* * *
“I still do not understand why you trained her to become a High Guard!” Edward yelled as he paced Han’s cabin. “Fass! Do you know the fine even for a man of your status?”
“Yes I do,” Han replied as he picked up a small wooden chest, placed it on his bed, and opened the box. “Fifty pieces of gold. It took me ten seasons to collect these wages.”
Edward looked to the payment then to Han as he exclaimed, “You knew all along she would be caught?”
“Pluck being a woman isn’t what we were hiding,” Han told him as he searched the prince’s face. “What should I have done? Abandon her at the Temple? Never. Do you realize the curse she has endured for protecting you?” Han considered his words and then said, “You see, I thought the others would accept her as a High Guard even after finding out she is a beast. What other position could she have in this world as a Necrom?”
Edward’s face flushed with anger as he questioned, “Why did you never tell me?”
“You had forgotten her and the witch,” Han explained as he walked to a small cabinet and poured them a mug of wine. “I thought it best not to bring them up till you were ready.”
Aggravated by the whole thing, Edward raked his hand through his shoulder length raven-black hair and then asked, “Now what would you have me do?”
“You are the prince and soon to be Emperor... What can you not do?”
Edward took the mug and downed the wine.
“I do not mean for you to feel guilty, but she’s the way she is because of you,” Han spoke as he offered the prince more. “You at least owe Pluck her life and the freedom to live it.”
Edward lifted his mug, and the High Guard poured him more. Edward said, “Perhaps, but I still feel she wants something from me.” He shivered before he continued, “There is something about the way she looks at me.”
Han nodded, took another drink, and stated, “She does. There’s a way to end her curse, but she hasn’t told me. All I know is that it involves you. She wants to end her misery.” He set down the mug and asked, “What have you decided, my lord?”
Edward drank half of his bitter wine and replied, “She may remain free, but I do not want her as my personal guard.”
Han knew that would resolve nothing, so he told him, “It might be best that she does remain. Her abilities are exceptional, she does possess the Lux and with an unknown enemy after you, she should remain by your side.”
“Phraggs!” Edward uttered and reluctantly answered, “Fine!”
“What shall you tell the men, my lord?”
Edward answered, “Nothing for now. Pluck may keep her secret till she feels she can reveal it.”
Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose- Part A- The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss Page 13