Page 13 of The Beast & His Beauty
I smile as I see her pull out the blue dress. Satisfaction settles deep in me, stirring the beast from his contented slumber. It’s good that she listens to simple commands. My fingers rub against the scruff on my chin. I wonder how well she’ll listen to the rest of my orders. The beast snickers as he sees my training plan for our little beauty. First, I’ll get her settled and then I’ll show her what I want from her.
I stare into the mirror, waiting for her to see the blindfold; I slipped it and the note under the door. I need it. I know the minute she looks at me and sees the hideous beast, she’ll never agree to stay with me.
ELLE
Iknow the peacefulness I feel is likely not my own, but I can’t deny the sensation of warmth and luxury that surrounds me when I pick up the dress. There’s a vague prick at the back of my mind that warns me not to fall into comfort, but it dulls with every passing second. The gown truly seems to have been made for me. The cloth is expensive and well-tailored so that there are no misshapen seams. I know it will feel even more luxurious against my bare skin.
For my skin is still bare.
Every time I register the feeling of being completely exposed, the magic wraps around me again, making the shame of being naked in a place that’s not my home easier to bear.
After all, he gave me a dress. It will all be all right so long as I wear it.
The note didn’t have instructions to put on undergarments, nor are any laid out, so I pick up the blue dress from the bed. Swallowing thickly, I lift it over my head and let the fabric fall in a wave over me.
Covered, I feel no less exposed than before. Having such luxurious fabric directly against my skin makes my nerves sing. My nipples, already sensitive, peak at the slip of the silk. Nervously, I brace my hands on the bed and steady myself even as the magic comes to soothe me again. Will it always do so? I think, because I have lived near the forest so long, that it will. The magic has been a constant presence, though it is faint in the woods, for as long as I can remember. Although this feeling, in this moment, is stronger and nearly like a lullaby—not the nightmare I’ve been taught it gives.
If I stay here, for always, will I feel this peace for the rest of my life?
“Always” is frightening to think of, and the magic doesn’t seem to want me to dwell on it. I find it much easier to concentrate on the slip of the silk over my hips and the way the air moves underneath it. The quality of the dress is as luscious as the house slippers on my feet.
A pricking sensation at the back of my neck warns me that I’m being watched.
But when I whirl around, my hands coming up to cover my breasts even though I’m clothed in the blue dress, there’s no one in the room. The mirror looks back at me impassively.
No one has come in to lay eyes on me. It only felt like the beast was watching. My heart beats faster as new fear is blanketed by a fresh wave of magic. The magic is always at the ready, waiting for me to act or react to the presence of the beast. It is a strange thing to be surrounded and calmed almost every minute, as if the magic knows the danger of the beast and understands that it cannot leave me alone in my mind for even a second.
Dizziness sways me for a moment and I murmur for it to let me breathe. “Please,” I beg. This back and forth wars within me. There’s a whisper in the back of my mind that it will be all right. If only I do as the beast requests. Again I look to the front of the room, finding no one and feeling as if I may be losing my mind.
As the emptiness of the room sinks in, my eyes drop to the floor by the closed door. It is dark in the room aside from a fire in the grate and moonlight through the window, but I can clearly see the floor.
It is not empty.
There is a folded note waiting for me along with a length of black cloth.
With my heart in my throat, I approach the door on trembling legs and bend to retrieve the cloth and the note. They were left for me by the beast. The magic wants me to think that this is only right. This place belongs to the beast, and he can leave me notes and instructions any time he desires.
I have to close my eyes at the sheer idea of his desires. A wave of pleasure plays tricks on me as I cautiously run my fingers over the gifts.
The black cloth is as silky as my dress although a bit thicker. I test it between my fingers. My fear now is that the magic will need to tend to me so much that I lose the ability to think for myself. I need to maintain control of what I can.
I breathe deeply and, with as little fear as possible, I read the note.
The instructions are as clear as the command to wear the blue dress. Tie the black cloth over your eyes. There is no room to question what the beast has asked of me. He has left me no room to hesitate.
I find a pocket hidden in the folds of the dress and tuck the note inside, thinking it would be better not to leave it lying out. I don’t know why. I do not know who else might reside here. I only know that I don’t want the beast’s orders exposed to anyone else.
With shaking fingers I tie the blindfold over my eyes. As he requested.
The fabric is as soft as my dress, but it doesn’t allow an ounce of light in. With the darkness, my heart hammers.. I can see nothing through the blindfold and move back a few steps from the door, careful and hesitant, though I am sure nothing has appeared behind me.
The door opens with an eerie creek and my knees nearly buckle. There it comes again, the wave of magic. I try to resist, internally pleading that I will behave, and with the promise of such, the pull it has on me wanes.
I strain to listen, but the hinges are well maintained and don’t creak.
Soft footsteps enter and begin to circle me.
Inwardly, I struggle not to panic. Please don’t hurt me, I beg silently. Please. The memory of the swing comes back. The feel of him. The bite. All of it surrounds me and to my surprise, I also plead with the magic, please let it be the beast.