Mother Ginessa motioned to Sorcha to take Luciana’s other arm. “Quickly. We must take her inside.”
A sudden gush flooded Luciana’s legs. With a gasp, she stared down at the growing puddle around her slippers.
“What’s wrong?” Maeve cried.
“Not to worry.” Mother Ginessa assured them. “The babe has decided to come early.”
“There are two of them.” Luciana touched her belly. “And I thought I had a few more days.”
“They will most likely be born tonight,” Mother Ginessa replied. “Sorcha, let’s take her to her room. Maeve, inform her husband—”
“Holy goddesses,” Gwennore whispered. “Tonight the moons are embracing.”
Everyone stilled for a moment as they realized what would happen.
Luciana’s children would be Embraced.
* * *
Hours later, Brigitta was gazing out the small window in their cabin. There wasn’t much else to do. She didn’t want to disturb Sister Fallyn, who had finally drifted off to sleep on the narrow bed. And since the sun had set, it was too dark in their room to read the book Jeffrey had left.
With nothing to occupy her thoughts, her mind kept wandering into forbidden territory—Rupert. Who was he really? He seemed well educated, so what sort of circumstances had led him to become a pirate? Why did he disguise himself with a mask and false hair? Had he been forced to leave Tourin because he was Embraced?
There had to be some clues in the vision she’d seen when she’d last touched him. Arrows in the back. Blood and screams. An ambush? Her view of the scene must have been how Rupert had witnessed it, and the flood of grief and terror she’d felt had also been his. What a terrible experience!
Since it was her first vision from him, she suspected it was his most powerful memory. Not only traumatic for him, but a defining moment that had changed his life forever.
It was the strongest vision she’d ever received from anyone. And she’d passed out the first time she’d touched Rupert. Was it because she’d never encountered someone hiding as much as him? Or was there something special about him? What if he’s your tall and handsome stranger? a small voice inside her wondered, but she quickly rejected that thought.
He’d taken her against her will by threatening the lives of her sisters. He intended to ransom her for gold. According to Lieutenant Helgar of the Tourinian navy, he was an evil sorcerer, responsible for destroying their ships and burning the officer.
But he defended Sister Fallyn. He protected the town of Danport from the bad pirates. He sent the Eberoni navy away without harming them. And he helped Sister Ellen escape to the safety of the Isle of Moon.
Hero or evil sorcerer? With a groan, she stood and stretched her legs. She didn’t know what to think. Her emotions waffled between anger and insatiable curiosity. And something more, something that made her heart race whenever he was near and watching her with his golden eyes. Or floating his deep voice to her on a soft breeze that tickled her ears.
Stop thinking about him!
She needed a diversion, she decided. If everyone was asleep, she should be able to walk about on deck. She’d already changed into the pretty nightgown from Sister Ellen, so she threw her cloak on top, then eased into the dim passageway. The sound of Jeffrey’s soft breathing emanated from the far end of the corridor. Moonlight filtered in from the open doorway at the top of the stairs, and she inched toward it, silent in her bare feet.
On deck, she could spot only two sailors at the bow of the ship keeping watch and a helmsman resting on a trunk on the quarterdeck. A large pelican was roosting on top of a closed barrel. She glanced up at the crow’s nest. Empty. Rupert must be asleep somewhere. Good. The last thing she needed was him staring at her as if he was trying to read her mind. How embarrassing it would be if he knew how much he was in her thoughts!
She wandered to the midship port railing. A lantern was lit there, surrounded in red glass. Over on the starboard side, a blue lantern was lit. As she gazed out to sea, she saw more red and blue lanterns. Nine of each. This must be how the ships in Rupert’s fleet kept up with one another at night.
A gentle breeze caressed her face with fresh, salty air. The sea lapped against the sides of the ship with soft, swooshing noises. Overhead the twin moons were embraced, the smaller Lessa resting in front of the larger Luna. Together they shone more brightly than usual, and the ocean beneath them sparkled as if jewels had been scattered as far as she could see.
But she was too worried to enjoy the view. What would become of her and Sister Fallyn? And what had happened to the dog, Brody? She could only hope she’d been mistaken and he’d remained on board with her sisters.
“Please be all right,” she whispered.
And how was Luciana doing? She must know by now that Brigitta and Sister Fallyn had been taken. If only there was a way to let Luciana know she was safe. Brigitta didn’t want her to worry when her baby was due so soon.
A pang of self-pity pricked at Brigitta. She would miss the child’s birth. Miss the birthday celebration for Luciana and Sorcha. By the goddesses, she missed all of her sisters something fierce.
Tears burned her eyes as she realized she might never see them again. Even when she was free from Rupert, she’d be under Gunther’s control. And since the mainland kingdoms were often at war, she doubted her brother would let her live with a neighboring king and queen. He might not even let her visit.
The words from the Song of Mourning filled her head. Bereaved women from the Isle of Moon sang it whenever they lost their men at sea. Right now, it felt like she’d lost her entire family.
A tear rolled down her cheek, and, with a trembling voice, she sang, “My true love lies in the ocean blue. My true love sleeps in the sea. Whenever the moons shine over you, please remember me. Please remem—”
Her voice broke, and she wiped away more tears. This wasn’t going to solve anything. If she wanted to be the author of her own destiny, she would have to be strong. And smart. And brave.
“Good evening.” A deep voice drifted toward her, speaking in Tourinian.
Rupert. Behind her. Her heart sprang into a quick beat. He’s not a hero, she reminded herself. The scoundrel had kidnapped her. She mustn’t appear nervous or flustered in front of him. Even if she was suddenly aware that she had nothing on but a thin nightgown and cloak. She clutched the edges of the cloak together. Be brave.
“That was a pretty song.” His whisper tickled her ear.
Oh, but there was something about his voice that made her feel weak in the knees. Be strong. She responded in Tourinian, “I thought I would be alone. I didn’t mean to wake anyone.” Especially you.
“I was still awake.” The deck creaked behind her as he came closer. “I prefer to sleep on the quarterdeck, so I can be under the stars and open sky.”
It sounded like he wanted to feel free. But the scoundrel didn’t mind holding her captive. Be smart. “Enjoy the open sky while you can. Once you’re captured, you’ll be locked away for good in a dark dungeon. If not worse.”
“How could anyone capture me when I can simply blow them away?”
She snorted. He seemed so blasted sure of himself. “Full of hot air, are you?”
He chuckled as he reached the railing beside her.
Still wearing that ridiculous mask and hat with the fake hair, she noted. Did he even sleep with them on? She was tempted to rip them off herself.
He frowned at her. “You’ve been crying.”
“Why shouldn’t I? I’m a prisoner here, aren’t I?”
His mouth thinned. “I have no wish to harm you.”
“Then let me go.”
“You will not have any more freedom with your brother.”
That was probably true. She groaned inwardly. “Do you know why my brother wants me?”
“No. But I know he wouldn’t have sent for you if it didn’t benefit him in some way.”
How did kings benefit from using princesses? She thought back
to her history lessons. “Do you think he has plans to marry me off to gain an ally?”
His jaw shifted as he grabbed on to the railing. “Perhaps.”
“According to Sister Fallyn, I’m already betrothed.”
His grip tightened till his knuckles turned white. “How…” He gave her a wary look. “What else did she tell you?”
Brigitta sighed. “A terrible story. I’d rather not repeat it. Or even think about it. I…” She turned away as tears burned her eyes. “I come from a family of monsters.”
He was quiet for a moment, then said softly, “Don’t cry.”
She turned toward him. “Don’t pretend to care.”
A muscle twitched in his cheek, but he said nothing.
She winced inwardly. How could she convince him to do as she wished, if she irritated him? “I didn’t mean to sound harsh. The fact is I dread the thought of going to my brother. I really want to be with my sisters.”
“You mentioned them before. How can it be that you have sisters?”
“I grew up with them at the Convent of the Two Moons. We were all left there as babes.”
“Isn’t that the convent that makes books?”
She nodded. “The best books in the world. Transcribed in all four mainland languages.”
“So that’s why you speak Tourinian so well.” He smiled. “A little bit of an accent, but I like it.”
Her heart warmed, then she chided herself. Why should she care what he thought? Or even notice how lovely his smile was? She quickly changed the subject. “Luciana is my oldest sister. We were on our way to Ebton Palace because she’s giving birth soon. I’m afraid she’ll be worried about me, and it might cause harm to her and her unborn child. If you would just send me there, she would be more than willing to pay my ransom.”
His smile faded. “I already told you my reasons for not doing that.”
“I know. There were four,” she muttered, then gave him a curious look. “What was your fifth reason?”
His gaze narrowed, his eyes a shimmering gold. Her heartbeat quickened and once again, she was acutely aware that she was naked beneath her thin nightgown and cloak. As his gaze wandered over her, her skin tingled as if she’d been laid bare.
He turned suddenly toward the sea. “I don’t recall.”
He did remember, she was sure of it, but for some reason he didn’t want to tell her. She hunched her shoulders, tightening her grip on her cloak. He was definitely the most secretive man she’d ever met.
She eyed the fake plaits, her hands itching to jerk the silly hat off his head. But if she touched him or anything that belonged to him, she might have another vision. Would that be so bad? It might give her more clues to figuring out his secrets.
His gaze returned to her, and the heat in his eyes had cooled to clear amber. “Your song was for your sisters then?”
“Yes.”
His mouth curled into a teasing smile. “For a moment I thought you might be mourning a lost lover.”
She scoffed. “I grew up in a convent. I haven’t seen that many men.”
His eyes flared with heat again. “A man would need only a glimpse of you to know you are a treasure.”
Her heart lurched. “I-I should be going now.” She took a few steps toward the entrance to the cabins. “Enjoy the stars and open sky.”
“And the embraced moons,” he said quietly as she retreated another step. “Today is my birthday.”
She halted. Of course. He was Embraced. The two moons aligned twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, always around the same time.
Did he have no one to celebrate with? He looked so alone, standing there gazing at the moons. She opened her mouth to say her birthday would be at the Autumn Embrace, but thought better of it. Being Embraced was still a crime in Tourin, so she should keep it secret. “I hope you had a good day.”
He glanced back at her and smiled. “It has been one I shall always remember.”
Did he mean because of her? Goddesses help her, why did she want to be special to this man? Was it simply her curiosity that drew her to him, or was it more? “So how old are you now?”
“Twenty-six.”
Seven years older than her. “I’m—”
“Nineteen,” he finished for her.
“How did you know?”
He shrugged.
He wasn’t going to tell her. The man was simply too annoying. “You said those Eberoni naval ships wouldn’t know who I was or that I had been captured. So how did you know the Tourinian navy planned to take me? How did you know who I am?”
He shrugged again. “I can’t say.”
She narrowed her eyes. Blast this man and his secrets.
“Let me ask you something.” He stepped closer. “Why do you keep fainting? Are you suffering from some kind of illness?”
She shrugged. “I can’t say.”
His mouth tilted up. “Stalemate. It appears we both have questions we want answered. Perhaps I should warn you. I’m quite good at detecting secrets.”
“Not as good as I.”
He stepped closer. “You intend to compete with me?”
“I intend to win.” Her heart pounded as she reached up and yanked on one of his plaits. A vision of a black horse flashed across her mind, then disappeared, leaving her with an amusing sight. His hat had spun around sideways, leaving plaits to dangle in front of his face. It looked so funny, she laughed.
He grabbed his hat to right it. “What the…?”
“There goes one of your secrets. Fake hair.”
“It’s real,” he insisted.
“Real horsehair, I would say.”
With a muttered curse, he tossed his hat on the deck. “How did you know?”
She grinned, relishing her victory. “Your hair should be under your scarf, not over. And I doubt your hair is actually black. The whiskers along your jaw are a golden brown. Even the hair on your chest—” She stopped with a wince. Good goddesses, she was saying far too much.
He leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. “Have you been studying me?”
Warmth invaded her cheeks. “I’m naturally a very observant person.” She lifted her chin. “But that hardly matters, for I have won the competition, and you have been exposed. You might as well take off the mask, too. Why bother to hide your handsome—” Her face blazed hotter.
His eyes smoldered like molten gold. “You were saying?”
Saying far too much, she was. Whenever his gaze grew heated or he lowered his voice, she became too flustered. She waved a dismissive hand. “I only assumed that you might possibly be handsome. I’m a kind person, so I naturally give people the benefit of the doubt.”
His eyes twinkled with amusement. “That is kind of you. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” She cleared her throat. “The point is your disguise is no longer necessary.”
“I still need to conceal my identity.”
“Why? Everyone knows you’re Rupert.” A sudden thought occurred to her. “Oh, that’s not your real name, is it?”
The muscle in his jaw twitched again.
She grinned. Victory again! Another secret uncovered. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”
“You are Gunther’s sister,” he muttered. “I cannot possibly trust you.”
She huffed. “I don’t know him. And I don’t want to know him. I heard he murdered my younger brother.”
“You share his blood. You’re from the House of Grian.”
Her hands curled into fists as she clutched her cloak. “Sister Fallyn told me what my father did. He was a monster. My brother is a monster, too. I want nothing to do with them!”
Rupert gave her a dubious look. “Don’t you want to be a princess?”
“No! I just want to be with my sisters. Why can’t I go where I want to? Why can’t I control my own destiny?”
He stiffened, a look of shock crossing his face.
She took a deep breath. It didn’t help matt
ers to lose her temper. She needed to remain calm. “You control the wind. You control ten ships now and all the people on board. You can whisk away an entire navy. Surely you understand the value of being in control.”
He turned away, his hands clenched into fists.
She’d touched on a nerve, she was sure of it. “Why on Aerthlan would you want to control me?”
He shot her an incredulous look. “Since when can I control you? You were told to stay belowdecks, but you sneaked up here to hide behind those barrels.”
She blinked. “Y-you noticed that?”
“I notice everything about you, Brigitta.”
Her skin prickled as a strange feeling swept over her, a feeling that she was somehow connected to this man. In the past and in the future. But who was he? And why did he say her name as if he knew her?
She had to find out more about him. And there was one sure way to do it.
Steeling her nerves, she planted a hand upon his chest. A wave of images struck her hard, and she reeled back from the intensity. Goddesses help her, it was as if she were there. On a battlefield. Swords slashed, blood sprayed, screams rent the air. Horses shrieked, axes swung, and the smell of blood and mangled limbs nauseated her.
Horror flooded her senses, along with a stab of grief so fierce, her knees buckled. As she collapsed, her heart ached for Rupert. For one thing was certain.
All this horror and grief had been his.
Chapter Nine
“Brigitta!” Rupert grabbed her as she crumpled in front of him. What the hell? He swept her up in his arms.
Her head rolled to the side, coming to rest upon his chest. Her eyes were closed now, her face pale, but he’d seen the look of horror and pain flash across her features. And it had happened right after she’d touched him.
Dammit to hell! Was he some kind of poison to her? This was the third time she’d reacted badly after coming into contact with him.
“Brigitta?” He lifted her higher against him, so he could peer at her face. “What’s wrong? Do I need to find a healer for you?”
Her brow furrowed as she grimaced, her eyes squeezed shut. “I-I’m so sorry,” she whispered.