So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(94)

With a wince, Brigitta realized that was true. Hilda would be showing up soon with the nightly concoction that she was forced to drink. She had intended to pour the stuff down the privy hole, but Hilda always waited to make sure she drank it.

Blast. She’d been so excited about seeing Rupert again that she hadn’t wanted to admit it was too dangerous.

“Brody,” she called the dog over and hunched down in front of him. “Can you find you-know-who and tell him not to come here?”

Sister Fallyn gasped. “Oh, dear godde … do you mean he…?”

Brody tilted his head, studying the balcony door. Then he trotted over to the door and scratched a paw against the glass pane.

Sister Fallyn shook her head. “Surely, you-know-who wouldn’t come here.”

A dark shadow moved in front of the glass, and Brigitta’s heart lurched. “He’s here.”

The door opened, and Rupert slipped inside. He was dressed all in black with a black scarf tied around his head, looking so much like her infamous pirate that her heart filled with joy. No matter who he truly was, he would always be her Rupert.

“Oh my godde—” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons, then quickly pressed her hands to her chest. “You can’t be here! It’s too dangerous.”

“Shh.” Brigitta held a finger to her lips as she glanced through the open bedroom door into the sitting room. The door to the hallway was far enough away that she doubted the guards outside could hear. But still, Hilda could walk in at any minute.

“I won’t stay long,” Rupert whispered. “I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.”

“We’re fine,” Sister Fallyn insisted. “Now go before you get us killed!”

“I brought a letter for you from Stefan.” He offered her a folded piece of paper.

“Oh.” The nun snatched the paper. “I’ll leave you alone then.” She ran into the dressing room.

Brigitta gave him a wry look. “Well played.”

“Thank you.”

His smile and twinkling eyes were making her want to rush into his arms. But it was truly too dangerous. “You really can’t stay. Hilda will be arriving soon.”

“Who is she?”

“The spy who watches me and reports to my brother. She has a bad habit of just barging into the sitting room without knocking. Oh—” Brigitta turned to Brody. “Could you wait by the door and warn us when she comes in?”

Brody yipped and trotted into the sitting room.

Brigitta closed the bedroom door. Her heart pounded as she faced Rupert.

He smiled. “Alone at last.”

She fiddled with the sash of her robe. “How did you get to my balcony?”

“I climbed a drainpipe a few windows down, then jumped from one balcony to the next until I found the right one.”

“Are you trying to kill yourself?” She attempted a disapproving glare, but was much too happy to pull it off.

His mouth twitched as he approached her. “I needed to see you. I missed you.”

Her heart squeezed. “I missed you, too. But I won’t have you endangering yourself just to see me.”

He swept her sash up in his hand and tugged at it to bring her closer. “I was hoping to do more than just see you.”

Scoundrel. She rested her hands on his black shirt. “Have you been all right? How was your trip here?”

“Lonesome. I missed you.” He brushed her hair back and caressed her cheek.

“Will you be able to manage the race?”

“I rode all the way to Lourdon. I’ll be fine.” He leaned close, his nose touching hers. “I missed you.” He kissed her cheek.

Her hands slid up to his neck. “Did they give you a room here in the palace?”

“A little one.” He glanced around her suite. “Not nearly as fancy as—damn, is that your bed? It’s huge.”

She looked over her shoulder at the enormous four-poster surrounded by red velvet curtains. The curtains had been drawn back on one side to give her access to the mattress covered with red silk. “This suite is basically my prison cell, but a very nice one.”

“Hmm.” His eyes gleamed as he glanced from her to the bed.

She pushed him back. “Don’t even think about that. I’ve already been interrogated over my virginity.”

He grinned. “My, what a naughty mind you have. I was only thinking about a little innocent snuggling.”

“Ha!” Her cheeks grew warm. “I doubt that.”

He sauntered over to her bed and pressed a hand against the mattress.

“You’re not getting on my bed,” she warned him.

Brody barked in the sitting room.

“Hide!” In a panic, Brigitta shoved Rupert onto her bed, then shut the curtains.

She rushed to the bedroom door just as Hilda called out, “Your Highness?”

“Coming.” Brigitta took a deep breath and slowed down so everything would appear normal. She opened the door, then decided to leave it half open as she sauntered into the sitting room. After all, if she closed it, it might look like she was hiding something. “Good evening.”

Hilda set a tray down on the table. As usual, the tray contained a bottle of tonic, a cup, and a pitcher of water. “Here you are.” She uncorked the small bottle, then handed it to Brigitta.