He smirked. “Did you really think I wanted to spend the rest of my life stuck on the Isle of Moon working in a butcher shop?”
Sister Fallyn’s face crumpled as tears ran down her cheeks. “How…?”
Brigitta couldn’t bear to watch anymore. She wrapped an arm around the nun. “Let’s go,” she whispered in Eberoni.
With clenched fists, Captain Landers stepped toward the commander. “You abandoned your wife?”
Kennet snorted. “Come now, we’re all pirates here. We’ll do anything for gold. I got twenty pieces—”
Crack. Captain Landers fist slammed into Kennet’s face, and the man fell back onto his rear. His feathered hat flew off his head, and a sudden breeze blew it overboard.
Yes! Brigitta had been raised to abhor violence, but the sight of Kennet’s bloodied lip was oddly satisfying. And she suspected Rupert was responsible for the loss of the commander’s fancy hat.
With a grimace, Kennet sat up and rubbed his jaw. “Fine. You avenged her. We’ll call it even.”
“No, we will not,” Rupert said, his voice edged with steel. “If you cannot be loyal to a wife, how can I expect you to be loyal to me?”
“What?” Kennet hefted himself to his feet. “Forget the wench. I’m a good pirate. I’ll serve you well!”
Rupert ignored him and turned to Captain Wermer. “I’ll accept you and your men, but not your commander. He will be put ashore.”
Captain Wermer nodded. “I understand.”
“You can’t do this to me!” Kennet shouted. “I’ll be penniless.”
“I’ll take him ashore,” Captain Landers offered, and from the rage burning in his eyes, Brigitta suspected the captain was planning a little more violence.
Kennet shot an angry look at Sister Fallyn. “This is all your fault, you stupid—”
“Watch it!” Captain Landers raised his fist, ready to strike.
“Oh, I see.” Kennet smirked. “You’ve done quite well for yourself, haven’t you, Fallyn? You’re not a nun at all, are you? You’re the captain’s whore.”
Sister Fallyn gasped, and Captain Landers struck the commander hard, knocking him out.
“Sister,” Brigitta whispered. “We should go below.”
“But—” A look of panic streaked across the nun’s face. “What should I do? Aren’t I still married to him?”
Captain Landers frowned at her. “Do you still wish to be with him?”
“No!” Sister Fallyn cried, and the captain looked relieved.
“Madam,” Rupert said. “You should have no trouble getting the marriage annulled due to abandonment.”
“Oh.” Sister Fallyn cast one last look at the unconscious Kennet, then turned away. She simply stood there, looking dumbstruck, so Brigitta led her back to the stairs.
“Is there anything you need?” Jeffrey asked as he followed them to their room.
“Perhaps some more wine,” Brigitta told him, and he rushed off. She shut the cabin door as Sister Fallyn collapsed silently on a chair. “Are ye all right?”
The nun remained silent.
“Ye must have been terribly shocked.” Brigitta filled a cup with wine. “I know I was.”
Still no reply. Sister Fallyn was staring into space.
“Something to drink?” Brigitta offered her the cup. When the nun didn’t budge, she sighed. “Well, at least we know that yer father didn’t have someone killed.”
Sister Fallyn blinked. “Nay, he just offered Kennet twenty pieces of gold.” Her face crumbled. “And he took it! I thought he loved me, but he left me!”
“I’m so sorry.”
“He betrayed me! How dare he!” Sister Fallyn grabbed the cup and downed it.
“That’s it. Ye should be angry.” Relieved that the nun had come out of her shock, Brigitta took the empty cup and refilled it. “I’d have punched him myself if the captain hadn’t done it.”
Sister Fallyn shuddered. “Such violent behavior. But I suppose it is to be expected from a pirate.”
“Actually I found it quite satisfying.”
A small smile twitched at Sister Fallyn’s mouth. “It was a bit, wasn’t it?”
“Aye.” Brigitta smiled as she handed her the cup.
The nun drank it, then sighed. “I fear these pirates are a bad influence on us. We mustn’t forget our training.” She winced. “Am I even a nun? Did my vow count when I was still under the vows of marriage?”
“Yer intent was sincere, so I would think it counted.”
With a frustrated groan, Sister Fallyn jumped to her feet. “Why did I ever marry that … that…”
“Bastard?” Brigitta poured more wine into her cup.
Sister Fallyn looked appalled for a second, then nodded. “Ye’re right. He’s a bastard.” She grabbed the cup and drank it down. “All men are bastards!”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Brigitta recalled how much she’d enjoyed seeing Rupert reject Kennet.
“Oh, they are.” Sister Fallyn strode to the sideboard to refill her cup. “’Tis just as I told you. There are no good men from Tourin.”
“I think Rupert and Captain Landers are all right.”
Sister Fallyn shook her head. “They’re still pirates.”
“The captain was very quick to defend yer honor.”
The nun paused a moment, her cheeks blushing. “I—we mustn’t allow ourselves to be swayed. They’re not like the dashing young heroes in the stories ye write.”
Brigitta hesitated as an alarming thought crossed her mind. Was she being swayed? She’d already convinced herself that Rupert was an amazing man. Handsome and capable of acting in an honorable manner. And even though he was a Wind Sorcerer, she could hardly blame him for being Embraced when she was, too. But like Sister Fallyn said, he was still a pirate. He’d captured her so he could use her to earn a hefty ransom.
Instead of admiring him, she should be angry with him. And even though he piqued her curiosity, uncovering his secrets should be viewed purely as a mental exercise. Nothing more. She could never allow herself to trust him. Or be attracted to him.
A knock sounded on the door, then Jeffrey peeked in. “I brought you some dinner.”
“Oh, thank you.” Brigitta rushed over to relieve the boy of the heavy tray. “Ye should let me know when ye’re bringing food. This is too heavy for yerself.”
“Oh, I can handle it.” Jeffrey smiled. “I want to have big muscles like Rupert.”
Brigitta sighed as she set the tray on the table. “His muscles are rather big.” Don’t think about him like that.
“Not any bigger than the captain’s,” Sister Fallyn muttered. When Brigitta gave her a curious look, she cleared her throat. “Jeffrey, what is happening now?”
He scratched his head. “Not much. Everyone’s having dinner. The other ships are busy exchanging crewmen with the new ship. Oh, Rupert wanted you to know that none of the new pirates will be here on the Golden Star. He didn’t take any ’cause he wanted to be sure you would be safe.”
Sister Fallyn scoffed. “He might as well admit that they would want to ravish us.”
“Please convey our gratitude,” Brigitta told the boy. “Is the ship going to remain here for the night?”
Jeffrey nodded. “The sun will be setting soon. I have a cot at the end of the passageway, so let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” Brigitta walked him to the door.
After she and Sister Fallyn ate their dinner, they soon grew bored. Brigitta opened the window to let in some fresh air. The sky was turning pink and gold as the sun neared the horizon.
“I suppose Mother Ginessa and the girls will have arrived in Ebton by now,” Sister Fallyn grumbled as she poured the last of the wine into her cup.
“Probably so.” Brigitta curled up on the window seat and rested her elbows on her knees. Would Luciana be upset when she learned what had happened? “Tomorrow they’ll have a birthday celebration for Luciana and Sorcha.”
“Oh, that�
��s right.” Sister Fallyn sipped some wine. “They were both born on the Spring Embrace.”
And Luciana’s baby was due in a few days, Brigitta thought. She would miss the birthing. She already missed her sisters. Tears crowded her eyes, but she blinked them away. Feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to change anything. “We should do something.”
“Like what?” Sister Fallyn took another sip.
Brigitta frowned. She’d never seen Sister Fallyn drink this much. No doubt the poor woman was still upset. “I know. Let’s try on Sister Ellen’s clothes!”
“Why bother?” Sister Fallyn mumbled.
“’Twill be fun.” Brigitta strode over to the bed to pick up the gown. “’Tis lovely, don’t ye think?”
Sister Fallyn shrugged and finished her cup.
“I think it’ll fit yerself better than me.” Brigitta held it out to the nun. “Come on, I want to see how beautiful ye look.”
Sister Fallyn snorted. “Would Kennet have left me if I was truly beautiful?”
“Ye are beautiful, Sister. And we’ve already established that Kennet is a bastard. I would say ye’re much better off without him.”
Sister Fallyn nodded slowly. “Ye have a point.” She eyed the gown warily. “’Tis much prettier than I’ve ever worn before.”
“Let’s do it!” Brigitta laid the gown over the back of a chair, then fumbled through the bag of clothing to find a pretty shift and matching shoes.
Soon Sister Fallyn was dressed. The blue velvet gown fit her perfectly around the waist, but the skirt was a trifle short.
Brigitta clasped her hands together. “Look at you! Ye’re truly stunning!”
The nun shook her head, her cheeks pink. “I feel like my breasts are falling out. And my ankles are showing.”
“Come, sit down.” Brigitta drew her to a chair. “We should do yer hair.”
“’Tis not necessary.”
“Ye have lovely hair.” Brigitta unraveled the long blond braid, then combed through it with her fingers.
A knock sounded on the door.
Sister Fallyn lurched to her feet and nearly fell over. “Good goddesses, my head is spinning.”
Brigitta steadied her. “Ye drank a bit more than usual, but don’t worry. I’m sure it’s only Jeffrey.”
The boy peeked inside and blinked at Sister Fallyn. “Jeepers. You look like a queen.”
“I—don’t be silly.” The nun pressed a hand to her chest to cover up the exposed skin.
Jeffrey scurried inside. “I came for your dinner tray.”
“Thank you.” Brigitta handed it to him, and he headed out the door.
“Oh, good evening, Captain.” Jeffrey’s voice filtered from the passageway.
Sister Fallyn gasped. “Quick! Close the door.”
Brigitta dashed toward the door just as Captain Landers peered inside.
“Good evening, my lady,” he greeted Brigitta. Then his gaze landed on Sister Fallyn and his mouth dropped open.
Brigitta glanced at the nun, who was frozen in shock, then looked back at the captain. Oh dear, if she wasn’t mistaken this resembled a scene from one of her overly dramatic stories. “Captain, how kind of you to drop by.”
He didn’t seem to hear her.
She cleared her throat. “Captain Landers?”
He blinked. “Ah yes, I-I would prefer that you call me Stefan. I wanted to make sure you were both comfortable.”
“We are,” Brigitta assured him. “Aren’t we, Sister?”
Sister Fallyn suddenly remembered to breathe, and her breasts nearly popped out.
The captain’s eyes bulged and he audibly gulped.
“Was there anything else?” Brigitta asked.
Stefan tugged at his shirt collar. “Yes. I-I wanted to assure you that Commander Stahl was taken ashore. You should never have to see him again.”
Sister Fallyn nodded.
“Also…” The captain withdrew a folded sheet of paper from his coat. “I took the liberty of having the commander write this. He has declared the marriage null and void and vows he will make no future claim on you.”
Sister Fallyn’s blush faded away as she grew pale.
The captain unfolded the paper and set it on the table. “You are a free woman, Mistress Fallyn.”
Tears glistened in her eyes.
“I-I’ll be going then.” Stefan headed toward the door. “Good evening, Lady Brigitta.”
“Good evening,” Brigitta replied.
He paused in the doorway to glance back. “Good evening, Mistress Fallyn.”
She winced. “’Tis Sister Fallyn.”
His gaze grew more intense as the seconds ticked by and he continued to stare at her. “Mistress Fallyn, you will never be a nun to me.” He left, closing the door behind him.
Sister Fallyn’s knees gave out and she collapsed onto the floor.
Chapter Eight
Luciana, the queen of Eberon, hurried down the grand staircase of Ebton Palace as quickly as she dared. With her belly so huge, she could scarcely see her feet.
“Careful.” Her husband, Leo, bounded up the stairs to take her arm.
“Is it true?” she asked. “Has the ship been sighted?”
“They’re tying off at the pier right now.”
Luciana’s heart leaped in her chest. It had been eight months since she’d last seen her sisters. “I’m so happy they’re finally here! And so relieved they’ve arrived safely.”
“I’m relieved Mother Ginessa is coming with them,” Leo said as he helped her down the stairs. “Your father says she’s the best midwife around.”
Luciana patted his arm. “Don’t worry. The babies and I will be fine.” A few months ago, she’d become convinced that she was having twins. Since then, she’d doubled her efforts in order to have enough clothing and supplies for two babes. She was fairly certain at least one of them was a girl. The other, she wasn’t so sure. Of course, Leo was hoping for a boy and heir to the Eberon throne.
So far, her pregnancy had gone well, and she’d been blessed with an abundance of energy. Over the past month, she’d had several gowns made for each of her sisters. She’d furnished a bedchamber for each of them in the palace. And she’d arranged for a grand ball to happen tomorrow night, supposedly to celebrate Sorcha’s eighteenth birthday and her own twentieth birthday. Her true purpose, though, was to introduce her sisters to some eligible young noblemen.
This time, she would convince Mother Ginessa to let her sisters live with her. For some secret reason, Mother Ginessa thought it would be too dangerous, but Luciana was positive she could keep her sisters safe here at Ebton Palace. After all, who would dare risk the wrath of her husband, the king? Leo was famous throughout all of Aerthlan for his ability to use the power of lightning.
Finally they reached the ground floor and dashed toward the castle entrance that overlooked the Ebe River. Or rather, Leo dashed. Her walk, unfortunately, looked more like a duck waddle.
Leo smiled as he slowed his steps to match hers. “There’s no need to hurry. If all goes well, your sisters will be here for a long time.”
Luciana nodded. “Definitely.” As they stepped outside onto the massive front terrace, she shielded her eyes from the setting sun.
There they were! “Look!” She motioned to the group of young women hurrying down the pier.
“Chee-ana!” Maeve yelled and lifted her skirt to run.
Luciana grinned as more of her sisters sprinted toward her. Leo guided her down the stairs to the pier, and as soon as she arrived, Maeve flung her arms around her. Then Gwennore and Sorcha.
“Look at yerself!” Sorcha stepped back, her eyes widening. “Ye’re so huge!”
Luciana laughed. “I’m having twins!”
They all gasped, then hugged her again.
Leo bowed. “Welcome to Ebton Palace.” As he continued to chat with them, Luciana wondered why Brigitta was taking her time. She glanced at Mother Ginessa, who was approaching at a slower pace. No
Brigitta. She looked at the ship. The captain was disembarking. Alone.
She turned to her sisters. “Where is Brigitta?”
Their smiles faded. Sorcha and Gwennore exchanged worried glances, and Maeve ducked her head, studying her feet.
Luciana’s chest tightened. “Is something wrong? Is she ill? Was she unable to travel?”
“There ye are, child.” Mother Ginessa reached her and gave her a hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Luciana told her.
Mother Ginessa rested a hand on Luciana’s belly. “Ye seem to be doing well.”
“Aye. Where is Brigitta? Has something happened to her?”
With a sigh, Mother Ginessa glanced back at the captain. “Captain Shaw will make arrangements with yer husband to get her back. I think we’d better—”
“What do you mean, get her back?” Luciana cried.
Leo ran toward the captain, and they began talking in urgent tones.
Mother Ginessa took hold of Luciana’s hands. “Ye must remain calm now—”
“No!” Fear skittered down Luciana’s spine, chilling her to the bone. “What’s happened to Brigitta?”
“I think we should go inside so ye can sit—”
“Nay!” Luciana interrupted as panic set in. “Ye have to tell me!”
Mother Ginessa drew a deep breath. “First, I should tell ye that Brigitta is the Tourinian princess.”
“What?” Luciana’s heart stuttered. She should have known this. The last time she’d played the Game of Stones with Brigitta, she’d realized that the blue and gold stones referred to Tourin. And she’d sensed some sort of danger. But as hard as she’d tried, she hadn’t been able to discern more than that.
“The Tourinian navy surrounded us at sea,” Mother Ginessa continued. “They intended to take Brigitta, but then some pirates stopped them.”
Luciana gasped. “Pi-pirates?” The world swirled around her, and she swayed on her feet.
Mother Ginessa grabbed her arm to steady her. “This is too stressful for yerself. We must get ye inside—”
“What—” Luciana struggled to catch her breath. “What happened to her?”
“The pirate Rupert took her and Sister Fallyn,” Gwennore said softly.
Luciana pressed a hand to her chest as it became even harder to breathe. Rupert? He was the most infamous pirate of all Aerthlan. Some even called him a sorcerer.
So I Married a Sorcerer Page 10