So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(117)

Dravenko nodded. “Some of us can.” He arched a brow at Rupert. “So I’ll ask you once again. Did you blow away a dragon?”

Rupert took a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Was it an attack?”

“No. I was trying to save it.”

The general’s eyes narrowed. “You expect us to believe that when you were ordered to bring back a dragon head? You invaded our country fully armed.”

“I never intended harm to a dragon. That’s why I jumped off a cliff rather than blow the dragon’s fire back at it. I didn’t want to burn it.”

Dravenko’s mouth curled up in amusement. “You can’t burn a dragon. The scales are impervious to fire.”

“I … didn’t know that.” Rupert took a sip of apple cider.

Dravenko picked up a piece of cheese and bit into it. “Are you Embraced?”

Rupert exchanged a look with Brigitta.

Dravenko waved a hand dismissively. “I won’t kill you for it. I’m just curious if harnessing the wind is your special gift.”

“I am Embraced,” Rupert admitted.

“Ah.” The general tilted his head, watching Rupert closely. “I’ve heard of only one person on all of Aerthlan who can control the wind. He’s called a Wind Sorcerer. The Tourinian pirate called Rupert.”

Brigitta inhaled sharply, and beneath the table, Rupert squeezed her knee. He cleared his throat. “I believe that pirate was captured and killed.”

Dravenko smiled. “I heard the same thing, but apparently Gunther isn’t convinced, because he asked the Eberoni king to send him the body. The dead pirate should be arriving in Lourdon in the next day or so.”

Rupert shrugged as if he wasn’t interested, but now he wondered if the Norveshki had a spy at the Eberoni court, too. This damned general knew far too much.

“It’s very curious how you have the same gift as the sorcerer Rupert. Also curious that for years, Rupert has targeted only Gunther. He even kidnapped Gunther’s sister.” Dravenko motioned to Brigitta. “Yet here she is with you. The competition has gone on for only a week, but she is already in love with you. It makes me wonder if she knew you before the competition. Whoever you are.”

Rupert’s mind raced. If he admitted who he really was, would this Norveshki general be on his side?

“It would seem that this Rupert has a serious grudge against Gunther,” Dravenko added.

Rupert shrugged. “Everyone hates Gunther.”

“Not enough to become a pirate in order to steal from him. Or to join a competition where failure means death.” Dravenko frowned at him. “I know you must be Rupert. What I don’t know is why you’ve been risking your life to be a thorn in his side. Who are you really?”

Rupert swallowed hard. Then he took a sip of apple cider while he debated just how much to say. “I am Tourinian.”

“And?” Dravenko prompted.

“I want Tourin to be at peace with the Norveshki.”

The general gave him a pointed look. “You would have to be king to make that happen.”

Rupert stared back. “Wouldn’t the Norveshki be relieved if there was a new king of Tourin?”

“Who would accept a sorcerer pirate as king?” Dravenko leaned toward him. “You must have amassed a great deal of gold by now, but apparently it is not wealth you want. You desire the throne. Why?”

Rupert’s hands clenched. “Because it is mine. It was my father’s before me, and it has belonged to my family for four hundred years.”

Dravenko’s eyes widened. “You are King Manfrid’s son? The lost prince?”

Rupert nodded. “Ulfrid Trepurin. The rightful king.”

Dravenko stared at him a moment, then took a drink. “Do you have proof? Your father’s crown? The royal seal?”

Rupert shook his head.

“He is the prince,” Brigitta said, taking Rupert’s hand. “I have seen it in his memories. That is my gift as one of the Embraced.”

Dravenko glanced back and forth at them. “Didn’t her father kill your father?”

Rupert squeezed her hand. “I trust her.”

“He also has the support of King Leofric of Eberon and my sister, Queen Luciana,” Brigitta added.

The general gave her a dubious look. “How is the Eberoni queen your sister?”

“Adopted sister,” Brigitta explained. “We grew up as orphans on the Isle of Moon, along with Gwennore, Sorcha, and—”

“Sorcha?” Dravenko sat back.

Brigitta nodded. “We’ve always believed that she—”

Dravenko held up a hand to stop her. “If Trepurin here takes the throne, do you intend to be his queen?”

Brigitta’s cheeks bloomed pink as she gave Rupert a shy look. “Yes.”

He smiled at her. “Definitely, yes.”

Dravenko scoffed. “So the House of Trepurin and House of Grian will be united.”

Rupert nodded. “I want there to be peace in Tourin and with our neighboring countries.”

“How do you plan to take the throne?” Dravenko asked.

“Once I win the competition, I’ll be able to marry Brigitta. At the wedding ceremony I’ll capture Gunther and announce my true identity.”