A Tale of Beauty and Beast

by Melanie Cellier

  Her words jolted me into action, and I slid down from Chestnut’s back. Slowly I picked my way toward the Beast, trying to avoid fallen bodies and splashes of red. The stallion snorted behind me, and Chestnut huffed quietly in response.

  Sophie, wait. Lily’s soft projection made me pause. I could tell she had more to say, so I waited silently. If…if he dies, you’ll be free. And maybe Palinar with you.

  We don’t know that. But I bit my lip, a shiver coursing through me. Free. Free to return home, no longer cut off and alone. My eyes strayed back to his still form, stark against the white snow. I could get back on Chestnut and lead the stallion back to the castle. I could walk away now, and no one but Lily would ever know. If I took his carriage, I could be back in Marin within three days.

  He hadn’t shown any consideration when he pulled me from my life; I owed him nothing. But still I hesitated. Because the scattered bodies of the wolves told me otherwise. An image of him, standing on the rearing stallion’s back as he launched himself at the attacking wolf, filled my mind. He had not hesitated for me.

  I drew a deep breath. I can’t do that, Lily.

  He’s a monster, Sophie. You were there with me in the Tourney. And just look at his face now.

  I sighed and projected again the mental image of the forest around me. He may be a monster, but he also saved me. And you can only see the shape of his jaw, not his eyes. My projection dropped to a whisper. They’re so human, Lily.

  I could tell she had started crying again. But you could come home to me, right now.

  You know I couldn’t, not really. I would never be able to live with myself. And neither would you, if you were here. A realization hit me. For the first time in my life I was having experiences my twin was not a part of and could not understand. I would have to trust in my own judgment. I have to try to help him.

  She sighed softly. You were always a better person than me, Sophie.

  I shook my head. Not better, Lily. Just different.

  Well, you know I’m here for you, no matter what you decide.

  I know. But, right now, I’m the one who needs to give help, not receive it. I can do this, Lily. All of it. Only I don’t think I can risk coming out to talk to you again. Not until I’ve found a way to break the curse.

  I understand. I love you, Sophie.

  I love you, too.

  For some reason, when the connection faded, I didn’t feel the same sense of being alone and adrift that I had felt when I first arrived at the Beast’s castle and discovered myself cut off from Lily. I straightened my shoulders and hurried over to drop to my knees beside the Beast.

  I tried to put an arm under his shoulders, but couldn’t even reach all the way across, let alone lift them. I bit my lip.

  “Wake up, Beas…” I stopped myself and tried again. “Wake up, Dominic. You’ll freeze if you lie here in the snow, but I cannot possibly lift you.”

  He stirred, his eyes fluttering partially open before closing again.

  I tried more forcefully. “Wake up! Now!”

  His eyes snapped open. Sophie. Wonder sounded in his mental voice, but I didn’t stop to analyze the situation.

  “I need you to get up. Can you do that?”

  He groaned and tried to rise before falling back into the snow. I looked at the height of his mount’s back and realized there was no way he was getting up there. I frowned, wondering if it would take too long for me to go and fetch help. What if more wolves came while I was gone? Or a new snowstorm? What if I couldn’t find my way back?

  I crossed over to the stallion who snorted and danced but, when I crooned softly, let me approach. I found a coil of rope attached to his saddle. Working as swiftly as I could, I led the horse over to his master and then looped the rope under the Beast’s arms. I attached the other end to the Stallion’s saddle, apologizing to the Beast as I did so.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s the only way. The snow will cushion you, and your cloak will protect you a little. But I need to get you inside to the warmth.”

  He groaned again but made no protest, so I hurried ahead with my plan. Walking in the front, leading both horses, I attempted to pick the smoothest course through the trees, avoiding any rocks that broke through the snow. I kept glancing at the dark shape dragging behind us and wincing. I would never have attempted such a plan if I could think of any other option.

  It seemed an interminably long journey, far longer than seemed possible given my short trip away from the castle. When I caught sight of the gardens in the distance, my knees wobbled, and I had to force a final burst of strength into them. As I closed the distance, I remembered the only other time I had tried to leave the grounds. Only now did I realize the motivation behind the Beast’s actions in spooking Chestnut. Not that he had needed to be so imperious in his note forbidding me to leave. A little explanation would have been appreciated.

  When we actually crossed into the grounds, I almost went limp with relief. But the Beast wasn’t safe yet, the cold and blood loss were as great a danger to him at this point as a further attack.

  “Help!” I screamed as loudly as I could. “Help!”

  Your Highness? The unknown voice sounded confused. Are you hurt in some way? A tiny pause. Why do you have His Highness’ stallion?

  “It’s not me who is injured, it’s your prince.” I pointed behind the horses to where he lay on the ground. “He’s been mauled by a wolf. Call for the castle doctor, and gather some others, too—we need to get him inside as quickly as possible.”

  The man, whoever he was, launched into action, calling loudly for a great number of people. We were soon joined by a crowd of voices. I stopped trying to pick out the individual words and let myself be swept along, glad to hand over the responsibility to someone more qualified.

  The horses pulled away from me, led toward the stables by a lead line that floated, taut, in the air. A particularly loud cacophony preceded the Beast lurching from the ground. I trailed behind him, trying to leave enough of a wide berth that I wouldn’t run into anyone.

  Princess! Princess! A familiar voice penetrated through the fog.

  “Tara?”

  Yes, I’m here. What has happened? There’s the most terrible story going around—oh! From the shocked tone of her exclamation, I assumed she had just seen the state of the Beast. Her voice dropped to a hushed whisper I had to strain to hear. So, it’s true, then. You were both outside the grounds.

  I couldn’t focus properly on her words, distracted as I was trying to keep track of the Beast from a distance. I had expected to see more signs of consciousness from him now that we had arrived back to such a hubbub of people. But he lay unnaturally still, only the rise and fall of his broad chest assuring me he still lived.

  Our strange procession made it into the entrance hall, and the chorus of voices seemed to swell even louder. I decided to risk an invisible collision—if such a thing were possible, I wasn’t even sure—and approach the Beast. But I had no sooner taken a step in his direction than warm heavy material settled around my shoulders.

  I looked down to discover I was now wearing a cloak. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, a bone deep shudder rocked me. When had it become so cold?

  Oh, Your Highness! Apparently, Lottie had joined us, and she sounded horrified. She must have seen the Beast’s injuries, then. Half of your dress is soaked, and your face looks blue. You’ll catch your death! Come quickly, and we’ll draw you a bath.

  Oh. Not the Beast, then. I looked down and discovered to my surprise that I was indeed wet and racked with constant shivers. Somehow in the excitement of talking to Lily and the fear of the wolves, I hadn’t noticed the temperature, or my own state.

  You’re in shock, I expect, offered Tara. I saw a similar thing when Gordon went skating on the small pond in the east gardens and fell through the ice.

  Skating! Surely, he must have known it wasn’t safe.

  Well, he did after he fell through. That child is always stumbling into mischief,
though he always means well enough. But the doctor told us to warm him up and to keep him awake.

  I had been certain of my intention to check on the Beast but, somehow, I found myself in my room, soaking in a hot bath, while Tara and Lottie fussed over me, instead. Night had fallen outside—the first night since my arrival that the Beast had not asked me if I would marry him in the morning. Would he even be alive come morning?

  Chapter 15

  I slept long and deeply, exhausted on every possible level. I woke to several new aches and a couple of bruises and immediately thought of the Beast. What was his state this morning?

  When I slipped out of bed, a sleepy voice greeted me.

  Good morning, Princess Sophie.

  “Lottie?” A sudden suspicion entered my mind. “Did you spend the whole night in my armchair?”

  I wanted to be here in case you needed anything in the night. You might have become ill after your ordeal.

  “That is very considerate of you, but now you need to go to your bed. Just, on your way out, if you could please let Tara know to bring me some food?”

  I couldn’t possibly sleep during the day, Your Highness. Let me fetch your morning meal myself.

  I shook my head. “Absolutely not. You need your sleep and Tara can look after me well enough without you. That’s why I have the two of you, remember.”

  Very well—if you wish it. I could tell from her tone that she doubted my assertion that Tara could manage on her own, but I pretended not to notice anything unusual in her demeanor.

  I paced the room while I waited for Tara to arrive, alternating between staring out the window at the gardens and sitting on my bed chewing my hair. The previous morning, when I had been planning how to sneak into the Beast’s chambers, felt like another lifetime. So much had happened since then. It was hard to process it all.

  Tara must have arrived at a run because I was sitting down to a hot meal within minutes. I had planned to ask her what the kitchen gossip had to say about the Beast’s condition, but she didn’t need any prompting to start sharing.

  I’m so glad to see you well this morning, Princess Sophie. You gave me and Lottie a fright last night. I would have insisted on staying with you, except that Lottie assured me she preferred to take the night shift, and I didn’t like to make her uncomfortable.

  It was the first sign I had seen of any such consideration, but I refrained from comment.

  And I think it turned out for the best anyway, since Lottie’s absolutely hopeless at ferreting out news of any kind. This airy conclusion made me snort and reminded me why I had asked for Tara in the first place. The ex-serving maid didn’t feel the need to temper her view of reality.

  The doctor popped down for a bite to eat around sunrise, poor man. He looked exhausted and, of course, the kitchen staff all mobbed him. We’d already guessed from various requests sent down for supplies that His Highness must have a high fever, but…

  “So, the Beast is alive still?” I asked, unable to wait through her meandering story for that crucial piece of information.

  Oh, yes, certainly. We have an excellent doctor. It’s the prince himself who’s the problem.

  “What do you mean?”

  He’s a terrible patient, he always has been. He can still barely stand but is apparently insisting on going out to check on his horse.

  I put down my fork and rose to my feet. “Where is he now? In his bedchamber?”

  Yes, for the moment at least.

  I threw a robe around my shoulders and headed for the door. Pausing in the doorway, I looked back into the empty air of the room. “You’re not going to protest? Or try to stop me?”

  Well, I feel sure Lottie would tell me that I ought to do so. Tara giggled. Especially since you’re wearing your nightgown. But to tell you the truth, I’m just planning to follow you and see what happens.

  I laughed. “I applaud your honesty and your spirit of adventure.”

  Hurrying down the corridor, I made my way to the Beast’s chambers as I had done such an astonishingly short number of hours before. I had never had the same interest in healing as Lily, but I had tagged along for enough of her sessions with our castle doctors to know a few basics. For instance, that someone with a raging fever and significant blood loss shouldn’t be stumbling around in the snow.

  When I reached his corridor, I slowed and then came to a complete stop in the open doorway of his bedchamber. The sound of voices told me that the room must be full of people, but my view of the Beast was unobstructed. I assessed his appearance, hoping that, for him, a servant blocked his view of my rude stare.

  He was naked from the waist up, white bandages covering the deep cuts on his arm and shoulder. I bit my lip at the sight of his bare chest, covered with a thick layer of hair, and then forced myself to look up to his face. He had propped himself up on one arm and was arguing with someone about getting up. His eyes looked glassy and strange, and his face flushed.

  A low growl silenced the rest of the voices. I am getting up, and there is nothing any of you can say to prevent me. So get out of my way.

  “Absolutely not,” I said loudly.

  The silence seemed somehow to grow deeper, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up from the certainty that an unknown number of invisible eyes were trained on me. But I maintained a calm facade as I moved forward into the room.

  “It is quite apparent, even without the assurances of your doctor, that you are extremely ill. You will remain in bed until such time as he gives you leave to rise.”

  Still silence reigned, and I received the distinct impression that a large number of people were holding their breath.

  Princess Sophie. The Beast remained propped half up in the bed, but he also made no further move to get up. I must check on my horse.

  “Do not be ridiculous.” I reached his bedside, trying to ignore the way his eyes stayed fixed on me, dressed as I was in only my nightgown and robe. “You have, I can only assume, a great number of grooms and stable hands, not to mention a highly competent stable master. You would only be in the way, as well as inflaming your wounds and your fever to no purpose.”

  Indeed. A mature, weary voice I hadn’t heard before leaped in to back me up. It is just as the princess says. You must listen to Her Highness, Prince Dominic, if you will not listen to me.

  I turned toward the sound. “I assume you must be the castle doctor. It is very nice to meet you, sir.”

  Oh, no, I assure you the pleasure is all mine. I am Doctor Henshaw, and if you can convince His Highness to remain in his bed long enough to heal, you will be doing him and all of us a great favor.

  “Certainly, Doctor Henshaw. There can be no question of his getting up. Perhaps you can give me a brief description of your preferred care regime.”

  As the doctor eagerly outlined his recommended diet and wound care, a series of strange noises came from the bed. I ignored them.

  When the doctor finished speaking, a final rumble sounded from the bed. I turned to face the Beast. “Yes? Did you wish to say something?”

  The Beast was glaring at me. My horse just fought a pack of wolves at my request. I will not rest until I have checked on him.

  An unexpected wave of shame washed over me. The Beast showed more care for his horse than I had done for Chestnut on my first night. The thought unsettled me, and confirmed my determination not to allow him to further injure himself.

  I rapidly considered the best way to subdue him and then drew myself up to my full height, assuming an outraged expression. “Are you trying to insult me?”

  Some of the anger dropped from his face to be replaced by confusion. Insult you?

  “I was the one who walked your horse back to the castle and handed him over to your stable. I have just told you that he is unharmed and in good hands. Are you calling me a liar?”

  A stifled snort of laughter came from beside me, and the Beast turned wrathful eyes on his doctor. I intervened quickly. “If everyone could please clear the r
oom, His Highness needs the chance to rest. I will remain here with him and will call one of you if need be.” I turned in the direction of the doctor. “Please have the kitchen send up a meal as you have described.”

  I’m not eating that. The Beast sounded more sulky than angry, and I knew I had won. I kept the triumphant smile from my face.

  “I will ensure he eats it.”

  I’m sure you will, Your Highness. We can all be grateful you’re here.

  I felt a pang as the last of the servants made their way from the room, talking in whispers. If I hadn’t been here, the Beast wouldn’t be injured at all.

  I turned back around to find him glaring at me, but most of the heat had gone from his expression. Do you really mean to keep me prisoner here?

  I arched an eyebrow at him, and he actually had the decency to look ashamed, his eyes dropping away from mine. With a sigh, he lowered himself back onto the pillow.

  “Would you like another pillow?” I asked, as I pottered around his bed, rearranging the tangled blankets. When he didn’t answer, I looked at him with both eyebrows raised and discovered he was staring at me with fascination.

  “What?”

  Are you always like this?

  “Like what? Right?”

  He actually barked a laugh. I grinned back at him. “Don’t worry, Your Highness, I’ve spent a lot of time with my three-year-old nephew. I know all about looking after sulky children.”

  He shook his head, but a smile lingered on his face, the first I had ever seen from him. You seem different.

  I shrugged and continued pottering around the room. I could hardly tell him the truth. Something had changed; it had changed when I had stared down at him, dying in the snow and considered leaving him there. Before I had felt powerless—trapped, angry and afraid. But when I had chosen to save him, I had changed the balance of power. Even if he didn’t know it.

  I remembered now that I would never be powerless over my own actions, and choices. I was no longer here as his prisoner. I had chosen to be here because I believed—had always believed—that I had the ability to save others. And not only my sister and the younger girls of the Tourney, but also the people of Palinar who were caught in the curse. And last night, as the Beast had saved me from the wolves, it had occurred to me for the first time, that maybe Prince Dominic needed saving, too.