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Chapter 9

Babette wandered the castle, guilt filling her. She knew that it was her fault that the castle was under the spell again, and knew of no way to break it. The Enchantress, who had put them under the spell the first time, was able to break it, but so far, the young woman hadn't been able to contact her.

The maid shook her head "No, it is not my fault. Jacqueline did this, it was completely out of my control" she muttered. Babette sighed, still feeling upset "If only I could contact the Enchantress, then she could break the spell" she thought. The woman assumed that, since Belle was still in the castle and loved the Prince, the spell had no real need for being cast again. The only reason that it had been recast was Jacqueline's own plan. What that plan was, she still didn't know.

The maid continued to swish her way down the hall, until she got outside into the sunlight. She sighed with a small smile at the feel of the sun and the energy it brought her. The Maya grew weaker the longer they didn't have sunlight, and since she was never allowed outside of the castle when first under the spell, she grew weaker every year. The loss of energy was even worse if there was no plant blood available.

Babette, luckily, had been able to feed herself the required amount of plant blood even when in her feather-duster form, but the only problem had been the lack of sunlight. However, now that she was allowed out of the castle, her own wellbeing was something she didn't have to worry about. The only thing she had to worry about, was her relationship with Lumiere "Well, it has seemed that he has calmed down a lot more now" she thought. She hoped that he had calmed down even more, because every fibre of her being begged for his forgiveness.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him. He sat on the edge of the fountain, and traced the swirling patterns of the ledge with one of his 'hands' to appear casual. Although she could tell that he was watching the maid out of concern for her.

Lumiere occasionally glanced at Babette, wondering how she was feeling. If only he could see auras like she could, then he would know. The Frenchman sighed "I am ready to admit it. I was being a fool before, to still hold a grudge for so long. I have to make it right between us, it is killing me" he thought. He wasn't saying that he loved her, but he at least wanted her friendship again.

Babette swished up to him, jumping up on the ledge beside him "Bonjur Lumiere" she greeted quietly.

"Bonjur Babette" he replied in the same manner. He shook his head "This is ridiculous. I have to tell her now" he thought, turning to her. He smiled genuinely at her for what was probably the first time since their argument, and said "Babette, I…am sorry for overreacting with the information you gave me, and, if we cannot be how we once were, I at least would like your friendship once again."

She smiled, tears of happiness close to forming in her eyes "Oh Lumiere! Of course I will be your friend again!" she squealed. In truth, she wanted them to be just as they had been before all of the madness had started, but if friends was all they could be, then it was enough.

All of a sudden, she felt a familiar pain in her head. Before she could even react, Babette was no longer looking at him, but at a certain room.

She sighed "Sure, now she decides to speak to me" she muttered.

As before, the Enchantress appeared in front of her. She smiled sympathetically "Do not worry Babette, this can be fixed" she said.

"Of course it can, you were the one who originally broke the spell! Why have you not been able to do that?" she asked curiously.

"Because Jacqueline blocked my powers with her own. But she has lowered them now, so I am able to break this curse again" replied the Enchantress.

Babette was forced out of her 'sighting' then, which resulted in a headache and a feeling of misbalance. She groaned "Lumiere, I am sorry you had to see that" she said.

"It was actually quite interesting" he replied. But, one thing that Babette noticed, was that the direction his voice came from was higher than before. She opened her eyes, and gasped in delight…he was human again! She smiled, and then checked herself, her smile growing when she received the same results. Babette stood, and stumbled slightly, which caused her to blush in embarrassment "Mon Deiu, the only other time I was this out of balance was when I became human again the first time" she thought.

Later that day, Cogsworth, who was human again also, ran through the castle in search of the Babette. Not finding her, he turned to Mrs. Potts and said, panicking "She's gone! Dear Lord, she's gone!"

Meanwhile, in a hidden castle deeper in the woods, Jacqueline knew exactly who was missing, for she had taken her as prisoner. The sound of her silver heels clicking across the stone floor was the only sound in the room. It was dark, with small slits as windows, but the Zemya could see everything as clear as day. The room now doubled as a dungeon for her latest prisoner, and one she was personally very proud of.

The woman smiled wickedly as she stood before her prisoner. She gripped her chin with such force that it drew a small amount of blood, and the woman removed her fingers before licking them slightly. She laughed bitterly "Personally, I find human blood more appealing. But, I suppose someone with blood similar to my own is almost equally as enjoyable" she said.

Without warning, the Zemya roughly tilted her prisoner's chin up, looking into her eyes. She gave her an expression of mock concern "Are you alright? Or is there too little light in here Sun-Lover?" she sneered. When she did not get a reply, Jacqueline continued "Well, the Maya always were weak without sunlight or plant blood. Although, I do hope that you will not be too weak, otherwise your stay will not be any fun."

She smiled wickedly and continued "I really am looking forward to your stay here. It has been far too long since we have spoken Babette."