Hey guys! So life has been insane lately but I thought I'd get this up for you. Idk when the next update will be but thanks for sticking with me!
The Beast did not appear at dinner that night.
Roslyn went to bed feeling vaguely ill and not having eaten much in the way of supper due to her churning stomach. She was twitchy and nervous about the fate of the little fox and apprehensive about the Beast's explosive and unpredictable bouts of temper. She strained her ears all night for a hint of the Beast's whereabouts, but the oppressive silence of the castle remained intact and seemed to be a special form of torture designed for her alone. What she wouldn't give for the click-click of claws on wood or even a threatening growl to let her know where the Beast was or give some hint as to what he was doing.
Upon waking the next morning Roslyn was greeted with thick gray clouds that had appeared during her fitful hours of sleep, they blanketed the sky and did nothing to improve her mood. Finding her shoulders taut as a well strung clothes line and without patience for her maid, Roslyn dressed herself in a long sleeved gown of pale green, deciding that it was best to keep the angry red scratches on her arms out of sight and out of mind.
She had just finished braiding her hair and tying it with a simple green ribbon when the invisible maid bustled in, stopped, surveyed her disapprovingly, turned and left in an angry huff. Roslyn winced as she felt a twinge of guilt over her actions and the beginnings of a vicious headache in her temples. All the worry and anxiety she had experienced over the last few days had combined with a vengeance and had set about trying to tear her skull apart.
Hoping that the Beast would make an appearance at breakfast, Roslyn quickly descended the stairs and entered the dining room where she paused, mouth gaping open in stunned surprise.
The room was not bathed in candle or fire light but genuine, if watery, sunshine that streamed in from the massive windows at the far end of room. She hadn't even known that there were windows. If the room had been breathtaking before, now it was absolutely awe inspiring.
The ceiling which she had assumed was painted held depictions of fat cherubs, scantily clad goddesses, and mythological heroes. The craftsmanship and detail was amazing and she was easily able to identify the goddess Persephone as well as Psyche and her lover, Eros, watching her in secret. The beautiful artwork instantly brightened her mood as she walked to her chair, situated directly beneath Zeus's massive gilded throne from which he watched the frolicking of his heavenly subjects. The paintings were wonderfully pagan and made all the more precious because the church had erased such works of art from nearly every residence in the city. Checking the shadowed corners of the room, Roslyn's light mood took a marginally darker turn; she failed to see neither hide nor hair of her host, even in the deepest and darkest of the shadows.
Appetite somewhat restored by the weak sunshine that was fighting valiantly through the dense cloud cover, Roslyn was able to eat a chocolate croissant, some fruit, and marginally enjoy a cup of strong tea. As she sipped at the warm liquid, a thought crystallized in her mind, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She would find the little fox from yesterday and see if he was alright, or she would find the Beast and demand an explanation for his actions...once she was sure he had calmed down. Roslyn assured herself that her decision to search for the fox first was not an act of cowardice merely practical because then she could confront the Beast about the creatures welfare…at a later date. Mind resolutely made up, Roslyn rose, thanked the invisible servants and made her way to the garden with a determined stride.
As soon as she found herself among the flowers though, Roslyn's steps slowed. She found herself soothed and comforted by the beautiful blooms and as she relaxed, the painful pressure in her head eased away. She stroked the petals of a purple rose and wished that she could go back in time and undo the events of the day before, how she wished she could undo so many events in her life! Fingering the golden locket around her neck she thought about all the mistakes that had lead to this moment, where she walked through the most amazing rose garden in the world searching for a fox and captive of a creature that was neither man nor beast but a compelling combination of both.
Spying the large oak from the day before she noticed that there was a dark shape reclining against the trunk. As she moved closer, Roslyn made out the large form of the Beast, there was something small and red in between his massive…paws? Hands? Roslyn's steps faltered just as a stiff breeze gusted against her back making her shiver as it plastered her gown around her legs and blew stray tendrils of hair into her eyes. The Beast's dark shape suddenly seemed so forbidding, especially when combined with the ominous sky.
The Beast raised his head and pinned her in place with his glowing eyes, Roslyn watched as he rose carefully, the red object resting in the crook of his arm and cradled against his broad chest. The wind picked up his black cloak and swirled it around him, exposing the blood red lining. Unable to breath, Roslyn watched his approach. Fervently hoping that the tiny creature he held was still alive, she didn't think she could bear it if…The thought trailed off as the Beast strode quickly to her side and she registered the bright gleam of the little fox's brown eyes as they peered over the Beast's massive forearm.
"Good morning Roslyn."
"Good morning Beast," she was ridiculously nervous for absolutely no reason but proud that her voice didn't tremble as she feared it would. The fox's ears pricked and it looked pointedly from the Beast back to her. He chuckled and shifted the small creature in his arms so that its small paws draped over his hand.
"He wanted to apologize for yesterday."
"Oh," Roslyn glanced between the two of them as an idea struck her, "You can…?"
"Talk to animals," he finished. "I find I have an easier time with predators, they tend not to fear me as much. Do you accept his apology my lady?"
Roslyn couldn't help the smile that spread across her face, "Of course I accept, I'm glad he isn't hurt."
The Beast stiffened as if she had struck him, his voice held the hard edge of a defensive growl, "I told you I wouldn't."
"I meant from the rose bush." Roslyn said as a trill of fear swept up her spine, raising the hair on her arms and the nape of her neck.
"Oh," the Beast glanced away guiltily, clearly embarrassed over his assumption. There was an awkward silence that Roslyn was unable to bridge. "You can pet him, if you want," he said gruffly, rearranging the fox again.
"He doesn't mind?"
"No. He would be lucky to be petted by you." Roslyn's eyes clashed with the Beast's for one breathless moment before she looked away, her cheeks blazing in the cool air. For lack of anything better to do, Roslyn reached for the fox kit and was surprised when he let her stroke his soft fur. After a minute she stepped closer so she could bury her hand in his pelt, he licked her hand.
"Can I hold him?" The Beast wordlessly transferred the small ball of red fluff into her arms and she couldn't help but coo at the adorable little demon. "He's so adorable!" She gushed and the fox seemed to preen under her attention, stretching and turning so she could rub his amazingly white stomach and throat.
When she next looked up at the Beast it was to find a small smile on his lips that showed just the tips of his lethal fangs, the sight was by turns frightening and oddly comforting and she found herself smiling back. "Would you care to accompany me to the stables? There's an old friend I need to visit."
Roslyn shrugged mentally, it wasn't like she had a list of chores to do and she had accomplished the only goal she had planned for the day. "I would love to." The Beast's smile broadened and he offered her his arm. After a moment she hesitantly accepted, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow while the little fox climbed up her shoulder to drape himself around her neck like a living stole and chew on the ribbon in her hair.
At first the walk was awkward; the Beast had long legs and a stride that almost doubled her own. So while he tried to shorten his steps she tried to lengthen hers until they found a rhythm that seemed to work. The conversation was also strained as they both searched for a safe topic to discuss, comments about the weather and the flowers only lasted so long until they both lapsed into uncomfortable silence. Roslyn extracted the green ribbon from the fox's jaws.
She was profoundly grateful when the large stable on the other side of the castle came into view. How could the ease of the other night have disappeared so swiftly? But it hadn't really disappeared, it had just…changed. Frowning to herself, Roslyn tried to determine what had changed between then and now. She was still thinking when they entered the barn and were greeted by the comforting scents of hay and horse.
A happy nicker from one of the stalls had Roslyn forgetting her thoughts and focusing on the large head that had been poked over a stall door. The massive black horse with a very prominent Roman nose nickered again and stamped impatiently when they failed to move closer fast enough, the fox abandoned Roslyn's neck and dashed out the door taking the ribbon with him. "Hey, that's mine!"
The Beast laughed, "You look better with your hair down anyway." Roslyn blushed and self consciously plucked at her unraveling braid. Tongue tied, she tried to think of a reply but was saved when the horse began kicking his stall door. Thankful for the distraction, Roslyn moved closer to the equine who stretched his neck out and nuzzled her hand happily, after a brief moment he switched his attention to the Beast and gave another impatient nicker.
"He's looking for this." The Beast held a bright green apple in his large hand, as if to concur with his statement the horse let out a delighted whinny and snorted.
"Well, it certainly looks like he knows what he wants."
"He's spoiled. Roslyn meet Raven, Raven this is Lady Roslyn." The horse focused on her for a brief moment before nodding his head up and down and refocusing on his apple which the Beast was cutting into sections using his massive claws. They easily cut through the crisp flesh of the fruit and Roslyn found herself transfixed, unable to look away. The Beast caught her staring.
"My hands make using a knife difficult, these work just as well." He held out a quarter of the apple to her which she took gingerly and feed to the greedy horse. Roslyn fully expected the equine to snatch the piece of fruit from her hand but instead he plucked it from her palm with the most beautiful of manners. The Beast gave her a superior grin, "He knows better than that Rose."
"Rose?"
The smile vanished from his face, "Forgive me; that was too familiar."
"No, I like it. My family normally calls me Rosy which I hate. Rose sounds much prettier."
"Then you don't mind if I call you Rose?"
She smiled up into his solemn amber eyes, "No, I don't mind."
Aw, cute right? The next chapter has some pretty awesome action so be sure and stay tuned for that! Please review!
