“It was very odd, what was happening at the gorge,” Dravenko continued. “According to the reports I received, the two men shooting arrows were the captain of Gunther’s personal guard and his general. Naturally, one would assume they were skilled archers. And yet all their arrows made an abrupt plunge into the gorge. Our dragon made multiple passes to verify the situation, and in each case, you made a hand movement as if you were manipulating the arrows.”
Rupert winced inwardly.
Brigitta leaned close to him. “They must be able to communicate with the dragons.”
Dravenko nodded. “Some of us can.” He arched a brow at Rupert. “So I’ll ask you once again. Did you blow away a dragon?”
Rupert took a deep breath. “Yes.”
“Was it an attack?”
“No. I was trying to save it.”
The general’s eyes narrowed. “You expect us to believe that when you were ordered to bring back a dragon head? You invaded our country fully armed.”
“I never intended harm to a dragon. That’s why I jumped off a cliff rather than blow the dragon’s fire back at it. I didn’t want to burn it.”
Dravenko’s mouth curled up in amusement. “You can’t burn a dragon. The scales are impervious to fire.”
“I … didn’t know that.” Rupert took a sip of apple cider.
Dravenko picked up a piece of cheese and bit into it. “Are you Embraced?”
Rupert exchanged a look with Brigitta.
Dravenko waved a hand dismissively. “I won’t kill you for it. I’m just curious if harnessing the wind is your special gift.”
“I am Embraced,” Rupert admitted.
“Ah.” The general tilted his head, watching Rupert closely. “I’ve heard of only one person on all of Aerthlan who can control the wind. He’s called a Wind Sorcerer. The Tourinian pirate called Rupert.”
Brigitta inhaled sharply, and beneath the table, Rupert squeezed her knee. He cleared his throat. “I believe that pirate was captured and killed.”
Dravenko smiled. “I heard the same thing, but apparently Gunther isn’t convinced, because he asked the Eberoni king to send him the body. The dead pirate should be arriving in Lourdon in the next day or so.”
Rupert shrugged as if he wasn’t interested, but now he wondered if the Norveshki had a spy at the Eberoni court, too. This damned general knew far too much.
“It’s very curious how you have the same gift as the sorcerer Rupert. Also curious that for years, Rupert has targeted only Gunther. He even kidnapped Gunther’s sister.” Dravenko motioned to Brigitta. “Yet here she is with you. The competition has gone on for only a week, but she is already in love with you. It makes me wonder if she knew you before the competition. Whoever you are.”
Rupert’s mind raced. If he admitted who he really was, would this Norveshki general be on his side?
“It would seem that this Rupert has a serious grudge against Gunther,” Dravenko added.
Rupert shrugged. “Everyone hates Gunther.”
“Not enough to become a pirate in order to steal from him. Or to join a competition where failure means death.” Dravenko frowned at him. “I know you must be Rupert. What I don’t know is why you’ve been risking your life to be a thorn in his side. Who are you really?”
Rupert swallowed hard. Then he took a sip of apple cider while he debated just how much to say. “I am Tourinian.”
“And?” Dravenko prompted.
“I want Tourin to be at peace with the Norveshki.”
The general gave him a pointed look. “You would have to be king to make that happen.”
Rupert stared back. “Wouldn’t the Norveshki be relieved if there was a new king of Tourin?”
“Who would accept a sorcerer pirate as king?” Dravenko leaned toward him. “You must have amassed a great deal of gold by now, but apparently it is not wealth you want. You desire the throne. Why?”
Rupert’s hands clenched. “Because it is mine. It was my father’s before me, and it has belonged to my family for four hundred years.”
Dravenko’s eyes widened. “You are King Manfrid’s son? The lost prince?”
Rupert nodded. “Ulfrid Trepurin. The rightful king.”
Dravenko stared at him a moment, then took a drink. “Do you have proof? Your father’s crown? The royal seal?”
Rupert shook his head.
“He is the prince,” Brigitta said, taking Rupert’s hand. “I have seen it in his memories. That is my gift as one of the Embraced.”
Dravenko glanced back and forth at them. “Didn’t her father kill your father?”
Rupert squeezed her hand. “I trust her.”
“He also has the support of King Leofric of Eberon and my sister, Queen Luciana,” Brigitta added.
The general gave her a dubious look. “How is the Eberoni queen your sister?”
“Adopted sister,” Brigitta explained. “We grew up as orphans on the Isle of Moon, along with Gwennore, Sorcha, and—”
“Sorcha?” Dravenko sat back.
Brigitta nodded. “We’ve always believed that she—”
Dravenko held up a hand to stop her. “If Trepurin here takes the throne, do you intend to be his queen?”
Brigitta’s cheeks bloomed pink as she gave Rupert a shy look. “Yes.”
He smiled at her. “Definitely, yes.”
Dravenko scoffed. “So the House of Trepurin and House of Grian will be united.”
Rupert nodded. “I want there to be peace in Tourin and with our neighboring countries.”
“How do you plan to take the throne?” Dravenko asked.
“Once I win the competition, I’ll be able to marry Brigitta. At the wedding ceremony I’ll capture Gunther and announce my true identity.”
Dravenko rose to his feet. “You can’t win the competition without the head of a dragon. Wait here.” He strode from the cabin.
“What?” Brigitta gave Rupert an incredulous look. “He’s not going to kill a dragon, is he?”
“I don’t know.” Rupert dragged a hand through his hair. Had it been a mistake to reveal his true identity? But surely it was beneficial to the Norveshki to have Gunther removed from power.
Brigitta ate a piece of cheese. “Didn’t it seem like he knew Sorcha’s name?”
Rupert nodded. “The Norveshki know a lot more than I ever imagined.”
* * *
Less than an hour later, General Dravenko opened the door and motioned for them to join him.
As Rupert stepped outside with Brigitta, he spotted an enormous woolen sack that was large enough to fit a person inside. Something bulky was inside. “What is it?”
The general loosened the drawstring to show him the contents. “A skull. It’s several hundred years old, but it’s still the head of a dragon.”
“Thank you.” Rupert bowed his head. “I am in your debt.”
Dravenko nodded. “Just remember that when you take the throne. And if you need military assistance, send that eagle shifter of yours to let us know.”
Rupert glanced up at Brody who was circling overhead. “You know about him, too?”
Dravenko snorted. “We also know that Captain Mador fled across the border over an hour ago. And your friend, Stefan, has been escorted to the border with your horses. He’s waiting for you just beyond the pass.”
“Thank you,” Rupert said. “I appreciate it.” He was never going to underestimate the Norveshki again.
A dragon screeched overhead, and Dravenko’s eyes glinted with humor. “The dragons are not happy to lose one of their ancestor’s skulls to that bastard Gunther. If you send the word, they will be delighted to rain fire on him.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Rupert offered his hand, and the Norveshki general shook it.
“Your Highness.” Dravenko bowed over Brigitta’s hand. “Your transportation is arriving.”
Brigitta squealed as a dragon landed nearby, then lumbered toward them. “Heavenly goddesses.” She eased closer t
o Rupert.
He stepped in front of her and watched as the dragon scooped up the large woolen sack in its forelegs. “So it’s going to transport the skull for us?”
“Yes.” Dravenko smiled. “And the two of you. It is the quickest way to return you to the border.”
“We—we’re going to fly?” Brigitta asked.
Rupert grinned. “Holy crap, this is awesome!”
* * *
The flight was over before it had barely begun. They soared over the gorge and the barren area of geysers, then the dragon swooped down to the promontory close to the mountain pass that led to Tourin.
The dragon settled onto the ground, folding its wings under so they could slide off its neck. Rupert landed on his feet, then turned to find Brigitta still clutching the dragon’s neck, her eyes squeezed shut.
“We’re here.” He smiled as he pried her hands loose.
“Oh.” She slid into Rupert’s arms, then turned to face the dragon.
It set the wool-encased skull gently on the ground, then tilted its head, regarding them calmly with its golden eyes.
Brigitta touched its neck, patting it gently. “You’re so pretty.”
The dragon snorted puffs of smoke from its nostrils.
“It could be a male,” Rupert reminded her.
“It’s still pretty.” She patted it again, then stepped back. “Thank you for the ride.”
The dragon leaped off the promontory and flew away.
Rupert took one last look at Norveshka, then motioned to the narrow pass into Tourin. “Let’s go.” He dragged the cumbersome sack through the pass, followed by Brigitta.
On the other side, Stefan was waiting with the horses. He helped Rupert tie the large sack onto the back of Brigitta’s horse. Then Rupert mounted his horse and pulled Brigitta up in front of him. After Stefan mounted his horse, they started the trek past the waterfall. Brody gave a squawk as he flew over.
Before reaching camp, Brody landed and shifted into dog form. Then he led Brigitta into camp as if he were her pet dog and had just found her wandering in the woods.
Stefan rode back to his camp nearby, and Rupert waited, hidden in the forest. He didn’t want anyone suspecting that Brigitta had been with him.
After an hour, he rode into camp, leading the horse with the skull packed on top. The soldiers immediately surrounded him and escorted him to Gunther’s tent. When he spotted Brigitta peering out her tent, he breathed a sigh of relief that she was all right.
The soldiers helped him drag the woolen bag inside Gunther’s tent. The king was seated in his golden chair behind his desk.
“Leave.” As the soldiers left, Gunther glared at Rupert. “You bastard. I didn’t expect you to survive.”
Rupert eyed the king carefully, remembering Brody’s warning about the Chameleon. But Gunther was acting the same as always.
Captain Mador burst into the tent. “Your Majesty, I made it back first! I’m the winner of this round.”
Gunther scoffed. “How can you be the winner when you didn’t bring back the head of a dragon?”
“There was no way to do that!” Mador exclaimed. “The dragons were vicious! They kept attacking us with fire, and they burned Tarvis to death! I was lucky to get out of there alive.”
Gunther’s mouth twisted with disdain. “So you failed the quest.”
“The quest was impossible!” Mador shouted.
Gunther glowered at his captain, then switched his glare to Rupert as he motioned to the enormous bag. “What do you have there?”
Rupert opened the sack. “The head of a dragon.”
Mador gasped.
Gunther jumped to his feet and peered inside the bag. He straightened with a huff. “This dragon is long dead.”
“It’s still the head of a dragon.” Rupert motioned to Mador. “He came back empty-handed. Since there are only two of us left, and I won the quest, I wish to marry the princess immediately.” And never be separated from her again.
Gunther snorted. “You think I would have an Eberoni fathering the heir to my throne?”
“There was supposed to be one more quest,” Mador said. “Allow me to prove myself. I will not let you down.”
Gunther shot him an annoyed look. “Beg.”
Mador’s mouth thinned, and Rupert thought he saw a glint of anger in the captain’s eyes before he ducked his head and fell to his knees.
“Please, Your Majesty,” Mador murmured.
“Louder,” Gunther growled.
“Please!” Mador shouted.
With a smirk, Gunther circled around his desk and sat in his golden chair. “All right. One last quest. The one who brings me the lost royal seal will be married to the princess.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Are you all right?” Sister Fallyn asked. “I was so worried about you.”
“I’m perfectly fine,” Brigitta whispered in their tent. Even though she missed Rupert so much that it hurt. They’d confessed their love to each other and had become one, only to be separated once again.
She sighed. “Gunther yelled at me for wandering off during the storm, but he was relieved that I made it back.”
Sister Fallyn lowered her voice. “Wasn’t he suspicious that you were missing for so long?”
“Yes,” Brigitta admitted. “He had soldiers combing the forest, searching for me, so he wondered why they didn’t find me. I told him I stumbled upon another campsite, and they let me sleep there for the night. Brody overheard my excuse and left. I’m hoping he went to Stefan’s camp to warn them, so their story will match mine.”
Sister Fallyn nodded. “That would be good.”
A bark sounded outside their tent.
“Oh, he’s back.” Brigitta let Brody in, then she and Sister Fallyn waited outside while he shifted.
“Is Stefan all right?” Sister Fallyn whispered.
“Aye. He asked about you.” Brigitta looked over at Gunther’s tent. She’d spotted Rupert being escorted inside a few minutes ago. Had he delivered the dragon’s head? Would he be declared the winner?
Brody called softly for them to enter, and they found him dressed in breeches and buttoning his shirt.
“I flew over to Stefan’s camp,” he whispered. “When Gunther’s soldiers go there to ask about you, they’ll confirm you were there.”
“Thank you.” Brigitta poured him a glass of wine. “Do you know what happened in Gunther’s tent? Was Seven announced as the winner?”
“I lurked around the back of the tent, and luckily, they were yelling loud enough that I could hear.” Brody took a sip of wine. “Gunther is too pissed to acknowledge Seven’s win. He decided on one last quest to determine which of the final two will be marrying you.”
Brigitta groaned. “What does he want now?”
“The royal seal.” Brody winced. “Unfortunately, once he gets his hands on the royal seal, it will be even harder for the House of Trepurin to regain their power.”
“The seal is missing?” Sister Fallyn asked.
Brody nodded. “When King Manfrid was assassinated, his queen took the seal and the young prince and fled north. From the stories I’ve heard, she hid the seal before they fell off a cliff. Since then, no one has been able to find it. The contestant who presents it to Gunther will be the final winner.”
“And my husband,” Brigitta added as an exciting idea struck her mind. No one could find hidden objects better than her. “I need to see Gunther.”
“Why?” Sister Fallyn gave her a worried look. “What are you up to now?”
“I’m taking control of my own destiny.” Brigitta strode from the tent. She would choose her own future and her own husband.
The guard at Gunther’s tent announced her and let her inside. Rupert was no longer there. He was probably being held somewhere under heavy guard. The large sack containing the dragon head had been shoved into a corner.
Gunther was seated behind his desk, using his fingers to flick gold coins off the polished surf
ace. Whenever a coin flew across the tent, Mador scurried after it as if he were a dog playing fetch.
“Hurry, Mador,” Gunther growled as he flicked three in rapid succession. “You’re falling behind.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Mador scrambled about the tent.
Gunther gave Brigitta a passing glance. “Go and pack your things. We leave at dawn to go north.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” She bowed her head. “If you recall, I was given permission to participate in the competition.”
“I’m letting you tag along. That’s enough.” With an annoyed look, Gunther flicked a coin and it hit one of his giant golden candlesticks with a ping. “Don’t get in the way, Brigitta. And no more getting lost.”
“Yes, brother dearest … I mean, Your Majesty.” When he snorted, she continued, “I heard the last quest is a search for the lost royal seal.”
Gunther jumped to his feet. “Where did you hear that? Who has a loose tongue around here?”
She winced inwardly. “I … overheard some soldiers…”
“Ha!” Gunther glared at Mador. “They should be better trained than that! Dock their pay for a week.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Mador bowed.
Brigitta edged closer to her brother. “If I could speak to you in private…”
Gunther scowled as he sat behind his desk. “Mador will be your husband. You can speak freely in front of him.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Mador gave her a look that was both heated and possessive.
She repressed a shudder. He’d never looked at her like that before. “I’m not sure if you know this, Your Majesty, but as one of the Embraced, I have a special gift.”
He waved a jeweled hand in the air. “I don’t care as long as you can squeeze out an heir.”
Mador’s eyes narrowed. “You’re Embraced?”
Gunther threw a tied-up scroll at Mador, hitting him in the head. “Sit!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Mador sat on the rug.
Brigitta ignored the captain and turned to her brother. “My gift enables me to find lost items. I am your best hope at finding the lost seal.”
Gunther’s eyebrows rose. “You can find it?”
She nodded. “I would need to touch something that once belonged to the deceased queen. Then I should be able to envision the seal’s whereabouts. So if you will allow me to find it—”
So I Married a Sorcerer Page 35