Belle and Beast had spent a long time reading out loud in the window of the tower. When she became cold, she pulled a blanket over herself and buried into the Beasts side. He hesitated before hooking his arm around her and holding the book up for them both. It began to snow, and the flakes fell down outside the window like tiny diamonds.

When Belle had fallen asleep, Beast was content to sit with her next to him. She looked so beautiful he didn't dare move.

"Well done." a voice said within the room.

Snapping his head in the direction Beast saw the enchantress standing in the center of the room.

"What do you want?" he demanded before looking down, afraid he had woken Belle.

"She will not stir, Prince. I've made sure of it."

"Fine." he grumbled, "What is it?"

The beautiful woman walked over to him slowly and looked down at the woman asleep by his side.

"I come with a warning."

"Another?"

"Hmm" she gently reached down and swept a piece of Belle's hair away from her face. Beast tensed, not trust her, "It is obvious you are in love, Prince. We all know. Even Belle knows, but she is still feeling conflicted about her own feelings."

He looked down, "She is?"

"Indeed. Can you blame her? She does not know there is a chance you can become human. Imagine what it would be like to fall for someone under a spell."

Beast closed his eyes, starting to doubt himself again.

"I did not come here to make you insecure. I came to warn you that there is trouble brewing."

He looked up in surprise, "What kind of trouble?"

"The one who seeks to claim her, this Gaston, is workings on rallying the villagers. They do not believe there is a 'beast', but when Belle's father returned he was outraged to find her missing. You must be careful."

"I'll deal with it."

The Enchantress looked at him again and said, "Be careful Prince. This man's pride is one of the biggest threats of all. If he can't have Belle he will be sure no one else can."

Beast looked at her darkly, "What are you saying?"

"That when she comes to terms with her love for you, and she will in time, she must tell you. If she dies before that time..." a growl started in the Prince's throat after that statement, but she continued, "You will live on... but without her. The curse will not break your heart unless the love is unrequited."

"He won't touch her!" Beast snapped.

"See that it is so. Living without the one you love... is the worst pain you can ever know."

Softening Beast noticed the sadness on her face. Gently he asked, "You sound as though you have experienced it?"

She smiled sadly, "An Enchantress is immortal. I never age or die. I never change, yet the years pass and I can know no one that I will not see die in time."

Furrowing his brow he asked, "You loved a man?"

She nodded, "Yes, long ago before the first books were printed and carriages roamed the streets. I loved a human prince."

"What happened to him?"

He hypnotic eyes sparkled as they looked over at him. "Pride. Pride and cruelty were his downfall, and so many others."

"How-"

The Enchantress cut him off sharply with, "It does not matter, Prince. I have worked hard to ensure no other royal follows his path."

Suddenly Beast felt different about the spell he had been placed under. Had she been trying to save him? He looked down at Belle and his chest warmed when she snuggled in closer to him. As he glanced back up to ask one last question he found he was alone once more.

Hi everyone! I finally found time to continue! I am seriously considering doing a prequel story about the enchantress and ending with her cursing the beast. If you're interested let me know. I also wanted to let everyone know that my original story The Sirens of Rhine is FREE on Amazon Kindle for today 9/20 and tomorrow 9/21. If you don't own a kindle you can still read on the computer, but you may need to install the application. I hope you all will read and review!