So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

Brigitta took a deep breath. For four days now, she’d been forced to sit still, looking pretty while Rupert risked his life. No more. If she wanted a say in her own destiny, she needed to act.

“Here.” Sister Fallyn passed Brody a tray of food leftover from dinner. Brigitta had hardly been able to eat.

“You were closer to the field,” she said quietly. “You could see him better than I. Was he all right?”

“He’s fine. Not a scratch.” Brody ate a slice of ham. “Stefan went back to their room in the basement to pack up their things. He’s rejoined the other guards and servants from Eberon, who have been staying in town. They plan to follow the troops tomorrow at a discreet distance.”

Brigitta nodded. “That sounds good.”

Brody sighed. “It’s not all good. I shifted into a bird and landed on a windowsill close to where Captain Mador and General Tarvis were having a discussion. Once they cross the border into Norveshka, they’re not even going to attempt to kill a dragon.”

“But then they’ll lose the round,” Brigitta said.

Brody shook his head. “There can be only one loser. They intend for it to be Seven. Instead of hunting a dragon, they plan to ambush—”

“Rup—” Brigitta pressed a hand to her mouth. Of course, if Rupert was brought back dead, he would automatically become the loser. The captain and the general would become the last two.

“From their position, it’s a great plan,” Brody muttered. “They won’t have to risk their lives fighting a dragon.” He bit off a piece of cheese. “I wanted to pass the news on to you-know-who, but I couldn’t get near him. I tried slipping in as a dog, but the guards shooed me away. Even if I made it inside the barracks, I would have to shift to talk to him, and the soldiers would see it.”

“We have to warn him.” Brigitta rose to her feet and paced across the room. “And we need to be close by in case he needs us.” She stopped in front of Sister Fallyn. “Pack some clothes. We’re going with the troops in the morning.”

Sister Fallyn gasped. “What? I don’t think the king will allow it.”

“If he tries to refuse me, I’ll remind him that he agreed that I could participate as I desired. I need to be there to congratulate the winner when he returns.”

“The king might still refuse,” Brody muttered. “He’s not exactly known for keeping his word.”

Brigitta shrugged. “If he does, we’ll travel with Stefan and his group. I will not stay here, doing nothing!”

Brody smiled. “Fine. I’ll travel along as your dog. Or even fly overhead as a bird.”

“Excellent.” Brigitta’s heart pounded. Rupert would not have to face this quest alone. Even if she had to follow him into Norveshka, she would do it.

For this was her destiny, too.





Chapter Twenty-Eight

The following evening, Brigitta was pacing once again, but this time in a tent by the Norveshki border. Luckily, Gunther hadn’t objected to her and Sister Fallyn coming along. He’d actually been pleased by her apparent support of his dragon hunt. And since he normally traveled with a dozen wheeled carts and two dozen servants, the addition of one more carriage hadn’t fazed him.

Brigitta’s sack of clothes had looked puny compared with Gunther’s six trunks that filled one cart. Two carts were filled with tents and rugs, then another two carried the furniture Gunther wanted in his tent. It took another cart to transport the five-foot-tall golden candlesticks he insisted on having. The rest of the carts were filled with cooking supplies and food.

Stuck inside a carriage all day, Brigitta hadn’t been able to see Rupert. She’d spent the day gazing out the window at the homeland she’d never known. Rolling farmland, cut into squares and outlined with rock walls. Small villages built around a chapel of Enlightenment.

As they traveled east, the land had grown increasingly hilly, the farms replaced by large forests and pastures of sheep. The last several miles had proven difficult, for the horses had strained to pull the heavy carts up inclines that had become too steep. Eventually, the caravan had halted in a green valley close to a meandering stream. When Brigitta had finally emerged from the carriage, stiff and sore, she’d stared in amazement at mountains so high they were topped with snow.

So now she was pacing in her tent, worrying about the ambush. The night before at the palace, she’d written a note for Rupert. She reached into the bodice of her gown to retrieve it.

Sister Fallyn lifted the flap to enter the tent. “The servants say he’ll be sleeping among the soldiers.”

“All right.” Brigitta carefully palmed the folded note in her hand. “Are you ready?”

Sister Fallyn winced. “If we get caught—”

“We won’t. Brody will be watching over us. Let’s go.” Brigitta strode from the tent with Sister Fallyn following close behind.

There were four lines of tents where the two troops of soldiers would be sleeping. As Brigitta approached, the soldiers stopped what they were doing and bowed.

She nodded her head imperiously. “Good evening.”

One of the soldiers, a lieutenant, stepped toward her. “Your Highness, is there something we can do for you?”

“Yes.” She let her gaze wander over the tents. “I would like to wish Seven good luck. He’s here, isn’t he?”

The lieutenant winced. “He’s not supposed to see anyone.”

Brigitta sneered much like her brother would do. “I’m not just anyone. The man has risked his life to win my hand, so it is only fitting that I acknowledge his efforts.” She lowered her voice. “What’s the harm in a few words? The man will probably die tomorrow.”

The lieutenant shifted his weight. “That is true.”

“So where is he? I’m curious to see the man who inspired so much cheering at the stadium.”

“This way.” The lieutenant led her down the third row of tents and stopped in front of one. “Seven, come out.”

The tent flap opened and Rupert emerged with a guard, who immediately bowed.

Rupert’s eyes widened a fraction, then he lowered his gaze and bowed. “Your Highness.”

Brigitta quickly looked him over. He didn’t seem injured in any way. “So this is the man everyone was chanting about?” She leaned close to Sister Fallyn. “He seems quite ordinary, doesn’t he?”

Sister Fallyn nodded, then gasped and pointed at the sky. “Good heavens, is that a dragon?”

While the soldiers turned to look, Brigitta grabbed Rupert’s hand and pressed the note against his palm.

He squeezed her hand, his gaze meeting hers for a heated second, then he released her, curling his fist around the note.

“It’s just an eagle.” The guard turned toward them.

“Really?” Brigitta glanced up. It was Brody, ready to swoop down and attack if they needed a distraction.

“Oh, what a relief.” Sister Fallyn pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m so afraid one of those awful dragons will attack us.”

“Don’t worry, madam,” the lieutenant boasted. “We’re here to protect you.”

Brigitta smiled at the soldiers. “How marvelous of you.” She turned toward Rupert. “I doubt we’ll meet again, sir, but I wanted to wish you good luck.”