Beauty's Beast by S.T. Lynn

Author:S.T. Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fairy tale retelling, queer, lesbian, beauty and the beast
Publisher: Story Prism Studios
Published: 2021-10-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The sprawling mountain forest enveloped the castle on all sides, so when Quinn shouldered the front door open for the first time in years, a pile of twigs, leaves, and dirt scraped across the stone walk. Belle stood in the doorway as Quinn pressed the massive doors open to either side, their long, powerful arms spanning the entire gap across like a casual stretch when getting out of bed.

Fresh mountain air tumbled into the abandoned atrium. It kicked up dust and pushed the stuffiness back. Madam Armoire shuffled from one window to the next, throwing the curtains back and singing a tune to herself as the sun streamed into the castle. A small parade of staff-as-household-objects came marching into the room from every direction: a mantle clock, a feather duster, an entire tea set like a mother with children, and trailing behind them like a conductor, an ottoman that barked like a dog, Lumière waving his candlestick hands in time to Madam Armoire’s song.

Like a well-orchestrated team, the staff began cleaning the entryway. Dust and debris swept right out the front door as they pulled drop cloths off of lounges. They flung every window that could be opened wide. They gave even the crystal chandelier a refresh when Madam Armoire threw the feather duster up so they could go to work.

Belle stepped up next to Quinn and smiled. It was good some of the castle was getting attention again.

She turned her face into the forest breeze and felt it run through the scrubby whiskers on her chin. She stroked the beginnings of a beard as she realized she hadn’t seen any mirrors in the castle. After that first morning, she’d forgotten entirely about shaving. She must look as wild as Quinn. Both of them covered in a mane and flung far from polite society.

Then again, a woman growing a beard was the least strange thing in this household. And now that she thought about it, Belle hadn’t been self-conscious about her growing facial hair for the past few days. She stroked the beard coming in on her jaw and wondered what Gaston would think of her now. Belle smiled at the shocked expression she could imagine on his face.

Quinn looked down at her, their antlers dappling the sunlight overhead, and bared their fangs. Belle heard a rumbling purr vibrate out of their chest and she took Quinn by the hand, claws and all.

Before she could say a word, her father stumbled into the room, still pulling on his jacket and trailing one shoe, huffing and puffing from his lingering injuries. “I hope you haven’t left without me,” he said, straightening the jacket with a yank. Someone in the house had repaired the slash across the front where Gaston had attacked. Several teacups scuttled over to tie his shoes while he caught his breath. “I’ll have you know it’s good for the injured to get out and walk in the sun. Very rehabilitating.”

“We wouldn’t go without you,” Belle said, reaching out to her father to draw him closer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.