Chapter 14: Anything, But a Monster
The Beast stood at the top of the stairway that led deep into the bowels of the castle.
He had been up half the night, pacing endlessly. Nothing could calm the black fire inside of him. Soon he found himself slamming down the steps leading away from the west wing.
His mind was disjointed. He waited on the shadowed landing and attempted to calm the roaring thoughts within.
After a moment, he growled low and descended into the tight space. His tall frame brushed the ceiling and he crouched down on all fours to avoid scraping his horns on the stones above.
The air was thick with moisture. Dampness seeped from the dirty ground and soaked his paws and breeches. He felt and dismissed the unfamiliar fingers of guilt spreading across his core. The girl had been in the cell for a full day and night.
The Beast moved further into the room. Two guards stood on either side of the bars which encased her.
"Leave us," His voice rolled past his fangs in a snarling hiss. The sound echoed off the walls and the two men scurried up the stairs without looking back.
The Beast could see her clearly in the dim light. She would not be able to see him, even if she was conscious, which she was not.
Someone had draped a cloak over the girl's small body. Other than that, she looked the same as when he left her. She had not moved since he laid her in the tiny metal room. For an instant, the Beast felt a jolt to his chest.
Had he killed her? He moved closer, careless of the lock, and knocked the door open with a powerful push.
Puffing out a moist breath, the Beast knelt low and brushed the matted curls from the girl's face. She was even smaller than he remembered. He took her head roughly in his paws. Her skin was cold as he touched her cheek.
"Wake up, girl." He ordered. The words rumbled from deep within his chest. She did not obey.
He couldn't tell if she was breathing. He placed his ear to her lips and listened to hear her inhale. When she did not, he scooped her up across his lap and began to rub her arms up and down. The warming friction spread up her skin and turned it pink.
Encouraged, the Beast placed a heavy paw on her chest. Did her heart beat? He slowed his own breathing and focused on the movement against his palm. It was faint, like a tiny creature in his hand, but it thumped against him. He gave a shaky sigh.
The Beast leaned his substantial weight against the wall behind him and pulled the girl tighter against his chest. The female in his arms was still. She had yet to move or make a sound, but she was alive and he was not yet a true monster.
Slowly, to his shock, the girl's eyelids began to flicker and lift. Her gaze appeared dazed for a moment as she tried to focus. Then she turned her eyes full force on the astonished beast. He didn't move. He just looked down at her in wonder. Then she smiled and spoke.
"There are ghosts in the castle." The girl whispered conspiratorially, peering deeply into his startled eyes. "All castles have ghosts." She ended weakly, then her lashes gave a small flutter and closed again. She was reclaimed by the darkness.
The Beast remained still, struck by her words. Images of himself as a small boy searching darkened halls and empty rooms filled his mind. He touched her cheek and shook his head in confusion.
"She'll need a room, Master." A voice said from outside the bars. The Beast looked up and took in the sight of Mrs. Potts. Her cap and apron were a stark white contrast to the dingy shadows of the dungeon. He nodded and answered vaguely.
"Yes."
"And a good meal." She persisted, hands on her hips.
"At once." The Beast responded, his voice was foggy and he turned his bewildered eyes back to the girl that still lay across his lap.
"Master?" Mrs. Potts waited for him to look up. "Can you bring her now? I've got a room prepared."
The Beast furrowed his brow and she answered his unasked question. "I knew you'd come around in the end." The old woman gave him a tender smile and for an instant, the creature was silent inside the Beast's mind. He smiled at the woman who raised him and knew him better than he knew himself.
"Thank you, Mrs. Potts." He whispered low.
"And, I was on my way to get you if you didn't," she responded with a smile and a curt nod of her head.
The Beast chuckled softly and stood, holding the girl to his chest. He could hear her breathe now and felt it ruffle the fur on his neck. He swallowed and strode out of the cell. When he turned back, he noticed that Mrs. Potts did not follow. He raised a brow at her in question.
"Oh, I'll be along. Take her to the East wing. I made up the Robin Room for her. It will be peaceful as she recovers. I'm just going to retrieve her cloak. She'll be wanting that, I think."
The Beast nodded and took huge steps up the stairs and across the foyer. With his enormous stride, he reached the east wing in a matter of minutes.
The room was bright, even in the middle of the night, with a fire crackling in the corner and lamps burning by the bed. The flames danced on the walls and caused the little birds on the paper to flutter their wings. The bed was laid with full pillows and a soft, thick duvet. The Beast re-positioned the girl in his arms and pulled back the covers. He placed her on the bed and stared down at her in the light.
Her hands were scratched and muddy. Her gown was stained by dirt and splotches probably caused by snow. There was blood below her knees. The Beast pulled the blanket over her and rubbed his face, scrubbing at the guilt that lay behind his eyes.
He turned as Mrs. Potts glided through the door. She noted his expression and laid the white cloak at the foot of the girl's bed. Then she turned to take the Beast's paw.
"She'll be fine, Master. No use feeling ill about it now. I'll get her cleaned up and fed in no time, you'll see." She pulled him by the forearm and led him to the door. "Now you get some rest. Tomorrow's another day. Who knows, maybe the Savior will turn up then."
The Beast allowed Mrs. Potts to show him out with just one look over his bulky shoulder at the girl.
A.N. All rights reserved for the Walt Disney Co.
Hello, readers! Here's an early installment of Belle and the Beasts. I hope you enjoy! I would like to thank those of you who have reviewed, especially my new reviewer livia101. I'm so glad you liked this and hurried it along just for you! So, what are your thoughts on the new developments with our Beast? Let me know and I promise to let you out of your cell!
I would also like to thank those of you who traveled over to my new story, Of Goblins and Kings. You are amazing! Your support means the world to me.
As always, thank you for reading, reviewing, following and/or favoriting! - S.