How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days (The Embraced #1)

“They didn’t harm the king,” a guard added.

While Morris peered under the bed, Leo went at lightning speed to check the dressing room and every spot in the room where the Chameleon could be hiding.

Morris joined him by the fireplace. “You were correct. The king is dead. But where is the Chameleon?”

The guards pulled the king’s body out and laid it to rest on the bed. The dogs milled about, whimpering.

“The dogs,” Luciana said. “There’s one more than before.”

One of the dogs dashed into the sitting room, his gait uneven from an injured leg. Brody gave chase, barking at him.

“That’s him!” Leo ran into the sitting room, but the sight there brought him to an abrupt halt. There were two Brodys. Identical.

Luciana stopped beside him. “Which one is the Chameleon?”

“What the hell?” Lord Morris whispered as he entered the room.

Sparks flickered around Leo’s hands as he tried to decide which dog to strike.

One dog shimmered, then shifted into human form. “I’m the real one. See?”

Leo tried to remember if the Chameleon had seen Brody’s human form. Yes, he had.

The second one shifted. “No, I’m Brody!” He quickly covered his private parts. “Begging your pardon, my lady … Luciana.”

Leo aimed a lightning bolt at the first Brody just as the imposter made a leap for the balcony window. The bolt struck the wooden frame and set the curtain on fire.

The Chameleon burst onto the balcony and leaped into the air as he shifted into an eagle.

“No!” Leo ran onto the balcony and shot a lightning bolt at the eagle.

Fire singed a wing, and the eagle screeched. It dove into the midst of town.

“Dammit.” Leo didn’t dare shoot lightning into the town. He’d set the place on fire and probably injure some people in the process.

“He’s getting away!” Luciana cried beside him.

Leo banged a fist on the balcony railing. How could he track the bastard down when he didn’t know what he looked like? He turned around and found one of the guards had ripped the burning curtain down and stuffed it into the nearby fireplace. Brody had helped himself to a pair of the king’s breeches from his dressing room.

“You saw the Chameleon, right?” Leo asked Morris and the guards. “You agree that he murdered the king and impersonated him?” He didn’t want any rumors starting that he had killed his uncle or his cousin.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Morris bowed low, and the other guards followed suit.

Leo swallowed hard. He was now the king.

Beside him, Luciana curtsied.

“Wait.” He took her hands and led her down the balcony out of everyone’s sight. “I don’t want you to bow to me.”

“But I’m supposed to—”

“No. The position will be burdensome enough as it is. When I’m with you, I want to simply be your husband, the man who loves you more than anyone.”

Her eyes glistened with tears. “I’m so proud of you.”

He shook his head. “I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes. I should have known the Chameleon would come straight here. I should have stopped him before—”

“How?” She rested a hand on his chest. “You’re not an eagle that can fly by night. We left right after sunrise and came as quickly as we could. You mustn’t blame yourself for this.”

“I should have stopped—”

“No, the guards should have stopped him. That was their job.” She touched his face. “My dear heart, you can’t take responsibility for every evil act in the world.”

He searched her eyes, then nodded. “You’re right.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. “Are you really with child?”

She smiled. “I’m one day late for my courses. Too early to know for sure, but—”

He pulled her into his arms. “Have I told you recently that I love you?”

“I believe you did this morning.”

“I love you more each day.” He stepped back to gaze into her lovely face. “And I need you. I’ll need your calm wisdom, your bravery, your love and support.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “You’re the king now.”

“And you’re my queen.” He kissed her forehead. “More than my queen. You’re my heart and soul, and you will never bow to me for you are my equal in every way.”

She sniffed. “Oh, Leo. I love you so much.”

He pulled her in for a long kiss.

When he drew back, he became aware of loud, shouting voices. Damn. He’d thought he’d found a private place, but the courtyard below was filled with people cheering him on.

“Shit,” he muttered.

Luciana laughed and gave him a hug. “It’s all right. We just gave the people proof that their new king is not a Beast after all.”

Down below, the people began to chant, “Long live the king! Long live the queen!”

Apparently, while Leo had been busy kissing his wife, the news had spread. “It won’t be easy,” he warned her. “There will be factions who want to kill us, and other countries that will want to destroy us.”

“We’ll be fine. We have good friends.” She motioned to Brody, who lurked in the doorway, grinning at them. Down in the courtyard, Jensen and Edmund were cheering the loudest.

Leo nodded. “We have your father, Nevis, and General Harden. A few friendly ghosts and an army on our side, too.”

“And we have each other.” She smiled, then glanced at Brody. “How did he know my real name? Did you tell him?”

“No, I…” Leo winced. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. After I give you the crown jewels.”

Brody scoffed. “You should have trusted her.”

“What?” Luciana gave him a questioning look.

With a sigh, Leo glanced at Brody. “Do you have any room in the doghouse?”





Epilogue

ONE MONTH LATER …

“I can’t believe it!” Brigitta hugged Luciana as soon as they entered the privacy of her enormous sitting room. “Our sister is a queen!”

“How does it feel?” Gwennore hugged her next.