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Disclaimer: Belongs to Gail Carson Levine.. blah, blah, blah, you get it.

XXI

The blizzard ended after a cold day or two. As soon as it lifted, I ran out into the chill straight into the bookstore before Father could protest.

I reveled in my haven, smelling the musty, old smell of books that were older than me before greeting Quori cheerfully. He looked a little stunned at seeing me, as most people were still hiding out in their homes from the snow.

But I HAD to get out of that cottage. I had to distract myself. So I found a new book, a love story, I sighed blissfully as I paid Quori with some coins that I had found in one dresses Alaric gave me.

I was a tad annoyed at discovering he gave me money, but I counted it up and it wasn't much, and I knew that they had no real use for it anyway. So I used it willingly. I felt pretty bad about it, but I needed a book to distract myself from the man who gave me the money in the first place.

As soon as I got back to the cottage, I sat in the armchair and read my book. It began with a Princess, who could sing and dance and was more beautiful than the sun. I quirked an eyebrow at that, but continued with the tale. She was discontent with life however, and vowed to runaway from her castle life. I yawned at the overdone twist in the story, wishing that a monster would eat her already. Unfortunately, it went on, praising her marvelous beauty and good virtues as she scampered around the forest with her animal friends. Then, of course, on winter's night, a young prince, who was sent looking for the girl, went to find out where she was and discovered her dancing in the moonlight.

And of course, they danced together (gag me with a spoon!) and fell in love in one mili-second.

I scowled at my book and threw it away from me. Some love story . . . nothing happened! I suppose if I kept reading I would discover that the Prince saves her from some sort of misfortune, but really? Nobody knows how to write a good romance anymore, I decided grumpily.

A snicker came out of me before I could stop it. Only Lucinda could write good love stories from what it seemed like, according to my golden book of fairy tales.

I sighed, having my mind take me right back to my stupid, little problem. Was I in love with Alaric?

I cringed at the thought, and I took that for my answer that I wasn't in love with him. He was my best friend, sure, but me in love with him? I don't think so.

But all of these questions keep popping up, so it must mean something, a more rational voice in my mind called out.

I, of course, ignored it. I didn't want to be rational.

That's right you just like being stubborn! A snarky voice from inside my head told me.

I groaned and placed my head in my hands. All I needed to go crazy was to hear voices, and now I heard them.

My thoughts continued on that strain for the next couple of weeks. Miss Book's snide commentary didn't help much nor did Father's curious glances at me. But what helped least of all was that Zyslai still tried to woo me over to the dark side, as I liked to call it.

I was hating the world and everything in it.

Even Pat, who in matrimonial felicity, noticed my behavior and accosted me one evening as I was taking my daily walk.

"What is the matter with you Beauty?" she asked, her blonde hair curling underneath her chin, "The only thing you have been doing lately is either lazing about or complaining. You know Faerani could use you help along with Quori, everyone has noticed your sullen behavior, and so what is the matter with you?"

I looked away from her grey eyes, to avoid any tears from my end, "I don't know, I feel terrible, I guess I just miss Serenity."

Pat gave me a look, but before she could say anything, Zyslai cornered us. He looked extravagant, as if he used all his savings on this one outfit that shimmered with a golden color and the brightness from his smile glared into my eyes. He began to speak with a light air, "Oh, why hello Beauty, Patience, what a surprise meeting you here!"

Patience and I rolled our eyes simultaneously, "Hello Zyslai, now if you'll excuse us, we have something to talk about," Patience said, pulling me along away from him.

Zyslai grabbed the back of my dress though, steadily choking me, "Actually I need to talk to Beauty, if that is all right with you?"

I begged Patience with my eyes for her to say no, but she seemed to think that it was proper punishment for my behavior to leave me with Zyslai, "All right, but Beauty meet me back at my house later!" she called out, leaving me alone with him, the idiot of the century.

Play nice I reminded myself before looking at his grotesquely handsome face, "Yes so, what do you need to speak with me about?"

He placed a hand on the small of my back and began guiding me. I carefully removed the offensive hand off the small of my back, but he just grabbed ahold of my waist instead. I sighed as he spoke, "Well, Beauty, I want to propose to you . . . again."

I looked at him warily as he beamed at me, "No."

He gave me a snide look, "I think you should listen to me before saying no, because well, I can take away your father's job. It can just disappear . . . forever," he remarked softly.

I raised my eyebrows at him, "Why would this make me marry you?"

"Because if you don't marry me, I'll do just that!" he announced quietly, so no one else could hear.

"You are an idiot. My sister just married a wealthy squire and you are threatening to cut us off?" I shook my head at him.

He got a determined look on his face as we walked down a more deserted section of town, "Oh yeah, well, how about I destroy Vonandar's reputation? And Pat's? What will you do then?"

I attempted to slap him, but he caught my wrist, "Marry me," he demanded.

I cried out in pain, but made sure I would be able to get an answer out, "NO! And leave me, my family, and my friends alone!"

"The only reason you would say no at this point, is that you are too stubborn or are in love with someone else!" he stated, holding my wrist so tightly that I wanted to punch him. I ignored him and concentrated getting his hands off my wrist so I could run away. He looked at me with determination and a hint of insanity in his eyes, "You are in love with someone else."

That caught me off guard, and I stumbled as he threw me to the snow covered ground, "What? No I'm not."

He started pacing back and forth, "Is it that married Sir Nicholas guy? He looks elegant enough for you!"

I scowled at him, "Stop it! I am not in love with that man! He insulted a friend of mine, and I don't fall in love with people who insult or hurt people I care about. And you have done that so often that it is no wonder I despise you!"

He glared down at me, "Is that friend he insulted a male friend?"

I avoided eye contact, "No," I lied.

"Yes it is, you stupid girl! Who is it? Who is it?" he yelled at me, demanding, and his reaction finally caught the attention of someone.

"What is going on here?" someone demanded. I couldn't see as they were behind me, but I could hear the shuffling of many feet, so I assumed a crowd was watching.

"Nothing that should matter to you old man," Zyslai commented, pulling me to my feet and pushing me to my savior. It was good, old Quori, who looked absolutely livid at how Zyslai treated me. I noticed Vonandar was one of the people in the crowd and he was looking daggers at Zyslai.

I felt very vulnerable as Zyslai sneered at me and walked away from the crowd, and as soon as he did the crowd broke into scattered mutterings and Vonandar caught up to me.

"I'm glad you are all right," he said looking worriedly at me as if I were about to faint, "Maybe you should go back to that finishing school sooner than you planned, as it seems like he might strike out if you don't do something soon."

I nodded wearily, "I guess, but I'm worried about Father, and you and Pat and the twins, what if he targets you guys as his victim instead of me?"

"We'll be fine Beauty, Zyslai is a little unstable, but I'll report to the constable about this."

"You know that won't help, he has friends everywhere!" I protested.

He lay a hand on my shoulder, "Beauty, we had witnesses, he has to accept that Zyslai loses most of his gray matter when he is around you."

"I thought he always was stupid," I stated tiredly, "But it won't work, you know that. Zyslai has everyone under his thumb!"

Vonandar looked like a helpless kitten, "I know Beauty. . . but we have to do something! He is probably going to start targeting you any time you leave the house!"

I looked at him wearily, "I guess I can't leave the house then?"

He looked shocked at the proposal, "Beauty, are you suggesting that you stay inside your house the rest of the winter? What if he breaks in?"

I shook my head at him, suddenly remembering the spells Mother had put on the cottage years before, "I will be fine inside the cottage. No enemy of mine can break in."

Vonandar looked puzzled, but I strode past him going back to my house, "Beauty, I don't think this will work . . ." he protested but I ignored him.

"Give Pat my love, and if she wants to see me, she will have to visit me at Rose Cottage," I said stiffly.

"But, what are we to do about Zyslai," he whispered harshly at me.

"Absolutely nothing."

"What?!?" he stammered looking very confused.

"We'll just let him cool down as I hide out all winter, maybe by Spring it will be back to normal. If not, I shall either visit Serenity or go back to working at the finishing school," I stated, quite pleased with myself at my quick thinking.

"I don't think your Father will like that plan," Vonandar stated worriedly. I stopped in my tracks. Drat, I forgot about Father, but, I must not act like I forgot him, "I think he will agree to the plan. And even if he doesn't, I am a woman now, I will be 18 in a matter of weeks, and I shan't be told what to do,

when it comes to my safety. I think I know what is best." (A/N ignore line, was not supposed to be placed there. I have no idea why it was actually... curious)

Of course, Father thought differently, as he argued with me later that night in our little cottage that would soon be my prison. Vonandar had left us to duel it out on our own. Smart man, that Vonandar.

"Maybe you should leave right now, and Vonandar and I will make sure Zyslai is locked up tight before you return," Father said eagerly awaiting my response.

"You know that won't work Father!" I protested strongly, feeling my ears turning red. How peculiar. "And you know Mother's magic protects this place. I know you do! So why can't I just live in this wretched cottage for 4 more weeks? It is going to kill me as much as it is killing you to let me stay here, but it's more likely that I will be hurt traveling in this winter than it is if we wait until spring. I just have to lie low for a while."

My father sighed, looking more worn out than usual, even a little thin (which was very strange as I had never seen Father thin in my entire life!), "Beauty I just want you to be safe. And I'm sorry I ever pushed Zyslai at you . . . if I knew he was crazy, I never would have."

I felt tears start to fall down my cheeks, despite my best efforts to stop crying the tears kept on coming, "I know Father. But I will just have to live in this cottage for a little bit. I think . . . I will visit the castle when Spring is over with. Zyslai won't know where that is, and I will be safer there than anywhere else."

Father turned red at the word castle, but seemed resigned to the fact, "I guess you know what you are doing Beauty?"

I smiled softly before hugging my Father tightly, "I hope so, Father. I really do."

END OF CHAPTER!

(A/N) So this is the end of Chapter 21, I had a totally different ending planned at first, but I hated it.

Truly hated it.

Just trust me it was terrible, not like this one is much better *sigh*I hoped you guys liked it though.

Thank you for the reviews everyone who has reviewed, I am going through a pretty tough time right now and the reviews I've received really lift my spirits so thank you. I will reply to them soon, don't worry.

I hope everyone who has gotten this far is still enjoying the story. I hope to be finished within ten chapters.

I kind of doubt that though, but that is what I am aiming for, but we'll see.

Eventually this story will be done!

Cue applause.

The next chapter has not been written yet unlike these past few, which is why I have been getting them out so quickly, well that and insomnia creates story ideas. Or story ideas create insomnia. . . whatever.

But I hope to get the next chapter out within a week. I just hope I haven't spoiled you all with my quick chapter updates.

Wow this author's note is waaaaay longer than I planned it to be. So I'll shut up now... yeah, right about now.

See you next chapter!