A Beast Sees No Beauty

Chapter Seven

Juliet turned the page of her book, griping at the uncomfortable position she found herself in. The chair groaned as if it hadn't been used in ages as she shimmied her body further in its depths. Then again, perhaps it hadn't been used since Vincent McCoy returned to the south. It was entirely possible - for all she knew - that Vincent McCoy had a strong dislike for chairs and chose to sit in them as infrequently as possible.

Before she could think any further on her strange theory, LuLu entered the room. The older woman set the bucket and rag down before placing her wrinkled hand over Vincent's forehead. She worked in silence, taking the rag and dabbing it over his forehead and face, sometimes his neck too if his fever spiked back up again. LuLu was very stern about wanting to do the task herself, not wanting the poor girl to be stuck doing something so improper.

"You don't have to stay in here Missy, I know it must be boring sitting there all day," LuLu's brown orbs glanced at the girl before focusing on Vincent once more. She said the same thing every time she came to cool Vincent down, but Juliet responded the same way each time.

"It is, but-" But what? Juliet couldn't think of any logical reasoning besides guilt. If she hadn't been such a bother, he never would have gone outside in the heat like that. "I feel better sitting in here watching over him, rather than somewhere else worrying."

Silence followed, leaving Juliet to her thoughts. She ran through multiple scenarios, kicking herself for not thinking faster the day before. If she knew what was wrong faster, or if she had paid more attention to her brother's notes, then maybe the fever wouldn't be as bad. Maybe Vincent McCoy wouldn't be so sick. Then there was the guilt that ate her up. It was her fault, and she almost convinced herself that he deserved it.

It was awful for her to think that way. 

Still, she ran every last moment through her mind, thinking of how she could have acted faster and kept him conscious for longer. There was one thing that always stuck out to her though, but it wasn't her actions, rather the older woman across the room from her.

"LuLu, why were those two men so close behind you?" The weathered woman stopped for just a moment before continuing, but it was enough for Juliet to notice. "LuLu?"

"You don't usually call out for me in such a way, I was worried something had happened to you-"

"But you knew Vincent was in there, didn't you?" With a sigh, the former slave lowered herself onto the mattress, brushing the man's dark curls out of his face. She acted as a mother would, caring for him and doting on him despite his behavior.

"Yes, I knew," Juliet lowered her gaze back down to her hands as she closed her book. LuLu was worried about her calling out like that, but she knew Vincent was there. Did she think Vincent would harm her?

Would he hurt her? If other people were afraid for her safety, shouldn't she be worried? What if she did push his limits too far one of these days?

"I know what you're thinking child, but you misunderstand," Juliet's eyes lifted once more, studying LuLu. "I know you, and I know Vincent. You would never call out for help for yourself unless you had to, and Vincent wouldn't let you unless it was necessary. I know you both, so I knew I needed to bring help just in case. Vincent has many enemies, and the last thing I want is for you to get caught up in it."

Juliet felt shameful for thinking Vincent would ever physically harm her. He's never done anything more than witty comments and backhanded compliments. He may have glared at her, but he never raised his hand.

"I'm sorry for assuming-"

"Oh, hush now. You're scared and cornered. It's only natural for you to see the worst in your captor," LuLu finished her job, giving Juliet a small nod as she stood. Juliet kept her gaze low, fully ashamed of herself. "I'll be back in an hour or so. Call me if anything changes."

~~

Juliet woke up with a start when she heard Vincent beginning to stir in his sleep.

The world around her was dark as she lit a candle, dropping several matches in the process. When it was lit and steady, Juliet set the chamberstick on the bedside table and kneeled beside the feverish man.

His forehead was covered in sweat that dripped down his face, but his eyes were wide open and staring straight at her. At least he was coherent enough to recognize her presence. Things could only look up from here if he was now conscious.

Grabbing the rag out of the bucket, Juliet rung out the excess water. "Why don't you lay down now? I can try to cool you down some."

Unlike his usual self, Vincent complied without complaint. It took Juliet a moment to get over the shock, but she chided herself for wasting time. Vincent visibly relaxed when the wet rag hit his skin. His ragged breath slowed, his back and shoulders became less tense, and his eyes closed half-way. Juliet let herself relax. He was awake now, and his fever should break soon. Once that happens, then everything will go back to normal.

"So... Pretty..." For a moment, Juliet doubted her ears, but when she saw Vincent's eyes staring right at her, and his mouth opened as if he wasn't done speaking, she couldn't help but blush. "You're... you're beautiful..."

Embarrassed, Juliet set the rag over the edge of the half-full bucket. Anything to get her attention elsewhere. The last thing she wanted was to look into the eyes of a sick man who was spouting nonsense. He was delirious, so everything he said shouldn't be taken seriously.

"You need to rest. Try to get some sleep, okay?" Vincent shot out his arm the second she moved to stand. Her heart-shaped face snapped back in his direction as her emerald eyes stared back at him. She was both peeved and worried at the same time. "Is there something else you need?"

So... Beautiful...

Without another thought, Vincent grabbed her upper arms and pulled her down to his chest.

"What are you-" Juliet fought against his hold, struggling against his strength. He was incredibly strong for a sick man.

"Beautiful," Vincent grabbed her face in one hand and did the only thing his incoherent mind thought reasonable. He kissed her. He kissed her like she was the moon and stars and the universe. He kissed her good and hard. He kissed her until the air left his lungs.

Or rather, until she hit his chest hard enough for all the air to escape him. He wheezed the second the air left him, leaving him more breathless than he thought possible. He relinquished his grasp, watching as she fled the room with the door slamming behind her. He stared at his hands in confusion, wondering why she ran from him.

Had he been unreasonable? Was it not common for men to lay claim on women they found attractive? Had he been so horrible to her that she felt disgusted with him touching her? It was only natural that he found her appealing, despite her flaws and his. Did she find anything charming about him in return? Was he so unappealing that she had to escape so suddenly?

Little did he know, Juliet was standing on the other side of his door, a hand on her swollen lips as she tried to comprehend what had just transpired. She was neither disgusted nor overjoyed, something uncommon for a girl who just received her first kiss. However little she felt about the event, Juliet could not deny that Vincent McCoy was not a terrible man to kiss.

Not in the slightest. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She needed to find LuLu. There was no way for her to walk back in and watch him. Her pride would not allow it.