Chapter 2

Lucien Du Lac

Author's Note: Well, I've cleaned this chapter up as best I could. It is still a draft, of course, so nothing is set in stone, but I wanted to start sharing this story with y'all! Enjoy!

We were never certain of the true reason for Lucien's obsession with Bellethiel. He never elaborated on his reasons for wishing to court her and she, for her part, was decidedly uninterested in his person.

- from the personal account of Anne Lynn on the subject of The Elf-Beast.

Late afternoon approached before Bellethiel finally tore herself away from the library. Despite having selected the next two books she would work on before her next visit, she wished to explore the grand shelves and run her fingertips along the spines of the oldest works in the collection. It made her forget, for a moment, the looming call to destiny she prepared to boldly enter. As her time drew nearer she didn't feel bold, she wasn't confident, and she was afraid of what facing the beast might mean. Belle needed the books, needed the escape, to regain some semblance of certainty that everything would be alright.

She bid Mr. Talin and Mrs Weatherby farewell before tucking her borrowed books into her whicker basket and stepped into the wintry air. Clouds covered the once sunny sky and sparse snowflakes drifted lazily down from their grey folds. Bellethiel's steps bounced as she navigated the throng of people milling about the outskirts of the market.

A few members of the Forrest Guard congregated at one corner drinking warm cider offered to them by a particularly gracious vendor. From her vantage point Bellethiel noticed a street performer juggling knives into the air. The elves of the Forrest Guard were likely taking bets with the humans to see how long the juggler could hold out. When it seemed like he was finally finished with that particular act, he flourished his wrist and deftly caught each point in between his fingers.

The elves paid the humans whatever it was they owed them in that moment. All of them were guffawing at the other. Two of them threw some of their coins into a deep tin bucket near the performer and saluted him - balled left fist drawn to right shoulder. The performer dropped into a low bow and began to dance a jig and sing in a bright clear tenor.

Chuckling, Bellethiel moved away from the scene and took a turn at one corner that took her lower into the city towards the docks. Auriel would be there haggling with the fur traders about the value of each perk she brought in from her last hunt. There was a chance she'd see Lucien, but with Auriel nearby he wouldn't attempt anything too obscene.

She pulled a face at the thought. If only there was a way to get around him! But he'd set his sights on her for six months and didn't seem overly perturbed by her repeated rebuffs of his advances. If he continued in such a manner after the Festival of Maidens she was determined to do something about him.

"Belle!"

She started and glanced over her shoulder to find Anne Lynn, her best friend, hastening to her side. A few tightly wrapped packages rested in her basket. Her fiery red hair was tied into a messy bun - made messy by her thick curly hair - and she wore a particularly thick coat over her well built body. As the daughter of one of the popular dairy producers in the city she worked on her own cheeses, yogurts, and creams.

"I am truly happy to see you! Mother is insufferable this morning! She says I must look my best for the Ceremony of Maidens even if I'm not going to be chosen!" She rolled her eyes and settled into a comfortable pace next to Belle. "She won't think for a moment that the council won't put me forth since you've announced your inclusion."

Bellethiel raised an eyebrow and looked around at the people passing them. Some openly stated while others averted their eyes. One younger man on the city council caught her eye, blushed, and averted his gaze.

"I suppose the choice has already been made. They haven't narrowed down the candidates yet since their last meeting, have they?" She asked.

Anne shook her head, "No, but my brother is certain…" her voice broke and Anne fell silent.

Bellethiel glanced at her. Anne had been a little girl when they'd met. She was a lonely creature made fun of by the boys for her red hair and cluster of freckles across her nose. Green eyes were cast down to stare only at the snow covered brick of the street.

"I am not helpless, Anne."

"But If he finds out… no, once he finds out who you are, what then?" She asked.

"Then What happens will happen and there will be nothing we can do about it."

"Belle."

"No! Anne, your people have been forced to endure a beast for too long. I will not allow this to continue without a contribution from my people. If I must be that one to do it then so be it," Bellethiel insisted.

The fingers of Anne's free hand closed around her arm and Bellethiel felt herself jerked to a stop. Her friend's strength surprised her at times. It was something humans differed in with elves. Their strength was lesser, finite, and could only grow for a short amount of time before fading away with age. Admittedly some of the humans in Lochard, and Calamerdon as a whole, kept their strength and life longer than most. In Calamerdon a human could be found to be related to an elf in certain Provence's where it was acceptable for them to mix. Earithgil was one of those provinces.

It all led to the understanding that Anne held a bit more strength than most human girls. Then again she also worked in a dairy and Bellethiel knew that work to be challenging without some form of strength. Either way, her friend's strength sometimes took her by surprise when she wasn't paying attention.

"I need you to understand me, Belle. The prince has killed before!" Anne hissed.

Belethiel's eyes narrowed. She pulled her arm out of Anne's grip and leaned forward. Her friend continued to stare at her angrily unperturbed by the difference in height.

"I'm aware of that!" Bellethiel said softly. "I'm also aware of the fact that his victim was human. I am not. The prince will have a harder time killing me."

Anne crossed her arms. The wall of her basket rested on her stomach and tilted the frame at an angle, but not enough of one to allow for the contents to fall out.

"What if you don't even make it to the castle? What if Lord Glorendil kills you in retribution? It was your mother who came into his home and inflicted all out this on him in the first place," Anne said.

Bellethiel had considered all of this. She was aware of the fact that her decision, while popular among most people in Lochard, might not be popular among those who were forced to inhabit the castle with Prince Rowan. It was a contentious bargain with fate to enter such a place and expect no retribution.

"I don't know what will happen, Anne, but I do know that anything truly of worth may also be equally as dangerous. If I don't do anything, if I left like all the others, than one of your people will be chosen from the Ceremony of Maidens and another human will be forced to endure him," she explained.

Anne watched her a moment longer before tersely shaking her head. A sigh accompanied the movement soon after and Bellethiel felt herself relax. The argument was over and they could go back to being friends again.

"I suppose there's no convincing you otherwise, so we best go see what your cousin has managed to trade for her furs. Which reminds me," Anne turned the basket she held and moved a few of the packages around before finding one particularly big one, pulling it out, and presenting it to Bellethiel, "father didn't get a chance to pay Auriel for the fur duvet she had made, so he's carefully gathered and made this lot for you. It's our season's best."

Bellethiel smiled and took the offered package. It was heavier than the book Mr. Talin presented to her. The package disappeared into her own basket and they continued their trek down to the docks.

"Be sure to thank your father for us, Anne. It was most kind of him," she said.

Anne smiled. The smile didn't hold her usual sparkle, but it was only to be expected. Her friend was right to fear for Bellethiel's life in this instance. Prince Rowan wouldn't take kindly to her presence once it was known and Bellethiel didn't hold any illusions to what her reception would be like once she set foot inside that castle.

The lakeside docks spread out before them as they descended a particularly steep hill into the low banks of the outer city. Warmer air met them - a signal of the blessedly heated spring that fed into it from the western mountains - as well as the pungent odor of dead fish wafting from the shores. Below on the wooden walkways Bellethiel saw several fishermen heave barrels of fish, beer, ale, wine and various other goods from far reaching countries Calamerdon traded with after losing the benefit of Ryem, Drisidiel, and Rin-Tullen.

Snow drifted from the grey-white sky and added a thicker coating to an already icy terrain. Bellethiel watched it silently remembering her early days in Rin-Tullen. Her small bit of land was further south and rarely saw thick coats of snow and ice. It bordered the Mountains of Morning, but just beyond those smaller peaks was the kingdom of Anorell. The country around that area was lush and beautiful with a warm climate and beautiful vegetation. At least that was what Bellethiel remembered. She hadn't set foot in those lands for several decades.

All because my family made an enemy of some dark elf with a ridiculous name, she thought bitterly.

The lower city - it's oldest part - was populated by traders and fishermen. They still had bakers, dairies, and meat houses, but fish was their greatest commodity. Hunters also took their furs, pelts, and leftover meat to various stores for selling. It was here where the girls would find Auriel haggling with a fur trader. It was also where -.

Damn! Bellethiel thought as she caught sight of a particularly unwelcome visitor joking with a couple of friends.

Anne saw him as well, and pulled a face, "Do you think we can avoid him?"

Bellethiel was already moving to the far side of the lower market. Another street with weapons vendors and two blacksmiths was only twenty paces away from them. If they could only reach it before Lucien saw them?

"I'm all for making a valiant effort," she said as she slipped around a thick crowd of fishermen.

Anne saw the direction she headed in and moved to keep Bellethiel as far from his line of sight as she could. Luck did not seem to be on their side. The huntsman looked in their direction and smiled. It was a normal smile, thankfully, but one that precipitated a discussion Bellethiel did not wish to have at that present moment.

"Oh bother!" Anne said, "Do you think we can still avoid him?"

Bellethiel observed the large, muscular human excuse himself from his friends and make his way through the crowd toward him. She closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself for the confrontation to come.

"No, I'm afraid that may be out of the question," she said softly.

Anne watched him, hand resting on Bellethiel's arm, with a cold expression painted on her face. People talked about Lucien Du Lac. He slept with prostitutes, gambled heavily, drank profusely, and flirted his way into the bed of many an innocent tradesman's daughter. It happened to one of their friends and she had the misfortune of being left with a child she barely had the means to care for. Now his sights were set on Bellethiel for a reason she couldn't fathom. As a local hunter he knew of, had many an argument with, her cousin Auriel. Then there were Finn and Filan who were part of the Forrest Guard. Bellethiel was, most likely, more protected than the rest of the human and elven girls he targeted combined. Auriel; especially, had an uncharacteristically violent opinion of the man. This despite the numerous times Bellethiel threatened to practice form manipulation on him with her songweaving with the promise that the end results would be quite painful. None of this seemed to perturb him and it left Bellethiel craving the day's when she was younger and beneath his notice.

"Good morning, Miss Belle," Lucien said jovially.

He didn't acknowledge Anne who he likely deemed too tall and broad for his tastes. Bellethiel remembered overhearing one conversation on the subject two months earlier. She sung softly enough for the magic behind melting his boots to go unnoticed. The hilarity that ensued from him as he demanded to know which disgusting beast did such an abhorrent thing to him.

"Good morning Hunter Du Lac," she replied coldly.

She did not incline her head, curtsy, or bow. Respect of that level from an elven Lady was earned. He didn't seem to get the hint as he stepped far too close to her without her consent. The hairs on the back of Belle's neck stood on end at the action.

"I see you are readying yourself for the Ceremony?" He asked.

Bellethiel looked at her package and exchanged an exasperated look with Anne. It clearly had her father's seal plastered on it. She considered the idea of responding with some cutting remark and decided against it. Now was not the right circumstance for such a jibe.

"In a manner of speaking," she finally replied.

Lucien nodded and then studied her with his hungry brown eyes. It made Bellethiel wish she was anywhere else but with him. Anne, sensing this, stepped protectively close to Bellethiel and linked arms with her. Lucien started as if seeing Anne for the first time and fixed his cheerful grin on her.

"I believe you will be taking part in the Ceremony, Ms. Lynn?" He stated more than asked.

That wasn't much of a greeting, Bellethiel thought sourly.

"I will," Anne replied stiffly.

"Have you thought of what the great Beast will be like?" Lucien asked, the question directed to both of them.

Anne flushed and cast her gaze to the ground angrily. Bellethiel smirked, more to herself than at him, as she thought on the subject. Oh, she had ideas for how that first meeting with His Royal Highness would go.

"I suspect he may be beside himself with anger," Bellethiel said absently.

"Seems like a dangerous venture," Lucien said.

"Probably, but I suspect I will cope."

Anne's expression grew darker, but she didn't say anything. Lucien leaned toward Bellethiel and placed a hand on her shoulder in a way that was far too familiar for their current acquaintance. It took every ounce of her willpower not to immediately step away.

"If you were to accept an engagement to a certain, say, tall and masculine specimen you could escape such a fate," he suggested.

It, of course, was illegal for young ladies who had just came of age to enter an engagement before the Ceremony of Maidens. Such was decreed by the elven king with the expectation that someone would be able to break the prince's curse. Lucien knew this, but didn't seem to want to care.

Bellethiel fought back the frown and plastered the brightest smile she could manage, "What a remarkable plan! I'll let you know when one comes along to catch my fancy. As the Ceremony is in three days I suspect there is little hope for such an occurrence!"

The look on his face could have melted steel. Anne shook her head, anger forgotten, at the impertinence of Bellethiel's remark, but the elf maiden didn't care. Lucien had been dropped hint after hint and refused to understand her general disposition towards the idea of him becoming her husband. If she was forced to spell it out for him in small words he could understand she would do so.

Lucien's grip on her shoulder tightened. He was stronger than most humans, but as he had a heavier dose of elven lineage than most it didn't surprise her. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her wince.

Let him try to bully me into getting into my bed. He will lose, she thought.

"Should you enter into his presence you will be considered damaged goods by all who know you!" He hissed.

Bellethiel met his eyes, "Then I suppose I will need to wait a few hundred years before I can court anyone worth the effort."

He released her and stepped one pace back. Brown eyes blazed. Bellethiel's own amber lit with a fiery passion as she thought of different tones that could render him a doddering fool for a week.

"Belle! Anne! There you are! I was wondering if I would find you here!"

All eyes turned to Auriel who strode down the lane with a purposeful gate that was not to be crossed. Her furs were gone and her money pouch much heavier than it had been earlier. Grey eyes fixed a dangerous glint on Lucien.

"Do you wish to find a dress for the Ceremony?" Her cousin asked stepping behind Bellethiel.

Lucien's gaze was fixed on Auriel with a hatred that Bellethiel had never seen written on anyone's face before. It struck her heart with a fear she never knew she had until that moment. The Prince may have been a cold hearted ass, but Lucien's intentions toward her suddenly made sense. He hated Auriel. Bellethiel was the perfect was to best hurt Auriel. He would stop at nothing until that job was completed.

I should kill him, she thought, I should kill him before he tries to use me in such a disgusting way.

She steeled herself against such thoughts. Whatever Lucien was murdering him wasn't worth the consequences of such an action. The man scoffed and turned away and strode toward a crowd of fellow huntsman. They greeted him with various jeers that caused Bellethiel to shoot a dirty look at them, but she refrained from responding.

"Belle? Would you like a dress?" Auriel asked casually.

The question started Bellethiel from her thoughts and returned her to the present. She didn't take her eyes off of Lucien's person until he disappeared into the tavern further down the block.

"Yes, I think a new dress for the occasion is a wonderful idea," she replied finally.

Bellethiel turned and hurried back to the upper part of the city. Anne's hand kept its place at the crook of her arm and her friend charged ahead despite Belle's swift gate. Soon the tall human was ahead of her and tugged aggressively on the crook of her elbow. Auriel followed close behind with her hand resting steadfastly on the short sword strapped to her hip.

Auriel studiously watched her little cousin go over styles that she wanted with a particularly motherly seamstress and her friend Anne. Both girls leaned over the book while the seamstress explained the different types of cloth and colors that would best fit with each design. All thoughts of their meeting with Lucien were forgotten as Anne and Belle engaged in an act of pure femininity.

For a moment Auriel felt jealous of her little cousin's freedom. To have the chance to present a feminine air and not be beholden to the dangers a slight show of weakness could possibly bring. As the moment passed the spark of jealousy faded at a particularly witty comment Belle made about linen that prompted the seamstress to chortle pleasantly. Anne merely shook her head. Auriel simply smiled.

"What about this style? Its a bit older, but there are some elf ladies who love the scooping neckline and the flared sleeves," the seamstress suggested.

Bellethiel took a closer look at the image and nodded her head, "I'll wear this one on the first day of the festival. If we can add a simple headdress to go under a headband that will complete the look."

"Of course! And the cloth and color?"

After some thought it was decided on a light blue with silver trimming. The skirt would have doves embroidered on the lower body of the skirt and where her sleeves flared. After some measurements they moved on to the next dress. Bellethiel took a longer time deliberating, but finally decided on a more modern dress that was slim and would be slightly alluring. Auriel had frowned at that, but didn't comment on the subject too much. For the final day it was decided she would settle for a dark green layered dress with leaves of evergreen entwined throughout her hair.

If only such an occasion was happier than the one that looms before us, she thought.

The seamstress instructed them to return within the next two days for the dresses. Auriel made note of the time and felt even more morose than she had earlier. The dresses would be ready a day before the ceremony. On that day Lord Glorendil was intended to ride in a glorious procession down the main road of the city dressed in winters furs and white tunic and pants. She'd seen the procession a few times when she couldn't help but go to town on the day the Ceremony began.

She scowled at the thought. Had he deigned to rule his people correctly her cousin would have been less likely to be placed in harm's way. As it stood there was no avoiding the reality that faced them all. Belle would be chosen. Auriel heard far too many important people discussing it. Any other girl they support as candidate was only for tradition alone. Their minds were already made up.

She folded her fingers into a clenched fist, but kept her face impassive. Belle noticed the gesture; however, and quirked an eyebrow at her. That was the thing about her little cousin. She excelled at sending people "a look".

That sent a spike of grim humor to her dark red lips. She wondered how long it would take before the prince found her eyes giving him a severe glint that promised a lecture or worse. Anyone who knew Lauriel well enough could see aspects of the mother in the daughter. Her father certainly remarked on the subject numerous times. With that fond memory the humor vanished. Then, before the shadow of her past threatened to consume her she buried it deep into her heart and locked it away again. Those memories needed to stay there. She couldn't afford to show too much emotion at this moment.

Bellethiel and Anne stood once the haggling concluded and the money was paid. Auriel handed Belle her money pouch having promised to pay for the garments. Her cousin was smiling as they left.

She smiles so much. How does she do it? Auriel wondered as they walked down the lane.

Anne left them soon after needing to return to the dairy to check on a few cheeses she's started early in the morning. Bellethiel and Auriel were left alone in a crowded street as people scurried back to their homes to escape the approaching evening.

"Finn and Filan will return tonight," Belle remarked breaking the silence.

"Good, I need to speak with them about Lucien. He's overstepped his bounds far too often as of late," Auriel said shortly.

Silence persisted for a moment before Belle responded in a small voice, "He's trying to use me to hurt you. I could see it when he looked at you today. He hates you."

Auriel sighed. Of course Belle would notice! She was incredibly perceptive in that respect. With a glance Auriel saw her cousin's head was turned down to watch the tops of her boots step into the growing drifts of snow on the cobbled road.

"He tried to pursue me in our first year here," Auriel offered.

"What happened?" Belle didn't seem too surprised.

"I told him I wasn't interested, he did not take that for an answer, and I ended up needing to fight him off after he had too much to drink. I suspect he thinks you're the weaker of us," she said and smirked.

Belle was certainly not their inferior. She'd held back Morelyn's power in time for Auriel to arrive and bash a chair against her distracted step mother's head. It was a night she would never forget for as long as she walked the earth. The corpse of her father shriveled to a crispy husk. Power of the regent's mantle pouring into her as his last breath left his skeletal mouth. Morelyn trying to take Belle's magic and essence away and Belle fighting back with every ounce of songcraft she knew. The wood of the rickety chair Auriel hastily grabbed before hitting the dark fae with a swing she hadn't thought possible.

At least she isn't hunting Belle down. That honor goes to me, she thought.

"Ari?"

Startled from her thoughts Auriel allowed a smile to leek past her otherwise stoic countenance. Bellethiel's eyes glinted with a knowing light that seemed to say "I know what you were thinking about."

"I'll be alright, Belle," she assured.

The younger elf did not look convinced, but thankfully didn't press the issue. All four of them had spoken to each other about the trauma they suffered under Morelyn's hands at one point or another. Filan's demons were likely the worst of them all. Auriel's gaze darkened and she noticed some of the city folk give them a wide berth. She worked to soften her expression, but the tightness in her chest still remained.

I will kill Morelyn. Someday, I will slip my knife into her rib cage and watch as her life's blood leave her, she swore.

It was an oath she always silently made when the memories were close to getting the best of her.

"Do you think they're found more Blodwyne and Werewolves?" Bellethiel asked.

"Considering I helped them catch two three nights ago, I say the likelihood is incredibly high," Auriel replied.

"Is he here do you think?" Bellethiel asked.

Auriel shook her head, "I don't think he can enter the land as of now, but I suspect he's turned many an elf and human dark. The king doesn't help in this."

"Clearly," Bellethiel replied with a growl.

Auriel smiled and the stepped beyond the city gates and along the paved forest road. The late afternoon outside of the city was calm and peaceful. Sunlight, once again, broke through the wintry clouds and caused the snow around them to burst into millions of sparkling gems. A few bluebirds fluttered about chasing each other through the air. One, Auriel observed, was a type of jay and the other was slightly larger than a finch.

"This place has become my home," Bellethiel said after a while.

Auriel started from her reverie and noticed her little cousin staring off in the distance. She followed her gaze to where a white stag stood looking at them through hooded eyes. He turned from them and marched off as they passed in front of him. Blinking Auriel continued on as if nothing had happened. White stags in Calamerdon were considered omens either good or bad. If Bellethiel keenly felt that omen, whether she believed it or not, it was safe to say that certain creatures of the forest accepted her presence.

"What about Rin-Tullen?" She asked.

Bellethiel shook her head and replied, "I don't remember it. Not very well at least. I wish I did."

Oh Belle, she thought, but stopped at that.

She knew her little cousin's life. The girl had wandered the entirety of the west and could never truly settle down anywhere for too long. Lochard was the first place they had lived in relative safety. It naturally would be home to her even if Auriel and her brother's didn't share the same sentiment.

"That's why you wish to enter. You see a wrong in your own home and feel the need to correct it," Auriel stated.

Bellethiel sent the path a wry smile and replied, "Do you not want the same?"

A lump formed in Auriel's throat at the question. Did she not want the same? She yearned for it, bathed her soul in it, longed to set out that very afternoon and begin to rectify the wrongs done to her people. It didn't matter because she couldn't and wouldn't leave her cousin alone to fend for herself until that bastard Lord Delmar was hunted down like the animal he was and gutted.

"I do," Auriel said, her voice smaller than she meant.

Their cottage came into view just to the right of the road. They veered toward it in silence simply glad that they shared the same need even if it was for different things.

That night Finn and Filan returned. It was late, around two in the morning, and Bellethiel had gone to bed citing her wish to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Auriel knew better than to believe that. Her little cousin's window slid open fifteen minutes later and crawled into the frozen garden below. She wasn't worried. Belle never went far when she wanted to practice songweaving, but she preferred to do it away from the house lest a mistake cause some catastrophic damage to something or someone. Upon Finn and Filan's return Auriel heard her cousin step through the garden and climb in through her window. Even knowing the girl was safe Auriel couldn't relax. The expressions on Finn and Filan's faces told her that whatever news they had to offer would not be good.

"What on earth plagues you two today?" She asked when they were settled by the fire.

Finn looked up from where he studied his knives and replied, "We've found another nest of Blodwynes. When we went in to exterminate them we discovered something quite grotesque."

Auriel raised a brow and waited for her elder brother to elaborate. It was Filan who finished telling the tale.

"Some of the elf children who were ferreted of Lochard by their parents were there. They were… being used. The Blodwynes have become sentient. They've done it, now. They finally discovered a way to maintain the soul in that wretched estate!" Filan spat.

Finn didn't add anything. He was to livid to do anything of the sort. Auriel began to pace the length of the room. This was clearly Lord Delmar's work, but she couldn't imagine how he had accomplished it. Only elves steeped in the art of necromancy could make the things.

"The king's power grows weaker by the day and his foolish son is determined to ruin his kingdom!" Filan spat.

"Clearly, Maybe we should hope for Belle's success?" Auriel said in defeat.

"The prince would rot in hell before he consented to even look at the daughter of our dear aunt in a favorable light," Finn said breaking his silence.

Auriel sighed. Her brothers were livid by this development and Filan's old wounds had been opened once again. She looked at him and felt her chest constrict at the site. Her brother was near tears reliving a time that he wished could be forgotten. She crossed the room and placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her eyes watery.

"Are any alive?" She asked.

"Some," he breathed, "their state is… I fear the blodwyne were trying an experiment on some of them. They are hurt and frightened just as I was. They fear speaking of what happened," he informed her.

She knelt before him so his eyes looked straight into hers, "Go to their families on the morrow. When Lord Glorendil comes I will be sure to inform him of this."

He nodded and said nothing else. What else could be said? They all knew the hell Morelyn put him through. His wounds ran deeper than they could heal.

"Sister," Finn said suddenly, "go rest. You have your own hunts to attend to and we need your vigilance more than ever."

Auriel nodded, "I must inform the guild. Fiodor Dovskellon must know of the dangers to the human hunters."

She retired after that knowing her brother's wouldn't begin speaking until after she had gone. All to protect their little sister from the other terrible things they thought she didn't know. Her writing desk sat by the door to her room. Even so she went through the motions of readying herself for bed before sitting in her writing chair and listening to every word her brother's said.

"One spoke of our cousin specifically. Whatever it was they hoped to instill within the wombs of the elf women it's purpose is to find a way to take Belle," Filan said.

Auriel's mouth felt dry and she tried to swallow passed it. The elf women were raped as experiments? A sick feeling settled on the pit of her stomach and she forced herself to breathe through it. Lord Delmar grew bolder with each passing year. If they weren't careful he would find her and kill her.

"Could she… is it possible she is the one to break the curse. I heard about that girl fifty years ago, Isabella, I think her name was. She was almost successful, but then the prince killed her. The reason was never said as far as I know," Finn mused.

The bile rose and Auriel forced her body to remain calm. That beast killing Belle as he had the girl Isabella! Her cousin could defend herself a bit, but she was no master songweaver. What she did know was largely self-taught and rudimentary at best.

"I don't want her anywhere near that monster!" Filan spat.

"I know, but if it can save this realm and it's people then it may be worth an attempt," Finn replied calmly. "Prince Rowan is many things, but he is not his father."

Auriel heard pacing and knew it was Filan's feet thumping heavily on the ground. She closed her eyes, heart heavy, and wrote a few more notes on what they were saying. It was how she remembered their conversations so she could think on the subjects they discussed later. She needed a plan, now more than ever, if she was going to protect Bellethiel.

She heard her brother grunt in acknowledgement, but offered little else. Finn sighed audibly and Auriel held her breath waiting for him to say more.

"He's not like Morelyn. I have met the prince. I have spoken with the region's lord countless times, and I have passed the Lady Faelyn frequently. They are no more evil than the average person, though I admit the prince is rather ill-tempered. Bellethiel maybe safer with him than with us considering the state of the forest," Finn said gently.

Filan didn't respond and Auriel knew that conversation was at an end. The scraping of chair legs across their wooden floor told her Filan finally sat down.

"Have you told Belle about Anne?" Finn asked.

"No, but Anne told me she eluded to Belle about having a beaux. She didn't mention it was me," Filan replied.

Auriel's brows shot up in surprise. Filan? In love with a human? Filan in love with anyone? Tears pricked her eyes and covered her lips with a pale hand to stifle a harsh sob. None of them thought such a thing would happen. Not after the terror their stepmother had put him through.

"Best to continue to keep it quiet until one of the girls are chosen," Finn said.

"We know. It is… difficult," Filan replied.

"Belle will be happy to know it's you. She loved Anne and already treats her like family."

Belle certainly will, Auriel thought and quietly stood from her seat.

The spying was done for the night and her bed called to her. She undressed, pulled back the covers and slipped her naked body between them and the mattress. For a moment she felt another twinge of jealousy, but forced it back. Even so a sense of loneliness remained and she stared forlornly at the ceiling.

No time for close friends.

No time for love.

Keep Belle safe.

Help the resistance movement in Drisidiel.

Hunt Lord Delmar's minions until one of them revealed his location.

No time for anything but her duty.

She closed her eyes and fell into a restless sleep her heart heavy with the musings of her mind.