So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

“What is she doing?” Stefan asked.

Rupert winced as the princess of Tourin leaned over the bulwark and lost her last meal. “The usual.” Don’t feel sorry for her. She’s the enemy.

The other women fussed over her. The oldest one led her to a trunk where she could sit, while two others rushed off and quickly returned with a bowl of water, a towel, and something to drink. They care about her. And if she cared equally for them, it might be something he could use against her.

He tucked the spyglass under his belt, then positioned his black mask over his eyes. His forehead and most of his hair were already covered with a dark-red scarf tied in a knot over his right ear. He plopped a large hat on his head and adjusted the black, shoulder-length, horsehair plaits that were glued to its inside brim. With this hat on, everyone assumed he had black hair.

With this hat on, he became the most infamous pirate that the world had ever known. And after nineteen years, he would finally have his revenge.

*

“Are ye feeling better, child?” Mother Ginessa asked.

“A little.” Brigitta passed the goblet of wine back to Gwennore, then rubbed her still-aching stomach. “How can I be a … a princess?” She certainly didn’t feel like one.

Mother Ginessa sat beside her. “Yer father was King Garold. He sent ye to the convent when ye were barely four months old.”

“Why?” Brigitta asked.

“I suppose he meant to keep ye safe.” Mother Ginessa glanced away with a guilty look.

She’s still hiding something. Brigitta’s mind raced as she tried to recall everything she’d learned about Tourin from her studies at the convent. Civil war had plagued the kingdom for centuries. A long line of dukes from the south had rebelled against the northern kings from the House of Trepurin. Nineteen years ago, Duke Garold from the House of Grian had finally defeated the northern king and taken over the country.

I was a baby then, Brigitta thought. Had the Tourinian Royal Navy come here because of her? Did her father want her back? But no, King Garold had died five years ago in a battle against the Norveshki.

A pang of grief struck her, not just because her father was dead, but because she had no memories of him to mourn. He’d never sent for her. Were her fears correct and he’d rejected her? What about the rest of her family? “Is my mother still alive?”

Mother Ginessa shook her head. “I’m sorry, child.”

Brigitta’s shoulders slumped. She would never know either of her parents.

“Then the current king, Gunther, is her older brother?” Captain Shaw asked.

Mother Ginessa grimaced. “Half brother. He was born from King Garold’s first mistress. I think he’s about twelve years older than Brigitta.”

The captain glanced over the portside railing, then ordered his first mate to oversee the arrival of their guests. “They’re tying the dinghy off now. If King Gunther has sent for his sister, we can hardly refuse—”

“But we must!” Mother Ginessa jumped to her feet. “Do ye not know how Gunther became king? He killed the legitimate heir, Brigitta’s younger brother.”

Brigitta gasped. She’d had a younger brother? And her older brother had killed him? Her stomach twisted again.

Captain Shaw frowned. “Surely he wouldn’t send for her just to harm her.”

Mother Ginessa shook her head. “We dare not take that risk. ’Tis not safe—”

“I don’t want to go.” Brigitta eased shakily to her feet. “Can I not refuse?”

“Aye!” Sorcha moved to stand beside her. “She belongs with us!”

“The Tourinian officer is asking permission to come aboard,” the first mate called from the main deck.

“I’ll deal with this,” Captain Shaw said quietly, then shouted as he proceeded to the main deck. “Permission granted!”

Brigitta’s heart pounded. The fate of the Telling Stones was unfurling around her. Would she be taken to Tourin against her will? How could she even face Gunther, knowing that he’d killed her younger brother? And what if she never saw her sisters again?

“Goddesses, help us!” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons.

Brigitta pressed a hand to her racing heart. It felt like she’d suddenly been flung into one of her overly dramatic stories. If so, wouldn’t this be the perfect time for the dashing young hero to make his appearance? After all, the blue-and-gold part of Luciana’s prophecy was coming true, so shouldn’t the part about a tall and handsome stranger also come true?

She turned toward the newcomer who was climbing a rope ladder to the main deck. A striking blue hat with gold trim came into view, but then Captain Shaw stepped in front of the newcomer and blocked her view.

“Welcome aboard. I’m Captain Shaw.”

“Thank you. I’m Lieutenant Helgar,” the Tourinian officer responded in the Eberoni language. He stepped onto the deck and removed his hat.

Good goddesses! Brigitta gasped in unison with her sisters, then quickly squelched the expression of horror that must have flitted across her face. The lieutenant’s face was scarred with burns. He had a patch over one eye, and half of his mouth was twisted in a permanent sneer. Instead of an upstanding naval officer, he looked more like a notorious pirate.

She glanced over her shoulder at the pirate fleet that was rapidly approaching. Holy goddesses, they could look even worse.

“Your Highness,” the lieutenant said, and it took her a moment to realize he was talking to her. She turned back to him as he bowed. “I bring greetings from your esteemed brother, King Gunther.”

Captain Shaw motioned to the three ships. “You’ve gone to quite a bit of trouble just to extend greetings. May I know the purpose of your visit?”

“Of course.” The lieutenant’s smile looked strained, as if it pained him to move the muscles of his damaged face. “The king regrets being separated from his dear sister all these years. He invites her to join him at the royal court in Lourdon.”

Brigitta winced. This lieutenant intended to take her against her will. She should have known dashing young heroes only existed in the stories she made up. There would be no one coming to her rescue. This was real life, and she would have to protect herself.

She squared her shoulders and attempted to look regal. “How kind of my brother to offer such a lovely invitation. But I fear I must respectfully decline.”

The lieutenant’s smile faded as his expression grew harsh. “Perhaps Your Highness doesn’t understand. No one refuses King Gunther.”

Captain Shaw cleared his throat. “My good man, this young woman didn’t even know she had a brother until a few minutes ago. She has only now learned her true identity. Since I have orders from King Leofric to deliver her to the royal court in Ebton, I propose we let her continue the journey while she adjusts to her new—”

“No,” Lieutenant Helgar interrupted. “She’s coming with us.”