So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced #2)(95)

There wasn’t anything she could do but drink it. The first night Hilda had brought the tonic, she’d made it clear that she would call the guards into the room if necessary to force the stuff down Brigitta’s throat. Fortunately, it only tasted like a rather bitter wine.

She downed it, then set the empty bottle on the tray.

Hilda looked her over carefully. “It’s been a few days now that you’ve taken it. You should be feeling some effect.”

Brigitta narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? I thought it was to help me give birth to a boy.”

“True.” Hilda poured some water into the cup. “But since you’re a virgin, your brother feared you would have trouble accepting the winner in your bed. So part of the tonic is a potion to increase your desire.”

“What?”

Hilda sneered as she offered the cup of water to her. “With each day, you will feel hotter, your breasts will feel heavier and more sensitive, and your—”

“What?”

“No water? Well, perhaps later.” Hilda set the cup down. “Anyway, by the time the winner is announced, you should be quite the eager one in bed.” She picked up the empty bottle and smiled. “Extremely eager, according to the physician. As frantic as an animal in heat.”

Appalled, Brigitta stepped back. How dare her brother do this to her? It had to be nonsense. How could any tonic have such an effect?

With a whine, Brody flopped onto the floor and covered his ears with this paws.

Oh, dear goddesses, this was embarrassing. And what if Rupert was hearing all this? Her cheeks flushed with heat as she glanced toward the bedroom.

“Ah.” Hilda gave her a knowing look. “It has begun.”

No! Brigitta pressed a hand to her chest.

“I shall return at dawn to make sure you are ready for the grand opening of the games.” Hilda inclined her head, then hurried toward the door.

Brigitta groaned inwardly. No doubt the older woman was in a rush to tell Gunther that the tonic was working.

“Oh.” Hilda stopped with the door half open. “You may hear some chanting in the hallways tonight. Don’t be alarmed. There were some reports of ghosts, but His Majesty has called in the priests to clear them out.”

Brigitta blinked. “Ghosts?”

“Yes.” Hilda shrugged. “This sort of thing happens from time to time. It’s to be expected with the number of tragic accidents that have occurred in the palace.”

“Accidents?”

Hilda nodded. “Gunther’s wife fell down a staircase. And your mother was trampled by a horse.”

Brigitta swallowed hard. Had her mother been murdered? “What happened to my younger brother?”

“Brannoc?” Hilda’s eyes gleamed with malice. “He tripped and fell off the highest tower. An accident, of course.”

Brigitta clenched her hands together. Now she knew his name. Poor Brannoc. With his mother gone, there had been no one left to protect him.

“But not to worry,” Hilda assured her. “The ghosts will be exorcised. There’s one thing His Majesty never tolerates, and that’s ghosts in the palace.” As she left, Brody slipped through the door before she closed it.

Apparently, Brody wanted to investigate the ghost situation. And it made sense that Gunther wouldn’t want any ghosts lingering about. There were too many of them that he had killed.

She trudged back into the bedroom and shut the door.

Rupert drew back the curtains and gave her a worried look. “Are you all right?”

She approached him slowly. “How much did you hear?”

“This and that.” He patted the bed beside him. “I’m sorry about your mother and younger brother.”

She sat beside him. “You lost your mother and brother, too.”

He nodded. “My mother was chased off a cliff. I’m not sure what happened to Bjornfrid.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “But don’t worry. Gunther will get what he deserves.”

She sighed. The king did deserve to die, but she still dreaded the thought of Rupert being the one to kill him.

“So is it true?” Rupert whispered.

“What?”

“Are your breasts heavier?” He reached toward her.

“Stop that!” She pushed him back, and he grinned. Her face burned with embarrassment. The rascal had heard everything.

“If you find yourself feeling extremely eager, I would be willing to help you find some relief.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Out of the kindness of my heart.”

She scoffed. “How noble of you.”

“And the tonic will cause you to give birth to a boy?” He leaned close. “Perhaps we should give it a test?”

“Go away.” She shoved him again.

With a quick move, he grasped her by the shoulders and pushed her back onto the bed. He paused, his face a few inches from hers.

Her heart thudded loud in her ears, and goddesses help her, she did feel hot. Her breasts did feel heavy. And she wanted him something fierce.

“Do you still love me, Brigitta? Does your heart yearn for me?”

Tears filled her eyes as she nodded yes.

With a small smile, he leaned down to nuzzle her neck and kiss her cheek. “Do you desire other men?”

“No.” She slipped her hands around his neck. “Of course not.”