Disdain: A Cinderella Retelling (Tales of Cinder Book 2) Page 8

  Nothing compelled me to speak. Shock rippled through me, and I masked it quickly with rash words.

  “I want you to stop casting spells on me and treat me like a real daughter.”

  Maeve’s eyes widened then she hugged me hard.

  “My precious girl,” she said against my ear. “I am treating you like my own daughter. Never doubt that.”

  I hugged her tightly in return and pitied Cecilia and Porcia if Maeve spoke the truth. When she released me, she stood by my side, holding my hand. Together, we waited to greet the first round of Maeve’s victims.

  “I hope Catherine and Heather make something sweet to follow dinner,” I said randomly, knowing she would expect such things if the spell had worked.

  Maeve’s fingers twitched in mine, and she chuckled.

  “You will make me proud, Eloise,” Maeve said. “Of that, I am certain.”

  I doubted that very much. I’d seen the way she’d beaten the mirror in anger and knew pride wasn’t what she would feel when I finally ran. I almost wished I could be there to see it.

  The first carriage approached, distracting me from my pleasant thoughts. Maeve released me to greet the men and direct them to the dining room. When all twenty had arrived, we joined them.

  Catherine and Heather immediately began to serve a cold soup, enduring a few grabs and fondles from the men as they did so.

  “Thank you all for joining us tonight,” Maeve said. “Especially on such short notice. I hope you’ve continued your discretion about our meetings.”

  A glimmer of green light flashed in the eyes of all but one man.

  “William, who have you told?” Maeve asked.

  “My son, My Lady. I wanted him to join us tonight. I said nothing of what happens here, only that I was attending and wanted him to accompany me.”

  “You could not persuade him?” she asked.

  “No. His wife just gave birth to their first babe. He chose to return home to her.”

  “You should have told him he’d get his cock sucked,” one of the men said with a chuckle. “It would have convinced him.”

  Maeve smiled.

  “I’m sure it would have. It’s a pity he couldn’t be here.”

  During the conversation, Catherine and Heather finished serving the men and took our bowls away.

  “Why aren’t you eating?” William asked, spoon partway to his mouth.

  “We’re waiting for the next course,” Maeve said. “It’s important not to overindulge and to preserve our figures. Don’t you agree, Porcia?”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  The men grunted their agreement and ate their soups. I studied Porcia’s downturned gaze, realizing there was reproach in Maeve’s words.

  “Heather. Catherine,” Maeve called abruptly before anyone finished their soup.

  Already bare, the women entered the dining room.

  “Show these men how a woman is meant to be loved,” Maeve said.

  My mouth dropped open in shock as Catherine turned to Heather and started kissing her. The men watched raptly, encouraging them to tweak each other’s nipples and “slip a finger into her twattle.” I turned away from what Heather and Catherine were doing and watched Maeve and her daughters.

  As Heather and Catherine kissed passionately, the three women stood, each with a knife clutched in her hand. Maeve’s amulet glowed brightly, and the men’s eyes flashed bright green in response. They quieted but continued to watch the maids.

  “Cecilia, you may have three,” Maeve said. “Porcia, one should suffice. The rest are mine.”

  Cecilia and Porcia each positioned themselves behind a man as did Maeve. While I couldn’t see what her daughters did, I could clearly watch Maeve.

  With the knife, she pricked the back of the man’s neck. He made a small sound, just enough to part his lips and allow the green light to escape. None of the men turned to look. The sounds that Heather and Catherine were making might have covered his gasp, but certainly the light was noticeable as it fed Maeve’s amulet.

  Twin lights came from the men Cecilia and Porcia had chosen, then disappeared into the chests of their gowns.

  But, it was Maeve who had my attention. She went from man to man, doing the same to each until sixteen strands of green flowed toward her breast. The first man’s features hollowed, echoing the look that I’d briefly glimpsed on Hugh. He thumped limply against the table, his gaze never leaving Catherine and Heather.

  Maeve waved her hand, cutting off the thread. One by one she fed from them. Her skin began to glow with the power she gained.

  “Return to your homes and make love to your wives. Remember nothing but the pleasure you received here,” Maeve said.

  Catherine and Heather broke apart as soon as the men stood and left the room.

  “We’re ready for our meal, now,” Maeve said, returning to her seat.

  I desperately wanted to offer to serve the meal in Catherine’s and Heather’s places but knew Maeve wouldn’t approve. So I held my tongue and stared at the table.

  “What are your thoughts, Eloise? You’re very quiet.”

  I looked up to find Maeve studying me intently.

  “I didn’t realize you had used so much power on the trackers.”

  “I didn’t. This harvest was for what I plan to do next.”

  The door opened, and Catherine and Heather entered with our covered plates.

  “Perfect timing,” Maeve said. “I’m famished.”

  Chapter Eight

  I’d barely eaten half my hot oats when a thunderous knocking at the main entry disturbed the silence. Surprised, I looked at Maeve. How hadn’t we heard anything?

  “Would you like me to answer the door, Mama?” Porcia asked, setting her spoon aside.

  “Not this time. Heather,” Maeve called.

  Heather rushed from the kitchen.

  “Yes, My Lady.”

  “Please answer the door.”

  Heather nodded and hurried to the main entry.

  “Eat,” Maeve said softly.

  I brought my spoon to my mouth as I strained to hear Heather’s softly spoken greeting. Approaching footfalls echoed against the floor. I glanced at Maeve, who calmly took a bite of her oats.

  A moment later, a King’s Guard entered the dining room ahead of Heather. The guard was finally here. After all this time. And to what good? I briefly considered what would happen if I attempted to tell the man anything of significance. I would choke on my words, for certain, and once they left, Kellen or I would certainly suffer for the attempt. I held my tongue and waited.

  “Good morning, ladies,” the guard said with a slight bow. “By the King’s order, I have been asked to search your dwelling.”

  He withdrew a rolled piece of parchment from his jacket and offered it to Maeve as Heather scurried back to the kitchen. Her gaze briefly met mine, and I wondered if she’d thought the same thing about speaking.

  Maeve glanced at the parchment then at the man as she set her spoon aside and wiped her mouth with her napkin.

  “Your uniform and word are enough proof for me, Captain. Of course you may search as you’ve been ordered. Perhaps I can assist you in locating whatever it is you need.”

  “Your assistance is not required. Please remain seated and finish your morning meal. My sergeant-at-arms will remain with you in the event you have any questions while we complete the search.”

  He nodded to us as another man stepped into the room, then the captain left. The sergeant-at-arms’ stoic expression didn’t suggest he remained with us to answer questions but rather to contain us within the dining room.

  I considered him for a long moment, trying desperately to think of a way to alert him of Maeve’s actions. However, even that thought created a slight constriction in my throat.

  “Eat, girls. I’m sure this is nothing more than a search for some errant servant who stole away with a crown jewel,” Maeve said dismissively before taking a bite.

  I struggled to do the same a
nd not choke. Since I couldn’t alert the guards, I decided to hope they would find something incriminating instead. However, if they did, I knew I might also be prosecuted since I was now officially Maeve’s daughter as well. But I was willing to take the risk in order to free Catherine and Heather. Perhaps, if I was allowed to speak with the maids afterward, they could find help for Kellen.

  “I bet it was the crown,” Cecilia said, interrupting my thoughts. “Poor people always think the crown has more value than it really does.”

  “Of course it wasn’t the crown,” Porcia said. “It sits upon the King’s head. What servant would be foolish enough to—”

  “It wasn’t the crown, miss. Nothing was stolen,” the sergeant said.

  Both Porcia and Cecilia turned to the man and blinked at him. I waited, watching to see if their guileless expressions would trick him into revealing more, but he remained silent.

  “Girls, your oats are growing cold. Eat. I’m sure we will learn soon enough why we were interrupted at such an hour.”

  We ate in silence for several long minutes, listening to doors open and close and furniture being moved about. Finally, the banging stopped, and footsteps descended the stairs.

  “I do hope no one touched my delicates,” Cecilia said ever so softly to Porcia with a shiver. “I could never bring myself to wear them again.”

  The sergeant cleared his throat uncomfortably and stepped back as the captain returned.

  “Thank you for your cooperation,” the captain said.

  “Did you find what you were looking for?” Maeve asked, standing.

  “No, ma’am,” he said.

  “Are you certain you cannot tell me? I might be able to—”

  “Unless you practice magic, I doubt you can assist.”

  Cecilia gasped.

  “You cannot use magic to find what’s missing. It’s forbidden.”

  Her performance was exceptional. She truly was Maeve’s daughter.

  The man held up his hands.

  “We are not looking to use magic. We are searching for signs that it’s been used.”

  “But magic can only be used by a caster or enchanter?” Cecilia echoed. “Why would you search here?”

  Before the man could be pulled into her inane banter that would most definitely lead nowhere, I asked a question of my own.

  “What exactly would a sign of casting or enchanting look like?”

  His gaze flicked to me.

  “I can’t say, miss.”

  “Because you’ve been sworn to secrecy or because you don’t know?” I pressed.

  “Eloise,” Maeve said calmly, “that’s quite enough.”

  I quickly looked down at the table.

  “I’m sorry, Mama,” I said quietly.

  “It’s quite acceptable for her to ask, Ma’am. My niece was curious about the same thing. The less you know, the safer you are,” he said. “I must ask, who is sleeping in the attic space?

  My heart stalled then jack-rabbited into a speed that made my hands shake. How could I have forgotten about Mother’s books?

  “I do, sir,” I said.

  “Why?”

  I looked up, confused.

  “Why?” I echoed.

  Maeve chuckled.

  “As you can imagine, if you have a niece this age, the girls want their own spaces. My Eloise was willing to sacrifice a few conveniences to have the whole attic to herself. I thought she was quite clever with her walls and sitting area.”

  The man’s gaze held mine as Maeve spoke.

  “Do you believe yourself to be clever?” he asked.

  I could feel Maeve’s gaze bore into me.

  “That’s an unfair question, sir. If I answer that I do, I will sound vain. No young lady wants to sound vain.”

  He smiled slightly.

  “Very true. What happened to your cheek?”

  “As you can imagine, stacking that furniture so high is not without its dangers. I haven’t been to the market in over a week because of my foolishness.”

  He nodded. “Do be careful in your future, clever endeavors.”

  I inclined my head and went back to eating, grateful he hadn’t discovered the books.

  The man said his farewell and left me to endure Maeve’s scrutiny. It was obvious she hadn’t liked that I’d spoken at all. Unable to sit there in silence, I looked up and boldly met her gaze.

  “I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid if I lied, he would know. I answered as truthfully as possible without implicating—” My throat closed, and I cringed.

  She tilted her head at me.

  “You were surprisingly adept at it.”

  Panic clawed at me as I realized what I’d done. I’d shown her how skilled I could be when answering her with the truth, but not the complete truth, as well. I said nothing, waiting for what she would do next.

  “As the man said, you do have a clever mind, Eloise. It will be an asset to you if you use that cleverness appropriately.”

  “Yes, Mama,” I said.

  “What does it mean that they came here, Mama?” Porcia asked.

  “That they know we’re here,” Cecilia said. “Why else would they be searching homes?”

  “Perhaps it’s just a precaution before our beloved prince arrives,” Maeve said, looking at me.

  “Do you think it wise to push the manservant for information so soon after the first search?” Porcia asked.

  Maeve’s cool gaze swung to her youngest.

  “First?” I asked. It wasn’t that I was trying to save Porcia from Maeve’s wrath. Instead, I wanted to learn what I could. While I was unable to say anything before, perhaps I would find a time when I could speak. And when I did, I wanted to be able to say everything.

  Maeve leaned back in her chair and tapped her fingers against the table, lost in thought for a moment. Then, she sighed and shook her head.

  “Rather than speculate why or how often these searches will occur, girls, I want you to go to town and see what you can learn.”

  The girls immediately stood and left the room without finishing their breakfast. I took another bite of mine, not yet willing to give up my freedom for the day. Surprisingly, Maeve did the same. We ate in silence for several moments before Maeve pushed her bowl aside only half eaten.

  “It’s time,” she said, standing. “Come Eloise, there is news.”

  Confused, I stood and followed her to the entry. She went straight to the mirror, kissed it, then spoke the words to wake it. Grimm’s face slowly emerged from within the smoky expanse of glass without her asking to show him. Beyond him, I saw nothing but treetops. It appeared as if he was looking down at us. His expression brightened when he saw Maeve.

  “My love, we’ve found the girl. As you said, she is in a cottage with seven small men. Miners by the looks of them. We’re watching, waiting for them to leave. When they do, we will take the girl.”

  “Very good, Grimm. Thank you for your excellent work. Remember to watch the ribbon. Check it hourly.”

  Grimm’s expression fell slightly.

  “Forgive me, my heart. On our way here, I checked it constantly. During one check, the wind took the ribbon. I tried chasing it, but one of the beasts caught it, and I couldn’t win it back.”

  Maeve glanced at me, her expression unreadable, before focusing on Grimm.

  “Very well. Watch and continue to report to me.”

  She sent the mirror to sleep once more then turned to me. The silence grew as she studied me.

  “The loss of the ribbon is unfortunate. However, don’t mistake its absence as enticement to disobey me, or I will see Grimm beat Kellen far worse than the ones you’ve received. And, if you try to run and join your sister, I will have Grimm kill Kellen. Then, you will be returned to me by the very men who killed your sister.”

  I didn’t doubt a word of her calmly delivered threat.

  “You are mine. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mama.” I paused for a moment
. “Does that mean you don’t intend to bring Kellen home?”

  “I’m sorry to ask for your patience a little longer, dear one. Grimm will ensure we reunite you with your sister.”

  Whether that reunion occurred when we were both alive remained to be the question.

  “Now that we know Grimm is there, we will proceed as we discussed. Take the pig for a walk as you liked to do, and talk to Kaven. If you’ve not returned within the hour, I will use the mirror to tell Grimm you no longer wish to see your sister again. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  “Tell me what you really think, Eloise? Do you plan to run?”

  “No, Mama. How did you know that Grimm was there with Kellen? And what would have happened if he had summoned you while the guard was here?” I asked, giving her one of my random thoughts to appease her.

  “I can sense the mirror when it summons me. If I’m not here or unable to wake it, whoever summons me has to wait. The mirror will never reveal its nature unless I call upon it.”

  “Should I be worried about speaking with Kaven so soon after the search? Especially after how rude I’ve been to him?”

  “Use that clever mind of yours, Eloise. Find out when the prince is due. You have an hour. Don’t disappoint me.”

  I nodded and stood, eager to go outside no matter what the reason.

  A few minutes later, dressed in a cloak and my sturdy shoes, I strode toward the woods, nearly dragging the pig along with me. He seemed oddly subdued, and I wondered if he had felt like a captive too, despite the walks Heather took with him.

  “Please, Mr. Pig,” I said softly. “Walk faster. I’ve been locked away in that house for too long, and she only gave me an hour.”

  The pig grunted and picked up speed. The oddity with which he seemed to understand me had faded in light of recent events. However, after my conversation with Rose and her obvious understanding about magic, I began to wonder what she might have done to the poor creature.

  Elation filled me as another thought occurred. Rose had sensed the magic Maeve had been using near me. Perhaps the old woman would be able to help me find a way to free myself and the others without endangering Kellen. I only needed to find a way to get into town. And after that, a way to stop Maeve once I discovered what she intended to do with the prince.