So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(78)

“I did.” Brody pointed at the bottom of the page. “The loser of each round will be executed.”

“Exactly.” Stefan sat back, crossing his arms. “Rupert is not doing that damned contest!”

Brody shrugged. “It seems to me if he goes to war against the Tourinian navy and army, he’ll be risking his life just as much.”

“That’s true!” Brigitta agreed. “But if he enters the contest, he can have safe access to the capital and the palace. He won’t have to kill his own countrymen in battle.”

Brody nodded as he tapped his finger on the notice. “I like this plan better. I’m sure Leo will prefer it, too. We won’t have to risk a bunch of people’s lives. The only one in danger will be you.” He looked at Rupert. “Can you handle that?”

Rupert snorted. “I’m not worried about myself. It’s Brigitta who will be in danger. Didn’t you read the notice? Her brother wants her pregnant by the man of his choosing. He will definitely not choose me. Even if I win the damned competition, there is no guarantee he won’t have her raped by his favorite. She’s safer here on the island.”

Brigitta swallowed hard. There was a risk, she had to admit it, but she couldn’t live with herself if she hid here like a coward. “You can’t force me to stay here.”

Rupert gritted his teeth. “Watch me.”

She slapped her palm on the table. “Then you’re willing to go into unnecessary battles and watch your own men die and kill your own countrymen? What kind of king do you intend to be?”

Rupert stood so quickly, his chair toppled over. He paced across the small room.

Brigitta’s heart pounded as she clutched her hands together. “I know you’re an honorable man, Rupert. I simply wish to prove myself an honorable woman.”

He stopped his pacing and dragged a hand through his hair. “You’ll be in danger.”

“I’m willing to risk it,” she said. “I can insist my brother treat me fairly in exchange for my full cooperation. I can pretend to love the contest. I can lie and manipulate all I need to in order to stay safe. I will not be going in there as a meek, helpless lamb!”

Rupert looked at her, his eyes softening. “I know you’re clever. I know you’re brave. But I cannot bear any harm to come to you.”

“I will go with her,” Brody offered. “As her personal guard dog. No one will be able to attack her.”

Stefan sighed. “I suppose this plan is doable.”

Rupert winced. “It is true I am reluctant to battle my own people. I want prosperity for Tourin. And peace.”

Brigitta’s heart stuttered. “Then you agree? We’ll do the competition?”

Rupert frowned at her. “I’m giving you a blade, and on the way to Eberon, I’ll be teaching you how to use it.”

She grinned. “Yes!”

His frown deepened. “This is not a game, Brigitta. If you are forced to defend yourself, you will have to kill the bastard. Wounding him will only cause him to become more violent.”

She gulped. “I understand.”

“Once you win the contest, how do you get the throne?” Stefan asked Rupert. “Could you assassinate Gunther during the final ceremony?”

Rupert shrugged. “I’m not sure. Too many unknowns. We’ll have to play it by ear.”

“I thought we could imprison him,” Brigitta suggested. She winced at the dark look Rupert gave her. “I don’t want you to live with that stain on your soul.”

Stefan leaned toward her. “Are you sure you won’t be sympathetic toward Gunther? He is your brother, after all.”

“Just because I’m reluctant to have him murdered doesn’t mean I’m on his side. You can trust me.” Brigitta glanced at Rupert. Didn’t he trust her?

He looked away with a grimace. “Gunther cannot be allowed to live. He would represent a continued threat to the throne.”

Brigitta swallowed hard. How could she stop the man she loved from committing a cold-blooded murder? “Like you said, we’ll play it by ear.”

“We’ll finish making plans, then set sail this afternoon.” Rupert set his chair upright, then took a seat.

Brody pointed to a line on the notice. “The contest is scheduled to begin a fortnight after the last embrace of the moons.”

Rupert counted the days in his mind. “This is the beginning of the sixth day. I can put a strong wind behind us so we can reach Eberon on the eighth day.”

Stefan winced. “We’re cutting it close. We’ll have less than a week to return Brigitta and have you ready to compete.”

Rupert nodded. “And I can’t compete as Rupert or the lost prince, so I’ll need a new identity.”

Brody buttered up more bread. “Leo can help with that. Since you speak Eberoni fluently, you can pass as an Eberoni nobleman. As soon as we get close enough to shore, I’ll fly to Ebton Palace and finalize the plans there.”

“Good.” Rupert poured himself a goblet of wine.

“Lady Brigitta,” Stefan whispered, leaning close to her. “May I have a word with you in private?”

“Of course.” As Brigitta followed the captain out the front door, her heart raced. She’d done it! She’d convinced Rupert to follow her plan. She wouldn’t have to hide here on the island like a coward. No, she would be taking an active part in deciding her own future.