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?”
“Then we will have to talk to him together sooner rather than later.”
She ignored that. “Casimir, what happened to make me fall?”
“I am not sure. I think you tripped.” His face showed confusion. “Why? Do you not remember?”
“I don’t. The last thing I remember was how frightened I felt at being discovered, and walking towards the old woman, and then I found myself on my hands and knees.”
“You just tripped. Poor darling. She really scared you, didn’t she?” His eyes had softened.
Tears filled her. “Yes. She did. Casimir, we cannot be found out. Not until I extricate myself from this wretched betrothal and receive my father’s blessing. We shall both be ruined if anyone knows before then.” Catrin’s words that being with her would harm Casimir rang through her head. She ignored them too.
“Did you notice anything…anything else?” She asked. She could think of no way to ask him if she’d disappeared without him thinking her mad.
“No, although I am worried about how hard you fell. It must have been harder than it looked, as you took a moment to rise. Are you well, Thea?” He came close to her again, taking her hand and turning it over to look at her scrapes. “Your poor hands! You will need to soak these as soon as we return!”
Thea resisted the urge to melt into him and pretend nothing had happened. They’d already pushed convention too far with the kiss earlier. She dared not press her luck, no matter how much she wished to.
“We must return.” Casimir’s tone held regret, but she could hear the firmness.
“You are right, as you often are. I must ask you what we are going to do.” Her voice broke a little.
“What we are trained to do. Put on a good face and work to change things.” He tucked her arm in his, drawing her on the path towards the castle.
“How? How shall we change anything? It’s done, I am betrothed, and before I wish it, I will be married.” She could feel the panic rising within.
“Nothing is done until it’s done, Thea. Yes, you are betrothed. You are not yet married. When you are, it shall be to me.” He stopped to turn her to him. “How long have you sat with your father as he conducts the business of the kingdom? How long have negotiations gone on before a decision is reached? How often has the decision been something different than both parties initially wanted? I don’t know what will happen next, but I have been observing negotiations long enough to know that everything is open to change, even a betrothal. We will change your father’s mind.” He held her hand up to his lips, kissing it. “I promise you that when you wed, I shall be standing beside you. In between now and then, things are uncertain. Such is true for all men, even kings and princes. You cannot let go of the certainty of the final outcome, Thea.” His intensity calmed her and thrilled her all at once.
“You are too good for me, Casimir.” She hung her head, wanting to lay it upon his chest.
“No. We are a perfect match for one another,” he said with heartbreaking gentleness, lifting her up her chin, and looking into her eyes. “I have never wanted another, Thea. Not ever, not from the time we were children.”
“It has always been such for me, as well.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips to hers, a whisper of the passion of earlier. Just that touch tumbled her thoughts and made all her senses burst into flame.
“Oh, how I wish…” Casimir whispered into her lips. He stood up, and pulled away. “It will happen, Thea. No matter what, do not let go of that surety. It will happen. I will be your husband, and you will be my wife.”
“I love you, Casimir.”
“And I love you, my Thea.”
She felt him pull his face from hers and didn’t want him to move away. She put her hands out to pull him close, but he stopped her by taking her hands in his own, and clasping them within his.
“We will be together, Thea. I promise you. As long as you will have me.” He kissed her hands, let them go, and stood away from her.
“Casimir, what did my father say?”
“What do you mean?”
Thea stopped walking. ”When you asked for my hand. What reason did he give for refusing you?”
“He didn’t give any reason because I had not a chance to ask him.”
“What do you mean?” Thea couldn’t understand what he was saying. “I saw you come out of his chamber. You looked happy. Is that not when you asked him to marry me?”
“I was very pleased with our conversation. We had agreed to end our long-standing dispute. I didn’t feel I could ask to marry you until I’d settled that. I am sorry and I am sorry that I let Sebastian know anything regarding how I felt.”
Thea looked down, walking with her hand in his. She didn’t speak immediately. Finally, she looked up at him. “I didn’t know you hadn’t asked him. I thought you had. I forgot to ask him why he refused you. Now I know why he thought I had no objection to Sebastian. He didn’t know about you.”
“I am sorry I have made a mess of this. I have to wonder if knowing my feelings made Sebastian go to your father more swiftly than he might have. I understand it. I find myself feeling very competitive around him.”
“Is that why you wish to marry me? To win a contest between you and Sebastian?” She put her hands on her hips. In spite of her defiance, she feared what he might say.
Casimir laughed. Thea could hear a streak of anger in his voice. “I love you, and I have loved you since I was a boy. The reason I want to be married to you is because of that. Nothing else matters. I would hope,” he looked down for a moment, then back at her. “That you feel the same way. That my actions have not ruined things between us.” He peered at Thea through the gloom. She noticed the woods seemed far darker than just minutes before.
“I do. I have loved you before I even knew what love was,” she whispered.
“We do not see one another as we are, Thea,” he said. His words were softer now. “We see one another through the eyes of love. We see each other as so much more. Which can be a failing. Do you not see why Sebastian asked for your hand?”
“No, I really do not. Why would he want a wife who loves another, whom he could not be sure of?” She shook her head.
“Your kingdoms border one another. Gallivas is rich in resources, and prospers more each year. He would be king of two great nations and of you.”
“You think that is why? Even knowing your feelings?”
“He knew nothing, not with any surety. While I may have hinted, it’s not done to openly discuss a lady in such a way. With my parents, perhaps. Not with a friend, not without an agreement between us in place. I do not like or agree with his actions, but I understand why he did what he did.”
“You do?” Thea felt her temper rise. “I do not! It seems underhanded and lacking in decency!”
“All is fair game when marriage is afoot,” Casimir said.
“You are being very flippant with our future, Casimir!” She said angrily.
“Do you think I am flippant? Do you know me so little? What shall I do? Complain to the king? Challenge Sebastian in some manner? I, too, have to look to the future, Thea! I cannot make enemies of my nearest neighbors! This must be handled with care and diplomacy! With the skills that we have both been brought up to exercise!”
“Oh, as you have done so well thus far?” She clapped her hands over her mouth as soon as the words left her.
Casimir’s face shuttered.
“That is unjust, Thea. Unjust and unfair. I think...I think we should return to the castle.” He executed a precise bow, and moved back onto the path, waiting for her to join him.
“Casimir! Please, I am sorry! I am most foul-tempered when I am upset, and I didn’t mean it. Please forgive me!” She stepped onto the path, and he immediately set off for the stairwell. Once they’d reached the door, he turned to her again.
“This is where I leave you, my lady. It wouldn’t do for us to be caught out of doors together.” He bowed again, and opening the door, ran up the stairs.
Thea couldn’t believe he’d just left. As she stared up into the darkness where he’d disappeared, she heard a whisper of movement next to her.
“Is all well, my lady?” Archibald’s soft tones were right next to her.
“No, all is not well. Thank you for allowing me this tonight, Archibald. I would like to sit here a while longer, if I may.”
“Of course.” He nodded and stepped back.
She walked from the door, and sat on a small bench. She couldn’t go back to her rooms in this state. The events of the night had overwhelmed her. Catrin told her she would be cursed did she not give up Casimir. After all they’d said to one another, he’d still walked away. She’d sent him away, if she were being honest. She sat alone, trying to organize her thoughts. Catrin hadn’t specified what exactly the curse was. Was this it? She didn’t know.
All she did know was that she’d never felt so wretched in her entire life. Her mind went back to the encounter in the tower room. Catrin sneering over how royalty supposedly behaved. She’d told Thea she’d find out how lacking royalty was. In spite of being surrounded by her loving parents, her sisters, even beloved long-time servants, Thea had not one soul she could speak her heart to who would listen to her and understand.
Finally, she forced herself to stand. Nothing good would come of being discovered out here, even though she sat completely alone. It would be seen as ‘not quite right’, and gossip and whispers would ensue.
“Thank you, Archibald. I’m ready to return now.” He was behind her almost immediately as she walked to the stairs and opened the door. Once her eyes adjusted, she ran up the stairs and, after peeking out, hurried down the hallway to her rooms. Archibald took up a spot just outside the doors. She let herself in, closing the door quietly so as to not make a loud click with the latch. Standing still, she listened to the sounds of her chambers.
Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) Page 4
