AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sir! Is everything okay?” A soldier's voice came from beyond the bars.
“Do not come back here!” Rothbart yelled through his heaving breaths. He looked up into Odette’s face, his eyes filled with adoration. “I’m taking advantage of the prisoner,” he rumbled in her ear.
For a moment, neither of them moved, breathing in each other, coming down from the frenzy of their lovemaking. Odette traced a finger over the mark she’d left on Rothbart’s skin and simply felt him pulse inside her.
“We should get going, my love.” Rothbart lifted her off of him and stood. He grabbed his clothes and began to dress.
Odette sat on the stone floor and gazed up at him. “Going?”
He pulled a portal bean out of his pocket.
She rose, frowning. “No, Rothbart. You can’t do this.”
“The hell I’m not. I never want to see you held captive again. By me, By anyone.”
“If you release me, you will get in trouble, and Zoya needs you.”
“I’m the future queen’s brother and the head of the queen’s sorcerers. Not to mention Torsten has relinquished his claim on the throne.”
“With no stipulations?”
His jaw clenched. Odette had heard enough from the guard’s gossip to know what was going on.
“He gave the stipulation that he’d step aside if I was dealt with,” Odette said.
“I’m not leaving you here. I will take the punishment. Let Torsten waste his life hunting you if that is important to him. There is nothing he can do at this point.”
She stared at him. “He’s already stepped down?”
“Yes. Now will you come?” He threw the bean at the wall and the portal opened wide. He held out a hand to Odette.
Torsten had relinquished his power. Just like that. She wondered if he felt relieved he wasn’t forced to choose a bride. But he’d also stick around until he saw Odette killed. And yet, if Zoya was the queen, she’d do whatever it took to make sure Rothbart wasn’t punished.
He’d trusted her tonight. Perhaps she could trust them.
She took his hand, and he pulled her through.
They were at the little clearing with the overgrown gazebo. A blanket lay on the ground and foods in baskets rested on its folds.
“What are we doing here?” she asked.
“I thought you might wish to watch the sunrise with me.”
When the sun rose, for the first time in what seemed like forever, Odette would remain human and not change into a swan. She touched her brow.
“The mark along your brow is gone,” he answered her unasked question. “If you need further proof of the sincerity of my vow.” He settled on the blanket and patted next to him. “Join me, Odette.”
She looked at the path that led to the pond. “Where are the others?”
“Freed. Gone wherever they wish, though Lina and her sister have offered their services to their new queen. Zoya has sent out soldiers to search for the rest.”
She settled next to him and he handed her a strawberry. Odette stared at the fruit, her gut twisting as she thought about what her future held. On the run. On her own. No assassins, no Rothbart.
“Zoya has requested that you serve with Lina and Yessly as her bodyguard,” Rothbart said, watching her closely.
“That’s going to be difficult, considering I am now the kingdom’s most wanted murderer.”
He nodded. “It will be difficult for Odette, yes.” He reached into his robes and pulled out the swan pendant. “But I can disguise you, make you look like someone else.” He handed her the necklace now with a new chain. “I’ve adjusted the pendant. It will allow you to be in full control of your transformation. You decide when to appear as Odette, or someone else.”
