Lair of the Lion

could do it, even restore their lands. That would clear the way for Lucca and Francesca to be together. Carefully Isabella set the teacup on the tray, smiling as the thought of the look on her brother's face, the light in his eyes as his gaze followed Francesca. Between Isabella and Francesca, Isabella was certain that, with Nicolai's help, Lucca would find the happiness he deserved.
    Isabella dressed for court with great care, making certain that every hair was in place, that her gown was regal and becoming. There was nothing she could do to overcome her pale features or the bruise darkening one side of her face and eye. Her stomach was tied in knots, but she would not plead the vapors and hide in her room weeping. She swept through the halls to the tower room where they were holding court. Theresa's trial. She looked neither right nor left, aware of the servants crossing themselves as she passed them, of young Alberita sprinkling holy water in her direction.
    The room was filled with people, some officials she had never met, some she recognized.
    Captain Bartolmei stood stiffly to one side. Captain Drannacia was very close to his wife, Violante. Theresa stood in the center of the room, facing Don DeMarco. He was motionless, his features dark and implacable, only his eyes alive, burning with intensity, with rage.

    "Now that my betrothed, Isabella Vernaducci, has arrived, we may continue. You have brought grave charges against her, claiming she had been unfaithful to me and had lain with my trusted captain." As he spoke in a flat, expressionless voice, Nicolai's gaze burned over Isabella.
    She felt the impact like a blow, but she stood unwavering, silent, listening without protest.
    "You have admitted to us that you betrayed your people and that you stalked and attempted to kill Signorina Vernaducci. You have admitted to us that you have the DeMarco ability to become the beast, and you used your ability in your pursuit of Signorina Vernaducci. How is it that you kept this talent from your don, and from your husband?"
    Theresa took a deep breath. She was fighting for more than her marriage—she was fighting for her life. "The first time the beast overtook me was a few months after my sister returned. I was so filled with rage, I couldn't contain it. I went out into the forest and screamed. It just happened. I didn't know how. I thought it was a dream, a hazy dream. It didn't happen very often, and when it did it was always when I was enraged." Theresa glanced at Don DeMarco, looked quickly away, and allowed her gaze to stray toward her husband. She stiffened, her face crumbling when he refused to look at her. "The second time it happened was the first night Signorina Vernaducci arrived. I had gone to the castello to wait for my husband…"
    "Continue." It was a command.
    Theresa shivered at the tone. "Guido was out walking and spotted me near the stables. He said things to me. He wouldn't stop. He insisted I wanted him." Tears glittered in her eyes.
    "He ripped my gown and threw me to the ground. I was so frightened, so angry, it—it just happened. I didn't try. I didn't know until later."
    "You knew everyone thought I had killed him," Nicolai said softly, his voice a condemnation. "You said nothing. And the servant? Did you kill him, too?"
    She shook her head. "No, Rivellio's men did that. Signorina Vernaducci will tell you.
    They killed him, not I."
    "But you tried to kill Isabella." Nicolai was relentless.
    "No!" Theresa shook her head in denial. "I don't know. I think I wanted to frighten her away, but the rage grew and grew until I just wanted her gone. Then I knew I could use her to destroy Rivellio. He forced me to spy for him. He wouldn't return my sister unless I agreed to supply him with information on the valley. I would have agreed to anything to get her back."
    A single, strangled sound of horror escaped Rolando Bartolmei's throat.
    "I couldn't really tell him anything," Theresa explained hastily. "I wasn't really spying. I didn't know anything. But I wanted him dead. I had to have him dead. He should have been punished for what he did." She twisted her hands together. "I knew I could lure him to the valley. He would come for Signorina Vernaducci. He thought to trade her life for Don DeMarco's. He was certain he could use her brother to invade the valley and defeat our men. I planned to kill him."
    "Using Isabella." Nicolai's tone held accusation, threat, the promise of death.
    "She betrayed you with