I think this can be done in two more chapters... (she lies to herself)

Thank you Azeran and Intergalacticsupertwink for the beta work! You guys are amazing!


It was a light chuckle at most, but his voice was so low and deep that it echoed through the ballroom. I was transfixed as I watched that poised, cat-like face smile. His teeth were human, save for the sharp, pearly white canines. His green eyes had a glimmer in them for the first time since his arrival. The vibrations in his laugh, I felt them shake my soul.

I loved his laugh. I nearly cried with joy at hearing it. I could not help the beaming smile that spread on my face. Something in me was reaching out for him, and I knew then and there that I had been in love.

The mirth was short-lived, unfortunately, though the King did seem more relaxed and pleased than he did prior. He cocked a brow, never taking his eyes off mine. "Lumiere, it appears Lord Kari requires a private audience."

"Indeed, sire," his man replied.

"Unfortunately, Lord Kari, I have appearances to maintain. It would be rude of me to leave so soon. Whatever you wish to say to me, you may do so now."

I deflated and shook my head with confusion. "Your Majesty," I noticed him flinch, "it is very important that I speak with you in private."

"Impossible. As I've already mentioned–"

I strode up to his table until my hips hit the edge, and I was able to slam my hands down. "Your life may be in danger," I hissed through clenched teeth.

The guards grabbed me by the arms, but the King waved them away.

"It is valiant of you to be so concerned for your King that you put yourself at risk, but a monarch's life is always in peril. Such is the way when there are those who seek riches and power."

"Sire," I pleaded, "there are at least three men here who wish you harm."

"Yes, they are scouting the castle as we speak," he replied casually as if he were announcing what was for dinner. "No doubt, searching for the perfect vantage point to assassinate me from."

People started moving closer, muttering concerns. The King disregarded them all.

"So, you're just going to sit there and let them shoot you down like an..."

"Like an animal?" He supplied helpfully.

I nearly swallowed my own tongue. I leaned away from the table and clasped my hands in front of me, begging. "Sire, please–"

"Why does this concern you so greatly? As far as you are concerned, you've just met me."

I gaped at him, at a complete loss at what to say. Was he mad? Who in their right mind would allow a person to be assassinated?!

"You're a person."

The King closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He opened his eyes again, he'd schooled his face back to that blank expression. "Your warning is noted, but you need not concern yourself further. There are precautions in place. I failed you once, and I am nothing if not a quick study. I will not fail you again."

I was stunned by his enigmatic words. "I... I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," I uttered timidly.

The King gave me a sad smile and murmured kindly, "I know."

For some reason, I was close to tears. I felt like I was losing something precious. I believed his words that he was prepared for the worst. I had done my duty.

"Please enjoy the festivities, Belle." The way he said my name, not Lord Kari, just Belle. What my loved ones call me. I felt a flutter in my heart. "I'm glad that..." he paused and his breath became shallow before he finished his words, "that I got to see you one last time."

The glistening in his eyes betrayed his calm exterior. There was so much anguish there that my heart clenched in my chest painfully.

I was trembling with a vast array of confusing emotions. I could not tear myself away. His forced composure was driving mad. "Did you make me leave?" I said though the lump in my throat that threatened to asphyxiate me.

For once, the King looked surprised, shocked, really. He opened his mouth and then quickly shut it again. He took a sharp breath. "It matters not."

"It matters to me," I rasped as I fought back tears. The King's eyes shifted nervously. I could see he was trying to find a way to be rid of me. "Did I do something? Did I hurt you?"

He snapped his wide eyes back to mine. "This is no place to speak of this."

"Then grant me my wish. A private audience with you. No guards, no servants. Just you and me. Please... Searlus." I shut my mouth tightly, horrified by my own brazenness.

The King stared at me, looked me over, taking stock. He was weighing his options, and I could see the inner turmoil in those expressive eyes. Then he smirked. "I shall grant it on one condition."

"Fine. Name it."

"You're not going to like it," he warned with a rumble in his voice.

I would have been afraid had I not seen a hint of mischief in his gaze. It was a challenge. "Name it."

"Dance with me." The King leaned back comfortably in his chair, all languid and carefree but his pupils dilated, and I could tell his breath was shallow by the rapid rise and fall of his chest.

"I can't dance," I replied with embarrassment.

"Oh, I am quite aware."

An amused scoff escaped me. "Cheeky."

He grinned wide and shrugged.

I shook my head fondly and could not hide my smirk. We really must have been great friends. "I have a feeling we argued a lot."

The King made an exaggerated roll of his eyes. "Like the dickens."

I barked out a laugh and murmuring broke out behind me. "Fine then. Let's dance." I bowed then held out my hand in invitation.

The King stared at my hand for a long moment before he stood up. The music died down, and curious whispers erupted. He walked toward me and crowded my personal space. I had to lean back to see him properly. "People will talk," he murmured.

"As if they aren't already." I stepped back and held out my arm again. That time, he took it. We walked together through the parting crowd until we reached the centre of the room. "We've danced before?" I asked discreetly.

"Yes."

"Was I at least mediocre?"

"No."

"Ah, well. Can't rely on muscle memory either then," I mumbled nervously.

He chuckled and took his stance. My hand in his, his other hand on my waist. Everyone gasped, including me. His touch was gentle but firm. I caught some of the whispers from the ogling crowd.

"Is that Kari Dubois?"

"I hardly recognise her."

"She's letting him touch her."

"Do you think the rumours are true?"

"A waltz?" I said to keep my mind off the rude ingrates that surrounded us. "Thank goodness. I thought it was going to be one of those–"

"Boring minuets," he finished my sentence. The corners of his mouth drooped briefly with sadness, and I realised that I must have said it before. "Do not resist my movements," he warned.

I nodded and swallowed hard. This man could break me like a twig, I just knew it.

The music started, and the room spun. Or rather, we did. My feet barely touched the ground. His grip on me made sure I did not stray. I couldn't make a false move if I wanted to. The ballroom erupted with gasps of both delight and dread. I could barely hear the music. Even my sturdy sea legs weren't enough for me to keep the dizziness at bay. Still, it was thrilling, and I found myself laughing whenever I did get a breath in me. It was like that sense of freedom I missed at the helm on the Esperanza, but better.

The music ended, and we came to a standstill. People actually clapped and cheered, but some scoffed, and I briefly heard someone ask if the beast was going to jump through fiery hoops next. I whirled around to punch the arsehole in the throat, but Searlus threaded my arm through his and led me back to the table.

"Go with Lumiere," he requested full of hope, "we can discuss whatever you wish in private."

"Thank you."

Lumiere announced the King's temporary leave and discreetly led me another way. It was a long walk, but I was finally left in front of the doors of the library.

"I'll be here," Lumiere reassured.

I knocked.

"Enter," the King's voice commanded.

When I walked in, it felt like the room was alive and greeting me like an old friend. I felt so at home there that I could have cried. There were shelves upon shelves of books. More books than I've ever seen in my life.

The King was standing by the fireside, bracing himself with one hand on the mantle and facing away from me. I thought I saw he was heaving, but he cleared his throat, dragged his fingers through his mane and turned to face me.

His look rooted me in place. I was alone with him. The reality of the moment kicked up my pulse.

"You need not fear me," he said softly.

"I'm... I'm not afraid." I sauntered in further until I was only a few paces away from him.

We were silent for a while, watching the flames dance. Then he spoke. "Why do you wish to know about your stay here?"

I scoffed with disbelief. "Because I lost an entire year of my life! Don't know if that's ever happened to you, but it's quite distressing!"

He glanced at me and gave me a sad smile. "The way you speak to me," he took in a shaky breath, "it's like you know me."

Out of the public eye, his guard was down, and I could see he was falling apart at the seams. I had the urge to grab his sombre face with both hands and soothe away his sorrow. "Well, I suppose I do know you. In a way."

"Do you remember–" it seemed he was going to say "me" but corrected himself before it came out. "Anything?"

I shook my head slowly.

He let out a breath that almost sounded like a sob and gripped the mantle with both hands and hung his head. He looked utterly defeated.

"I want to remember," I said timidly, not knowing how to comfort him. If he even wanted me to.

"Why? You have your old life back. Your–your husband is alive. And he's... taking you... far, far away from here. You have the means to start anew. To be... free. I'm sure your husband is not happy that you are here."

"He won't be happy I drugged him either," I muttered and pursed my lips.

The King's head snapped up so quickly that I jumped. "You drugged him?"

"I couldn't have him chasing after me and causing a scene. Besides, I think he is in league with those who wish you harm."

He turned back to the flames. "He's not directly involved. Just shows up to a few rebel meetings."

"What a fool!" I yelled with outrage. "It's a wonder you haven't arrested him yet! Or the others! We were supposed to set sail yesterday morn!"

"Yes, and I'm sure the captain mentioned something vague about the weather not being ideal."

My jaw dropped. "You... you're the weather?" I shook my stupid head. "I mean you are the cause we did not leave?"

"...Aye."

"Well," I raised my brow, completely bemused, "that was smart."

He scoffed. "More like childish," he grumbled. "Not the only immature thing I've done to the man," he admitted.

My eyes grew wider. "What did you do?"

The King let out a long tired sigh. "I may have denied his request to rescind his death certificate... and... may have also burned the application to renew your marriage license."

"Ah!"

"And... completely dissolved your marriage in any legal sense. Poof," he said with a motion of his hand. "Like it never happened."

There was a pregnant pause before I burst into laughter. The King looked at me like I was growing a second head.

"Well," I barked as I caught my breath, "I suppose I don't need to file for divorce then."

As soon as those words escaped my mouth, the King rounded on me and reached out to grab me but aborted the action last second. "Divorce? You're not... you're not happy?"

I grew serious as I thought about what I had announced so carelessly. Was I happy? My evening in the castle, at the ball, was the happiest I had been for a very long time. Not once did I think of Gerard other than fear his arrival. My only consuming thought was to see the King. I was not happy. The realisation was too much to admit to at the moment, plus, I had questions.

"Was I happy here?" I asked quietly. "I want the truth. Even if you think it will hurt me. Please."

The King nodded. "You said as much. Yes."

"And I always say–"

"What you mean," he finished.

I stared at his hopeful face before I asked my next question. "Were... were we, erm, were we..."

"In love?" he whispered.

"Were we?"

He sent a hand to his chest, and his face twitched with the effort of staving away his grief. "Yes," he finally let out on a sob. Apparently, that broke the camel's back because he turned away from me and wept. "I was such a fool, Belle. I doubted you. I doubted your love for me at every turn, and then you were snatched away." He sobbed and shook violently. "Gods, when I realised– fuck ! When I realised Armand had stowed you away in their carriage, I tried... I tried. I ran, but with all the strength and speed this cursed body affords me, it was not enough. I watched that carriage go past the gates and I... I gave up. Like Orpheus in that blasted myth you hate so much, my doubt was what finally ripped you away from me."

I didn't realise I was crying too until he had finished. "I'm not," I said hoarsely.

He looked over his shoulder with a questioning look in his wet, bloodshot eyes.

"I'm not happy." I fell to my knees, buried my face in my hands and gave in to the grief that had been safely stored away from my lack of knowledge.

I felt him touch my shoulder, and I flinched before meeting his eye.

"Forgive me," he whispered. "I say that I learn quickly, but when it comes to matters of the heart, I am a dismal student. I should have trusted in our bond. I should have summoned you sooner. I should have turned those gates to rubble when you asked me to. I've been a coward. But you are the reason I have done away with my cowardice once and for all."

He held out his hand. I took it, and we stood together. "Tonight I will find out who Armand's accomplices are. I will see who my true allies are." His voice took on a dark and dangerous tone with a growl beneath it to boot. "And then I'm going to find my dear cousin and show him exactly how much of a beast I can be."

I snivelled and hiccupped until I found some composure. "What about me? What will become of me now?"

The King's eyes grew kind, and he thumbed my tear-streaked cheek. "Whatever you wish. But you did say you wanted the truth, even if it hurts. And you've said you are unhappy. There are a few things you should know–"

There was a loud explosion as the castle trembled. The King took me into his arms in a flash and sheltered me from falling debris.

"It's begun," the Kings alerted, eyes fiery and determined. "Come with me. I'll take you to safety." He took my hand, and I had no choice but to go along.

He pulled a tapestry aside, revealing a door. His Majesty grunted something unintelligible, and the door opened. He pulled me inside and kept a pace that had me running to catch up. Some more loud noises, gunshots and who knows what else, sounded off. We wound through the narrow passage until we reached a room. It appeared to be a laboratory.

"The enchantments I put on the castle should keep them out for a while longer, but I must go. You'll be safe here as long as you do not leave this room." He closed the door behind us. "I'll return for you soon."

"Like Hell!" I shrieked. "You are the target, not I!"

"You will be a target if you interfere. Your husband has kept you out of Armand's plots, but he is not known to keep his word. He knows how much you mean to me. He's already used that once." His expression grew wrathful. "I will not let that happen again."

"Then stay here!" I caught his sleeve with a vice-like grip.

The way he looked at me, he was so close, I thought he might kiss me.

"What kind of King would I be, leaving my people in the middle of an attack?"

"Oh, fuck them!" I yelled.

"Belle, your father and Anne are out there."

I yelped in realisation. "I'm coming. I can help. He's my father!"

The King was not pleased, but he sighed and stalked toward a table. I followed him. He pulled off a sheet, revealing two golden cuffs, ornate with strange engravings and small red crystals.

"Before you were... taken," he explained, "you had these made for yourself. And I believe you enchanted them."

"Me? What are they," I asked in awe. They were beautiful. "How did I enchant them? I don't know–"

"You studied alchemy here. I was quite surprised to find these. I didn't know how far along you'd come. Those crystals are red spinel. They stimulate physical vitality and strength. And those are red amethyst and hematite. Together they incite courage, tenacity, inner strength and... well, other things," he finished with an embarrassed mumble. "These engravings here are Kratos' prayer for strength. They will only work on you, so I have not been able to test them. But from what I can see, you followed the recipe without flaw. I'm actually ashamed of myself for not thinking of it first."

"What are they supposed to do? Turn me into Hercules?" I chuckled nervously.

"Just about."

I looked at him in confusion, and it seemed he had trouble meeting my eye. "Why did I make these? I have no desire for that kind of physical... strength..." I'm certain I would have seen a matching blush on his face were it not for the fur.

The King swallowed audibly and grimaced. "Erm, I can only guess..."

"Uh, huh." I nodded slowly. "I suppose it has something to do with my bite mark?" I asked, my voice a bit too high-pitched for my liking.

The King looked stricken. "Bite mark?!"

I furrowed my brow. "You mean, you didn't do this?" I removed my cravat and pulled on my collar for him to see.

He hissed and put a fist to his mouth. "By the stars," he breathed. "I... I..." he looked like he wanted to be buried right where he stood. "I don't know what to say." The poor brute. "I didn't mean to... to..."

"Mark me?"

"Oh, gods."

"Did I enjoy it?" My stupid mouth sometimes, I swear.

The King's eyes darkened, and he inhaled with a shudder. "My doubt made me believe otherwise, but if I'm honest... you... seemed... to. Yes."

The room was sweltering. I picked up the cuffs and muttered. "I wouldn't have made these if I didn't." I slipped them on and locked them closed. They were a perfect fit. The stones and engravings glowed once. I peered up and cocked a brow. I felt invigorated. "Shall we test them?"

"How do you suppose–"

I cut him off by wrapping my arms around his waist and put all my might into trying to lift him. He let out a surprised grunt when I was able to get him a few inches off the ground. He was not light in the least, but I knew there was no way I could have done it without those cuffs.

I leaned away and leered up at him, my hands still lingering on his coat. "How much do you weigh?"

"Enough to be terrified right now," he uttered with a hint of dread.

I chuckled. " You, frightened of me ?"

"Have you met you?"

My laugh was cut off by another tremor. "We should go."

"Aye. Listen, Belle, those won't protect you from gunshots or swords. He went to a cabinet and pulled out a rifle, a pistol, and a dagger. "Take these."

"What about you?"

The King patted his massive sword. "This will be more than sufficient. Come on." We raced to the door, but he abruptly stopped before opening it.

"Sire?"

He cleared his throat. "Could you... could you call me by my name."

My heart skipped at the request. "Yes... Searlus."

"May I kiss you?" He was still facing the door. His shoulders rose and fell quickly. "I know that you don't remember me–"

"Yes." The word was out of my mouth before my brain could catch up.

I saw Searlus stiffen. He turned around with a desperate, hopeful look. The depths of his love was so clearly written in his features. "You are the most singular person I have ever met," he said quietly, bemused and awestruck.

That look sent cupid's arrow straight through my heart. Anyone else would have been terrified of this creature, but I found him fascinating and even... handsome. "Singular. Or I've got bats in the belfry. Take your pick."

Searlus grinned wide and hesitated only a moment before dipped down and kissed the scar on my head. I felt a prickly sensation overcome me, and I shuddered. He was already pulling back when I grabbed his collar and used my newfound strength to pull him lower into a closed mouth kiss.

I released him, and he fell back against the door. I thought I had overstepped from the look on his face, but then his eyes grew hungry. "I love you," he nearly growled out, leaving a purr in the wake of his words.

I was breathless. My whole being wanted to say it back, but the lack of memories would have made my words baseless.

I opened my mouth, but Searlus held up a hand and shook his head. "I'll give you all the time you need to think it over, but I want you here. I had every intention of proposing to you today. Give me another year, and I shall endeavour to earn your love again if you allow it." With that, he pulled me to him and crushed his lips to mine with such urgency and passion that it left me dizzy.

"M'kay," I said, dazed and unsteady, and smiling like a fool.

"To battle then," he snarled and wrenched the door open. "Stay behind me, my heart. I cannot lose you again." Those words and the way he unsheathed his sword–well, my heart somersaulted, and my body grew hot.

And then we charged our way through the dark halls of the castle.