Chapter Three: It's Forbidden

"I was not always how I appear to be." The Beast told her in a low voice, taking the velvet steps slowly, one at a time. "I was once...human."

Belle listened quietly, staying at his side. She watched his face for expressions, matching her own face to his. For some odd reason, this news of his lost humanity did not surprise her. In fact, it made her sigh inwardly with disapointment.

"Three years ago, I was a prince of this castle. I was spoiled and cruel."

Belle's eyes opened wider. "I can't imagine you ever being cruel." she said, lightly touching his arm.

The Animal attempted to smile, grim. "I was a very different person then."

"But why aren't you that way now? Why aren't you cruel and evil if you are now a Beast?"

The Beast stopped walking and faced her. "Because I wanted to change myself for the better. For you..."

Belle removed her hand from his arm and started walking, thinking hard on his words. The tame Animal followed. "I don't love you." She told him at last. "I don't think I ever could, unless you were human."

The Beast sighed.

"You shouldn't have to change who you are in order to be with someone." Belle stopped and faced him. "You should be yourself, no matter how different you may seem."

"Belle..." he whispered.

"I don't love you." Belle frowned.

"I know."

Belle stepped closer to him, standing two steps above; leaning forward, she planted a firm, wrm kiss on the Animal's mouth. His mouth tasted like cream-of-wheat and strawberries. This sickened her; where was the blood? The taste of raw soil? She backed away before he could embrace her and she hurried onwards to the West Wing.

The Animal followed her close, confused, but hungry for more. They walked in silence together until they reached the door of the West Wing. The Beast stepped aside, pulling the door open so that Belle could go in first. She did not thank him. Once they were both inside, the Beast went over to the enchanted rose, which lay in a state of decay in it's glass prison.

"This rose," he told her, "Was given to be by an enchantress in disguise. It was storming that night. She came to be in the form of an old woman and offered the rose to me as payment for giving her shelter. But I refused her gift and sent her on her way." The Beast removed the glass lid and pawed at the shriveled plant with one of his black claws. "After that, she lowered her guise and became beautiful... It's taken me all this time to realize this, but," The Animal met Belle's eyes with his piercing, yearning blue ones. "True beauty is from within. The body is nothing but a shell for the soul to reside in. Appearances mean nothing."

"I couldn't agree more." Belle replied. "But you are a hypocrite; you were once cruel and evil. Why are you not that way now?" She reached out and laid a hand over his paw. "Who has tamed the Beast inside you...?"

"You have..." the Beast answered. "Because I love you."

"I cannot love a man who cannot even love himself." Belle answered sternly.

The Animal put the lid back over the dead rose. "It doesn't matter now..." he said quietly. "The spell the enchantress placed upon me cannot be undone; it is too late."

Belle turned and went over to the wall, where a portraint hung, torn across the face. She gestured to it. "Is this what you once looked like?" she asked.

The Beast went and stood beside Belle, nodding.

There was a long period of silence between them, each thinking their own, private thoughts. Finally, Belle said, "I've decided I want to stay in your castle."

The Beast looked at her quickly, relief flooding his face.

"But." Belle added, meeting his eyes. "You must not hide yourself from me. Be who you really are, not who you think you should be."

The Beast nodded slowly. At that moment he wanted to take her; he imagined her pressed against the floor with his monsterous body crushing her - every breath she makes a cry of his name: Beast! Beast! Beast! as she begged for more. He wanted to devour her whole and snuff the light of her innocence out. Yes, he could be the monster he has always been on the inside. But wouldn't that scare her away...?

Doubtless, he was in love with her. And he did not want to cause her any harm; he would happily spend the rest of his days protecting her and loving her with tenderness and serenity. For her, he would give up himself.

Yet here she was, begging for him to release his inner darkness! The Animal was very confused, uncertain, afraid. One wrong move could have her changing her mind and walking straight out the door. Theirs was a forbidden love... and it longed to be explored.

"Belle, I..." The Beast swallowed hard, seeming to shrink under the woman's intense gaze. He cleared his throat and straightened back up. "I will.. I will try." he said at last.

Belle smiled. A precious and rare expression. "Thank you..." She stood up on her toes and kissed the Beast's lips once again. "...now," she breathed into his ear. "Take me."