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Chapter 9
That night she appeared in the wide doorway of the great hall; bathed in torch light and powder blue silk.
Rumpelstiltskin stilled the wheel and slowly his eyes roamed up her body.
From her scarred bare feet, to her glossy chestnut braid tied with a wide vermillion ribbon, and finally to her questioning clear eyes lined with thick lashes.
He did not deserve her.
He would never be worthy of her.
He rose from his stool and stepped down from the platform.
His long hands hung purposelessly at his sides; for once they were not animated.
Belle leaned against the door frame and toyed with the end of her braid.
Every sensuous curve was highlighted amidst the orange glow of the receiving hall, her pale skin lambent and near translucent.
Rumpelstiltskin could see the rich, red blood teeming through the indigo veins under her snowy flesh.
He could hear the thunderous thump of her heart in her ribcage.
The heart of the thing you love most…
"Come to me."
He spread his arms wide in a beckoning gesture, the billowy gold silk of his sleeves hung down like wings.
She smiled faintly and closed the tortuous distance between them.
He enveloped her and she buried her face between his neck and shoulder.
She placed a chaste kiss on the shimmering skin that covered his collarbone.
He smoothed down her soft, wavy hair and pressed his nose to her crown; inhaling her sweet scent.
He could feel her delicate breasts pressing against his chest through the sheer silk of her nightdress.
"My Beautiful Belle." He whispered, letting his hands slide down her sides and rest on her hips.
He rubbed the soft fabric between his fingers and Belle sprinkled light kisses up the side of his neck.
"Rumplestilskin…"
He closed his eyes and swallowed the lump in his throat, "Say it again."
"Rumpelstiltskin." She breathed, guiding his hand to cup her through her nightdress.
He choked back a very undignified moan when he felt her warmth fill his palm.
"How can Beauty lie with the Beast?" he whispered into her ear.
"How can a Maiden accept a Monster?"
"Because," she murmured, brushing her nose against his. "she sees the man inside."
Belle looked into his eyes, "...and she loves him."
"Love is weakness dearie." He muttered almost inaudibly as she traced the outline of his lips with her finger.
His eyelids fluttered closed and he leaned into her warm hand as it caressed his angular face.
"No." Belle whispered, her lips less than an inch from his.
"Love is strength."
And she pressed her soft, crimson mouth to his; molding their lips together in True Love's Kiss.
"Goddamn you!"
He pried her mouth from his and flung her across the room like a rag doll.
Belle skidded against the stone wall and covered her tingling mouth, trying to hold onto Love's True Kiss.
"Rumpelstiltskin!" she cried through trembling fingers.
"I said never kiss me!"
He placed his claw across his forehead and leaned back against the banquet table.
"There will never be True Love's Kiss!"
Belle fought to hold onto her heart full of love as he cursed her.
"I love you." She whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears.
"You…" he snarled, pointing at her.
"Why won't you let me love you?!" she cried; now a terrified crumple of blue silk and maple waves.
"Please, let me love you!"
He frowned.
"How could I let you love me? Your own father didn't want you!" he looked at her, huddled in the corner like a kicked dog.
"How could I?"
He giggled menacingly, "I am the Dark One! Not some weak, stupid fool who is swept away by your beauty Princess!"
He dug his blackened nails into the table,,
"Belle the Brave…" he sang as he stalked towards her.
"Beauty who 'tamed' the Beast, well…...'tried'"
He giggled and Belle covered her ears as she tried to hold onto her shattered pride.
"I don't need you dearie."
Rumpelstiltskin stilled and looked down at her.
Like she could be nothing more than a piece of trash at his feet...
"I need my power."
And he was gone in a column of burgundy smoke.