“I imagine a lot of things about you.” He took the apple from her hands and bit deeper into the same spot she had. “You never think about me?”
“I try not to.”
“Not even about that time in the courthouse?”
Belle stared at him.
Avenant smirked and passed the apple back to her. He leaned forward to see what else was stuffed into his bag. “Do you want to play cards while we eat?”
“What?” She gave her head a shake. “Cards? You want to play cards?”
“Yeah.” He held up the deck Scarlett had packed. “Strip poker can be a lot of fun.” He gave the pack an enticing waggle.
“I’m not playing strip poker with you, Avenant.”
“We can play for something else, then.”
Her eyes narrowed. The woman loved competition. “Money?”
“What money?” He scoffed. “You don’t have any money. I’d win just by sitting here.”
“Fine. We’ll play for the joy of beating each other, then.” She scowled at him. “And maybe right now I’m broke, but when I’m the one and only princess of the Northlands I will have lots of money. The coffers are filled again, thanks to my management.”
Avenant peeled the cellophane off the cards and shuffled them. “The one and only princess of the Northlands will have whatever she wants.” He agreed quietly. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Belle was quiet for a long moment. “Are you planning to get married?” She finally asked. “Like to someone in particular?”
He shrugged. “Aren’t most marriages to someone in particular?”
Belle apparently took that as confirmation. “Who is she?” She demanded.
“I’m not going to tell you about my love life. You’ll just try to ruin it for me.” He began dealing the cards between them.
“No, I wouldn’t!” She sounded insulted. “I never bothered your girlfriends. You were always the one who did stuff like that…” She stopped short, her eyes slashing over to his.
Avenant raised a brow, knowing they were both remembering their prom.
Belle cleared her throat. “You could at least tell me this girl’s name.” She muttered. “Do I know her? God, she’s not someone you met in prison, is she? She could be a criminal, Avenant! How well do you know this woman?”
“I know her so well it irritates us both. Just leave it alone and play cards.” Avenant examined his hand. Two aces, two eights, and a red nine. Dead Man’s Hand. Wasn’t that just typical?
Belle wasn’t willing to let it drop. “Why are you marrying her? It’s part of some nefarious scheme, isn’t it?”
That was the easiest answer of all. “I’m marrying her because she’s my True Love.”
His words drew Belle up short. “Oh.” She dropped her gaze to her cards, but she didn’t seem to be seeing them. “Well, I’m happy for you, then.” She didn’t sound happy for him. She swiped her hair behind her ears in agitation. “Is she beautiful? I bet she’s beautiful.”
Avenant’s eyes traced over her angry face. “She’s beautiful. Especially her eyes.”
“Very poetic.” Belle muttered. “She’s probably dumb as a post, though, knowing your usual type.”
“She’s brilliant. She’s the only one in the world who can outsmart me.”
“She can’t be that smart if she’s engaged to you.”
“We’re not engaged.”
Belle’s beautiful eyes snapped back to his. “Why not? Didn’t you tell her she was your True Love?”
“She doesn’t care.” He discarded the nine and selected the queen of hearts. It seemed fitting, given the conversation. “She thinks I’m a beast.”
“She said that?”
“Yes.”
“After you told her how you felt?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s… horrible.” Belle decided. “She sounds like a very heartless person to have just dismissed you like that. Maybe she’s not your True Love.”
“She’s not heartless. If anything, she feels too much. It’s not her fault that nobody could ever want a beast…”
Belle cut him off, not even listening. “Don’t defend her! It was cruel of her to say that to you and it’s certainly not the first time you’ve made a huge mistake. You could have gotten your signals crossed and she’s not your destined princess, after all.” She gave an encouraging nod. “If this girl doesn’t want you, you should just forget about her and move on.”
“Have you ever known me to give up what’s mine?”
Belle ignored that. “I think you’re just freaking out because you were in prison for so long. That’s what this about. But, look at you!” She gestured to his face. “You could have tons of girls, even being a total jackass. It’s not like you to moon over just one.”
Avenant snorted at that. All his life, he’d been mooning over just one. Unfortunately, she was the one who most clearly saw the animal behind the prince’s mask. The Four Kingdom had many success stories of hideous creatures discovering their inner Goodness. Frogs could turn into princes and ducks could become swans. Avenant’s case was just the opposite. He was a monster who looked like a man. Behind the handsome façade, there was something Bad struggling for control. Something very, very Bad.
And it grew stronger all the time.
His parents had known it and they’d warned him to keep the Beast locked away. If it escaped its cage, Avenant had no idea what would happen. But the chains were weaker than they’d ever been. Sooner or later it would get free and Belle would see him for what he really was. The Beast wouldn’t hurt her. Its need for Belle went as deep as his own. But, Belle would look into its eyes and she would know that she’d been right about him all along.
He was Bad all the way through.
“Are you going to stay with that hand or draw?” Avenant prompted, finishing off another package of granola. He’d lost his appetite, but he needed the fuel.
“I’m serious. You should just completely forget about the whole idea of getting married.” Belle randomly picked one of her cards, tossed it down, and grabbed another. “I mean, I haven’t even thought about getting married, yet.”
“Haven’t you?”
She shook her head. “There’s so much else we have to focus on. We have to get through this labyrinth and one of us will take over the kingdom and,” she hesitated, “there’s also the other thing.”
“What other thing?”
Belle bit down on her lower lip, which just wasn’t fair to his sanity. “I have a straight flush.” She laid it on the rock in front of her.
“Two pair.” Avenant showed her his cards. “You win.” For once, losing didn’t bother him. This wasn’t the real game. He waited for her to talk to him. Belle wasn’t one to keep things bottled up. She’d been brooding about this “other thing” all day. He wanted to know what it was and she wanted to tell him. One of the best parts about being mixed-up with someone Good was they were lousy at keeping secrets.
Belle hesitated. “I’ve been trying to figure something out, but…” She shook her head. “Any way I figure it, I come up with the same conclusion: Someone set me up to go after you.”
Avenant frowned. “What?”
“About a year ago, I was lying in my bed and I heard a noise downstairs.”
Even though her tone wasn’t an accusation, Avenant felt the need to defend himself. “I didn’t have anything to do someone attacking you, Belle. I would never…”
“Just shut-up and listen.” She interrupted, sweeping her hair back. “I was in my bed and I heard a noise, so I got up and went to investigate. You know how the upstairs balcony in my house sort of overlooks the foyer?” She didn’t bother to wait for an answer. “Well, I saw three big guys, dressed in black, coming through my front door.”
Avenant’s jaw ticked.
“They saw me, too.” She continued. “I ran back to my room, but they were right behind me. I have pepper spray on my nightstand, because I live alone. So, I was going for
that. It was the only thing I could think of.”
“You should have thought of getting out of the fucking house.”
“I told you to shut-up.” She reminded him. “I didn’t get to the pepper spray. Obviously. The biggest guy caught me and he threw me onto the mattress, with his hand over my mouth.”
“Christ.” Avenant sincerely hoped that man wasn’t dead. He wanted to be the one to kill the bastard. It was like a physical need inside of him. The Beast howled and struggled to get free. Any threat to Belle set it off. Avenant had to fight for control, although he suddenly wondered why he bothered. He wanted the monster to ravage the men who’d attacked Belle.
No one touched what was his and lived.
“He pinned me down on the bed.” Belle went on. “And he said so clearly, ‘Prince Avenant says to stop digging into the missing money or next time you won’t wake up.’ Those were his exact words.”
A fury like he’d never know boiled up inside of him.
Belle kept going with her story. “Then, he hit me and I guess I passed out. When I came to, I was tied to a tree five miles from home. It took me hours to get free. Then, I had to walk through the snow barefoot and in my pajamas. And the whole time I was freezing my ass off, all I could think about was how you’d sent men to threaten and kidnap me. And that is when I decided to take your crown.” She let out a long breath. “I’m sorry.”
Avenant squinted. “You’re sorry?”
“It wasn’t you who did it. I see that now. They wanted me to believe it was and to go after you.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “At the time, though, I was just so mad that I wasn’t thinking straight. I’d never imagined you’d hurt me. All of our fights and you’d never raised a hand to me. Not ever.”
Of course he hadn’t. Not even the Beast would unleash its strength on Belle. It went against every instinct in his body. Avenant and the monster both treasured the woman.
When she’d outsmarted him for the final time and come to arrest him, he’d known he had to defend himself or be chained. But, even then Avenant had refused to use force against Belle. Instead, he’d raised his palms and let himself be taken. The Beast had subsided with a cornered snarl, not even trying to seize control. There hadn’t been a choice for either of them.
He’d sworn he could hear his father screaming from beyond the grave that day.
Belle sighed. “I felt so betrayed when it seemed like you’d sent those guys to attack me, just to protect your stolen money.” She gave an awkward shrug. “I don’t know why I felt that…”
He cut her off. “You felt betrayed, because you know what’s between us is more important than gold. You expect me to know it, too. And I do, Bella.” He knew it better than she did.
“I’m sorry.” She said, again.
Whatever resentment he’d been clinging to faded away. He could never look at her and stay mad. Sitting in jail had pissed him off, but it didn’t do a damn thing to alter his need for her. He’d tried hating her for setting him up with that embezzlement bullshit. Tried telling himself that he’d been wrong about their connection. Tried forgetting about her and freezing the emotions right out of his chest. But it was like trying to shut off the sun. His feelings for Belle were indestructible.
No matter how cold he got, he always felt her warmth.
“It’s alright.” Avenant heard himself say. “Just so you know I would never send men terrorize you.” He shifted closer to her. “Not for any reason. Do you believe me?”
Chocolate brown eyes stayed on his. All his life, the color had soothed him. “I believe you.” Belle whispered. “Do you believe me? About the rest of it, I mean.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She exhaled in relief. “Because, it’s the truth. There were men in my house saying you sent them. I have no idea why, but I think we should find out.”
“Oh, I intend to track them down and discuss all sorts of things. Don’t you worry about that.” It wasn’t even the framing him part that pissed him off. Everyone Avenant knew hated him. It was only to be expected. But, nobody came at him through Belle and survived.
She hesitated. “So you’re going to do something beastly to these guys?”
“Absolutely.” The Beast purred at the very idea.
Belle’s mouth slowly curved.
Her small grin dulled the raw edges of his rage. “You don’t like it when I’m Bad.” He reminded her. “You want a knight in shining armor.”
“I just love the idea of letting you loose on someone who actually earned the pain.” Belle wrinkled her nose. “That’s probably really hypocritical, but I don’t care. They deserve anything you do to them.” She let out another shaky breath and glanced away. “They scared me.” She admitted like she was ashamed of that fact.
“Anyone would’ve been scared, Belle.”
“You wouldn’t have. You could’ve just waved your hand and they would’ve been frozen forever.”
He wouldn’t have been scared for himself, but he was completely terrified of someone harming Belle. It had always been his greatest fear. She was so soft and without her in his life… “I would’ve been scared.” Avenant murmured.
She gave him another small smile. “You’re nice to say that.”
“I don’t know how to be nice.” He assured her. “Listen, those guys who terrorized you? They don’t know what fear really is.” He dipped his head so his eyes could meet hers. “They will.” It was a vow.
Belle bit her lower lip, again. “Thank you.”
Avenant managed a nod, his mind already planning three executions.
Actually four.
Someone had sent those assholes to attack Belle. Someone had told them to hit her. To kidnap her. To pin her down and put a hand over her mouth, so she was unable to cry for help. Belle was Good straight down to her soul. She couldn’t even bear to look at that asshole Pumpkin-Eater’s cracked gourd. She was no match for three armed men. Someone had ordered those guys to overpower and frighten her, because they thought she was defenseless. Someone had preyed on her vulnerability.
And that someone was going to die screaming.
Rosabella Aria Ashman might be hopelessly, frustratingly, beguilingly soft… but she had a goddamn beast guarding her. Avenant would shred anyone who harmed Belle, without a drop of remorse. Everyone in the kingdom knew that and, if they didn’t, they were about to learn.
Graphically.
“I mean it.” She pressed when he didn’t say anything. “Thank you for wanting to help me, despite everything.”
He closed the last distance between them, his body brushing against hers. “You’re welcome, my love.” He murmured.
She never had to thank him for protecting her, though. The drive went deeper than anything else inside of him. The woman drove him insane, but Belle was a part of him. She was the heart he hadn’t been born with, beating outside of his body. Avenant smoothed her hair back from her cheek, his eyes on hers.
Belle blinked up at him like she was in a trance. “It’s a bad idea.” She got out breathlessly.
“Probably.” Avenant agreed and lowered his head towards hers. “But, I’m a Bad guy.”
Belle didn’t move away from him, her eyes going wide. Every time they got this far she looked panicked, but she never ran. On some level, she knew they were inevitable. “What about the other girl?” She blurted out.
He almost sighed at how completely blind she was to the truth. Being Good must be like living with your head in a box. “What other girl?”
“Well, I mean, I know I told you it would be smart to give her up, but…” Those incredible eyes met his, looking apprehensive. “Are you sure you can? I’ve never known you to just forget about something you want.”
He tried not to smile. Belle was right. He would never forget his True Love. She would be the last thought he had in this world and the first one he had in the next. “You’re the only woman I can ever remember.” Belle had been his entire universe from the second he first spotted
her across the kindergarten classroom. Avenant had looked at her studious little face and he’d just… known. “Bella…”
“Move!” Esmeralda the wicked witch came tearing around the corner at a dead run. Her curly black hair was in a wild disarray, her green skin pale. “Avenant, we gotta go!”
Belle jumped to her feet like she’d been caught doing something wrong.
Avenant bit back an oath. “What the hell are you doing here, Ez?” He demanded in frustration.
“Saving your ass!” She shrieked. “Except the music just pissed him off and I think he’s immune to magic!”
“Do you know that woman?” Belle asked in confusion. “What’s she talking about?”
“I have no idea what she’s ranting about, but that’s Esmeralda. She was locked-up with me in the WUB Club.”
Esmeralda had been part of the prison break, too, so it didn’t take a genius to figure out that she was the one Scarlett had sent into the labyrinth to “help.” Avenant could’ve flipped opened the phone book, pointed at the first name he came across, and come up with a better person to be his backup. The witch was annoying on the level of flesh eating viruses and electroshocks to the eyeball.
And she had the worse fucking timing in the world.
Why did these interruptions always happen to him?
“Can we catch up later?” Esmeralda shouted. “He’s right behind me!”
“Goddamn it, I was right in the middle of something important…” Avenant’s words were cut off by the explosion. A fireball the size of a refrigerator blasted a hole in an ice wall further down the down the corridor. “Holy shit!” Chunks of ice and gallons of water sprayed through the air at supersonic speeds. “What was that?” He roared.
“A really pissed off minotaur.” Esmeralda sprinted passed them. “Time to run, people.”
Chapter Six
Belle was sweet little girl. A bit of an oddball, but a very Good student.
She tried hard to be a proper young lady.
It was always the Beast who pushed her into those terrible fights.
Testimony of Old Mother Hubbard, Seventh Grade Teacher - The People of the Northlands v. Prince Avenant
Beast in Shining Armor (A Kinda Fairy Tale) Page 7