Author's Note: Once again thank you for the reviews, I read every one and they are great motivation! I'm having so much fun writing this story.

Warning: Contains strong-language and mild-violence.

Chapter Ten

The Beast's Torment

Belle screamed as Beast collapsed to the floor, "Beast!" She rushed to his side, dropping to her knees and clutching at his cloak. "Gaston what have you done!?"

Gaston let out a vicious laugh, clutching at his bleeding arm. "Worried about your beast are you? Rest easy, the poison won't kill him. I much prefer to do that myself."

Out of the corner of her eye Belle saw Lumiere move with amazing speed, slamming his fist into the Gaston's mouth.

Gaston stumbled backward with a grunt. "Son of bitch!" he snarled.

"What's happening!?" Cogsworth rushed into the room, a sword clasped in one of his fist, followed closely by Mrs. Potts. When he noticed Beast on the floor he gasped, "Sire!"

"Cogsworth, sword," Lumiere commanded, holding out his hand. Without hesitation Cogsworth tossed the sword to Lumiere, who caught it easily before lowering it at Gaston. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you now," Lumiere snarled.

Gaston's face broke into an evil grin. "Because if you do my servant has specific instructions to kill Belle's father on sight."

"No!" Belle shouted. Terror and fury raged inside of her. She felt pure hatred for the man before her.

Lumiere looked to Belle then back to Gaston. "I should kill him Belle."

"Lumiere, please don't!" Belle couldn't take this. Her beast was lying on the floor poisoned and her father's life was in peril. She stroked Beast's fur and fought back tears. "Gaston please don't hurt my father."

Gaston swayed on his feet, but that evil grin never faltered. The man looked crazed. "Your father will remain safe, for now," he sneered. "But I will return for what's mine Belle. Resolve yourself." He spat blood on the floor before walking backwards out the door, his dagger raised.

Lumiere followed him to the door, his face contorted with rage.

"Enjoy the beast while you can Belle," Gaston mocked before exiting the castle. Lumiere slammed the door behind him with a growl.

"Hurry, we need to get him upstairs." Mrs. Potts ran to Beast. "Cogsworth, gather more servants and fetch Chip. We'll need help carrying him."

"Right away!" Cogsworth hurried up the stairs.

"Lumiere come here and help me stop this bleeding," Mrs. Potts instructed, pressing her apron against the wound in Beast's chest.

Shaking Belle picked up the Beast's head, resting it in her lap. She would never forgive herself if he didn't wake back up.

X X X

Belle sat beside Beast, holding his paw. It has been three days and Beast had yet to wake or recover from the poison. His body was raked by fever and he had grown delirious, calling out for her. It broke her heart, her eyes red and swollen from her tears. She couldn't stand to see him like this. It was torture to watch him suffer.

"Beast..." she murmured his name, stroking her fingertips over his forehead. He was so hot. She didn't know how to care for him or what to do.

"Belle." Mrs. Potts appeared behind her, patting her shoulder lovingly. "You need to rest dear."

"No." Belle shook her head and gripped his paw tighter. "I want to stay."

"You are no good to him like this." Mrs. Potts stroked her hair soothingly. "I'll stay with him."

Belle wanted to argue but didn't have the energy. "Alright. Just for a few hours." Glancing one last time at Beast she left the room.

Lumiere was waiting just outside the door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His handsome face was haggard and strained with worry. "How is he?"

"No improvement." Belle exhaled, leaning against the wall next to Lumiere.

"You look exhausted Belle," he murmured.

She forced a weak smile. "So do you."

"I failed him," Lumiere admitted softly.

"What?" Belle touched his arm gently. "How can you say that Lumiere? If not for you Gaston would have killed him."

"It never should have gotten that far. I hesitated." Lumiere ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. "There was a time when I would have killed him without a second thought."

Belle frowned at that. "You're a good man Lumiere..."

Lumiere smirked, cupping a hand over her cheek. "I'm really not Belle. But it pleases me to hear you say that." He patted her cheek. "You should rest."

"I'll try. I'm so worried Lumiere." She looked up at him tearfully. "About Beast and about my father. He's been so ill and he's gone through so much hardship. And now with Gaston threatening him..."

"The master will pull through this. As for your father..." he stopped, pressing his lips together. Belle got the impression he was hiding something from her.

"What about my father?" she asked.

Lumiere sighed, "I suppose it doesn't matter now. The master requested that his needs be taken care of. He is being well cared for Belle. All of his finances are in order and we have hired servants to tend to him."

"He has!" Belle gaped at Lumiere in shock. Beast had done all of that for her? "Why didn't he tell me?" she whispered more to herself then to Lumiere.

"I don't know. The master, can be difficult to understand at times." Lumiere smiled down at her. "He cares for you Belle, I hope you know that."

Belle felt her heart bloom with warmth. Beast took such care with her and tried so hard. She knew he struggled to stay in control for her, which only endeared him to her that much more. Their night together had been wonderful, waking up sprawled over his warm chest even more so.

I'm falling in love with him.

X X X

Beast groaned, the pain in his body was agony. He felt as if he were burning from the inside out and his bones were shattering all at once. The poison raked over his body, blurring the days and nights. How long had he been this way?

Belle…That man had come for Belle. He needed to stop him. He couldn't let him take away his female. Why had he come here? He knew now that he had seen that man before. He had been at the auction for Belle. Were the two of them in love? Had they planned the whole thing? Was this Gaston supposed to have won her? Why else would he have come for her?

She doesn't want me. I'm nothing but a monster. The agony and grief nearly overwhelmed him. He wanted to roar his pain to the sky but could only suffer in silent torment. The night they had spent together seemed like distant a dream. He had never known such happiness. Even if she had never grown to love him, he knew he would be content as long as she stayed by his side.

And all that time she had wanted another! She had been playing him for a fool. He couldn't stand the thought of it. He replayed the scene with the stranger over and over in his mind. Belle pleading for him not to kill him. Trying to stop him! Had she looked upon the other man with love? In his mind he could see it. Could see her fawning over the handsome hunter, whispering sweet words in his ear.

Belle had deceived him, made him believe she wanted him! Had made him feel emotions he could never admit too. Hurt at her betrayal tore at his soul. He would never forgive her