CHAPTER EIGHT

THE CURSE OF THE FAE

So Hannah and Cathy took to Gaspard well enough. They even came back to visit him once more and were helping me look for a way to save him.

I was rushing Aunt Silvia to finish translating the papers. But she said that the language is like old French of which she isn't famiiar. She was trying though.

I stopped going to the library. Myrtle had called, worried but I told her I was just preoccupied with my fella. I gave her a little more details before she let me hang up.

Gaspard was growing weaker and weaker. I was growing more and more stressed. Hannah, Cathy and I couldn't find anything in any of the books or websites I found.

"If you were coming in the fall,

I'd crush the summer by

With half a smile and half a spurn,

As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year,

I'd wind the months in balls,

And put them each in separate drawers,

Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed,

I'd count them on my hand,

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Diemens land.

If certain, when this life was out,

That yours and mine should be,

I'd toss it yonder like a rind,

And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length

Of time's uncertain wing,

It goads me, like a goblin bee,

That will not state its sting."

"Eboloussant," Gaspard murmured.

"What does that mean?" I looked down at him from my sitting position at his bedside.

He gazed up at me, "Dazzling."

"Yeah, Emily Dickinson was great," I said back.

"I wasn't talking about the poem," Gaspard protested.

I blushed at that, "My dad says that my mom used to read poetry to us when we were sick or sad. Hopefully it actually works for you."

"I think I'm beyond poetry," Gaspard coughed.

I set the book down, "Don't say that."

"Belle... You need to accept-"

"I need to accept nothing," I interrupted, "You're going to be fine." I wanted to tell him that everything would be alright. That I would fight for him to live. That I needed him to live. I needed him in my life. I loved him.

But I couldn't get the words out. I was too afraid that if I told him – said the words... it would hurt more if all my work was for naught and I lost him in the end. I would be devestated.

"Belle..." Gaspard struggled, too weak.

I pulled myself down to lay beside his body, "Go to sleep. Le repos."

He struggled to keep his eyes open, "Belle..."

I took his.. talon into my hand, "Just rest."

I got home and it was really late. Seeing Gaspard that way... was awful. He was so weak. So frail. And there was nothing I could do for him. I never felt so helpless as I did now. I was trying so hard to save him and he was trying so hard to hold on. But nothing was working and I could feel that he was running out of time.

It wasn't fair. He lived for 266 years and then has to die so soon after I found him. Nothing about this was fair.

I collapsed into my bed, tears falling freely from my face. I dug my face into my pillow and let out a huge sob. My shoulders and back shook with painful tremors as I let all my emotion wash over me. I could feel myself breaking with every day I didn't save Gaspard. I felt like such a failure. If I couldn't save him, what was the point?

I didn't want to wake up the next morning. I had fallen asleep, crying. I was still in my clothes from the day before and my face was sticky and wet with dry tears. I groaned as their was a knock on the door, "Go away."

Hannah opened the door, with Cathy behind her. "Belle?"

I cuddled into my pillow, "It's useless."

"What is? Gaspard?" Cathy asked.

I shook my head, "Trying. I can't do it. I can't save him."

"What?" Hannah asked, "Of course you can."

"Don't give up now," Cathy almost begged.

I sat up in my bed, "I've tried everything. The only hope we have is that Siliva will find out how to break the curse from the papers. But it's getting difficult for her finish."

Hannah sat at the foot of my bed, "It's not too late. There is hope. Just think of him. How you feel about him. And then that will make it all worth it."

After finding nothing that day, I couldn't find it in me to go to the manor. I couldn't face him and tell him there was no hope.

That night I tossed and turned.

"AHH!" Gaspard cried out as the slashes on his skin started to bleed. "Belle!"

I whimpered in my sleep as I gripped the sheets with my fingers.

Fae cackled right in my face. "It's too late. He's dying. And you can't do anything about it!"

Gaspard thrashed and cried until all the fight was wiped out of him. I saw his eyes close.

I screamed myself awake. I heard violent raining pounding on my window. And I knew that I couldn't stay here. I had to be with him. Even if it was just for a short while. I jumped up and threw some clothes on and grabbed my rain coat. I ran down the stairs as quiet as I could. It was still dark with the late night. I ran head first into the rain and straddled my bike. I peddled faster than I ever had before, squinting in the rain.

"Gaspard!" I screamed over the pitter patter of rain as I pounded on the closed double doors.

They swung open powerfully, banging loudly on the walls inside. Fae was there, smirking at me, "Look who showed up."

"Stop this!" I screamed, "Stop this now! STOP KILLING HIM!"

Fae cackled with malice and evil glints in her vibrant green eyes, "I'm not, missy. You are."

I don't know what came over me. I was overcome with anger, rage, I just wanted to kill. Maybe if I killed her, then the curse would break and Gaspard would be fine. I attacked her, grabbing her fists and kicking into her legs. It did little to deter her reaction. She was much stronger than I was.

She pushed me and I flew into the stairs. I cringed in pain of the impact. I pushed myself up and tried to hit her but she got out of my reach. She threw me against the wall. I winced at the slam of my back against the wood but ignore it. She clasped her hands around my throat and squeezed. I tried to gasp for air and pry her hands off of my neck but it was no use.

I saw black spots on the sides of my eyes, "Gasp..."

Suddenly, she was ripped away from me. I fell painfully to the floor and took in large gasps and breaths for air. I looked up, dizzily, and saw Gaspard. He pulled her off of me. He still looked weak. He was breathing harshly and struggling to keep himself upright.

"What are you doing?" I called out as he came to my side.

Fae let out a screech and all the window shattered as wind picked up and blew through the house. Gaspard sheiled me from the falling glass. He cupped my face and said, "It'll be alright, Belle."

I pushed myself up the wall and looked into Gaspard's eyes, one the brightest blue of the ocean waves with specks of green in them like salt. The other, the darkest pool of blue I'd ever seen. Both, beautiful. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Fae grasp a long shard of glass and come at me.

I braced myself for the pain but Gaspard shoved me away and stood in front of me just as Fae struck with the jagged glass. It ripped into his stomach. He cried out as I shrieked. I fell down to his side and pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

I didn't notice Fae lift her hand to try and stab me again when this large cloud of yellow and green dust hit her in the back. She screamed shrilly, "No!" She screeched as her skin bubbled over. Black and charred, she fell into a pile of ash, slowly right in front of me.

I looked behind her and saw Emile with a brown velvet bag by the stairs.

I decided to ignore that for now and looked back down at Gaspard. His breathing was ragged and troubled as he tried to keep his eyes opened. I cupped his face in my hands, "Gaspard... open your eyes. Please. Just open your eyes."

He tried – I know he tried – but he was failing. I pressed my hand to the wound and looked up at Emile, "Get help!"

"Belle..." I looked down and Gaspard said, "I'm... sorry..."

"Don't say that. You're gonna be fine. Just keep your eyes open. Please, Gaspard."

"Maybe... It's better... this way..." He panted.

I shook my head, tears falling down from my face, "No, it's not. You have to live." I was frantic and looked insane – crying profusely, soaked from the rain, shouting for Gaspard to live.

"Love... you..." his eyes closed slowly and I felt the breath leave his body.

"No!" I screamed, "Open your eyes. You have to live. I need you here. Please." His eyes weren't opening though. I let out a sob, "Please, Gaspard, I need you." I leaned my forehead against his chest for a moment before sniffing and leaning over his face, "I love you..." My tears fell freely, falling down onto his face as they dripped off of mine.

His eyes didn't open. I felt the world crash around me as I realized that he wasn't waking up. I lost him.

I fell into his body and cried. I lost...

Suddenly his chest lifted under my head. I frantically sat up and looked at him. He was moving. Suddenly there was a blinding light emitting from his body. I flinched and covered my eyes, backing away. I could feel the light burn on the other side of my eye lids.

I heard a small shout and then the light was gone.

I slowly took my hand down and opened my eyes.

And I gasped.

Aw, they love each other! Do you think Belle broke the curse?

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