Midnight Roses

❀Chapter Five: Fortress of the Bieste❀

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Copyright © 2013

❀Chapter Five: Fortress of the Bieste❀

That morning brought only somber silence, and tension that crackled in the air like lightning. Neither Desiree or Marian would acknowledge father, only giving him the briefest of nods when asked a question. I found myself that mourning, staring at the small hovel of a room with its bed barely big enough for two, the tiny armoire which was stuffed with both mine and Marian's clothes. As I gazed around I found myself at a loss as to what I should take with me.

What was I to be at this beasts' castle? A slave? A prisoner? Or . . . ? I slapped the dark thought away. No matter what papa had agreed to, I would not lower myself to a common whore.

"Belle?"

My head snapped, my gaze meeting Desiree's. She looked so forlorn. It was as if she were losing me forever.

I will not allow it to be forever, I vowed silently.

I showed her my brightest smile, wrapping my arms around her in a fierce hug.

"Come now! Please, Desiree, do not look so sad! I am to live in a castle! With servants and dozens of elegant rooms! If anything you should be terribly jealous," I teased her, the lie of a smile on my face bright. "I may be serving a monster of a man, but I will be quite comfortable. I beg you, Desiree; do not think of me with sadness in your heart. Look forward to the future you and Julien will share. And please, do not be so hard on Papa."

Desiree chose to remain silent, turning her tear shimmering eyes from me. "I shall try. Alas, Belle, I cannot think I shall ever forgive him for what he has done to this family."

I went about packing, deciding I would take the most simple of the gowns I owned, leaving behind what of mother's jewelry we had managed to hide from papa when he had to sell them. My fingers lingered on the gold and ruby rose brooch that had been my mother's favorite. She had worn it nearly everyday of her life. I had faint memories of her showing it to me. My hand closed over it, pressing it close to my heart.

Oh, maman, give me strength!

A nock on the door disrupted my silent pleas. I turned to see Marian her face tear stained and wan, her eyes haunted by dark thoughts that I was sure echoed my own.

"A carriage has arrived," she said, her voice falling flat. "Father says it is time."

Silently I nodded, a single, stiff jerk of my chin. I drew my dark, plain emerald green cloak across my shoulders, pinning it in place with the brooch. I grabbed up the small trunk that contained my few possessions, and made my way down the stairs. A heaviness had set on my shoulders, my stomach churning with a dark sense of foreboding for what was to come. I was terrified out of my wits. Too soon I was leaving my home for a bleak and terrifying unknown future.

My family was assembled below stairs, their expressions bleaker than a December day. My eyes swept past them to where a tall gentleman stood, clothed head to toe in black. His heavy cloak fell to his ankles, his thinning ashy grey hair swept back. He stepped forward, a polite smile settling on his thin lips.

"Mademoiselle," he said, his voice prim and cultured. "I am Henri, I will be escorting you to my lord's chateau."

I dipped into a pretty curtesy, and forced a smile to my lips. "As you will, Monsieur."

Henri smiled at her fondly, the way an aging grandparent would a grandchild. He snapped his fingers, and two lads rushed into the room, each taking a side of my trunk and hauling it to the carriage. Henri frowned as they went, turning toward me, he voiced his concerns;