by K. M. Shea
Odette perched on the crumbling wall and crossed her legs at the ankles. He’s too nice, which makes him easy to lower your guard around if you’re not careful. She studied the prince for a minute, then forced a smile to her lips, transforming her countenance.
“I apologize, Your Highness, for our curt treatment. Given our history, we’re a naturally distrustful lot.” She signaled for Misha and Nadia to release him, which they reluctantly did.
“No trouble at all. I would be, too.” Prince Alexsei glanced up and down the heart-shaped lake with curiosity. “I’d never been to Swan Lake. It’s quite pretty.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “But as you stated before, it is a dead zone.” I need to lead up to what I want. If I ask him to leave and never come back right away, he’ll try to get something from me in return. “Kozlovkan citizens have been banned from the area because of Sorcerer Rothbart’s dangerous presence.”
“‘Tis true,” Prince Alexsei agreed. “I think the last time Father tried to unearth Rothbart from these parts was a year ago. Many soldiers were lost. To be fair, we haven’t had any help from the Veneno Conclave or any representative of magic, but hopefully that will soon change.”
“Indeed, but until it does, it is still a very dangerous area. If Rothbart finds others intruding upon his lands, he will not be happy.” Odette gestured at Rothbart’s crumbling castle. It was still visible in the dim after-light of the sunset.
“Indeed.” Prince Alexsei sat on a boulder across from Odette. “Please forgive me for prying, but why does he accept your occupation of the lake?” The clear light of his tiger-brown eyes and his open expression said he genuinely wanted to know. He was not trying to manipulate them—unlike Odette, who was attempting, and failing—to manipulate him.
Odette clamped her jaw shut in a smile to keep from grinding her teeth. Blast it, why does he have such good manners?
“Furthermore, how did this happen to you all? There seems to be no small number of you cursed to be swans,” Alexsei said. “If my parents knew, we could help—”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t.” Odette crushed the impossible thought before it could spark a flare of hope.
Prince Alexsei tilted his head and studied her. His sweet brown eyes glittered—as if he saw more than he let on. “Why not?”
Odette pulled her gaze from the prince and instead watched Dima—scaling another statue in the pavilion, probably to try and break its head off.
Gleb kept his eyes on the boy but lingered close enough to Odette that he could mutter to her. “I suggest you tell the boy, Swan Queen. It is unlikely he can help, but he is a prince. If the emperor and empress can ever get a mage here, perhaps they could do something.”
“It’s not my decision to make,” Odette whispered back. “This affects us all. I cannot break the others’ trust and tell the prince without hearing what they have to say.”
“We trust you, or we wouldn’t call you our queen—nickname or not.” Gleb lowered his bushy eyebrows. “Besides, the others would have stayed if they wanted a say in it. You have been our leader from the start. We’ll follow you wherever you go.”
Odette leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. “You could not possibly help us, Your Highness, because we are—as you suspected—under a spell. By day we are swans, and by night we can return to our human bodies.”
Alexsei leaned forward. “When did this happen? Some months ago?”
“Four years,” Odette said. She rubbed her slightly crooked nose—she had broken it on a mission two years ago. “We were not all placed under the spell at once, but the longest of us have lived with this curse for four years.”
“But why?”
Odette glanced at Gleb, who nodded in encouragement. “Rothbart used us as practice. He was trying to perfect a spell that would turn humans into swans permanently. It took him two years of experimentation and twenty-three people to practice on, but he succeeded.”
“Did he use it on any of you?”
“No. He mentioned the spell to his wife, the sorceress Suzu. He and Suzu had been separated for years—I’ve only seen her a few times—so Suzu stole a copy of the spell and made a few adjustments then sold it to a witch in Arcainia. Did you hear about the Arcainian princes?” He nodded. “That was an altered version of our spell.”
“How do you know all of this?”
I’ll not give up Odile’s role in all of this. Rothbart might react unsteadily. Odette shrugged. “We have our sources. It is in our best interest to be aware of Rothbart’s actions, particularly because our spell can only be broken by Rothbart. If he is killed before he removes the spell, we will be forced to live like this forever.”
Alexsei clasped his hands together, and his brow wrinkled in agitation. “Can’t another magic user help you?”
“Rothbart has told us it is impossible. As the spell is infused with his power, only he can break it. Our source says it might be possible for an enchanter or enchantress to crack it. We’ve tried contacting some, but with chaos stirring across the continent and endangering many of the royal families, a pack of swan-smugglers is a low priority.”
Alexsei sighed and ran a hand through his indecisive brown-blond hair. “I don’t agree with the thought, but it seems we are in the minority. Mother and Father have tried for years to get magical aid to rid us of Rothbart. If they will not come for the emperor and empress…”
Misha cleared his throat. “We suspect the elves could help us, but they are not in a position to do so right now.”
Odette glared at him.
Alexsei nodded. “No one knows what’s going on with them. They have shut the borders of their kingdom.”
“Yes,” Odette said without inflection.
“Right. So, you’re under a spell that cannot be broken. I assume you stay on the lake in hopes that Rothbart will one day change his mind?”
“Yes,” Odette said. The half-truth fell from her lips with ease.
“Isn’t it dangerous? He’s an evil sorcerer.”
“Over the years, we’ve learned how to survive near him,” she said.
“What of your families?” Alexsei asked.
“A few know; many do not,” Odette said. “Those found trustworthy were informed. But as we cannot live as normal humans as long as we are under this spell, there is no merit in telling all of them.”
“Don’t you think they would want to know you are alive?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter what they want.”
Misha raised his eyebrows at her, but Odette shook her head. He ignored her warning and added, “The danger posed to those who possess such knowledge far outweighs the benefits. We have had to be careful because most often folk react strongly when they learn what has become of their loved ones. There have been several incidents as a result.”
Odette stifled a cringe. Besides Osip—Zina’s brother—there was another set of siblings in their ranks: Nata and Naum. Rothbart had caught Naum first, then he transformed Nata several days later when she demanded that he be returned to normal.
“Ahh, so you do care.” Alexsei flourished his words with a charming smile as Odette scowled at Misha. “I think I grasp the situation now—except, you appear to have turned to a life of smuggling. Why?”
Odette shrugged. “Some of us do it for profit. Others send money home to their families. Does it bother you?” She said it almost gloatingly. Emperor Yevgeniy—though he was generous and kind—was known for following laws to the smallest detail. If Alexsei decided to tell him of them, she had no doubts he would have them imprisoned—curse or not.
His smile turned into a thoughtful frown. “No. You all are a band of cursed individuals, so you make a living as you can.”
Odette blinked in surprise. “But it’s illegal.”
Alexsei studied her, slightly unnerving her. “Perhaps, but I have not yet heard all of your story. You are the Black Swan Smugglers’ selfless leader, Swan Queen?”
“I am not selfless,” Odette s
aid emphatically.
Misha made a noise, but Nadia kicked him in the back of the knee, silencing him.
Misha and Odette were forever quarreling about her motivation. He always took exception to it whenever she declared herself selfish. Odette knew better. If I am not selfish, why else would I attack a prince, manipulate whenever necessary, and smuggle illegal goods?
“What is your name?” Alexsei asked.
Odette studied the prince. Which tactic would work best? Coy? Earnest?
“Odette!”
All of her nerves snapped to attention at the rumbling voice. She leaped to her feet. “Nadia, hide him.”
“Who is that?” Alexsei asked.
“Shh, don’t say anything,” Odette hissed.
“But—” Prince Alexsei protested.
Nadia took him by the wrist and shook her head. “Listen to Odette,” she said. She pulled him into a copse of pine trees, screening him from sight.
“Gleb, could you see to Dima?” Odette asked.
“Indeed.” Gleb limped after the small boy, who was still climbing around the pavilion like a wild animal.
“Odette!”
Odette did a quick check of her clothes and tried to run her hands through her hair. She turned around just in time to greet the evil Sorcerer Rothbart as he strolled down a stone-paved path.
Rothbart was an unsettling mixture of fearsome wildness and dark refinement. His greasy, mottled hair was puffed up like a courtier, and he wore a cape of somber gold and a burnished chestplate covered with disconcerting black spirals that slithered if one stared at them too long. His shoulder guards were layered with dark feathers, his boots were the metal ones worn by knights, and the back of his cape had feathers attached in a wing-like pattern.
“Rothbart—an unexpected surprise!” Odette forced her lips into a false smile that was so practiced, it looked sincere.
“Good evening, Odette.” Rothbart dramatically snapped his cape behind him. It almost eclipsed the arrival of his meek-mannered daughter, Odile. “I see most of your birdies have flown the coop. Good riddance; their squawking is abominable.”
Odette widened her eyes and slanted her mouth so she looked sympathetic. “I apologize if they have interrupted your grand studies. I shall speak to them most sternly.” She gave the loathsome sorcerer a curtsey and winced when a bush rattled.
It was probably Prince Alexsei, horrified by her words.
I do what I must to help us survive. If it means trying to manipulate this puffed up toad, so be it!
“I’m so glad someone here appreciates my genius. I am so misunderstood, Odette. It is a shame you are naturally inferior, as you lack magic. You would have made a much cleverer student than my daughter.” Rothbart shot his daughter a glare of irritation.
Odile stared at the ground, her black hair pooling around her shoulders in a silky curtain. She had inherited her black hair and her fair skin (gold-hued rather than pink) from her mother—sorceress Suzu.
Rothbart snapped his cloak again, ruffling the feathers on his pauldrons. “Emotional influence. You have the pedigree of magical greatness, and that is your magic?” His upper lip peeled back in a sneer.
Odile kept staring at the ground.
The sight made Odette burn with anger, but she pushed her shoulders back and dredged up another smile. I have to keep control of the conversation. I can only use words and flattery against Rothbart; attacking him will do no good. “It is such a misfortune,” she said. “May I inquire what has brought you to our humble dwelling?”
“Ahh, yes. I was going to ask which one of your wretched underlings raided my castle last week.”
Odette held a hand to her chest. “I beg your pardon?”
“There is a particular herb I need to complete my most recent set of studies. This past week, oddly, all of it has disappeared.” Rothbart tilted his head back and peered down at Odette with the scrutiny of a hawk.
She tilted her head in fake innocence. “Could it be vermin?”
“Perhaps, but mysteriously all my stores of this herb have disappeared—including my back-up supplies kept in sealed containers.” Rothbart ripped a feather from his arm guards and used it to scratch under his chin. “It could only be the work of someone truly devious.”
I can’t crack. She had experienced these encounters with Rothbart enough to know if she showed any sign of weakness, he would react violently. Even so, it’s worth it. Without that herb, he can’t do a thing. Odette kept an expression of worry on her face. “Oh, dear, that does sound suspicious. I hope the herb isn’t hard to obtain.” It was impossibly hard to find.
Rothbart glowered—and for a moment Odette worried tonight was one of his violent nights—when the anger left him as swiftly as it appeared. “Ah, Odette!” He leaned back and laughed at the sky. “You are wasted as a peasant. So devious and cunning, it is such a shame!” He lunged closer to her so she could smell his rank breath as he loomed over her. “Your antics have amused me this time, but don’t do it again…or we’ll see what new spell I can test on you.”
He knows. It didn’t take a genius to figure out. If any damage was done to his laboratory, it was always her. She kept her expression placid and her posture upright even though she wanted to shiver.
Rothbart withdrew, his cloak billowing around him like wings. “It was so lovely seeing you again, my pet. Enjoy managing your underlings.” He whirled around and strode back down the path from which he had come.
Odile tarried in his wake, wringing her hands and looking like she wanted to move towards Odette.
“Later,” Odette mouthed. If she were to tarry with me, that would only make her father’s mood worse.
“Come, Odile,” Rothbart barked. The tone he used to address his daughter was much less pleasant than the one he used to speak to Odette.
His daughter jumped in fright and scurried after him, disappearing with him into the gloom of the night.
Odette watched them go, her shoulders slumping when she was certain Rothbart was gone.
Alexsei popped out of the trees like a squirrel. “You converse with him?”
Odette gnashed her teeth, angry not with Alexsei but the situation. “If we wish to keep on his good side and hope that he will one day remove the spell, we must.” Though I wish I could kill him. I’d do it in a heartbeat—spell or not—if I thought he would actually die. She didn’t wish to off him as a move of revenge, rather to spare the people he ensnared and hurt. Rothbart might act like a foolish idiot, but he was a mad genius.
Misha crawled out of the trees with Nadia. “He only likes Odette.” He brushed off his silk shirt. “He sneers at the rest of us—as if we were bugs.”
Odette peered down the shore, relieved when she saw Dima crouched by Gleb, listening to the older man tell a story as he stacked pebbles in mounds. “I feed his self-importance. That’s all. I’m fine, Nadia.”
Nadia ignored Odette’s words and circled her, searching for any wounds Rothbart might have left.
Odette shivered, her skin crawling now that she could drop the mask she wore around the sorcerer. She turned to Prince Alexsei with sharp eyes. “Now you must understand how very dangerous this place is. If Rothbart knew you were here, having a spell placed on you is the kindest thing he would do. Forget us, and do not return to this place.” Unable to deny herself, she added, “Unless a Lord Enchanter or Lady Enchantress has come to help.”
The prince nodded. “I can see that you live a very difficult life indeed. I have no wish to make matters worse for you.”
Odette frowned, not entirely satisfied with his response. “Thank you. I wish you well, Your Highness.”
“Be safe, and I’m sorry.”
She turned away from him so she didn’t have to see sorrow flicker in his warm eyes. “Yes. Safe travels. Nadia, you should go. If you leave now, you’ll still be able to see your family. Misha, with me. I want to show you our schedule for the next two weeks.”
Although she kept her gaze away from
the prince, she exhaled deeply with relief when he left Swan Lake and disappeared in the pine forests.
Good. The last thing I want to add to my list of responsibilities is nursemaid to a royal. He won’t be back.
Chapter 3
The Noble Trio
“Swan smugglers?” Yakov pursed his lips and folded his arms across his chest.
“They must be the Black Swan Smugglers.” Benno turned a page in her book and glanced up at Alexsei, her gaze as sharp and keen as usual. “I heard there was a group of smugglers based near Tsona.”
Alexsei shifted so the edge of the windowsill he was leaning against no longer poked him in his lower back.
“Who?” Yakov asked. The handsome crown prince clasped his hands behind his back in a commanding stance that Alexsei envied.
While Alexsei was average height and girth, Yakov was markedly taller and more muscled through the shoulders. His hair—blond, like their mother’s—was perfectly tousled, and his features were rugged like their father’s.
“The Black Swan Smugglers. Mother mentioned something of them some weeks ago.” Alexsei hooked his hands on his belt. “They specialize in small, discreet runs. They don’t usually haul large items, but they can get priceless artifacts into impossible places.”
Yakov shook his head and resumed pacing around their parents’ private study. “Smugglers, in our country? Father will be horrified.”
“At least they are good at what they do,” Benno said. “The Black Swan Smugglers are some of the best in the continent. Besides, it could be worse. We could have our own assassin’s guild—like Verglas.”
“I don’t like it,” Yakov plopped down in a chair. “Smuggling is wrong.”
Alexsei gave his brother a half-smile. “Perhaps, but after meeting them, I must confess I think they do it out of dire need, not a desire for the illegal.”
“What I find alarming is that none of us knew about them,” Benno said.
“What do you mean?” Alexsei asked.
Benno snapped her book shut. “The smugglers—not their smuggling ring, but their curse. For years, your Imperial parents have been gathering evidence against Rothbart to take to the Veneno Conclave so they will be moved to help. Yet no one knew of the twenty-three people he transformed into swans?”