So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(135)

Another soldier arrived and whispered to Lord Argus. The chief counsel stumbled back, his hand trembling as he reached for a wall to steady himself.

“What is it?” Gunther demanded.

“Our troops that went north have been defeated by the rebels. The northern clans are marching toward Lourdon. The Norveshki dragons have burned three villages to the east. And to the south, King Leofric and the Eberoni army have crossed the Norva River.”

Gunther turned pale as he stumbled onto the dais. “Attacked from all sides.” He collapsed onto the throne.

Brigitta’s heart pounded with hope. Rupert was on his way. She wouldn’t have to marry Mador, for he would be too busy fighting. And Rupert could finally take the throne. Then he could be reunited with his brother, and she … she would tell him how much she loved him.

Gunther lifted his hands to touch the golden crown on his head. “It’s mine.” His gaze drifted to other people in the room. “It’s mine, dammit!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lord Argus bowed.

General Mador strode into the Great Hall.

Gunther jumped to his feet. “Call out the troops! Tourin is under attack!”

Mador arched a brow, then motioned to the guards. “Tell the troops we march within the hour. Argus, step outside.” They all bowed and rushed from the room.

“You have to leave, too!” Gunther shouted. “You have to save my crown!”

Mador sauntered toward the king. “Why should I risk my life for a crown that belongs to you?”

Gunther blinked. “What?”

“The crown.” Mador’s eyes hardened. “Give it to me, and I’ll save it.”

“You—” Gunther’s face turned red with rage as he stepped off the dais and strode toward Mador. “How dare you speak to me like that! I’ll have you arrested!”

“By whom?” Mador smirked. “All the guards are gone.”

“Get out there and fight!” Gunther yelled. “That’s an order.”

“What’s the hurry?” Mador crossed his arms. “All I have to do is wait for the lost prince to show up. Then I shift into one of his trusted friends and slit his throat.”

Brigitta gasped.

Gunther stiffened. “Shift?”

With a chuckle, Mador motioned to Brigitta. “She’s been trying to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen. Anyway, once Prince Ulfrid is dead, all the armies and rebels will give up and go away. The crown will be safe once more.”

Brigitta stepped close to her brother. “Don’t trust him. He’ll kill you.”

Mador shot her an annoyed look. “Stop interfering. I’m making a deal here.”

Gunther eyed him warily. “Y-you can kill the lost prince for me?”

Mador nodded. “Definitely. But I have two conditions. First, before Ulfrid can arrive, I will marry the princess.”

“No,” Brigitta objected.

Mador’s eyes narrowed. “Time for you to surrender, Princess. You know what will happen if you defy me.”

“You can have her,” Gunther said. “What else?”

With a huff, she turned toward her brother. “Are you crazy? He’s a monster. You can’t trust him.”

Mador chuckled. “You will name me as your heir.”

Gunther hesitated.

“You think you can stop me?” Mador turned toward the doorway as his face shifted into Gunther’s. “Argus!”

“Yes, Your Majesty?” Lord Argus peered inside.

Mador had moved in front of the king to block Argus’s view. “Make it official. General Mador is my heir.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lord Argus bowed.

“And Argus,” Mador continued as he impersonated the king. “Send for the priest and some witnesses. We’re going to have the wedding right away.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lord Argus scurried away.

The false Mador chuckled, his face turning back to resemble the general. “See how easy it is?”

Brigitta’s heart sank.

Gunther stepped back. “Who are you?”

“Your most trusted servant.” The false Mador smiled. “Until I decide it’s time to inherit the throne.”

Gunther exchanged a look with Brigitta. She realized he finally understood the situation. The false Mador intended to kill him.

“What did you do with the real Mador?” Gunther asked.

The shifter shrugged. “I was waiting for him when he crossed the border from Norveshka. The fool was so distraught he told me everything that had happened. Then I killed him and threw his body into a ravine.”

“Bastard,” Gunther whispered.

The false Mador smirked. “Then I turned into an eagle to wait for Seven to cross the border. But to my surprise, he was with the princess.”

An eagle? Brigitta thought back to when she’d found Bjornfrid and the royal seal. There had been an eagle in the tree. That’s how the shifter had known.

The false Mador’s mouth twisted as he studied Brigitta. “That’s when I knew you were conspiring with Seven.” His hands fisted. “And I knew I would kill him and take you for myself.”

An elderly priest arrived with several courtiers. “Are we rehearsing for the wedding ceremony tomorrow?”