Sleeping Beauty and the Beast by Melissa Lemon

Author:Melissa Lemon [Lemon, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-06-18T23:00:00+00:00

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast

10

Beast

Morning light, bright and undaunted, shone down on the corridors and alleys surrounding the castle, warming Duncan's back and arms. He stepped lightly, feeling carefree himself, the events of his previous visit to the prison girl lingering in his mind. The thought of her hair beneath his hands in particular rested on his consciousness, imprinted and permanent. Winning her trust, even in that small measure, had been more satisfying than any other feat, even beating Henry at horseback racing or fencing as he had once or twice in their growing years.

"Morning, Thomas." The man waited outside, resting against the prison wall, soaking up the rarity of unhindered sunshine.

"Good morning to you, Prince Duncan," he said.

"How is she today?"

"Why don't you see for yourself?" He smiled as if he carried some great secret, a good secret, and Duncan rushed inside only to find . . .

"Marie?" The castle maid stood inside the prison cell with the girl, beaming as she looked toward the prince. "Marie, what are you doing here?"

Only then did Duncan catch sight of her, and it took several seconds of staring and thinking, thinking and staring, until he realized it truly was her.

The rags, ripped and torn, had vanished, replaced by a long dress, light brown with petite sleeves, and tied with a dark blue sash. An empty basin also stood inside the bars, and guessing by the luster of her hair and skin, as well as the fragrance of jasmine, she had bathed.

"Marie, what have you done?"

Thomas came and opened the cell door, allowing Marie to exit. As she passed through, she handed the hairbrush to Duncan and said, "Your turn. I've been brushing since dawn." A wide smile formed on her lips. When the prince gave no response, she tried to explain. "I thought a bath may entice her, when I heard of how much she loved you brushing her hair. My daughter Marguerite chose the dress." She looked to the girl, examining her work, glowing with pride. "There may be hope for her yet, as far as taming her goes."

Though pleased, Duncan couldn't help wondering what the purpose of taming her would be, if she was only to be killed anyway, and shortly. Her time was running out. Thinking of this, Duncan turned to Thomas and whispered, "What is the trial looking like?"

"There are two witnesses," Thomas whispered in return. "But they are related to each other and the court may dismiss at least one testimony for that reason alone. It has happened before, when they believed the two related persons were plotting together. If another unrelated witness comes forward, that will be the end of it."

Duncan hated politics and law. Even that simple explanation had been enough for a life's worth. He turned to the maid. "Marie, how are her spirits? I mean, I can see she looks well, but do you have any idea what is going on inside her head? Or her heart? Has she spoken to you at all?"

Before Marie could formulate a response, an unexpected voice sounded.

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