How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days

by Kerrelyn Sparks

  What name would that be? “Tell me, Ana, how do you know the captain is dead?”

  A touch of panic glimmered in her eyes before she shuttered her expression. “I told you. I have spies.”

  “So do I. But I have yet to hear about the captain’s death.”

  She plucked a grape off the tray. “I guess my spies are better than yours.”

  “Apparently so.” Now it was his turn to watch her carefully. “Are your spies, by any chance, dead?”

  She flinched, and the grape popped out of her hand. “Oh!” She reached for the grape as it fell, catching it just as it landed on his lap.

  He hissed in a breath as his groin reacted.

  “Oh!” With a gasp, she jerked her hand away, and the grape went flying. “I’m sorry!”

  He grabbed her forearm, his gloved hand encircling her sleeve. “You gasped. Were you in pain?”

  “No, I…”

  “It didn’t hurt you?” When she shook her head no, he slapped her hand against his cock once more and held it there. “That doesn’t hurt you?”

  She gasped again, her eyes wide. “What are you doing?”

  “Do you feel a shock?”

  “Of course!” Her cheeks flamed with heat as her gaze shifted downward with a look of horror. “There’s something hard in your breeches, and I think it’s moving!”

  “Not that! Are you feeling a shock from lightning?”

  She shook her head. “Am I supposed to?”

  Only one layer of insulation, and she was all right.

  A knock sounded, then the door cracked open. Leo released her, and they jumped apart so fast their chairs fell over.

  “My lord?” Jensen’s eyes widened, and he quickly looked away as Leo righted his chair. “The funeral has begun, and His Grace has requested your presence.”

  “Of course.” Leo bowed his head to Luciana. “I will see you later at the funeral feast.”

  She nodded, her gaze riveted to the floor.

  He softened his voice. “Will you be all right?” When she nodded again without looking at him, he groaned inwardly. He may not have shocked her physically, but he’d certainly given her an emotional shock. “Lock and bolt the door behind me.” He strode from the room.

  After shutting the door, he waited to hear the click of the lock and slide of the bolt. “Jensen.” He motioned the guard to join him by the stairwell. “I’ve posted nine more guards below. If the assassin believes all of our attention is focused on the funeral and the duke, he might decide to strike here instead.”

  “I understand, my lord.”

  Leo gave him an encouraging look. “I’m counting on you.”

  Ten guards had to be enough, Leo thought as he hurried down the stairs. Four of his own personal guard were one floor down, and the remaining five from Vindalyn were on the ground floor. Three of the guards had horns they would blow at the first sign of trouble. With his lightning speed, Leo could return before the assassin managed to get through ten soldiers and a heavy, bolted door.

  His Tatiana would be safe. Or was she simply Ana? He hated to think he was being fooled, but he had to admit she might not be Tatiana. The way she’d reacted to his cock made her seem far too innocent to have been involved with Captain Bougaire. And it looked like the captain had been killed to keep him from telling the truth.

  At the bottom of the stairs, the five guards bowed as he passed by.

  He hesitated at the tower entrance. “How long have you been here at Vindemar?”

  The answers were all different, varying from eight years to thirty-five.

  “Then you have all known Lady Tatiana for a long time.” When they agreed, Leo continued, “Has she changed at all recently?”

  “Ah, you must have heard the rumors.” The oldest guard waved a dismissive hand. “Pay them no heed, my lord.”

  “What rumors?” Leo asked.

  The men exchanged glances, then the oldest explained, “She has been acting a bit kinder of late. Not that she was ever unkind,” he added quickly.

  “But she looks exactly the same?” Leo asked.

  “Of course, my lord,” the oldest guard replied.

  “I think she’s a bit thinner,” the youngest one mumbled.

  “She almost died.” The oldest one gave him an annoyed look. “Would you expect her to be fatter?”

  “I’m counting on you all to keep her safe,” Leo reminded them, then strode from the tower.

  On the way to the drawbridge, he thought over the problem. If Ana was an imposter, then there were two options. The first: The whole castle was in on the hoax. This he seriously doubted. The second option: Only Ana and the duke knew. But in order to fool everyone in the castle, Ana had to look, talk, and act just like the real Tatiana.

  How was that possible? And what had happened to the real Tatiana?

  Was Ana like Brody, but instead of shifting into animals, she could take the form of another human? Leo shook his head. He’d never heard of anyone with that kind of power.

  It was more likely that she was related to Tatiana. A sister, perhaps, who looked just like her.

  Leo stopped with a jerk.

  A twin.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “Enough,” Luciana muttered as Tatiana continued to giggle.

  “Oh, there’s something hard in your breeches!” Tatiana repeated for the fifth time in a high, squeaky voice.

  “I didn’t sound like that,” Luciana grumbled as she poured herself more wine.

  “Ack! It’s moving!” Tatiana struck a dramatic pose, the back of her hand against her brow. “What will become of me? How will I survive your enormous lightning rod?”

  Luciana flinched, afraid that her sister’s jest might be too close to the truth. She gulped down some wine. Whatever she’d felt in his breeches had seemed rather rod-like. And rather large. She finished the cup. “You shouldn’t have eavesdropped on a private conversation.”

  “Private, all right. His privates. I can’t believe he pressed your hand against him like that.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Tatiana gave her a knowing grin. “So you made him hard, huh?”

  Made him? “Are you saying I was somehow responsible for his condition?”

  Tatiana’s grin turned into a grimace. “By the Light, are you truly that ignorant?”

  Luciana bristled. “I am quite well educated. I speak and write all four mainland languages—”

  “Whatever.” Tatiana waved a dismissive hand. “Thank the Light you have me around to explain things. I am a bit of an expert, you know.”

  Luciana shifted her weight. “Is it normal for a man to be hard?”

  “Only when he wants to bed you.”

  Luciana blushed as a series of images flashed through her mind. Leo touching her, kissing her. And whatever else a man did with a woman. She wasn’t quite sure of the details, but apparently it had something to do with the hardness of his male private parts.

  Tatiana snorted. “You liked touching him, didn’t you? And that thing you did with the bread—”

  “How could I enjoy any of it with you constantly screeching that he was going to fry me like a pork chop?”

  Tatiana huffed. “The thanks I get for looking out for you.” Her expression grew sympathetic. “You know you can’t actually bed the man, right? Even a kiss would probably kill you.”

  A pang struck deep in Luciana’s chest. “I know.”

  “You actually like him, don’t you?”

  Luciana nodded. “Is it wrong to fall for him so quickly? I’ve known him only five days.”

  Tatiana shrugged. “I fell for Alberto even faster than that.” She sighed. “I guess we’re both unlucky in love. At least you have me. You wouldn’t have known how to answer his funeral question if I hadn’t helped you.”

  “Thank you for that. And I did what you asked,” Luciana reminded her sister. “You heard Leo’s answer. He didn’t kill your captain—”

  “You believe
the Beast?”

  “Yes, I do.” When her sister scoffed, Luciana continued, “Now it’s your turn to do as I ask. Go to the funeral for the jailers, see if you can find their ghosts, then ask them who killed them.”

  Tatiana rolled her eyes. “Fine. You just stay here and enjoy some real food while I do all the work.”

  “Exactly.” Luciana smiled as she picked up another grape.

  “Oh, there’s something hard in your breeches!” Tatiana squeaked once more.

  Luciana threw the grape at her, and with one last giggle Tatiana vanished.

  Sighing, Luciana retrieved the fallen grape and set it back on the table. Her gaze lingered on the piece of bread that she’d shared with Leo. It was as close as she’d ever gotten to an actual kiss from him.

  She ran her fingers over the three pebbles, pausing on the one decorated with the number two. This means the two will become one, he’d said.

  How could she become one with Leo? Tears stung her eyes. She did want him to touch her. She wanted a real husband and a home with him. She wanted to feel safe enough that she could invite her sisters to come see her and her children. But how could she ever have a baby if Leo couldn’t touch her? How could she ever lie in his arms and kiss him? Would she have to wait for a drought? What if one never came?

  Would she have to live the rest of her life like the ghosts of her mother and sister, existing but not able to experience the real joys of life? Waking in the arms of the man she loved. Holding his babies against her breast. Celebrating life’s milestones surrounded by those she loved.

  How could she even tell him she was in love with him? It would only cause him more torment since he couldn’t touch her. And if he tried to touch her and accidentally hurt her, he would blame himself and suffer for it. How could she do that to him?

  With a sigh, she realized it was best to keep her distance and not tell him she loved him. It would be one more secret that she had to keep.

  Are your spies, by any chance, dead?

  She shivered. He was far too clever. She would have to be very careful from now on and guard her secrets closely.

  The smell of smoke crept through the open windows of the tower. The funeral had begun. She sent a prayer to Luna and Lessa that the goddesses look over the bereaved families and keep her father safe.

  A while later, Tatiana appeared.

  “Did you find the jailers?” Luciana asked.

  Tatiana shook her head. “They’ve already moved on to the Realm of the Heavens.”

  Luciana’s shoulders drooped as she sat in a chair at the table. “I thought they would stay with their families for a while.”

  Tatiana shrugged. “Most people do move on right away. The only ghosts I know here, besides me, are Mama and Christopher. Mama stayed behind to be with Papa and me. And Christopher doesn’t want to leave his mother.”

  “Did you see him?”

  Tatiana nodded. “He was so surprised to see me. And really sad that I’d died. But now he seems happy to have more company.”

  “He told me there were more ghosts in the catacombs.”

  Tatiana shuddered. “I’m never going there. Mama warned me not to. Christopher told me the ghosts there are mean and vicious. They were bad people when they were alive, and now they refuse to move on to the Realm of the Heavens for fear they’ll be punished.”

  Luciana grimaced. Growing up, her worst fear had always been the possibility of being trapped with evil ghosts. “It sounds like a horrible place.”

  Tatiana nodded. “There were four bodies at the funeral. The first two assassins were burned, too. I didn’t see their ghosts. I thought maybe they had moved on, but Christopher thinks they went to the catacombs.”

  A shiver ran down Luciana’s back. She couldn’t ask her sister or Christopher to venture into such a horrid place. “Then we have no way of figuring out who the last assassin is. We’ll have to rely on Leo to catch him.”

  * * *

  “Why don’t we just lock the damned priest up in the dungeon?” Nevis asked as he and Leo crossed the drawbridge, headed for the keep and the funeral feast.

  “We have no proof he’s an assassin,” Leo replied. “And if the news gets out that we’ve imprisoned one of the king’s precious priests, he could label us heretics.”

  Nevis grimaced. “I’d rather not be burned at the stake.”

  “Exactly.” Leo sighed. “Uncle Fred is always looking for a reason to be rid of me. I’d rather not give him one.”

  “He’s a royal pain in the ass,” Nevis grumbled. “No offense.”

  “None taken. Besides, we can’t actually be sure Father Rune is the assassin. We were wrong about the first one, Willem. But then we were right about the second one. Dax was a new guard just like we suspected.”

  “I heard it was awesome how you chased him down.” Nevis made a sour face. “All the excitement happened while I was gone.”

  “You had some excitement, too, when you rescued Willem’s family.”

  Nevis scoffed. “Not really. We dressed up like a gang of thieves and planned an elaborate attack, but the king’s men took one look at us and ran away. We spent most of our time bringing Willem’s family here, because the children wanted to stop every five minutes to take a piss. And the baby kept crying. I’d rather fight a horde of elves than endure that again.”

  “You’ll probably get your wish.”

  “Felt a bit sorry for the widow, though,” Nevis mumbled. “She came all this way just to find out her husband had been murdered.”

  “The duke said he’d take care of the widow and children,” Leo said as they passed through the north gate into the courtyard.

  “That’s good.” Nevis motioned toward the gallows at the south side of the courtyard. “So they finished building it. Hopefully, we’ll be hanging that damned priest soon.”

  “If he’s truly the assassin.” Leo smiled to himself as he recalled how Ana had stood on the platform, yelling at everyone that he wasn’t a Beast. Now whenever he saw the gallows, he would no longer think of death. Because of Ana, he would think of courage and loyalty. And desire. By the Light, he wanted her something fierce.

  Beside him, Nevis asked, “Where the hell is Brody? He could verify if the priest is guilty.”

  Leo winced. “He’s not here.”

  “Where did he go?”

  “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 breast
s 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.