A Tale That Never Was [Book 1 of Selvina's Tale series]

Chapter 17: The Huntsman

Why in the world was Beast's reflection on the mirror when Belle was looking at it? Selvina backed away from the door, her mind in turmoil and her lips curled in an expression of intense confusion. She hadn't seen Beast standing behind Belle so it wasn't his face looking down into the mirror from over her shoulder. Perhaps it wasn't a mirror at all but a type of communication device. Selvina remembered about the mirror on the wall that could tell who was the fairest of them all. She had seen little of it yet but there was magic in this world and it was possible Beast was speaking to Belle from somewhere else in the castle. Why he wasn't with her she didn't know but Selvina assumed it had to do with Artemian. It was possible Beast was distancing himself from Belle and the castle in anticipation for Artemian's arrival. He could be doing so to save himself from getting killed or, Selvina wondered, perhaps he was moving away in hopes that he wouldn't slaughter Artemian where he stood once Belle agreed to marry him. Either choice was likely. With Jack's kiss still fresh on her lips she couldn't imagine what she'd do if he told her that he was meeting some other girl.

She'd slap him again, that much she was sure of, but seeing him kiss another woman would boil her blood and make her want to strangle that bitch. She had only been with Jack for a few weeks whereas Belle and Beast had been together for years. It broke her heart to think of how Beast was taking Belle's decision. His only love was marrying the one man he hated most. She would not be happy and she would regret every day of it but it appeared to be the only way to live peacefully. Yet, was peace worth it if the one you loved wasn't there to experience it with you? Selvina didn't think so but she had never been chased by hunters for years and years thus she couldn't really relate to Belle and Beast's situation well enough.

Selvina stood up and slowly turned around to keep walking down the hall. The conversation had ended and she didn't want to upset Belle by appearing to be eavesdropping, even though it had been the very thing she was doing. She was quite tired anyhow and desperately needed to find a room.

Several turned corners and many incorrect rooms inspected later, Selvina leaned against the wall and rubbed her eyes. She yawned loudly and struggled to keep her eyes open. Her legs felt a thousand times heavier than usual and when she started walking again she dragged them along. The torch weighed several tons and she held it in two hands yet her grip was still dangerously loose. She plodded ahead several feet and suddenly felt the torch get ripped out of her grasp. NO! Her eyes bulged and she looked down, hoping the torch hadn't started to burn anything. It wasn't there, however.

Instead, she was staring at two large, hairy and clawed feet. She lifted her gaze and was soon setting her eyes on the Beast's white pupils. In his clawed hand he held her torch. With him so close and the light illuminating his face she could see that his irises weren't exactly white. They were simply an extremely pale blue. His bared teeth were incredibly white, however.

"What are you doing here?" he growled angrily.

"I thought you were outside the castle," Selvina wondered aloud.

"What are you talking about?"

Catching herself before she revealed too much, she shook her head. "Nothing. I can't find my room..." Great recovery, you idiot. Beast narrowed his eyes at her but with a grunt he turned around and urged her to follow. He led her down several more halls and then to a door halfway down another.

"This is yours," he said through clenched teeth. "Stay inside and get some rest. Wander alone through my castle again and I will throw you over the walls."

Selvina nodded and opened her mouth to apologize but Beast slammed the door in her face. She stood there for a few moments, recovering her thoughts and her surprise at how rude Beast had been, before walking to her bed and falling asleep as soon as she lay down on it.