Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth, #2)

by Kristen Ciccarelli

stepped out from behind a tower of crates, silent as a wolf. Gun drawn. Rune’s pulse hummed as his furious gaze met hers over William’s shoulder. Gideon. The sight of him lit a flame inside her.

Before he came an inch closer, Gideon said, “She said no, William. Didn’t your parents teach you that when a girl says no, she means it?”

His voice was like a barrel full of gunpowder, ready to be lit.

“Go back to the cabin, Rune. I’ll finish this.” Rune frowned. “What are you going to do?” Gideon’s angry gaze flickered to hers. “Send him to the bottom of the sea. It won’t take long. I’ll meet you in our room.”

Rune felt like a ship dropping anchor after months adrift on an ocean of tempestuous waves. The island beneath her was steady. Secure.

Did a person change depending on their circumstances? Or was there something permanent about everyone? Something steadfast and true, despite their circumstances?

“Was that really necessary?” “Was what necessary?”

“Since we’re airing our grievances: it kills me watching you seduce other men.”

But Rune’s heart and her head refused to align. They were two ships on different courses.

“I had to watch you kiss that stupid prince. Do you think that was fun for me?”

because so long as Gideon was on her side, so long as they were a team, there was nothing she couldn’t do.

He was thinking about how, now that he wasn’t allowed to have her, she was all he wanted. Maybe he was destined to want things forever out of his reach.

“Merciful Ancients,” Gideon whispered, his heart squeezing painfully. Rune was the missing heir.

“You are far worse than a thorn in my side,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming at her. “You are a knife in my heart.”

“Dreaming about me again?” He cocked an eyebrow, as if this pleased him. With his grip still tight on her wrist, he leaned in, his breath warm against her cold lips, making her heart beat in triple time. “How often do you dream of me, Rune?”

“Will you miss me, Crimson Moth?” She swallowed. “How can you ask me that?”

“Where will you go?” He was a fool if he expected her to answer that. “Somewhere you’ll never find me.”

“Gideon?” The sight of him blurred. “I wish—” “Don’t.” His voice was ragged. “Just go, Rune.”

Gideon remembered Rune’s knife pressed to his throat. Remembered the tears in her eyes as she fled. Because I love her.

What’s difficult is refusing to harden your heart despite having every reason to. Despite knowing the odds are against you.”

“Live in the darkness too long, and eventually you won’t recognize the light,” he told her.

You are a knife in my heart. They sailed on.

Rune— I hope you find the freedom you’re looking for. Yours, Gideon

TRUE LOVE’S CURSE is an Arcana spell. It prevents a victim from being with his true love by inflicting pain whenever he touches her skin to skin. The words made Rune dizzy. They’d both assumed the spell kept Gideon away from Rune, specifically. But this was something else. This was intended to keep Gideon away from his true love. Which meant … It happens when I touch you.

Was Gideon worth the risk? Rune touched the coin hanging around her neck. Yes.

Rune is worth everything.

Gideon’s voice flooded through her, calming her, helping her focus: If someone tries to hurt you, and there’s no other way to stop them, don’t think twice. Just shoot. Got it? Lifting the gun to Soren’s head, Rune fired.

Gideon saw her torn bodice and the ripped shift beneath. His eyes blackened. “Who did this to you?”

Gideon dropped to his knees in front of her, the heat of his rage rolling off him. But his voice was less of a growl now. He was controlling it, she realized. For her sake. “Rune. Give me his name.”

“I suppose that saves me the effort of killing him myself.”

Rune is resilient. She’ll find a way to survive.

“It might look like weakness on the surface. But in truth, it’s tougher than steel. Love can’t be controlled. Love can’t obey unjust laws. Love will always oppose tyrants.”

“You’re a witch?” “Got a problem with that?” growled Gideon.

“And you,” he said, studying her in the darkness, “are letting your fear rule you.”

Gideon glanced up. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to put her back together.” “You can’t put her back together. Only she can do that.”

“And if I lose her in the meantime?” Antonio’s eyes softened. “Love is patient, Gideon.”

In a moment of weakness, she went searching for him.

Gideon. “Rune defied Cressida, knowing what would happen. She did it to break your curse.” To break my … He thought of his dream. Of Rune climbing into his bed. Of her softness and warmth, nestled against him. It wasn’t a dream.

“Is this why you’ve avoided me?”

“Rune. Why didn’t you tell me?”

He lowered his mouth to a scar on her shoulder, kissing the raised skin. A breath escaped her. He kissed another scar, and the tension left her body. “You are the kindest, cleverest, bravest girl I’ve ever met.” He kissed more and more scars, tracing them gently with his mouth. “These scars are only further proof of that.”

“I would do it again,” she whispered. “Just for this.”

I don’t deserve this girl. He slid his palms against her cheeks and tilted her head back. But I want to. I want to be the man who deserves Rune Winters.

“Anywhere,” she said, trailing kisses down his throat, nipping gently. “Anywhere other than here. We could sail to the other side of the world. We could live, Gideon.”

Gideon would stand beside her, fight beside her, die beside her. But he wouldn’t run away with her. Running wouldn’t fix anything. Believe in me, he wanted to say. Trust me to lead us out of this.

Somewhere beneath the fear was the girl he loved. A girl who stared down danger with a smile and a knife. His brave, clever Crimson Moth.

“There is a better world waiting to be born, Rune. A world that belongs to all of us. But it will never arrive if we don’t fight for it.” “And if you’re wrong?” she demanded. “What if everything that’s broken can’t be restored?” “What if it can

Gideon stared at her. “Then it will be an honor to die at your side.”

Beneath the hurt and fear and anger, she was the same Rune he’d fallen in love with. He believed that. She’d simply forgotten herself—the way he had once forgotten himself.

He’d never seen a more beautiful sight. Or a more furious one. “What the hell, Gideon?”