So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

“Damn you, Seven,” Gunther grumbled. “Why are you acting like you want to save me? You’ll just have to kill me later when you take the throne.”

“You were wounded saving Brigitta.” He glanced at her and his eyes softened. “I can’t kill my wife’s brother.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “We’re not married yet.”

“We will be.”

She smiled. “Is that a proposal?”

“No, this is. Will you marry me, Brigitta, and be my queen?”

She nodded as more tears flowed. “I love you, Rupert. I’m so sorry that I was fooled by the shifter. He looked just like you, and I—”

“I figured something like that happened.” He leaned toward her. “Don’t cry. I knew you could never betray me.”

She sniffed. “You believed in me. You trusted me. Thank you.”

“I think I’m going to puke,” Gunther muttered.

“Oh.” Brigitta wiped her bloody hands on her skirt. “Should I find a bowl for you?”

Gunther snorted, then coughed up some blood.

Brigitta used her skirt to wipe the blood from his mouth. “Stay with me, brother dearest.”

He gave her pained smile. “I know I’ve been an ass. When Father sent me off as a hostage, I felt so helpless. That’s when I decided I would do whatever it took to get all the power. I thought it was the only way to be safe. But it only left me all alone.”

“Save your strength,” Brigitta urged him.

He coughed again. “I know I’m going to die.” He turned his head toward Rupert. “She’s my dearest sister, you bastard. You had better be a good husband to her.”

“I will, Your Majesty.”

Gunther winced. “And you had better be a good king.”

Brigitta gasped and glanced at Rupert’s surprised expression.

Rupert bowed his head. “I will do my best, Your Majesty.”

Gunther snorted, then reached a trembling hand to the crown on his head. “Take it, you bastard.”

Rupert wiped the blood from his hands, then accepted the crown. “This was my father’s.”

“Hurry up. Put it on and get married,” Gunther grumbled. “I want to see the future of my kingdom.”

Rupert stood and placed the crown on his head.

Stefan and the seamen cheered.

Lord Argus knelt beside the king to put pressure on the wound. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. The physician is on his way.”

Rupert led Brigitta toward the dais.

“My lady.” Stefan approached her. “Where is Fallyn? She should be here.”

“Oh.” Sister Fallyn and Bjornfrid! “Mador was keeping her prisoner in order to force me to marry him. She should be somewhere close to his rooms.”

Stefan nodded. “I’ll find her.” He took half the seamen, and they dashed from the room.

Brigitta smiled, knowing that soon Rupert would be reunited with his brother.

Rupert squeezed her hand. “Let’s get married.”

She nodded. She was getting married. To the right man. Her pirate and Wind Sorcerer.

Father Bran looked them over. “So you two want to get married?”

“Yes,” they both replied, then smiled at each other.

“In the name of the Holy Light, I pronounce you husband and wife,” Father Bran said.

Brigitta’s smile faded. “That was it?”

The priest gave her a sad look. “We didn’t have much time.” He glanced over at Gunther.

Brigitta turned. One look at her brother’s glassy eyes, and she knew he was gone.

“I’m sorry,” Rupert said. “We’ll give him a funeral befitting a king.”

Lord Argus rose to his feet. “The king is dead. Long live the king!”

Brigitta exchanged a look with Rupert. He’d done it. He’d taken the throne, but he hadn’t sought vengeance against her brother. Her husband was an honorable man.

The courtiers bowed and curtsied, while the remaining seamen cheered. Brigitta started a curtsy, but Rupert pulled her into his arms.

“Come here.” He kissed her, then whispered in her ear. “I have some business to take care of, but I’ll see you this evening in your bedchamber.”

“Our bedchamber.”

He smiled. “I’m going to like being married.”

“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn rushed into the Great Hall.

Brigitta met her halfway across the room and hugged her. Then she saw Stefan with tears in his eyes as he led Bjornfrid through the door.

Bjornfrid looked around curiously. “What happened to the windows?”

“Freddy.” Brigitta extended a hand to him. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Brigitta, are you crying, too? Why is everyone sad?”

“Freddy.” She led him toward Rupert, who was watching with a wary look on his face. “This is your older brother.”

Freddy blinked at him. “Ulfie? You’re all grown up.”

Rupert drew in a sharp breath. “Bjornie?”

Freddy grinned. “Ulfie!”

Rupert ran toward him and pulled him tight into his arms. “Bjornfrid, I thought you were dead.”

“No, I’m fine.” Freddy grinned at him. “Do you want to play?”

Rupert’s eyes narrowed, and a pang struck Brigitta’s heart. Poor Rupert was realizing that his brother had never grown up.

Brigitta touched Freddy’s arm. “We’ll send for your grandmother, so she can live with us here.”

Freddy nodded with an excited grin. “That’s good. I miss Grandma.”

“You found my brother?” Rupert asked her.

She nodded. “I told you I’m good at finding things.”

He pulled her into another embrace. “You found my heart, all shriveled up with hate and the need for revenge. And you filled it with love and joy.”

She touched his cheek. “I found the tall and handsome stranger I’ve always dreamed about.”

“Ew.” Freddy frowned at them. “You’re not going to kiss, are you?”

Rupert smiled at her and winked. “Later.”

*

Later was four hours, but Rupert had wanted to make sure everything was settled and peaceful before seeking out his wife. Stefan had taken charge of the army, and every soldier in Lourdon had personally sworn allegiance to the new king.

Arrangements had been made for Gunther’s funeral the next day. Lord Argus had agreed to retire once Six arrived to take over his duties. And Brody had returned an hour ago, angry that the Chameleon had managed to get away by flying into a forest and becoming some kind of animal. When Brody had followed, there had been no trace of him.

Rupert found his way to Brigitta’s bedchamber, remembering how the last time he’d come there, he’d had to climb a drainpipe and leap across a few balconies. The huge bed was still there, but no Brigitta.

He found her in the dressing room, soaking in a large tub. “There you are.”

“Oh.” Brigitta blushed as she attempted to cover her breasts.

He smiled. She was doing a poor job of concealing herself. “Are you coming out? Or shall I join you?”

With a giggle, the maid ran from the room.

Brigitta motioned to a tray on a nearby table. “Have you eaten? I had some food brought up for you.”

He leaned over to kiss her cheek, then nipped at her ear. “I’ll have a nibble.”

She gave him a wry look. “Please do.”

With a smile, he unbuttoned his shirt. Through the soapy water he could see her long legs and more. He pulled off his shirt and dropped it on the floor. “Are you coming out?”