Free Thea's Tale (Sisters Of The Curse Book 1) by Lisa Manifold

Thea.”
    “It would have been nice to have been asked,” grumbled Thea.
    “Is that your only objection?” Adelaide asked.
    Thea could hear tension in her sister’s question. This betrothal was bad news to more than just herself. She placed her hand on Adelaide’s again.
    “No, Addy, it’s not. I do not think Sebastian values me as I want to be valued as a wife.”
    “That affection and regard can grow.” A mask fell over Adelaide’s face as she stood. “We need to go and ready ourselves, sisters.” She brushed off Thea’s hand and moved to their room.
    Thea stared after her. Addy loved Sebastian. Could this get any worse? What a mess. Had her father just spoken with her prior to accepting Sebastian’s proposal, all of these hurt feelings could have been avoided.
    Talk turned to more mundane matters. Thea felt thankful that the conversation between herself, Viviana, and Esmay about their dreams had not continued. She wished she could fix things between herself and Adelaide, but that didn’t seem possible right now.
    Her mind flew to the words of Catrin. “I curse you! I curse you to learn what selfishness brings!” She could still hear the cry of the witch in her mind. The memory of it made her shudder. Was it mere coincidence?
    It had to be. Her father’s actions had upset both she and Adelaide. He did not realize what he had set off. If she were being fair, which she had no interest in at this point, her father had not behaved in a way that was so out of the ordinary. He was a good man and a good father. He chose a strong prince for her, but by not consulting with her she and Adelaide were unhappy.
    And Isobel! What to do about Isobel? She cared for Casimir. Thea chose to put aside that Casimir bore some fault in this by being attentive to Isobel. If—when—she and Casimir were able to finally be together, Isobel would be hurt.
    Truth be told, Thea was a little hurt that none of her sisters save Adelaide knew her well enough to have noticed the feelings she and Casimir had for one another. Well, maybe her mother knew. It didn’t help matters, however.
    So many unpleasant things to face. Was this the curse Catrin had spoken of? Thea shook her head and stood up. She would not dwell on it. While Catrin indeed had the power of an enchantress, that didn’t mean she could really curse someone. What a silly notion.
    ***
    Later that afternoon, everyone had gathered in the gardens. More socializing. Thea sighed. Her personal feelings aside, she’d always thought becoming betrothed meant a time of great excitement. Thus far, all she’d really done was be trotted about by either her father or Sebastian. Her face ached from smiling.
    Her father and Sebastian had finally moved off to chat together, leaving her sitting with her mother and some of her sisters under a large shade canopy. The garden felt heady with the scent of the flowers.
    Thea picked up her fan from the small table and vigorously tried to cool her face.
    “My lady, may I join you?” Lisette, her Lady in Waiting, stood in front of her.
    Thea smiled. “Lisette, of course. I’ve hardly seen you these past few days.”
    Lisette sat in a chair on the other side of the small table. “It’s been a very exciting past few days, my lady. I can certainly understand that you were otherwise engaged.”
    Thea looked at her, and then burst out laughing, in spite of the general malaise she couldn’t seem to shake off.
    “Really, Lisette, stop! I’ve missed you, too.”
    Lisette smiled. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were about to be betrothed? I was surprised.”
    And hurt, if Thea knew her friend. “I would have, on my honor. You and I were equally surprised.” She looked out at the garden, not wanting to meet Lisette’s eyes.
    “No!” Lisette said loudly. Her exclamation drew the gaze of Ceridwen. Lisette inclined her head to the queen, and then turned back to Thea, lowering her voice.
    “You had no idea that Sebastian had asked? I’m not