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“Whatever you say,” she promised. She glanced at her dress that was fading into a cottony white. “What do you want me to do?”
After a few more seconds, Rothbart had her transformed into a replica of Odette. He tried not to glare at his sister. He tried not to feel the pain of Odette’s betrayal by looking into her face.
This had to be done.
“I need you to break the heart of the prince.”
Chapter 19
Odette
Odette glided down to the overgrown gazebo and set the leather book she’d carried all day on its floor. She glanced at the narrow path leading toward the lake. The moon was up, probably beginning to touch the water. Torsten would arrive soon to escort her to the ball. And yet she was dying to discover what Helga’s diary might contain. She decided she’d find some way to sneak back and hide it under her skirts. And maybe take a tiny peek.
She didn’t want the other swans to learn about the book until she knew what it contained. Spreading her wings, she launched into the night, coming out over the lake.
Her heart leapt when she saw all the people standing around. Not just the other assassins, which had already transformed into humans, but soldiers and robed sorcerers and… Torsten. What the hell was going on?
“There she is!” Yessly called out as Odette dropped over the lake and landed onto its glassy surface.
The power of the moon and water combined, and she felt her blood flow and energy course through her as she changed into human form.
The first thing she did was check her dress, and breathed easier to see that her clothes were back to their pristine white, bearing no evidence of her interlude with Rothbart the night before. She casually lifted her hand and felt the mark he’d left between her neck and shoulder. That remained. She adjusted her dark curls to cover it before stepping from the water.
“Odette.” Torsten rushed toward her, taking her hands in his. “I’m so glad you are all right.”
“What is going on here?” she demanded, then flinched at Torsten’s shocked expression. She opened her eyes wide and tried to appear anxious and afraid as she looked to the prince for reassurance. “Why are these soldiers here, Torsten?”
“Rothbart. He is the sorcerer who has cursed you and the others,” the prince said. “He knows of our plans.”
Dammit.
She clenched Torsten’s hands tighter, one flying to her mouth in horror. “How did he find out?”
“He tricked me into telling him. Forgive me, Odette, I was only seeking protection for the ball tonight and he is the queen’s head sorcerer.”
Annoyance shot through her. She had specifically told him not to tell anyone and here he went and blabbed to the one person she was trying to keep the information hidden from. Was he an idiot?
She forced a soft smile and stepped a little closer to him. “I do not blame you. How could you know?”
“I’ve brought nearly the entire guard and the queen’s sorcerers to ensure your protection.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a portal bean. “Let us get to the castle. I can protect you there much easier.”
She frowned. The diary and the bean that she needed to make her escape were both hidden in the woods.
“Yes, we should leave right away. Only I need to relieve myself.” She eased out of Torsten’s grasp. “If you’ll give me just a moment.”
Worry crossed his face. “My love, it is not safe.”
"I shall be quick. I’m sorry.” She kept retreating and the whole guard turned and she worried they’d follow no matter what excuse she gave. She cast a panicked glance at the other assassins. Even if they were unaware of the diary, they at least knew she needed the bean.
Elna merely glared at her spitefully. Apparently, she didn’t care if Odette made any kind of escape after she broke the curse.
“I will go with her.” Lina stepped forward and smiled at the prince and the guards.
Torsten nodded with reluctance. “Fine, but be quick.”
They moved off into the woods. When they were far enough away, Odette whispered, “There is something I must do. Can you fetch the bean for me?”
“What do you need to do?” Lina asked.
