by Ana Lynne
There was no answer. Even if he’d been there, it wouldn’t have set my mind at ease. The sound of dragged iron added to my terror. I curled up into a ball, fear filling my body. This could be it. Goodbye, Papa, I love you.
As the metallic sound stopped, I awaited something deadly. I expected a voice as deep and frightening as Beast’s. Instead, I got a warm French welcome. “Good evening, mademoiselle. Or should I say––good morning.” Small flames suddenly sprouted from below. I rose, looking eye level through the bars. My eyes searched for a human body to match the voice. He added, “Down here, Mademoiselle––Belle, I believe?”
I gazed down, shocked to see a talking object. “You’re a––candlestick? Let me add the word…talking…to that shocked description.”
Flames danced along his wicks. “My name is Lumière, Mademoiselle. I am the head chef here at Château de…uh––Beast. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
I wondered, Am I nuts or is this candlestick very charming? Is he real or have I been drugged? Oh well––go with it, I guess. “Where are my manners? I’m sorry for the rudeness––”
“It’s ok, Mademoiselle. It’s all a part of the French experience.”
“I’m sure you get the confusion a lot…”
“No, Mademoiselle. We don’t get many guests here. As you probably noticed, Master can be a bit of a prick. We’ll keep that last part to ourselves. Though no worries, Mademoiselle, his assholeness will grow on you in time,” he said in his thick French accent.
I actually managed to smile, something I thought impossible in such a cold, dark place. “Will your master––be mad at you for talking to me?”
“He most certainly will,” A British-accented clock slid from the darkness into light, banging into the candlestick. The two bumped each other. It just kept getting weirder.
“NOT! Now go drown yourself in the Atlantic, limey!”
“Gladly! As rude as you people are––I just might!” Turning his attention to me, Cogsworth said, “My French colleague here will be leaving you––”
“Care for a spot of tea, dear?” A talking pot slid to join them. She was also British, and had a very nice floral motif on her porcelain. “Ello, Ms. Belle––I’m Mrs. Potts. After your terrible night, a cuppa will do you well––before we take you to your room.”
“ROOM?” Cogsworth shouted in terror. “Have you lost your lid? Master will smash you to bits, along with the rest of us when he finds out the prisoner’s been moved!”
Mrs. Potts said to me, “Don’t listen to a word he said, dear. You’re no prisoner––you’re just master’s lifetime guest. The master has a heart of gold––somewhere in there. Ok, maybe more like gold plated, but gold nonetheless.”
Ignoring all warnings, Lumière flung me the keys to the cell. I paused, tossing it back.
“Would you look at that, the girl has a brain after all. Now, let’s put the key back and go,” Cogsworth implored.
Lumière scooped the keys back, flinging it into the cell again. “Are you a fan of rats?”
My resolve suddenly softened. “Mice are…somewhat cute.”
“Rats…as in––black plague spreading vermin. Big ones.”
Cogsworth chimed in, “They make wonderful companions, you can even name it––Ratatouille! See, it’s a win for everybody. You won’t regret it. I promise. Hand the keys over and we’ll leave you be.”
My stomach churned, sweaty fingers grasped the keys. Fear getting the best of me, I went for it.
“Oh dear––I can imagine him tearing my gears out…what a bleak future awaits me!” Cogsworth whined.
I slipped my hand outside the bars, put the key in, and turned it. Stepping out of the cell, I took another look at the three talking objects. Maybe this is a strange nightmare I’ll awaken from. But what if it’s not? Could it really be the town legend come true? So many rumors float through town, though no one’s ever seen this place––or the beast. They hold annual hunts––yet no one finds the castle. What does it matter if this is real or an everlasting dream?
I now belong to the beast.
Continue reading for a sneak peek of:
Booty and the Beast
(Surrender: Book 2)
Beast
“You did WHAT?” I shouted at both the talking candlestick and clock standing in front of me. I was so damn mad, my tail stuck straight up in the air.
Cogsworth chimed in, “It was Lumière, Master! Pure disobedience! Giving the prisoner a comfortable room––is a punishable offense! Melting him in the fireplace seems like a fitting punishment to me.” A sly smile crossed his round faceplate.
Lumière pleaded his own case. “Maître––technically…it was Mrs. Potts to offer her the room.”
Cogsworth added, “She was just an accessory to the crime…the candlestick was the true mastermind! Only a coward blames a lady!”
Lumière’s accent always got thicker when he was guilty. “Okay…I admit it was me. But maître––you must understand…every roaring flame starts with a spark.”
I shouted, “Speak fucking sense, you damn piece of tin!”
“I’m made of gold, if I may be so bold––” he replied.
“Well––you’ll be tin when I get done with you!” I shouted in fury.
“Very true, maître––very true. Now, to the point I was making…I offered the guest––”
I loudly corrected, “She’s a prisoner!”
“I mean, I offered the––prisoner…a comfortable room in this grand palace to woo her.”
“What the hell does woo mean? Dogs make that noise. Are you calling me a dog?”
Cogsworth was eager to add his opinion, “I believe he was offering such an insult, Master. Off to the fireplace he goes.”
Lumière continued his defense, “Never, maître! I was merely saying…you must romance the girl…in order to make true love blossom! You must make love to her heart––before you can stick it in her glove.”
I shockingly understood what the dolt was saying. My mind grew heavy with conflict. I wanna lock her in chains…make her call for me day and night…beg me to free her. Then again––I could be free of this curse. Sell her a tale of love. I'm sick of this hairy mane! “Fine.” I conceded.
“What?” Both Lumière and Cogsworth asked in shock. “You’ll really do it?”
To be continued
Releasing August 3, 2017
All books are now available in Paperback.
If you would like an autographed Paperback, please email me at: [email protected]
The Complete Frozen & Freaky Series
w/ Exclusive Bonus: Otto’s Story
Once upon a time, I was a girl, not a queen. Sadly, girls grow up to face their destiny, face hidden truths. I was cursed with the power to shoot frozen water from my finger. My kingly father was forced to tell me who I really was. In all honesty, even he didn’t know.
In my parent’s eyes, I was an afflicted daughter. In my own reflection, I saw a conflicted young woman, fear and emotions running wild. Though society cared not. They expected a queen. I knew if they ever saw my powers, I’d be deemed an evil troll. I’d be burned at the stake.
And that was just the beginning…
The Complete Booty and the Beast Series
Once upon a time, I was a man, not a beast. Turned by a vengeful enchantress’ hand, my world would never be the same. A beast on the inside, I was transformed into a foul creature to match. Only true love could save me, something I knew nothing about.
Once upon a time, I was a girl, not a prisoner. Papa named me Belle, for the beauty he saw in my eyes. I never saw it myself, preferring books to mirrors. Though, not even words of escapism could save me from the prison of a cruel creature. Locked in his dungeon, I’d never find hope, I’d never discover sexual edge, I’d never find love––or so I thought.
Twitter: @authoranalynne
You can conta
ct Ana Lynne at [email protected]
Ana Lynne writes erotic short stories featuring many topics, such as, adult fairy tales, stepbrothers, taboo fetishes and other fun and edgy subjects.
Ana’s goal is to create a package of descriptive sex and entertaining story in a quick-read experience.
All books are now available in Paperback.
If you would like an autographed Paperback, please email me at:
[email protected]