The Beast and the Enchantress: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (A Villain's Ever After) by Camille Peters

Author:Camille Peters [Peters, Camille]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rosewood Publications
Published: 2021-08-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

I bit my lip as I focused on the mayflowers growing beneath the forest’s shady canopy and struggled to penetrate the thick layers blocking my powers. Yet the charm remained elusive, despite it being a simple spell, one of the earliest I’d ever learned: transforming a flower into a butterfly, an elementary task considering both species shared many features in common. I’d been practicing in the woods for hours, yet every flower I’d attempted to change remained distinctly flora. My magic, while still a part of me, felt so distant, making it difficult to reach for, hold on to, and control.

Undeterred, I reached within myself once again, searching for the familiar glow of magic. Though I couldn’t see it, I sensed its flickering flame, a sign that whatever light was inside me hadn’t been entirely extinguished, though it still remained always just out of reach.

I struggled to push my magic towards the mayflowers. They gave a weak quiver, and for a moment I thought their white petals shimmered, a sign my magic had at least touched them…but then it faded, causing the spell to fail and leaving me exhausted.

I sighed. There just wasn’t enough magic to use my faded powers the way I used to. I lifted my palms to examine them. Perhaps I shouldn’t have used what little reserves I’d gathered these past several days on covering my warts. I was ashamed of my vanity. How ironic I’d accused Prince Gladen of such a trait when all I had to do to find it was look in the mirror.

I stood to take the familiar path out of the forest, walking alone considering my spellbook had grown bored with my practice not even an hour in and left. The woods were peaceful—cheerful birdsong filled the branches above, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers—yet it was impossible to find solace in such a tranquil environment with my discouragement tainting the lovely afternoon and my lingering disappointment that another day in the woods had passed without encountering a specific “hunter.”

I hadn’t seen Prince Gladen for several days, not since his unexpected visit to the enchantress’s cottage where he’d talked with the real me. Our confrontation still haunted my thoughts—his cold anger and despair had increased my own sense of helplessness and compelled me to renew my efforts to create the potential countercurse.

My hand went to the new rose tucked securely in my cloak. This morning I’d finally procured the final ingredient and hadn’t wasted a moment creating the new brew out in the garden. The rising sun and the promise of a beautiful day—opposite of the dark, stormy night I’d cursed the prince—had lent my magic power. The day had only grown more lovely, making it the perfect one to give the newly enchanted rose to the prince and cast my countercurse spell…if I could but encounter him.

I stepped out of the forest and ventured into one of the royal gardens, hoping to find him there. Roses of all colors surrounded me.

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