So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(59)

“Then I shall come to you.”

Her disappointment vanished. In fact, she felt quite breathless as he swung his legs over the side of the crow’s nest and slid down a rope. He landed neatly and strode toward her, removing his gloves.

She tried not to think about the way his biceps had bulged as he’d controlled his descent of the rope. Or the swagger of his long-legged stride as he approached her. Instead, she focused on the laundry.

She stirred so briskly, some water sloshed over the side of the tub and landed on his boots. “Oh, sorry.”

“No problem.” He reached for the paddle. “Shall I take over for a while?”

“Nay, I’m fine. Did ye have any … shirts ye wanted to add?”

He stepped closer and lowered his voice, “Are you still trying to undress me?”

She snorted and gave him a wry look. “Perhaps someday, someone will invent a machine for this.”

“No doubt, it would take a genius.”

She laughed.

“You doubt me?” He grinned. “Now I will definitely have to invent one.”

“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn rushed down the steps. “Ye shouldn’t be alone with him.”

“He’s helping us escape my brother,” Brigitta said, coming to his defense. “And there’s no need for you to worry. He’s perfectly harmless.”

“Excuse me?” Rupert growled.

“I know he’s helping, and I appreciate that.” Sister Fallyn slanted Rupert an apologetic look. “I am sorry, young man, but ye must understand that she’s a princess—”

“Sister,” Brigitta objected.

“’Tis true, whether ye like it or not,” Sister Fallyn said.

“I understand.” Rupert gave Brigitta a mocking bow. “Thank the Light I’m too harmless to cause any danger to Your Most Royal Highness.”

Brigitta huffed. “This is ridiculous.”

“I shall console myself tonight under the stars,” Rupert continued as he slipped his gloves back on. “Even though the moons will have separated from their embrace, they will still be almost close enough to touch.” He gave Brigitta a pointed look. “And that will give me hope.”

A shiver ran down her arms. He was asking her to see him tonight, she was sure of it. She inclined her head. “I’m sure it will be lovely.”

His eyes gleamed a golden amber as his mouth curled into a smile. “Indeed.” He strode back toward the mast, grabbed a rope, and with a yank on a lever he shot back up to the crow’s nest.

Tonight. Brigitta smiled to herself. As soon as Sister Fallyn was fast asleep, she would see Rupert again.

*

Would she come?

Rupert stood alone at the wheel. He’d dismissed the helmsman, so there would be no one else on the quarterdeck. And he’d ordered the other crewmen on duty to stay toward the bow of the ship. Only the silly pelican remained close by. With most of the sails furled and a minimum breeze, he was advancing the ship very slowly. If she did come, he doubted she would be able to detect their northwestern heading.

His hands gripped the wheel. He would miss her once she was left behind on the island. It won’t be for long, he promised himself. With her safe, he could immediately set the Official Plan into action.

First step, seek out the Tourinian navy and destroy it. Hopefully, he’d be able to crash the ships without losing too many lives. He was, after all, the rightful king, so he didn’t relish the prospect of killing his own countrymen. Only Gunther and his supporters needed to die.

His thoughts returned to Brigitta’s plea that he not kill her brother. Ye’re a man of honor. Dammit. It was a matter of honor that he avenge his family and take back the throne.

But if he killed Gunther, would she be able to love him? Dammit to hell. Why should he care how she felt? Since when did he even want her to love him?

He curled his hands into fists and pounded one against the wheel. Of all the stupid things—he was falling for her. Falling for the daughter of the man who had killed his father and destroyed his family. Falling for a woman who was impossible for him to trust.

She didn’t trust him, either. She refused to confide in him. He gritted his teeth. That had to stop—

“Good evening,” she said softly as she ascended the stairs to the quarterdeck.

He swallowed hard. Why was she so damned beautiful?

“Is something wrong? Ye were frowning something fierce.”

He took a deep breath and spoke to her in Tourinian. “I wasn’t sure you would come.”

“I’m here now,” she answered in the same language. She looked up at the sky and smiled. “The stars are as bright as diamonds tonight. And the moons so full and pretty, side by side.”

Why did he love the way she spoke Tourinian so much? Her voice was soft and almost musical with its island lilt. How sweet she would sound on a dark night as she lay in his arms, her long legs entwined with his. Dammit. Why did he want her so badly? “Why don’t you trust me?”

She blinked and gave him a surprised look.

“I’m taking you to a safe place. I agreed that you should decide your own destiny.” He scowled at her. “You should trust me.”

She shifted her weight. “Trust has to be earned.”

“I could have earned ten thousand gold coins for your ransom, but I gave it up.”