Chapter 2
She heard the slow shuffle about an hour later, but she barely registered it in her mind. She couldn’t move. She could barely feel her body. She was still sniffing, her tears slightly subsided. She couldn’t help but drown in them. This had to be the absolute worst day of her life. She was shaking, her lips numb; had someone killed her right then she probably wouldn’t have noticed. Somehow, though, a voice broke through her sluggish thoughts.
That stupid bloke, she looks half-frozen.
She raised her head a bit, blinking. She couldn’t see a thing.
Probably out of her mind with fright, too.
Her lips parted. Her rusty voice called out, shakily, “H-hello? Who’s there?” She tried looking around, but could make out nothing. Then she heard the bars slide open, and her head snapped in that direction. Stiffly, she tried rising, and called out in pain. Her muscles really had frozen.
Dear God, how long was she there? She heard the voice say urgently.
No one answered.
“Please,” she whispered. She could barely hear her voice. She made it to her knees, and crawled forward a bit. The world was spinning. “I must-” she cleared her throat. Her arms were shaking with the effort to keep her up. “I must-” she gasped, and fell. She heard someone rush forward, and then she felt warm, warm fur wrapped around her body. Sighing in pleasure, she snuggled against it, feeling herself lifted into someone’s arms. She closed her eyes. “My mother,” she whispered. She tried to think of what it was she needed to say, but her mind seemed to have frozen along with her muscles.
Poor girl. She’s delirious.
She frowned, feeling the world slipping away. “No,” she whispered. “I’m not…delirious…” and that was when the world finally faded away.
She woke to the smell of fresh roses. She couldn’t imagine where they could be coming from; she had no idea where she could…
Her eyes opened, and she gasped. She was under thick bearskin covers, in a bed larger than her entire cottage, or so it seemed. The mattress was made of pure goose feather; it had to be. She was melting into it like a delicious dream. Rich red curtains were hung over every wall, except the one that was taken up by a fireplace larger than two of her laid out and a good head taller than her in height. A roaring fire heated the room, and she felt, for the first time in years it seemed, wonderfully warm.
She couldn’t see much of the room, since it was cloaked in shadow. She imagined it was immense, though she couldn’t be sure. She was still clad in everything but her boots and shawl; she quickly tossed back the covers. She felt so dirty just then, lying in that that glorious bed, her clothes splattered with mud and tears. Yet she was reluctant to leave its warmth. She was about to settle back in when a voice emerged from the shadows beside the fireplace.
Can you hear me?
Startled, she froze, a bit embarrassed. “I- yes.”
The voice did not speak for a long, long time. She sat in the silence, waiting, feeling uncomfortable with nothing but the popping of logs for company. Especially when she couldn’t see who was speaking to her.
Then, a bit startled, he responded, Impossible.
She raised her eyebrows. “That I can hear you?”
Again, shocked, he said, Yes.
She frowned. “Why?”
He didn’t answer her question. Instead he asked, Who are you?
A bit…cautious, she answered, “Leona Winters.”
There was a grunt, and then, No. What are you?
Leona crossed her legs under her. “I- I didn’t think I was that filthy,” she said, trying for humor. No one laughed. She took a breath. “I’m a woman. A…barmaid.” The shadows moved. She narrowed her eyes. “Why don’t you let me see you?”
It is of no importance. You…cannot be. This is impossible.
Leona felt insulted. “Why? Never known a barmaid with the ability to make intelligent conversation? I’m sorry if I was a bit…dizzy when we met, but that was of no fault of mine. Had you realized sooner that I was freezing to death I might have been able to say more,” she ended heatedly. She was not in the mood to be polite to this man, whoever he was. She pursed her lips. “Just what do you plan to do with me, anyway?” She glared into the shadows.
There was a startled silence, and then, I was not aware of your presence until I found you. What would you have me do to you?
Leona opened and closed her mouth, confused. “I…would have you release me,” she said truthfully.
Release you? You are…a prisoner. The last was said a bit flatly.
Leona felt like she had to explain for some reason. “No- I mean, yes but…” she blushed. “I couldn’t pay my taxes,” she admitted.
Taxes? For that he threw you in… There was a low growl.
Leona felt a shiver. There was a definite threat behind it.
You will be released.
Leona felt such gratitude, her eyes watered. She rose from the bed. “Oh, thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea- they took me from my mother, and she’s sick and…” she laughed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…thank you.”
He didn’t respond at first. Then he said, You are welcome. She heard a door handle move, and she knew he was about to leave.
“Wait!” she called. “Please- what- who are you?”
The fire flickered as the door opened. I am…no one. The door shut.
Leona fell back on the bed, confused, her mouth slightly parted. Who had that been? Someone of great importance, obviously, if he had the power to release her. Still…how unusual that he would not reveal his face or name.
Leona had only a few moments to ponder, for as soon as he left the door opened again, this time admitting a woman. She walked towards Leona, smiling. She was a short, stout old lady, her gray hair covered in a cap, obviously a maid judging from her blue and white striped dress with apron over it. “Hello dear,” she sighed. “I’m so sorry things didn’t work out, yet…” she shrugged.
Leona frowned. “I…I’m sorry?”
The lady sighed, and waved her hand. “I know, a bit unnerving, isn’t he?” She patted Leona’s hand.
Leona stared at her. “I…he seemed perfectly normal to me.”
The woman stopped smiling instantly. “Now my dear, it’s over; no need for pretenses now.” A look of warning entered her eye, yet Leona couldn’t understand whatever for.
“He was a bit unusual,” she tried.
The woman clucked her tongue, and surveyed her. “My, with such good acting I suppose…but, if he knew it was not you, he knew. You understand?”
Leona was beyond trying to understand what she was talking about. She just nodded. She needed to leave; she didn’t really mind if it wasn’t her, whatever that meant.
Leona stood and collected her boots, putting them on. She was a bit reluctant to leave the room, but she had to. Her mother was waiting.
The woman handed her her shawl, and led her out the door. Leona stopped dead. “I’m in the Palace,” she said, staring around her in awe.
The woman glanced back, and then continued walking. “Come along,” she sighed.
Leona could barely keep up. She stared at everything as she passed; it was more magnificent than she could ever imagine. The floors were carpeted with rich, regal weaves, the walls covered in tapestry to keep out the winter cold. Beautiful chandeliers lit the halls, dimly lighting the family portraits and armor she passed. All the doors she passed were closed, but even they were splendid, with their crystal door handles and stained oak.
The woman led the way down several corridors, before stepping out into a large, main hall. A wide staircase led down, splitting in two at the bottom, covered in a red carpet so dark it looked like wine. Leona had to stop for a moment to gape. The ceiling was glass in the very center, covered in snow. The rest was painted, an incredible, almost alive look at the night sky.
Each star was there, accounting for each constellation that
artist had been able to see the night he had started, each cloud so soft Leona could almost jump up and touch them. Her eyes traveled around the scene, wandering down the carved wood on the walls, the high windows covered with more wine-colored velvet, to the marble floor. The enormous fireplace in the room was lit; in front of it were two large armchairs, covered in dust cloths.
And that was where Leona’s eyes stayed.
For there, leaning in front of its fiery warmth, was the beast.
Her small gasp echoed around the room, making it turn. Leona’s eyes widened. She felt like she was eight years old again, staring at this enormous creature, her body reflected in its soulless eyes. She felt locked in place, held captive by it, only…why did she…not feel so threatened?
This creature, like her, had grown over the fifteen years that had passed. No longer was it as tall as man; it was two times taller. Its mangy hair still roamed all over, yet its sharp teeth now passed its chin. With one swipe its paws alone would kill her, yet she stood there, captivated, not be fear, but…surprise.
“It’s you,” she finally said.
Her words echoed around the room, reaching it, reverberating around it. The beast growled, and Leona heard a small shriek.
“I’m so sorry m’Lord, I had assumed that since you’d already- I’ll just take her out the-” The maid continued to talk as suddenly a voice reached her ears. A very familiar voice.
I had not wanted you here.
And then it hit her. She felt the air leave her lungs; she stumbled down a few steps. She wasn’t hearing a man speak. No matter where she was, the voice would always sound the same, since she heard it…inside of her. Her mouth dropped open.
“That’s impossible,” she whispered.
Neither she nor the beast moved. They were staring at each other, unaware of the maid as she rambled on her apologies. There was no possible way the voice could be coming from it. Yet…all those years ago…no one else had been around.
“Unnerving,” she whispered. Leona looked at the maid. The poor woman was scowling.
“That’ll do, miss,” she said sharply. “You’ve done quite enough for today; no need to stare. Come.” She grabbed Leona’s arm, and started propelling her back the way they had come.
Leona took a step forward; the beast did the same.
Wait.
She stopped. The maid continued to pull on her arm. Leona looked at her. “He asked me to wait,” she said.
The maid stopped. She blinked. “What?”
Mrs. Kingsley cannot hear me.
Leona looked at the beast. “She can’t?” In this room, there was no need to shout. Even though she was separated from the beast by at least two hundred feet, her voice reached him as clear as if she were not two feet away. Leona looked back at the maid. “You can’t hear him, Mrs. Kingsley?”
The maid stopped, her jaw dropping. She looked at the beast, and then Leona. “I- I didn’t show you in and…I never told you my name,” she whispered. Then her eyes widened, and she looked at the beast. “I thought you were telling me to show her out!” she cried.
“He released me,” Leona said.
Mrs. Kingsley’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Released you! Good Lord, you’re-”
I did release you, Leona. You are free to go. His words cut through the rest of Mrs. Kingsley’s.
Leona turned to him. She just couldn’t quite picture a voice emerging from that monstrous head. He looked more like he wanted to eat her. It wasn’t the least bit reassuring that the voice sounded…human.
“Who are you?” she asked softly. He had saved her. No matter how horrible he looked, he was allowing her her freedom. She walked to the bottom of the steps, staring into his eyes. It was almost impossible to look away. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?” she asked.
His voice sounded amused when he spoke. I most certainly did not expect you to come closer. I thought you might be a bit…frightened.
Leona could not deny it. “I am terrified,” she whispered.
I see. He paused. Sit with me?
Her eyes widened, taking in his paw as it swept back to the fire. Against her will, she stepped back.
Ah. I do see.
Leona licked her dry lips. “I- I wanted to thank you. For letting me go.” Then she frowned. She glanced back to where Mrs. Kingsley was still standing, staring at the two of them. She thought of her mother, and took a deep breath. She couldn’t survive for long, even if she did get home soon. There would be no food. Yet… Leona looked at the beast. “Am I in the position to…ask for a favor?” she asked quietly. She felt her cheeks heat with humiliation.
I suppose that would depend on the favor.
Leona looked down. Her hands played with the fabric of her skirt, twisting, nervous. “I don’t have any money,” she said quietly. “I can’t pay my taxes. My mother is sick. I need a way to support her, and…I noticed on my way down that…the Palace could use a good housecleaner.” She felt her blush heat up and down to her toes. “I mean I- the dust…I know you’ve most likely a staff but with so much space, I thought…” She cleared her throat. “I’d be willing to clean if…if perhaps you could ask to just- even just feeding us, that would be all right.” She held her breath, waiting.
Look at me.
Leona took a deep breath, and looked up. She leveled her head, straightened her spine. Her hands stopped fussing. “I understand if you can’t,” she said. “I just thought that perhaps since you could release me, you could…” she bit her lip.
You would be willing to…stay here?
She frowned. “Not if- my mother needs-”
If you could bring her here.
Leona thought of the room she had just come from, and almost laughed with joy at the idea of her mother enjoying the luxuries she claimed she should have. “Yes, I would.”
The beast turned away from her. He faced the fire, staring into it. Then he said, I will send for her. You shall stay.
Leona raised her trembling hands to her lips, smiling. “Thank you,” she cried. “Oh, for the thousandth time, thank you.”