What kind of king do you intend to be? Brigitta’s words had hit him hard. Gaining the throne was not the end of his life’s work, but the beginning. It would all be for naught if he didn’t prove to be a worthy king.
“Brody!” Brigitta dashed onto the deck. “I heard you were leaving.” She hunched down in front of the pelican.
Rupert had enjoyed teaching her how to defend herself. Unfortunately, those few hours yesterday and this morning were the only times he had seen her. Sister Fallyn had watched them like a hawk, ready to screech whenever his touch had lingered longer than necessary.
They’d been forced to explain everything to the nun before leaving the island. Otherwise, she had refused to let Brigitta participate in a contest that would end with sexual assault. Once Sister Fallyn had understood that he was the lost prince, and that he would be winning the contest, she had condoned their plan. And when Brody had assured her that he would be going along to guard Brigitta, the nun had insisted on coming, too.
But as soon as they’d set sail, Sister Fallyn had announced that there would be no ravishment on board. Even if he was a prince, instead of a pirate, he would not be allowed to seduce Brigitta until he married her. The nun had even posted the dog Brody outside Brigitta’s door that night to stand guard.
Brigitta patted the pelican on the head. “Be sure to tell Luciana and Mother Ginessa and all my sisters how much I love them and miss them. If Luciana has given birth, I doubt she’ll have recovered enough to come see me. Please tell her not to feel bad about that. Tell her you’ll be guarding me in Tourin, and I’ll be perfectly safe.”
Brody nodded and shifted his weight on his webbed feet.
“I think he’s ready to go,” Rupert said.
“All right.” Brigitta straightened on her feet. “Oh, and if you see the newborn baby, give him a big kiss from me.”
Brody made a grunting noise.
Rupert snorted. He didn’t think that last part would happen. Brody ran forward, flapping his wings until he began to soar higher and higher.
Brigitta watched him go. “It must be interesting to fly, though I would be afraid of crashing.”
“Would you like a bird’s-eye view?” Rupert asked her. “I’ll take you up to the crow’s nest.”
She shuddered. “Too scary.”
“I’ll be with you the whole time.”
She glanced over her shoulder to check on Sister Fallyn. The nun was on the quarterdeck talking to Stefan. Whenever Brigitta came on deck, the nun came, too, to make sure Rupert behaved himself. “I suppose you would have to hold me to keep me safe.”
“Definitely.” He took her hand and led her toward the rope-and-pulley mechanism next to the mainmast.
“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn yelled from the quarterdeck. “Stay where I can see you.”
“I will,” Brigitta shouted back, then whispered, “How do we do this?”
Rupert wedged his left boot through the tight loop, then put on his gloves. “You’ll have to wrap your legs around me and squeeze me tight.”
She scoffed. “There you go again.”
“I mean it.” He lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. “You’ll have to hold tight.”
She nearly choked him.
He grasped the rope with his left hand. “Ready?” When her head nodded against his cheek, he pulled the lever with his right hand, then held on to her as they shot upward.
She squealed, squeezing him tight. When they reached the top, he hooked his right boot around a wooden slat of the crow’s nest and pulled them up against the railing.
“You’ll have to let go now,” he whispered, and she shook her head. “I still have you.” He set her bottom on the railing. “But you’ll need to swing your legs over the railing.”
He helped her slowly turn and ease her feet over the railing. With one hand still clutching him, she reached for the mainmast. He slipped over the railing to stand next to her. She was hugging the mainmast with her eyes shut.
“You did it,” he whispered in her ear.
Her eyes opened and she took a quick look around. “Oh, sweet goddesses. We’re at the top of the world.”
“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn screamed.
Rupert turned just in time to see the nun faint into the waiting arms of Stefan.
Brigitta winced. “Oh, dear.”
She didn’t seem ready to let go of her grip on the mainmast, so Rupert hugged her from behind, resting his chin against her temple. “Finally. I’ve been wanting to hold you since we left the island.”
She leaned against him. “It never frightens you to be up so high?”
“No. I like the vastness of the sky. It makes me feel like anything is possible.”
She sighed. “I suppose anything is possible. Here you are hugging me, when you should hate me.”
He kissed a path along her neck to her ear.
“You must have always known I was Garold’s daughter. Why didn’t you hate me?”
“I tried.” He nuzzled his cheek against hers. “I thought I should hate you, but from the beginning … everything about you touched me.”
She turned in his arms. “I suspected right off that you were my tall and handsome stranger. But I was terribly shocked that my hero could be a sorcerer and a pirate.”
He smiled. “I think I started falling for you the minute you surrendered in order to keep your friends safe from the flaming arrows.”
She thumped his chest. “I’m still angry over that.”
“I wouldn’t have hurt them.” He took her fist and kissed the knuckles. Her hand opened and he laced his fingers with hers. “From the beginning you showed that you’re brave and beautiful. When you helped Sister Fallyn up the ladder, I knew you were kind and humble. And when you first gave me a piece of your mind, I knew you were bold and clever. You’re everything I ever wanted or needed. How could I have possibly hated you?”
“Oh, Rupert.” Her eyes glimmered with emotion.
He leaned down for a long, leisurely kiss, and she melted against him.
“Brigitta!”
He broke the kiss. Apparently, Sister Fallyn had recovered.
“Brigitta, come down from there this instant!” the nun yelled.
Rupert sighed. “I’ll take you down.”
Brigitta looked up at him, her eyes still soft and dreamy from their kiss. “Was this your fifth reason? When you didn’t want to release me, you had a fifth reason that you wouldn’t tell me.”
“I wanted you near me, yes. I wanted to know what kind of woman my betrothed had become.”
Her eyes widened. “But you couldn’t have considered me your betrothed, not after what my father did.”
“I considered the engagement broken, yes.” He kissed her brow. “But not anymore.”
She drew in a quick breath.
“Brigitta!” Sister Fallyn yelled again.
He smiled as he lifted her up in his arms. “Wrap your legs around me and squeeze me tight.”
“That again?” With a grin, she hugged him.
He lifted them over the railing and slid down the rope. Sister Fallyn was waiting close by and the minute Brigitta’s feet hit the deck, she snatched her by the arm and glared at Rupert.
“I will not have you ravishing the princess!” Sister Fallyn marched off with Brigitta, who glanced back with a cheerful wave.
He waved back, smiling. Tonight, he would sneak into her cabin.
* * *
By the next morning, Rupert had maneuvered the Golden Star close to the Eberoni shore. The pelican Brody landed on deck, then hopped into Rupert’s cabin and shifted into human form.
Rupert handed him a pair of breeches. “What did Leofric say?”
“He and Luciana are delighted to be of assistance.” Brody pulled on the breeches. “Shouldn’t Brigitta hear about this?”
Rupert winced. After sneaking into Brigitta’s cabin last night, he’d discovered her tearing an old sheet into strips. With a blush, she’d
admitted that she’d started her monthly courses. He’d seen no reason to leave, claiming he would be happy just to sleep with her in his arms. But the nun had burst into the room and thrown a fit. “Sister Fallyn has forbidden me to see her for the rest of the voyage.”
Brody snorted. “The nun takes her job seriously.”
“Aye,” Rupert agreed. “I would complain, but I’m actually glad that she’s so fierce about watching out for Brigitta. Between you and the nun, I feel much better about Brigitta going to Lourdon Palace.”
Stefan entered the room, carrying a tray of food. “You have news?”
“Yes,” Brody replied. “Since this ship is too large to sail up the Ebe River, Leo and Luciana are traveling down the river on the royal barge. They’ll meet us at the small village of Ebport at the mouth of the Ebe.”
“The queen is coming?” Rupert cleared an area on his worktable so Stefan could set down the tray. “I thought she was supposed to be giving birth about this time.”
“She had the twins early.” Brody grabbed a slice of cheese off the tray and popped it into his mouth.
“Twins?” Stefan poured him a cup of wine.
Brody nodded as he chewed. “A boy and a girl. Born on the night the moons embraced.”
They would have magical powers then, Rupert thought. And they shared his birthday.
“So we need to go to Ebport,” Stefan said.
“Yes.” Brody took a sip of wine. “Luciana’s father, the Duke of Vindalyn, is coming, too. He was at Ebton Palace for the birth of his grandchildren, so we included him in the meeting. He has provided Rupert with a new identity for the competition.”
He’d been Rupert since the age of fourteen. Twelve years. It would feel strange to be anyone else now, even his true identity. “Who will I be?”
“One of the duke’s barons recently died without an heir,” Brody explained. “The duke has revealed that you are a distant cousin, and he’s awarded the title to you. You will be Umberto Vintello, the new Baron Suffield. His Grace is bringing the paperwork to prove it. That way, if Gunther has you investigated, you will appear legitimate.”
Stefan performed a deep bow. “Lord Suffield.”
Rupert snorted.
“Congratulations.” Brody smiled at him. “You temporarily own some land and an excellent manor house.”
“Maybe Sister Fallyn will like me better now,” Rupert muttered, and Stefan chuckled.
Brody finished his cup of wine. “Leo has already sent an envoy to Lourdon to announce Brigitta’s rescue from the notorious pirate Rupert. Leo’s best friend, Captain Nevis Harden, is bringing several troops of soldiers down the river. Everyone will believe they’re providing protection for the royal barge. But Nevis and one of his troops will take Brigitta to the Tourinian border to meet her brother. I’ll be her guard dog.”
“Thank you.” Rupert refilled the shifter’s cup.
“You will go to Ebton Palace as Baron Suffield,” Brody continued. “That way, the Tourinian ambassador and his spies will see you as an Eberoni nobleman. You’ll be outfitted in suitable clothing and given a small troop of guards and servants to accompany you to Lourdon.”
“I’m going with him,” Stefan insisted.
Rupert’s heart swelled. Stefan had stayed by his side since that tragic day nineteen years ago. As a young soldier from one of the loyal northern clans, Stefan had been given what was considered a prestigious assignment—guarding the prince and heir to the throne. But Stefan had soon found himself raising a traumatized young orphan who was being hunted by an entire army. Through it all, he had remained true. “Thank you, old friend.”
Stefan waved a dismissive hand as if he didn’t care, but his voice was gruff with emotion. “What else would I do?” He looked away, blinking. “I’d better get this tub headed toward Ebport.” He quickly left the room.
Brody took a bite of bread. “The royal barge will arrive in Ebport by noon. Can we make it by then?”
“Yes.” Rupert glanced at his worktable. This had been his room for seven years now. He gave the windmill one last twirl. No more tinkering on his inventions here. No more pirating. His days as Rupert were over.
A new life lay in front of him, but he was no longer that frightened orphan. And he didn’t have to face the future alone. Stefan would be by his side, along with his new allies from Eberon.
And most of all, there was Brigitta.
* * *
“Look!” Brigitta pointed at the royal barge in the distance. She’d been waiting excitedly by the ship’s railing as they’d drawn closer to the village of Ebport. Now she could see the pier that ran along the Ebe River and the large barge tied off beside it. A brightly painted cabin had been built on top with long windows and an outside staircase leading to the flat observation deck on the roof. Flags in the Eberoni royal colors of red and black flapped in the breeze that swept in from the ocean.
“I can see women on deck,” Sister Fallyn said with a grin.
“Ye can?” Brigitta held up a hand to shield her eyes from the bright sun. “Oh my, I think they’re all there!” She waved an arm, and the women waved back.
“Praise the goddesses.” Sister Fallyn made the sign of the moons.
“But how can this be?” Brigitta asked. “I thought Luciana would be giving birth now.”
“She went into labor a week ago,” Brody said as he joined them by the railing.
Brigitta glanced at him, surprised to see him in human form. “I didn’t know ye were back.”
“We were talking belowdecks,” Rupert said as he strode toward them.
Brigitta blinked. Why was Rupert wearing his old disguise? “Is everything set?”
“Yes.” Rupert handed her his spyglass. “Would you like to use this?”
“Oh, aye!” Brigitta pushed aside all worries about the upcoming dangerous adventure as she focused the spyglass on her sisters. “I see them!” They were like a rainbow, each one dressed in a different-colored beautiful gown. “There’s Maeve and Sorcha! And Luciana!”
Sister Fallyn tsked. “She shouldn’t be traveling so soon after childbirth.”
“Traveling by barge is fairly easy,” Brody said. “I’m sure she was resting inside the cabin for most of the trip.”
“Oh! There’s Mother Ginessa!” Brigitta continued to look through the spyglass. “And she’s holding the baby!”
“Let me see!” Sister Fallyn reached for the spyglass.
“Wait!” Brigitta stiffened. “Oh my goddesses, Gwennore is holding a baby, too.”
“Oh, right,” Brody said. “Luciana had twins.”
Brigitta lowered the spyglass to stare at him. “Now ye tell me?”
“Are they healthy?” Sister Fallyn demanded. “Are they both girls?”
Brody shrugged. “They’re loud. I suppose that means they’re healthy.”
“One boy and one girl,” Rupert added.
“What are their names?” Brigitta asked.
Brody gave her a blank look. “I … didn’t ask.”
She gave him an incredulous look, then turned to Rupert.
He shrugged. “Is it important?”
With a huff, she exchanged a look with Sister Fallyn.
The nun shook her head and muttered, “Men.”
“Here.” Brigitta offered her the spyglass.
“Oh dear goddesses,” Sister Fallyn murmured as she looked at their friends. “I was afraid I’d ne’er see them again.”
“Ye can stay with them if ye want,” Brigitta whispered. “Ye don’t have to come with me.”
Sister Fallyn handed her the spyglass with a tearful look. “I know, lass, but ’tis the right thing for me to do. We’re both Tourinians, so we should go together. And from now on, we should only speak in Tourinian.”
Brigitta nodded and switched languages. “You’re right. Thank you.”
“I see you’re ready to go,” Rupert said.
“Yes.” Brigitta returned his spyglass. At her feet, she had a small b
ag stuffed with their meager belongings—their convent gowns, several nightgowns and shifts, two toothbrushes, and a hairbrush. The last items had all been gifts from Rupert. “I’m going to miss you.”
He gave her a sad smile. “I’ll miss you, too. I should arrive in Lourdon the day before the competition begins. We’ll have to pretend not to know each other.”
She nodded. “I understand.” And she would have to watch him risk his life in the competition without showing how terrified she was.
Tears burned her eyes. Their ship was now close enough to Ebport that she could easily see her sisters at the bow of the barge. Luciana’s father was with them. Off by himself, Leo stood at the back. As far as Brigitta knew, only Luciana could touch him and live. Did that mean the poor man was unable to hold his own babies?
Luciana broke off from the group of women and walked toward her husband. Leo took her in his arms.
Brigitta blinked to keep from crying. She’d always written her overly dramatic stories with happy endings, but now she feared there was no such thing as a perfectly happy ending. As much as she wanted Rupert to gain the throne that was rightfully his, it would mean the death of her brother. How could she continue to love Rupert if he committed a cold-blooded murder?
“Are you all right?” Rupert asked.
She wiped her cheeks. “I-I think I’m going to miss being at sea with you.”
He nodded. “I’ve been at sea since I was fourteen. And the Golden Star has been my home since I was nineteen.”
“What will happen to the ship?”
“Tucker will sail her west to meet up with the rest of the fleet. Then Ansel will be in charge. They’re going to sail north and be close to Tourin in case we need them.”
In case something went awry and they had to escape? Brigitta took a deep breath.
A loud noise filled the air as the anchor was dropped, and the ship groaned and shuddered as it came to a stop.
Stefan joined them by the railing as crewmen lowered the dinghy and a rope ladder.
“I’ll go first.” Brody climbed down to the dinghy.