So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(33)

And Luciana’s baby was due in a few days, Brigitta thought. She would miss the birthing. She already missed her sisters. Tears crowded her eyes, but she blinked them away. Feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to change anything. “We should do something.”

“Like what?” Sister Fallyn took another sip.

Brigitta frowned. She’d never seen Sister Fallyn drink this much. No doubt the poor woman was still upset. “I know. Let’s try on Sister Ellen’s clothes!”

“Why bother?” Sister Fallyn mumbled.

“’Twill be fun.” Brigitta strode over to the bed to pick up the gown. “’Tis lovely, don’t ye think?”

Sister Fallyn shrugged and finished her cup.

“I think it’ll fit yerself better than me.” Brigitta held it out to the nun. “Come on, I want to see how beautiful ye look.”

Sister Fallyn snorted. “Would Kennet have left me if I was truly beautiful?”

“Ye are beautiful, Sister. And we’ve already established that Kennet is a bastard. I would say ye’re much better off without him.”

Sister Fallyn nodded slowly. “Ye have a point.” She eyed the gown warily. “’Tis much prettier than I’ve ever worn before.”

“Let’s do it!” Brigitta laid the gown over the back of a chair, then fumbled through the bag of clothing to find a pretty shift and matching shoes.

Soon Sister Fallyn was dressed. The blue velvet gown fit her perfectly around the waist, but the skirt was a trifle short.

Brigitta clasped her hands together. “Look at you! Ye’re truly stunning!”

The nun shook her head, her cheeks pink. “I feel like my breasts are falling out. And my ankles are showing.”

“Come, sit down.” Brigitta drew her to a chair. “We should do yer hair.”

“’Tis not necessary.”

“Ye have lovely hair.” Brigitta unraveled the long blond braid, then combed through it with her fingers.

A knock sounded on the door.

Sister Fallyn lurched to her feet and nearly fell over. “Good goddesses, my head is spinning.”

Brigitta steadied her. “Ye drank a bit more than usual, but don’t worry. I’m sure it’s only Jeffrey.”

The boy peeked inside and blinked at Sister Fallyn. “Jeepers. You look like a queen.”

“I—don’t be silly.” The nun pressed a hand to her chest to cover up the exposed skin.

Jeffrey scurried inside. “I came for your dinner tray.”

“Thank you.” Brigitta handed it to him, and he headed out the door.

“Oh, good evening, Captain.” Jeffrey’s voice filtered from the passageway.

Sister Fallyn gasped. “Quick! Close the door.”

Brigitta dashed toward the door just as Captain Landers peered inside.

“Good evening, my lady,” he greeted Brigitta. Then his gaze landed on Sister Fallyn and his mouth dropped open.

Brigitta glanced at the nun, who was frozen in shock, then looked back at the captain. Oh dear, if she wasn’t mistaken this resembled a scene from one of her overly dramatic stories. “Captain, how kind of you to drop by.”

He didn’t seem to hear her.

She cleared her throat. “Captain Landers?”

He blinked. “Ah yes, I-I would prefer that you call me Stefan. I wanted to make sure you were both comfortable.”

“We are,” Brigitta assured him. “Aren’t we, Sister?”

Sister Fallyn suddenly remembered to breathe, and her breasts nearly popped out.

The captain’s eyes bulged and he audibly gulped.

“Was there anything else?” Brigitta asked.

Stefan tugged at his shirt collar. “Yes. I-I wanted to assure you that Commander Stahl was taken ashore. You should never have to see him again.”

Sister Fallyn nodded.

“Also…” The captain withdrew a folded sheet of paper from his coat. “I took the liberty of having the commander write this. He has declared the marriage null and void and vows he will make no future claim on you.”

Sister Fallyn’s blush faded away as she grew pale.

The captain unfolded the paper and set it on the table. “You are a free woman, Mistress Fallyn.”

Tears glistened in her eyes.

“I-I’ll be going then.” Stefan headed toward the door. “Good evening, Lady Brigitta.”

“Good evening,” Brigitta replied.

He paused in the doorway to glance back. “Good evening, Mistress Fallyn.”

She winced. “’Tis Sister Fallyn.”

His gaze grew more intense as the seconds ticked by and he continued to stare at her. “Mistress Fallyn, you will never be a nun to me.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Sister Fallyn’s knees gave out and she collapsed onto the floor.





Chapter Eight

Luciana, the queen of Eberon, hurried down the grand staircase of Ebton Palace as quickly as she dared. With her belly so huge, she could scarcely see her feet.

“Careful.” Her husband, Leo, bounded up the stairs to take her arm.

“Is it true?” she asked. “Has the ship been sighted?”

“They’re tying off at the pier right now.”