Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) (4 page)

“Follow me. I know this stairway well,” she said.

Casimir held her hand to his lips and kissed it. She moved quickly down the stairs, wanting only to be alone with him where they would be able to talk without fear of discovery. She stopped when she reached a small door. Again, she quietly lifted the latch and opened the door. “Hurry,” she said to Casimir. He moved through it, and she followed.

Once outside, she inhaled. The smell of the roses from her mother’s garden was strong. The night sky was clear, full of sparkling stars, and a nearly full moon shone overhead. She pushed the door almost closed, leaving it open a tiny bit to be sure it would not latch, whispering up the stairway so Archibald would hear her. “I’m fine. Please follow us discreetly.” She’d rather not have him present, but that wasn’t possible. She also knew he wouldn’t tell her father what she’d been up to. If he was going to, he would not have let them leave. She turned to Casimir.

“This way.” She looked around, finding the small path and, taking his hand again, moved forward through the gardens and into the woods. Finally, she reached a point where a small bench sat alongside the path. “Let us sit. No one will interrupt us here.”

He sat down, and pulled her onto his lap. The intimacy of the gesture startled her. They had not done more than touch hands. Now, to be this close to him, to feel herself almost as close as could be, overwhelmed her. She put her head on his shoulder, breathing in his spicy scent. He put his arms around her. They sat silently for a time. Thea could feel herself relaxing. He had that effect on her, just as easily as he made all her senses run wild. The noises of the woods, which had stopped as they came in, gradually returned. The crickets and other denizens of the night began to move once more.

“Thea, we cannot sit here all night, much as I want to,” Casimir said gently.

“Can’t we just run away?” Thea asked.

“I would love to. We can’t, however. You know this. Neither of us could abandon our duty to our families, to our kingdoms.”

“I don’t care!” Thea cried out. “I don’t want to live with someone else! For the rest of my life? No, I won’t!”

“I don’t think it needs to come to that,” Casimir said, stroking her hair. His hand stopped, fiddling a little with one of her decorations. She sighed, remembering when her hair brilliants seemed important.

“My father is resolute. He said that he gave his word and intends to honor it. I do not think he is being a tyrant, if I am being fair.”

“What do you mean?”

Thea sighed. “He did seem to regret that he didn’t know that I cared for you—for someone else.”

“Did you tell him it was me?”

“No. I don’t think he wanted to know, in truth. Nor did he wish to take responsibility for the error of not asking me about Sebastian. It’s very strange,” she said, as a thought struck her. “He’s always asked me before. I wonder why he didn’t this time.”

“Have you turned down many before this?”

Thea nodded. “I always told Father it didn’t feel right, though I could not give a good reason as to why. Father never reprimanded me too harshly. He wanted me happy with the man I chose.”

“Sebastian and I have been friends for a long time,” Casimir said. “When he is determined on a course, he does not deviate, not for anyone. Perhaps he persuaded your father to see what he wanted to.”

“That is most unchivalrous!” Thea exclaimed, sitting up. “Why would he do that?”

Casimir laughed without humor. “You’re extremely intelligent, but you do not see your own worth, my love. Gallivas is a fine kingdom, very rich and prosperous.  Your father has increased that. You, yourself, are lovely, and if he marries you, he will be a king in two nations. Can you not see the appeal of that?”

“That horrible man,” said Thea. “He tried to tell me he thought love could grow between us!”

“I have no doubt he cares for you, and does indeed wish to have love grow. The base side of me must remark on how much easier it would make his life. But you are not just an addition to an attractive match, Thea my love. You are your own attraction. As he well knows.”

Thea paused for a moment, thinking. “Wait. You said before that he knew of your affection.” Thea said, facing him.

“Indeed. I was circumspect, not having spoken to your father at that time. But, he knew. He knew when he stopped in front of me tonight. He is not a bad man, Thea, but he is determined, and he likes to win.”

“I am not some prize to be won.”

“No, you are far more than that, but you are a prize. I consider myself extremely fortunate that you care for me.” He kissed her forehead.

The kiss distracted Thea. Until now, Casimir had not done anything other than hold her hand. He had been most strict in regards to propriety. Sitting in his lap felt scandalous, but she was so happy to be close to him. His kiss thrilled her, as she had known it would, but it scared her, too. Why would he abandon propriety now when being caught carried even greater danger than before? She shoved such thoughts aside. This chance might not present itself in the future.

“Kiss me again,” she said quietly.

Without words, he leaned in, cupping her face between his hands. Gently, he put his lips upon hers. Instinctively they leaned into one another, and Thea felt as though stars exploded behind her closed eyelids.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her closer to him with one hand, the other still cradling her face. Thea felt herself falling into him, lost forever.

“Well, well, well! What is going on here?”

They sprang apart, both standing up, and noticing the old woman holding a small lantern. She had a gleeful grin on her face, showing a gap-toothed smile.

Thea recovered first, falling back on years of training, just as she had earlier when learning of her engagement. She smoothed her dress, trying to be calm.

“Who are you to be walking the king’s woods at night?” Fright at being discovered gave her a haughty tone.

“A good citizen of Gallivas, all of whom may use these woods, as a princess of Gallivas should well know,” said the crone.

“Mother, we will be on our way,” interrupted Casimir. “We meant no harm to anyone, nor, I am sure, did you. We bid you good evening.” He stood, gently taking Thea’s hand as he spoke.

The old woman smiled at Casimir, and Thea noted that her smile now seemed genuine. “You are a good and decent man, for all you’re a prince, Casimir,” said the crone. “Your father be the same way. Good to all, no matter who they may be.” She turned her gaze to Thea, and Thea could feel her scorn.

“Now, good dame, none of us is at our best when given a fright,” said Casimir with a small laugh. “Particularly when—”

The woman cut him off. “When one is betrothed to another?” She cackled, and Thea cringed at the malice she could hear.

“What would your father say, Princess,” the woman emphasized the word, “If he could see you here, now, after his triumphant proclamation only hours ago?”

“What he would say is none of your concern. Casimir, let us return. You,” she said, glaring at the woman, “Ought to be off before I set the guards upon you. Freedom or no, you have no call for sneaking about the castle grounds.” Still holding Casimir’s hand she made to leave.

The old woman laughed behind her, and the sound frightened Thea. Frightened her more than it ought to have, but it echoed round the small clearing. She noticed that all the normal night noises of the forest were silent, as if they too felt the threat of the old hateful woman. If she kept cackling, she’d wake the castle!

Whirling around, Thea hissed at the woman, “Be silent, you awful, old hag! Be silent and be gone, or I shall—”

Whatever she had planned to threaten the crone with died on her lips as she fell to the ground, clinging to Casimir’s hand, blinded by a light that appeared to emanate from where the old woman stood.

Chapter Two

Thea opened her eyes. Where was she? She could feel scratches on her hands, and her knees ached. Frightened, she saw that she was no longer in the forest behind the castle. Where was she? Where was Casimir? And the old woman? She closed her eyes and took a breath to steady herself.

“You really ought to get up. It’s not dignified to be on your hands and knees.” said the voice of someone Thea couldn’t see. Feeling like a small child who had misbehaved, Thea stood, brushing off her dress, and rubbing her hands lightly together. They were scratched, small lines of blood where the stone floor of the room had scraped them.

“Where am I?” Thea asked, struggling to keep her voice steady, looking for the owner of the voice. It looked to be a tower room, as it had rounded walls and small, high arrow slits for windows. There were several towers in her father’s castle, even one in the group of rooms she shared with her sisters. They used it to read and hide away from everyone. The servants were not allowed in unless invited. This room did not have the same warm, friendly feeling of her tower room, though.

There also seemed to be no door. Panic washed over her anew. There was no door. How would she get out of here? The crone had to have done this, but how? By magic? Thea had heard much of magic and all that it could do. Although she believed a great deal of what she heard to be tall tales made bigger, she didn’t discount that there were things that could not be explained that she thought could be attributed to magic. And where was the crone? She pushed these thoughts away and looked around the room again.

The walls radiated cold. A fire burned in the fireplace, but no warmth made it to where Thea stood. She turned, slowly, afraid of what she’d see. To her surprise, it was not the old crone. Only a woman.

Taller than Thea, the woman had dark hair pulled back and woven throughout with…Thea peered more closely. They appeared to be twigs, although she hadn’t seen twigs so pliable. Her gown, although simple in cloth, had a similar cut to those presently being worn in court. She seemed to shimmer, her face and hands having a golden glow. The woman was, Thea realized, the only thing that looked warm in the room.

“There now,” the woman said. “Mustn’t be undignified.” Her crisp tone did not match her warm appearance.

“Where am I?” Thea asked again. “Who are you?”

The woman smiled, and the smile made Thea afraid. “I am Catrin,” she said. “While you, no doubt, do not know me, I have long known your family.”

“Then you must know that they will not appreciate my removal to wherever this is,” Thea said. She knew she sounded haughty, but something told her not to show fear with this woman.

Catrin laughed. “No, they will not. Not when your good father has just made such an auspicious match for you. And your prince! Whatever will he think?”

“My entire family will be concerned for my safety, Madam. Please return me to my friend.”

Catrin laughed again. “Your friend? Or the Prince Casimir? I tell you Thea, I had not expected such from you! I ought to have, though.” She turned towards the fireplace revealing a table, built with a curve into the wall of the tower room and covered with books, parchments, bowls and vials.  Catrin picked up a bowl from the table and leaned in closer to the fire stirring the bowl’s contents.

Thea quietly took a step away. “What do you mean, you ought to have known? What are you doing? Are you a
witch
?” Thea’s voice rose on the last word. She didn’t know why the accusation burst forth in such in a manner. Catrin didn’t look like the way one normally thought of witches. The crone in the woods fit that mold.

Catrin whirled around. “A witch? You would think so. Very well. Yes. Yes, I am. Are you afraid, Princess Thea?” Her voice mocked Thea. She showed no signs of being offended at Thea’s question.

Thea couldn’t help shrinking away slightly. Catrin seemed much taller.

“Should I be?”

Catrin stepped back. Amazingly, she smiled. “That is the first thing you’ve done to make me think well of you. Fear is not a bad thing. Cowering is.”

“Why have you brought me here?”

“I have brought you here to teach you a lesson. Are you aware of how truly arrogant and selfish you are?”

“How dare you speak to me in that manner?” Thea felt her anger rising. She’d been calm, and polite to this madwoman, but enough was enough.

“I, too, am a princess, Thea,” Catrin said. “I may address you as I wish.”

A princess? Who might also be a witch? Thea racked her brains. She could remember no one in the neighboring realms who fit such a description. Nor anyone who had married into a court.

“You lie. There is no such person as you.”

Thea expected Catrin to fly at her. Instead, she smiled. “Of course you would think so, Thea. Nevertheless, it is so. I have no need to prove my pedigree to you. It’s interesting, my dear,” Catrin said, turning back to the table and rummaging around, “How the traits of a parent pass so easily to the child. As I told you, I know your family. I know your parents of old. I have been watching to see if their offspring were as they are. I can report,” she turned back to Thea with another smile, “That indeed they are.”

Thea drew herself up. “Of course we are. My parents are wonderful. I am proud to be their daughter and to be like them.”

“I suppose there’s no accounting for what’s important to some,” Catrin said.

“You cannot be a princess,” Thea snapped, losing her temper. “You are ill-mannered and uncouth. None would speak of another royal family that way.”

“You’d think, wouldn’t you?” Catrin asked, her voice dropping. “You’d think royalty would allow for dignity and understanding of others. I am sad to tell you that such is not the case. However, you must learn that for yourself,” she said. Thea could tell that Catrin hadn’t meant to say what she did or with such venom. Catrin didn’t speak for a moment, and Thea could tell she was forcing down her anger.

“I have brought you here because your arrogance is so great that I can no longer allow it to run unchecked.”

Thea knew her mouth fell open rather unbecomingly. “What? What do you mean? Who are you to make such a judgment?”

“Who are you to toy with Casimir mere hours after promising yourself to Sebastian?” Catrin flung back at her.

Thea gasped. She didn’t want to admit it but Catrin was right. It was arrogant, and she could feel her face flush with shame. “That is not your concern,” she said. Catrin might be correct but she had no plans to discuss it with this madwoman.

“It is the place of any member of the kingdom to insist on appropriate behavior from those who rule them. That is from your own father. It is why he now insists on such propriety. My place is more personal. I know your father. I also know Casimir’s father. You are not worthy of Casimir, and you endanger him with your actions. You must give him up.”

“What? How dare you?” Thea didn’t know exactly what to say. To engage in this conversation would be to admit she and Casimir did indeed have an understanding that was not proper under the circumstances. She could feel the mantle of her father’s teaching wrapping around her, holding her up and bolstering her. She just had to make it through this and get home.

“Whomever you fancy yourself to be, the affairs of my family are none of your concern.” She allowed the frost to lace her words.

“I will make whatever I choose my concern,” said Catrin. Thea felt the fear return. Her voice was soft, but an old and deep anger lay upon Catrin’s face. “I tell you that you will indeed give up Prince Casimir, who is far too good for the likes of you. He does not deserve to have his life ruined by a fancy for a worthless girl.”

“Why do you say such? You do not know me. I doubt you know my family, in spite of your claims,” Thea said. She kept her tone light and put an expression of scorn on her face. In spite of all her training, Catrin brought out something not nice in her. She shoved the thoughts aside. It would not do to lose focus.

To her surprise, Catrin smiled. “Are you sure it’s in your best interests to taunt the one person who can ensure you return home?”

Her direct manner threw Thea off guard. She opened her mouth to speak but Catrin continued.

“Back to the matter at hand. It would be better for you,
Princess,
if you were to give him up on your own. Would you wish for that little interlude in the woods to be public knowledge?”

“My affairs are my own and my parents’ to manage. I will take no advice or direction from one such as you. Now return me to my home. I will not speak of this, as I am compassionate to the less fortunate.” Thea crossed her arms.

Catrin didn’t respond. She just looked at Thea. It was unnerving. Thea felt the intensity of her stare and struggled not to move, or squirm about.

Finally, Catrin broke the stare and turned once again to the table. She took up the bowl she’d been holding earlier and began adding things to it from bottles.

“Will you return me to my home, Madam?” Thea asked.

After a moment, Catrin faced her. “I will indeed, Princess, and I offer you one final chance to save yourself. Will you give up Prince Casimir and free him from your selfishness?”

“I will only discuss my affairs with those who are intimately connected to me,” said Thea. “You are not one of those. I will not have any further conversation with you regarding something so wholly unrelated to you.” While her words were brave, Thea’s thoughts were racing. What if Casimir was too good for her? She had often wondered why he sought her out. She pushed her doubts away. She couldn’t afford to dither.

“Foolish, selfish girl. I had anticipated I would enjoy this more, but I find myself pitying you.”

“I need nothing from you, Madam, least of all your pity. Now send me home.”

“Very well.” Catrin stirred the content of the bowl with the fingers of her right hand. “Close your eyes, Princess Thea. I return you to the place from which I took you. Know this, however: If you choose the path of obstinacy and selfishness, then you bring down a curse upon your house.”

Thea’s eyes flew open. “What sort of curse?”

Catrin smiled. The gooseflesh crawled up Thea’s arms. “The sort that makes the world see what you are, who you are. A selfish, thoughtless child, no matter that you look a woman. You could have a good life, my dear.” She moved closer to Thea, her gown swaying gently. “You alone will choose whether you do or not. Remember that. This will be your choice. Yours alone.”

Thea backed away, finding escape impossible as she bumped into a stone wall. “You…you can’t do this.”

“Oh, I can. I shall. You do not deserve Casimir. He is far too good for you. If you insist on dragging him along with you, I have no choice but to stop you.”

“What business of yours is it?” Thea cried. “Are you family to Casimir?”

“I am not,” said Catrin. “But I care for the family, and to be allied with yours in any way is folly for him.” She advanced on Thea, hand still in the bowl. She stopped a few feet away, and pulled out her hand. Thea could see she clutched powder.

“I curse you. I curse you to learn what selfishness brings!” Catrin cried, and threw the powder at Thea.

Thea ducked but couldn’t escape the powder. Catrin was too close. She inhaled and the scent made her sneeze. She flapped her arms, trying to wave the powder away. Finally, the dust cleared, and she glared at Catrin.

“What have you done to me?”

Catrin smiled. “You will see. I would not speak of this to anyone else, either, were I you. You, of course, may ignore my advice. You probably will. Again, your choice.”

“But what–” Thea’s words were cut off as Catrin waved at her, and she saw nothing but a flash of light.

***

She was on her hands and knees again. This constant falling was tiresome. Her hands would be a complete mess, which she’d end up having to explain. Cautiously, she lifted her head and looked around.

Casimir rushed to her side. “Thea! Are you hurt?” He looked worried.

The old woman looked amused. “How easily the mighty do fall, eh Princess?” She laughed.

Thea took her time to stand and clasp her hands together. She would not brush herself off in front of this woman. “You may go, mother. We shall not speak of your trespassing here.” She turned away from the old woman, intending to leave.

The crone laughed again behind her. “You should hope I don’t speak either, Princess.”

Casimir said, “Madam…” but the crone cut him off.

“Be on your way, Prince.” She spoke as one accustomed to being obeyed. It did not fit her shabby appearance.

Thea could hear her walking away, her gait uneven. She didn’t turn around to watch her, strong as the urge was. She couldn’t shake the idea that Catrin and the crone were connected somehow. Clearly, while she had been some time in the tower room with Catrin, no time at all had passed here.

Catrin was very powerful, she thought and then quickly squelched it. She would not give that madwoman legitimacy.

“Thea, we will have to hope she does not speak of this.” Casimir sounded both worried and resigned.

She sighed. “I know. She scared me. What if she tells people she saw us? What if my father discovers this?”