Taking off at a run, she raced to the entrance to the cave. Using her right hand to help guide her, she hurried through the dark tunnel, bursting out through the other side, startling Sharden’s mount who was grazing on a patch of grass. Rushing toward the animal, she grabbed the reins and climbed onto the saddle. She turned the mount and kicked her heels, racing down the shadowy path back toward the palace. The wind tugged at her hair and she felt stronger and more confident the closer she got to the palace. She let the animal under her have its head as they traveled down the wide lane through the village. She kept one hand on the reins and the other wrapped in the coarse mane as her knees pressed tightly to keep from falling.
“Go,” she breathed. “As fast as you can.”
The village flashed by her in a blur as the mount heard her desperate cry. The sounds of its massive feet against the drawbridge and the call of the guard to open the gates were whisked away as she flew by them. Pulling on the reins, she half-jumped, half-fell from the saddle as the heaving animal skidded to a stop at the bottom of the steps leading into the palace. Lifting the hem of her dress, she ran up the steps only slowing when the huge double doors opened and the King and Queen stepped out.
“Sharden?” Lisa whispered in a breathless voice. “Is he…?”
Tears glimmered in both of their eyes. The King nodded his head, wrapping his arm around his wife. Lisa slowed as she stepped up to stand in front of them.
“It is too late,” the King replied in a voice laden with sadness.
Lisa shook her head. “It’s never too late,” she said, pressing her lips tightly together. “Where is he?”
“In the dungeon,” the king replied. “Where he will remain for the rest of his life.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Lisa vowed, stepping past them.
“Lisa, can you…?” The queen asked in a desperate whisper.
Lisa shook her head. “I don’t know,” she admitted before straightening her shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. I love him. Whatever happens, we’ll work it out.”
The queen’s shoulders drooped and she leaned back against the king. “Be careful,” she whispered. “He is hurting.”
Lisa nodded. “I won’t leave him,” she promised, looking at the king. “Can you take me to him, please?”
The king nodded and turned. “Follow me,” he instructed.
Lisa swallowed and followed the king as he led her down a series of corridors before pausing at a door that had two guards standing in front of it. Turning, he pulled a set a keys from a loop at his waist. He unlocked the door and stood back. Lisa took a step forward, surprised when he didn’t go first, but held out the key ring to her.
“You must go on your own from here,” the king advised. “Be careful, if he should attack… There is nothing I can do.”
Lisa smiled reassuringly at the king, feeling more confident on the outside than she did on the inside. “He won’t,” she assured him before turning to look down the long winding staircase.
“The large key will let you into his cell. I hope for my son’s sake that this will help him,” the king added with a heavy sigh, stepping back from the doorway.
Lisa started down the steps, pausing when she heard the door behind her close and the loud sound of the lock echoed behind her. Straightening her shoulders, she continued down the softly lit spiral staircase. The low moan of an animal in pain echoed softly in the direction she was going, growing louder the lower she went.
“Sharden?” Lisa called out in a gentle voice.
“Lisa! What are you doing here? You must go!” Sharden’s anguished-filled voice resonated through the dimly lit area.
“No,” she responded, walking slowly to the heavy metal door with two small windows, one near the top and the other at the bottom. “I’m coming in.”
“No!” Sharden hissed. “You can’t!”
Lisa shook her head. “Yes… I can and I am,” she said with determination.
A loud howl filled the air, sending a shiver through her. The goose bumps that formed on her arms were not from fear, but the sound of pain in the mournful tone. She lifted the heavy key and slid it into the skeleton shaped lock and twisted it. The click of the lock disengaging sounded loud in the sudden silence that followed Sharden’s outraged cry.
She drew in a deep breath before pulling the door open and stepping inside. She turned just far enough to shut the door behind her. Determined, she dropped the key ring to the floor, wincing when the metal struck the stone. It sounded unusually loud in the large room. She kicked the keys through the narrow flap at the bottom of the door.
Lisa glanced around the area, noting that it had been enlarged to make it into an underground apartment containing several rooms. Her eyes flickered to the metal bars over the row of small windows. Moonlight streamed through them. The light from the moon and a fireplace that was built into the far wall were the only light. A movement in the corner near a bookcase pulled her attention to a small alcove cut into the wall next the fireplace.
“Sharden…,” Lisa breathed, taking a step forward before stopping at the low growl that rumble through the air.
“Stop, Lisa,” Sharden ordered in a hoarse voice. “You shouldn’t be here.”
A tender smile curved Lisa’s lips. “Yes, I should be. I belong here, next to you,” she whispered. “Especially after this afternoon.”
“Don’t,” Sharden’s pain filled voice tore at her. “I… We shouldn’t have… I just….”
Lisa took another step closer to the dark alcove, staring into the darkness, willing him to accept that she wasn’t going to leave him. Her heart pounded, unsure of what she would see, but also certain that it wouldn’t matter. She lifted her hand in a silent plea.
“I love you, Sharden,” she insisted. “I love the man inside the covering. Come to me… Please.”
A snarl ripped from him when she took another step closer. “NO!” He hissed. “Go! FATHER! Come release her!” He roared.
Lisa stiffened and raised her chin. Her hand dropped to her side and she clenched her fists in defiance. Shaking her head, she stared into the darkness.
“He won’t come,” she stated with a stubborn tilt to her chin. “He gave me the keys and told me that I was on my own. I’m not leaving, so suck it up and deal with it. I won’t leave you. You said that the witch told you that I could help you. Well, I’m here.”
Another savage snarl ripped the air before dying away. For several minutes, they stood in silence, neither talking. The only sound was Sharden’s heavy breathing before he released a vicious curse. Lisa’s eyes widened when first one clawed foot slid out into the faint light of the fire, before the rest of Sharden emerged from the darkness. Light gray eyes stared savagely back at her, daring her to not cringe at the sight of him.
Lisa stared back at the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. Sharden’s dark blonde hair had grown long and formed a thick mane. His face had lengthened and his nose was now a series of ridges. His lips were thinner and two long fangs peeked from beneath his upper lip. His face was covered with a light covering of fur that ran down his throat and was visible beneath the opening of the white shirt he wore. He still had the narrow hips, but his thighs looked bigger, more muscular under the thick, dark brown cloth pants he wore. Her eyes rose back to lock with his piercing light gray eyes.
“You are…,” she started to say, mesmerized by the beauty of him.
“I’m what? A beast? A monster?” He snarled, turning his face away from her to stare at the fire.
Lisa’s heart melted at the tortured grief that was twisted in his words. Walking silently toward him, she lifted her right hand and tenderly touched his jaw. Her fingers feathered along the soft fur, caressing and exploring him as she threaded them into the fur and pulling his face toward her.
“No, the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen,” she breathed, slowly moving closer until she was standing as close as she could without him holding her. Staring up at him,
her lips curved into a small smile. “I love you, Sharden. I love you, beast or man. I love all of you,” she whispered, refusing to let him look or move away from her.
Chapter 11
Sharden’s eyes closed at the sweet feel of Lisa’s touch. He knew it was her coming down the steps. A part of him wanted to roar out in triumph even as the other part of him wanted to chase her away. A soft purr escaped him when she rubbed her thumb along his cheek. Without thinking, his rough, sandpaper tongue swept out and ran along her wrist.
His eyes snapped open at her smothered giggle. In the darkness, he could see her eyes shining with delight. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, pressing his face against the curve of her neck and shoulder. He loved her so much.
“Today…, “ he began before pausing and raising his head. “I love you. I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
“I know,” she whispered. “Everything will work out.”
Sharden reluctantly released her. Turning his back to her, he stared at the flames. No, everything would not be alright. This was the last time he would change. This… This was who he was now. Tomorrow he would be twenty-five and the curse would be permanent.
“There’s something I should have told you,” he said in a quiet voice. “Tomorrow….” He turned to look at her with regret. “Tomorrow I will be twenty-five. The curse… This time will be different. I will remain a beast. The witch….”
Lisa reached out and touched his arm. “I know what the witch did,” she said, silencing him. “I don’t care. I love you, Sharden, whether you are a man or a beast or an irritating prince. I fell in love with you, the person inside.” She placed her hand over his heart.
Sharden reached down and tenderly cupped her hand in his paw. Lifting it, he pressed the back of it to his mouth. As much as it hurt, he had to make her understand that their being together was impossible now. He started to release her hand, but her fingers curled around his thick paw and she held on to him.
“There can be no future,” he insisted.
“On the contrary,” she interrupted. “There is nothing but the future.”
“Lisa, you don’t understand,” he growled softly. “It is not safe to live above! The villagers already fear me and they have never seen me in this form. I must spend the rest of my life locked away.”
He watched as Lisa looked around the converted cells of the dungeon with a critical look. Her lips twisted and she pressed them together as she turned in a tight circle. When she turned back to stare at him, he knew she was going to twist his words into something positive. The determined light in her eyes and the way she was trying to hide the grin were his first warning.
“This isn’t so bad,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “It’s actually quite cozy. A little creative lighting, a few more throw rugs and some pictures would do marvels with the place. If we had a nice kitchen over there, your folks could come for dinner on Saturday nights.”
Sharden’s lip twitched and he shook his head. “Why I thought you’d have a problem with this situation is beyond me,” he muttered in exasperation. “Lisa, you must think about this.”
“I have,” she said with a suddenly serious expression, dropping her arms and stepping close to him again. “I never would have made love with you this afternoon if I’d had any doubts. I’m in this with you, Sharden. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death rips us apart or I strangle you for being so hard-headed.”
Sharden reached out and pulled her into his arms. This time, he didn’t bother to hide the sharp-tooth grin. “Until you strangle me?” He repeated with a slightly raised eyebrow.
She snorted at him even as her hands rose to cup his cheeks. “If you ever disappear on me like you did earlier, you bet your ass I will,” she growled, rising up on her toes to press a kiss to his nose.
Sharden groaned and leaned down and rubbed his cheek against her neck. “I love you, Lisa,” he whispered, closing his eyes as a strange dizziness swept over him. “Lisa….”
“Sharden!” Lisa cried out in alarm when she felt him sway. Her arms moved down to wrap around his waist when his knees suddenly collapsed. She steadied him as he sank down to the floor. “Sharden, what’s wrong?”
“I… don’t know,” he muttered as he fell backwards and stared up at her. “I… feel strange.”
“Sharden,” she whispered his name again, frantically touching his face. “I’ll get help. I’ll call your father.”
“No,” he choked. “Don’t… leave me.”
“I love you,” she whispered, stroking his face tenderly with her hands.
A wave of heat rose up in him. He tried to imagine it was Lisa’s love causing the heat, but he feared it was something else. Perhaps there had been a part of the curse he was unaware of. His body arched as the moonlight from the windows washed over him. Turning his head, he stared at the shimmering beams. It felt as if it was sucking the life out of him. He weakly raised his hand to catch the tear on Lisa’s cheek. His hand froze midway. It was glowing.
The light swirled and twisted, sparkling as it floated upward. In the transparency of the moonbeam, he could see the magic of the witch’s spell as it floated upward, as if held a prisoner in the shaft of light as it moved away from his body. Lisa’s hand reached out and wrapped around his, threading her fingers through his.
“Lisa!” He exclaimed in a hoarse voice.
“Hold on to me,” she choked out. “Don’t you dare let go.”
Shimmering waves floated upward from his body, lifting him off the cold stone floor. They watched together as the threadlike filaments rose, swirled and disappeared through the open window above. Sharden gasped as the last thread snapped and his body sank back to the ground. Shaken, he gazed up at Lisa’s stunned face.
“What…?” He whispered, pushing past his fear.
“I see you,” she said softly, lifting his hand and pressing it against her cheek. “I see you, Sharden.”
Sharden’s eyes moved to where his hand was pressed against her cheek. His hand… not that of the beast. His fingers trembled as he pulled them free. He turned it staring at it in wonder before looking back at Lisa with a growing smile. Their laughter erupted as his arms swept out to wrap around her. Rolling, he stared down at her for a moment before pressing his lips to her in a kiss that held all his love for her in it.
“Forever,” he whispered when he pulled back several breathless minutes later.
Lisa smiled up at him. “You bet your ass forever,” she swore, wrapping her fingers around his neck. “I still think you were gorgeous before, too.”
Sharden laughed, pushing up off the ground with her still holding onto his neck. He rose, pulling her up into his arms as he did. Holding her tightly, his eyes flickered to the moon high above.
“We have the rest of the night for you to tell me how much,” he teased.
Lisa sighed and rested her head against his chest. “We have the rest of our lives,” she corrected.
Sharden closed his eyes for a brief moment as he hugged her to him. He didn’t know if it was her love for him or his for her or the combination of the two that broke the curse. He didn’t care. As long as Lisa was with him, they could face anything together. Opening his eyes, he carried her to his bed. Tomorrow would come soon enough to let his parents know the curse had been broken. Tonight was all theirs.
Lowering Lisa down onto the covers, he pressed another kiss to her lips even as his fingers worked on the ribbons holding her dress on. Her fingers were making short work of his shirt. Soon, they were wrapped around each other, dressed in nothing more than the glow of the moonlight and their love.
Epilogue
“Lisa, hurry! It’s time,” the queen said with a laugh.
Lisa smooth the white silk down over her stomach one more time before she turned and picked up the bouquet of flowers. Swallowing, she nodded. Today was her wedding day. It had been almost two months since that night in the dungeon. Two months that had sped b
y at an amazing rate. The palace had been open to any and all who wished to attend the wedding of Prince Sharden and Lady Lisa Tootle. The only ones missing were Lisa’s adopted family.
“I’m ready,” Lisa said, turning and freezing when she saw the queen frozen like a statue by the door. Next to her was a middle aged woman that looked vaguely familiar. “Who are you? What have you done?”
The woman stared at Lisa with wide brown eyes that shimmered with tears. Stepping closer, she raised a trembling hand and touched Lisa’s rosy cheek. It took a minute for Lisa to realize why the woman looked so familiar. She looked just like her, only older.
“My beautiful, beautiful little girl,” the woman whispered. “For so long, all I could do was watch you from afar.”
“Who are you?” Lisa whispered again, this time in a slightly choked voice.
The woman smiled tenderly at Lisa. “I’m your mother,” she said in a voice filled with emotion. “Gestasia.”
“My mother!” Lisa choked, stepping backwards several feet. “How? Why?”
A sad smile curved Gestasia’s lips. “I was a foolish young witch who allowed her anger and bitterness to control her. You were ripped from my arms and cast to the other side of the doorway. I could see you, but never touch.”
Lisa frowned as she studied Gestasia’s face. The frown cleared as more pieces to the puzzle came together. She had seen this woman once before – at the small hut in the meadow. Only that time, she had been old and wrinkled.
“It was you,” she began with a shake of her head.
“Yes,” Gestasia said, twisting her hands together and looking away. “I met your young prince shortly after his first change. He wasn’t like his parents. He helped me and asked nothing in return. I sent him to the valley where I had planned to raise you. A few months ago, I found hope that there might be a way to break the curse I had cast and bring you home. The young prince came to me again.”
“You were old… and you took his gold,” Lisa accused, raising her eyebrow at Gestasia.