So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(118)

Dravenko rose to his feet. “You can’t win the competition without the head of a dragon. Wait here.” He strode from the cabin.

“What?” Brigitta gave Rupert an incredulous look. “He’s not going to kill a dragon, is he?”

“I don’t know.” Rupert dragged a hand through his hair. Had it been a mistake to reveal his true identity? But surely it was beneficial to the Norveshki to have Gunther removed from power.

Brigitta ate a piece of cheese. “Didn’t it seem like he knew Sorcha’s name?”

Rupert nodded. “The Norveshki know a lot more than I ever imagined.”

*

Less than an hour later, General Dravenko opened the door and motioned for them to join him.

As Rupert stepped outside with Brigitta, he spotted an enormous woolen sack that was large enough to fit a person inside. Something bulky was inside. “What is it?”

The general loosened the drawstring to show him the contents. “A skull. It’s several hundred years old, but it’s still the head of a dragon.”

“Thank you.” Rupert bowed his head. “I am in your debt.”

Dravenko nodded. “Just remember that when you take the throne. And if you need military assistance, send that eagle shifter of yours to let us know.”

Rupert glanced up at Brody who was circling overhead. “You know about him, too?”

Dravenko snorted. “We also know that Captain Mador fled across the border over an hour ago. And your friend, Stefan, has been escorted to the border with your horses. He’s waiting for you just beyond the pass.”

“Thank you,” Rupert said. “I appreciate it.” He was never going to underestimate the Norveshki again.

A dragon screeched overhead, and Dravenko’s eyes glinted with humor. “The dragons are not happy to lose one of their ancestor’s skulls to that bastard Gunther. If you send the word, they will be delighted to rain fire on him.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Rupert offered his hand, and the Norveshki general shook it.

“Your Highness.” Dravenko bowed over Brigitta’s hand. “Your transportation is arriving.”

Brigitta squealed as a dragon landed nearby, then lumbered toward them. “Heavenly goddesses.” She eased closer to Rupert.

He stepped in front of her and watched as the dragon scooped up the large woolen sack in its forelegs. “So it’s going to transport the skull for us?”

“Yes.” Dravenko smiled. “And the two of you. It is the quickest way to return you to the border.”

“We—we’re going to fly?” Brigitta asked.

Rupert grinned. “Holy crap, this is awesome!”

*

The flight was over before it had barely begun. They soared over the gorge and the barren area of geysers, then the dragon swooped down to the promontory close to the mountain pass that led to Tourin.

The dragon settled onto the ground, folding its wings under so they could slide off its neck. Rupert landed on his feet, then turned to find Brigitta still clutching the dragon’s neck, her eyes squeezed shut.

“We’re here.” He smiled as he pried her hands loose.

“Oh.” She slid into Rupert’s arms, then turned to face the dragon.

It set the wool-encased skull gently on the ground, then tilted its head, regarding them calmly with its golden eyes.

Brigitta touched its neck, patting it gently. “You’re so pretty.”

The dragon snorted puffs of smoke from its nostrils.

“It could be a male,” Rupert reminded her.

“It’s still pretty.” She patted it again, then stepped back. “Thank you for the ride.”

The dragon leaped off the promontory and flew away.

Rupert took one last look at Norveshka, then motioned to the narrow pass into Tourin. “Let’s go.” He dragged the cumbersome sack through the pass, followed by Brigitta.

On the other side, Stefan was waiting with the horses. He helped Rupert tie the large sack onto the back of Brigitta’s horse. Then Rupert mounted his horse and pulled Brigitta up in front of him. After Stefan mounted his horse, they started the trek past the waterfall. Brody gave a squawk as he flew over.

Before reaching camp, Brody landed and shifted into dog form. Then he led Brigitta into camp as if he were her pet dog and had just found her wandering in the woods.

Stefan rode back to his camp nearby, and Rupert waited, hidden in the forest. He didn’t want anyone suspecting that Brigitta had been with him.

After an hour, he rode into camp, leading the horse with the skull packed on top. The soldiers immediately surrounded him and escorted him to Gunther’s tent. When he spotted Brigitta peering out her tent, he breathed a sigh of relief that she was all right.

The soldiers helped him drag the woolen bag inside Gunther’s tent. The king was seated in his golden chair behind his desk.

“Leave.” As the soldiers left, Gunther glared at Rupert. “You bastard. I didn’t expect you to survive.”

Rupert eyed the king carefully, remembering Brody’s warning about the Chameleon. But Gunther was acting the same as always.

Captain Mador burst into the tent. “Your Majesty, I made it back first! I’m the winner of this round.”

Gunther scoffed. “How can you be the winner when you didn’t bring back the head of a dragon?”