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

was approaching.
    Thea sat up straighter. She didn’t want to give Sebastian any reason to pick a quarrel with her over Casimir, or one with Casimir directly.
    “There you are, Thea!” Sebastian came under the canopy with a wide smile. “Are you recovered?”
    Why did it seem Sebastian painted her as some sort of delicate flower? She tempered her anger at him. Who did he think he was? Yes, his kingdom was a prosperous kingdom, but in this match, he would be gaining the honor. She decided it was time he remembered that. Politely of course. Her mother could hear everything she said.
    “I had nothing to recover from, Sebastian. I enjoy sitting and talking with those of my court, as well as our visitors,” she turned and smiled at Casimir. “It’s most enlightening.”
    Sebastian pulled a chair close to her and sat. “Indeed? Pray tell, what were you speaking of?”
    “We were discussing the potential visit to the Empress, and how our respective kingdoms might respond. As you are, of course, aware,” Thea gave him a wide smile, “It was not that long ago that her ships attacked trading vessels of both Gallivas and Ethion. Mayhap they have in the past targeted ships belonging to Laurycia as well?”
    Sebastian didn’t respond directly. Again, Thea could feel his surprise at her speech. She knew, even if she received a reprimand, she needed to do this. The hand pat last night told her that.
    “They have not. I am unsure if it is deliberate oversight or merely a happy accident,” he said slowly.
    “I think it more of a happy accident. The question becomes, why have they stopped when, for a time, they were most determined in their efforts?” Thea had no intention of letting him change the subject.
    “My father and I wondered the same thing,” said Casimir. “We had a number of our traders at the castle for several months, demanding restitution, and then suddenly, the taking of ships stopped. We assigned soldiers to each ship at the Crown’s expense for some time after, but no ships were taken.”
    “It’s odd,” said Thea. “I know my father was considering similar action, and then our merchants reported that while they saw ships of the Empress, none of them approached, and they have been able to travel unmolested since.”
    “I know my father has had conversations with both your fathers,” said Sebastian. “He was unsure of the motives of the Empress and how far we should involve our kingdom in your situation.”
    “But if we are a federation of nations, then your father must choose where he wishes to stand,” Thea said. Both Casimir and Sebastian started at her frank speech.
    “We must stand together. Otherwise, we are no federation. And with the impending union of our nations, do we stand otherwise?” Thea asked.
    “I do not think this is something to discuss here,” Sebastian said stiffly.
    “I do. If you mean to rule Gallivas with me, then you must consider that Laurycia and Gallivas are one, not two separate nations,” Thea said. “Gallivas owes a great deal of her success to her traders as well, you know. We, as rulers, must not only respect that, but protect and shelter that. I will not allow the kingdom my father has worked hard to build falter when I am responsible for it.”
    Sebastian’s eyes tightened. She knew she’d been offensive, but so be it. Begin as you mean to go on was one of her father’s maxims. She’d not started off well with him, taken by surprise as she’d been by the engagement and subsequent argument with Casimir. But until she and Casimir were able to be together, she was betrothed. To Sebastian. He seemed disposed to take much for granted. He needed to learn that Gallivas—and by default Thea—were nothing to take for granted.
    “I have no intention of allowing any of my responsibilities to falter,” he said. He stared into Thea’s eyes and then looked deliberately at Casimir.
    Casimir stood. “That is good to hear. As one who has grown up in Gallivas—I