Page 63 of Of Curses and Moonlight

She stood at arm’s length, waiting for him to comply. As hard as stone. There was no slip, no tell.

He dropped to his knees and stared into her face.

“I trust you, Odette.”

In an instant she streaked forward and Rothbart gasped as the knife entered beneath his ribs, a searing pain spreading through his chest and abdomen. Her fingers twined into his hair as she dug the blade deeper, yanking his head back.

“Looks like you were wrong about me,” she hissed.

Chapter 24

Odette

Odette held the knife inside Rothbart. He looked into her eyes, but she couldn’t discern whether he was surprised or if he suspected this all along.

He pressed his palms under the wound, and she shoved him to the floor, yanking the blade out. She squatted over him, her hand with the weapon still beneath his body. Her skirts blocked them from those who stood behind.

Blood pooled out onto the tile, hot and slick around Odette’s feet. Reminding her of Bash. Reminding her of what she really was. Her breaths became uneven, and she trembled. Not now. She couldn’t break down in front of Kilron and the queen.

“I hate you,” Rothbart growled as his warm palm gripped her fist closed over the knife.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

She sucked in a shaky breath. He still trusted her?

She steadied.

“I hate you,” she answered as she drew her hand back, digging her fingers under the metal band that was on Rothbart’s arm and pulling it free, then releasing it so that it was hidden under the weight of his body.

She stood and faced the queen and Kilron. “He should bleed out in a matter of minutes.”

The blade in her grasp dripped with Rothbart’s blood. That was a lie. She’d kept the wound shallow and clean.

If she had gone for the metal band with Kilron watching, he’d have stopped her with his magic, but this would allow Rothbart the element of surprise.

He, after all, was a sorcerer with the ability to heal himself.

The queen seemed satisfied. She nodded as if she were agreeing to meet for a cup of tea,before turning to Kilron. “Dispose of the bodies.” She faced Odette. “You have proven yourself loyal. You will wait at a designated location until I am done with the ball and the announcement of Torsten’s engagement to a suitable bride.”

Kilron threw a bean, and a portal opened. The queen motioned for Odette to enter.

She took a step toward the portal.

Suddenly Kilron flew backward, slamming into the wall. He fell forward onto his hands and knees, alarm and rage igniting in his eyes.

Odette stalked toward the queen, blocking off any escape through the portal, praying that Rothbart was more than a match for Kilron. Praying that his injured state wouldn’t put him too much at a disadvantage.

Queen Emiranda’s eyes widened, and she spun, racing for a side door.

“You will not hurt the queen,” Kilron’s voice came behind her. A power issued into her. She froze, gasping as her chest squeezed with unexpected agony.

“Don’t youtouchOdette,” Rothbart roared. He threw another spell at Kilron that knocked him across the room, freeing her from his grasp.

Rothbart’s hand pressed against his wound, blood oozing between his fingers. The trust in his expression caused a warmth to burn in her chest.

“Save my sister,” he said.

She nodded. And then he turned to face off against Kilron while Odette followed the queen past the doorway through which she had disappeared.

---