AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rothbart’s hand fell from the prince’s shoulder.
He gazed at the other man, his heart sinking. “The swan curse?”
“Yes. I’m sure you know what it is. She’s forced to live her days as a swan, and at night, she can turn into a human, as long as she touches the pond when the moonlight is on the water. ” The prince swept a hand through his hair and straightened his shoulders. “But no matter, tonight that all ends, for at the ball, I will make a vow of everlasting love before the world to Princess Odette.”
Rothbart was speechless, his mind trying to catch up with everything he was hearing. Somehow, while she’d been going on trips with Rothbart, helping Rothbart, having sex with Rothbart, she was also convincing the prince to fall for her. To make an oath of undying love to her. He pictured her kissing Torsten, taking off her clothes for Torsten, making love to Torsten. She’d done so for Rothbart. A sharp and unforgiving searing ravaged his insides. What would stop her from doing the same for the prince where she had so much more to gain?
His fingers curled into his palms, digging painfully into his flesh, a fire burning in his chest. She’d played him. She’d played both of them.
“So, for security, I will need you and the royal sorcerers to be on alert for this unscrupulous villain.” Torsten paused. “Are you okay, Rothbart? You look a bit… unsettled.”
He forced himself to stand still, to not smash in the prince's face. This wasn’t his fault.
This was Odette.
All Odette.
“My prince,” he said in a low voice that almost came off as calm. “I should tell you that the woman you have fallen for is actually one of the cold-blooded assassins that attacked and killed my family.”
Torsten let out a bark of laughter. “Whatever are you talking about? Princess Odette—”
“Odette is no princess,” he rumbled, fighting to hold his fury in check. “She is a killer, and she is using you to free herself and the others.”
“Wait, I never mentioned the others, how do you…” Realization dawned on Torsten’s face. “It's you. You're the evil sorcerer that has trapped those helpless women.”
“They are anything but helpless—”
“Guards! Guards!” Torsten shouted, he seethed with anger. “I refuse to listen to your filthy lies, Rothbart. Guards!”
Rothbart wasn’t afraid of the guards. They’d be easy enough to detain. But if any sorcerers ended up coming, he didn’t want to face off against his own. He reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of beans.
He’d deal with Odette.
Men burst into Rothbart’s office while he flicked a bean at the wall. The portal opened and Rothbart stepped through, the sides slamming shut before anyone could follow.
He stalked up the hill toward Zoya’s cave hideout. He’d probably lost his job and was now a hunted enemy of the kingdom. But that was a distant second to the plan forming in his mind.
She lounged on a throw rug he’d supplied her, reading a book. When she saw him, she jumped to her feet and glared at him. She no longer smiled at Rothbart after he’d trapped her in this space.
“Well?” she snarled. “Anything new?” She paused as she looked him over, dread coming to her eyes. “What’s wrong? Is Lina okay?”
He stepped into the cave and gazed down at her. Odette was going to end the swan curse. Then the assassins would come straight for Zoya.
This is what he got for thinking Odette cared about her, about him.
What he was planning wasn’t really risky. Zoya got to leave the cave and would be disguised the whole time. Then he could bring her back here and she couldn’t complain. At least for a while. They both benefited.
At Odette’s expense.
That made him happy.
“Rothbart, what is it?” Zoya appeared even more worried.
“You want to get out of this cave and help?” he asked.
Excitement flashed in her eyes. “You know I do.”
He released the power pent up inside, feeling it flow into Zoya. “Then you have to do exactly as I say.”
