So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

Her head rolled to the side, coming to rest upon his chest. Her eyes were closed now, her face pale, but he’d seen the look of horror and pain flash across her features. And it had happened right after she’d touched him.

Dammit to hell! Was he some kind of poison to her? This was the third time she’d reacted badly after coming into contact with him.

“Brigitta?” He lifted her higher against him, so he could peer at her face. “What’s wrong? Do I need to find a healer for you?”

Her brow furrowed as she grimaced, her eyes squeezed shut. “I-I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

His chest tightened. “For what?” She’d done nothing wrong. As far as he could tell, she was completely innocent. She didn’t deserve to be used by him or her brother. When she didn’t answer, he whispered back, “No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Her eyes flickered open, then grew wide as she gazed at his face just a few inches away.

Such a lovely shade of turquoise. Her eyes reminded him of the sea close to a white, sandy shore. Clear and pure. No guile or cruelty hidden in their depths. Could it be she was nothing like the other members of her family? She’d called them monsters. Claimed to want nothing to do with her brother.

His grip on her tightened. By the Light, he wanted her to be exactly as she appeared. A beautiful, clever, sweet, and caring woman. His woman.

His gaze wandered down her body. Her cloak had fallen open, revealing a thin white nightgown that barely concealed sweet feminine lines and curves. His groin reacted. How easy it would be to unravel that blue ribbon at her neckline and expose her breasts. How tempting it would be to slip his hand beneath the hem.

“Put me down.”

He glanced back at her face and noted the alarm in her eyes. Holy shit, he must have been eyeing her like a hungry wolf. “Don’t worry. I would never harm you.”

She regarded him sadly. “Do you expect me to believe the word of a pirate who has kidnapped me?”

At first, he’d wanted her to believe the worst of him, but damn, that was now becoming increasingly hard to bear. There was a part of him that wanted to show her he could be a good and honorable man who was worthy of her. That part was growing, along with the bulge in his breeches.

And he wanted to know what kind of woman his betrothed had become. That had been his fifth reason for not sending her away. Not that he could ever tell her. Hell, he didn’t like to admit it to himself. Her father had killed his father. Hunted down his entire family. He should hate her, but apparently he was a fool who wanted to believe that somehow an evil family had spawned an innocent angel.

He set her on her feet. “Will you be all right now?”

“Yes.” She gathered her cloak around her. “I should go now. Good night.” She hurried toward the staircase that led belowdecks.

He still didn’t know why she kept collapsing. Frustration ground at his nerves. The woman was affecting him mentally, emotionally, and physically. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

She glanced back, and he was surprised by the sympathetic look in her eyes.

“Happy birthday, Rupert.” She descended the stairs, leaving him to stare at the open doorway.

How many years had it been since anyone had offered him birthday wishes? Stefan had raised him well, but without any sentimentality. He’d always known Rupert would need to be tough to survive.

Don’t let a few kind words make you soft. She was still the enemy. And she was figuring out too much about him. Damn, if she ever discovered his true identity, he’d have to hold her prisoner indefinitely. He couldn’t risk her passing that information on to her brother. If Gunther knew who he was, all his plans would crumble into dust.

Why can’t I control my own destiny? Her words jabbed at him. How could he even contemplate imprisoning her?

He knew too well the despair of being confined. For seven years he’d been forced to hide in caves and basements. That was why he now slept under the open sky.

By the Light, he hated the memory of living in constant fear of being caught and murdered. He hated the smothering cloud of grief and anxiety that had caused him to wake in the middle of the night unable to breathe. And most of all, he hated the utter sense of helplessness.

Yes, he knew the value of control. It wiped away the bad memories and gave him hope. He craved control. Without it, he would never achieve his goal of revenge.

But dammit, he hadn’t realized Brigitta would feel just as strongly about controlling her own future. And he was stealing that control from her.

Why should he care? She was the enemy. Don’t pretend to care. Her words sliced like a knife.

Dammit to hell. He wasn’t pretending. The way she kept collapsing had him worried. He picked up his hat and climbed the stairs to the quarterdeck. Tomorrow he would find out why she reacted like that whenever they came in contact. Did it mean he could never touch her? Or kiss her?

Holy shit, where had that thought come from? With a groan, he stretched out on his pallet.

He gazed up at the moons and stars, but they didn’t give him the comfort they usually did. And it would be damned hard to sleep with this bulge in his breeches.

Only a fool would lust after the enemy. Then you’re a bloody fool. He could deny wanting her till the stars fell from the sky, but his hard cock indicated otherwise.

He’d been too long without a woman, that was all. She wasn’t any different from any other woman. Liar.

He ripped the mask off his face. Go ahead, you idiot. Lust after her till your balls turn blue. But don’t ever trust her.

*

Brigitta woke the next day when Jeffrey brought in their midday meal. She’d slept late since she hadn’t been able to use the narrow bed till Sister Fallyn had finally woken at dawn. Brigitta hadn’t minded, though, for she’d been far too agitated to relax.

Her mind had replayed her conversation with Rupert over and over. And she’d carefully examined her visions. Somehow, Rupert had survived an ambush and a battle. Had someone wanted him dead? Or perhaps they’d wanted his family members dead, and that was why she felt such overwhelming grief connected to his memories. Could the visions explain why he was hiding his identity and living as a pirate?

She still wasn’t sure what to think of him. He made her nervous and excited, confused and angry, and even sympathetic when she recalled the horror and grief he’d endured. And she still wanted to know more about him. Nay, she was driven to know more. The man aroused her curiosity more than anyone she’d ever met.

“Good morning, lad.” Sister Fallyn greeted Jeffrey and helped him set the tray on the table.

Brigitta sat up, drawing the blanket up to her chin.

Jeffrey grinned at her. “You slept late. We’re on our way to Danport.”

“To get supplies?” Sister Fallyn picked up the small loaf off the tray and frowned at it. “I hope ye’ll get some fresh bread.”

“Aye.” Jeffrey nodded. “The captain will make sure of it.”

Brigitta slipped on her cloak and approached the table. “Didn’t ye say Danport was yer hometown? Are ye going to visit yer relatives?”

Jeffrey made a face. “Only my uncle lives there, and I sure don’t want to see him.”