Chapter 26: Out of Those Books
"Explain." The Beast ordered, looking at Belle with steely eyes. His voice had deepened and his large body was pulled forward across the table, taut, as though ready to act.
Belle's bit her lip, still smiling. She took a step closer to where she thought Mrs. Potts stood. Her hand reached forward, fingers fanned.
"Mrs. Potts, would you please hand me my cloak?" Belle asked lightly and waited for the cloth to be placed in her hands. Then, with a swift movement, she placed the lovely white garment around her shoulders. She looked back at the servant who instantly became visible again and laughed lightly.
Belle moved forward to take the old woman's hand. "There you are!" She breathed
"My word, dearie. Have you ever heard of such a thing?" The woman asked, completely shocked. Her wrinkled fingers tightened around Belle's and held on for dear life. The girl shook her head and turned her face to the silent Beast.
He was as motionless, his face was a monstrous mask. Belle felt her smile fade as she waited for him to respond as Mrs. Potts turned to the Beast with a watery eyes.
"See now, Master, our Savior is here at last!" She spoke in an awed whisper. Then the tiny maid let go of Belle's hand and gave her a deep curtsy. "I'll leave you to your meal, my lady."
She was out of the door a moment later, leaving a silent Beast and Belle behind her.
Belle smiled after the woman and began to pull the heavy cloak from her shoulders. She folded it carefully before laying it on the back of her high winged chair.
"Where did you acquire the cloak?"
His menacing voice vibrated Belle's body, causing her fingers to tingle. She swallowed and sat back in her seat. "A friend. An old friend. He-," Belle paused and frowned as the Beast's heavy brow fell forward an inch, "he gave it to me as a gift."
"And how did he come by such a gift?" The Beast persisted, rising slowly. His terrible paws flattened on the table. Belle felt her lips go dry at his expression and reached for her cool glass of champagne and dragon juice. The mixture was sweet on her tongue and the bubbles tickled her throat. She swallowed deeply before she lifted her eyes back to the creature and answered.
"Gaston is a hunter. His wares are the most sought after in the land." Belle clarified. She watched as the Beast stood fully and loomed above her. Her heart hammered loudly.
"I see."
"But it was enchanted in the forest and somehow, I believe, when I wear it, I can see your people when I assume others cannot." Belle explained stiltedly. Her hazel eyes widened in question before she continued in a rush. "I met a child on my travels, as you already know. At first, she appeared to be a lost little girl. I offered her my cloak and placed her on my horse. I—I searched the trees for her family, but I saw no one." Belle's eyes focused on the memory and she blinked several times in wonder. A part of her still could not believe the path her journey had taken.
The Beast's impatient rumble invaded her thoughts.
Belle shook her head and focused again. "I have told you the rest. She sent me here. But, before she left me, she thanked me for my help and gave me a gift. My cloak. She transformed it, in a way."
"In what why?" The Beast took a step around the table and moved behind Belle slowly. Every step he took sent awareness down her spine and she sat a little straighter as she answered.
"I'm not entirely certain. It lifted into the air, as though it were weightless, and changed its color, it's material. Then it disappeared and when it returned she handed me the cloth and it was warm. It's always warm when it is around your body. That's why…" Belle stopped suddenly and felt her face turning a soft shade of pink.
The Beast paused behind her. His claws reached out and ran along the cloak that lay on the back of her chair. The movement, his nearness, caused Belle to flinch and catch her breath. As he gathered the fabric in his formidable palm, his knuckles slightly grazed Belle's side and she bit down on her lip to keep from gasping.
"That is why I found the cloak on my shoulder in the woods. You tried to warm me with the magic." The voice above her darkened with suspicion. "Why?"
"D-does it matter?" Belle asked, moving to stand so quickly her glass wobbled. She felt the fear trickle back down her arms and she turned before the creature could see it shining in her eyes. Belle's torn and damp gown slapped against her legs as she strode to the books that lined the wall. Her hands casually touched the titles.
The Beast tilted his head slightly and growled, his eyes predatory in the firelight. "Yes. I think it does, Savior."
Belle turned at his words and forced a dismissive smile. "You saved me, Beast. It was the least I could do."
Her admission seemed to silence the Beast. Belle swallowed and looked away. Soon, she found her gaze lifting to the volumes shelved beneath fingertips.
"'Wayward Worlds' " she spoke the title out loud. "I read it as a child. I learned most of the Enchanted lore from this." Belle paused and took a steadying breath. "The Wars du Mal, Volumes I and II. I have never seen the second texts. It was not available in my village. May I?" She asked quietly, turning to the Master of the castle.
The room went silent as the Beast measured the woman in front of him with fathomless blue eyes. The room crackled as the tension between them paused time, then the Beast nodded and Belle let go of a shaky breath. She turned quickly and grasped the weathered pages, heaving the heavy book onto her arms. She gasped as the ancient leather binding scraped against a deep scratch that had just begun to heal. She was surprised when the Beast lifted it from her hands and place it on a nearby table, one still stacked with books.
"Thank you." Belle walked up to the volume. Her tangled hair fell over a tired shoulder as she leaned forward and began to turn the pages. Her fingers trembled from exhaustion and hunger as they touched the precious words. The Beast watched as her lips parted.
"The Sword of Maleknock, but of course it makes sense." Belle mumbled to herself. "They say it was cast in purple fire. Like those that blaze in Haven's Hilt. But if he was there, why would he let it be taken? I wonder…" Belle trailed off and flipped to the middle of the book. "Mmm, still not very clear, but if I had the original Cremdion transcripts…"
"They are kept behind glass. Away from the common observer." The Beast answered and his close voice caused her to jump. Her cold skin blazed and Belle slowly closed the book and ran her hands down her dirty dress front. As a commoner, she should not even be allowed into the library, much less touch its forbidden volumes.
She was surprised at the Beast's next words. "You need to rest now. You have barely eaten."
Belle nodded and took a step away from the book on the table.
"I will have my servants bring the food and books to your room. Is there any other text you require, Savior?"
Belle was silent for a moment and simply stared at the creature. Then her eyes filled with determination. She bit down on her lip and walked to the full shelves. "Do you have "'Corilinda: A Fairy Tale'? It tells a complete history of the Enchanted court. And um, I believe there is something to do with mystic creatures in 'Savage Fauna,' though it has been many years since I have read it."
The Beast looked over at a corner of the library where a great wooden door stood. He took a step in that direction then seemed to change his mind.
"I will look and send you word." The Beast answered. Then he turned and strode heavily to the doorway.
With a pull of a string by the gold embossed wall, he called for the servants to return. Belle placed the long fox-lined cloak around her shoulders and turned when they entered. When the two beautiful maids arrived they curtsied low to their master and ignored Belle.
"Attend to my guest. Have warm water sent to her room. Send Mrs. Potts word I will speak with her." The Beast ordered roughly, barely flicking an eye in their direction.
The maids did not answer, but kept their eyes down and curtsied again. Then they turned to Belle.
"Hello." She mumbled to them shyly. She had taken several steps after the girls when she heard a deep voice follow behind her.
"Savior." Belle turned with a frown and almost bumped into the enormous Beast.
"Yes?" She asked slowly looking up, raising one hand to her breast and placing the other out in front of her.
"Sleep." His voice ordered darkly.
The Beast caught her eyes and held them. Belle felt entirely breathless. Her hand clenched around the folds of her cloak front as she nodded. Then she turned and followed after the maids, leaving the Beast behind her.
A.N. All characters to Walt Disney
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