Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth, #2)

by Kristen Ciccarelli

“Drop. The. Gun.” His voice was a dangerous growl. The pistol clattered to the floor at William’s feet. “Kick it toward Rune.” The pistol came skidding toward her. Rune bent to pick it up. The metal was still warm from his grip. “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.”

“Screw this up,” said William, “and it’ll be over for you. When it is, I’m coming for your little Moth.” It took everything in Gideon not to raise his gun and fire.

Rune forced a change of subject: “So, is this your standard romance routine? You take whatever girl you’re courting for ice cream and a promenade?” His mouth quirked. “Are we courting? I wasn’t aware.” What? Heat rushed into Rune’s cheeks. “That’s not … no. I didn’t mean—” He glanced back over his shoulder, toward the ice cream parlor. “Actually,” he said, interrupting her spluttering. “I come here whenever I miss my family.” Oh.

“It never bothered me, how we lived. I had nothing better to compare it to. Not until…” He glanced at her. A small smile tugged at his mouth. “You have ice cream on your face.” Mortified, Rune swiped at her chin. Gideon shook his head. “No, it’s…” Pulling off his riding glove, he brushed his thumb across her lip. When he drew his hand away, the pad of his thumb was smeared with chocolate. Gideon studied it, as if he didn’t know what to do. He offered it back to her. Rune didn’t hesitate. It was chocolate, after all. She took his thumb in her mouth, sucking off the ice cream. As her teeth grazed his skin, she heard Gideon swallow. The sound made her glance up to find him staring at her, eyes going dark.

Nan had used Beguile, too, often during business dealings to help with persuasion. It couldn’t force someone to do what she asked, but it nudged them in that direction. Essentially: it made the wearer difficult to resist, though not impossible. It wouldn’t work on someone like Gideon, for example, who delighted in opposing Rune. But young guards wanting to impress a pretty girl? It might work on them.

His gaze fixed on Rune, running down her uniform. It fit her perfectly, because Gideon knew her measurements. He’d taken them himself, not so long ago. “Can I help you with something?” asked the guard, his attention still wandering over Rune.

“You didn’t need to flirt with him.” Rune bristled. Really? “My flirting got us inside. You should be thanking me.” But Gideon was the opposite of thankful. He was surlier than ever. “That guy doesn’t have a chance with you,” he said as they hit the second floor, where the stairs ended. “You know it. And I know it. But he doesn’t know it. Encouraging him to think otherwise is cruel.”

“Just because you’re disgusted at the thought of me doesn’t mean everyone else is,” she said, keeping her voice down. “Some people like it when I flirt with them.” “What are you talking about?” Annoyed that Edmund was still speaking to the staff, she shut the door and turned to Gideon, who stood facing her. “That night on the ship, when we kissed. You pulled away like I was…” She glanced away, remembering the appalled look in his eyes. As if he couldn’t believe what he’d done. Rune wished she didn’t care. But she did. “Like you were what?” he growled, keeping his voice down. She fixed her gaze on the polished floorboards beneath her feet. “Like I was a horrifying monster.” He ran a hand through his hair. “That’s not…”

He unbuttoned his jacket. She stared as he tugged it off, then untucked his shirt. “What are you doing?” “Putting this to rest. Right now.” Watching him undress was making her temperature rise. “Putting what to rest?” “This ludicrous idea that you repulse me.” “I do repulse you.” Her eyes met his dark ones. “You said so yourself.” “What?” His fingers paused at the uppermost button of his shirt. “When?”

“Since we’re airing our grievances: it kills me watching you seduce other men.” “Because it’s cruel. Got it.” She turned away, heading toward the writing desk, which was the furthest point away from the hall. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her. “Not because of that.” Rune glanced back at him. “Watching you flirt with them makes me…” He made a sound low in his throat. “It makes want to go to the shooting range and fire off a hundred rounds, imagining I’m firing at them.”

“We are not finished.” Gideon pressed his hands flat on the desk, one on either side of her, preventing her from leaving. “I had to watch you kiss that stupid prince. Do you think that was fun for me?”

His thumb brushed across her jaw, tracing the line of it. It was so unfair, the way a single touch from him made her ache for more. “Rune, the truth is—” He swallowed. “—the entire time I was kissing Abbie … I wanted her to be you.”

With the arrival of reinforcements, the gunfire intensified. Gideon’s gloved hand cupped Rune’s head, pressing her face into his shoulder. He kept her head down and out of danger as they sheltered the child between their two bodies. “You’ll be with your mother soon,” he told Meadow, whose little arms were locked around Rune’s neck. Gideon’s voice was warm and steady despite everything falling apart around them. As if he knew precisely how to soothe frightened children even if he was also frightened. As the eldest of three, he probably did. “I won’t let you get hurt. That’s a promise.”

“If you and I were together, they’d hunt us to the ends of the earth.” She glanced down at the defenseless child in her lap. More quietly, she said, “Along with any children we might have.” As the bullets whizzed overhead, Gideon fell silent, staring at her. His hand still cupped the back of her head. “Do you want children?” His voice was strangely quiet, at odds with the ruckus.

“I can’t just leave you here!” “Rune.” Her name pulled her gaze to his. “For once in your damn life, don’t fight me.” The steely look in his eyes brooked no argument. Rune glared back, knowing he was right—this was the only way to get Meadow out. But … Rune threw her arms around his neck, hugging him hard. “Promise me you’ll stay alive.” When she released him, Gideon blinked in surprise. “I’ll be fine.”

You better know what you’re doing. Untying Comrade from his post, she mounted, then kicked the horse into a canter, leaving her heart behind in that dining room, with the boy risking his life so she and a child could escape.

“How did you get out?” “I surrendered to the guards.” He studied the long skirt and blouse she’d changed into—fit for riding long distances. In her anxious state, she’d forgotten to button the cuffs of her sleeves. Noticing, he tugged off his riding gloves, tucked them into his pocket, and buttoned them for her—first one wrist, then the other.

“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.”

“And you’re a wolf I can’t outrun,” she whispered, closing her eyes against his touch. “Not even in my sleep.” His hand went still, prompting her eyes to open. “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?” The look in his eyes made her ache with longing. More often than I’d like. Seeing how she shivered, Gideon let go of her wrist. When Rune didn’t lash out with her knife, he tugged off his jacket and dropped it over her shoulders. Rune glared at him. How dare he be kind on the eve of his betrayal.

To Rune’s surprise, his gloved hand slid over hers, linking their fingers together and keeping her palm pressed to his heart. Their intertwined fingers filled Rune with a strange and terrible yearning. “Will you miss me, Crimson Moth?” She swallowed. “How can you ask me that?” “Is that a yes?” Normally, Rune could tell when he was plotting something. Tonight, he was impossible to read. “Where will you go?” He was a fool if he expected her to answer that. “Somewhere you’ll never find me.”

Taking her hand in his, he drew the pistol from his holster and pressed it against her palm. “Promise me you won’t lose this one,” he whispered, his cheek rough against hers. Rune glanced up at him. What? But he was already stepping away. Leaving his gun in her hand. “And if someone tries to hurt you,” he said, “and there’s no other way to stop them, don’t think twice. Just shoot. Got it?” She frowned, watching him pick up her casting knife from the floor, then sheath it in his belt. As if they’d made a trade. He didn’t close the gap again. Just stood to the side, leaving her path to the door wide open. He wasn’t even trying to stop her.

“I’ll give you a twenty-minute head start.” His expression was inscrutable. But his unspoken words were clear: And then I’m coming for you.

HALF AN HOUR AFTER Rune left his apartment, Gideon stood in the supply room of the new Blood Guard headquarters. He’d ridden straight here and given the order to move most soldiers to the main harbor, where the Crimson Moth would make her escape. Or so he’d led them to believe.

It was only a matter of time before Cressida figured out who Rune was. So long as Elowyn and Analise’s corpses were out there, fully preserved, Rune’s life was in danger. No matter where she ran, she would be hunted. But if he found the bodies and destroyed them? Rune would be safe.

When she was gone, Laila said, “You know where Rune is, don’t you?” Gideon said nothing. “You can still turn this around. You can tell me, and we can stop her. Before Noah finds out.” He studied his friend, whose eyes pleaded with him. Laila had a good, brave heart. He loved her like a sister. He didn’t want to force her hand. But neither would he give Rune up. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Truly, I am.”

Instead of setting it aside, Rune flipped back, searching for the spell Cressida had used to hurt Gideon. She found it soon enough: 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. Swallowing the strange lump in her throat, Rune kept reading. Once cast, TRUE LOVE’S CURSE cannot wear off. Only the blood of the victim’s true love, spilled in a sacrificial act, can break it.

“You.” Rune had never been more terrified. As Cressida’s eyes dropped to the book of love spells, her mouth twisted in a mocking smile. “Oh, Rune. Unlucky in love?” Rune’s anger ignited. She lifted her chin. “I suppose I should thank you. If not for your curse, I wouldn’t have irrefutable proof that he loves me.”

“Laila?” She was in uniform, looking like she hadn’t slept—or changed—in days. In her hand was a ring of iron keys. “What’s going on?” “You owe me one.” She stepped closer and slid a key into the lock of his manacles. After a quick turn and a click, the chains dropped to the ground.

He’s a soldier. He’ll be armed. She glanced at his hip. Sure enough, there was a pistol holstered there. As more fabric ripped and Soren lost himself to his lust and rage, Rune reached for the gun. She turned off the safety and cocked it. 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.

THE KING OF UMBRIA’S son fell dead at her feet. Rune stared at him, her entire body quaking with shock. Good girl, she could almost hear Gideon say.

She sat up and scuttled toward the wall. But it was too late. Gideon saw her torn bodice and the ripped shift beneath. His eyes blackened. “Who did this to you?” Rune glanced at the floor, feeling ashamed without knowing why. She gripped the torn fabric, holding it closed over her chest. 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.”

At the sight of Rune, they all drew their guns. Gideon stepped in front of her. “Take Miss Winters out back and shoot her,” Noah told his sister. “I’ll deal with the witch’s whore.” Something red-hot burst to life in Rune. How dare he call Gideon that. She grabbed her stolen knife from where Gideon had dropped it and stepped out from behind him, staring down the barrel of Noah’s gun. “Gideon has more valor in his thumbnail than you have in your entire being, you piece of—” “Rune.” Gideon’s voice was a warning.

“She put Cressida on the throne, Gideon. Cressida, who’s executing people as we speak.” She glanced back. “That monster killed my father.” Rune remembered it. The way Cressida so casually put a bullet in Nicolas Creed’s head. The way he collapsed to the stones, utterly silent and still. “Like your father killed Kestrel Winters?” Laila straightened. “Rune had to watch her grandmother die,” said Gideon. “Just as you had to watch your father die.”

They were nearly at the garden gate when the bullets started to fly. Crack! Crack! Crack! Gideon lifted Rune over the gate, then jumped it, careful to keep his body between her and the soldiers. Shielding her from the gunfire. They ran through the meadow. With her hands tied, Rune was slower than usual. The first time she stumbled, Gideon helped her up and a bullet lodged in his shoulder. He bit down on a growl as the pain seared through him. They kept running. The second time Rune stumbled, another bullet found its mark—in Gideon’s hip this time. So he scooped her into his arms and pressed on, keeping his eyes on the woods up ahead. Rune didn’t fight him—which should have been the first sign something was wrong. She simply gave in, pressing her cheek against his chest as she slumped in his arms.

“What’s this?” Antonio touched Gideon’s neck, where Rune had drawn spellmarks to stop his bleeding. He glanced up, staring at her. “You’re a witch?” “Got a problem with that?” growled Gideon. As if he could do anything about it in his weakened state.

Gideon hung back, trying to catch Rune’s eye as the witches passed, but she was already in conversation with Seraphine, and if she noticed him, she didn’t show it. As he took his place behind her, following this strange entourage into the gardens, he noticed a red mark on the back of her neck, peeking up above her leather collar. Like a freshly healed scar. He frowned, wondering how she’d come by it.

“Rune. Why didn’t you tell me?” At his question, her face crumpled. Suddenly, her fear made sense. Rune now knew firsthand what it meant to be at Cressida’s mercy. She’s terrified. Gideon stepped toward her, into the falling water. Within seconds, he was as soaked as she was. “I’m her sister,” she said, as if this might repel him. “I don’t care.”

She seemed about to refuse, so he took her face in his hands. “Let me see. Please.” Her shoulders slumped and she turned, letting the sodden towel fall to the stone at their feet, leaving her back exposed to him. He hissed through his teeth at the crisscrossed scars ridging her back, the red lash lines cutting through her pale, smooth skin. Some had healed; others were still raw. It made him want to weep. “Oh, Rune…” “I know.” Her voice cracked on the words and she lifted her hands to her face. “I’m hideous.” “No.” The word burst out of him, angry. How could she think that? Gideon stepped closer and locked his arms around her waist. “Not possible.”

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 know you’re scared,” he said, walking backward. “I know this is hard. But I need you. Who else can show them the way if not a witch and a witch hunter, fighting side by side?” He stopped and reached for her arms, bringing her to a stop. “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?” She pulled free of his grasp. “She’ll kill us both.” Gideon stared at her. “Then it will be an honor to die at your side.”

“You asked me once if I wanted children,” she said. He tilted his head, as if this was the last thing he’d expected her to say. “I want three.” Rune had seen them that day in the yellow house, while bullets whizzed over her and Gideon’s heads: three little ones laughing as they ran through a field of wildflowers. She had known immediately they were Gideon’s. But this evening, while studying her reflection in the train window, she realized they were also hers. She’d seen their features in her face.

“This train is going south,” he said. “That means the next station is a few hours away. We can get off in that yard, and I can help you hop another one. Or we can find a harbor that hasn’t been infiltrated and get you on a boat.” She frowned. That wasn’t exactly the response she’d hoped for. “Gideon, I just said—” “You want a family one day.” He dragged his attention away from the window, fixing it on her. The look on his face seemed … sad. “I understand. It’s why you want to escape.” “No.” Rune stepped toward him, shaking her head. “I mean, yes. But…” She reached for his lapels, gripping them with both hands, anchoring herself to him against the train’s jolt. “I’m offering you terms, Gideon.” He frowned at her, confused. “Do you still want me to stay?” Lifting a hand to her hair, he tucked a wild strand behind her ear. “More than anything.” “There’s something I want, too. Something that would make me stay.” He was watching her closely now. “I’m listening.”

“Sometimes,” she said, staring hard at the collar of his jacket, “I fantasize about being your wife.” His eyebrows shot toward his forehead. “Really?” He grinned, clearly pleased. “Your fantasies are a lot more wholesome than…” The grin slid away. “Wait. What are you saying?” He pressed his thumb to her chin, forcing her gaze back to his. “I want to be your wife, Gideon.” The pulse in his throat kicked. “And these children you also want … they’re our children?” “I’m pretty sure that’s how it works, yes.” More quietly, she said: “Is that all right?” Gideon plunged his fingers into her hair. “All right?” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Rune. Being married to you would be the honor of my life. You’re saying you’ll stay and fight, if I marry you?” “More or less.” She ran a hand up his chest to rest against his heart. “Is that extortion?” His mouth curved. “I’ll happily be extorted by you.”

“We were…” She swallowed. “You were … touching me.” “Touching you?” Gideon glanced up with a sly smile. “Like this?” He ran a hand slowly down her arm, raising the hairs there. Rune shivered, but shook her head. “Show me.” “Why is this so important to you?” “The way you said my name that night…” He ran the backs of his fingers up the buttons of her blouse. Rune’s stomach pinched with desire as he stopped to undo the uppermost one. “I want to hear you say it like that again.” The words made her flush. “Gideon—”

She marveled at the magic of it. Like there was something far bigger than themselves binding them together. Working like a fiery spell. “Rune.” He spoke her name like an incantation. “Rune.” His fingers plunged into her hair. “If you don’t slow down, I’m going to—” She cradled his face in her hands. “I want you to, my love.” His eyes gazed up at her, tender, defiant. Trying to resist. To hold off and wait for her.

“You have no idea how glad I am to see you.” For the briefest of moments, he was thankful they were at war. In war, rules of civility were altered. If Gideon ever came face-to-face with Noah, he could shoot him with a clean conscience.

“What changed your mind?” he said. “You seemed so set on leaving.” Rune thought of Gideon’s belief in a better world, and his willingness to die for it. She thought of their future children running through a field, full of laughter and joy. “I realized he’s right,” she said. “You get the world you’re willing to fight for.” She glanced at the medallion hanging from Antonio’s neck. “Can acolytes officiate weddings?” “In certain circumstances, yes.” Antonio cocked his head at her. “Why do you ask?” “Could you marry us, when this is over?” If he noticed she said when, not if, he didn’t point it out. Only smiled. “It would be an honor.”

“Shoot him!” Their bullets soared like comets. Coming straight for Gideon. Every single shot bounced off. Gideon thought of his Crimson Moth and smiled through his sorrow. Even in death, my love, you are a wonder.

Catching sight of the spell, Cressida laughed. “An Arcana? We both know you won’t risk corrupting yourself, Seraphine.” Gideon saw the movement too late: Cressida snatching her moon-curved casting knife and lunging for the witch beside her. It was Antonio who grabbed her wrist, holding her back. “Little queen,” laughed Seraphine, “I am incorruptible.” Cressida frowned, her gaze flickering over Seraphine’s face. “My name is Wisdom.” Her voice rang like a drawn blade. “And I’ve waited a long time for this.”