So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(8)

“Then the current king, Gunther, is her older brother?” Captain Shaw asked.

Mother Ginessa grimaced. “Half brother. He was born from King Garold’s first mistress. I think he’s about twelve years older than Brigitta.”

The captain glanced over the portside railing, then ordered his first mate to oversee the arrival of their guests. “They’re tying the dinghy off now. If King Gunther has sent for his sister, we can hardly refuse—”

“But we must!” Mother Ginessa jumped to her feet. “Do ye not know how Gunther became king? He killed the legitimate heir, Brigitta’s younger brother.”

Brigitta gasped. She’d had a younger brother? And her older brother had killed him? Her stomach twisted again.

Captain Shaw frowned. “Surely he wouldn’t send for her just to harm her.”

Mother Ginessa shook her head. “We dare not take that risk. ’Tis not safe—”

“I don’t want to go.” Brigitta eased shakily to her feet. “Can I not refuse?”

“Aye!” Sorcha moved to stand beside her. “She belongs with us!”

“The Tourinian officer is asking permission to come aboard,” the first mate called from the main deck.

“I’ll deal with this,” Captain Shaw said quietly, then shouted as he proceeded to the main deck. “Permission granted!”

Brigitta’s heart pounded. The fate of the Telling Stones was unfurling around her. Would she be taken to Tourin against her will? How could she even face Gunther, knowing that he’d killed her younger brother? And what if she never saw her sisters again?

“Goddesses, help us!” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons.

Brigitta pressed a hand to her racing heart. It felt like she’d suddenly been flung into one of her overly dramatic stories. If so, wouldn’t this be the perfect time for the dashing young hero to make his appearance? After all, the blue-and-gold part of Luciana’s prophecy was coming true, so shouldn’t the part about a tall and handsome stranger also come true?

She turned toward the newcomer who was climbing a rope ladder to the main deck. A striking blue hat with gold trim came into view, but then Captain Shaw stepped in front of the newcomer and blocked her view.

“Welcome aboard. I’m Captain Shaw.”

“Thank you. I’m Lieutenant Helgar,” the Tourinian officer responded in the Eberoni language. He stepped onto the deck and removed his hat.

Good goddesses! Brigitta gasped in unison with her sisters, then quickly squelched the expression of horror that must have flitted across her face. The lieutenant’s face was scarred with burns. He had a patch over one eye, and half of his mouth was twisted in a permanent sneer. Instead of an upstanding naval officer, he looked more like a notorious pirate.

She glanced over her shoulder at the pirate fleet that was rapidly approaching. Holy goddesses, they could look even worse.

“Your Highness,” the lieutenant said, and it took her a moment to realize he was talking to her. She turned back to him as he bowed. “I bring greetings from your esteemed brother, King Gunther.”

Captain Shaw motioned to the three ships. “You’ve gone to quite a bit of trouble just to extend greetings. May I know the purpose of your visit?”

“Of course.” The lieutenant’s smile looked strained, as if it pained him to move the muscles of his damaged face. “The king regrets being separated from his dear sister all these years. He invites her to join him at the royal court in Lourdon.”

Brigitta winced. This lieutenant intended to take her against her will. She should have known dashing young heroes only existed in the stories she made up. There would be no one coming to her rescue. This was real life, and she would have to protect herself.

She squared her shoulders and attempted to look regal. “How kind of my brother to offer such a lovely invitation. But I fear I must respectfully decline.”

The lieutenant’s smile faded as his expression grew harsh. “Perhaps Your Highness doesn’t understand. No one refuses King Gunther.”

Captain Shaw cleared his throat. “My good man, this young woman didn’t even know she had a brother until a few minutes ago. She has only now learned her true identity. Since I have orders from King Leofric to deliver her to the royal court in Ebton, I propose we let her continue the journey while she adjusts to her new—”

“No,” Lieutenant Helgar interrupted. “She’s coming with us.”

As the tension mounted, Brigitta fought a growing sense of panic. When the dog, Brody, stalked toward the lieutenant and growled, Captain Shaw lifted a hand to calm him.

She should at least be as brave as the dog, Brigitta thought. She steeled her nerves and descended the steps to the main deck. “My sister, Queen Luciana, is expecting me to arrive this evening. I will gladly visit my brother at a later time. Surely he would not want the king and queen of Eberon upset with him.”

The lieutenant gritted his teeth. “King Gunther will not allow foreign rulers to hold his sister hostage.”

Was this situation going to endanger Luciana? Brigitta hesitated, but when Brody positioned himself in front of her, she felt encouraged. “Queen Luciana is a sister who is dear to my heart. I would be her guest.”

“She is not of your blood. Your only family is King Gunther, and you must do as he commands.” The lieutenant raised a hand, and a thundering noise emanated from the three Tourinian naval ships as cannons were wheeled into open gunports.