Beasts and Beauties

by Lora Darc

  Everything in her father’s journal had said otherwise. And she had read through the part about Wintercrest several times. About the beast who stalked its halls, the enchantment that kept it hidden by all save for those who had a map (which she did) and knew where to look, and about the Nightbloom roses that grew somewhere on the premises—and nowhere else—and had powerful magical properties that could be of great use in her father’s work.

  If she could find the roses and pick one to give to her father, she could finally show she was worthy to work by his side as his apprentice.

  But first, she had to get inside the castle, find them, and avoid the beast at all costs.

  Because she wasn’t going to assume he decided to leave his only home for greener pastures. The castle looked empty but Belle knew there was no way it really was.

  Belle shifted in her crouched position, small beads of sweat perspiring on the corners of her forehead. A light breeze picked up causing the gate to creak and a low moan to pick up as it blew through the courtyard. A howl rose in the distance followed closely by several others.

  Belle liked to think she was unafraid, but her shaking hands said otherwise.

  She had walked the length of the property several times, trying to find a possible hole in the walls or a vine to use to scale over, but to her surprise, the perimeter was well kept, free of cracks or holes despite the more weathered bits found inside. When Belle came to the front, she knew it would be her only way in.

  Okay, no more sitting around. The garden can’t be far in. Just get in and get out, quickly. Then race back home.

  Belle stood up on shaky legs and started for the creaking gate. She watched the castle closely as she neared, stepping carefully down the hill to the path that ended at the gate. She hesitated for but a moment then opened the gate just enough to slip past. She hurried into the courtyard until she climbed the crumbling steps up to the door. Belle pulled on the handle and, to her relief, the door was unlocked. Inside was black but, before Belle lost her courage, she crept in and let the door shut soundly behind her leaving her in darkness.

  Belle stood for a moment trying to adjust to the dark when light suddenly lit up the room as candles flickered into life by no one’s doing. Belle jumped then gaped at the surrounding room. A large main hall with a beautiful double stairway led to the second floor. Doorways to the side and revealed darkened hallways while one door stood closed between the stairs.

  When Belle walked carefully into the middle of the hall she saw on the door opposite a small circular window and stained into it was a deep red rose. She peered around once more and heard nothing nor saw a shadow stir. Her eyes shot back to the door and she quickly made for it, wrenching the door open. The light breeze blew passed but the candles barely flickered. Belle looked out and saw in the middle of the manor, a small open garden with a little path running through it. Surrounding the garden was the rest of the castle with its first floor set back behind large pillars that were keeping up the second.

  As Belle stepped down a small set of stairs into the garden, several lanterns nearby alighted. By their light and the light of the moon, Belle saw sparkling like rubies, the Nightbloom roses, fresh with dew, clinging around a twist of thorny vines.

  Belle took in a quick breath then searched around wildly. She drew out a soft leather bag from under her cloak and slowly stepped over to the rose bushes at the center of the garden. They were lush and ripe for the picking, their petals soft as velvet. Distracted by their beauty, Belle leaned close and smell their fresh, lovely scent. She didn’t see the shadow move across from one pillar to the next behind her nor noticed a few lanterns fade out as she raised her hand to one particular rose and began to snap its stem. She plucked the rose from its tangled home and observed it closely, turning it in her fingers.

  “Ow!” Belle hissed and the flower dropped to the ground. She looked at her finger and saw a bead of blood forming on the tip. Belle saw the thorns on the roses and frowned.

  Will have to be careful it doesn’t poke holes into my pouch, she thought as she went to bend down and retrieve the flower.

  A growl sounded behind her.

  Belle froze just as her fingers clamped around the rose. Her heart leaped in her chest. She dared not move, telling herself maybe it was the wind. Then another growl sounded much closer behind her and Belle shot up and swerved around. Then she screamed.

  The first thing she saw was a pair of eyes. Large, golden—like a giant wolf—surrounded by a massive shadow. It moved closer and Belle nearly fell back into the rosebush. She whimpered softly then shifted to the side as the shadow and golden eyes came beside her. Rose still clamped in her hand, Belle stumbled back toward the garden door, back into the light of the lanterns that were still lit.

  The shadow stopped just before the light. “You dare steal from me, girl?” came a low, feral voice.

  Belle trembled before it. “I’m—I’m sorry.” The words barely slipped from her, her body turning cold, her throat tightening. She backed against the stairs and nearly tripped. The shadow shifted.

  “Sorry?” It grumbled. “Not sorry enough.” The shadow took a step toward the light and revealed what Belle had feared. A great beast. Not entirely what she imagined but still terrifying nonetheless. A massive creature with a scrunched nose, sharp claws and teeth, thick, reddish hair and a set of twisted horns on its head. It stood on two legs like a man, but its legs bent and its feet arched in an inhuman way. If she wasn’t so terrified, Belle might have been shocked to see it wearing men’s clothes, shabby but once possibly belonging to some noblemen.

  The beast sneered at her. It bared its teeth and drew closer. To scared to move, knowing if she tried to bolt it would catch her, Belle stood motionless as it came to stand beside her. Its great wolf-ish eyes narrowed, studying her, then they shifted down her body, stopping at the hand that held the rose.

  Belle couldn’t take her eyes from it—or him rather, as it was certainly a male—and was too slow to react when the beast took hold of her wrist and brought her hand up to eye level. Belle yelped and flinched in his powerful grasp, causing the rose to fall from her fingers. The beast did not release her, however. Instead, he glared at her hand where the bead of blood had now trickled down her finger.

  “You shall pay the price for stealing from me, thief,” the beast hissed, his eyes never leaving her hand. Belle shook in his grasp. Oh, god, what will he do?. She could think of many things, but the idea that sparked in her mind the most was that he was going to eat her. She saw the cruel curve of his fangs and imagine them ripping into her soft flesh, of his tongue lapping at her blood. Belle shook even more, her legs nearly buckling.

  When the beast brought her hand up to his mouth, Belle stifled a scream. Then she gasped as he drew her blood-tipped finger to his lips and licked the blood away.

  “Oh, god, please don’t eat me,” Belle said in a whimpering voice.

  The beast licked his lips and seemed to smile, exposing his sharp teeth. “No,” He laughed low, “Though you are sweet to taste. Perhaps even sweeter in other ways…” He drew her closer, his smile fading. “But I mean to punish you somehow. For now, you’ll be my prisoner.”

  Belle opened her mouth to say... something, anything, when the beast waved his hand over her eyes and everything turned to darkness.

  ***

  When Belle woke up she was lying on a large, soft bed in a red room decorated with a golden chipped ceiling and dark wooden furniture, warmed by the light of candles and a small fire in the hearth. When she sat up, she felt a slip of silk across her legs and when she peered down her face and neck turned hot. She leaped from the bed over to a nearby mirror and looked at the scandalous red dress she was now wearing, exposing her back and the top swells of her breasts.

  She wondered where she was for a moment. Then remembered she was in Wintercrest, the Beast’s castle. And that he had made her his captive for stealing a rose. Belle shot over to the narrow window on the other side of the room and
tried to pry it open but it was no use. She went over to the door to try it when a shadow fell over the wall like tendrils of vines or long hands. Belle froze as she watched it, following its movement down to a table nearby where a slip of paper lay on top. Belle went over and took it up, frowning as she read.

  Follow the shadow to the dining room.

  Belle looked up at the shadow on the wall and saw it move toward the door. When it reached for the handle, the door opened as if on its own. Belle’s grip tightened on the paper, nearly crumbling it. She dropped the paper on the ground then cautiously followed the shadow out into the hall.

  As she followed, Belle made a point to try every door on the way. Even as they passed the main hall, Belle slipped over to the entrance to try to sneak out but it was locked. Every time she tried a door the shadow would pause and wait for her until she finally gave up and continued to follow it down the length of the castle. When they reached a set of doors, the shadow moved across it and they each opened to reveal a spectacular dining room with a high ceiling and high windows to one side with the moonlight casting through, hitting the marbled floors, washing the room in a swirl of blue and gold. Soft candlelight flickered around the long table in the center where, at the very end, the beast sat waiting for her.

  The shadow slipped along the floor over to the table and a chair next to the beast moved out for her.

  “Sit,” said the beast, his eyes flickering over her. Belle hesitated, then made her way over to sit as commanded.

  The beast took up a goblet of wine and sipped at it leisurely, his eyes never straying from her. Belle feared to look at him. Each time her eyes caught his she looked away and blushed.

  “So, little thief,” the beast began, setting his cup down, “why were you stealing one of my roses?”

  Belle blushed even more. “I wanted to give it to my father,” she said softly. “I wanted to prove to him I could learn magic and be his apprentice. He is the town mage and the rose would help in his work.”

  The beast brushed a thumb along his lips. “I see…” His eyes narrowed and fell to her lips then to her throat. Belle shivered. “And he did not warn you of me?”

  Belle looked away. “No, but I knew of you. In his journal he told of the beast that lived in the castle.” When Belle looked up at him, she flinched. “I’m sorry that is what they call…”

  “Me. Yes, I know.” The beast smiled. “It is true after all.” Suddenly the beast reached over and traced his fingers along Belle’s throat. Belle flinched and tensed.

  “Now that you’ve given me your reason, what should I do with you hmm?” He trailed his thumb down her neck. “I usually deal with all thieves the same,” he pressed his nails lightly into her skin and Belle lifted her head, barely daring to breathe, “you are not the first to steal one of my roses. Though you are the first woman ever to try…” He trailed his fingers down to trace along her collarbone. “I do not wish to rip your throat out like I did the others. So tell me, what should I do?”

  Belle pursed and licked her lips. She thought for a moment, trying desperately to think of an answer. Just asking for forgiveness wouldn’t work, he had made it clear he would punish her. But perhaps she could lessen the blow.

  “I could... I could serve you,” Belle said uncertainly.

  The beast arched a brow. “Oh? I have quite enough help around here already.”

  Belle looked around and saw wisps of shadows moving along the walls. She looked back at him and shook her head.

  “Nothing? Pity. You can remain here then for as long as it pleases me.”

  Pleases him.

  A dark thought hovered over Belle’s mind. He was a beast. But he was also partly a man. His needs may be the same.

  Belle cowered from the idea at first. But, as she gazed at him, she studied his massive, predatory body. His thickly muscular form easy to notice in his tight clothes clearly meant for a man. He was terrifying, yes, but there was something about him... the way he moved, looked on her, even how he sat, was darkly sensual.

  The beast’s eyes narrowed on her and Belle felt her body beginning to warm. He looked on her hungrily, his eyes seeming to see beyond the dress. It dawned on her that he was thinking something near to her own thoughts.

  “Or until you please me…” he said in a near whisper. His hand paused against her collarbone, almost falling down to the swell of her breast. His eyes brightened at the prospect then instantly darkened. “Such an idea must surely disgust you. I was just a man once with a man’s needs and wants... But, as a beast, such things only burn hotter. Are more wicked. And you are so innocent, aren’t you? So pure and small against my savage want.” His hand returned to her throat, cupping it lightly under her jaw, bringing her closer. Belle lifted her head, breathing slowly.

  “I have been alone here for a long time. And you are undeniably beautiful.” The beast drew his mouth close to hers, lips nearly touching. “Would you give yourself to me, little thief?”

  Belle kept silent. She had a sudden great urge to connect the distance between them. To let him kiss her.

  “If it would please you,” Belle heard herself say. Even she couldn’t believe she had said it at first. But an undeniable heat had begun to seep its way through the center of her body, making its way down between her thighs. A curious ache began to build along with it, throbbing at her center. She couldn’t explain why. Only that something in the beast’s feral yet sensual way drew her toward him even when she knew she should only fear him.

  The beast’s eyes widened at her words and he turned speechless, likely in disbelief that she was willing to act on such a request.

  “If it would please me…” He repeated softly. Then his expression darkened even more. His hand fell down to lay between her breasts and Belle heard a low growl rumble in his throat. “What is your name?” he asked against her lips.

  Belle closed her eyes as she felt his lips brush against hers. She whispered her name to him and she thought she felt him smile.

  “Belle,” he repeated. “Truly fitting.” His tongue flicked against her lips. “I’m going to take you, Belle, as it would please me greatly. Know that a beast’s hunger isn’t easily sated.” His hand fell from her chest and, before she could think to move, he drew up the bottom of her dress and slid his hand up her thigh. He crushed his lips to hers and Belle, without a struggle, opened for him, allowing him to pull and bite, a fire growing hotter in her belly, heat coiling around her center.

  His hand on her thigh moved upward until it reached to the core of her pleasure between her legs. She had no undergarments to protect her from his languid fingers as they brushed against her warm and wet center. Belle flinched a little and the beast drew his lips away from hers to peer at her curiously and see her blushing brightly.

  “You have never been touched,” he said as a statement, not a question. “This is your first time with a…”

  Belle wasn’t sure if he was going to say with a man or a beast but, in the end, it didn’t matter. His eyes brightened and, for a brief instant, she thought she caught him shiver.

  The beast brought his face again close to hers, his lips now close to her ear. “I will see you feel such pleasure that it makes you scream.” He bit her ear and Belle gasped. He laughed in a rich, dark tone, then trailed his tongue along her neck, nipping her shoulder. “But you needn’t be afraid.”

  Oddly, Belle calmed at his words, actually believing them. He wasn’t going to eat her. But she was still tense, wondering what he meant to do to make her scream. Ideas formed in her mind and she trembled, but the heat in her only grew worse, especially when his fingers began to move once more along and around her wet clit.

  “Oh,” Belle breathed. The sensations were intense yet lovely and she found herself opening more for him. She felt little shocks of spams lick her where his fingers swirled slow around her core and her center clenching ever so slightly with the throb of some curious ache only growing more painful.

  Belle let out a soft littl
e moan and once again blushed, a bit embarrassed that her body was responding so fully to him, and that she didn’t want him to stop. The beast watched her reactions almost expressionless except for the sharp hunger growing in his eyes. Belle flushed, her hands clamped tight to the sides of her chair, sweat beginning to glisten between her breast.

  “Oh,” she moaned louder and suddenly her body was clenching tighter and the heat felt ready to burst from her. Belle’s eyes widened, looking down in shock, and the beast, seeing her reaction, lifted her dress to her waist so he could see her naked lower half and watch as she came to his hand. Belle too watched his slick fingers rubbing along her swelling core and it was enough to make the furious heat spill from her and the agonizing ache shatter her completely.

  Belle gasped then let out a loud moaning cry as she came and came, feeling the beast slipped his fingers into her so that he could feel her tighten around him.

  “Yes, how beautiful you are when deep in your pleasure. Even with just my touch,” the beast purred. His fingers slid in and out of her and Belle cried softly, her face twisted in agony as her orgasm still swept through her body. When it began to fade back into a painful ache, the beast slipped his fingers out from her and brought them to his mouth, licking away her wet heat. His face darkened and Belle saw him shudder. “So sweet,” he said. “I think I may eat you after all.”

  Though the heat still lingered, Belle nearly turned cold at his words. She whimpered softly but dared not even flinch as he took hold of her arm and pulled her out of her chair. Quickly he swept the plates and cups from the table, letting them clang and clatter to the floor, and sat her on the edge of the table. He kept her skirt up bunched around her waist, then, with a single hand, he took hold of the edge of her top and ripped it down until her breasts were completely exposed.