So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(22)

The boy’s shoulders slumped as he muttered, “That’s what they told me, too.”

Meanwhile, the helmsman lost his struggle not to laugh and a snort escaped.

Captain Landers cuffed him on the head. “Their fear is not unfounded. If any other pirates had taken them—”

“Tucker.” A deep voice carried toward them on the wind.

Who the hell was that? Brody noted the helmsman looking up, so he glanced up, too.

The masked man in the crow’s nest was staring down at them. Apparently, he’d been listening to the entire conversation. His mouth moved as words sifted toward them on a breeze. “Take a break, Tucker. And not a word to anyone. I can hear everything said on deck, so if I hear gossip about the women, I will know it came from you.”

Tucker nodded. “I understand, Admiral. I won’t say a word.” He bowed his head, then scrambled down the steps to the main deck.

As far as Brody could tell, the women were going to be safe. He hopped down, his webbed feet landing on top of a wooden trunk. Tucking his spindly legs beneath him, he sat down and took a much-needed rest.

Captain Landers removed his hat and ran a hand through his dark, curly hair. “Jeffrey, look in the trunk at the end of my bed. There should be a small lacquer box in there with some sewing supplies.”

“Aye, Captain.” The boy saluted and headed down the stairs.

“And tell them again that they’re safe,” Landers called after the boy, then muttered, “If it will do any good.” He plopped his hat back on his head and grabbed hold of the wheel.

Rupert turned to face south and repeated the gesture with his hands to keep the wind moving.

After a few minutes, the captain grumbled, “I won’t have it. I won’t have women on my ship cowering in fear. I’ll tell them myself—”

“Let them think the worst.” Rupert’s voice filtered down on a breeze as he turned toward the quarterdeck.

Landers lifted his gaze to the crow’s nest. “Why?” His voice was barely above a whisper, but apparently Rupert could hear it.

“They’re not guests,” Rupert replied softly. “They’re captives.”

The captain’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel hard. “I thought I raised you to have a sense of honor.”

Rupert turned his back and lifted his arms in the air as if he was unaffected. Brody wasn’t entirely convinced, though, not when Rupert’s arms moved a bit jerkily and a sudden gust of wind caused the ship to lurch forward.

“They came from a damned convent,” Landers growled. “This has to be terrifying for them. Have you forgotten you once took a vow—”

“I have forgotten nothing, Stefan.” Rupert whirled to face the captain. “She is the spawn of the bastard who stole everyone and everything from me. She is the enemy.”

Brody narrowed his eyes at the level of rage that filled Rupert’s voice and radiated from his tense posture. Who the hell was this pirate? And what did he intend to do with Brigitta?

Landers was silent for a moment, his head bowed. “I remember it, too. I was there. I have always been there.”

Rupert’s shoulders slumped a bit as he turned away. He removed his hat, and Brody was surprised to see that the long black hair was attached. But it remained difficult to tell what the pirate looked like, since he still wore the mask and a red scarf around his head.

As he dropped the hat into the crow’s nest, the sails beneath him rippled, no longer full of air. “I am grateful, Stefan. I won’t blame you if you wish to leave—”

“No,” Landers interrupted. “The choice was mine, and I made it gladly. There’s no need for you to feel guilt—” He stiffened. “That’s why you’re behaving like an arse. You feel guilty for using the girl to—”

“Enough.” Rupert lifted his arms, gathering up more air to make another push. The wind picked up and filled the sails once again.

“Captain!” Jeffrey skipped up the steps to the quarterdeck. “I found the box and gave it to the ladies.”

“That’s a good lad.” Landers patted him on the back. “And did you remind them that they’re truly safe?”

Jeffrey nodded. “The nun said she feels safer now.”

“Excellent.”

“’Cause now she can use the needles to poke a man’s eyes out.”

The captain groaned.

“Did the younger one say anything?” Rupert asked softly, and Brody noticed that the masked man was facing them once again.

“She thanked me for the box.” Jeffrey scratched his head. “She looked like she’s been crying.”

The captain muttered a curse. Rupert turned away, seemingly unconcerned. Even so, Brody suspected his concentration was off. The sails began to sag as the wind died down.

“Jeffrey.” Rupert glanced back at the boy. “In the storeroom, you’ll find a blue gown and a bag of women’s clothing. Take all of it to the ladies. It might cheer them up.”

“Yes, Admiral.” The boy saluted.

“Excellent idea.” Landers smiled up at Rupert, but the masked man ignored them and increased the wind to the sails.

Brody snorted to himself. It looked like the captain was right and Rupert was feeling some guilt over kidnapping the women. But why did he consider Brigitta an enemy?