“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn shook her. “Are ye all right?”
“Aye.”
“Oh, thank the goddesses. Ye seemed to be in a daze for a moment.” Sister Fallyn lowered her voice to a whisper. “I completely understand. Ye poor child. It must have terrified you to be hauled over the railing by those burly, half-naked seamen.”
“What burly, half-nak—” Brigitta stopped when Sister Fallyn placed a finger over her mouth.
“A young innocent like you shouldn’t even repeat such words.” Sister Fallyn shuddered. “Goddesses help us, ye can see their muscles. And tattoos.”
Brigitta glanced around the deck once more. Goodness, there were a number of muscular men without their shirts. And some rather interesting designs inked on their arms and chests. Why had she not realized that before? Because ye were looking only for the masked man.
With a small gasp, she pressed a hand to her chest. Why did she keep thinking about that scoundrel?
“Shocking, I know.” Sister Fallyn grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her away. “Don’t look at them. It might give you lurid thoughts. Thank the goddesses I am immune to such things.” She waved a hand to fan her face. “Why, I hardly even notice it.”
“Are ye all right?” Brigitta asked. “Ye seem a bit flushed.”
“’Tis a trifle warm, that’s all.” Sister Fallyn turned her attention to the tear in the waistline of Brigitta’s gown. “Don’t worry about this. We can sew it back. We’ll just need a needle and some thread.” She turned toward the man with the fancy hat, and her cheeks blushed a brighter pink. “Captain—?”
“Landers.” The man removed his hat as he made a bow. “Your Highness, welcome aboard the Golden Star.”
Brigitta frowned at him. “It was an invitation we dared not refuse. If anything happens to my—” She glanced at the Eberoni ship.
“Your travel companions will not be harmed,” Captain Landers assured her. “And neither will you. You will both be safe here.”
“Safe?” Sister Fallyn gave him an incredulous look. “We’re surrounded by burly, half-naked men!”
With a hint of a smile, the captain plopped his hat back on his head. “I’ll make sure they’re fully dressed from now on.”
“Please do. Also, we will require needle and thread,” Sister Fallyn said, and while the nun and captain continued to talk, Brigitta turned to the railing and waved at her sisters in the distance.
They waved back.
“I miss you already,” Brigitta whispered.
A barking sound drew her attention to the sea. The seal was still there. It lifted a flipper and slapped the surface of the water as if trying to tell her something.
Below her, the dinghy had untied the mooring ropes and pushed off from the pirate ship. The rowers set a steady pace back to the Eberoni naval ship. The rest of the pirate fleet moved slowly away, leaving an open space to the east, so the Eberoni ship would be able to sail away. And leave her and Sister Fallyn behind.
She gripped the railing hard as her heart sank. What would happen to her now? The Telling Stones had always shown blue and gold, the colors of Tourin. So why was she on a pirate ship? And where was the tall and handsome stranger she was supposed to meet?
A tingling sensation crept down her spine, as if someone was staring at her. She glanced over her shoulder, but the crewmen were all busy hoisting sails and tying off ropes.
A sudden wind swept past her. She turned with it just in time to see the dinghy take off. The rowers yelped in alarm as their boat skipped like a stone across the water’s surface all the way back to the Eberoni ship.
Brigitta blinked. It had happened so fast. It must have been caused by the Wind Sorcerer, Rupert. She glanced over her shoulder again, but none of the crewmen seemed to be paying any attention to the dinghy.
By the time she looked back at the Eberoni vessel, the rowers had already tied off the dinghy and were scrambling up the ropes like frightened mice.
The second the rowers landed on deck, another wind, an even stronger one, shoved Brigitta up against the rail. It shot past her and blasted into the Eberoni ship, filling its sails and pushing it away.
“Nay,” Brigitta breathed. That horrid Rupert was whisking her sisters away. She waved frantically at them, and they scurried to the back of the vessel to wave at her.
Tears burned her eyes as their ship raced away and became a smaller and smaller speck on the horizon.
“Goddesses protect us,” Sister Fallyn whispered as she made the sign of the moons.
Brigitta wrapped an arm around the nun and gave her a tremulous smile. “Thank you for coming with me self.”
Sister Fallyn blinked away tears. “I will try my best to protect you.”
“I know ye will.” Brigitta gave her a squeeze.
“Aye, well.” Sister Fallyn sniffed. “We must be strong enough to confront the future without fear.”
“Aye, Sister.” Brigitta nodded.
“And we must always remember our training. Shoulders back. Chin up. No matter what, we will remain calm and dignified. Serene in the face of danger.”
“Ladies?”
“Ack!” Sister Fallyn jumped when Captain Landers approached them.
He smiled. “I’d like to introduce Jeffrey.” He motioned to a boy who looked about ten years old. “He’ll be taking care of you.”
“My ladies.” The boy sketched an awkward bow, then gave them a lopsided grin.
Brigitta exchanged a look with Sister Fallyn. What on Aerthlan was a young boy doing on a pirate ship?
Sister Fallyn aimed a disapproving glare at the captain. “Why isn’t this boy at home with his family? Don’t tell me ye stole him!”
“I ain’t stolen,” the boy muttered.
Captain Landers’s eyes narrowed as he returned the nun’s glare. “We don’t steal people. Only gold.”
“Oh!” Sister Fallyn scoffed. “How magnanimous of you.”
The captain stepped toward her. “We know what we are, Mistress Fallyn. We don’t pretend otherwise.”
Her chin went up. “It’s Sister Fallyn.”
He arched a brow, then turned to Jeffrey. “Escort them to the guest rooms, please.”
“Aye, Captain!” Jeffrey saluted.
“Ladies.” Captain Landers bowed, then strode toward the rear of the ship and climbed the steps to the quarterdeck.
“Infuriating man,” Sister Fallyn muttered. The ship suddenly lurched, causing her and Brigitta to stumble. They grabbed on to each other to retain their balance.
Jeffrey grinned at them. “Don’t worry. You’ll soon have your sea legs.”
“The ship is turning around.” Brigitta looked over the railing. The other pirate ships in the fleet had fanned out in formation behind them. Was the horrid Rupert moving all the ships with his wind power? “Where are we going?”
“South, probably.” Jeffrey shrugged. “We go wherever Rupert wants us to go. Come on!” He scampered toward the door that led below the quarterdeck.
As Brigitta followed the boy to the back of the ship, she scanned the quarterdeck, searching for someone who looked like he might be controlling the wind. But only the captain and a helmsman were there.
The tingling sensation inched up her spine once more, and she glanced back. Why did it feel like someone was staring at her? And where had the masked man gone? Why did he wear a mask when none of the other pirates did?
She touched Sister Fallyn’s arm. “Did ye see the masked man earlier?”
The nun shuddered. “He’s a frightening one, he is. Ye should keep yer distance from him.”
“Do ye know where he is?”
“Far away, thank the goddesses.” Sister Fallyn pointed up.
Brigitta glanced up and her heart stuttered in her chest. She couldn’t see him well, for the sun was too bright overhead, but she could make out his tall silhouette against a blue sky that was now devoid of clouds.
He was standing in the crow’s nest, facing her. Watch
ing her, she could feel it. He bowed slightly, and her heart leaped into a fast rhythm. Who was he?
Unlike the other bare-chested crewmen, he was wearing a white shirt. She had noticed earlier that the top few buttons were undone, and his neck and chest had seemed tanned … and strong. And when he’d held his own weight, his sleeves had pulled tight against the muscles in his arms.
She turned away, not wanting to admit she’d studied him that carefully. But how could she not be intrigued? Her special gift compelled her to uncover secrets, and he was hiding so many. He was even hiding his face.
She shook her head. There had been something off. Something wrong, but she’d been too flustered to figure it out.
His eyes had been a golden color. Amber, and they had twinkled with a smoldering fire. Because of his mask, only the bottom portion of his face had been visible, but it had looked quite attractive. His jawline had been strong and sharply defined, his mouth wide and expressive. When he’d smiled, she’d forgotten to breathe for a moment.
Why would such a handsome man need a mask?
She stiffened with a gasp. Tall and handsome? “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” Sister Fallyn asked her.
“It can’t be.” Brigitta shook her head again. “Who is the masked man?”
Before the nun could answer, a deep voice whispered, “Ni Rupert.”
Brigitta spun around, but no one was behind her. “What was that?”
Jeffrey chuckled. “You have to watch what you say on deck, my lady. Rupert can bring your words to him on the wind and then send his back to you.”
A chill prickled Brigitta’s arms as she lifted her gaze once more to the crow’s nest. The masked man had introduced himself on a breeze. Ni Rupert.
“I am Rupert” in the language of Tourin.
Good goddesses, no. He was a pirate and a Wind Sorcerer. He couldn’t possibly be her tall and handsome stranger. Even if he was tall. And most likely, very handsome.
Her chest tightened. The Telling Stones were mocking her. For there was no way that her destiny could be linked to the infamous pirate Rupert.
Chapter Four
As Brigitta entered the small cabin, she noted that although it was smaller than the captain’s room aboard the Eberoni naval ship, it was just as well furnished. A narrow bed was built into an alcove along one wall. Blue velvet curtains flanked each side of the bed and could be drawn shut for privacy. A sideboard rested along the opposite wall, topped with a tray containing a pewter pitcher and two goblets. At the end of the room, sunlight sparkled through a mullioned window. Beneath it, the window seat looked comfy with a blue velvet cushion. In the middle of the room, a round table sat with four wooden chairs.
She smiled at Jeffrey, who hovered in the doorway, watching her and Sister Fallyn with an expectant look. “’Tis lovely. Thank you.”
He grinned. “I cleaned it myself. And I put fresh sheets on the bed, too.”
“You did a wonderful job.” Brigitta kept smiling, although she wondered if the boy was overworked.
Sister Fallyn circled the room, inspecting everything carefully. “Is there a lock on the door?”
Jeffrey’s grin faded. “No.” He scratched his head, inadvertently pulling a few strands loose from his short ponytail. “No one’s going to bother you, miss. They know the captain would tan their hide if they did.”
“And who will watch over the captain?” Sister Fallyn muttered.
Jeffrey looked baffled. “Well, the captain’s expecting to watch over you. His cabin’s down the hall.”
Sister Fallyn stopped with a jerk. “Goddesses protect us,” she whispered.
“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Brigitta gave the boy a pat on the shoulder. No tingles activated her special gift. He was exactly as he seemed—a sweet, innocent boy.
He stepped back into the hallway. “I’ll show you the other cabin now. It’s just next door.”
Sister Fallyn gasped. “Absolutely not!”
The boy blinked. “But there are two of you. And we have two guest—”
“We will remain together.” Sister Fallyn pulled Brigitta back from the door. “That decision is final.”
Jeffrey gave her an exasperated look. “But that bed ain’t big enough for two.”
“We will manage,” Sister Fallyn insisted. “I will not leave the princess unattended.”
Jeffrey scratched his head again.
“Ye poor child.” Sister Fallyn frowned at him. “Do ye have lice?”
His eyes widened with horror. “No! I ain’t got no bugs. I took a bath this morning. The captain made me.”
Sister Fallyn stepped closer to look him over. “Ye can be honest with me, child. Are they abusing yerself here?”
“No!” The boy took a step back. “Jeepers. I-I’ll come back with some food.” He ran down the passageway and raced up the stairs to the main deck.
Brigitta winced. “I think ye frightened him.”
“This whole situation is frightening!” Sister Fallyn pulled the door firmly shut. “Why is that poor boy living with pirates? And how will we be safe if we can’t lock this door?”
“We were told that no harm would come to us.”
“And ye believe a bunch of notorious pirates?” Sister Fallyn huffed. “This is not one of those overly dramatic stories ye write where the heroes are young and dashing. The men here are criminals!” She grabbed one of the chairs and wedged it beneath the door latch. “There. That should keep them from coming in.”
Brigitta groaned inwardly. She didn’t think she was the one being overly dramatic. “The only one coming in will be a sweet young boy. I think the captain assigned him to us so we would feel safe.”
“Didn’t ye hear? The captain’s room is right down the hall!” Sister Fallyn paced about the room. “No doubt the rascal is hatching some sort of nefarious plan.”
Brigitta picked up the pitcher and filled the two goblets with wine. “He didn’t strike me as a rascal.” As far as she was concerned, that honor went completely to Rupert. Telling her to wrap her legs around him and squeeze him tight. Ha! Then eavesdropping on her conversation and blowing his voice into her ear. “Scoundrel,” she muttered.
“Exactly.” Sister Fallyn grabbed one of the goblets and took a gulp. “I’m sure the scoundrel is fully aware of how handsome he is.”
“Rupert?”
Sister Fallyn looked shocked. “Nay, the captain. Good goddesses, who would know what that horrid Rupert looks like, what with that hideous mask he’s wearing.”
Brigitta winced inwardly. Why did she feel so certain that he was handsome? Maybe she was being overly dramatic. After all, how could a sorcerer be her tall and handsome stranger? The very notion was ludicrous, and she was letting the Telling Stones make a fool out of her.
This is reality, she told herself. She was surrounded by pirates, not dashing young heroes. If she needed to be rescued, she would have to do it herself.
Sister Fallyn set down her goblet with a heavy thunk. “We must be vigilant and remain alert at all times.”
“Aye.” Brigitta nodded in agreement. Forget the Telling Stones. She would be the author of her own destiny.
“We’ll take turns sleeping and standing guard.” Sister Fallyn paced about the room. “And no matter what, we must not let them separate us. That would be tantamount to disaster.”
Brigitta blinked. “Disaster?”
“Aye.” Sister Fallyn stopped to give her a sympathetic look. “Ye poor innocent. Do ye not know what pirates do?”
“They … plunder.”
“And?”
Brigitta considered. There’s always another village for me to pillage. “They pillage. And make bad poetry.” She took a sip of wine.
“They ravish women.”
Brigitta sputtered. “What?” She wiped her mouth.
“I know.” Sister Fallyn nodded her head knowingly. “’Tis shocking. But it is the way of pirates. No doubt, they plan to ravish us.”
Brigitta inhaled sharply as she glanced at the chair wedged beneath the door latch. Was that what Rupert had meant about being free with his hands? “Are ye sure?”
“Aye.” Sister Fallyn resumed her pacing. “Ye saw all those burly, half-naked men. They mean to ravish us for sure. First, they’ll seduce us with honeyed words. Then they’ll lure us in for a passionate kiss.”
“But surely the captain wouldn’t let—”
“Oh, he would be the worst!” Sister Fallyn pressed a hand against her chest. “A man like him would never be satisfied with just a kiss.”
Brigitta eyed the nun’s flushed face. “Are ye all right?”
“I’ll be fine.” She rummaged through the drawers of the sideboard, but they only contained a few linen napkins. “We need a weapon. And we mustn’t let anyone through that door!”
A knock sounded, and Sister Fallyn spun toward the door. Brigitta’s heart lurched.
“Ladies?” Jeffrey called. “I’ve brought your food.”
Brigitta exhaled with relief. “’Tis only the boy.”
“But he may not be alone,” Sister Fallyn whispered.
As the door swung back into the passageway, the chair fell over.
“Jeepers.” Jeffrey looked askance at the fallen chair as he stepped around it. “I brought you some food.”
“That’s very sweet of you.” Brigitta rushed forward to relieve him of the tray. “Why, this looks wonderful!” She set it on the table. There was a plate filled with cold sliced beef and cheese, a bowl of fruit, a small loaf of bread, a crock of butter, and some utensils.
“Aha!” Sister Fallyn grabbed the knife. “This is exactly what we need. Ye can spread the word, child, that if any man comes in here, I will gullet him!”
Jeffrey’s eyes widened. “With a butter knife?”
“Sister,” Brigitta whispered, shaking her head.
“Oh.” Sister Fallyn grabbed a fork and checked the sharpness of the tines. “This might work better.”
Jeffrey stepped back, watching Sister Fallyn with a wary look. “Why do you want to attack someone?”
“To keep from being ravished, of course.”
So I Married a Sorcerer Page 5