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

  Maeve halted before me, unmoving, gaze unfocused. I waited, ignoring the growing smile on Cecilia’s face as she remained behind Maeve.

  “Your sister is a disappointment to me, and I do not regret my decision to leave her where she is, out of our way.” A secretive smile lifted Maeve’s lips. “Eating the apple will ensure no Prince will touch her now. However, what am I to do with you?” She began to circle me and flicked my dirty hair. “Your deception cannot go unpunished. While you may not have broken the mirror, I cannot help but think you had a part in planning its destruction.”

  She stopped before me.

  “I cannot hurt you, but I can hurt others while you watch.”

  I said nothing and kept my face perfectly blank.

  “I know how losing Heather and Catherine pained you. I think perhaps it’s time we found new help.”

  My chest tightened at the thought. How many more deaths would I have to witness?

  “There’s no need,” I said. “I’m happy to cook and clean for you.”

  Maeve smiled knowingly.

  “What a sweet, self-sacrificing offer. Would you still be so willing if I were to host a dinner party tonight to celebrate the Prince’s impending return?”

  My stomach once again threatened to empty. I swallowed hard and remembered all of the things that Catherine and Heather had to do. Would I be able to endure such acts to spare others from having to endure them? My hands trembled.

  Maeve’s grin widened.

  “I thought not. However, your suggestion has merit. For now, I will allow you to serve as a maid. If you perform your duties—washing, cooking, cleaning—then I will not need to bring any other maids here.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  “However,” she said, turning to look at Cecilia, “we will need more than a maid if we’re to keep up appearances. Go to town and find a new man for us. Someone without family or ties to town. Someone like Hugh.”

  “Yes, Mama.” Cecilia dipped her head and started toward the door.

  “Cecilia,” Maeve said, stopping her daughter just as she reached the door. “Don’t mistake your paltry discovery as evidence to deflect blame for your failure. Whether broken by Eloise or some caster our dear Eloise has managed to find, it was your responsibility to protect the mirror. You will make amends.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  Maeve smiled at Cecilia.

  “I think the docks would be a suitable place to find the help we need. Remember, it must be someone passing through with no ties to the people in town. And, be sure to measure his ‘worth’ before returning. I will not settle for anything less than Hugh’s measure.” Maeve gave a sigh. “That man was magnificent in bed.”

  I shuddered slightly as Cecilia nodded once more and left.

  Maeve’s gaze pinned me.

  “Prepare a bath. I’m sure whoever she finds will need a thorough washing before he’s fit to serve us. And prepare something to eat. Impress me, Eloise, or I will bring others into this house who will.”

  Chapter Two

  Naked and unashamed, the man stood before us in the kitchen. Although I kept my gaze firmly on his face, my cheeks felt as if I had sat too close to a roaring fire.

  Maeve circled him like a wolf circled prey. This new man was much like Hugh in build and handsome enough to look upon once the salt was washed from his skin and hair. Maeve seemed to think so, too, as she ran a finger along his skin while the firelight glinted off the water still on his tall, lean frame. A small smile played about his mouth like he found her amusing.

  I pitied him. Yet, there was little I could do to prevent what was to come. I’d already tried to warn him away when I’d brought him a rinse bucket.

  “Are you sure you want to give up your life at sea to work on an estate run by a woman?”

  “A life at sea can be very lonely, and your daughter was very persuasive that sinking my roots here would be worth my while.”

  Maeve chuckled.

  “I do hope you are willing to sink your roots deeply, for I require absolute loyalty. Can you swear to give me that?”

  He boldly lifted a hand and touched Maeve’s cheek.

  “You’re a very fine woman.” He glanced at the three of us. “You all are. I’d gladly service all of you.”

  Maeve captured his hand.

  “Those are my daughters,” she said, losing her humor. “You’ve met Cecilia. Beside her is Porcia. Behind them is Eloise. You will not touch any of them. It will be only me you serve.”

  “Aye, I can swear to give you my loyalty while you desire it.”

  “What is your name?”

  “Seth, My Lady.”

  “I will take you into my service, Seth.”

  A green light flared and was absorbed into his soft brown eyes.

  “Come,” Maeve said. “Let us seal our pact in privacy.”

  His grin widened, and with a heavy heart, I watched them leave the room.

  Cecilia turned to me.

  “Eloise, drain the tub, and refill it for me with what remains of the potion. That man’s seed is making me itch. He probably had the pox before Mama cleansed him.”

  She said it all with annoyance, not noting my shock. Everything Maeve had said about worth and measure suddenly made sense. Cecilia had lured the man here with her own body, and Maeve would ensure he stayed with the use of hers. I’d already witnessed the obsession that developed because of it.

  I thought of poor Hugh, dead less than a week, and realized I no longer grieved him. I barely grieved Mother or Father anymore, either. Was I growing used to losing everyone? Even thoughts of Kellen, gone so long now, didn’t cause me the same degree of anguish they once had. Was it perhaps because I’d finally realized how little control I had over my situation? Or, was my determination to stop Maeve hardening my heart against all of the people around me who were yet destined for damnation?

  As I worked to empty the tub, I decided the reason didn’t matter. I was grateful I no longer felt such deep sorrow. Detachment from the suffering of those around me would make it easier to do what I must.

  Cecilia started stripping the moment I emptied the last clean bucket of water into the tub.

  “Go straighten our rooms,” she ordered as Porcia stepped forward to help her.

  Leaving the kitchen, I went upstairs to tidy their rooms. The faint sound of low groans emanated from Maeve’s chamber, and I hurried through my tasks so I could escape to my attic refuge.

  However, what once had been a haven as much as a prison now lay in ruins. My walls were no more. Furniture rested in tumbled heaps across the large expanse. Smaller items, strewn about haphazardly, added to the disarray and made walking through the mess difficult. I picked up an old dress as I made my way toward where my sitting area had been. I wasn’t sure if the gown was Mother’s or something that was left here before we’d moved in.

  Finding a chair, I righted it then sat and looked at the wreckage for a moment. Cecilia had vented her anger at me thoroughly. Not that it had saved her. I smiled a little at the thought of Maeve’s words. Cecilia would be punished because I’d succeeded.

  It didn’t bother me that the attic lay in ruins. I’d made it a haven once and could easily do so again. Perhaps a bit more securely this time.

  I’d only managed to clear a small path when I heard Maeve call me from below. I hurried down the stairs and found her waiting for me by the door.

  “Seth is bringing the carriage around. It’s time to go.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  She held out her hand to me; and I moved toward her, eager to see how she would reverse her spell confining me to the estate. As soon as her hand closed around mine, I felt the tingle of her magic worm its way under my skin.

  “Cross the boundaries of the estate at my side, and to me you will be tied.”

  She smiled at me and released my hand.

  “Come let us see if that does the trick.” She opened the door and ushered me outside. “Start walking to town.”
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  Curious as to what she’d done, I started down the drive. I knew the moment I crossed the boundary of the estate. Something tugged at my middle, a nauseating twist that demanded I go back. My steps slowed.

  “Keep going,” Maeve called. I glanced back at her. She didn’t stand by the carriage but several feet behind me.

  I tried taking another step away from her and the nausea intensified.

  “I’ll help you,” she said. Then she turned and walked back to the carriage. Each step brought an increased level of upset to my stomach.

  Understanding her spell, I hurried after her. As soon as I crossed through the boundary, the feeling of sickness vanished.

  Maeve said nothing as I climbed into the carriage and sat across from Porcia and Cecilia. Cecilia watched me with a knowing smile that quickly vanished when Maeve took the seat beside me.

  “Won’t it look odd for a servant to ride with us, Mama?” Cecilia asked.

  “It will. But this is one exception to appearances I will allow. Despite her many flaws, Eloise is still my daughter. As are you. I will never give up on my children.”

  She turned to me.

  “However, you will learn to obey.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  The carriage lurched forward, and I watched out the window as we passed the spot where I’d stood. Nothing happened, and I exhaled slowly. If Maeve was with me, I would be able to leave the estate without repercussion. Yet, I would be bound to her side. Such a spell would certainly impede my efforts in finding a way to stop Maeve and my stepsisters from achieving their plans.

  The ride through town was eerily quiet. Few people walked the streets. Even the market district was surprisingly barren with many of the vendor stalls empty.

  “My prince had better hurry, or we won’t have much of a kingdom left to rule,” Cecilia said.

  “They are ill, not dying,” Maeve said. “Our subjects will be fine once the Prince returns.”

  The carriage pulled to a stop before the seamstress who had been used the last time dresses were required, but the sign before the door stated the shop was closed due to illness.

  “Mama, we might have to cure the people we need,” Porcia said.

  Maeve turned her carefully composed face to her daughter.

  “Sweetling, we have our distance from Towdown to explain our continued good health. However, if the people who help us are suddenly cured, do you not believe we will be questioned as the cause?”

  Porcia flushed.

  “I apologize for speaking without due consideration.”

  “Thank you,” Maeve said. She looked out the window at Seth, who’d hopped down for direction from Maeve.

  “Continue to drive around until you find a seamstress who is still amenable to work.”

  “Yes, My Lady.”

  Moments after he reclaimed his seat, the carriage rolled forward. Making an ever-widening circle around the market district, Seth searched as Maeve had asked. We passed many homes and businesses, most shuttered and dark. There were no children running through the streets or hiding in the shadows in any of the roads we traversed. At one common well, several women wore shawls over their mouths as they collected water. It was hard not to worry when faced with so much quiet despair.

  Finally, the carriage slowed. Porcia leaned to look out the window with me.

  “Madame Blye’s Exquisite Trousseau and Accoutrement,” Porcia said. “At least it’s a well-known establishment. I was worried we’d end up at the docks looking for someone to sew.”

  “Nonsense,” Maeve said. “I would never allow such a thing. Let’s go in, my dears.”

  I waited, exiting the carriage last. Seth’s hand closed around mine as he helped me down, and the warm way his fingers caressed my skin as he released me sent a coil of disgust straight to my stomach.

  “Wait with the carriage,” Maeve said. “We won’t be long.”

  The bell above the door rang as Cecilia entered first. At the sound, a woman, dressed in a gown far too grand for a seamstress, straightened from her task of folding cloth samples.

  “Good afternoon,” she greeted us with a smile. “I’m Madame Blye. How may I help you?”

  “We require gowns for the ball in two days’ time,” Maeve said. “Can you accommodate us?”

  The woman’s gaze swept over us. “Four gowns in two days?” She turned her head and lightly coughed into a white linen cloth she still held.

  “Only two,” Maeve said. “If you’re too ill, I can—”

  “Think nothing of my cough,” the woman said. “I would be honored to create two exquisite gowns for you. Let’s take some measurements and look at the cloth I have to offer, shall we? Then, we can discuss costs.”

  While Porcia and Cecilia stood for measurements, Maeve wandered the shop, looking at the various samples of cloth. I followed her, unable to endure more than ten feet between us before I felt the sickening pull to return to her side.

  “What do you think of this color for Cecilia?” Maeve asked, holding up a lavender swatch. I considered it.

  “It seems too subtle a color for Cecilia. What she wears should demand the attention she wants, should it not?”

  Maeve sighed.

  “You disappoint me.”

  My brows rose in surprise. “You truly want her to blend with all the other young women who will be there?”

  “Not that.” Maeve moved farther away from the seamstress as the woman discussed skirt sizes and embellishments with Cecilia and Porcia. Between the conversation and her coughing, I knew she wasn’t listening to my discussion with Maeve.

  “You are correct that the lavender will not do,” Maeve said. “My disappointment is in your choice to spurn your gifts of beauty and intelligence when it should be you standing for a fitting.”

  While she acted like she wanted me to be fitted as one of her obedient daughters, I knew she hadn’t absolved me of the mirror’s destruction or my lies of omission. So I said nothing, knowing no answer I gave would be suitable. Instead, I focused on the colors before me.

  “Red would be too bold and matronly,” I said. “What about this subtle rose color?”

  Maeve nodded her approval, and I looked at Porcia before returning to the colors.

  “Porcia’s fair skin and dark hair will make this a sound choice for her.” I touched a cloth that was a deeper shade of purple than the lavender but not so bold as to make her look matronly.

  “Very well done,” Maeve said. She took the two choices and gave them to Madame Blye just as she finished the last measurements.

  “I’ll deliver the dresses to the estate, myself, the day after tomorrow to make final adjustments,” she said.

  “Very good.” Maeve handed over a purse heavy with coin. “Ensure they are the best gowns to be seen at the ball, and we will return for more.”

  Based on the look on Madame Blye’s face, the dresses would be as exquisite as her establishment’s sign boasted.

  “There’s a cobbler, three doors down,” she said. “If you stop there for measurements, I will ensure he has the material needed to make fine slippers to match.”

  Cecilia’s eyes lit with delight, and Maeve nodded her agreement.

  The cobbler greeted us as warmly as Madame Blye had and with the same cough. He promised to deliver the shoes to the seamstress so Cecilia and Porcia would have everything they needed to make a grand impression at the ball.

  Giddy with excitement, the pair left the shop. I resented their behavior. This wasn’t just an idle girl’s fancy to go to the ball at the palace. This was so much more. It was a step in the right direction for them to achieve their goals. Despite Maeve’s words that it should have been me preparing for the ball, I was relieved I was not. Free of the fittings and other obligations, I would have the time to plot and discover a way to put an end to Maeve’s plans for good.

  The desolation of the street outside the cobbler’s cottage affirmed my need to do so quickly. Yes, the people of Towdown would recover wh
en the bells chimed, but what about the next time Maeve sought to use them to force the King’s hand? I’d witnessed the depths of her evil and feared for the kingdom’s future if she succeeded.

  In the carriage, I leaned against the seat, more than ready to return to the estate. However, the carriage did not head northwest as I expected.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “To find the caster helping you, of course.”

  My stomach pitched violently, and I struggled to keep the fear from my eyes. Instead, I turned to look out the window. I watched the passing homes until I realized our direction. The Brazen Belle. How could she know? Had she witnessed it in the mirror?

  As if reading my mind, Maeve began to speak.

  “While traveling, I gave your problem great thought. The spell of protection woven into your being would have required a caster of great power and knowledge. It’s an ability I would have sensed if it had been near me. While it is possible the caster could have come to the estate while I was away, there was another opportune moment that stood out to me. One instance where you were missing, and I was unable to locate you with the mirror.”

  She smiled and smoothed a hand over my hair.

  “When I find your acquaintance at the Brazen Belle, we will put an end to the nasty spells keeping you from learning your lessons as a proper young lady should.”

  I couldn’t speak. Fear closed my throat. I’d thought I’d been so clever with my excuse, but Maeve had still seen my absence for what it had been.

  Through my ignorance and arrogance, I’d killed Rose.

  The carriage came to a stop, and I looked out the window at the Brazen Belle. Women stood on the porch. Their overflowing bosoms made their purpose clear. However, there were no merry calls this time, only coughing and idle stares at our carriage.

  In the shade on the far side of the porch, Rose sat in her chair. She looked up and met my gaze briefly before returning to shelling her peas. She too coughed lightly, her cloth coming away bloody.

  Maeve pulled me back from the window.

  “It is best not to be seen here, my dear,” she said, her eyes narrowing as she stared blankly in Porcia and Cecilia’s direction.