Chapter 6
Leona didn’t know what to think. She just ran. She slammed through the corridors, screaming past the dusty armored suits and paintings. Leona finally reached her mother’s chamber, throwing open the door. Her mother was on the floor, eyes closed, frail body shivering slightly. Leona quickly ran to her and crouched over her.
“Oh mama,” she whispered.
Leona grabbed her wrist. There was a pulse. Leona watched for the faint rise and fall of her chest, hope blossoming when she could make out signs of life.
What happened?
Leona quickly sniffed and wiped her eyes. “She- she’s had another attack- I-”
This has happened before?
Leona’s eyes hollowed at the memory. “Yes. It has.” And she remembered all that last attack had cost them both.
New fear snaking into her heart, Leona leaned back on her heels and put her face in her hands. She stared at her mother. There was absolutely no color in her gaunt cheeks. For weeks now her mother had been doing worse and worse, eating less, talking less. Leona should have known this was coming.
Leona suddenly reached out and gripped her mother’s hand tightly. She brought it to her lips. “I will do anything, mama,” she whispered.
Leona closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was strong, calm. She knew what had to be done. She turned her head and looked at the beast. He’d been standing behind her, Mrs. Kingsley in the hall behind, watching silently. He was studying her, quietly watching her every move. His entire body was still. “I need your help,” she whispered.
Suddenly the beast surged forward and bent down, picking up her mother in one large scoop. Leona imagined she had looked much the same, that night she had arrived, being held like a limp doll in the beast’s arms. The beast placed her mother carefully on the bed, and Leona gasped softly. His hands were shaking as he stepped back. His head swiftly turned to look at Leona, almost like a little child, unsure if he had done right.
Leona stared into his eyes, and for a moment, just a brief second, her heart went out to this poor creature, so human-like and yet…such a beast.
Then she shook herself slightly and said briskly, “I need to go to town. And I have to take her with me.”
The beast growled low in his throat. For what purpose?
Leona tightened her lips. “I need to see the doctor. I can’t…he has the only medicine that will cure her.”
The beast narrowed his eyes. I will accompany you.
Leona’s jaw fell slack. “I- you’ll what?” The beast repeated himself firmly, and Leona shook her head. “You can’t- the people- think of what they’ll-”
Are you ashamed of my help?
Leona shut her mouth. She stared at him. “Never,” she whispered.
Then I shall go. I will carry her into the courtyard, where a carriage will be waiting. Just tell me where to go.
Leona took a deep breath and nodded quickly. The beast once more hefted her mother into his arms, and Leona walked out, grasping Mrs. Kingsley’s arm as she walked down the hall, speaking quickly. “I must go to town. I need to get medicine there. The beast has offered to help me…he is going with me.”
At these words Mrs. Kingsley stopped, eyes wide, but Leona’s quick stride kept her going.
“You can’t be serious,” she breathed.
Leona’s grim expression stilled every other word. To Leona’s great surprise, there was a carriage, large enough to fit the beast, in the courtyard upon their entry. Leona had not a moment to pause before she was lifted up and tossed inside by a footman. She quickly scrambled to the far corner when the beast’s large frame loomed in the doorway.
Help me. Hold her in place.
Leona reached out and held onto her mother as the beast lifted her into the seat next to Leona. Leona rested her mother’s head in her lap. Then the beast climbed in. He took up the entire bench opposite the two women. Leona stared at him in the darkness as the carriage began to roll and sway as is hurtled down the mountain. She could not see his eyes at all, could barely tell he was there, except for the faint glow of silver on his forearm as is rested in front of the window, in the light of the moon.
Leona was shaking, from cold and fear, but she kept her mouth shut, afraid to tear her eyes away from the darkness.
You are afraid. You are shaking.
Leona’s grip tightened on her mother. “Yes,” she whispered.
The beast made a sound low in his throat. Of me?
Leona stared at him. Her eyes, finally adjusted to the dark, found his and locked. “No.”
Their breaths mingled in the silent air. Afraid of the beast? No. Why should she be? How selfish for him to think her fear was of him.
He’d almost ruined her life. Twice now. He hadn’t known…could never possibly have known how hard her life had been because of the taxes, because of her lack of money…yet had he known, would he have cared? Most likely not- after all, he’d said that he understood the trouble he caused already. He felt guilty. That was why he was helping her. Leona took in a sharp breath.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she said icily. She didn’t need his pity. She didn’t want it. She could, and would, find her own way.
I know. I want to.
Leona shook her head. “Want? Is that what you call it?”
The beast huffed out of his nose. More than you could ever know, Leona.
Leona looked away. She noticed that the lights of the small town were coming into view. “You feel sorry for my mother and I, for what you’ve done to us. I understand.”
Leona’s eyes widened and snapped back around as the beast growled and surged forward. Guilt! Pity! That is all you think I feel! Oh dear Leona, it is so much more than that!
Leona stared into his eyes. “Then what?” she cried. “What else is there? Wasn’t that what you were telling me in the garden?”
The beast lifted his hand. You inspire me, my friend. You were willing to die for your mother, willing to do anything and everything…for someone who shows you nothing. For a woman who, I’ve watched, calls you worthless. Perhaps, Leona, I too wish I could have such convictions. I wish I could be so passionate as to leave everything behind to make you…make the kingdom…happy. Yet I am dragged down by my selfishness. I can’t help but stand in awe of such beauty as you show, dear Leona.
Leona felt tears rise to her eyes. “I’m just a barmaid, beast,” she whispered, as the carriage rolled to a halt. Before one more word was spoken, Leona quickly disentangled herself from her mother, and jumped from the carriage.
She wrapped her arms tightly about herself as the chill night air hit her full blast. She’d forgotten her shawl. Her eyes strained down the tiny street, resting to stare at a wooden sign lit by the golden glow of a lantern. Feet already numbing, Leona took a deep breath as she started to crunch through the snow. Her hand shook as she lifted it to knock on the door. She closed her eyes briefly, unwilling to give in to her fear, and clenched her hand into a fist. She knocked briskly, three times. After a muffled curse and heavy thumping, the door was thrown wide, and there they stood, he clad in naught but a nightgown, her shivering in her thin dress.
He blinked at her, then breathed, “Leona.”
He opened his mouth to say more, but she quickly choked out, “She’s had another attack. I need…your help.”
Destin widened his eyes. “Another-” he looked behind her, hand automatically moving to the small of her back to usher her forward, “is that your carriage?”
Leona looked behind. The beast’s slick carriage still waited, silent as death in the chill of the night. “No, a…friend, lent it to me. She’s in there. I need you to fetch the doctor and bring him to my cottage- please.”
Destin placed both hands on her shoulders, looking at her firmly. “Leona, you know-”
He stopped when he saw the tears starting to form in her eyes. “Please,” she repeated. “He knows I have no money. He will
not help if I…if I go.”
Destin raised his hand to touch her face. She shivered at the warmth in his hand. It seemed that all warmth had long since left her body. “And what do I tell him, Leona?”
She knew what he was asking. She took in her breath; she knew what she had to do. How stupid of her to have ever trusted her life could be different; that a beast could be anything but a beast. “Tell him…that your mother is dying.”
Destin took her chin in his hand, eyebrows raised. “My mother?”
Leona’s lips thinned. “Aye.”
Destin searched her face. Even upon this news, he looked grim. He said briskly, “You made the right choice. Go. I’ll fetch him and be there shortly.”
He released her abruptly, and Leona fell back a few steps, cringing as he shut the door in her face. She stared at the heavy oak door, breathing hard, arms limp at her sides. What had she just done? Her mind whispered. She covered her hand with her mouth. Then suddenly she turned and ran back to the carriage, throwing open the door and shouting, “Go!”
The beast stared at her, his eyes questioning, as she tried to clamor in. But her she could barely see, could barely find the strength to lift herself up. And then he was there. One warm, great paw grasped her waist, and she was lifted, hauled almost straight into the beast’s lap. The door slammed shut and the carriage tore off, leaving Leona sprawled on top of the beast’s chest.
She couldn’t help it. She felt safe. She felt so right, sitting there, wrapped within his warm embrace. The beast’s arms wrapped around her, securing her, and she cried, burying her face into his fur. Her fists wrapped around his hair, taking comfort in his strength and friendship.
You ache, dear one.
Leona wrenched words from her heart, whispering, “I’m so afraid!”
The beast’s grip tightened. Aren’t we all?
At this Leona cried harder. “I don’t know what to do,” she continued. “Oh beast…I’m so afraid!” She felt his body vibrate with his low howl.
Of what, my Leona, what fears haunt you? I will fight them all.
Leona laughed a little against him. “Fight them? For me? For what?” she barked out another, harsher laugh. “You can’t fight fate. You can’t change what life I’ve already fallen into.” His fur was wet where she had cried against him. She lifted her head a bit, and wiped at it with her hand. She sniffed. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to impose-”
It matters not. I only wish to see you happy, Leona. I would bathe in your tears would it but stop their coming for all eternity.
Leona caught her breath. With her head lifted, she could feel his breath stirring the loose hair about her nape, could feel with her body the steady rise and fall of his chest. And she…could see his eyes. She narrowed her own. “They’re brown,” she said. “Like…mine,” she finished on a whisper.
Like hers. His eyes…they were so human. Staring at her intently, searching…caring. And beneath her hand, she felt his heart. Thump, thump. Her breath inhaled. He exhaled. And her fears were gone. In those few seconds, when between them, no beast and woman existed, but two souls reaching out, trying to comfort…she was whole. She knew it was all right. Her friend, this creature, he was there, and she knew, just knew that he would never let anything bad happen to her ever again. No matter what she did or who she was, what she became or what she chose to do…she was free. Here. Right…here.
Then one of the horses cried out as they were suddenly whipped to a halt, and her head was jostled about.
She blinked, and then pushed against his hold. He released her. She took a breath, sitting across from him, staring, wondering if he had felt anything like she had. But of course not. He was a beast.
Her eyes cooled again, and the carriage door opened. “Bring her inside,” she said. “I’ll go ahead and get a fire going…try to get some clean sheets on the bed.”
She winced as she heard her mother groan as the beast lifted her up.
Leona quickly walked inside, instantly grimacing at the poor order it had fallen into. In the weeks she had been at the castle, cobwebs had formed, dust had grown on everything, and a few animals had scurried in from the cold, leaving dirty tracks and over-turned pots. She sighed and walked to the fireplace, heaving in logs, then rubbing flint stones by paper to get it sparking. She heard the beast’s heavy footsteps squeak the wood floor as he entered, and Leona rose from the awakening fire to reach into a cabinet. She pulled out a few blankets and threw them on top of the bed, situated in the room because of the warmth the fireplace offered during winter.
“I don’t have time to change it completely,” she explained, and the beast laid her mother down gently. “Thank you,” Leona said, while walking to the room beyond and coming back with a pot of water. She placed it over the fire to boil. She sighed and looked around, wishing she could straighten up a bit before-
This…place, is where you live?
Leona ignored the note of incredulity in the beast’s tone and shrugged. “There are three rooms upstairs, but I only use this front living room to keep and eye on my mother. I cook here as well.”
The beast growled low. This is…
Leona glared at him and he stopped. “What we can afford,” she said between her teeth. “Never forget, beast, that before I took residence in your castle, I was but a simple barmaid.”
The beast slid into the shadows as he muttered, Ever so persistent. Perhaps if you would stop reminding me, I would indeed forget.
Leona snorted. “To what cause?” She swept a low curtsey, the ragged hem of her dress, wet from the snow, collecting dust as it slid across the floor. She touched her cap and then laughed. “Who else could I possibly ever be?”
The beast stared at her, watching her body shake from cold, lit by the soft glow of the fire. His eyes were not mocking as he said softly, A princess. Rose of any garden.
Leona raised her eyebrows, mouth slightly parted, unable to respond. Then harsh knocking once more saved her from having to.
“Leona! Leona I’ve brought the doctor!”
She turned away from the beast’s warm eyes and quickly opened the door, admitting both Destin and the small man behind him. He rushed to the bed, checking for her mother’s pulse. “She’s alive,” Leona said, “Just had another attack. I think she needs…more of that-”
“I know what she needs,” the doctor snapped.
Who is he?
Leona ignored the beast. She had so far hoped that he would not be noticed in the shadows, and as she suspected, as long as he was still he remained invisible. The doctor opened his bag, lifting out a small, green vial. Her eyes gleamed with it with the glow from the fire, as she gulped. “Yes,” she whispered.
Then the doctor smiled, revealing yellowed, rotting teeth. “My dear…I suspect you remember the cost of such…medication. From the looks of things…I may just be wasting my time.”
Hot fire blazed in Leona stomach. She stood tall. “I can pay,” she said clearly.
The doctor raised his eyebrows. “Money talks far better than words, love.”
Leona grit her teeth, lips thin. She felt humiliation cloak her with a cover of thorns, and, words clipped, said, “My- fiancé- has the proper coin.”
FIANCÉ! The beast roared, at the same instant as the doctor sighed, “Ah,” to the sound of Destin’s clinking coins.
Leona did not look in the beast’s direction, could not, had not been expecting to feel his warm paws pressing into her shoulders. She gasped, body slightly leaned backwards, eyes locked into his steaming gaze. He stood full height in front of her, fire blazing behind him, hot breath jagged.
So this! Is this what you fear! Is this what you reduce yourself down to!
Leona opened her mouth, and Destin’s jagged cry cut through the air.
“BEAST!” he roared. “Unhand her!”
She saw the glint of a knife in the beast’s eyes, as Destin approached.
Leona
turned her head. “No Destin! It’s all right! He’s my friend! He-”
But Destin was not listening. His eyes mirrored only the horrid scene he thought he saw- Leona being bent backward by the weight of a beast digging his claws into her shoulders, mouth hovering just above hers, about to devour her.
Answer me! Is this what you want! Is this who you would willingly pledge your life to- or would you trust me!
Leona snapped her gaze back to the beast. “Trust you?” she whispered.
“Trust me, yes, Leona, careful, don’t move, I’ll-”
Let me help.
Leona’s mouth stood agape. Just then Destin lunged, and the beast roared as his knife slit into his belly. Leona screamed, but then she was flying, tossed into the air by the beast, thrown away from him and onto the floor by her mother’s bed. The beast was crouched, as was Destin, ready to pounce, knife and claws glinting with devil light. Leona gasped and tried to rise, but tripped over something. She looked down to see the cowering doctor, on the floor, eyes wide.
“He’ll be killed! We’re all to be killed!” he was whispering to himself. His eyes frantically shot to the door.
Leona fell down beside him. “Please- please help her-”
He shook his head in madness, shaking off her hands, scooting away from her. “No- they won’t- I promise you’re safe, just help-”
“Safe!” he squeaked. He took one last look at the two fighters, and then the beast growled, and he rose to his feet, sprinting towards the door.
“NO!” she shrieked. Her desperate eyes shot to her mother, and then realized her breathing had stopped. In a panic, she tried to rise to go after him, but the doctor was long gone. Leona ignored the grunts of the two beasts behind her, climbing to her knees and reaching for her mother’s icy hands.
“No mama,” she whispered, “No, stay here, don’t go, I’ll stay- I won’t marry him, I promise, I’ll make you happy, we can- mama,” she rambled rapidly, trying to reach her mother with words. But that was all- she didn’t know what to do.
She turned her gaze back to the fight. Destin was on top of the beast, knife aimed to his heart, but the beast was holding him off with one strong paw. She saw, in one blink, that the beast could easily be rid of him, easily defend himself. But he was holding back. For her. For he didn’t know her answer.
Leona croaked out, “Help me!”
The beast’s head froze, and he stopped growling. He turned to look at her, and his arms went lax. Destin bellowed out and plunged his knife deep into the beast’s chest. The beast howled in pain, and Leona gasped, as she watched with terrified eyes the beast lose control. His eyes filmed over with rage, and suddenly his claws sank into Destin, ripping him off his chest. Destin cried out in pain.
The beast stood, growling, and Leona cried, “No!”
Destin was moaning in the beast’s death grip. The beast shook him a little, and then tossed him against the wall. Leona felt her stomach, and her heart, sink with nausea as she heard the wet crack. She covered her mouth with her hand, stomach pumping forward air in an effort to be rid of the bile cloaking it. Hot tears sprung to her eyes, and she stood, swaying on her feet, staring into Destin’s open, lifeless eyes. She was about to go to him, when suddenly, her wrist was encased in a grip of cold steel.
Leona spun around, gasping, “Mother!”
Her mother’s eyes were open, strong, and yet…she was staring at the beast. Leona opened her mouth to explain, when her mother’s weak voice filled the room. It was full of longing, dreams…weak yet dazed with hope.
“Leona,” she whispered. “Your prince.”
Leona widened her eyes. She looked back, checking to see if- and yes, it was the beast, looming behind her, that her mother spoke of. “Mother…” she didn’t know what to say.
Was this it? Was she truly, finally gone mad?
Leona’s mother laughed, and tears filled her eyes. “Oh Leona…he’s beautiful. Golden, glowing…I knew you would make me…” Leona grasped her mother’s hand tight as her voice started to fade. “Proud,” her mother whispered, her head sinking back onto the pillows, her fingers going limp in Leona’s palm.
“Mama,” she cried, “no.” She whimpered, bringing her still hand to her cheek. Her mother’s eyes were still open, staring off into the distance, looking out across the open field, where a white horse was coming to swiftly carry her away.
Leona felt her heart wrench apart as she felt the final beat of her mother’s heart, felt her body tremble with grief and pain as she sunk to her knees, head bowed. “I love you mama,” she whispered. “I’ll always love you.”
The cottage was still. The fire popped, crackling. Leona’s weeping was the only sound to be heard. Then the boards creaked behind her, and she gasped, quickly looking up. The beast was just above her, his eyes glazed in pain. Bile rose to her throat at the sight of the blood pooling into his fur.
My Leona…you are free.
Beast Page 7