Free The Bathory Curse by Renee Lake

care of him; I couldn’t have him spreading
rumors.”
    “Oh Anna.” Nea passed a hand over her tired eyes, “I
wish you hadn’t.”
    “Killing him was the only way, not like anyone paid
attention. His family is a bunch of paupers. Just a little poison.”
Anna bragged.
    “You could have come to me, we could have figured it
out together.”
    “And had you turn me away like when I got pregnant
with Istavan? I think not.” Rage laced Anna’s words.
    “You know there was nothing I could do. I have been
paying penance for that ever since.”
    “I know. Now will you take the little monster or do
I need to kill it myself?”
    “I will take the babe.” Nea heard herself say. What
choice did she have? She couldn’t allow the child to be killed, and
maybe she could find a nice family to keep it until it was old
enough to become a problem.
    “Good. Elizabeth doesn’t need a constant reminder of
one mistake.” Anna’s voice was harsh, memories of her own past
crowding her mind.
    “How is Istavan?” Nea asked. She had not seen the
boy since he was married two years ago. He left home as soon as
possible, Gabor had done the same thing.
    “I have no idea how his insipid wife puts up with
him. He needs constant handling,” was all Anna said as she led the
way back down the hall towards the birthing room.
    “I think you should send Klara and Zsofia away for a
while Anna, Klara is 11, she could start an early season at court.
I could help you. Zsofia is too small, but maybe some schooling at
the convent.” Nea was desperate to get the other two girls away
from their mother.
    “Why would I spend the money? They are worthless to
me until I can marry them off like their sister.” They stopped in
the hall and froze as they heard a weak baby’s cry. Anna took off,
running into the room to see Valora wrapping a small squirming pink
bundle in a linen blanket and preparing to hand it to
Elizabeth.
    “No, give it to me.” Anna grasped the baby. Nea went
over to an exhausted, sweating Elizabeth. The girl had golden hair,
thick and curly with large beautiful sapphire Bathory eyes. She was
gorgeous, even covered in perspiration and tears.
    “Aunt Nea, is the baby all right? What is it? Can I
hold it?”
    “Perhaps. Let Valora finish up, you still have to
expel the after birth.” Nea stroked her forehead and followed Anna
as she took it out of the room.
    “A girl, at least a boy would fetch a better price.”
Anna shoved the bundle into Nea’s arms just as it started to
cry.
    “Shut it up, I can’t have Elizabeth hearing that.”
Anna barked.
    “Just let her hold it, you don’t have to tell her it
died, just tell her she can’t possibly keep it. Not with the father
missing.” Nea begged. But there was only so much she could say,
could do. She could feel the curse wrapping around this scenario
and warping it to its own need. Sometimes being helpless,
especially with magical powers, was a horrible feeling. She wanted
to use mind magic on Anna, but there was a chance it wouldn’t work,
or could do more damage than good. Lesson 13: You cannot always fix
everything.
    “No. Take it, or I will kill it myself.” Anna turned
and went back into the room. A few minutes later Nea heard a sharp
intake of breath and then Elizabeth began to wail. Valora came out
grimacing.
    “That woman is colder than an iceberg.”
    “Yes, something must be done,” Nea agreed. “Get the
wet nurse and take her and the babe back to Ruxandra. I will meet
you there.” She handed the bundle to Valora who tenderly kissed the
baby’s head.
    “She should be fine the birth was easy and she
handled it well. If there are any issues call me. I left some herbs
and such just in case.” Valora cuddled the baby and rushed away.
Nea went back into the room to see Elizabeth sobbing and Anna
standing as far away from her as possible.
    “I am so sorry Lizzy.” Nea crooned, sitting next to
the girl and holding her. She didn’t like this particular lie,