Disclaimer: TVD is still not owned by me. I think I'd faint if I stepped onto set. Joseph Morgan marry me? A/N: This drabble is AU and based on 'Beauty and The Beast' story. Part 2. Caroline is still human. Enjoy. xx
The Rose Petals
Beauty was sitting in her rocking chair when they came for her. Her father was there, mumbling forgiveness: he'd been a prisoner of the Beast and she must go with them - but this was a trap -because she would take her father's place and become the prisoner, trapped in the dark cell, feeling the draft on her skin and screaming for her father's name. How could a man be so cruel?
But he wasn't a man. The Beast was a vampire: keeping her hostage for what reason? To humour himself? What would be her fate? She struggled against his hold, as he ignored her wishes, and took what wasn't his. Tasting her blood and sighing in content. Yes, she'd do. She was left to cry; alone and separated from those she loved. Hours passed and her stomach grumbled. He had forgotten she needed to eat, or refused to care. She called for him for hours, proving to be more annoying that her father - she was not submissive like he thought.
-:-
"There's not much time sire. If you do not feed her she shall surely perish."
The Beast ignored the worried comments from his nervous but insistent staff. He had wanted company - perhaps because he was a Hunter. Simply eating his food was not enough, now he needed to play with it first?
"This is not a game, sire! She is human and therefore fragile. She must eat."
Resenting his choice, he lashed out at the man, missing him by centimetres - he had obviously learnt not to stand too close. He consented to giving her food - but only dry bread and water - if she wanted quality she would have to learn to behave. He would go to her himself, for fear of the others releasing her against his will.
"Remember the rose petals sire."
It was a whisper but the Beast still heard. The Rose Petals... how could he ever forget? The witch's spell: find love or be a vampire forever. They all wanted it to be the girl, he could see it in their hopeful eyes, but he would not agree to it. He liked his new way of life - he liked the feel of their blood inside him - he liked the feel of this new power and the idea of immortality.
-:-
Her voice was hoarse. She had heard nobody. Nobody cared or if they did, they were too afraid.
She would rot there alone, until barely human - a skeletal figure - a shadow of her former self. She closed her eyes imagining her death until she felt his presence - the room grew darker than it was and her eyes snapped open to reveal the Beast staring at her with disgust: cold bread and a mug of water in hand.
She stared at him, and her stomach rumbled again as if on command. He unlocked the wooden door and threw her food at her frozen feet as if this would mend some unspoken bond.
"I want my father."
"Your father has been released."
Beauty's eyes widened. How could he leave her there? Her father would never do such a thing. If he did he would bring the whole town out to look for her, even if they thought him crazy with his inventions. Mr Lockwood would come to avenge her kidnapping (perhaps for a price).
"He would not leave without me."
Her emotions were showing. The petty human was irritating and a nuisance - not what he thought she could be - a blood bag, he could use whenever he liked. He wanted to crave her human blood, he wanted to suck her dry but there was something in him that enjoyed playing games; he liked playing with his food. He liked seeing the fear and horror in their faces as they realised there would be no escape.
"If he did not leave, I threatened to drain him."
How dare he? How dare he think he could do this to her? She thought monsters only existed in her books, but she was wrong. The vampire smirked, enjoying her pain. He slammed the door shut, it would be morning soon and he could not walk in daylight. He would not let her die, but he would not let her live either.
"You are a monster!"
She yelled, screaming through the bars in the door. Her words had no effect but to make him more arrogant. He peered into her face and his fangs extended threateningly. His eyes turned red with lust and he sniffed her deeply -
"I am a monster but you are my prisoner. Not a sound or I will have you for breakfast."
She recoiled, scooting away from the door and he laughed at his remark - locking the door, and retiring to his wing. He could hear her crying into her hands hopelessly and knew he had made his mark. He was a monster and everybody should fear him - he had no regrets about what he had done. He was King and always an outsider. It was the Witch who should regret what she had done.
-:-
The petals were falling: only half a rose. The Witch watched through the looking glass. Her curse was to teach him a lesson - but the lesson had not been learned. He thought to provoke her - to become the cursed creature. She should regret her actions because she created him - she must suffer the consequences. It did not work that way. Those killed died at his hand. If the petals fell and he had not learned to love, then he would be cursed. She was on earth to save souls not to harness them - but the Beast gave her no choice. She would wait, and her decision would be final.
-:-
Beauty cried herself to sleep. When she woke she heard a funny sound by her door. Creaking and a sudden key turning in the lock, then the face of a brave boy determined to free her. The Beast would not forgive him for this. Nor would the rest of the castle.
"Your name?"
"Gilbert."
"Well Gilbert - I owe you my life."
He looked over his shoulder, suddenly frightened, knowing he could die any moment. She could have been the hope they had wished for, but he could not let The Beast harm her any longer.
"He can't touch you in the daylight. You must run."
"I fear for your life. Come with me."
She reached out to take his hand: he would know the way, and then they could save two lives. He took Beauty's hand with a smile and there was a sudden shout of rage and the boy froze. The Beast had heard them: they were finished. His bravery had been for nothing. He could hear her heart thumping in her chest. He often wondered why the Witch had cursed them all and not just the King. He supposed he would never know.
-:-
The Beast appeared in a tremendous rage and threw Gilbert against the wall, choking him for his stupidness. Beauty launched herself onto his back - she would have no-more of this! He was a monster, but nobody stood up for themselves. The way he treated them! She would not rot inside that cell - she refused.
"I'll kill you boy!"
"NO!"
She dangled off him, trying with all her might to stop him. He hardly felt her. Her screams brought the rest of the staff into the room. There were screams and gasps as the Beast flung her off with a shake and she fell to the ground so hard she gashed open her knee. It seemed Gilbert's desperation for a better world ignited a passion in the other's eyes and some of the staff came to her rescue while others tried to break the Beast from strangling the boy.
"Light, get light! Open the shutters!"
They knew she was right. Light would weaken him. A vampire's only weakness was a stake to the heart or sunlight. The Beast could smell her blood. Lifting her chin and leering at her scared child-like face: a mere human. He could kill her in seconds and everybody nearby. He was always so thirsty! He inhaled her scent and his fangs touched the nape of her neck.
"Sire! Don't!"
"NOW!"
They flung open the shutters and the sunlight burst through the darkness. So bright many shielded their eyes but Beauty watched as the Beast dropped Gilbert, suddenly helpless.
He fell to his burning knees, smoke billowed off him. She could smell him his skin turning to charcoal. The staff watched in horror: their actions had done this. She had taken command, and they all listened. There was nobody to stand with the Beast after how he had treated them.
"Leave me with the Beast."
"But Ma'am!"
"He cannot hurt me. He won't."
She wished to negotiate while the Beast was weak. Gilbert had changed her mind. She had to stay for him. She told the Beast her terms. If she were to stay, she should get her own room and three meals a day. He will be civil and treat her with respect and she will care for his staff and turn a blind eye when he needed to feed. If he must feed on her, then she would allow it - better her, than some innocent!
He did not agree until his face was almost unrecognisable and when he did, he could not guarantee her safety. She could not guarantee his. She closed the shutter; a nice gesture he was not capable of understanding. Their roles had reversed - he was the victim and she the inflictor.
"Is it a deal?"
-:-
A/N: Ok there's going to be a part 3. I have changed parts of the story and added my own ideas to best fit the beast/vampire storyline. Hope you like.
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