So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(74)

“Cocksure.”

She shot another look at him. Her attempt to look scandalized didn’t quite work when she was trying hard not to laugh. “You’re incorrigible.”

“Thank you.”

“Then which descriptive words would you prefer?” She glanced back, her turquoise eyes glinting with humor. “Something like … cocky?”

He grinned. Just saying the word had made her blush. “Rugged would be good. Or well-tempered steel.”

She covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

“Relentless. Powerful.” He waved a hand in the air. “Magnificent.”

She snorted. “Sounds cocky to me.”

“Ha! Come back to the grotto with me. I’ll show you some cocky.” He made a grab for her, and she squealed, then ran down the hill, giggling.

He caught up with her, grabbed her around the waist, and twirled her around while her laughter filled the air. Setting her down, he planted a kiss on her pretty mouth.

She grinned up at him. “You may be in big trouble.”

“Why?”

With a shrug, she resumed her walk along the path. “Now I’ll be expecting magnificent.”

He followed her. “You think I can’t deliver?”

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be…” She glanced back with a sly look. “Sweet.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Now you’re asking for it.” When she laughed, he found himself grinning like a fool.

He took her hand and walked by her side. No doubt they would soon be arguing over her future role in his plan for revenge and conquest, but for now, for these few minutes as they crossed the green hills beneath a bright-blue sky, it was the happiest time in his life.

When they crested the last hill before the village, he spotted Sister Fallyn pacing in front of Stefan’s cottage, situated behind the village on another hill.

“There she is.” Brigitta waved her arms in the air. “She looks upset.”

The nun saw her and waved back. Stefan peered through the cottage door, then followed the nun as she ran toward the village. Brigitta lifted her skirt to hurry down the hill.

The village and fields were mostly empty. Rupert suspected the celebration had lasted long into the night with a great deal of drinking. So most of the islanders were sleeping in this morning. The fire on the beach had been extinguished, leaving a pile of blackened wood and ash. The tent canopies were still up, shading the long tables and empty chairs.

“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn stopped in front of the tavern just as Brigitta reached the edge of the village.

Within seconds, they were embracing each other.

The nun’s smile quickly faded as she took Brigitta by the shoulders. “Don’t ever do that again. Ye scared me self something terrible.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Brigitta assured her. “I meant to come back earlier, but I fell asleep, and the next thing I knew, it was morning. I’m so sorry ye were worried.”

“Humph.” Sister Fallyn aimed a suspicious glare at Rupert as he approached. “He should have brought ye back. ’Tis not fitting for a princess like you to be out all night.”

“Good morning,” Rupert told the nun, noting her hands on Brigitta’s shoulders. No ring.

“Come here.” Sister Fallyn dragged Brigitta toward the pier. “I need some privacy to talk to you.”

Stefan sighed as the nun walked right past him without a look. With a frown, he approached Rupert. “I should clobber you.”

“The proposal didn’t go well?” Rupert asked.

“It went well enough,” Stefan grumbled, casting a forlorn look at Sister Fallyn in the distance. “She was surprised, but happily so, I think. She said she needed to be alone to consider it, so I left her at my cottage and went to your place. Then about an hour later, she was banging on the door, frantic that Brigitta hadn’t returned. I assured her that the girl was safe because she was with you. Then she went into a full panic.” He paused, aiming an inquisitive look at Rupert.

He shrugged. “And then?”

Stefan snorted. “Fallyn insisted I retrieve her before a ravishment could happen. She even threatened to never marry me if I didn’t rescue the princess from your evil clutches. I told her the tide would roll in during the night, making it impossible to reach you.”

Rupert nodded. “Well, that’s true.”

“For a few hours, yes, but not the entire night.” Stefan glowered at him. “I saved your ass, and now Fallyn isn’t speaking to me.”

“She’ll get over it.” Rupert winced when Stefan punched his arm. “Once I have the throne, she’ll approve of me.”

“That could be months,” Stefan growled.

“It may happen sooner than expected.” Rupert shifted his weight. “We’ll need to adjust the plan. Brigitta knows everything.”

Stefan stiffened. “You … you told her?”

“No, she figured it out on her own.” Rupert glanced over at the two women, who were whispering by the pier. With a movement of his hand, he brought their words to him on a breeze.

“That pirate will never be suitable for you,” the nun was fussing. “Ye’re a princess.”

“He’s an honorable man,” Brigitta insisted. “And I love him.”