Read Online Beast: Great Bloodlines Converge by Kathryn Le Veque - Free Book Online Page B

with removing her from the room and had little patience for her imperious demands. He was nearly to the entry of the great, fragrant hall, the portal that would take him to the corridor beyond where Bastian was waiting, but he lost his grip on his sister and she would have fallen on her head had he not caught her in time. As he righted her onto her feet, she slapped at his hands.
    “Stop,” she barked at him as he tried to steady her. Off balance, she teetered away from him, fearful he was going to grab her again. “Are you mad? Why did you do that?”
    Gannon took a good look at his baby sister, whom he had not seen in nearly two years. The last time he had seen her, she had been a little plump but very pretty, a girl growing into womanhood. Now, as he got a good look at her, he could hardly believe the vision before him. She had black hair and their father’s bright blue eyes, and skin of pale pink porcelain. She had also slimmed down, losing her baby fat, but she was still quite full in the bust line and buttocks with a very tiny waist in between. The long tunic and silken hose she was wearing as part of her costume did nothing to dampen that figure.
    Feeling very odd with the realization that his fat little sister had grown into an utterly magnificent woman, Gannon eyed her suspiciously.
    “Does Father know what you do here?” he fired back. “Hanging from the gallery, dressed inappropriately? It is shameful, Gigi.”
    Gisella looked down at what she was wearing. “It is a costume,” she told him. “I am an angel.”
    “An angel that can’t wear any more clothing than that?”
    Gisella didn’t quite see his issue. “I am completely covered,” she said. “I would not go to a party in this garb, but for a performance, it is quite acceptable.”
    Gannon scowled. “Then Father does not know what you do here.”
    It was a statement and, more importantly, an implied threat. Gisella was a rather stubborn and independent creature, but she was also very sharp and, at times, manipulative. She had learned how to make men do her bidding, subtle skills that the duchess had imparted to her. The Duchess of Gloucester had taught her a great deal since she had joined the woman’s retinue two years before. Since Gisella didn’t want her father to interfere with her life at court, a life she liked very much, she smiled sweetly at her brother and flashed her big dimples.
    “I have not seen you in almost two years,” she said. “Is this truly how you wish for our reunion to be? I would much rather hug my brother than fight with him.”
    Gannon was caught off-guard by the smile and soft words, which had the desired effect. He began to back down. “I do not wish to fight with you,” he said. “But… that dress , Gigi. Truly, Father will have fits if he finds out.”
    Gisella went over to her brother and wrapped her hands around his big, armored arm. “It is good to see you, too,” she said, hanging on his arm like she used to do when she was younger. “Lady Gloucester told me you were on your way home. I have missed you. Have you been well?”
    Gannon knew she was trying to divert his attention and he let her. Truth be told, her state of dress and her actions in the court of Lady Gloucester weren’t particularly his concern. They were, however, Bastian’s concern now. Gannon almost grinned to think that his headstrong, lovely sister would now be his liege’s problem. Still, his earlier thought of introducing her to a loveless, apathetic husband was still heavy on his mind, a husband who would not be very happy with Gisella’s state of dress. For that reason, Gannon eased up on her because he knew that Bastian would not.
    “Well enough,” he finally said, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. “I wanted to see you as soon as I returned. I am pleased to see that you are healthy and happy here, even if you are hanging half-dressed from the ceiling.”
    Gisella giggled and patted his arm soothingly. “It is