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

So Father approved of her betrothed? Luciana strode toward the sideboard. “He admitted his touch can kill.”


“Without his gloves, yes, so he’s very careful. We had a long talk, and he explained a great deal to me. He’s Embraced, and his gift is…” The duke shook his head. “I can’t imagine having to live with something that horrendous.”

She winced. “How does his gift work?”

With a frown, her father passed her a goblet. “He described it to me briefly. Whenever lightning strikes him, it fills him—”

“What?” Her hand trembled so badly she set the goblet down. “He’s been struck by lightning?”

“Repeatedly. Since the age of five. He said there was no escape from it.”

Her heart squeezed in her chest. By the goddesses, the pain he must have endured over the years.

“Remember the storm on the Isle of Moon?” the duke asked. “When it passed to the mainland, he was struck by lightning. So he is full of power right now.”

He’d mentioned that his power was strong. And she recalled how she’d felt the energy emanating from him in the tower room. No wonder he could do things other men could not. “He retains power from lightning?”

Her father nodded. “He harnesses it. The power makes him incredibly fast and strong. He can attract or repel metal objects, and he can shoot lightning bolts from his fingers.”

She swallowed hard, recalling his admission that his touch could kill her.

“Leo assured me that he knows how dangerous he is,” her father continued. “Even with his gloves on, when his power is this high, if he touches someone’s skin they can possibly receive a shock or, worse, lose consciousness. That’s why he rarely ever touches anyone.”

So he was never able to touch for affection? Since the age of five? Luciana’s heart ached when she imagined how lonesome he must have been. She paced toward the chairs in front of the hearth. By the goddesses, she should be afraid the Beast would touch her. But she was much more upset by the wretched truth that he could never touch her. By marrying him, she was joining him in a life of loneliness.

Her father settled into a chair with his goblet of wine. “Leo swore to me he would never harm you. I believe he is sincere, so I agreed to let him meet you alone.” He took a long drink. “Did the meeting not go well?”

She wandered back to the sideboard and took a drink from her goblet. “I wasn’t alone when … the Lord Protector came.” She wasn’t comfortable calling him Leo. It seemed to denote an intimacy they could never have. “A few minutes before his arrival, Captain Bougaire barged in and demanded I elope with him.”

“What?” The duke’s eyes widened with horror.

“Did you know that he and—” Luciana drew closer to her father as she quickly glanced around the room to make sure no guards were nearby.

“Damn him,” the duke growled, then lowered his voice to a whisper. “I warned her over and over to stay away from the captain. But it seemed like the more I objected, the more she was determined to thwart me.” He jumped to his feet and picked up a poker. “I should have sacked him.” He jabbed at the fire.

“The Lord Protector challenged him to a duel. Dawn tomorrow in the courtyard.”

“Damn!” The duke stabbed at a log, then glanced back at her. “Was Leo … angry with you?”

Luciana thought back over the conversation. He’d certainly glared daggers at the captain, but his gaze at her had been … different. Filled with hunger and longing. Pain and anguish. “No, he wasn’t.”

“Ah, good.” Her father returned the poker to its rack, then rested a hand on her shoulder. “I know it must be frightening for you, but it will all work out well. In order to keep you safe, Leo has agreed to be wed in name only. He will return to his duties as Lord Protector, traveling with the army and patrolling the border.”

“I see.” He would spend his life avoiding her so he wouldn’t harm her. At the convent, she’d always dreamed that marriage would include love and joy. And children. Not a lifetime of loneliness.

“He has a small estate near Ebton. He said you were welcome to live there. But if you prefer, you could remain here.” The duke squeezed her shoulder. “Of course, I would like for you to stay here.”

Tears stung her eyes. “I would like that, too.”

“Wonderful.” With a smile, the duke drew her into his arms. “Then it’s all settled.” He patted her on the back. “Leo will be happy with the arrangement. He thought you would be safer here.”

He would be happy? Did the man even know what happiness was? She buried her face in her father’s shirt. Her dream man would never touch her, never be a true husband. And she would be safe.

She should be relieved. She could remain here at Vindemar with her father, and her every need would be taken care of. So why did she feel like crying?





Chapter Fifteen

Hours later, Luciana was back in her room in the tower. The newly installed bolt was shot, and there were a total of six guards posted in the tower: two on the ground level, two on the floor below her where the privy was located, and two outside her door.

Before returning to the tower, she’d made a quick stop at her dressing room. Gabriella had helped her remove the gold brocade gown and put on a simple one she could handle alone. As soon as the sun had set, she’d donned the hooded black cloak, so she could secretly return to the tower. Jensen had warned her, though, that Captain Bougaire had spread the word that he was defending her honor at dawn. Soon everyone would know she was not at death’s door. Including the assassins.