Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) Read Free Page B

wonder you are so taken aback. I felt sure you knew, after all our talk earlier. ” She leaned forward, and stroked Thea’s hair, a calculating look coming over her face.
    Thea started. Such a gesture did not belong at a ball. “We can discuss this later, sisters. I thank you for your congratulations,” she said, standing. Thea caught Esmay’s eye to let her know all was well. Esmay smiled, and her sisters parted as Sebastian returned, holding a cup of punch.
    “Here you are, my dear.” He handed the cup to Thea. She took it, drinking deeply.
    “Ladies, if you would excuse us?” He smiled, which of course sent all her sisters, even Adelaide, into a twitter. It was unfortunate his good looks stirred her not even in the slightest. “We must make the rounds.” Taking Thea’s hand, he led her into the ballroom to receive the best wishes of the court.
    Thea held onto the cup, and Sebastian kept her hand as they walked among the guests. She smiled and made small talk, although she couldn’t remember anything she said, or that was said to her.
    She felt as though she’d been struck by lightning when Sebastian stopped in front of Casimir.
    “Allow me to raise a glass to you both,” Casimir said. “I am sure you will be most happy. It’s a fortunate match.” His words were formal and correct. Thea could hear the anger and the hurt in them. She felt the unsaid accusation from Casimir even though he did not meet her eyes. He lifted his cup and drained it. He exchanged it for a full cup from a maid and drank deeply again.
    “Thank you, Cas!” Sebastian said, clasping him on the shoulder. “It is indeed, and not just on my side!” He laughed then, a genuine laugh, unlike a lot of the conversation prior.
    That change made Thea look at him. She had not noticed, but apparently Casimir and Sebastian were friends.
    “I’m surprised you were able to keep this to yourself,” Casimir said. There was an edge to his tone. He and Sebastian looked at one another briefly before Casimir turned his gaze to Thea. She felt lashed by the anger in his eyes before he looked back to Sebastian. She struggled to keep the pleasant smile on her face and not scream to him that none of this was her fault.
    “My father didn’t want me talking of it until things were settled. You know how it is! I’m not the only one who can keep secrets, apparently. The king didn’t even tell Thea! Can you believe such?” Sebastian laughed again, shaking his head. His words, his actions, they all seemed too hearty to Thea. “We shall manage things differently, won’t we, Thea?” He asked as he smiled down at her.
    Thea winced, wishing herself anywhere else at that moment. Sebastian implying there would be children with Casimir looking on, a glower in his eyes. Both men waited for her to speak.
    “I should hope so. It’s very old fashioned, to me.” She couldn’t look at Casimir, and hoped Sebastian didn’t hear the quaver in her voice.
    “But all’s well that ends well, eh?” Sebastian laughed, taking her hand in both of his and patting it.  “I’d rather stay here, but we must continue on,” he said to Casimir, and Thea could hear the regret in his voice.
    They were friends. Close enough that this caught Casimir by surprise. How could this be? She forced all such thoughts from her then. She needed to get through the evening, and then she could talk to her father. It would not be easy, but he would have to extract her from this marriage.
    She allowed Sebastian to lead her to the waiting throng.
    ***
    As the evening drew to a close, guests departed, some to other parts of the castle, some to their own estates. Sebastian stood with the king and queen, as one soon to be family, accepting congratulations yet again. Thea stood with her sisters, her face aching. She didn’t know if she could ever smile again, she’d worked so hard at it this evening. She’d not seen Casimir since she and Sebastian had spoken with him.
    “Well, get some