He never left my side. When I would awaken in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, he would be there. When I would get out of bed to use the washroom, he would help me, to make sure that I didn't hurt myself. That's why I was concerned and confused when I woke up a week after the attack and he was not next to me. I looked at the clock. It was only 5 AM. We usually slept until 8 at least.

"Adam…?" I called quietly, thinking he might be washing up. No answer. I gently got out of bed and walked down the hall, calling his name. Lumiere suddenly appeared from his bedroom, rubbing his eyes. "Mademoiselle…why…" his eyes darted from my face to down the hall, back to me.

"Lumiere…" I said, "Where's Adam?"

"Adam?" Lumiere said, trying to act casually.

"Lumiere, I'm very worried. There's no reason he should be anywhere but in my bed with me. He never gets up this early. Especially lately…" I furrowed my brows and looked deep into the man's eyes.

"Mademoiselle…Adam is going to be fine…he said to expect him back here by the time you awoke," Lumiere spoke slowly, as if he was trying to drag everything out.

"Well, I'm awake," I spoke firmly with both feet on the ground. I stared him in the eye and said, "And I would like to see my fiancé. Now where is he?"

I didn't like getting stern with Lumiere. He was the type of person who never raised his voice at you. He was fun, and cheerful, and loved entertaining people. We would often sit in the living area at tea time and talk for hours about his past adventures. I hated to demand things of him, but I needed to know where Adam was. What if something happened to him?

Lumiere looked at the ceiling and then back at me. He sighed out of exasperation. "He went…he went to find Gaston."

I stepped back and covered my mouth with both of my hands. "He WHAT?" I practically screamed. I just stood there looking at the man before me, hoping he would tell me it was one of his practical jokes. "AND YOU LET HIM?!" I yelled and grabbed him by the shoulder. "How could you do such a thing? That man has an army of many and he won't stand a chance. How the hell could you let him go off on his own like that? Are you trying to get him killed?"

Lumiere just looked at me, "I…I…I didn't…I thought that…" I let go of his shoulder and started walking swiftly back to my room. I threw on my winter cape and snow boots, and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I still had my nightgown on, but my bruises were fading on my face. There were dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep I'd gotten in the past week, but I looked better. And I felt well enough to do this. I walked out of my bedroom, pulling on my gloves, when I noticed Mrs. Potts standing there with Lumiere.

"Belle?" She asked. I didn't even answer her. I just walked right past them, marching determinedly.

I heard them follow me down the hall.

"Mademoiselle, where do you think you're going?" Lumiere asked, nervously.

"Where do you think I'm going?" I asked, without even looking back.

"Mademoiselle, we cannot let you leave this castle. Master's orders."

"Then pretend you didn't see me." I stopped in my tracks to look back at them angrily, and then continued my walk, eventually reaching the stairs. I stomped quickly down the stairs, and heard the pace behind me turn into a quick step.

"Deary, you really can't do this!" Mrs. Potts yelled desperately.

"Talk to Lumiere…he's the one who let Adam go to hunt down the most vicious human I've ever met." I said shortly. I knew I didn't have a legitimate reason to be angry at Mrs. Potts, but all I could think about was how huge the potential for Adam getting hurt was.

"Adam can handle himself!" Mrs. Potts called, as I heard them finally stop following me. I opened the door to a gust of wind and snow, and pulled up the hood of my cape. I looked back at the two of them, paused, and, before I slammed the door behind me, said coldly, "That's what I thought about myself."

Hey guys! So far, I've gotten a lot of positive feedback! Thanks to anyone who has been faithful in posting reviews.

This chapter is kind of a segue into the next action-filled chapter...probably up by the middle of next week.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Remember to post reviews, follow, and favorite!

Love you all!

-Sarah