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

“He’s on a mission.” Leo slapped himself mentally once again for sending Brody away. Now there was no one left who could identify the last assassin.

But could one of his dead victims point him out? Ana had suggested that, but Leo had had a strange feeling that her words had not been meant for him. Had there been a ghost in the room with them? It seemed that Ana could truly talk to the dead, but he wished she would trust him enough to admit to it.

His heart sped up as they started up the stairs to the Great Hall. He would be seeing her again in a few minutes.

“By the Light, I can smell the food already.” Nevis took the stairs two at a time. “All I’ve had the last few days was some dried beef and stale bread.”

Leo snorted. “You don’t look like you went hungry.”

“This is muscle!” Nevis slapped his belly as they arrived at the double doors.

The Great Hall was already filled with people, busily finding a place to sit at the long tables while servants filled goblets with wine and set out baskets filled with bread. Nevis started to sit, but Leo nabbed a handful of his cape and dragged him toward the dais.

“But I’m starving!” Nevis objected.

“You should greet my betrothed first.” Leo had spotted her on the dais, talking to her father and General Harden.

“You’re referring to Lady Tatiana?” Nevis asked.

“Yes.” Or perhaps not. Whoever she was, she was everything he wanted. As if she felt his presence, she turned her head and looked right at him.

His heart lurched in his chest. By the Light, she was stunning. And she was wearing that blue gown again, the one where her breasts were practically popping out.

“That looks tasty,” Nevis said.

Leo halted, his hands fisting as he shot his friend a warning look. But Nevis was focused on a platter of raw oysters that a servant was setting on a long table.

Damn. Leo released the iron grip he had on Nevis’s cape. He’d nearly clobbered his best friend. He’d never felt so strongly about a woman before.

It’s more than lust, a quiet voice warned him. More than possession. More than desire.

He shook himself mentally. “Come.” He motioned for Nevis to follow him up onto the dais.

Leo bowed his head. “Good evening, Ana.”

“My lord.” She curtsied.

“Leo,” he reminded her, and she smiled shyly. “Have you met my best friend?” He motioned to Nevis.

“Yes, I have.” Her smile widened as she offered Nevis her hand. “Captain Harden, thank you for watching over Leo.”

“My pleasure.” Nevis took her hand and bowed over it, giving her knuckles a light kiss.

Leo’s chest tightened. The gesture came so easily for his friend, but it was something he didn’t dare attempt.

“Hear, hear!” The duke drew everyone’s attention as he raised his goblet in the air. “Before we begin the feast, I’d like to give a toast.”

“I’ll see you later,” Nevis whispered, then he scrambled off the dais and rushed to an empty spot at a table where everyone was rising to their feet.

Leo lifted his goblet along with everyone else.

“To the brave men who lost their lives today. May they always be remembered,” the duke said, then everyone gave an enthusiastic shout and took a drink.

The duke glanced at Leo, smiling. “And another toast to welcome my daughter’s betrothed and the future Duke of Vindalyn, Leofric of Benwick!”

This time the shout was halfhearted at most. Leo winced inwardly. Apparently, it would take some time before the people of Vindalyn saw him as anything but a Beast.

“Let the feast begin!” the duke announced, then sat. As everyone took their seats, the servants began filling bowls with soup.

“Allow me.” Leo drew Ana’s chair out for her.

“Thank you.” When she sat, he gently pushed her forward, letting his gloved fingers graze her sleeves.

No gasp of pain. He sat beside her, wondering if he dared touch her bare skin. But if he ended up hurting her, then he really would feel like a Beast.

“I enjoyed our luncheon together,” he whispered to her.

She glanced at her father, who was busily slurping down soup, then whispered back, “I enjoyed it, too.”

“Really? I was afraid I might have shocked you.”

Her gaze flickered to his lap before bouncing back to his face. “I’m quite all right.” She grabbed a loaf from the nearby basket and tore off a hunk. “Would you like a piece of bread?”

He accepted it. “Shall we share it like before?”

Her cheeks bloomed a pretty pink as she tore off a second piece. “Not now.”

“Later then?” He leaned closer. “Shall I come see you?”

“I—” She stiffened suddenly, her eyes wide and focused in front of her. “Chris—” She glanced quickly at Leo, then tore a piece of crust off her bread. “Crispy.”

What the hell? She was staring again at an empty space in front of the table. Chilly air wafted toward Leo.

He tensed. “Ana?”

Her hands flinched, crushing the bread. “D-don’t eat the soup.”

“What?” He glanced down at his bowl.

She jumped up from her chair and grabbed her father’s hand as he brought another spoonful of soup to his mouth. “Stop.” She looked at General Harden. “Please stop.”

The duke set his spoon down. “The soup?”

She nodded. “It’s only the tureen for our table.”

Leo rushed over to her father and the general. Their faces were turning ashen. The general’s hand trembled as he dropped his spoon on the table.

Dammit. Leo was grateful that Ana was safe. But he wasn’t so sure about her father and the general. They had halfway finished their bowls of poisoned soup.





Chapter Twenty-three