Beastly Changed

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

          The sun shined through her curtains, waking Katharine up from her horrible nightmare. It was all she could think about last night. Why could Brayden not leave her alone! She was not lying to Tristan when she said that she sees him everywhere. The entire walk back to her bedroom, she kept wondering to herself if she was crazy. Was she really seeing him? Or was he just another figment of her imagination?

          The letters needed to be explained. Katharine did not know who they could be coming from if they were not coming from Brayden.

          Sighing, Katharine remembered her agreement to go for a walk. Over thinking and over analyzing Brayden would do her no good. The light pink dress with white lace around the bottom and the chest was the one Katharine finally decided on. There were so many dresses that littered the closet, making her decision difficult.

          There was a knock on her door, interrupting her gussying up. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Miss, but the prince has sent me to retrieve you.” This was a new guard that Katharine had never seen before. He was small and he looked like he was shaking in his boots.

          “That is alright. I am ready.” Katharine looked down at herself one last time and made a small nod of approval.

          The guard, whose face was blanched like he had seen a ghost, led Katharine to the front of the castle where Prince Tristan was standing. He looked nervous, although Katharine did not want to see that. It was just then—seeing him –that caused her stomach to flutter in excitement. If she was going to marry him, she should at least make the most of it.

          “Katharine, what a pleasure,” Tristan smiled at Katharine and took her hand, placing his lips to it. The butterflies in her stomach soared as she felt his eyes looking at her for a reaction, but her eyes were glued to the floor.

          “Are you ready?” he asked, standing uncomfortably close. She could hear his breathing speed up and it scared her. Getting close to people was not what she wanted. Thinking back, she did not even want to marry him. But now, she was not sure.

          Katharine, she scolded herself internally. What are you doing? You do not want to marry him. Do not let your head get to you! What are you thinking? Deep down, Katharine knew her voice was right. She needed to escape her fate, not embrace it.

          Walking out the doors, warm gusts of wind accosted Katharine’s face. “Blushing are we?” Tristan’s voice whispered in her ear. She was not sure whether it was the gust of wind or his voice that chilled her.

          “Do not flatter yourself.” Katharine teased back.

          They walked in a rather awkward but comfortable silence. Katharine was attempting at sneaking secret glances at Tristan when he was not looking. She was not even focusing on where he had taken her until she felt his hand slip from his.

          “What do you think?” He looked so unsure, yet his voice said the opposite.

          Taking a good look around, the garden was absolutely beautiful. There were stone walkways and trees arranged nicely around the courtyard part. She did not say anything as they continued walking, taking in as much of the scenery as she could.

          The hedges separated the courtyard area from the actual garden itself. Once they stepped in, Katharine gasped. It was remarkably beautiful. It was like nothing she had ever seen. The flowers were arranged in a manner that highlighted the colors and made everything pop. Small benches that seated two were on each side of the garden.