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

So she’d hurried back to her dressing room to change into a more comfortable gown and hide the bottle with the Telling Stones in her pocket. Now she was alone in the tower room, seated at the table, writing to her sisters.

She’d started with a greeting and confession of how much she missed them. And then she’d stopped, overwhelmed for a moment with homesickness. By the goddesses, she yearned for her sisters. If only they were here now. They would listen to her and help her make sense of the confused jumble of emotions she was feeling.

With a deep breath, she refocused on her letter. She didn’t want to frighten them with news about assassins or a betrothed who could kill people with his touch. She needed to write something happy.

You won’t believe it! My sister didn’t remain at the convent, but followed me here. We’re becoming good friends.

Luciana winced. That was a bit of an exaggeration. Her gaze fell on the bottle she’d placed nearby on the table. She uncorked the bottle and shook the Telling Stones into her hand. The number two, red and black.

She placed the pebbles on the table and ran her fingers over them. They would remain with her here, a physical link to her sisters. Touchstones that would bring her comfort whenever she felt overwhelmed. She picked up the quill and began again.

Something wondrous has happened. Two weeks after we played with the Telling Stones, I met a man with red hair and a black horse, exactly like the stones predicted! His name is Leofric of Benwick, and we are to be married. He seems quite strong and dependable, honest and trustworthy. And I find him extremely handsome. His hair is a dark red, but he doesn’t have the freckles that Sorcha feared he would. His skin is tanned from being in the sun. His eyes are a beautiful green like the new leaves of an oak tree that unfurl in spring. Though at night, they seem a darker green like a pine—

Luciana paused, her eyes widening as she realized how lovesick her words looked.

A blob of ink stained the paper, and she quickly moved the quill aside. Was she truly in love? Maybe it was simply an infatuation. After all, she’d been raised in a convent, so she’d never seen that many men. Especially young, healthy men.

But the ship had been full of them. And the fortress of Vindemar had plenty. She’d even been kissed by Tatiana’s lover. And she’d felt nothing. No flutters, no yearning.

She groaned. Why not let her sisters think she was happily in love and her life was rosy and perfect? It was better than making them worry.

Soon, I will be going to the royal court in Ebton to be wed, so you may not hear from me for a while. I will send notice in my father’s next wine shipment to let you know when I have returned to Vindemar so we can resume our correspondence. Even though I will be away, distance can never separate us. You will always be with me in my heart.

Missing you and loving you always,

Luciana

When the ink dried, she folded the letter up, slipped it inside the bottle, and squeezed the cork in as tightly as she could. The letter was too incriminating to be left out in the open, so she hid the bottle beneath her pillow. Her gaze lingered on the dagger Leo had given her.

Would there ever come a time when she could tell him the truth? Or would her deception make him feel so betrayed that he would turn on her and her father? The minute the king learned of their deception, their lives were over. With a sigh, she realized there was no help for it. She’d have to carry her lies to the grave.

Remain strong, she reminded herself. Right now she had a more immediate problem. How was she going to place the bottle onto the rock offshore at dawn?

She unlocked the door and cracked it open a few inches.

Jensen bowed. “Was there something you needed, my lady?”

“Yes. If you recall a few days ago, I took a morning swim. I would like to do it again tomorrow at sunrise.”

He frowned. “My lady—”

“I’ve been cooped up here too long,” she continued. “The exercise will do much to revive my spirits.”

“I understand. But there are still two assassins—”

“They would never suspect I would be at the beach at dawn.”

Jensen shook his head. “I can’t take that chance.”

“I’ll have my father approve it.”

“Actually, the Lord Protector has taken charge of your safety. He would need to approve—”

“Oh.” She waved a dismissive hand. “There’s no need for him to know—”

“Know what?” Leo’s voice called out from the spiral staircase.

Luciana’s heart lurched as he came into view.

“My lord.” Jensen bowed.

Leo nodded at the guard, then gave Luciana a wry smile. “No need for me to know what?”

She swallowed hard. “It’s a trifling request, not worth bothering your lordship about.”

He stepped closer, his eyes watching her intently. “That’s a relief. I’d hate to think you were keeping secrets from me, Ana.”

Her fingers dug into the door as she looked away. “Of course not.”

“My lord,” Jensen began. “Her ladyship has requested permission to take a short swim in the sea at dawn.”

“Yes.” Luciana nodded. “The exercise will do me good. And I don’t believe the assassins would ever suspect I would be at the beach at dawn. I’m sure I’ll be perfectly safe.” She glanced at Leo and found him still staring at her. Her cheeks grew warm.

“Could you wait a few days till after we catch the assassins?” he asked.

She winced. “I have my heart set on tomorrow morning.”

His eyebrows rose. “It has to be tomorrow?”

“Yes.” More heat poured into her face.

“Perhaps I should go swimming with you.”

She tensed. “That won’t be necessary. I prefer to swim alone. For modesty’s sake.”

His eyes narrowed. “I will agree with certain conditions.” He turned toward Jensen. “You may do as she requests. I want you and two guards to accompany her. Do not tarry on the beach for long.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Leo glanced back at her. “I have a matter to attend to, then I’ll return to fulfill the rest of my condition.”