.”

Without waiting for a reply, he took Ceridwen’s hand, and led the way out of the room. Thea and her sisters lined up as they did for any formal engagement, by twos, with Thea and Adelaide right behind their parents.

Her father walked quickly, which surprised Thea. Normally, he refused to rush, saying that the king chose the tempo. He was as ready as they were for this to be over. Thea hoped the candidate would be a good man, and that he would succeed.

Maybe he would choose Isobel, and then she squashed the thought as they reached the hall.

The herald announced them, and Aland swept in while he was still speaking their names. As they did not usually have the morning meal in the hall, the tables were pushed to the side. There were chairs enough for all of them.

Aland reached the chair in the middle, and waited a moment for his wife and daughters to join him. He sat, and no sooner had the ladies done so, he said, “Herald! Bring in the candidate!”

The herald hurried to the door and disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he straightened, and announced loudly, “The Prince Ulric, second son of King Eric of Northam!”

Thea stifled a gasp. It was Roderick’s younger brother! Roderick, with whom she danced every night below, who had not a care in the world, if he were to be believed. Surely his parents could not countenance this with the heir missing! She straightened up, schooled her face, and avoided looking at her sisters.

Ulric entered and bowed deeply and precisely before the king, the practiced bow of a seasoned courtier.

Aland said, “We welcome you, Prince Ulric. How are your parents and your brothers?”

Ulric smiled. Thea disliked him instantly. He was not sincere, as Roderick was. His smile was far too practiced. It reminded her of…who was it? She couldn’t think who it was. It wasn’t that Ulric was unattractive. Indeed, he was handsome and his smile winsome.