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Zoya avoided looking at the other women that congregated among the soldiers and the sorcerers that suddenly made the small space feel crowded. “Yes, let’s.”
Torsten smiled and dropped her hands as he pulled a bean from his pocket.
“Your highness.” A swan assassin, Elna, came forward, giving a low curtsy. “We should be honored to help the princess prepare for the ball.”
Zoya blanched. “Oh, no. That’s not—”
“That is a splendid idea,” Prince Torsten responded. “Though we do not need all of you.”
“Perhaps only I and another?” She turned to the one named Yessly and motioned to her. Yessly stepped forward and the two women flanked Zoya on either side. They latched onto her arms like they were best friends.
Rothbart’s muscles tensed. This wasn’t part of the plan.
A scuttling movement issued up toward the back of the group of assassins. Rothbart’s gaze flicked in that direction, but the women soon settled, and he returned his attention to his sister.
He wanted to charge out there and tear his sister from their grasp, but no. Zoya’s disguise was flawless. He knew every inch of Odette’s body. There was no way they could discern Zoya under his magic.
And unless Zoya could convince Prince Torsten that Odette didn’t love him, then the prince still could break the curse. Technically, Odette didn’t need to be present.
Zoya gave the two women on either side of her another worried smile.
Torsten threw the bean, and the portal opened wide, revealing the large white granite castle dressed and lit up like a bride on her wedding day. “Then let us break a curse.”
He stepped through. Zoya and the women went next, followed by the rest of the guard. Rothbart let out a low growl of frustration. Reaching into his pocket, he felt past the heavy amethyst crystal he’d placed there, drawing out his own bean. He’d have to keep a close eye on those swans to make sure they didn’t get Zoya alone.
He paused, recalling the alarmed expression on Odette's face right before he’d sent her through the portal. Did she suspect he was using Zoya as his replica?
He shook his head. It had to be an act. Her false sincerity wouldn't trick him again into thinking she differed from the others. In thinking what mattered to him meant anything to her.
Tossing the bean, he stepped through his own portal. He crouched low to hide behind a shrubbery lining the royal gardens. He peered through the leaves at the others.
“I have a gown laid out for you,” Torsten said to Zoya. “You and your ladies may go with my guard to the room designated for you to change. I will meet you at the top of the grand staircase, where they shall announce you.” He bent and kissed her hand.
The two women held onto Zoya like she was their trophy. He didn’t like how they grasped her, their fingers digging into her arms. Zoya looked terrified. She swallowed, lifting her chin and addressed Torsten.
“My prince, I must discuss something with you…”
Torsten placed his hands on both sides of Zoya’s head. Rothbart hated his possessive hold, but wasn’t sure if it was because he hated the idea of Torsten touching his sister like that or the thought of him touching Odette in that way. He shook his head. He wasn’t going to travel too far down that road.
“My love, you are safe here. We have the finest sorcerers in the land. Not even Rothbart is a match for them all.”
That wasn’t exactly true. He fingered the thin purple crystal in his pocket. When combined with the right spell, it knocked out any magic wielder within a certain radius. The only problem was it would take everything inside Rothbart to activate it, leaving him almost as helpless as those he used it on.
And it was treason to use it against his own sorcerers.
“Please,” Zoya sounded on the verge of tears. Rothbart hoped it was more an act than real. “I don’t care what I wear. I only want to be with you. If ever you loved me, do not let me out of your sight till this night is over.”
“But my love,” Torsten said, aghast. “You are not even wearing shoes!”
“We assure you, your highness. She will be perfectly safe with us,” Elna said, and the other woman nodded in agreement.
Zoya worked her way out of the other women’s grasp and grabbed Torsten’s hand. “Please, please.”
“Fine, calm down. I shall not force you if you are this worked up. Although.” He glanced over her clothes. “It is unconventional.” He looked at the Elna and Yessly. “We shall not need your services after all. I suggest you go hide in the gardens until this night is over.” He turned to his entourage of guards and sorcerers. “See us to the door and then go to your designated posts for the evening.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rothbart was the person in charge of designating his sorcerer’s posts. He wondered who made that call now that he had fled from his position.
