So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(86)

Brigitta nodded. “I understand.”

“Do you have a weapon?” Nevis asked.

“I have a knife strapped to my thigh,” Brigitta replied. “Rupert taught me how to use it.”

Brody winced. “If you mention him from now on, you must do it with disdain toward the wretched pirate who kidnapped you.”

Brigitta nodded, her heart thudding in her ears. She knew they were trying to help, but they were making her more nervous. “We’ll meet you at the bridge in a few minutes.”

She and Sister Fallyn hurried back to their tent. The night before, she’d added her bundle from the ship to the small trunk of clothes that Luciana had given them.

Two soldiers carried the trunk as she and Sister Fallyn approached the bridge.

“We can do this,” she whispered, taking the nun’s hand.

Sister Fallyn squeezed her hand. “Aye, we can.”





Chapter Twenty-Two

He looked older than his thirty-one years, Brigitta thought the minute she spotted King Gunther standing on the north bank of the Norva River. He was richly clothed in black leather breeches and a tunic and cape that shimmered like gold in the morning sun. A golden crown set with jewels rested on his head, and another bejeweled, golden necklace made a wide circle around his shoulders. The clasp of his leather sword belt was gold, as well as the ornate scabbard that held his sword.

But in spite of all his finery, he was not a man who could ever look refined. His face was ruddy and bloated from excess drinking, his skin riddled with pockmarks and scars, his mouth thin and cruel.

She suppressed a shudder as his sharp blue eyes narrowed on her.

“Will you be all right?” Nevis whispered as he led her onto the bridge.

“Yes.” Thank the goddesses she didn’t have to face this alone. Sister Fallyn was right behind her, and Brody trotted beside her in dog form.

Nevis motioned for the soldiers to set down her trunk at the midway point across the bridge. “I’ll have to leave you now.” He inclined his head. “May the Light be with you.”

“Thank you.” She watched him return to the south bank, then with a deep breath, she turned to face north where her destiny lay.

Her brother was still looking at her, his cold, calculating eyes going over her slowly as if he was searching for flaws.

She needed to play her role convincingly. This was her long-lost brother, the only family she had in the world. She sank into a deep curtsy, then as she straightened, she beamed an excited smile at him and gave him a little wave.

A corner of his mouth tilted up for a few seconds before his expression returned to its normal arrogant sneer. With a wave of his hand, he motioned to an officer standing nearby.

The officer, dressed in an elaborate blue-and-gold uniform, strode onto the bridge. “Your Highness.” He removed the plumed hat off his head, sweeping it in front of him as he made a grand bow. “I am Captain Mador, in charge of King Gunther’s personal guard.”

She gave him a bright smile, even though he looked like a younger, leaner, and crueler version of her brother. “I’m delighted to meet you, Captain.”

His gaze drifted slowly down her body. “Have you heard about the competition? I’ll be one of the top contenders vying for your … hand.”

He looked much more interested in her breasts than her hand. Brigitta’s smile froze. “How exciting! I’m so looking forward to this contest.”

Captain Mador’s heavy-lidded eyes met hers. “Are you?”

“Of course.” She waved a hand in the air. “How often does a girl get a dozen men competing for her?”

He snorted. “At last count, there are six.”

“Oh. Oops.” She touched her mouth, pretending to be embarrassed. “Well, six will be enough, I think. I’ll be sure to find someone I fancy.”

His mouth twisted with an arrogant sneer that he must have learned from her brother. He motioned for some of his men to take her trunk.

“Why do you have a nun with you?” He scowled at Sister Fallyn, who was wearing her convent gown.

“She is my dear friend,” Brigitta explained. “I asked her to serve as my maid and chaperone. And of course, I can’t go anywhere without my pet dog.” She gave Brody a fond look, and he played his part, lifting a foreleg and grinning at her.

Captain Mador scoffed. “They’re not coming. His Majesty will provide you with servants.”

Brigitta’s smile became brittle. “Perhaps you didn’t understand. I don’t go anywhere without my friend and pet. I’m sure my brother would understand the importance of keeping me happy and healthy.”

The captain’s eyes narrowed. “Why would he care?”

“Because happy and healthy women give birth to happy and healthy babies.”

Captain Mador stared at her a moment, then smirked. “I’m glad you realize your purpose here.” He motioned to one of his men. “Take the nun and the dog to Her Highness’s tent.”

Sister Fallyn exchanged a worried look with Brigitta as she and Brody were led across the bridge. They were taken to a tent with a blue-and-gold pennant flapping above the entrance.

King Gunther turned on his heel and disappeared inside a much larger tent.

Was that it? Brigitta wondered. Would she be lucky enough not to have to talk to her brother?