So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(81)

Brody snorted. “The nun takes her job seriously.”

“Aye,” Rupert agreed. “I would complain, but I’m actually glad that she’s so fierce about watching out for Brigitta. Between you and the nun, I feel much better about Brigitta going to Lourdon Palace.”

Stefan entered the room, carrying a tray of food. “You have news?”

“Yes,” Brody replied. “Since this ship is too large to sail up the Ebe River, Leo and Luciana are traveling down the river on the royal barge. They’ll meet us at the small village of Ebport at the mouth of the Ebe.”

“The queen is coming?” Rupert cleared an area on his worktable so Stefan could set down the tray. “I thought she was supposed to be giving birth about this time.”

“She had the twins early.” Brody grabbed a slice of cheese off the tray and popped it into his mouth.

“Twins?” Stefan poured him a cup of wine.

Brody nodded as he chewed. “A boy and a girl. Born on the night the moons embraced.”

They would have magical powers then, Rupert thought. And they shared his birthday.

“So we need to go to Ebport,” Stefan said.

“Yes.” Brody took a sip of wine. “Luciana’s father, the Duke of Vindalyn, is coming, too. He was at Ebton Palace for the birth of his grandchildren, so we included him in the meeting. He has provided Rupert with a new identity for the competition.”

He’d been Rupert since the age of fourteen. Twelve years. It would feel strange to be anyone else now, even his true identity. “Who will I be?”

“One of the duke’s barons recently died without an heir,” Brody explained. “The duke has revealed that you are a distant cousin, and he’s awarded the title to you. You will be Umberto Vintello, the new Baron Suffield. His Grace is bringing the paperwork to prove it. That way, if Gunther has you investigated, you will appear legitimate.”

Stefan performed a deep bow. “Lord Suffield.”

Rupert snorted.

“Congratulations.” Brody smiled at him. “You temporarily own some land and an excellent manor house.”

“Maybe Sister Fallyn will like me better now,” Rupert muttered, and Stefan chuckled.

Brody finished his cup of wine. “Leo has already sent an envoy to Lourdon to announce Brigitta’s rescue from the notorious pirate Rupert. Leo’s best friend, Captain Nevis Harden, is bringing several troops of soldiers down the river. Everyone will believe they’re providing protection for the royal barge. But Nevis and one of his troops will take Brigitta to the Tourinian border to meet her brother. I’ll be her guard dog.”

“Thank you.” Rupert refilled the shifter’s cup.

“You will go to Ebton Palace as Baron Suffield,” Brody continued. “That way, the Tourinian ambassador and his spies will see you as an Eberoni nobleman. You’ll be outfitted in suitable clothing and given a small troop of guards and servants to accompany you to Lourdon.”

“I’m going with him,” Stefan insisted.

Rupert’s heart swelled. Stefan had stayed by his side since that tragic day nineteen years ago. As a young soldier from one of the loyal northern clans, Stefan had been given what was considered a prestigious assignment—guarding the prince and heir to the throne. But Stefan had soon found himself raising a traumatized young orphan who was being hunted by an entire army. Through it all, he had remained true. “Thank you, old friend.”

Stefan waved a dismissive hand as if he didn’t care, but his voice was gruff with emotion. “What else would I do?” He looked away, blinking. “I’d better get this tub headed toward Ebport.” He quickly left the room.

Brody took a bite of bread. “The royal barge will arrive in Ebport by noon. Can we make it by then?”

“Yes.” Rupert glanced at his worktable. This had been his room for seven years now. He gave the windmill one last twirl. No more tinkering on his inventions here. No more pirating. His days as Rupert were over.

A new life lay in front of him, but he was no longer that frightened orphan. And he didn’t have to face the future alone. Stefan would be by his side, along with his new allies from Eberon.

And most of all, there was Brigitta.

*

“Look!” Brigitta pointed at the royal barge in the distance. She’d been waiting excitedly by the ship’s railing as they’d drawn closer to the village of Ebport. Now she could see the pier that ran along the Ebe River and the large barge tied off beside it. A brightly painted cabin had been built on top with long windows and an outside staircase leading to the flat observation deck on the roof. Flags in the Eberoni royal colors of red and black flapped in the breeze that swept in from the ocean.

“I can see women on deck,” Sister Fallyn said with a grin.

“Ye can?” Brigitta held up a hand to shield her eyes from the bright sun. “Oh my, I think they’re all there!” She waved an arm, and the women waved back.

“Praise the goddesses.” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons.

“But how can this be?” Brigitta asked. “I thought Luciana would be giving birth now.”

“She went into labor a week ago,” Brody said as he joined them by the railing.

Brigitta glanced at him, surprised to see him in human form. “I didn’t know ye were back.”