A Curse to Break

Chapter 5

The next day, he does leave. Daniel and Dimitri leave as well, once again assigned as part of the Mordonian escort. They'd be back in two weeks. So long as the escort arrived back alone, it would mean that it was over. Princess Claudia spends most of the week sulking. I also find myself in a not-so-pleasant mood, although for different reasons. Before Kyler's father and Lord Levine can meet again, Kyler and his father are called away, trouble in the business demanding their attention. Kyler assures me that they'll be back quickly, but when Daniel and Dimitri arrive back before them, I'm starting to doubt it. Considering Lord Levine is curter with me than normal, he thinks I've done something. I do my best to keep my mouth shut and stay out of sight. When I return one night to find Lord Levine and Mother in a good mood, I can't help but feel wary, especially when Mother smiles at me.

"It would seem you actually can do something right after all," she says by way of greeting.

"It'd be better news if they were on their way back," Dimitri says curtly from his seat at the table.

"But at least it would seem he is still interested," Lord Levine replies, tossing the letter in his hand to the end table by the sofa he lounges on with Mother.

My eyes flick toward the letter. If Mother and Lord Levine were in a good mood, then that had to mean. . . "You've heard from Mr. Harvel?"

"Their slight misfortune has turned to fortune. Unfortunately, they'll still be a while, but he still wishes to meet again. With luck, it will be soon." Lord Levine rises from the sofa. "I'll write him in the morning." He holds out a hand to Mother. "Care to join me?"

Mother takes his hand. "Always." As she stands, her head turns to Dimitri. "Where is your brother?"

Dimitri shrugs, not looking up from the paper before him. "I'm not his superior."

"Yet," Mother adds.

Dimitri looks over at her. He smiles, bowing his head. "Yet."

Mother smiles in turn before she and Lord Levine head for their room.

So, I would still be getting out of here. I just had to wait a little longer. How much longer though? Would it be better? I mean, they had seemed nice enough, but I'm all too familiar with how things can look one way while being another. Well, I suppose I was already used to being silent and unseen. But what if Lord Levine was wrong? What if Mr. Harvel just wanted to be polite and say no in person?

"Do you intend to stand there all night?" Dimitri doesn't bother trying to hide his annoyance.

I look over at him. He's not looking at me, but I'm sure the scowl is for me.

"Goodnight," I say quickly as I turn to make for my room.

Dimitri huffs, muttering to himself. I've no doubt it's something about being glad I'll be gone.

xXxXx

I start, consciousness slamming into me. I blink, staring across my dark room. Slowly, I sit up. What had woken me? Everything is quiet and still. Nothing seemed amiss.

I settle back down, pulling the blanket back up to my chin, letting my eyes drift shut. That's when I hear it: a dull thud.

I sit up again. No other sound comes. Had I really heard something?

I glance at my window. No, I couldn't have come from outside. It had come from beyond my door. Had something fallen?

Daniel was back, wasn't he? Had he collapsed on the floor? That wasn't like him.

I slide from my bed, moving across the room. The stone is cold, but not enough to be bothersome. Slowly, I open my door and peer out into the dark hall. There are no other sounds. If there had been a noise, it would seem I was either the only one who heard it or the only one who cared.

I could just go back to bed. It's not like Daniel would go out of his way to help me or make sure I was alright. No one would even know. I can't bring myself to turn back into my room though.

My footsteps are silent as I pad down the hall towards the sitting room of our family quarters. I haven't gotten that far before I notice the figure lying sprawled across the floor by the end of the hall. Was it Daniel? I quicken my pace.

Sure enough, it is Daniel. I drop to the floor beside him, trying to turn him over. He doesn't smell like he's been at a tavern. Why had he collapsed? I manage to turn him over. Was he still breathing?

"Daniel," I say, shaking him lightly. He doesn't stir. Should I call Dimitri?

I freeze when I notice the glint of light. My eyes move to focus on where it had come from. It was moonlight being reflected by a sword. Had Daniel drawn his sword? Why would he have done that?

Something moves in the shadows. I turn my head towards the movement, but I can't see anything moving. My eyes instead land on the overturned end table. It hadn't been Daniel's collapse I had heard. I had seen something move, hadn't I? Please let this be the one time someone responds to my screams.

A hand is suddenly over my mouth, clamping it shut. An arm is around mine before I can react.

"A little too late for that," a voice whispers in my ear.

I try to pull away, but the arm tightens around me, pulling me tighter against them.

"Hurry up," the voice hisses, but I know it's not directed at me.

I can see something move in the shadows again. It was another person, and they were coming closer.

My eyes flick down to Daniel. Had they killed him? Were they going to kill me next?

"It's alright," the voice soothes as I start to shake. "We're not going to hurt you."

Their companion kneels beside us, drawing a vial from their pocket. What was that?

"Hold her still," they order, pulling the cork from the vial.

The person holding me pulls my head back, pinning it against their shoulder. The other lifts the vial to my nose. Whatever was in it smelled sweet. It's nothing good, of that, I'm sure.

I try to pull my head away, but the person holding me holds tight, their companion reaching out with their free hand, grabbing my hair, pinning my head back against his companion's shoulder. I wince, inhaling sharply in pain. The scent is overwhelming.

"That's it," the one holding the vial says. My mind is swimming. It's hard to focus. "Deep breaths."

I try to focus, but my eyelids are feeling heavy. My eyes flutter close and refuse to open. I can hear them talking, but I can't make anything out, they sound so far away. As the world shifts around me, my mind drifts back to sleep.