So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(56)
“After a fiery battle with a Norveshki dragon, Gunther is no longer able to father children. You are his only hope of having an heir from his own bloodline. That means he will be desperate to get you in his court and under his power. Desperate enough that he could attack Eberon and—”
“Luciana could be in danger?” Brigitta sat back in her chair. She couldn’t cause any harm to come to her sister or Leo or the baby.
“If the two countries go to war, there will be many lives lost—”
“Fine.” Brigitta jumped to her feet and paced across the room. “Then I won’t go there. I’ll go back to the Isle of Moon.”
“Gunther could attack the convent—”
“Fine!” She couldn’t endanger any of the sisters. “Is there any safe place I can go?”
Rupert shrugged. “You would probably be safe with Gunther. After all, he needs you healthy.”
She scoffed. “Are ye serious?”
“You would have pretty gowns and balls to attend. Doesn’t every girl want to be a princess?”
She grabbed a pillow off the bed and clobbered him upside the head.
“Hey!” He gave her an indignant look. “That wasn’t very princess-like.”
She lifted the pillow again, ready to strike, but his smile stopped her. With a groan, she tossed the pillow back on the bed. “Should I hide somewhere? Change my name? Wear a disguise like yerself?”
His mouth twitched. “Do you want to be a lady pirate?”
With a huff, she crossed her arms. “I know nothing of the sea.”
He shifted on the chair, his smile fading. “There is a place that only I and my most trusted crew members know about.”
“Really?” She sat beside him. “Where?”
He tapped his fingers on the table. “The location is a secret.”
She snorted. “Of course.”
“It’s a small island we’ve been going to for about five years now. Some of the men took their wives there and built homes, so we now have a small village. A few farms, a miller, a bakery, a smithy.”
“What do ye call it?”
He shrugged. “I never named it, but the others call it Rupert’s Island.”
She stood and wandered across the room. “Ye’re willing to take me there?”
“I will do whichever option you want.”
“Thank you.” With a quick breath, she made her decision. “It would be safer for everyone if I hide on yer island.”
“Very well.” He stood. “We’ll set sail at dawn.”
She nodded. So she would hide. Was that taking the coward’s way out? But what choice did she really have?
“Good night, then.”
Tears burned her eyes. When would she ever see her sisters again? “Is there a way to let my sisters know where I am? And that I’m all right?”
A pained look crossed his face. “It would be best for you to simply disappear. No one can know where you are. And I can never let anyone know where the island is. Not even you.”
She blinked away tears. She was banishing herself from the rest of the world, going to an island that would eventually feel like a prison. But it was the only way to protect her sisters and the nuns who had raised her. “How long will I have to stay there?”
“You will not be safe until Gunther dies.”
Her breath caught. “Th-that could be years.”
In the dim light, Rupert’s face grew harsh. “Trust me. It will not be long now.”
Her heart grew still. “What are ye planning to do?”
He turned toward the door. “Good night.”
“Wait!” She ran toward him. “I know ye have a grudge against him. And ye like to steal his gold. But … please don’t…”
He gave her a stern look. “Are you sympathetic to your brother?”
“No! He’s a monster.”
Rupert turned back to the door. “Then you need not be concerned.”
“My concern is for you.” She grabbed his arm and was instantly flooded with a wave of rage. Fury. “It is one thing for you to be a thief, but please don’t be something worse. Even if he deserves to be murdered, please don’t … don’t do this to yerself. Ye’re a man of honor!”
He stiffened, staring at her with a stunned look.
“Rupert—”
“No. I will have my revenge, and even you will not stop me.” He left, closing the door in her face.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, a scream woke Brigitta from a fitful slumber. She jumped out of bed and ran to the door just as she heard Sister Fallyn shriek again.
“Brigitta!”
She dashed into the passageway. “I’m here!”
Sister Fallyn whirled around, her face stricken with panic. “Oh!” She stumbled, colliding with the wall. “Oh, dear goddesses, ye scared me to death.”
“I’m fine.” Brigitta patted her on the back.
Footsteps pounded on the nearby stairs as Rupert raced down them. He halted with a jerk when he saw them.
Brigitta’s heart squeezed at the frantic look on his face. He must have heard the scream. “I’m fine,” she repeated.