Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

Get the Mirror

Lucinda's point of view

The beast paced back and forth, each of his steps echoed in the quiet chamber. I sit on the bed and watch him, he has done nothing but pacing. It was giving me quite a headache.

I groan and shove my head into my hands. I hide my smile, catching a glance of the beast stopping, his ears perked up as he faced me.

"Beast," I say and sit up, the pile of pillows pushed back, it felt almost like sleeping on a cloud. "Don't you think you have done enough pacing? What on earth could have you so worried?"

Is it possible for a monster to be crazy? He was standing completely still for a few minutes... and then just snapped out of it and began to pace. He had said nothing since.

I caught sight of the beast's tail thrashing behind him, much like a cat's like the ones I've seen in the village.

Then again, maybe I'm the one that is going crazy. After all, I have been talking to a beast and it's ghostly servants for the past two weeks. Or was it three weeks? To be frank, I don't remember how long Isabelle and I have been here...

I was so lost in my own head that I didn't realize the beast was almost to my side. I jump at the touch of his paw on my shoulder. "It's... nothing. I promise. I was just thinking...." he wandered off.

"Whatever you are thinking, it must be very important." I said and lean forward.

He stared at me, his blue eyes filled with bewilderment. "Are you..." his tail flicked. "Tolerating my company?" He asked, his head tilted to the side only slightly.

I shrug. "You are not the worst company I've ever had," I say and rub the fabric of the blanket between my fingers.

He snorts. "Who could be worst company than the one of a beast?" I winced as he said the word. Beast. He still calls himself that, and he will only respond to that title. If he was human once than why not want to be treated as such? Even if his form is... larger and haired than one of a man, he still has the soul of a man... right?

"Many, actually." I sigh. "Where I come from, women are abused by the village's men. They think they deserve whatever they want." I notice the beast still. "And they will take it with force, if necessary; whether it is to satisfy their greed and/or lust."

"I see." He mumbled, his hands moved til they clasped back behind his back. "You do not talk about your village as often as your sister. Why?"

I bite the inside of my cheek. "Because I don't miss it, not really." I don't miss waking up at the crack of dawn, I don't miss starving every other day so there is enough food for Isabelle, and I most certainly don't miss Garrick and his goons.

I shiver at the thought of those disgusting men.

"My life back in the village was not a pleasurable one," I say. The beast slowly nods and goes back to his pacing, I groan. "Could you do that somewhere else? You are giving me a headache watching you!"

"There's  the Lucinda I'm more familiar with..." he mutters, yet I still catch it. "To answer your request, no, I cannot."

"Why not? Because you have to protect me or something?" I ask and cross my arms.

He has been more... oppressive lately. No, that's not the right word... overbearing? Maybe, he has just... changed. I don't know if it is good or bad, but for some reason he refuses to leave my side. I've never had this much attention before, and I am not sure what to make of it. I think I liked it better when he ignored me, compared to him watching my every move.