He was quiet for a while as I focused on steadying my breathing. At some point, he began running his fingers through my hair, and the act was so comforting, I had to fight to stay awake.
“You’re certain this is the way?”
My eyes fluttered open. I shifted so I could look at his face, and before I knew what I was doing, trailed my fingers along the nose I’d bloodied. “You cannot kill a monster, so you must love her instead—her and no other. Whoever cursed her knows it is impossible, as well as laughable.”
Siegfried winced, and I wasn’t sure if it was due to my words or my touch.
“Let me clean you up—”
“No. You need to rest.”
I made a feeble attempt to sit up, ignoring the rush of dizziness and nausea. “I’m fine.”
“And I’m a unicorn. Sit, please, and stay put.”
He propped me against the wall, and I watched as he fetched my rag and bucket. Once he’d wiped the blood from his face and yanked his shirt back over his head, he settled opposite me, eyeing me in a way that made me want to sock him in the mouth all over again.
“I said I’m fine—”
“You don’t have to do this, you know. Not with me.”
“Why are you still here?”
“Do you want me to go?”
My silence was enough to betray me.
“Then I’m yours, at least until you’re feeling better, but I hope to be much longer than that.”
Heat crept to my cheeks. “What do you mean?”
“I’m hoping you’re willing to help set both of us free. If I’m to love this dragon, as you say…who better to teach me how?”
“Her, and no other,” I reminded him. “No more chasing pretty girls at court, and no following through on whatever marriage was arranged for you. You’re prepared for that?”
“Of course.”
“Forever?”
“Far longer than forever.”
I blinked. “You’re a fool.”
“Perhaps. But for the record…the only pretty girl I ever chased was you.”
Dammit—he was too good at this. To keep from blushing yet again, I stole a glance at the encroaching shadows near the mouth of the cavern. It was barely midday, and Siegfried was right—I needed rest before nightfall, and Rothbart was sure to be on the prowl. I was in no condition to face him now, and especially not one to lie to him. I needed food, sleep, and a clear head.
I nodded towards the knife. “That’s probably safer in your hands.”
“I can’t say I disagree.”
“Just keep watch, will you?”
Siegfried frowned. “But the dragon only hunts at night.”
“There exist monsters far worse than dragons.”
I was too comfortable.
An arm draped lazily over my hips, fingers barely grazing stone. Steady breaths struck the nape of my neck, flooding me with warmth, and when I lifted my head, the glimmer of a knife flickered in Siegfried’s opposite hand.
Keep watch, my ass.
I pushed his arm from me and then myself into a sitting position, fully prepared to give him a piece of my mind until I turned to look at him.
Siegfried’s bunched-up cloak supported his head while the rest of him remained the perfect shape to fit my body, arms splayed to welcome me back if I wished. Dark, unruly locks framed closed eyes—hair I longed to twirl between my fingers—while pale skin reflected the light of the setting sun.
Curling my hand around his, I pulled the dagger from his grip.
And then I ran.
The dragon began suffocating me before I made it far from the cavern. She writhed against her internal cage, but I fought back. The sun still hung low in the sky, a palpable reminder of how little time I had left as a human, but fuck if I wasn’t determined to milk every second that I could.
I stumbled through the forest with less grace than usual. My feet slid through the piles of leaves and debris, threatening to rip my legs out from under me, but I managed to grip the trees for support. Glancing through the gaps in the foliage, I gritted my teeth at the way the setting sun reflected on the surface of the lake. Brilliant reds and oranges and even some lush pink formed a breathtaking palette of wonder, colors mixing to form a natural watercolor portrait reflecting the sky.
To me, it looked like shit.
The first stabbing pain in my gut sent me doubling over. I groaned and clutched my chest, and it took effort for the sound not to turn to an animalistic snarl. Worry settled in my core. The dragon knew I disobeyed orders, and this was only the beginning of her punishment.
I made my way through the woods by instinct rather than conscious effort, unwillingly headed towards the opposite bank. There was a small inlet there; the one place where I could stand in the shallow waters as a dragon, and simply by touching me, Rothbart could return me to my human form. I tasted his scent in the air and knew he was close.
And I knew he’d require an explanation for my absence.
A convincing one.
When the dragon’s second warning hit, I was more prepared, and gripping the dagger tighter helped to brace myself. I yearned to sink it into flesh if only to watch something other than myself bleed and in response, my arm lashed out of its own accord. The blade buried itself into a nearby tree, and though it was only sap that oozed from its wound, it was still oddly satisfying.
“Odette!”
I dropped into a crouch, breath hitching in my throat. The initial panic turned to rage, especially since the voice that called for me wasn’t Rothbart.
It was Siegfried.
He tore through the forest resembling a drunken newborn moose. He flailed his arms wildly, more than once getting his sleeves caught on branches, and continued calling for me like an idiot.
A fucking idiot.
I yanked the knife from the tree, grimacing when my fingers became coated in sap from the blade. “Do you actually have a death wish?”
Siegfried didn’t slow. “We were supposed to work together!”
“Plans change.”
“Mine didn’t,” he called breathlessly, doubling over less than thirty yards out. “Please, don’t do this—”
“We’ve had this conversation before. I listened then—but I cannot now.”
“You can, you just won’t,” he hissed through gritted teeth.
I squared my shoulders before the dragon dug her claws into my gut. Sputtering as I fought to keep her contained, a thin line of blood trailed from my lips.
“You’re right.”
I hurled the dagger in his direction.
I didn’t wait to see whether or not the blade found its mark before I sprinted deeper into the forest. I hadn’t thrown to kill—only to shock Siegfried long enough to put ample distance between us. Once shifted it would be all over, and he couldn’t bear witness to my transformation.
Not if he had any chance of remaining alive.
I didn’t make it far before he called for me yet again, his voice fueling my strides. I shrieked when talons came bursting through my extremities. I yanked on my hair as it disappeared back into my scalp, digging instead into my flesh when wings ripped free of their cage. My dress constricted me for only a moment before the dragon’s immense form tore it to pieces, shredding with it any lingering traces of my humanity.
When I lifted my head, I saw the world through the dragon’s eyes.
At the sight of me, Siegfried halted in his tracks, stumbling backward until he fell on his ass. I lowered my neck and roared in his face.
He ran.
The pull to Rothbart was strong now that I’d assumed the dragon’s form. Shapeshifters were drawn to other shapeshifters, evidenced by the way I was already headed towards our spot. I was happy to let the dragon take over; the sooner we left this cursed lake, the safer Siegfried wou
ld be.
It wasn’t more than a dozen strides to the inlet. I skirted around the lakeshore, careful with where I placed my feet and tail, and tasting the air for signs of Rothbart. He was close, but I hadn’t yet seen him. I snorted. Fucking bastard wanted to make me wait.
Such was his game. He wanted me to need him.
When I stepped into the water, I was cold. A longing to be back in the cavern burned within my chest—the fire, the warmth, Siegfried—but I swallowed the desire. There could be no more of that where I was going. I sat on my haunches, curled my tail around my feet, and waited.
Rothbart took his damn time. Even as darkness fell, a deeper one enveloped my psyche, digging in its roots until it became difficult to draw breath. I flicked my eyes in every direction, but there was only the breeze whispering to the trees.
Hello, my swan.
I flinched at his voice in my head.
You’re not happy to see me?
I can’t see you, I shot back.
You simply forget where to look.
Through a gap in the foliage emerged a solid black owl. Piercing amber eyes bored a hole through me as the creature landed on the bank, but it was already beginning to transform. Wings turned to arms and talons turned to feet without any of the blood or agony my dragon demanded, possessing an unearthly grace instead. Rothbart’s human appearance was rather bird-like to begin with, given his hooked nose and sunken eyes, but his more unattractive features were concealed by the facial hair he kept gruff to hide it. He knelt until the shift was complete, lifting only his head once it was done and curling his lips into a sinister smile.
“I’ve missed you, Odette.”
I couldn’t say the same.
A fully clothed Rothbart stood, black cloak billowing around his hunched shoulders. His shifts never rendered him naked, which he said was yet another result of the curse I couldn’t wait to be broken. I pranced, eager for him to touch me, but he shook his head.
“Not so fast, my swan. You must tell me why you did not return to me immediately. You know I don’t like to be kept waiting.”
I answered inside his head. I got cold feet.
“There’s no need for that. We agreed to only wed once you were ready.”
I would never be ready, and he knew it. I bit back the growl that formed in my throat, allowing silence to linger instead.
Rothbart clapped his hands. “Well, you’re here now, and that’s all that matters. Prince Siegfried was an easy target, I imagine?”
I nodded stiffly.
“Details, Odette. You know I like hearing the details.”
We can discuss once I’m human.
Rothbart’s head snapped up. “What did you say?”
I only meant that I’ve spent an additional day in the wilderness. I’m exhausted and famished, and eager to return to your fortress—
“Our fortress, my swan.”
—so that I may rest. I bowed my head so low it nearly touched the surface of the water.
Rothbart clicked his tongue. “I do not doubt that you are exhausted, but you would not be had you returned to me when you were meant to.”
He wanted me to fucking grovel. Fine, so long as we got out of this damned forest—and away from Siegfried—as quickly as possible. I apologize, master. I was foolish and I see that now.
“You’re lucky to have such a forgiving master.”
I stifled another growl. Yes, I most certainly am.
“In addition to being forgiving, I am also generous.” He removed one of his gloves. “You need your rest more than you realize. At sunset tomorrow, we announce our engagement to the court.”
I was so focused on him changing me back that I didn’t register his words right away.
“I’ll need you bright and beautiful,” he continued, “but then again, you always are.”
Before I could respond, he pressed his palm to my hide.
Water surged around me, entangling my limbs in glowing aquatic ribbons. There was no blood or pain as the world around me shrank. I continued sinking until I was a head shorter than Rothbart and regained my balance on two legs instead of four. When the waters settled, I raised my hands to my face, flexing my fingers to confirm the transformation.
Rothbart draped his cloak over my shoulders, but not before roving his eyes over my naked form. From behind, he trailed a hand down my arm.
“Better?” he whispered in my ear.
“Much,” I forced, yanking the cloak so tightly it threatened to suffocate me. It didn’t stop Rothbart from brushing hair from my shoulder, exposing my neck. Don’t you fucking dare, I thought bitterly, but before he could press his lips to my skin, the snapping of a twig turned both our attentions to the forest.
Siegfried peered through the trees. And judging from the way his mouth hung agape, he’d seen everything.
Fucking idiot.
Rothbart reacted fast, but I reacted faster. Seizing the hand that had assaulted me on more occasions than I could count, I sank my teeth into flesh with no intention of letting go. As Rothbart howled and blood dripped down my chin, my eyes met Siegfried’s, communicating only one thing.
Run.
Even when Rothbart began beating against my skull, I didn’t release him. I clung to the obscenities that spewed from his lips, happy to wear each as a badge of honor.
“You lying, scheming bitch! Fucking whore, I’ll see to it you’re never free again!”
He ripped himself free, but not without tearing away a chunk of flesh in the process. I spat out the blood and muscle that filled my mouth, fighting to stay both conscious and on my feet.
I managed neither once the final blow found its mark.
More fucking water.
I couldn’t escape it no matter how I thrashed or twisted. The icy torrent soaked me to the bone and didn’t cease even when I begged. I continued screaming despite my mouth filling with the hellish liquid, and at a certain point, allowed it to make its way uninhibited down my throat.
Better to drown than be this fucking cold.
When breathing became difficult, the torrent ceased. I took a heaving breath and blinked in the darkness.
Rothbart sank to my level as I was unable to rise. My arms were extended to their full length, chains securing my wrists to each wall. My skull throbbed as if I’d been beaten, and the metallic taste of blood lingered in my mouth.
I lunged at Rothbart. “You bastard—”
“I’d save my strength if I were you.”
“What did you do with him?” I demanded, ignoring the chattering of my teeth.
“You’re not concerned with your current predicament? Interesting.”
I yanked on the chains. “I’ve had worse—as have you. How’s the hand?”
Rothbart pulled his bandaged palm closer to his chest as rage flickered in his eyes. “I underestimated how desperately you would cling to your humanity even after murdering so many.”
“I’ll ask again,” I hissed through gritted teeth. “What have you done to Siegfried?”
“A murderer, Odette. That’s what you are.”
“For fuck’s sake—”
“The bigger question is what you didn’t do.” Rothbart began to pace. “He was meant to be your last kill. Why throw it all away now?”
Because I fucking hate you. I bit my tongue on the off-chance Siegfried was still alive.
Rothbart halted and yanked my chin to face him. “Choose your next words carefully, my swan.”
I fought the urge to tear myself from his grip. “He escaped and I didn’t feel like tracking him down.”
“LIES!” Rothbart slapped me across the face.
I slumped forward as stars danced in my vision.
“You will tell me why you spared him, or he dies here and now.”
“He’s alive?” I bre
athed, raising my gaze to Rothbart.
The cruel smirk that spread across his features answered both our questions. “My little swan, I do think you’re in love.”
“I am incapable of love.”
“Are you, now?” Rothbart gripped a rope dangling from the ceiling. “Then surely this won’t bother you.”
Something came tumbling from above. It struck the ground with a dull thud, and only once I’d gotten a good look did I shriek.
A corpse clutched the dagger I’d hurled at Siegfried.
The body was charred beyond recognition, but the dagger was proof enough. A wave of nausea threatened to spill the nonexistent contents of my stomach while tears blurred my vision. I needed to draw breath, but a heavy weight settled atop my chest. I hardly noticed when Rothbart leaned in close. Even though my wrists had been rubbed raw by the chains, I thrashed, praying my dragon would emerge to shatter them.
Rothbart brushed the hair from my shoulder. “That looks an awful lot like love to me.”
I turned to bite any part of him I could reach, but he wouldn’t be caught off guard a second time. As Rothbart staggered back, he spat in my direction.
“A shame, really. His last words were a vow to love only you.”
He’d have broken my curse.
If I couldn’t speak before, I certainly couldn’t now. Sobs threatened to drown and suffocate me all at once as I stared at what remained of Siegfried’s body.
Rothbart tossed something at my feet. “I’ll let you two catch up, but don’t stay too long. The ball will go forward as planned—with one small adjustment. Can’t have anyone seeing those bruises.”
I glanced at what he’d thrown.
A mask.
With a snap of Rothbart’s fingers, my chains came undone. I collapsed onto Siegfried’s chest. The dungeon door bolted shut, leaving me alone with my rage and pain, but there was one small detail Rothbart had overlooked. My fingers curled around the dagger.
I picked myself off the floor, clutching the mask and knife.
I hoped my master was pleased with himself. I hoped that tonight, he’d be dressed in his finest garb, and stuffing his face with the finest food. I hoped Odile would be by his side to watch.
Dragon Lake Page 3
