An: I just had an idea I was wondering if you would like shorter chapters but faster updates? So a chapter could be split into two parts of about 500 or more words each. I'm going to try it for this chapter but if you guys don't like it let me know.
Chapter 12
Derek POV
Odette and I slammed into each other. I grabbed her around her waist and pulled her close and kissed her without thinking. Her body closer to mine than it had been our entire marriage.
Odette POV
Derek and I ran into each other he pulled me close crushing my body into his, his tongue was in my mouth. I stood stunned for a second before I kissed him back, I slid my hands up his shirt trying to get closer to him.
Someone coughed and Derek broke the kiss, Rogers was next to us. "Glad to see you princess," He said with a slight bow.
"Come on," Derek tried to pull me forward.
"No Derek, you don't understand there's a curse,"
"What? Is that why you didn't come home?"
"I-" I hugged him again then cried.
"Shh it's ok I promise we'll get you home," Derek tried to be soothing but I knew it was impossible. I'd either have to die or marry that horrible man. This might be the last time I see my family.
"Princess maybe you should tell us about the curse," Rogers said.
Derek brushed away the worst of my tears, I fought the urge to cry again. He was being so nice, I promised myself if he got me out of this I would be the perfect wife, I would give him sons.
I told them what I understood of the curse, "Every night I'm human but during the day I turn back into a swan, if I'm not on the lake by sunset I stay a swan forever. I have to marry him and give him my kingdom in order to be fully human again,"
"You were the swan that attacked me today," Derek laughed "I thought that swan had a lot of spunk," He hugged me again not letting go, "Rogers do you know anything about this?"
"Yes I believe I do. After the attack on the palace during your party I researched all the old enemies of the two kingdoms. I found something I didn't think could be real, the great animal but when it grabbed Odette I knew it had to be true,"
"It's not an animal it's a man. He calls himself Rothbart," I said.
"He must be using Dark Arts then," Rogers said.
"I thought those were forbidden," Derek said.
"They are. Rothbart practiced in secret until about twenty years ago when he was found out and jailed. But for a man with that power…," Rogers trailed off they all knew he'd escaped.
Derek POV
"How do we break the curse?" I asked. Odette was leaning into me but standing strong I expected her to be scared but she looked determined to fight.
"If it was a curse it would be permanent but this is a spell meaning it will have some source, you have to find it and break it. Breaking it should free Odette," Rogers explained.
I'd hoped for better, but a few hours ago I didn't think I'd see her again so a shot at taking her home was worth any risk, she didn't deserve to live like this. She was mine to protect and I was going to protect her.
