Damnation: A Cinderella Retelling (Tales of Cinder Book 3)

by M. J. Haag

  Damnation

  Tales of Cinder, Book 3

  M.J. Haag

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Character List

  Series Reading Order

  Sneak Peek of Demon Ember

  Copyright © 2019 Melissa Haag

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without express written permission from the author.

  ISBN 978-1-943051-22-9 (eBook Edition)

  ISBN 978-1-943051-33-5 (CreateSpace Paperback Edition)

  ISBN 978-1-943051-24-3 (Paperback Edition)

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similar to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Editing by Ulva Eldridge

  Cover design by Shattered Glass Publishing LLC

  To my grandma and my mom, thanks for giving me the writing bug.

  You’ll be missed, grandma.

  Damnation

  Abused but not beaten, I will break the curse.

  With the reason behind her mother’s death revealed, it’s a race for Eloise to exact her revenge and prevent her stepsisters from marrying the prince. However, amidst the glittering jewels and colorful ballgowns, the royal court holds secrets of its own that will devastate Eloise and strike a final blow to her plans. Betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust, Eloise questions how far she’s willing to go for revenge.

  After all, in the game of kingdoms, everyone is a pawn.

  Chapter One

  My stomach growled loudly, waking me. With a groan, I rolled to my back and winced as the chain holding me to the fireplace rattled loudly in the quiet of the kitchen.

  As much as I dreaded Maeve’s return, I hoped she would hurry.

  I had no doubt she had sensed her mirror’s destruction the moment it happened. And given that I’d attempted to break it once before, there was no question that I would be the one punished despite the manacle still securely wrapped around my wrist. However, while I knew Maeve would enter this home in a fury, I didn’t fear her arrival. She couldn’t hurt me, not truly.

  No, I needed Maeve to return so I could hear what had become of Kellen. I thought of her, fast asleep somewhere, unable to prevent whatever Maeve had planned with her cursed apple. There was nothing I could do but fear for my sister’s fate.

  Sighing, I sat up and threw a log onto the embers. What would have happened if I hadn’t witnessed Maeve with Hugh and her use of the amulet? Would Kellen and I still be together and safe, or would something more terrible have happened to us? Would all those innocent people still have died? I thought of Judith, Anne, and Mother and felt a bitter pang of longing.

  Nothing could change the past. The choices I’d made were irrevocable, and I would need to face the choices yet to come. And, it was those future choices that plagued my thoughts continuously. What should I do when Maeve returned? Should I acknowledge I’d broken her mirror or feign innocence? What would best serve my purpose to prevent one of my stepsisters from wedding the prince? Round and round went my thoughts.

  The dining room door opened, and Porcia walked in.

  “Good morning, Eloise,” she said cordially. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I haven’t been fed more than a crust of bread since Mama left, and I’ve slept chained to the hearth. What answer do you think I can honestly give?”

  “One that’s dishonest,” she said, meeting my gaze. “Have you learned nothing?”

  There was no anger in the question. In fact, there was little emotion at all. In that moment, she reminded me of myself whenever I spoke to Maeve.

  “I’ve always struggled at being an adept student,” I said.

  “Then your suffering has only just begun,” she said.

  Turning her back on me, she grabbed her cloak and went outside to collect eggs. A task I used to perform. One I desperately wanted to return to. I hated all of the time I’d been forced to spend indoors. If not for the uncertainty of the spell binding me to the estate, I might have tried to run instead of waiting here, chained like an animal. I gave my manacle an angry tug.

  Cecilia took that moment to enter the dining room and let out a laugh.

  “Do you honestly think you can free yourself? It’s more than metal holding you in place. It’s a curse. And no one’s magic is stronger than Mama’s.”

  Playing my role, I glared at her then turned to stare at the flames slowly licking their way up the log.

  “Perhaps I made a mistake in feeding you yesterday,” Cecilia said, sounding too much like Maeve. “Another day of hunger should make you more docile for Mama’s return tomorrow.”

  I looked at Cecilia.

  “Do you think that if I’m suitably starved beside the fire, Mama will praise you for your cleverness?” I asked. “Don’t be daft. She’s going to be upset. By your very own words, she wants me alive to witness her triumph.”

  Cecilia’s eyes narrowed on me.

  “I’m willing to risk her wrath to see you suffer.”

  Porcia entered the kitchen and removed her cloak.

  “Good morning, sister. There are fresh eggs for breakfast as well as the stale bread you left on the table yesterday.”

  Cecilia’s angry gaze swung to her sister, checking for any hint of reproach. Porcia remained focused on placing the eggs in a pot filled with water before carrying it to me.

  “Place this on the fire, Eloise, and tell me when the water boils.”

  Without argument, I hung the pot over the flames because I knew doing so would annoy Cecilia.

  “We should go to town as soon as we’ve eaten,” Porcia said, joining her sister at the table. “With so many in Towdown now ill, we may not find a seamstress who can complete a dress for each of us in time for the ball. Finding one shop with two gowns already premade might be our only option.”

  “I agree. If we want the best selection—”

  “Then you should have looked yesterday,” I said. “The moment you saw the proclamation.”

  Cecilia glared at me, and I smiled. We both knew I was correct.

  A noise rose, faint at first but growing louder.

  “A rider,” Cecilia said.

  The thunder of hooves outside abruptly stopped. Porcia rose to see who it might be; but before she crossed half the room, the door flew open.

  Maeve stormed into the kitchen, still disguised as the old crone. Her cloudy gaze swept the room, noting her daughters then me. I didn’t miss the lingering look she gave the manacle circling my wrist. Just as I didn’t miss the extra dirt that now clung to her clothes or the new rips to her garments. Whatever Maeve had done hadn’t been easy.

  “Mama,” Porcia said in shock. “We weren’t expecting you for another day.”

  Maeve lashed out, striking her daughter across the face.

  “Do not speak,” she said in her deep, grating voice.

  Porcia lifted her hand to hold her cheek then thought better of
it and clasped her hands in front of herself instead. Cecilia remained at the table, wisely not speaking as she warily watched her mother. Not that Maeve noticed.

  She remained focused on me as a pulse of green light started at her chest. The glow grew larger and brighter with each beat until the emerald radiance enveloped her. The lines on her face smoothed, and her hair darkened as signs of her false age disappeared. Slowly, she straightened to her full height before the light faded away once more. But not from her eyes. The glow remained there as she studied me, her face flushed with anger.

  I didn’t consciously make my choice before words tumbled from my mouth in a rush.

  “I didn’t mean to kill Hugh, and I swear never to touch your mirror again. I vow I’ll be a proper young lady. Please, Mama. I’ll do as you ask if only you allow me to eat.”

  Her gaze narrowed on me, and my stomach took that moment to growl loudly. She looked at Porcia then Cecilia.

  “Come with me,” she said.

  She strode from the room without another glance in my direction.

  As soon as the door closed behind Porcia, I exhaled slowly and looked around me. Blame could still be cast in my direction if Maeve thought for a moment I’d escaped my bond. She would need proof that I hadn’t. Pretending ignorance about any knowledge of the mirror’s destruction wouldn’t be enough.

  Thinking quickly, I lay on the floor and stretched out to my full length, once again trying to reach for the broom. My breathing quiet in comparison to my pulse, I struggled to listen for sounds of their approach. The door swung open again just as my shoulder cracked from the strain of pulling against the manacle.

  I sat up in a rush and guiltily met Maeve’s scrutiny.

  “What were you doing?” she asked.

  Not needing to feign nervousness, my gaze flicked to Cecilia and Porcia. Cecilia’s face was now as red as Porcia’s.

  Getting to my feet, I focused on Maeve.

  “I was trying to get the broom. I thought I might be able to knock the bread from the table.”

  She tilted her head at me.

  “When was the last time you fed your sister, Cecilia?”

  “Last night.”

  “What did you feed her?” she asked without looking away from me.

  “A crust of bread,” Cecilia answered.

  “Does Eloise look hungry to you?”

  Cecilia glared at me.

  “It had to be her, Mama. She’s feigning her—”

  Maeve pivoted so quickly that I heard the crack of her hand against Cecilia’s cheek before noting her arm had moved.

  “Can you make your stomach growl on command? You admitted to me that you spent time away from the estate. If she could free herself, would she not eat?” She pointed to the tray. “Was there any food missing?”

  “We didn’t check the cellar,” Cecilia said defiantly.

  “Check. And if everything is accounted for, you will pay for your incompetence with your blood.”

  “And Porcia?” Cecilia dared ask.

  “Your sister never tried to claim competence greater than Eloise’s, did she?”

  With a nod, Cecilia went to the cellar. Maeve turned toward me.

  “What happened while they were gone?” she asked.

  I studied her for a quiet moment and saw that a hint of glow remained in her eyes.

  “I tried to reach the broom. When that didn’t work, I screamed long and loud. Then, I stared at the fire until I heard Porcia and Cecilia return.”

  “Did anyone come?”

  I shook my head. “No, Mama.”

  “My mirror is destroyed, Eloise. What do you have to say?”

  “Ah.” I glanced at the fire for a moment before meeting her gaze. “How?”

  “That seems to be the mystery, doesn’t it? My bedroom door was locked, and you were chained in the kitchen. Despite that, Cecilia believes it was you who broke the mirror.”

  “As I’ve tried destroying it in the past, I can understand why. However, I tried breaking it because I feared you were going to use it to hurt Kellen. Why break it after you’d already left to…” I looked at the floor, truly unable to speak for several moments.

  “Is she still alive?” I asked finally.

  “She is,” Maeve said.

  Relief filled me only to leave just as quickly. Alive didn’t mean safe.

  “What did you do to her?” I asked, meeting her gaze.

  Maeve’s eyes hardened.

  “I ensured she would be no threat to our plans to win the prince’s affection.”

  My heart chilled at those words. Yes, I thought sadly. Alive most assuredly did not mean safe. Irrationally, I wished I hadn’t destroyed the mirror so I could look upon my sister.

  Footsteps heralded Cecilia’s return. When she emerged from the cold storage, her face was pale.

  “Everything is still there,” she said.

  “Go out to the shed. Find a lash. Don’t stop until I come for you.”

  Cecilia nodded stiffly and started for the door.

  “Mama,” Porcia said hesitantly. “Perhaps Cecilia’s punishment should wait until after we visit the dressmaker.”

  Maeve looked at her youngest daughter.

  “Explain.”

  “A proclamation was made that there is to be a ball tomorrow evening to celebrate the Prince’s return.” She held her hand out to Cecilia.

  Cecilia took the proclamation from her bodice and gave it to her sister. Porcia quickly handed it to Maeve.

  “Cecilia and I were just about to leave for town to find gowns. We didn’t want to wait too long or we might have difficulty obtaining the best.”

  Maeve unfolded the paper and read through it, a slow smile curving her lips.

  “The mirror’s loss will not go unpunished. However, your reason for staying that punishment is sound, my dear one. It wouldn’t do to stir gossip immediately before the ball.” She looked at Cecilia. “The evening we return from the ball, you will take the lashings for your incompetence in safeguarding the oldest and most trusted means we had to watch our quarry. Use this extra time wisely. Find proof that it was your sister.”

  Maeve glanced at me.

  “Meanwhile, feed her. I will not have her die needlessly.” She turned and started for the dining room. “I must change and clean up my room. We will leave for town immediately afterward.”

  In the silence following her departure, Cecilia took her sister’s hand.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I will not forget your kindness when I am queen. Feed the bitch for me. I need to find proof of her guilt.”

  “Of course,” Porcia said.

  Cecilia swept from the room without a look at me.

  “The eggs, Eloise,” Porcia said.

  I used my skirt to pull the pot from the fire and set it on the hearth. Porcia took it from there and removed the eggs with a spoon. She gave me two along with bread and water.

  “Eat while you can. Cecilia will find something. Have no doubt.”

  Overhead, something banged loudly, followed by several more crashes.

  I frowned and ate my food. The noise continued long after I finished. When Maeve returned to the kitchen, she barely spared the ceiling a glance as she uncuffed me.

  “Wash,” she said.

  Gratefully, I hurried outside to do as she commanded. I couldn’t help but wish I had time for a full bath, though, instead of a quick swipe of a cloth at the trough outside.

  Under Maeve’s watchful eyes, I removed the soot from my skin and shook out my skirt.

  “Don’t bother,” she said. “You’ll change before we leave.”

  Her words caught my attention. Leave? Did that mean I was to go to town with them? I was so occupied with my thoughts that I didn’t notice the silence inside.

  “Mama!” Cecilia’s shout rang out.

  Looking up, I saw her leaning out an open window above, joy in her expression. In her hands, she held several papers and a familiar book. My heart froze, and my st
omach wanted to expel my long-awaited breakfast.

  “I found many items of interest in Eloise’s room,” she said before disappearing inside.

  “Come, Eloise. Let us see if your sister has spared herself her lashings.”

  I followed Maeve inside, never more grateful for Rose’s spell that kept me safe from physical harm.

  “It’s a spell book,” Cecilia said, entering the kitchen moments after we did. “And letters from a caster named Elspeth.” She held out the book and a pile of letters in one hand. In the other was a single folded piece of parchment.

  “What is that?” Maeve asked.

  “A letter from Kellen to Eloise. Proof that Eloise knew about the book and those letters.” She gave the letters to Maeve. She read Kellen’s letter first. Then, without looking up, she started reading the letters to Mother from Elspeth. Her face grew redder with each one, and the light started to pulse at her chest. When she finished, she gave the book the barest of glances.

  “I knew your mother hadn’t acted alone,” Maeve said softly. She looked up, and her eyes glinted with a hard, green light.

  “You knew of these letters, and you never told me?” She stood and slowly walked toward me. “Was it Elspeth who cast the spell of protection on you?”

  I opened my mouth to deny it but choked on the words from the second spell Rose cast on me.

  Maeve tilted her head to study me.

  “What letter does your sister have?” she asked.

  I swallowed hard and briefly thought of lying, but something in Maeve’s eyes told me she already knew. As Kellen had said in her letter, Maeve had been searching for something.

  “A letter from the King stating Margaret Cartwright had permission to live at the estate, and that should she or her children ever have need, they could call upon him.”