So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)

Rupert gripped Five by the shoulder. “You didn’t forget? You remained loyal?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve been waiting for you.”

With a laugh, Rupert clapped Five on the back. “I knew you were more than an inventor.”

Five grinned. “I knew you were more than a farmer.”

“What can I do to help?” Four asked.

“I have an idea,” Six said and quickly explained.

“I like it.” Rupert increased the wind as the boat reached the mouth of the Loure River. Soon, they would be meeting up with Ansel.

And soon the country of Tourin would be in chaos.

*

It took five long days for Brigitta to return to Lourdon Palace, for Gunther’s caravan moved slowly with its fully packed carts. For the entire time, Brigitta was heavily guarded and isolated, either alone in the carriage or alone in her tent. Whenever she was transferred from one place to the other, she scanned the area, searching for Bjornfrid and Sister Fallyn.

There was a guarded carriage traveling at the end of the caravan, and she suspected that was where Mador was hiding them. She also suspected he had a number of guards who were more loyal to him than her brother, for they were clearly keeping Bjornfrid’s existence a secret. But then, she figured it was possible that they didn’t know the identity of the young man they were guarding.

While she was alone, she had too much time to think and worry. Would Rupert believe she had betrayed him? How could she convince her brother that a sorcerer was pretending to be Mador? Would she be forced to marry the sorcerer in order to keep Rupert’s brother alive? She considered telling everything to Gunther, but she feared he would have Bjornfrid executed. No matter what, she had to keep Bjornfrid and Sister Fallyn safe. And pray that Rupert would come back for her.

When they arrived at Lourdon Palace, Gunther escorted her into the Great Hall.

“Your Majesty.” Lord Argus bowed low. “Praise the Light that you have safely returned. Did the competition finish as you had hoped? Were Captain Mador and General Tarvis the winners?”

Gunther grimaced as he sat on his throne. “Mador won. Tarvis was burned to death by one of those damned dragons.”

“Oh.” Argus blanched. “Oh, dear. Then Seven came in second place?”

“No,” Gunther growled. “He’s a loser just like the others. Once we capture the bastard, he’ll die with the rest of them.”

Argus’s eyes widened. “You mean Seven has escaped?”

“Mador and his men will catch him soon.” Gunther gave Brigitta a wry look. “Then our princess will marry Mador and watch her precious Seven hang.”

Never, Brigitta thought. She might be forced to marry against her will, but they would never be able to capture Rupert.

“Excellent, Your Majesty.” Argus inclined his head. “Shall I begin preparations for the wedding?”

“Yes.” Gunther glowered at Brigitta. “She has nine more days.”

Argus nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He cleared his throat. “It is unfortunate that we have lost our head general and admiral. It could leave us vulnerable if the country is attacked—”

“Not a problem.” Gunther waved a dismissive hand. “Mador will be my new general. Promote Lieutenant Helgar to admiral.”

Brigitta recalled meeting the lieutenant who hated Rupert with a passion. If Rupert attacked the navy, he’d be fighting the lieutenant once again.

“An excellent choice, Your Majesty.” Argus bowed low.

Gunther snorted. “You’re fawning more than usual. Did something happen while we were gone?”

With a wince, Argus straightened. “Well, there are a few things.”

“Out with it,” Gunther growled.

“An envoy from the Eberoni king has delivered the body you requested. The infamous pirate Rupert.”

Brigitta stiffened, and Gunther shot her a curious look. “Bring the body here, Argus, so my sister can confirm it is truly Rupert.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Argus motioned to some guards, and they hurried from the room.

Brigitta swallowed hard. What body had Leo and Luciana sent? Should she lie or not?

“Anything else?” Gunther asked.

Argus clenched his hands together. “It’s about the prisoners, the three losers from the competition.”

Gunther narrowed his eyes. “What about them?”

Argus stepped back, wincing. “They escaped.”

“What?” Gunther jumped to his feet.

Yes! Brigitta bit her lip to keep from grinning.

Argus fell to his knees. “It was terrible, Your Majesty. The guards were knocked out by a powerful sorcerer. They had no defense against his magic.”

“Ridiculous!” Gunther shouted. “Have those guards whipped! And find the prisoners!”

Argus cringed. “We’ve been searching for them, but they’re nowhere to be found. We—we believe they may have escaped by boat.”

“Dammit!” Gunther knocked over a nearby golden candlestick holder, then glared at Brigitta. “Seven was behind this, wasn’t he?”

Brigitta lifted her chin. “You’ll never capture him.”

“Damn you!” Gunther raised a fist.

Guards marched in, carrying a stretcher with a body covered by a sheet. Brigitta looked away, covering her nose as the stench of death permeated the room.

“Shit.” Gunther grabbed Brigitta by the arm and dragged her toward the stretcher. “Be quick about it. Is this the pirate who kidnapped you? Is it Rupert?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Brigitta kept her head turned away. “He always wore a mask.”

“Look!” Gunther shouted, and she ventured a quick look as a soldier folded back the sheet.

Kennet! She gasped, then quickly looked away.

Gunther’s eyes narrowed. “You recognized him.”

She covered her mouth as bile rose in her throat. Kennet must have been captured by the Eberoni army after he’d gone ashore. Then he’d been executed with the other pirates.

“Take the body away and burn it,” Gunther ordered, and the soldiers carried the stretcher away. He turned toward Brigitta. “Was that Rupert? Be honest with me, girl.”

She wished she could be completely honest with her brother. If only he were an honorable man. “That man was a pirate. But he wasn’t Rupert. You’ll never be able to capture Rupert.”

Gunther gritted his teeth. “Damn you.”

“I’m being honest!” She touched her brother’s shoulder. “Please, believe me. A sorcerer is pretending to be Mador. He’s dangerous.”

“Oh, really?” Mador said softly as he entered the room. “Such a sad way for my betrothed to talk about me.”

Brigitta shuddered.

“Don’t worry,” Gunther muttered. “She’s just trying to weasel out of the wedding.”

Mador arched an eyebrow. “That’s not really possible, is it, Princess? You know what will happen if you defy me.”

She swallowed hard. If she didn’t agree to the wedding, Mador would kill Sister Fallyn and Bjornfrid. If she confided in her brother, he would also kill Bjornfrid. There was only one way to save Rupert’s brother.

Tears burned her eyes. “I’ll marry you.”