Beauty and the Beast {Merome AU}

Chapter 4

     ~Jerome's POV (Small time skip from chapter two)~

     I watched closely as a small man with medium-long brown hair, deep brown eyes, and black-and-red checkered hoodie walked into the East wing. He's beautiful. No, he's getting to close to the prisoner!

      "Crainer!" The man yelled, his voice was nearly intoxicating. Mr. Crainer, disrupting the soothing voice of this man, broke into a violent coughing fit, the worst one yet.

      "Mitch," Crainer started. Leading me to assume this man's name, "You have to get out of here. This castle is cursed."

      The man rolled his eyes, they sparkled like no other person's eyes ever have. "I already knew that. But who did thi-" I must capture him. I interrupted his beautiful voice with a deep growl.

      He turned, soon we were face to face, my heart palpitated; his skin was so smooth, his eyes shimmered as if someone added a slight bit of brown paint to the brightest diamond. His hood had fallen off when he turned, I could see his entire face; His shiny brown hair shined in the little light that entered the window. He smelled of pastries, I could only tell thanks to the increased sense of smell, given to me in the curse.

      Hiding in the shadow I growled, "Who are you and what are you doing here?!" I tried my best to seem as if I was distracted by his features.

      "I came for my father. Why is he behind these bars?" The man questioned with a strict, but oddly soothing voice.

      Now's my chance to have this beautiful man as my prisoner. "He is my prisoner. Unless, you are willing to take his place?" I barked, with a slight questioning tone.

     Crainer protested to the man repeatedly. I thought Crainer was getting through to him when finally he spoke, "Step into the light."

     I sighed deeply, not wanting to scare anymore people. I hesitantly stepped into the light. Crainer gasped slightly at the sight of me. I lifted my lip slightly, showing the sharp teeth that grew in when I changed, to silence him.

     Once more the man spoke, "I accept." I tried my best to look calm, but was deeply surprised. Such a kind hearted soul, beautiful face. I knew then, he was definitely not ordinary; could he be the man I needed all this time to break me free?

     "Done," I murmured coldly. I opened the cage, took Crainer by the collar and dragged him out of the room.

     "Please. I beg of you. Let my son go. I'll do anything. Just let him go!" Crainer burst into tears, "Mitch is my only child. He's the one who c-"

     "Go, now. Before something happens," I growled, cutting him off.

     "I will save him, I promise I will!" Crainer ran off, screaming the same thing over and over. I waited outside of the castle doors, until his voice died out.

      As soon as I couldn't hear the screams of Mr. Crainer anymore, I walked inside, to hear Mitch crying. I wonder if he likes books. I questioned myself, as I walked to the East Wing.

      "You are allowed to roam the castle and the garden, only two exceptions. Do not leave and do not enter the storage room in the West Wing. "

     "What's in the storage room?" Mitch questioned.

     I stared at him, "Nothing of your concern. Do you like books? Or reading?"

     Mitch perked up, "Yeah, I read spell and text books back in the village."

     "Come with me. You need to see something," Mitch stared at me with a confused expression.

     "I do not want to leave right now," he mumbled.

     "Fine," I picked him up and carried him over my shoulder. Mitch continuously kicked and struggled to get out of my grip as I walked down the long flight of stairs. It took around a minute before I had to reposition him, holding his legs tighter.

     "Just let me go!" He screamed, as his eyes become misty. I could hear him choking on his own breath as I walked.

     "Misour, what's wrong?" I questioned softly.

     "I lost my father, my lessons, my freedom, even Betty, my horse. I have no idea where you're taking me. Why shouldn't there be something wrong?"

     I stopped, "I'm sorry you lost your father, you have some freedom left, and I heard a horse not too far from here. As for the lessons and where I'm taking you, I have a library with hundreds, even thousands of books. I thought you might like to see it."

     "You're taking me to," he stopped momentarily, "a library?" A look of surprise and concern came over his pale skin.

     "Yeah, you said you liked reading and learning, did you not?" I questioned, raising one brow.

     "Well, yeah. It's my escape from reality, don't baccas have escapes as well?"

      "I don't know. I really don't, I've never me-" I stopped, I wasn't sure if I should tell him about being a prince yet, "I mean, yeah. Of course we do," I chortled nervously.

     "So, you know how books are for me then."

      Ignoring his statement I continued to carry him down the extensive staircase. Mitch finally stopped squirming, "Would you like to walk?"

     Mitch nodded not saying a word as I let him down. He fixed his white undershirt and checkered hoodie, that had rumpled up from my shoulder. I picked my fur off of his shoulder and I lead him out of the East Wing.

     It took around five minutes before we actually reached the end of the companionway. The corridor was darkened, with a small part of light thanks to the casements.

     We walked, Mitch following close behind me, towards the center of the stronghold. The only sound that was left was our footsteps.

      "So, exactly where is this study?" Mitch looked at me and awaited my response.

      "Not too much further, it's in the center." I murmured.

     Around five minutes later we had finally arrived. "You may take any book you would like, just please, return it when you are done," I whispered.

     "I will, thank you."

     "Yeah," I walked off.

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A/N To read chapter 3 go check out  CrazilyInsaneArtist. 
Remember glow in the dark is best