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

“Cock.” He rubbed the washcloth against her clitoris. “You’re easily distracted.”


Her eyes glazed over. “Is this an interrogation technique?”

He smiled. “Maybe.”

“Mmm. Then I’ll make a full confession.” She closed her eyes briefly. “I asked you to call me Ana, so it would feel like you were marrying me instead of my sister.”

“Then you really wanted to marry me.”

“Yes, I did.” She reached out to touch his cock.

His breath hissed. “Luciana.”

“Is this allowed?”

“Hell, yes.”

“Ah.” Her hand circled him. “It’s softer than I thought it would be.”

“Not for long.” He gritted his teeth as she gently squeezed.

“How do you know my name?”

“I read the letter you hid in the—” He stiffened. By the Light, she’d turned the tables on him and was now interrogating him. With a snort, he took her hand off his cock. “You’re a clever one.”

Her eyes twinkled with humor. “We’ll have very clever children.”

“True. Will you tell me more while we eat?” When she nodded, he lifted her off the table and gave her his discarded shirt to wear. While she put it on, he slipped his breeches back on.

She talked, confirming most of his suspicions, as they unloaded the basket of food. She and Lady Tatiana were indeed twins. Their mother had died after giving birth to them on a night when the moons embraced. They both shared the gift of seeing the dead.

“Where is your sister now?” he asked as he refilled their goblets with wine.

With a sigh, Luciana sat at the table. “She passed away after she was poisoned. Father was bringing her to the convent on the Isle of Moon, since he knew from his correspondence with Mother Ginessa that we had a gifted healer there.”

Leo drew a chair close to her and sat. “Didn’t your father correspond with you?”

She shook her head. “I was raised as an orphan for nineteen years. I never knew I had a father or sister until they arrived.”

“I’m sorry.” He set a piece of cold roast chicken on her plate. “It must have been lonely for you.”

“No, not at all. I was raised with four other girls who became my sisters.”

“The ones you correspond with using seals?” He bit into a slice of chicken.

Her eyes widened. “You know about that?”

He nodded as he chewed and motioned to the easy chair where she’d hidden the letter.

She sighed. “I miss them so much. We were all raised as orphans, but now I wonder if they actually have family like me.”

He drank some wine. “So you agreed to risk your life for your father when you had just met him?”

She nodded and took a bite of cheese. “He tried to talk me out of it. He’d already lost Tatiana, so he didn’t want to lose me. But how could I send him away, knowing he would be executed if he failed to follow the king’s order?”

“You’re incredibly brave.” He refilled his goblet. “I’m sorry you lost your sister before you were able to meet her.”

Luciana smiled. “Actually, we’ve become good friends. Her spirit followed me here. She’s the one who drew the arrow in the sand for you to see.”

“Lady Tatiana is one of your spies?”

“Yes. I see her often.” She ate some chicken.

He cast a wary glance around the room. “She’s not here now, is she?” When Luciana shook her head, he drank some wine in relief.

“She was here, but she left with my mother.”

He choked. “Your mother was here?”

Luciana grinned. “They disappeared before you ripped the towel off me.”

“Oh.” He cleared his throat. “Thank the Light.”

“Mother helped me escape the catacombs. And Christopher told me about the poisoned soup. Oh, that reminds me, I need to make sure Rowena isn’t harmed.”

“And who are Christopher and Rowena?” he asked.

After she explained, he promised to take care of the matter. Then she told him about her theory to explain why they could touch.

“The scorch mark in the tower is from a lightning strike?” he asked.

“Yes. And since I survived it before I was born, I believe I must be immune.”

He squeezed her hand. “It’s been years since I was able to touch anyone.”

She smiled. “I’ve told you everything. Have you decided on my punishment now?”

“Ah. How should I bring about your next climax?”

“Is that what you call it?”

“Yes, climax, orgasm, those blissful few minutes when you scream and throb and look so wild and beautiful that all I want to do is make love to you all over again.”

Her smile widened. “Well, as a dutiful wife, I will gladly encourage your endeavors.”

“As a dutiful husband, I will gladly make you scream.”

She ran her fingers through his hair. “I should warn you. Women who have been raised on the Isle of Moon are strong and independent. We consider ourselves equal to men in every way.”

His brows lifted. “Does that mean you’re planning to boss me around?”

She skimmed her hand down his neck to his bare chest. “It means I plan to do to you whatever you do to me.”

His mouth ran dry. “I can live with that.”

“How very open-minded of you.”

With a grin, he stood. “You’re a challenge. I like that.” He swooped her up in his arms. “So do you have a preference? Hand? Or mouth?”

Her cheeks blushed a pretty pink. “I like them both.”

Still grinning, he carried her to the bed. “Then you shall have both.” He dropped her on the coverlet. “The night has only begun.”

*