Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

Temptations

Lucinda's point of view

My legs were burning by the time I reach the doors of the west wing. I pant softly, my hand clenched the door knob tightly.

I still don't know if I want to do this. I sigh and lean my head against the hard wood. He's... unpredictable. Who knows what he will do this time... My arm throbs slightly, reminding me of the pain. Last time was bad enough.

I begin to turn the door knob.

"Lucinda, you don't have to do this," Isabelle whispers from my memory. "He is nothing but a beast, he doesn't deserve your sympathy."

"No," I mumble. "But I will give it anyway." I whisper to myself and open the door. Darkness surrounds the room like a dark mist, I take a step inside.

A low growl soon followed.

I gulp and close the door behind me. The soft click echoed in the silence. I squint around me, I could see shadows of broken furniture and fallen paintings around me, yet no sign of the beast.

I walk blindly about the large chamber, my non-visible hands held out in front of me. Goosebumps came up on my skin, I could feel eyes staring at me.

The beast could probably see better here than I ever could. I still at the thought. Perhaps this was a bad idea, last time he had a taste... I gulp. What if this time, he wants the main course?

I turn with a gasp, a bright light blinds me. I come closer to my only source of light, holding my hand up to shield my eyes. My eyes widen. It was the rose, the glowing red rose underneath the glass dome. I drop my hand and come closer to the delicate flower.

A bright light seemed to surround it, drawing me in. The petals look softer, I could almost smell its sweet scent.

I get closer.

The rose sparkled in the darkness, as if stars were floating around the lovely flower's stem and leaves. No thorns could be seen, either, on its smooth stem. The blood colored petals looked so... tempting. It was so lonely, it wanted to be protected, loved, cherished.

I reach for the rose.

"Lu... Lucinda?" I jump and turn, my eyes meeting the dark eyes, almost pitch black.

Rose forgotten, I use its bright light to guide me closer to the beast on the floor. It was strange, seeing him like this. He was always so large, and gruff, and loud.

Yet now... he was shivering. As I got closer the more of him I saw. His huge body, so big it would take up the whole door way, was curled up. Forcing himself to curl into himself on the cold floor. He half glared at me, his teeth bared with his ears flat.

His growl grew weaker and smaller, with each step I took; until it was only a small whimper as I stood before him.

The room was warm, despite the open window, however, I could not understand why he would be shivering, especially with all that fur. But he wasn't only shivering, he was... crying.  There were tears going down his fur covered cheeks.

I follow his watery gaze, wincing as I took notice he was staring at my arm. No hunger was in his eyes as he stared at the dried blood covering the bandages, hiding the horrific bite underneath.

I sigh and palm the back on my neck, gritting my teeth as I felt the second bite. Another fine work of the beast's.

I glance at the floor as I thought, then lift up my gaze. His eyes didn't hold hunger or blind rage. Those black eyes were full of regret and pain.