So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(16)

Why would such a handsome man need a mask?

She stiffened with a gasp. Tall and handsome? “Oh, no.”

“What’s wrong?” Sister Fallyn asked her.

“It can’t be.” Brigitta shook her head again. “Who is the masked man?”

Before the nun could answer, a deep voice whispered, “Ni Rupert.”

Brigitta spun around, but no one was behind her. “What was that?”

Jeffrey chuckled. “You have to watch what you say on deck, my lady. Rupert can bring your words to him on the wind and then send his back to you.”

A chill prickled Brigitta’s arms as she lifted her gaze once more to the crow’s nest. The masked man had introduced himself on a breeze. Ni Rupert.

“I am Rupert” in the language of Tourin.

Good goddesses, no. He was a pirate and a Wind Sorcerer. He couldn’t possibly be her tall and handsome stranger. Even if he was tall. And most likely, very handsome.

Her chest tightened. The Telling Stones were mocking her. For there was no way that her destiny could be linked to the infamous pirate Rupert.





Chapter Four

As Brigitta entered the small cabin, she noted that although it was smaller than the captain’s room aboard the Eberoni naval ship, it was just as well furnished. A narrow bed was built into an alcove along one wall. Blue velvet curtains flanked each side of the bed and could be drawn shut for privacy. A sideboard rested along the opposite wall, topped with a tray containing a pewter pitcher and two goblets. At the end of the room, sunlight sparkled through a mullioned window. Beneath it, the window seat looked comfy with a blue velvet cushion. In the middle of the room, a round table sat with four wooden chairs.

She smiled at Jeffrey, who hovered in the doorway, watching her and Sister Fallyn with an expectant look. “’Tis lovely. Thank you.”

He grinned. “I cleaned it myself. And I put fresh sheets on the bed, too.”

“You did a wonderful job.” Brigitta kept smiling, although she wondered if the boy was overworked.

Sister Fallyn circled the room, inspecting everything carefully. “Is there a lock on the door?”

Jeffrey’s grin faded. “No.” He scratched his head, inadvertently pulling a few strands loose from his short ponytail. “No one’s going to bother you, miss. They know the captain would tan their hide if they did.”

“And who will watch over the captain?” Sister Fallyn muttered.

Jeffrey looked baffled. “Well, the captain’s expecting to watch over you. His cabin’s down the hall.”

Sister Fallyn stopped with a jerk. “Goddesses protect us,” she whispered.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Brigitta gave the boy a pat on the shoulder. No tingles activated her special gift. He was exactly as he seemed—a sweet, innocent boy.

He stepped back into the hallway. “I’ll show you the other cabin now. It’s just next door.”

Sister Fallyn gasped. “Absolutely not!”

The boy blinked. “But there are two of you. And we have two guest—”

“We will remain together.” Sister Fallyn pulled Brigitta back from the door. “That decision is final.”

Jeffrey gave her an exasperated look. “But that bed ain’t big enough for two.”

“We will manage,” Sister Fallyn insisted. “I will not leave the princess unattended.”

Jeffrey scratched his head again.

“Ye poor child.” Sister Fallyn frowned at him. “Do ye have lice?”

His eyes widened with horror. “No! I ain’t got no bugs. I took a bath this morning. The captain made me.”

Sister Fallyn stepped closer to look him over. “Ye can be honest with me, child. Are they abusing yerself here?”

“No!” The boy took a step back. “Jeepers. I-I’ll come back with some food.” He ran down the passageway and raced up the stairs to the main deck.

Brigitta winced. “I think ye frightened him.”

“This whole situation is frightening!” Sister Fallyn pulled the door firmly shut. “Why is that poor boy living with pirates? And how will we be safe if we can’t lock this door?”

“We were told that no harm would come to us.”

“And ye believe a bunch of notorious pirates?” Sister Fallyn huffed. “This is not one of those overly dramatic stories ye write where the heroes are young and dashing. The men here are criminals!” She grabbed one of the chairs and wedged it beneath the door latch. “There. That should keep them from coming in.”

Brigitta groaned inwardly. She didn’t think she was the one being overly dramatic. “The only one coming in will be a sweet young boy. I think the captain assigned him to us so we would feel safe.”

“Didn’t ye hear? The captain’s room is right down the hall!” Sister Fallyn paced about the room. “No doubt the rascal is hatching some sort of nefarious plan.”

Brigitta picked up the pitcher and filled the two goblets with wine. “He didn’t strike me as a rascal.” As far as she was concerned, that honor went completely to Rupert. Telling her to wrap her legs around him and squeeze him tight. Ha! Then eavesdropping on her conversation and blowing his voice into her ear. “Scoundrel,” she muttered.