So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

Up in the crow’s nest, Rupert kept calm by surveying his domain. Up here, he was the master. He could sail wherever he pleased, do whatever he wanted, and no one could stop him. Not even a pair of stubborn women belowdecks.

But she was crying. He ejected that thought the second it crept into his head. There was no need to feel guilty. No need to feel anything at all but the satisfaction of knowing he was one step further along on the Official Plan. He would not allow the so-called princess to distract him. Even if she was beautiful. And crying.

Out of sight, out of mind. She could stay belowdecks, and he would remain here. Up here, he was free.

The Great Western Ocean went on as far as the eye could see. Overhead, the endless sky stretched far into the horizon. Most nights, he slept on a pallet on the quarterdeck, so he could feel close to the moons and countless stars.

Others, like Stefan, claimed the enormity of the night sky made them feel small. Insignificant. For Rupert, it made him feel better. The haunting memories, the crushing grief of losing everyone he loved, the years of living in fear—all these things seemed smaller and more bearable when he gazed up at the stars. And the fact that there were so damned many of them made it seem like anything could be possible. Even avenging his family and taking back what was rightfully his. Why shouldn’t his chances for success be as limitless as the stars in the sky?

Hope. The vastness of the night sky gave him hope.

During the day, the sky became an enormous workshop, providing him with an endless supply of air that he could shape and turn as he wished. Over the years, he had fine-tuned his gift, so now he could produce anything from the faintest whisper of a breeze to a hurricane-force gale. And he could narrow the wind. Aim it like an arrow. If ten seagulls lined up on a yardarm, he could blow one off its perch while leaving the others untouched.

Control. The vastness of the sky gave him control.

There had been too many years when he’d had no control at all. After losing everything before turning seven, he had spent the next seven years of his life hiding in caves and basements, constantly fearing for his safety. A hopeless, helpless existence, fraught with fear, hunger, and grief.

Even now, the memory of that time shot a spark of rage sizzling through his body. Never again. He would never be that weak and hopeless again. He’d learned how to harness the wind, and up here, surrounded by air, he had the power of a sorcerer. He had the control he craved. And the satisfaction of being the master of his own destiny.

Shutting his eyes, he inhaled the fresh, salty air and relished the wind brushing against him. Unfortunately, with his eyes shut, a pretty face came to mind. Blond hair and beautiful turquoise—dammit. He opened his eyes and shoved her from his thoughts.

He glanced back to check on the other ships, for they always gave him a great sense of accomplishment. In the seven years since he’d become a pirate, he’d increased his fleet from one to nine.

By the time Rupert had turned fourteen, he had become increasingly rebellious about having to remain hidden. So Stefan had contacted his cousin, Ansel, who was the captain of a merchant vessel. Ansel had agreed to take them on, even though they knew nothing about sailing. Over the next five years, hard work and fresh air had transformed Rupert from a gangly youth into a muscular young man.

During that time, Ansel taught them everything he knew about sailing, while Stefan continued to teach him fencing and archery. Rupert read every book he could find, and with the endless sky around him, he was finally able to practice and master his special gift.

When Rupert was nineteen, the merchant who had owned the trading ship managed to squander away his fortune at the gaming tables. With the ship up for sale, Ansel, Stefan, and Rupert had pooled all their resources and bought it. And that was when the three of them had set the Official Plan into motion.

With their one ship, they attacked a small convoy of Tourinian naval ships carrying gold. Not only did they abscond with some gold, but they took one of the ships. The Golden Star. Many of the seamen onboard, frustrated by the measly pay from the royal navy, decided to join Rupert. The officers were put ashore, Stefan became captain, and each sailor on the two ships was rewarded with a gold coin.

Rupert’s career as an infamous pirate had begun.

Now he was returning to Danport, where they’d bought supplies two days earlier. They’d traveled south for over an hour. It was time to turn eastward and head for shore.

As he adjusted the wind, Jeffrey’s voice filtered up from the quarterdeck. What did the women want now? Was Brigitta crying again? Had she been impressed by the privy he had invented for himself and Stefan?

What do you care what she thinks? Each time Rupert had heard one of the women’s complaints he’d gotten distracted and lost his concentration. That had to stop. He needed to get his fleet to Danport as quickly as possible before other pirates attacked the town.

Down below, Stefan was telling Jeffrey to give the ladies some books from his room. They were bored, and Jeffrey hadn’t known what to do.

Stay out of it. It’s not your problem. With muttered curse, Rupert turned toward them. “The captain’s books are all about warfare and navigation. Not what I would call entertaining.”

Stefan sighed. “You have a better idea?”

“There’s a book in my room about a mermaid and a sorcerer. Take that one to them, Jeffrey.”

“Yes, Admiral!” The boy started for the stairs.

“Is she still crying?” Rupert asked, then slapped himself mentally.

“Lady Brigitta?” Jeffrey hesitated. “No. She asked me what you were planning to do with her, but I didn’t know. She doesn’t want to go to Tourin or see her brother.”

Rupert’s grip on the railing tightened.

Stefan cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should have a talk with her—”

“Later,” Rupert interrupted. He turned back to the bow of the ship and reinforced the wind. She didn’t want to go to Tourin? She could be a princess there. Didn’t that appeal to her? She’s the enemy. Why should you care what she wants? With a muttered curse, he yanked the spyglass from his belt. But what if she’s innocent? He shoved that thought aside while he took a look through the spyglass.

Holy crap! In the distance, there were seven ships. Sails with red and black stripes. The Eberoni Royal Navy.

Dammit, he should have spotted them earlier. Once again, he’d let himself get distracted. “Seven Eberoni naval ships to the east,” he called down to Stefan.

“Have they spotted us yet?” Stefan asked.

Rupert didn’t think so. Their spyglasses were not as powerful as his. The navy was traveling south, hugging the coastline. No doubt, hunting for pirates. And here he was, a pirate, headed southeast, straight for them.