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Chapter 26
Odette
Odette sat in a dingy cell, her hands above her head, chained to the wall. She had only been in that position for a few hours, but the cuffs already bit into her skin, and her dress showed stains from the dirt and grime that surrounded her. One length of chain connected the manacles on her wrists. It threaded through an iron loop that was anchored into the stone wall to the right of her shoulder while standing. On her feet, her hands hung at her sides with a little slack, but when she sat, it forced them to hang over her.
She’d heard the gossip of the guards discussing the proceedings of the night, how the court and Zoya and Torsten had been locked in negotiations and had only gotten out within the last hour. The sun would rise soon.
From what she’d overheard, it sounded as if Zoya would be queen. Odette hoped she hadn’t made the girl’s life a misery by exposing her true identity. But she’d have Rothbart there to protect her, so there was that.
And Odette was destined to hang at dawn. Funny how she’d escaped the swan curse the same night that would be her last. But it was probably what Odette deserved. Even if she didn’t regret what happened to the queen. Odette was still responsible for Bash’s death and indirectly responsible for others.
“She is right over here, sir.” The gravelly voice of the guard echoed off the damp stone walls.
Odette stood, straightening at the sound of approaching footsteps.
The guard rounded the corner with Rothbart coming up behind him. Despite the events of the evening only being a few hours ago, he was all cleaned and dressed in a fresh tunic and trousers. The bags under his eyes, though, spoke of a lack of sleep.
Unlocking her cell, the guard allowed Rothbart to enter. “We’ll be right around the corner if you need us, sir.”
Rothbart scowled. “Does it look as if I need your assistance?” He dropped some coins into the other man’s hand. “Go wait by the last door we came through.”
“Yes, sir.”
Turning, Rothbart studied her. Odette’s heart rate sped up, unsure what he was going to say.
“You made my sister a queen without even letting her choose.” He took a step toward her. “When I told you not to.”
“And saved your life.”
“And condemned yours.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Should I be sorry?”
He came closer. “Since when did our lives mean more to you than your own?”
Her fingers dug into the chains at his slow, predatory approach. “Since when do you care what happens to a killer?”
“You're no killer, Odette.”
A mirthless laugh burst out of her. “Have we met?”
“You may have killed, but you never wanted to. You never put your knife to an innocent to feel the life flow out of them. In fact, your one unjust kill haunts you, but we both know that wasn’t really you. That was your mother.”
Her teeth sunk into her lip. He actually thought her blameless?
He stopped in front of her, his expression soft. “From everything I’ve seen, you fight for the innocent.”
She swallowed and looked away. “What about your parents?”
“I’m glad you were there,” he murmured, and her eyes shot back to his. “Odette, if it hadn’t been you. If it had been someone else who hadn’t hesitated, I’d be dead and Zoya would be dead. You and Lina saved us that night. And you saved us again tonight.”
He leaned close to her, and her heart rate picked up at his nearness.
“I stabbed you,” she muttered.
He chuckled, his warm breath washing over her face. “That was very naughty of you, Odette.” He pressed even closer, his arms coming on either side of her, his gaze darkening. “Perhaps you’d like to find out what happens to those who stab me under the ribs.”
Odette definitely wanted to find out. “Be given a heartfelt thank you from any who had to endure your odious presence?”
