by K. M. Shea
She felt the tightness leave his body, and he stroked her back the way one petted a cat.
This is a little odd. But she didn’t move. Alexsei seemed to need a friend, and if she couldn’t say anything encouraging, the least she could do was be there for him.
She was almost dozing again when he sighed. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Here you are, spelled to be a swan, and I can only complain of my brother.”
I don’t blame you. Goodness knows, if Yakov were my brother, I would have murdered him by now. In his sleep. Probably with a dagger. Not that I’ve given any thought to this.
“I’ll help you break your curse, Odette. I swear it. There has to be another way besides Rothbart. You have hinted that you don’t think he’ll ever take the curse off. I thought he could be compelled, but after seeing the wyvern…” he sighed again. “Our best hope is that Father will get assistance from the summit.”
Odette stretched one of her wings. Though I would never say it out loud, your desire to help is quite touching. But nothing can be done. I will likely be a swan during the day for the rest of my life. The thought stung and filled her with bone-deep weariness. Dragging herself and her crew through the curse for four years had been hard enough. But to face decades of this? I would never see my family again.
Odette silently squawked when Alexsei’s arms closed around her. The ground veered away at an alarming rate as he picked her up and stood.
Put me down! Odette wriggled in his arms.
“But there’s no reason to keep you a secret from Mother. Yakov and I were trying to be quiet because she would flay us if she knew we ventured to Swan Lake, but if I tell her about your curse, she might think of something Yakov, Benno, and I have missed.”
You want to tell Her Imperial Majesty? Stop! No—put me down! Odette paddled her feet that swung freely in the air.
“I know the thought doesn’t make you happy—you’ve sacrificed much to make certain you keep others safe, but the damage is already done. I’m not going to abandon you to this, Odette.”
Alexsei left the lake and started to push his way through the forest, still carrying a shocked Odette.
She stared dumbly up at him. He means it. The thought threatened to sprout wings of hope, but she crushed it. Hope was a luxury she couldn’t afford. No matter how kind Alexsei is, he cannot break this spell.
Even so, she stopped wiggling as Alexsei hefted her like a child and carried her from Swan Lake, heading in the direction of Tsona.
This is even odder than being petted like a cat. When Alexsei reached his horse, Odette intended to make a break for it and go back to Swan Lake. Instead of letting her go, the kind—and secretly crafty—prince had pulled a length of cloth from a saddlebag and used it to fix Odette to his back like a toddler in a sling.
She probably could have escaped if she flailed enough, but she did not want to injure Alexsei in the process.
His sweet smile is a lie!
The ride to the palace was shorter than Odette expected, and none of the servants so much as blinked at the prince as he dismounted and handed his horse off to a stable boy, all while toting a white swan on his back.
Odette tucked her bird head, finding the experience bizarre.
Alexsei adjusted the sling a little as he strode around the perimeter of the stable. “Here it is: Tsona Palace.”
Odette had seen the palace before—it was where she first met Alexsei, after all—but the last time she had seen it in sunlight, she had been a little girl. The splendid castle boasted an abundance of towers topped with smoothed domes that resembled dollops of baked meringue. They were overlaid with bronze, so they glowed in the setting sun, complementing the creamy white walls so they sparkled.
Odette gazed at the castle, watching the towers grow closer, as Alexsei strolled through a side gate into the same garden in which Odette had jumped him. She tucked her head guiltily as they passed a trickling fountain.
Alexsei ambled through the gardens and slipped opened a door that led into a private study. Paintings of Yakov and Alexsei as children hung on the wall, and a portrait of the emperor and empress held a place of honor. A few slanted desks and velvet-lined benches dotted the room, as well as several bookshelves filled with surprisingly battered books. The vaulted ceiling was painted a brilliant blue.
“Mother,” Alexsei said warmly.
A woman sitting at one of the slanted desks looked up and smiled. “Lexsei.” Her eyes settled on Odette peeking over his shoulder, and her expression became pained. “Darling, I know perhaps I should have let you own more pets as a child, but a swan?”
Alexsei scooted the sling around so he could pull Odette from it and gently set her on the ground. “This isn’t a pet. This is Odette.”
The empress dropped the feather quill she had been holding. “You’ve named it?” She squeezed out a weary sigh. “I should have let you keep that snake you found when you were eight.”
“Odette isn’t a swan,” Alexsei said with great patience. “She’s the girl I…she…” he hesitated and looked down at her.
Odette gazed back at him and wiggled her tail feathers. I’m not helping you with this. It was your brilliant idea to drag a swan in front of the empress.
“She’s my friend,” Alexsei said.
Odette considered hiding her head under her wing. Out of all the things you could have said, that was your choice?
“I see,” the empress said with great composure. The calm response drew Odette’s gaze, so she peered up and watched the empress stand and clasp her hands. Contemplative, the empress gazed outside. “One son has the loyalty of a flea and leaps from girl to girl; the other considers a swan his friend. Obviously my parenting skills have been lacking, or the two of you would be making better life choices.”
Alexsei rolled his eyes. “Mother.”
“Although perhaps it is even more worrisome that I am less concerned about the swan and more apprehensive—and frustrated—over Yakov.”
“Mother,” Alexsei repeated.
The empress raised a hand to her heart and glided over to the portrait of herself and her husband, Emperor Yevgeniy. “Oh, Yevgeniy. You were taken from us too early. If only you could see your sons now.”
“Father is still alive. He’s just at the summit,” Alexsei said.
“It is clear to me that you would have understood their strange behavior—they must have inherited it from you,” the empress said.
Alexsei looked down at Odette and murmured. “I apologize for this scene.”
Odette opened and closed her beak in mirth. Don’t be. I find this a perfectly acceptable reaction. It’s clear she has more humor than you or your brother.
“Not only do you fail to appreciate my humor; you apologize to your new pet. Wonderful.” The empress dropped her act and studied Odette. “What is this about, Alexsei?”
“This swan is a young lady who has been spelled by the sorcerer Rothbart,” Alexsei said. “During the day, she is a swan, but by night she takes her real form. Her name is Odette, and she is the leader of a band of people who have a similar curse laid upon them.”
The empress studied Odette with glittering eyes. “Cursed, is she? Is this a recent development?”
“No. She’s been cursed for four years.”
The empress narrowed her eyes—they were even more golden and tiger-like than Alexsei’s. “And she hasn’t come forward until now?”
“No. She wouldn’t have come forward at all, but I saw her transform.”
The empress raised an eyebrow, and Alexsei dropped his gaze.
“It’s magic, so she’s covered during the transformation,” he muttered.
Odette happily flapped her wings. Ho-ho! The empress is a wonderful person—I’ve never seen Alexsei so embarrassed! She craned her neck to peer out the window at the molten sky. Unfortunately, it seems the show is over. I will transform soon, and the empress can see for herself. I better go find water.
Odette pecked Alexsei’s trousers a
nd waddled across the study—making a break for the still-open door.
“Odette?” Alexsei called.
“See? I said a swan would not be a suitable pet.”
Odette waddled faster when she heard Alexsei and the empress following her. Her big orange feet plodded along as she hurried for the fountain. Water, good. It’s not as deep as I like, but it will be more comfortable than transforming with stone.
Odette flapped her wings, clawing her way onto the lip of the fountain, then hopped in and floated on the water’s surface. She had just enough time to turn around before the water started to glow and then levitate.
“Oh my,” the empress said.
Bells tolled and water and light encircled Odette, blocking her sight. Pain wracked her as her body stretched; her feet hit the bottom of the fountain with a violent jolt, then the light faded.
Odette hurriedly tugged her clothes into place and bowed. “Your Imperial Majesty.”
The empress’s expression was serious as she stared at Odette. “Rothbart is a much bigger threat than we thought, isn’t he?”
Odette straightened. “I’m afraid so.”
“So you’ve known about this for some time,” Empress Sonya said. Her hands were folded and settled on the glossy wooden table. To her credit, she had taken everything—from Odette to the wyvern—in stride.
Alexsei shifted a little and glanced at Odette. “Yes.”
Odette nibbled at the spread of food the empress had ordered for her. It felt awkward to eat when neither of her table companions were, but the food was so delectable she couldn’t deny herself, so she divided her attention between a cup of tea, some roasted ham, and a bowl of olive soup.
The empress tapped her fingers on the table. “And you did not think to tell me, Alexsei, that you and Yakov were running off to a sorcerer’s den every night?”
“I’m sorry, Mother. It was my mistake.”
The empress sighed. “I am sure you and Yakov are equally to blame. Odette, I am glad to hear, seems to have more sense than the two of you combined—though I would have thought Benno would know better as well.”
Odette swallowed her tea—lemon flavored!
The empress continued. “As foolish as your actions were, it is good we learned of this now. It will give us a chance to prepare for the actions we will take against Sorcerer Rothbart.”
Is she thinking of attacking him? “If you will pardon the intrusion, Your Imperial Majesty,” Odette said, “I cannot overstate how dangerous it is for others to approach Swan Lake. Please refrain from sending in any troops until you are certain of victory.”
The empress tilted her head and regarded Odette with her striking eyes again. “You do not wish for us to take Rothbart captive?”
“I hope you will pardon the grave informalities I take, but frankly, you do not have the resources to do so,” Odette said. “Magical aid will be required to take him.”
The empress sighed. “Unfortunately, I believe you are right. Our hands are tied until my husband returns—but it should not be a long wait, for the summit will have to end shortly.”
“Why is that?” Alexsei asked.
“The Crown Prince of Ringsted is getting married soon, and he and his bride are attending the summit, as are a great number of their guests. To give everyone time to travel south for the celebration, they’ll need to adjourn any day.” Empress Sonya frowned, her lovely face turning severe. “I apologize, Odette. As empress, it should be my duty to see you through this difficulty, but it is as you say. We are quite limited in our capabilities if the Veneno Conclave does not pull together and take action.”
“There is no need to apologize,” Odette said. “I have known this to be the way of things since I was cursed. The wyvern is my biggest concern. My comrades and I can handle most of Rothbart’s creations, but we haven’t a chance against a wyvern.”
The empress sighed. “Perhaps we should call upon Arcainia. They have a prince who is quite talented in monster fighting.”
“Yakov will throw a fit and demand he be given a chance to destroy it first,” Alexsei said.
“You are right, of course.” The empress pursed her lips and turned her attention back to Odette. “If you wish, we would gladly welcome you and your companions at Tsona.”
“I thank you for your kind offer, but we will stay where we are,” Odette said. “When we chose to live on Swan Lake, we decided we would do our best to keep others from facing the same harm we have come to. We are used to living in Rothbart’s shadow, and I do not relish the thought of not knowing what he is up to. Moreover, Rothbart would note our absence with suspicion.”
“You are brave, but I am ashamed to say I rejoice in your decision. It will make it easier for us if you have eyes and ears on him.” The empress lifted her chin and looked down at Odette, her mouth slanted with displeasure. “Though as praiseworthy as your actions are, I cannot say I approve of your vocation. Smuggling is an illegal activity—one that can break economies and weaponize evil.”
Odette stifled a wince and, for the first time since founding her smuggling group, felt a small amount of guilt and shame about their criminal activities. But we help people! Some of our clients have no other sources of aid. A pesky voice at the back of her brain reminded her that they also smuggled for a few less-than-savory characters—like the Verglas Assassins’ Guild. “Of course,” she said meekly.
The empress continued. “To be perfectly blunt, I’m surprised you came up with such a plan. You seem to have morals and values nearly as high as my husband’s.”
The empress’s eyes glittered, and Odette gulped under her scrutiny.
Alexsei shifted. “Mother.”
The empress flicked her eyes at him. When her sharp gaze returned to Odette, her eyes softened. “But I still recognize your good deeds. Are you certain there is nothing we can do to aid you?” the empress asked.
“Yes,” Odette said firmly, having regained her composure. “Rothbart may be self-focused, but he is wily. If soldiers begin poking around Swan Lake, he will be suspicious.”
“I agree.” Empress Sonya stood. “We will remain in touch. Thank you, Odette for your sacrifice.”
Odette stood so she could bow. “It is no sacrifice at all.”
Empress Sonya eyed her once more. “I see,” she said in a tone that implied she didn’t believe her.
So that is where Alexsei gets his observation skills.
Odette was relieved when Empress Sonya turned to her son. “Write up a report—with Yakov—so you can submit it to your father the moment he comes home.”
Alexsei also stood and bowed. “Yes, Mother.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I have a wayward son I must grind under my heel. Good night, Lexsei, Odette.” Empress Sonya glided from the room, the picture of elegance.
Odette plopped down in her chair. “I love the empress,” she said.
Alexsei smiled shyly. “Do you?”
Out in the hallway, Empress Sonya roared. “Yakov!”
Odette sighed dreamily. “She’s so beautiful but so grounded.”
“I think she likes you,” Alexsei said. “Normally she simpers and preens at girls my age, but she respected you.”
Odette drew her shoulders back at the thought of having Empress Sonya’s respect. “I would not presume to agree.” She moved her teacup a smidge, trying to judge her words. After a moment, she said, “We haven’t had a chance to talk since you broke into Rothbart’s castle.”
“I thought it would be a better use of my time to keep Yakov away so you could cool off,” Alexsei said.
“Which I appreciated. However…the wyvern.”
“It seems to trouble you a great deal.”
“It does.” Odette impatiently scratched her head. “Normally, it is easy to keep watch on Rothbart. Odile can spy on what he is doing, and his ego is too enormous for his work to go unnoticed, so he often comes to gloat to us smugglers. I try to encourage the habit by acting receptive. Still, he never breath
ed a word of the wyvern.”
“Do you think he is working with someone, and they have a plan to attack Kozlovka?” Alexsei asked.
Odette knew what his worry was. The continent—normally a peaceful and idyllic place—had become a mess five years ago. Goblin and monster activity had increased significantly; royal families across the world were being cursed, and the Veneno Conclave seemed helpless to stop the onslaught.
The Black Swan Smugglers had a lucrative business because of the chaos. Some were gathering goods and armies in secret in case of a more organized attack. Odette and her fellow swans could get smaller goods to them unnoticed.
Besides the boil that was Rothbart, Kozlovka had been mostly unscathed. It seemed odd. But between Rothbart’s rants and Odile’s confidence, she suspected she knew why.
“Rothbart wouldn’t work with another even if they offered him a crown,” Odette said with absolute certainty. “He is distrustful of others thanks to his turbulent relationship with his wife, Sorceress Suzu.”
“You mentioned previously that Suzu stole the swan curse and gave it to a witch—who then used it on the Arcainian princes.”
“Suzu stole the spell formula and altered it, yes, though the witch constructed it herself,” Odette said. “That Suzu stole it and did not credit him absolutely enraged Rothbart. He nearly blew up his castle.”
“Do you think she could be behind some of the other magical attacks?” Alexsei asked.
“It is possible—she and Rothbart are quite different. I do not think he seeks to claim Kozlovka. He wishes to tinker with his spells and to have his genius witnessed. Suzu had loftier goals.”
Alexsei nodded thoughtfully. “You believe this experience with his wife will kill any desire to join forces with another sorcerer?”
She tapped her fingers on the table. Normally she would agree without hesitation, but the way he spoke to the wyvern in the dungeon… Why does he think of himself as restrained? She shook her head, clearing her mind. “Yes. Additionally, Rothbart entertains a vast superiority complex. He feels only uncultured yokels use magic to gain power. He thinks his spells and curses should be appreciated as an art form,” Odette said wryly.