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

She smiled. “Then I will ask you to kneel.” When he did, she took the dagger left behind by the redheaded man and pretended to tap the flat of the blade against the boy’s shoulders. “You may rise, Sir Christopher.”


With a giggle, he jumped to his feet. “I’m a knight!”

“And a fine one at that. Do you accept your mission?”

He nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, Tatiana. I’ll find the bad man for you.” His form wavered, then disappeared.

Luciana had barely risen to her feet when he popped back in. “Oh. That was fast.”

Christopher laughed. “I forgot to tell you. I heard something else in the kitchens. They were busy making a fancy luncheon for your father and your betrothed.”

Her heart lurched. “My…”

Christopher nodded. “Aye. The man you’re supposed to marry. He arrived a few hours ago, and he’s in the library with your father. My mom said it was so sad that he arrived just as you were dying.”

“Oh.” She’d thought he was delayed a few days. She’d thought she would have some time before having to meet him.

Christopher frowned. “Some of the servants called him the Beast, but my mom told them to hush. Why would they call him a Beast?”

Luciana swallowed hard, then waved a dismissive hand. “Nothing but gossip, I’m sure. Now, off you go. You have a mission, remember?”

“Aye, Captain!” Christopher saluted with a grin, then vanished.

Luciana made the sign of the moons. Luna and Lessa, help me. The Beast had arrived.

A knock on her door made her jump. Was he here already?

“My lady?” Jensen called. “Are you awake? I thought I heard your voice.”

“I-I was talking to myself.”

“Permission to enter?”

“Just a minute.” She quickly put on the black gown she’d worn the night before. After braiding her hair and stepping into her shoes, she unlocked the door.

Jensen bowed. “We have orders to take you back to your bedchamber for a little while. Please wear your hooded cloak so no one will see you. And don’t worry. We’ll have guards posted at both entrances. You’ll be safe.”

“All right.” She pulled on her dark cloak and followed Jensen down the spiral staircase. “I’m sorry you were knocked out. Again.”

Jensen glanced back with an apologetic look. “You must think I’m incompetent.”

“No, not at all. I appreciate what you’re doing.”

“Thank you, my lady. Keep your hood on so no one will see your face. While you’re in the keep, we’ll be installing a bolt for your door here in the tower.”

She bit her lip. They were doing what the redheaded man had ordered? When they reached the ground floor, she asked, “Then I will continue to live in the tower?”

“Yes.” Jensen gave her a worried look. “I don’t wish to alarm you but your betrothed arrived early this morning. He’s currently in the library with your father.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

“The Lord Protector requested a meeting with you,” Jensen continued. “That’s why we’re taking you back to your dressing room. So you can get ready.”

She swallowed hard. “I see.” She pulled her hood up and started across the sheep meadow with Jensen and two other guards. Soon she would be meeting the Beast.

Jensen sighed. “The Lord Protector’s arrival has changed everything. You’ll be expected to spend time with him. And once the servants know you’re alive and well, the news will spread quickly.”

Her hands tightened their grip on her cloak. “I will be in more danger then?”

“You should be all right. Only a few guards know that you are sleeping in the tower. And no one would dare try to harm you when you’re with the Lord Protector.”

Because even the assassins feared him? Luciana took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

Back in her room, Gabriella burst into tears when she saw her. “My lady! I was so afraid something awful had happened to you!”

“I’m fine.” Luciana gave her a reassuring hug.

With a blush, Gabriella stammered, “Th-thank you, my lady.” She wiped her cheeks. “We mustn’t tarry. Your betrothed wishes to see you soon.”

For the next hour, Luciana was bathed and scrubbed and slathered with scented creams. Her hair was washed and braided with pearls. Gabriella decided on a gold brocade gown, claiming it would make her look like a princess.

The time flew by too quickly for Luciana, for she dreaded the moment she’d have to meet the Beast. By the time she was declared ready, her dread had grown into outright fear. She could barely eat any of the bread or cheese that Gabriella had brought to her room. While her maid rushed off to let the duke’s secretary know she was ready, Luciana paced about her room.

Her sister’s warnings flitted through her mind. I heard he killed his nanny and his mother. He fries people with his touch. Sizzle! With a shudder, she paced toward the hearth. Don’t think about it! She needed a distraction.

The letter from her sisters! She checked the opening in the upholstery of the chair where she’d hidden the note. It was still there. In two more days, she was supposed to leave a message on the rock offshore. How would she manage that when she was being so carefully watched?

And what could she possibly write? That assassins wanted to kill her and she was about to marry the Beast of Benwick? She couldn’t frighten them like that. She was frightened enough on her own—

She jumped when the door slammed open.

“Captain,” Jensen protested. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Stay outside,” Captain Bougaire snarled as he shut the door in Jensen’s face.

Oh, no! Panic bubbled up inside Luciana. What if the Beast came now? “You have to leave.”

Alberto Bougaire spun around to look at her, and relief flooded his face. “Thank the Light. There’s a rumor going around that you’re dying. I knew it couldn’t be true.” He strode toward her.

She circled behind the chair to position it between them. “Please leave.”

“No!” He reached for her, but she jumped back. “Tatiana, we have to go. Now! Before the Beast—”

“Stay away from me!”