Page 27 of Of Curses and Moonlight

He walked it over to Lina and poured it into her mouth. She gagged a little but then swallowed it down.

“How long will it take?” Odette asked, her voice hushed.

“Be patient,” he murmured in response.

After a few moments, the lines under Lina’s skin began to fade. Odette pressed her hands to her mouth, her eyes lighting. “It's working.”

He held back a smile but something warm and proud gathered in his chest at her reaction. “Let’s move her into a bed.”

Gathering Lina into his arms he carried her up the stars. He made Odette walk in front so he could keep an eye on her but she didn’t seem to mind. After laying the girl on a bed in a spare room, he stepped back to watch her. Rothbart’s administration had paid off and Lina, while weak, seemed to be doing better. Odette stood next to him, studying her friend.

She turned to Rothbart. “Thank you.”

His head dipped in a nod. “Like you said, I’m not like you.”

She flinched. “No, you’re not,” she said softly.

These moments were so rare, when she would suddenly soften. Normally, they were constantly at each other’s throat. Strangely enough, tonight they had made a good team, and he found himself curious to learn more about the Odette outside of the killer she portrayed.

“What do you like to do, Odette? When you aren’t taking part in the slaughtering of innocent people, that is?”

She scowled. But he’d purposely phrased his words like a challenge. She would answer him.

“Not that it is any of your business, but I used to like to read.”

“Used to?”

She shifted, her scowl deepening. “It's hard to read as a swan.”

He chuckled. “That’s fair. What did you like to read?”

Her eyes moved away from his, redirecting to the far wall. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t like to read anymore.”

“Not at all?”

The fierceness of her gaze glinted in the glow of the soft light of the lantern. “Not ever.”

He watched her, unsure where her combativeness stemmed from. Not that he didn’t like it. He considered firing back a few volleys to rile her up, but he had also enjoyed the odd way they had worked together and didn’t want to spoil that. Better to let whatever was lurking under the surface go for now.

“We will take care of Lina,” he said, “but you should head back to the pond.”

“I promised Yessly I’d watch over her.”

Rothbart didn’t trust having Odette around the house, not even in swan form. She was far too clever.

“It may take a few days for her to fully recover. I must insist you go back. I will keep you and the others updated as to her progress.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t have a choice do I?”

“No.”

She flipped her hair behind her, and she spoke through gritted teeth. “Whatever you say, my captor.”

Chapter 9

Rothbart

Twilight washed the sky in pinks and oranges as Rothbart stood next to his favorite stream. He had spent the last two days interviewing members of the court with no success. He scrubbed a hand over his face. His mouth was dry and tongue felt swollen from so much speaking. Hewouldfind the person who wanted his sister dead, no matter what it took. Lifting his fishing pole, he flung the hemp line into the water, the stone on the end sinking the bated iron hook. The water trickled past with a steady gurgling sound that always tended to relax him.

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