Blood Red (91 page)

Spiteful lies.

I’ve been watching you. I’ve seen your abilities.

It could not be. She would not believe it. Wolf loved her. She knew it. She could feel it when they touched, when he looked at her. She could see it in his eyes. That did not lie. Did it?

“I see our Wolf has manipulated you well. Do not fret, my dear. He could have a place here at the castle.

He could still be welcome in your bedchamber.”

“Do not listen to them. They are full of lies and deceit.”

Red looked up. Wolf loomed in the doorway. His clothes were splattered red. She looked away and down at the floor.

“Red, I love you. You know I speak the truth.”

A brother snorted. “Love? Love does not always speak the truth.”

“True love, fated love does. Red, look at me.”

Red looked up. Her head still spinning.

“We are fated. You know this. You feel it. Nothing can break our binds.”

Red stared at Wolf. His eyes flashed and she saw the man she truly loved. She stood up and cleared her mind. The room stopped spinning and she breathed in a cleansing breath. She knew what she had to do. It was all very clear. She walked toward Wolf. She bent 180

Blood Red

down and picked up her sword.

“You are right, fathers. I will rule.”

The brothers smiled, triumph flashing in their stormy eyes.

“But I will rule alone.” Red raised her sword and sliced through one of the brothers. He fell to the ground, a mortal wound across his chest.

She turned toward the other brother. He had a dagger in his hand. He raised it. “The bonds may not break, but they can be cut.” He released the knife.

It flew through the air toward Wolf. Red ran to him. She saw the blade fly through the air like it was moving slowly through water. She jumped up in front of Wolf.

“
No!
” Wolf cried out.

Red landed on the floor. A deep sharp pain sang through her chest. She could hardly take in a breath.

Wolf loomed over her. His face twisted in pain. She reached up and touched his skin. She cradled his cheek with her palm.

“Are you hurt?” she asked.

Tears ran down his cheeks. “No. I am not hurt.”

Red smiled. She was glad. She did not want him to hurt again. She turned her head to look at the brother Grimm. He stood still on the other side of the room.

He looked at them, with almost compassion on his twisted face.

“How unfortunate. Not the outcome I was hoping for.”

Red coughed. She brought a shaky hand to her mouth. She gazed down at the crimson on her fingers.

She looked down past her hand. Blood blossomed 181