So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(128)

“I can be anyone. If you cooperate, I’ll give you the face you want. Defy me, and you will be plowed by a demon.”

She cringed. “Who—what are you?”

“The future king of Tourin. And your future husband.”

“I will never marry you.”

“Would you rather die?” He slid a hand up to seize her by the neck. “I’ve killed so many, I’ve become quite good at it.”

She swallowed hard. “You can’t kill me. You need me to take the throne.”

He smirked as his fingers stroked her neck. “You’re a clever one. Beautiful, too. I’ve been watching you for over a week now. Can you guess what I discovered?” He leaned close till his breath feathered her cheek and sent a shudder down her spine. “An incredibly strong desire to fuck you.”

She flinched.

His hand tightened around her neck. “You did this to me. I’ve never wanted a woman badly enough before to change my plans. I had intended to kill Gunther and take his place.” His face shifted into a perfect replica of her brother’s. “See how easy it would have been?

“But then I started wanting you, and that created a problem.” He chuckled. “We can’t have Gunther fucking his own sister now, can we? So I had to take Mador’s place. He’s a subservient idiot, but not for long. I’ll become king, and you, my dear, will be my queen.”

“Never.” She struggled to break his hold on her. If only she could reach her knife! What else had Rupert taught her? She took a deep breath and quickly lifted her knee.

The false Mador jumped back, releasing her.

She ran for the horse, but was jerked back by her braided ponytail. She winced as he twisted her hair in his fist.

“Bitch.” He pulled her back and whispered in her ear, “Go ahead and fight me. I’ll enjoy winning and forcing myself on you.”

She gritted her teeth against the pain. “Never.”

“Oh, you will surrender. I know exactly how to make you behave.” He raised his voice. “Guards!”

When two guards ran toward them, he handed her over.

“The princess attempted an escape,” he said, his voice now sounding like Mador’s. “Take her to her tent, and don’t let her out.”

“Yes, Captain.” One of the guards seized her by an arm, and his companion took her by the other arm.

As they dragged her off, she glanced back and saw the false Mador jump on the saddled horse and ride away.

When the guards escorted her past Gunther’s tent, she dug in her feet. “I need to see the king. Take me there.”

“We have orders—”

“I’m still the princess, and I demand to see my brother!”

“Very well.” The guards pushed her inside.

Gunther was seated at his desk, stamping a stack of papers with the royal seal, as if he were playing with a new toy. He glanced up at her. “Are you packed?”

“Yes.” She approached the desk. As much as she hated appealing to her brother for help, he was the only one with enough power right now to stop the false Mador.

“So you used your special gift to find this seal?” He smiled as he stamped another paper. “I have to admit you come in handy. I might keep you around, even after you give me an heir.”

“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Brother dearest, I think there’s something … wrong with Captain Mador.”

Gunther snorted. “Just because you don’t want to marry him—”

“He’s dangerous. He can take the form of different people. He intends to kill you and take your—”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Gunther waved a hand impatiently. “Mador has been by my side for nine years. There’s no one I trust more than him.”

“He’s not Mador! He’s a sorcerer who can shift into any human being.”

Gunther rolled his eyes. “There’s no such thing.”

“I saw him shift. He even took on your form and admitted he intends to steal your throne. Please believe me, your life is in danger.”

“Enough!” Gunther rose to his feet. “I don’t care what you think of Mador. You’re marrying him as soon as we arrive in Lourdon.”

Her mind raced. If she couldn’t get the wedding called off, perhaps she could postpone it long enough to escape. Or maybe, please, goddesses, maybe Rupert would come back for her. “I need some time to prepare for the wedding. I should have a new dress. And we should plan a ball—”

“No.” Gunther glared at her with gritted teeth.

“I need at least two weeks.”

“No, dammit!” He strode toward her. “You will do as I say.”

Her heart pounded in her ears. She had one last card to play, and once she said it, there was no taking it back. “I’ll need two weeks to make sure I’m not pregnant.”

Gunther halted, his eyes wide with shock. Then he snorted. “You’re lying.”

She shook her head. “The night I was gone from camp, I took a man to my bed.”

Gunther’s face flushed a mottled red. “No, you couldn’t have.”

“I did. If I’m pregnant, you might already have an heir. But Mador would not be the father.”