Chapter 11: The Otter Tells All

Linnea sat down on the edge of the copper tub with her robe pulled tight.

"Tell me what you did," she said.

Odell wiped his face with a wet hand.

"I'm a river runner. I know every ferry and every crossing from Emberhall to the northern pass."

"Four days before the old queen died, Bracken's men came to me with a purse and a name. Linnea Fothergill, ferry keeper at Rushcross."

Her stomach turned over.

"You led them to my ferry."

"I poled them up the river myself." He looked sick. "I thought it was a land dispute. They said she'd inherit a farm."

"And then?"

"Then I stood in the Hall and watched you touch the Stone, and I knew exactly what I'd done."

His voice broke.

"Bracken knew the Stone would name the next queen from her bloodline."

"He wanted her found first, and made to sign his writ on the first day."

"I was the one who found you."

Linnea looked at the water.

It was a long time before she spoke.

"Why tell me now?"

"Because they've got my little sister."

He pulled his knees tighter.

"My sister is nine. She's in a cage at Gallowmere with a cord on her wrist."

"I've been lying to you for ten days, and I can't do it anymore."

"Where is Gallowmere?"

"A day's ride north, on the Blight's edge. It's Bracken's old hunting keep."

"All nine hostages are there. She sings to the others at night so they don't cry."

He looked up at her through wet lashes.

"I'll tell you the gate. I'll tell you which guards drink. I'll draw the whole keep. Only please don't hate me."

"Odell."

"Yes?"

"I'm furious at you."

"I know."

"I'm also very tired of being furious. And the children matter more than my pride."

Keep reading free with an account. Start Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.