Beast in Shining Armor (A Kinda Fairy Tale)

by Cassandra Gannon

  The wizard raised his hands over his head in dramatic welcome. “Let all those courageous enough to face death step forward.”

  Lancelot shoved his way to the front. The crowd cheered for him. He heroically posed at the entrance while cameras flashed. He lifted a palm in conceited acknowledgement, soaking in the adoration.

  “I dislike your cousin almost as much as I dislike you.” Belle informed Avenant sourly. “Maybe more.” Lancelot had been on her shit list since seventh grade. More recently, he’d been trying to claim the crown ever since Avenant was arrested. Clearly the whole family was filled with dickheads.

  Avenant looked surprised. “You dislike someone more than me? I’m a little bit hurt by that.”

  Belle refused to be provoked. She watched as more competitors joined Lancelot and began filing into the labyrinth. “I don’t even recognize most of these people.” She gestured to some random guy swathed in a purple hood and cape. “If they’re not from the Northlands, how can they possibly rule the Northlands?”

  “These morons won’t be ruling anything.” Avenant helped himself to another coffee and took a leisurely sip. Apparently, he wasn’t worried about the others getting a head start. “No one takes what’s mine.”

  Belle wasn’t feeling so confident.

  There were goblins and Cheshire cats and fairies entering the maze. The cannibalistic pumpkin-headed Mr. Pumpkin-Eater. That psycho bitch Mary and her salivating attack lambs. An army of shoemaking elves loaded down with mallets. Dower, one of the wolves who’d escaped the WUB Club.

  And a lot more. Too many more.

  Pretty much everyone competing was Bad, which meant that they were twice as dangerous. Lots of dangerous people with supernatural abilities and deadly skills were all questing after the same thing. There was just no way this would end well. At least Avenant had powers. Belle didn’t have anything except what she’d learned from her research. Somehow she doubted that was going to intimidate anybody.

  She saw Bluebeard heading inside and knew a moment of genuine fear. His turquoise facial hair and his citrus colored pirate outfit made him a pretty distinctive figure. So did the fact that he wore a necklace with six gold rings hanging from it, one for each of his “missing” wives. There was a double bladed axe in his hand and he gave it a practiced twirl, like he was already anticipating the feel of it hacking through bone.

  It was going to be a bloodbath in there.

  “Give it up, Avenant.” Jack B. Nimble called out, heading for the maze. His red hair always flickered like a candle, a trait which had created quite the fashion sensation in the Four Kingdoms. …And caused a lot of stupid people to light their heads on fire. “The Northlands will never be yours. Bad folk have no right to possess lands that Good folk need. You aren’t civilized. You don’t have the capacity to rule. We have no choice but to…”

  Avenant moved his fingers and the would-be fashion model was frozen in a solid block of ice. The smug look on Jack’s face stayed visible through the blue-ish frost, his eyes open and his mouth gaping. His trademark hair winked out, leaving nothing but blackened stubble on his charcoaled skull.

  Half the crowd jumped back in panic. Teenage girls shrieked in horror at Jack’s bristly baldness. Other people gasped at the massive ice cube surrounding him. Avenant gave them all an imperious wave, mocking his cousin. Unlike with Lancelot, no one took his picture.

  Belle’s lips thinned. Jack was a bigoted idiot with bad hair, but Avenant really wasn’t helping Bad folk’s reputations by doing things like that. Or his own. The Beast of the Northlands had terrified people from childhood because he never hesitated to show his claws. “Is Jack going to thaw out?”

  Avenant cast a thoughtful glance at the position of the shrouded sun. “I guess it depends on how soon summer comes.”

  Considering summer only lasted for about six hours in this region of the kingdom, that wasn’t very reassuring. Belle made a frustrated sound. Avenant was so gifted and so incapable of using his gifts for anything positive. If he tried helping his people, instead of keeping them in line through fear and intimidation, the Northlands would be a far better place. “Why can’t you ever use your powers to do something Good?”

  “Because I’m not Good, obviously.”

  “Isn’t Scarlett’s whole message that the distinctions between Good and Bad don’t exist? That we’re all the same.”

  “Scarlett is a very nice girl.” He made it sound like a mental impairment. “Like you, she believes she can rule with friendship and hugs. My management style is a little different.”

  “Such as scaring your citizens shitless?”

  “Such as scaring my citizens shitless.” He concurred. “They should know by now to cower in silence. I don’t ask for them to be smart --God knows, most of them couldn’t figure out which side of a cow is up, in two tries-- But, they should at least be awed and obedient in my presence.”

  “And you wonder why you were overthrown.”

  “People know what they’ll unleash when they cross me.” He nodded towards the Jacksicle. “It’s not like I’m subtle about dealing with my enemies. You might be soft, but…” He trailed off in consideration. “It’s actually your fault that the runt’s been cryo-frozen, now that I think about it.”

  “My fault?”

  “You’re a bad example to the others. You make them think I’ll tolerate insubordination from peasants. If I’d dealt with you the way I should have, B. Nimble would’ve been too fearful to do anything but tremble before me. In fact, none of this rabble would be rising up to oppose my rule. They’d be too frightened.”

  Belle looked up at him. “Why didn’t you fight back when I came to arrest you?” Avenant hadn’t even tried to use his powers against her. He’d never used his powers on her, as a matter of fact. Physically, he’d never hurt her, at all. Not even when they were children and she’d hit him first.

  Avenant gave a dismissive shrug. “I think I was laughing too hard to strike out at you.”

  “No, you weren’t. I’ll bet you’ve never laughed hard at anything. It would mean you had to feel something and you’re emotionally constipated. So, what’s the real reason?”

  For months, that question had plagued her. Why wouldn’t he crush her rebels before they had a chance to take the castle? Belle could’ve taken him down. She believed that. But, not that easily. It was like Avenant had seen her and surrendered rather than lash out. Avenant would never surrender, so there had to be some ulterior motive.

  His gaze flicked down to face. “The real reason I didn’t freeze you solid for defying me?” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t use force to beat you. There’s no victory in that. Just be glad I’m not my father.”

  She still felt like she was missing something. “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning you have no idea what a beast really is.”

  “Avenant.” Scarlett Riding-Wolf came marching over with a black backpack in her hand. “Here.” She thrust the bag at his chest. “If you’re determined to go through with this idiocy, I packed you some stuff. Water, toothbrush, a flashlight… Everyone else seems to have supplies, but clearly you weren’t smart enough to bring anything silly like food on your death march.”

  “Why bother? You’ve seen my opponents.” Avenant gave an indifferent shrug. “Winning this will be embarrassingly simple. I’m not going to be gone long enough to get hungry.”

  Belle’s teeth ground together.

  Scarlett’s husband Marrok made a scoffing sound. “Good to know you’ll die just like you lived, Avenant. An arrogant dick.”

  The Big Bad Wolf was the only guy in the world who even came close to matching Avenant’s looks. Marrok was tawny Adonis of a man, with a muscular body and topaz eyes that seemed permanently fixed on his wife. As stunning as he was, that wasn’t the part that impressed Belle the most. Marrok was clearly and unabashedly head-over-heels for Scarlett. She was his True Love. The most important thing in his universe.

  Belle couldn’t imagine that kind
of devotion.

  She’d never been important to anyone.

  Avenant slung the knapsack over his shoulder. “Pray I don’t return with the sword, Wolf. If I do, I plan to stab you with it and mount your head on my castle wall.”

  “Just add some more chrome to that outfit and I’ll burn to death from the shine.”

  “Both of you stop it.” Scarlett ordered. “Avenant, pay attention. I also packed you some medicines and a flare gun and deck of cards.”

  “Oh thank God. Playing cards. I’m saved.”

  She disregarded the sarcasm. “My grandmother bet five hundred gold pieces that you’re going to win this thing, you know.”

  “Is that all? Tell her to double it.”

  “I have a vested interest in your survival, wiseass. And I was thinking about how the walls in the labyrinth move…”

  “That’s just a story told by idiots.” Avenant assured her. “This whole stupid maze was built by my grandmother’s great-great-great grandfather Adam who was, according the stories, an insane drunk. I’d be shocked if it leads to anything but a barrel of whiskey. The corridors probably dead-end fifteen yards that way.” He gestured off to the left with a dismissive flick of his wrist.

  Scarlett kept talking. “…and I think it would be a lot safer if you go in as a pair. Like when mountain climbers clip themselves together. So I had the fairies in the Enchanted Forrest whip this up for you.” She held up a bizarre gizmo shaped like a fishing reel.

  “I have no idea what that is.” Avenant didn’t sound very interested in finding out, either.

  “It doesn’t really have a name, but it works like a really big ball of string.” Scarlett moved forward to clip said string to his belt. “It unravels as you go, so, if you’re fastened to someone, you can always find your way back to them. If you use this, when one of you gets into trouble, the other person can help.” She smiled like it all made perfect sense. “I know it’s a competition, but you have to survive before you can win, right? Working together is a logical safety precaution.”

  “Who is he going to work with?” Belle demanded, shooting Avenant a frown. “You have a partner?” For some reason, that annoyed her more than anything else he’d done lately. “Who? Nobody even likes you.”

  Avenant glared back at her. “Many people adore me.”

  Marrok laughed outright at that lie.

  “You’re his partner, Belle.” Scarlett put in, as if it was obvious. “Who else?”

  Belle frowned. “Me?”

  “Of course.” Scarlett fastened the other end of the gizmo to Belle’s coat. “You two know each other, so it’s the best choice. Besides who else would look after the big dummy?”

  “Hang on.” Belle protested, uncomfortable with this idea. “I didn’t agree to work with him. He’ll break my neck and leave me for dead before the first turn.”

  “I promise to hold out until the second.” Avenant assured her. “Or at least to try.”

  “He’s just teasing.” Scarlett said. “Don’t worry. There’s plenty of lead to the string, so you can have some privacy. This is going to work out for both of you. You’ll see.”

  “Letty is a genius when it comes to planning.” Marrok agreed. “And she looks after her friends… Even when the arrogant dicks don’t deserve her help.”

  Avenant studied the thin filament connecting him to Belle and then glanced at Scarlett. “I asked you not to meddle in this.” He intoned. “I told you I could handle it.”

  “Just say thank you.”

  Avenant considered that for a beat. “Thank you.” He said quietly.

  Scarlett winked at him.

  Belle’s eyebrows soared. She’d never heard Avenant thank anyone before. Maybe he was more worried about the labyrinth than he let on. The entrance was as black and ominous as a tomb, so it only made sense that he’d be wary. Avenant wasn’t an idiot. Maybe he wanted the security of a partner, but he’d been too proud to ask for help. Belle understood that feeling. She didn’t want to go in there alone, either. Not with Bluebeard and the others on the loose. Even being tethered to Avenant seemed like a better option. No one would dare mess with him, so sticking close made sense.

  …But she still wasn’t going along with this plan.

  “I’m fine on my own.” She declared with a firm nod.

  “As am I.” Avenant watched her intently. “The only way I’d agree to this arrangement would be if you could pull your own weight. And, honestly, I don’t see that happening.”

  Belle glowered at him. “Of course I can pull my weight! In fact, I have more information than you do on what’s waiting for us in there.”

  “You think so, huh?”

  “I know so.”

  Avenant sighed. “Fine. Have it your way. We’ll join forces, but I still don’t think it’ll work.”

  “It’ll work.” Belle snapped and then realized she’d just accidently agreed to team up with him. “Hang on…”

  “But, we’re not staying together for long.” Avenant interrupted. “Just until we get rid of the others. Then, it will be you and me at the end, and we’ll finally finish this game.”

  Belle swept her hair behind her ears, considering that proposal. He had a point, damn it. Their final showdown should be one-on-one. They both knew that. “Temporarily teaming up doesn’t seem the worst idea in the world.” She allowed. “I guess we can try it. Temporarily.”

  The grudging agreement had Avenant’s mouth curving. “Temporarily.” He murmured.

  Belle’s eyes narrowed, not liking his tone.

  “Can I talk to you for a sec, Belle?” Scarlett didn’t wait for an answer. She just tugged Belle away from Avenant, the string unraveling for a dozen or so feet. “We don’t really know each other yet, but we have a lot in common.”

  “We do?”

  “Sure. We both know Avenant is a pain in the ass.”

  “Letty…” Avenant began.

  “Oh, you know it’s true.” Scarlett made a face at Belle. “He’s narcissistic and stuck-up and grouchy. I don’t really recall him ever being pleasant to anyone. I’m never sure what he’s thinking, because he doesn’t share his actual feelings. It’s all insults and snarking. He’s no one’s idea of a knight in shining armor. He’s more like….”

  “A beast.” Marrok finished helpfully.

  Scarlett nodded. “A beast.”

  “I know.” Belle agreed. None of that was news to her, although it did annoy her a bit to hear other people saying it.

  “Oh for God’s sake.” Avenant drew out in long suffering tone. He didn’t look insulted, just bored. Belle had no idea why she’d worried about hurting his feelings earlier. It was impossible to hurt the feelings of someone who had none. “Can we just go already?”

  Scarlett ignored him and leaned closer to Belle. “There’s a reason for him being a beast, though.” She said quietly, so Avenant couldn’t hear. “All his life, Avenant has been told that he’s Bad. That he’s evil and monstrous and that no one will ever love him. That kind of label is like being stuck in a small, lonely cage. He’s trapped and he needs someone to set him free.”

  Belle’s eyebrows drew together. “Well, that someone isn’t me.” She whispered back. “I’m his least favorite person in the whole world. He gets irritated just looking at me.”

  Scarlett shook her head. “That’s not what I see. Give him a chance. I’m pretty sure that if you’re nice to the beast, you will own the man. And there are worse fates in this world than owning a handsome prince with magical powers who thinks you’re awesome.”

  Belle stared at her, not knowing what to say.

  “Great! I’m glad we had this talk.” Scarlett paused. “By the way, if you don’t take super-good care of him, I’m going to send large men to kill you.” She nodded liked it was all settled and turned back to Avenant who was frowning suspiciously. “Alright, on with the contest of valor!” She clapped him on the shoulder. “FYI, I met a guy who met a gnome who used to date one of the monsters in the
labyrinth.”

  “Real monsters don’t ‘date.’”

  “Real monsters do whatever they want.” Scarlett assured him. “Stay focused. Now, the monsters in the maze are mostly minotaurs. I’m not real clear on the details of them, because they’re rare as hell. But I know they’re hard to kill.”

  “Are they hard to freeze? Because that’s really all that matters to me.”

  “I have no idea, but I have it on good authority that they like music.” She gestured to the black bag. “Don’t worry. I packed you a flute.”

  “I don’t play the flute.”

  “I know. That’s why I got you some help.”

  Chapter Three

  Even as a child, he was rotten to the core.

  Testimony of Mrs. Poppins, Royal Nanny- The People of the Northlands v. Prince Avenant

  Twenty-One Years Ago

  Avenant slammed into the library. “Spell ‘inevitable.’” He ordered, enraged by what she’d done. “Come on. I dare you.”

  Belle glanced up from her book, her gaze defiant and wary. She was curled up on the window seat, her small body cuddled under a plaid blanket. Her smooth hair was twisted into two pigtails and tied off with yellow ribbons. Belle always wore yellow. The color was bright and warm, just like her. She always reminded Avenant of the short days of summer that turned the frigid Northlands green.

  He couldn’t let her prettiness distract him.

  “What are you doing here?” Belle demanded, as if she was surprised to see him in her house. As if she had no idea what he was so angry about. As if the fourth grade spelling bee championship meant nothing at all.

  “Spell ‘inevitable.’” He ground out again.

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  She sighed like he was the one being annoying. “Fine. I-N-E-V-A…”

  “Bullshit!” Avenant interrupted. “That is bullshit, Belle.” He had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes widen in shock at the swearing.

  She looked towards the door, making sure no adults overheard. “Avenant…”