“I haven’t actually met the steward or housekeeper yet, so could you ask them to attend me here as soon as possible? I will convey my new orders regarding my chamber and request yours and Tara’s services.”
Certainly, Princess Sophie. I’m certain they will come immediately.
“Thank you.”
There was a moment of silence, and then, I am exiting the room, Princess Sophie.
“Thank you, Lottie.” It seemed my instinct had been right. Lottie would be a diligent personal maid.
A pang of hunger made me hurry to my feet and rush to the now closed door. Flinging it open, I called into the apparently empty corridor. “And please have a meal sent up as soon as possible!”
Certainly, Your Highness. Lottie sounded more distant than she had before. I sighed with relief at having caught her before she traveled out of earshot. I hadn’t gotten to finish my meal the night before. In fact, far too many of my meals since I had arrived had been missed or interrupted.
I thought uneasily of the meal I had promised to eat with the Beast that night. Hopefully we would be able to keep our conflict in check long enough for me to eat my fill. But perhaps I should order some afternoon refreshments from Lottie or Tara, just in case.
The steward and housekeeper were respectful and obliging. If they found my requests odd or inconvenient, they hid it well. Not surprising, perhaps, if they were used to the Beast’s fits and tempers.
I brooded darkly on his overweening sense of authority as I made my way down to the dining hall around sunset. I found it insufferable enough, and I was free to defy it. I couldn’t imagine being one of his servants, forced to accept his ill temper without demur.
The table had been laid out in the same manner as previously, the Beast once again rising to his feet at my entrance. He seemed to have taken a little more care in his clothing, but the fine clothes still looked odd and out of place on his strangely bulky frame. I carefully avoided meeting his eyes, unwilling to deal with whatever intense emotion might be lurking there.
I took my place with a nodded greeting and waited politely for him to be reseated before beginning to eat. For the first couple of minutes neither of us spoke, and I was reminded of our first meal together. Except that this time I strained my mind beneath my calm exterior, forcing myself into a receptive state at odds with the tension I felt at his presence. My only purpose for being here was to gain information, and I didn’t want to miss anything he might say.
I hear you are already ordering my servants as you see fit, he said at last.
“Do you have a problem with that?” I asked, finally looking his way.
Certainly not. He paused. As it pertains to your own care.
I drew a steadying breath, not wanting to start a conflict so quickly. “I am striving to make myself at home.”
An admirable goal. Although once we are married, we will unfortunately have to relocate to the capital.
I ignored his reference to our wedding. “You do not like the capital?”
I prefer my solitude.
I refrained from retorting that I was sure everyone else preferred it that way too, and took the opening he had provided. “I have heard you disbanded the court. There cannot be many left living in the capital now.”
He shrugged, an awkward gesture on his broad shoulders. We are unable to trade with the other kingdoms which means much of our commerce and production has halted. And all of our diplomacy as well, of course. I could not guarantee my ability to feed the people if large numbers remained in the city. Plus, the estates needed their leaders in this uncertain time. Until the curse is released, we are all of us trapped, our kingdom unable to move forward.
I blinked twice. I hadn’t expected such a reasonable response. Emboldened, I pressed him further. “What is the curse, exactly? I couldn’t get an answer from your servants.”
The Beast had turned his gaze to the opposite wall as he spoke, and he made no response to my question. I waited silently. At last he turned his head to look at me, piercing me with his gaze.
How is it that you can hear me? Can hear the servants?
For a long moment we both sat frozen, our eyes locked. He was the last person I would ever tell about Lily and my connection. And, somehow, he knew it. Knew that I had secrets of my own. I ground my teeth together before breaking the stare.
I lifted another forkful to my mouth, only to change my mind and put it back down on the plate. “Why did you call the Princess Tourney?” I looked up at him, but he had already looked away.
Another long silence stretched out, and I sighed. Did he intend to tell me anything?
I am the heir to Palinar.
He hadn’t turned to look at me this time, and I frowned at his profile. “That is one thing I already know. You haven’t answered my question.”
He glanced toward me. Isn’t it obvious? I am the heir. I need a royal bride, and I had no other way to find one.
One of my hands tightened around my glass. “And now that I’m here, what do you intend to do next?”
He laughed, the sound unexpected and rough, as if from disuse. Why, marry my betrothed, of course. I can arrange the ceremony for tomorrow morning, if only you will consent.
“I have said it before, I will say it again: I will not marry you without my sister.”
He gave another laugh, but this one lacked even the faintest trace of humor. Then we will wait.
“For what?”
For the curse to be broken—I believe that’s what you said last night, is it not?
I stood to my feet, struggling to keep my voice calm. “That is all you have to say? You brought me here knowing you were cursed, knowing I would be trapped here like the rest of your kingdom. And now we are merely to sit around, both of us prisoners to this castle?”
The Beast leaped up, his chair clattering loudly against the stone floor as it fell behind him. Not by my choice.
“Well not a single part of this has been by my choice!” My hands balled into fists, my whole body trembling.
The Beast and I stood facing each other, so close I could feel the anger radiating from him.
“You have destroyed my life, Beast!”
He raised his lip, his fangs glistening in the firelight. I took a shaky step backwards, and he growled low as he had after our confrontation in front of the castle. But this time the sound rose in volume until it turned into a roar.
I stood my ground, shaking still, but determined not to run this time. Abruptly he fell silent, only to turn and stride from the room. I remained in place until my tremors stilled, staring at the door he had slammed behind him. Had I just won a victory? If so, it felt far less satisfying than I had imagined.
Chapter 10
When I pushed open the door to my chamber, my head pounding from the recent tension, a vague whisper stirred my awareness. I rubbed my eyes and forced my mind into a receptive state.
“I apologize, could you please repeat that?”
We are here, Princess Sophie. Tara and I. Lottie sounded concerned.