So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

After she and Sister Fallyn ate their dinner, they soon grew bored. Brigitta opened the window to let in some fresh air. The sky was turning pink and gold as the sun neared the horizon.

“I suppose Mother Ginessa and the girls will have arrived in Ebton by now,” Sister Fallyn grumbled as she poured the last of the wine into her cup.

“Probably so.” Brigitta curled up on the window seat and rested her elbows on her knees. Would Luciana be upset when she learned what had happened? “Tomorrow they’ll have a birthday celebration for Luciana and Sorcha.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Sister Fallyn sipped some wine. “They were both born on the Spring Embrace.”

And Luciana’s baby was due in a few days, Brigitta thought. She would miss the birthing. She already missed her sisters. Tears crowded her eyes, but she blinked them away. Feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to change anything. “We should do something.”

“Like what?” Sister Fallyn took another sip.

Brigitta frowned. She’d never seen Sister Fallyn drink this much. No doubt the poor woman was still upset. “I know. Let’s try on Sister Ellen’s clothes!”

“Why bother?” Sister Fallyn mumbled.

“’Twill be fun.” Brigitta strode over to the bed to pick up the gown. “’Tis lovely, don’t ye think?”

Sister Fallyn shrugged and finished her cup.

“I think it’ll fit yerself better than me.” Brigitta held it out to the nun. “Come on, I want to see how beautiful ye look.”

Sister Fallyn snorted. “Would Kennet have left me if I was truly beautiful?”

“Ye are beautiful, Sister. And we’ve already established that Kennet is a bastard. I would say ye’re much better off without him.”

Sister Fallyn nodded slowly. “Ye have a point.” She eyed the gown warily. “’Tis much prettier than I’ve ever worn before.”

“Let’s do it!” Brigitta laid the gown over the back of a chair, then fumbled through the bag of clothing to find a pretty shift and matching shoes.

Soon Sister Fallyn was dressed. The blue velvet gown fit her perfectly around the waist, but the skirt was a trifle short.

Brigitta clasped her hands together. “Look at you! Ye’re truly stunning!”

The nun shook her head, her cheeks pink. “I feel like my breasts are falling out. And my ankles are showing.”

“Come, sit down.” Brigitta drew her to a chair. “We should do yer hair.”

“’Tis not necessary.”

“Ye have lovely hair.” Brigitta unraveled the long blond braid, then combed through it with her fingers.

A knock sounded on the door.

Sister Fallyn lurched to her feet and nearly fell over. “Good goddesses, my head is spinning.”

Brigitta steadied her. “Ye drank a bit more than usual, but don’t worry. I’m sure it’s only Jeffrey.”

The boy peeked inside and blinked at Sister Fallyn. “Jeepers. You look like a queen.”

“I—don’t be silly.” The nun pressed a hand to her chest to cover up the exposed skin.

Jeffrey scurried inside. “I came for your dinner tray.”

“Thank you.” Brigitta handed it to him, and he headed out the door.

“Oh, good evening, Captain.” Jeffrey’s voice filtered from the passageway.

Sister Fallyn gasped. “Quick! Close the door.”

Brigitta dashed toward the door just as Captain Landers peered inside.

“Good evening, my lady,” he greeted Brigitta. Then his gaze landed on Sister Fallyn and his mouth dropped open.

Brigitta glanced at the nun, who was frozen in shock, then looked back at the captain. Oh dear, if she wasn’t mistaken this resembled a scene from one of her overly dramatic stories. “Captain, how kind of you to drop by.”

He didn’t seem to hear her.

She cleared her throat. “Captain Landers?”

He blinked. “Ah yes, I-I would prefer that you call me Stefan. I wanted to make sure you were both comfortable.”

“We are,” Brigitta assured him. “Aren’t we, Sister?”

Sister Fallyn suddenly remembered to breathe, and her breasts nearly popped out.

The captain’s eyes bulged and he audibly gulped.

“Was there anything else?” Brigitta asked.

Stefan tugged at his shirt collar. “Yes. I-I wanted to assure you that Commander Stahl was taken ashore. You should never have to see him again.”

Sister Fallyn nodded.

“Also…” The captain withdrew a folded sheet of paper from his coat. “I took the liberty of having the commander write this. He has declared the marriage null and void and vows he will make no future claim on you.”

Sister Fallyn’s blush faded away as she grew pale.

The captain unfolded the paper and set it on the table. “You are a free woman, Mistress Fallyn.”

Tears glistened in her eyes.

“I-I’ll be going then.” Stefan headed toward the door. “Good evening, Lady Brigitta.”

“Good evening,” Brigitta replied.

He paused in the doorway to glance back. “Good evening, Mistress Fallyn.”

She winced. “’Tis Sister Fallyn.”

His gaze grew more intense as the seconds ticked by and he continued to stare at her. “Mistress Fallyn, you will never be a nun to me.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Sister Fallyn’s knees gave out and she collapsed onto the floor.





Chapter Eight

Luciana, the queen of Eberon, hurried down the grand staircase of Ebton Palace as quickly as she dared. With her belly so huge, she could scarcely see her feet.

“Careful.” Her husband, Leo, bounded up the stairs to take her arm.

“Is it true?” she asked. “Has the ship been sighted?”

“They’re tying off at the pier right now.”

Luciana’s heart leaped in her chest. It had been eight months since she’d last seen her sisters. “I’m so happy they’re finally here! And so relieved they’ve arrived safely.”

“I’m relieved Mother Ginessa is coming with them,” Leo said as he helped her down the stairs. “Your father says she’s the best midwife around.”

Luciana patted his arm. “Don’t worry. The babies and I will be fine.” A few months ago, she’d become convinced that she was having twins. Since then, she’d doubled her efforts in order to have enough clothing and supplies for two babes. She was fairly certain at least one of them was a girl. The other, she wasn’t so sure. Of course, Leo was hoping for a boy and heir to the Eberon throne.

So far, her pregnancy had gone well, and she’d been blessed with an abundance of energy. Over the past month, she’d had several gowns made for each of her sisters. She’d furnished a bedchamber for each of them in the palace. And she’d arranged for a grand ball to happen tomorrow night, supposedly to celebrate Sorcha’s eighteenth birthday and her own twentieth birthday. Her true purpose, though, was to introduce her sisters to some eligible young noblemen.

This time, she would convince Mother Ginessa to let her sisters live with her. For some secret reason, Mother Ginessa thought it would be too dangerous, but Luciana was positive she could keep her sisters safe here at Ebton Palace. After all, who would dare risk the wrath of her husband, the king? Leo was famous throughout all of Aerthlan for his ability to use the power of lightning.