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

He searched her eyes, and there it was. A sense of time slowing down. A world melting away with only two souls remaining. An eternity of longing. Bittersweet and desperate.

Couldn’t she feel it, too?

“Stay away from him!” Captain Bougaire yelled. “If he touches you, it will kill you!”

With a wince, she looked away, breaking the trance. Don’t be afraid of me, please. Leo stepped back, lowering his hand. “I promised to do my best to never harm you.”

“What about the duel?” Captain Bougaire whined. “It won’t be a fair fight if you—”

“Enough!” Leo scowled at him. “I will not use my powers. It will be a test of skill. If you have any.”

The captain snorted. “How can I trust the word of a Be—” He turned pale when Leo stalked toward him.

“Show up tomorrow. Or leave the castle now in disgrace. That is your choice.”

The captain gulped. “I’ll be there.”

“Good. Leave us.”

Captain Bougaire hesitated, casting a wary look at Tatiana.

Leo gritted his teeth. “Go!” He watched the bastard scurry from the room. “And shut the door behind you.”

He turned back to Tatiana. She was glorious in gold brocade, as bright and beautiful as the sun, and thankfully the fire had returned to her eyes.

She lifted her chin. “You may go, also. I wish to be alone.”

Was she giving him orders? His mouth quirked. This would be a duel he would enjoy. “I will stay. I wish to become better acquainted.”

“Odd that you would say that, since you waited so long before introducing yourself.”

He sauntered toward her. “This is only my third day here.”

“More than enough time.”

“Barely enough time for one of your very long baths.” He breathed deeply. “Roses. I like that.”

She crossed her arms, apparently oblivious that the action pushed her breasts higher against the low neckline of her gown. “You shouldn’t remind me of your deception. Lying to me, pretending to be a priest—”

“I never said I was a priest—”

“You said the lines of a priest.”

“And you said the lines of a confessor. Did you expect me to believe your long-bath story?” He scoffed. “We were both pretending to be someone we’re not.”

She closed her eyes briefly as she turned away.

Interesting. Had he touched a nerve? “The way I see it, there’s no reason for you to be angry. I, on the other hand, have ample reason. I came here to introduce myself and found you kissing another man.”

“I wasn’t kissing him.”

“His mouth was on yours.”

She turned back toward him, her eyes glittering with emotion. “I didn’t ask for it. Nor did I participate. If you were truly observant, you would have noticed I was shoving and kicking at him.”

“Then you’re not in love with him?”

“No! I can’t stand the man!”

Leo smiled. “Excellent.”

She gave him a wry look. “I didn’t say that to please you. It was simply the truth.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think we’ll do very well as long as we remain honest with each other.”

She snorted. “Why did you invade my room in the tower and nearly frighten me to death? I thought you’d come to kill me!”

“I thought you would be asleep.”

“You could have introduced yourself then.”

“And you would have been even more frightened. You told me in confession you’re afraid of your betrothed.”

With a wince, she lowered her gaze to his gloved hands. “Am I wrong to fear you? Does your touch really … kill people?”

His hands curled into fists. He’d been a fool to think he’d enjoy this duel. It was a fight he couldn’t win. “As long as I wear gloves and touch only your clothing, you should be safe. Leather and several layers of fabric normally serve as a protective barrier.”

“And if you take the gloves off?”

His chest tightened. “My power is very strong right now. And mostly concentrated in my hands. If my bare hand touches your clothes, you could lose consciousness. If my bare hand touches your skin, my power would instantly transfer to you. It would … kill you.”

She inhaled sharply, pressing the back of her hand against her mouth. “The king wants me dead, so he can take my inheritance. Are you part of that plan? Do you intend to marry me just to kill me?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Actually, we have a sad thing in common. The king wants me dead, too.”

Her eyes widened. “But why? He’s your family.”

“He’s my uncle, but he’s so paranoid, he doesn’t trust anyone. He even had his son, Tedric, banished from court. As for me, he named me Lord Protector at the age of nineteen, hoping I would die in battle. He successfully got rid of my father, his younger brother, that way. And then I’m also Embraced, so I have a power Frederic doesn’t have, and that angers him no end. He’s tried several times to assassinate me over the years.”

“That’s … terrible.”

“You needn’t worry. I’ll do my best to never harm you, and I’ll protect you from the king.” He rested a hand over his heart. “This I swear on my mother’s grave.”

With a wince, she eased away from him. “I-I heard…”

“What? What did you hear?”

With a deep breath, she visibly rallied her courage and looked him in the eye. “That you killed your mother.”

He jolted back a step. “What? Who … who would say that?” He turned away, dragging a gloved hand through his hair. This had to be the king’s doing. Uncle Fred wanted the people of Eberon to fear the Beast, so the king habitually started ugly rumors about his nephew. Frederic was so afraid Leo would rebel that he’d warned him repeatedly. If Leo ever marched on the royal court with the army, the king would have his personal guard murder every woman and child in the town of Ebton.

“It’s not true?” Tatiana asked, watching him carefully.

Leo shook his head. “When my father died in battle, the king sent assassins to kill me. My mother flung herself in front of me. She took the sword meant for me.” He closed his eyes briefly, then scoffed. “I suppose you could say I was responsible.”