Adam closed the door behind him he could feel his pulse heightening and hear hers through the wall. The disheartening ache began once again and quickly he raced for the west wing of the castle. Louder and louder she was almost calling out for him to return and tear that dress off of her then while she shivered doing her best to stay away, he would keep tearing until there was be nothing left. He could see the shadows of his servants appearing from the darkness, each of them with their blank expressions began to line up. The cracking of his bones shifting inside of his skin started to hurl its way into his thoughts, even drowning out the urge to shred the newly delivered hope. Looking down at his hands he could see they no longer looked the same. The shifting was becoming too great. Falling all he could see were the dark figures as they lifted him up and began to drag him the rest of the way to the west wing. A loud scream escaped his lips while his teeth fell out and sharp ones emerged in their places and the scream became a piercing roar while the final changes took place. He watched as his clothing split open and the flesh gave away to gray almost black fur. After hearing the iron latch lock Adam felt solace that she was safe. Kneeling alone once again in his tattered clothes he could still feel the pull of her alluring scent; for a long while he remained looking at the locked door knowing that at any moment he could give the signal he had regained himself and would be free to roam into her room and engulf himself in that scent. Blinking away the predatory urge, he set his ears to the sound of a doe leaping through the forest before he could be around her again, he had to release the need to kill. Removing any leftover clothing the beast caught sight of an old painting on the wall seeing that smug look on his face infuriated him causing an outburst that left his portrait unrecognizable when he left.
Isabelle awoke to a loud scream. "Your highness?" She voiced jumping from where she had fallen asleep on the rug before the fireplace. Looking around and seeing that she was still in the study, the girl quickly got up and rushed to the door. Turning the handle she found it to be locked, this made her panic causing her slam on the door and pulling it with all her weight but it didn't budge. Looking around the room she felt like it was getting smaller and smaller; she couldn't stand how stuffy it became. "Are they leaving me in here to die?" Her mind kept repeating. Tears poured down her face as she huddled into the chair by the fire that was still burning brightly and was startled by a horrifying roar that seemed to shake everything in the room. "Is there something in the castle? Are they going to feed me to it?" Back and forth she tilted in the chair hugging her knees close to her chest, doing her best to get a hold of herself. "Just breathe Isabelle everything is going to be fine."When the madness wouldn't subdue, when she thought she could take it no more there was a quiet click from the door. The sound silenced her scared mind and Isabelle walked to the door, a hard lump softened as she swallowed, finding the door opened.
Looking around she didn't see anything in the hall but the same darkness that was there the day before. Still high off of the adrenaline, the girl sprinted down the hallway opening the door to the room and slamming it behind her. Despite just being trapped in the other room, she felt relieved to lock her own door. "What is going on?" Her breath finally began to return to normal. Her eyes were burning from tiredness despite falling asleep on the floor, she had to get comfortable and get some rest on a softer surface. Reaching up to the laces that held her dress closed she undid them letting out a sigh as the clothing let her out of its grip. After removing the gown she picked it up and walked to the closet to put it away, she couldn't relax there were so many questions, so many curiosities, and so many ideas as to the recent events. Turning around she magically found the same night gown that she thought for sure was taken away by the female maid the day before but somehow it was there. "Things are getting so strange here."Taking off the rest of her underclothing she pulled the night gown on and climbed into the large bed. Closing her eyes she tried to think of other things to keep her from the events of earlier. She thought of fairy tales that Merta used to tell her and Gretchen. Tales of Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding hood all used to be their favorites and inspired their adventures; before long sleep took over and Isabelle fell asleep.
Adam's ears twitched toward the castle, he wiped whatever blood he could from his muzzle and stood up leaving the destroyed prey for the scavengers. "Isabelle."He could hear her calling for him, it was a bit past noon and he was somewhat delighted that she wanted him in her presence. He climbed up the stairs to his balcony, which was the only way into the castle, until he gave the servants the cue that he had regained control of himself, until then the whole castle went into lock down. Isabelle would be especially protected when he first changed back by the soldiers, they would lock her in whichever chamber she was in and stand in front of it while Adam went on his first kill. Once out of the castle they would leave back into the darkness, always on alert if they have to spring in to protect her. The beast went to the main door of his room, knocking forcefully in a pattern on the metal surface, he heard it unlock and saw several servants walk in. One was holding a steaming bowl and cloth; the others had clothing that could fit his large frame. They always brought a mirror but since the curse he would refuse to see himself. Putting on the black gloves he dismissed the dark figures and they dissipated.
"This curse," He grunted while adjusting to the tight clothing; despite them being tailored for his beastly shape Adam rather enjoyed being free of them during the day. If Isabelle were to catch sight of a part of him he would much rather be covered and not expose his monstrous side. "Why dress up for the maiden? Even with your fancy clothing she knows what a hideous creature you are." The fairy sure laid a nasty spell on him. Remembering the way her face distorted in such disgust over his lack of kindness was one he would never forget. The ear shattering words still rang in his head as she read off the conditions that would forever change his life.
"Adam I have empathy for your loss for I see into your soul but to teach your heart how to love again I shall give you this gift. During the harsh light of day your beastly self will be exposed and at the stroke of midnight when the darkness is at its peak you will be able to hide in its shadows as the weak man that you are. To show you the harsh words you have inflicted on others you yourself will be your worse critic. Bane speech will spill from yourself without thought or control; perhaps with your own words at your back will you understand the abuse. When you earn the love of another despite your bare hideousness perhaps it will be enough to change you and this gift will no longer be needed." Her crystal white eyes glimmered while they narrowed in on him. "But if she leaves you even if you do not love her your heart will break as though you did. If you ever wanted to know how much pain you have caused others by taking away their loved ones than you shall if the woman you bring to this land forsakes you. The land too will be nude as you are, showing that it was made of nothing but greed and apathy. You will not be able to win sympathy from your choice of love, by telling her of your afflictions and will have to rely on yourself alone to win her affections." Smiling at the abolished man, she leaned down kissing him on the forehead before vanishing. "This is an opportunity to give you back the heart you lost. No mortal wound shall take your life and you will be free to reign until you find the one for you. Your servants will be loyal and by your side even after their deaths." That was when he first felt the pain of change in himself and would know it every morning and evening from that day forth.
He could smell her from the moment they opened the doors. A smile crept up in him and the beast went to find the girl who awoken promise in him.
Isabelle sat in one of the grand libraries, she found some books in a language she could read but most were in another that she couldn't make heads or tails out of. Earlier she called Adam wanting to discuss the events of earlier. "Your highness I would like your company!" She yelled into the high ceiling room, opening her eyes and looking around she was somewhat surprised that no one was there. "Maybe I should try another way. Adam?" Seeing no one but the dark maid, she rested in of the chairs feeling a little foolish. Picking up a book she liked to read when she was younger, the girl lost her thoughts to the story of the prince in disguise and a woman who fell in love. When her senses were their dullest to the environment, she was startled by an unseen voice.
"You called." The girl jumped, dropping the book to the floor she scrambled to go get it and almost turned around to speak to her visitor only to have a large hand grab her face and spin her opposite of him. "Remember the first thing we spoke of?" He growled in contempt. "Never face me during the day." Rubbing her cheeks after the harsh reminder, Isabelle noticed the screeching of a chair being pulled up behind her.
"Forgive me," her voice had an aggravated tone while she did her best to brush it off. "I was distressed this morning and locked in the study. I heard someone screaming and also the loud roar of something else. Have you any idea?"
"I cannot disclose any of that information to you at the moment milady. All I can say is that everything was done to protect you. I trust that you slept well?"
"Yes, I did when I made it back into bed. Why did you leave? I waited and fell asleep in the study. That was when I woke up and found myself locked in there and heard all of the terrifying racket." A warm blush went over her body. "I thought you left me to whatever that was." She didn't know why she felt so bashful at suggesting such a thing but for whatever reason didn't want to offend the king. "I thought I was going to be your next dead wife."
"To tell you the truth, I was never married to any of them." He paused wondering if he should expose the full facts about the former maidens. If she was going to be different than the rest he knew that coming clean would be the first steps to making it so. "As you know they came here like you did. I sent for princesses of other kingdoms and got two chambermaids instead. They had little education and would not be satisfied with the reasoning I gave them for not seeing me during the day. The first one Emily found out the hard way and when she left I couldn't help my fury at her disobedience, so I found her crying in the woods begging for death so I gave it to her. The second named Catherine tried to kill me, she was angry that she was being forced to live here and in my defense I took her life. I should have been easier on them I do understand that but I couldn't help it, they made it easy to do so."
"I don't know what to say," Isabelle shook her head, the dark curls that hung down from the bun swayed with her disbelief. "Will you do the same to me if I disobey?"
"Give me reason to hurt you and I will do my best to refrain. I cannot make any promises for my actions are not always my own. Isabelle, I tell you this because I want you to do your best to keep yourself safe. Obey the minimal rules I have and you will be okay. Perhaps you will even grow to love this palace as your home," His voice became less frightening and kinder like he was the night before. "And learn to love its cruel ruler." He heard a gulp come from the girl as she shifted uncomfortably before him. Isabelle got up and walked to the window. She was wearing a beautiful mauve dress, it hugged her upper body tightly and sprung out widely at the hips, the back had a low dip exposing her pale back.
"Could I be allowed to go outside?" When she turned he stood up angrily at her disobedience and strutted across the floor standing close to her face ready to yell when he noticed her eyes were closed. Surprise came over him and he waved his gloved hand in front of her, seeing no change in her expression and with amazement let a silent chuckle rumble inside of him. Isabelle could feel he was right in front of her so she reached out and touched his chest tilting her head back to show him the way she felt. "I don't want to be in this castle forever, I would like to explore from time to time." Her face gave him a shiver of guilt and he put his hands on her shoulders guiding her away from him, even with her eyes closed he didn't feel comfortable with the temptation she would probably be feeling.
"Yes but I must go with you, for my land is vast and I would hate for you to get lost. If you did I would be forced to hunt you down." He joking growled in her ear. "I appreciate your cleverness by facing me with closed eyes but please do it sparingly, if you get too comfortable it may compromise your self control. And as I said before give me a reason to hurt you and I will do my best to refrain. That doesn't mean you can consider yourself safe." The sun was already going down and he looked down at the back of her head and thought it was about time for supper. "Shall we walk to the dining hall?" With a hand at her back he gestured that she should walk in front of him.
Isabelle strode in front listening to the king's heavy ones behind her every now and then she would say something to him but for the most part remained silent down the hallway. They made it to the hall with the dining room and she stared up at the picture of the beautiful man, she couldn't believe that the same person stood behind her. He pulled out her chair and she could feel him leaned down close and whispered. "I am going to leave you now. I will be in the same room you were brought too last night, feel free to visit me there after midnight."
"Wait! Why midnight?" Shutting her eyes she turned to where she thought he would be, she asked. "Your highness?" There wasn't a response, after repeating herself she decided to get serious. "Alright, I am going to open my eyes, if you don't want me to see you than you better say something." She began to count to three in her head. "One, two, if he doesn't say anything and I see him he better not get upset, I gave him plenty of chances." Allowing the count to three run a lot longer than a second she opened her eyes when she got there. "Three!" Isabelle glanced around the room scrunching her face at the annoyance of his disappearance. "Well, I guess his picture will do for now." She glimpsed up at the man in the portrait while she uncovered her meal and began to eat.
Hello guys thought I would get more into Adam and the curse and all that will get into his past some more later. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter thank you for reading :D Hey just got some review saying perhaps changing the rating and just to let all you peeps out there know... I am considering it. Making some sexy scenes well we will see :D