A Rose for the Beast

In The Face Of Adversity

The air whipped around her body as she fell. Time slowed as she saw Bastien peering down, his eyes wide in shock. She briefly wondered how painful death would be. Then, something abruptly cut her descent short by catching her in mid-air, landing easily in the soft snow.

Rosalie gazed up and her mouth fell open. Golden eyes stared down at her, glimmering in the daylight. Snow continued falling, small flecks clinging to the thick fur that covered the beast. He gently released her to stand on her own, then glared up at the castle. She heard Bastien bark out orders from above, but she couldn't stop looking at the creature before her.

She'd seen him in this form before, but in the pale moonlight, he'd seemed more dangerous and frightening. The bright rays of the sun reaching past the trees embraced the beast with a majestic light, showcasing the mix of animalistic features in his appearance. The fluffed mane of a lion flared around his head, framing his elongated skull. His sharp canines jutted out past his lips as he snarled at the hunters. He turned to face her again.

"Michel..."

Though she didn't know what to say exactly, he saved her from speaking by lifting her up to cradle her body in his arms. Before she could protest, he sprinted into the forest. Rosalie gripped tightly onto tufts of fur on his shoulders as he jumped high into the air, taking to the trees.

She tilted her head to look behind them. The hunters had made it out of the castle and into the forest. The beast's speed increased, effectively distancing them from their pursuers. He changed course and she realized he was circling the landscape to come around the other side of the castle. Rosalie spotted the right wing settled just beyond the forest edge as the beast slowed down.

Once he surveyed the area thoroughly, he led them back to the castle. Shifting her around to hang onto his back, he climbed the side of the stone wall. She glanced down for only a second before shoving her face into his furry neck. He reached a clawed hand out and pulled open a window, carefully lifting them up and into the room. As she let go of him and stood, she recognized the chambers instantly. It was the room she'd stayed in.

"Why did we come here?," she asked as she finally found her voice.

"Why did you destroy the mirror, Rosalie?"

The cold, raspy tone and lethal glare from him made her recoil slowly into a corner. Suddenly, she was speechless again. Her mind swept through the possibilities of the beast's anger overpowering the man's reason. His golden eyes flared at her retreat. He swung out his arm to crash into the vanity mirror beside her.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?," he said, calm voice contrasting the violence.

"I...I just...wanted to help. The wolf said that only an item cursed by the queen is capable of defeating her," she explained hastily.

"I didn't need your help. That object bound my humanity and beastly nature together. You've shattered it and destroyed any possibility of becoming what I once was."

She shook her head and pulled the shard from the folds of her dress to present it to him.

"If we kill her with it, you'll be free. You all will. That's why my father is guiding your servants out of the castle. And why I broke the mirror."

The beast growled and slapped the shard from her hand. The sharp edge sliced into her palm. She gasped, jerking her hand to her chest. Regret flashed over his features before he scowled at her.

"You're fragile and so weak willed that you couldn't hurt the man who assaulted you or leave him to his fate. What makes an ignorant woman, like you, think you're capable of murder?"

Rosalie never thought she was capable of harming any living creature. She didn't know how she would kill the queen, but that was the only course of action available to her. She glared at him.

"So, you're just going to stay here wallowing in self-loathing? You're going to marry the woman who imprisoned you and your friends?"

"I secured their freedom, and yours, the moment I agreed to her terms! You very well could have dissolved that deal when you snuck in and attacked her! You've done nothing but cause trouble since the moment I laid eyes on you!," he snarled as he closed in on her, caging her in the corner.

She gulped down her fear as tears threatened to spill over. Staring up at the massive beast, hearing how problematic her presence had been gave Rosalie a familiar feeling. The same emotion that overcame her when the whipers and gossiping of the villagers reached her ears as they judged with disapproving glances. Her gut twisted and her heart sank into the well known abyss of loneliness.

The beast turned his back on her, swiping the shard up from the floor as he moved across the room.

"I'm going to make sure the hunters are busy in preparation for the wedding. You'll leave while they are distracted, before midday, and never return."

The statement sent a stabbing pain through her, but she composed herself enough to stand straight with her chin raised. She lowered her clenched fists, one of them dripping blood steadily.

"As you wish," she said flatly.

He hesitated at the door, seemingly contemplating whether or not to leave her alone. Instead of trying to make amends, he crushed her heart as he turned the knob and left the room.

She considered how much she had invested in their companionship and it only caused her more pain. Would a kindred spirit be so volatile? Despite the disparagement clouding her thoughts, her eyes roamed the room, admiring the decadent luxury throughout.

The lord of BelleMontagne may be a rude, inconsiderate beast and she may have to vacate the premises, once all was said and done, but she refused to break her promise to him and the inhabitants of the castle. Regardless of his insults and hurtful words, he didn't deserve a lifetime of imprisonment within his home and a loveless marriage. The animals who served him shouldn't have to do so under such terrible conditions.

Her confidence reignited as she stepped into the closet, quickly changing out of her ruined clothing into a more versatile outfit. Wrapping a cloth around her hand to stem the bleeding, she dressed quickly. Tall boots covered grey suede tights on her lower half while she wore an equestrian styled white dress shirt on top.  She buttoned up a matching grey vest over the shirt before striding out of the closet.

Rosalie breathed deeply as she considered the consequences of what lay ahead. As long as her father accomplished his mission, the servants will have escaped unharmed. That left Michel and Rosalie as the only ones in immediate danger.

She knew the beast would be able to take care of himself, if need be. Her own safety no longer mattered. It was up to her to end the curse once and for all. If she needed to forfeit her life for that purpose, so be it.

She nodded to herself, folding her fingers together nervously as she eyed the bedroom door. With the fates of many resting in her hands, she reached out to open it, ready to meet her destiny.