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.