So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(79)

How odd that for months she had dreaded the idea of a competition, fearing that it might be forced on her whether she liked it or not. But now she actually wanted it to happen.

She looked at the Golden Star where it lay anchored in the bay. This afternoon, they would set sail and follow their destiny. She made the sign of the moons with a silent prayer that they would all remain safe.

Stefan closed the door and cleared his throat.

Brigitta turned toward him. “Yes?”

He glanced toward his cottage. “I wanted to ask you about Fallyn. You may have heard…”

“That you proposed to her?” Brigitta prompted.

He heaved a long sigh. “Am I being a fool? Am I expecting more from her than she’s able to give? I love her. I love her enough not to force her to follow a path that will cause her pain.” He grimaced. “Is it hopeless for us?”

Brigitta paused, not sure what to say. She couldn’t see the future like Luciana. “I think Sister Fallyn does care for you. Very much.”

“I don’t know what the rules are at a convent that worships the two moons. What kind of vows did she take?”

“We worship the twin goddesses there, so the convent has always served the purpose of being a safe haven for women. The only vows are faith in the goddesses, fidelity to ourselves, and loving support to other women.”

Stefan’s eyes narrowed. “That’s it? No vows of chastity or poverty?”

“No.” Brigitta shook her head. “We must be true to ourselves. That is a matter between us and our goddesses. Sister Fallyn is very faithful.”

“That’s all right.” Stefan’s eyes lit up with hope. “A faithful woman is a rare treasure. If you’ll excuse me.” He bowed his head, then strode toward his cottage.

With a smile, Brigitta let herself back into Rupert’s house. If they were going to continue making plans, she wanted to be a part of it.





Chapter Twenty

“Thank you for your help,” Rupert told the pelican Brody. “And please convey my gratitude to King Leofric. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

Brody bobbed his head in acknowledgment.

It was late afternoon of the next day, and the Golden Star was now close enough to the Eberon coast for Brody to fly to Ebton Palace and make plans with Leofric.

Rupert’s head swirled with a mixture of emotions. Excitement that finally he was moving forward with his quest for revenge. Fear that Brigitta would be exposed to danger. And a sudden sense of trepidation. For years, he’d been so focused on the act of revenge that he’d never thought past it.

What kind of king do you intend to be? Brigitta’s words had hit him hard. Gaining the throne was not the end of his life’s work, but the beginning. It would all be for naught if he didn’t prove to be a worthy king.

“Brody!” Brigitta dashed onto the deck. “I heard you were leaving.” She hunched down in front of the pelican.

Rupert had enjoyed teaching her how to defend herself. Unfortunately, those few hours yesterday and this morning were the only times he had seen her. Sister Fallyn had watched them like a hawk, ready to screech whenever his touch had lingered longer than necessary.

They’d been forced to explain everything to the nun before leaving the island. Otherwise, she had refused to let Brigitta participate in a contest that would end with sexual assault. Once Sister Fallyn had understood that he was the lost prince, and that he would be winning the contest, she had condoned their plan. And when Brody had assured her that he would be going along to guard Brigitta, the nun had insisted on coming, too.

But as soon as they’d set sail, Sister Fallyn had announced that there would be no ravishment on board. Even if he was a prince, instead of a pirate, he would not be allowed to seduce Brigitta until he married her. The nun had even posted the dog Brody outside Brigitta’s door that night to stand guard.

Brigitta patted the pelican on the head. “Be sure to tell Luciana and Mother Ginessa and all my sisters how much I love them and miss them. If Luciana has given birth, I doubt she’ll have recovered enough to come see me. Please tell her not to feel bad about that. Tell her you’ll be guarding me in Tourin, and I’ll be perfectly safe.”

Brody nodded and shifted his weight on his webbed feet.

“I think he’s ready to go,” Rupert said.

“All right.” Brigitta straightened on her feet. “Oh, and if you see the newborn baby, give him a big kiss from me.”

Brody made a grunting noise.

Rupert snorted. He didn’t think that last part would happen. Brody ran forward, flapping his wings until he began to soar higher and higher.

Brigitta watched him go. “It must be interesting to fly, though I would be afraid of crashing.”

“Would you like a bird’s-eye view?” Rupert asked her. “I’ll take you up to the crow’s nest.”

She shuddered. “Too scary.”

“I’ll be with you the whole time.”

She glanced over her shoulder to check on Sister Fallyn. The nun was on the quarterdeck talking to Stefan. Whenever Brigitta came on deck, the nun came, too, to make sure Rupert behaved himself. “I suppose you would have to hold me to keep me safe.”

“Definitely.” He took her hand and led her toward the rope-and-pulley mechanism next to the mainmast.