So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(34)

Luciana’s heart leaped in her chest. It had been eight months since she’d last seen her sisters. “I’m so happy they’re finally here! And so relieved they’ve arrived safely.”

“I’m relieved Mother Ginessa is coming with them,” Leo said as he helped her down the stairs. “Your father says she’s the best midwife around.”

Luciana patted his arm. “Don’t worry. The babies and I will be fine.” A few months ago, she’d become convinced that she was having twins. Since then, she’d doubled her efforts in order to have enough clothing and supplies for two babes. She was fairly certain at least one of them was a girl. The other, she wasn’t so sure. Of course, Leo was hoping for a boy and heir to the Eberon throne.

So far, her pregnancy had gone well, and she’d been blessed with an abundance of energy. Over the past month, she’d had several gowns made for each of her sisters. She’d furnished a bedchamber for each of them in the palace. And she’d arranged for a grand ball to happen tomorrow night, supposedly to celebrate Sorcha’s eighteenth birthday and her own twentieth birthday. Her true purpose, though, was to introduce her sisters to some eligible young noblemen.

This time, she would convince Mother Ginessa to let her sisters live with her. For some secret reason, Mother Ginessa thought it would be too dangerous, but Luciana was positive she could keep her sisters safe here at Ebton Palace. After all, who would dare risk the wrath of her husband, the king? Leo was famous throughout all of Aerthlan for his ability to use the power of lightning.

Finally they reached the ground floor and dashed toward the castle entrance that overlooked the Ebe River. Or rather, Leo dashed. Her walk, unfortunately, looked more like a duck waddle.

Leo smiled as he slowed his steps to match hers. “There’s no need to hurry. If all goes well, your sisters will be here for a long time.”

Luciana nodded. “Definitely.” As they stepped outside onto the massive front terrace, she shielded her eyes from the setting sun.

There they were! “Look!” She motioned to the group of young women hurrying down the pier.

“Chee-ana!” Maeve yelled and lifted her skirt to run.

Luciana grinned as more of her sisters sprinted toward her. Leo guided her down the stairs to the pier, and as soon as she arrived, Maeve flung her arms around her. Then Gwennore and Sorcha.

“Look at yerself!” Sorcha stepped back, her eyes widening. “Ye’re so huge!”

Luciana laughed. “I’m having twins!”

They all gasped, then hugged her again.

Leo bowed. “Welcome to Ebton Palace.” As he continued to chat with them, Luciana wondered why Brigitta was taking her time. She glanced at Mother Ginessa, who was approaching at a slower pace. No Brigitta. She looked at the ship. The captain was disembarking. Alone.

She turned to her sisters. “Where is Brigitta?”

Their smiles faded. Sorcha and Gwennore exchanged worried glances, and Maeve ducked her head, studying her feet.

Luciana’s chest tightened. “Is something wrong? Is she ill? Was she unable to travel?”

“There ye are, child.” Mother Ginessa reached her and gave her a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Luciana told her.

Mother Ginessa rested a hand on Luciana’s belly. “Ye seem to be doing well.”

“Aye. Where is Brigitta? Has something happened to her?”

With a sigh, Mother Ginessa glanced back at the captain. “Captain Shaw will make arrangements with yer husband to get her back. I think we’d better—”

“What do you mean, get her back?” Luciana cried.

Leo ran toward the captain, and they began talking in urgent tones.

Mother Ginessa took hold of Luciana’s hands. “Ye must remain calm now—”

“No!” Fear skittered down Luciana’s spine, chilling her to the bone. “What’s happened to Brigitta?”

“I think we should go inside so ye can sit—”

“Nay!” Luciana interrupted as panic set in. “Ye have to tell me!”

Mother Ginessa drew a deep breath. “First, I should tell ye that Brigitta is the Tourinian princess.”

“What?” Luciana’s heart stuttered. She should have known this. The last time she’d played the Game of Stones with Brigitta, she’d realized that the blue and gold stones referred to Tourin. And she’d sensed some sort of danger. But as hard as she’d tried, she hadn’t been able to discern more than that.

“The Tourinian navy surrounded us at sea,” Mother Ginessa continued. “They intended to take Brigitta, but then some pirates stopped them.”

Luciana gasped. “Pi-pirates?” The world swirled around her, and she swayed on her feet.

Mother Ginessa grabbed her arm to steady her. “This is too stressful for yerself. We must get ye inside—”

“What—” Luciana struggled to catch her breath. “What happened to her?”

“The pirate Rupert took her and Sister Fallyn,” Gwennore said softly.

Luciana pressed a hand to her chest as it became even harder to breathe. Rupert? He was the most infamous pirate of all Aerthlan. Some even called him a sorcerer.

Mother Ginessa motioned to Sorcha to take Luciana’s other arm. “Quickly. We must take her inside.”