"What's wrong?"
Leon looks at her.
'Belle was cursed the same day I was.'
She drops the animals she picked up.
"Her curse is part of yours?"
Leon nods looking back at me in fear.
"Well I guess solving the curse is more important than ever now."
We all go back to the cabin in silence. Each of us absorbed in our own thoughts. Alice has taken both dead animals and the bag of foraged things back to the cabin because her shock is nothing compared to ours, and we can carry nothing but our own bodies. She walks slightly ahead giving us an illusion of privacy. One I know is a lie, but accept with great relief.
"I will get the food ready. Come in when you are ready. I will care for Robert."
I nod and let her walk inside without asking her the millions of questions running through my mind. I have completely forgotten about Robert as well. What kind of animal rescuer am I?
'I am sorry Belle.'
I turn it over in my head again and sit-down patting in front of me so Leon will lie down so I can face him.
"It is not your fault. If you had found me, I would have been ten, from a normal family, and no idea how to relate to you. Perhaps this was the only way I could find you and be close to you until we can break your curse. If I hadn't been able to speak to you…well things would have been different."
'Yes, that’s the gift that gives me a chance, but the price it enacts on your body…it's too much.'
Well I can’t deny it takes a lot out of me. Still I don’t want him thinking I regret meeting him. So, I grab his mane and make him look me in the eyes.
"Leon no matter what I had to go through to find you I am glad. I wouldn’t change anything. I love you, you love me, and we are meant to be together. We will find a way to break the curse and then we can be together forever. So, no guilt trip. It will interfere with the mission. Got it?"
He nods and sits up licking my face. I rub the slobber off onto my sleeve laughing.
"Let's go eat. I am starving. I had one meal yesterday and nothing so far today. I am going to waste away before we can find a way to break the curse if this keeps up."
We stand and walk inside glad the house was built for a bear. A lion fits easily. Robert is snoring on the couch; the fire is roaring and the smell of food fills the air.
"Let's sit down. I feel sore as hell."
"Yes, I should look at your injuries."
I nod and let Alice do as she pleases. It is useless to argue.
"Now that Belle knows everything, we should make a game plan."
"I have one."
Both Leon and Alice look at me in shock and a bit worried.
"I am finding that bitch of a Fae and making her break the curse or killing her. She can choose."
They look too shocked to say anything so I smile and shrug. "Nothing the night stalker can't handle guys.”
Chapter Seven
"This sounds crazy."
I take a bite of rabbit stew and shrug rolling my eyes. Old people, so overdramatic.
"Not like I haven't faced worse odds before. Besides Leon cannot keep being a lion forever. Sure, I am only twenty now, but don't you think it'd be good to do before he gets so old that a wedding of any kind can't happen?"
Alice sighs and Robert looks like he desires to say more while at the same time is trying so hard to keep it to himself. Crazy. What does he know? My life is crazy. I am in love with a lion, without family, can communicate with animals, and have vicious attacks when I fail to help them.
"Leon is that what your face would look like when we argue if you were human?"
He lifts his head from my lap and looks to Robert before sighing and just going back to sleep. Okay he is not really sleeping, but I know he is trying to pretend to because he just does not want to be having this conversation. His head is the perfect tabletop…assuming one is okay holding the bowl with one hand to stabilize it. Which I am. I have eaten way weirder things in way weirder positions. Bat wings upside down in a tree with possums…. need I say more?
"Belle…"
I give Alice the look. She always tries to mother me out of decisions she doesn’t agree with.
"Alice, I know you mean well but you can either help me or let me go alone. I won't change my mind. If Leon wishes to stay with you then he can. It's not the first mission I have undertaken alone."
Leon gives a growl and shakes his head. I hold my bowl up until he is done moving and settles. He sure is grumpy today.
"So, Leon is coming. Alice you don't need to do anything. Just do that cleansing thing so I can get back to IvyWood if I need to and bring me my damn enchanted knife. If I go back Tora, Fina, and Turok will want to come and that’s not happening."
'It should be their decision. Fina should stay with Turok, but Tora should be able to make her own mind up.'
I give him a glare, "traitor."
Alice and Robert look to me. Right Alice only hears him if he wants her to and Robert can only communicate in animal form.
"He thinks I should ask Tora."
Alice perks up smiling.
"I think that’s a wonderful idea. A tiger can only help and if you are determined to fight a Fae you need all the help you can get."
"I'll come too if you wait until I am healed."
I look at the ceiling praying for the strength to stop myself from throttling the lot of these old folks. Are they annoying on purpose? This is dangerous. Like not come out alive. I have to do this; I have to save Leon. It's why I have this gift. And I know my episodes will kill me eventually. If I can save him first…well it will be worth even my life.
"Yeah why not! Why don't we just invite every shape shifter in the world! Oh, and every animal I have ever saved! They can come too! We might as well charter a cruise liner. I mean we need a big boat to hold all of us. It will be like Noah's ark all over again."
"This is why I hate the younger generation; every response is sarcastic in their world."
"Says the old ass mountain man bear that would be a pelt on some asshat’s wall if it weren't for me!"
Okay I admit despite seeming wiser than my years on missions I react badly to goading.
"Enough!"
The earth seems to shake a little when Alice is angry. We all shut our mouths except Leon who I can hear chuckling…well more like I can feel him holding it in. Robert and I are properly cowed.
"I am sending out a message of urgency to all you have helped before. They will find their way to IvyWood and help if they wish. Human, animal, or pixie I care not. We will make the decision to help you or not and your plans will have to include those of us that wish to. Understand?"
I nod. I am having help. Okay time to change my plans to run away and do it alone.
"Okay fine. But I need to get a hold of my contacts alone. Sorry, but they are not going to speak to anyone else or with anyone else present. We cannot be the only ones affected by this Fae and someone, somewhere might know where to find her. Leon can come because no one knows about him, but that’s it."
Alice smiles, sits, and finishes eating. Well glad she is happy. I am going to need a lot of bribes. Fae are hell to mess with and no one will want word getting back on how we find her…this is going to be extra fun.
"Heal fast Robert. My contacts move fast and so does Alice's magic. IvyWood will be full by the weekend."
"I am sending them to your space. Any that wish to help you should see what's at stake."
I flinch and move letting Leon hold his own head up. I clean out my bowl and dry it. Leon rubs against my lower back but for once it does not relax me.
"Do we have to?"
I barely whisper but everyone here has better ears than most and hear.
"What's so bad about this place?"
I flinch and start to curl into myself. I don’t want anyone to know. I am weak and vulnerable. I can’t show that.
"It's where Belle goes when she fails to save the animals she is
trying to free."
"So, it's where she cries it out?"
Alice heaves a sigh.
"Not exactly. Her curse tries to kill her when she fails. She gets a fever no human can survive. She shakes so violently we fear she will snap in half. She vomits, cannot be near others other than Leon. It is a battle to keep her alive each time. I made the place with magic; it's connected to but not a part of IvyWood. Only the three of us can go in.
"The problem is I had to make it able to absorb some of her pain and misery, it was how I helped Leon keep her alive. He pulled what he could from her with the weak mating bond, but it just gets stronger. Her body will fail and all the misery it has absorbed…. well with that many people and animals there for Belle it is likely they will see flashes of her weaker moments…. maybe even feel some of it."
I smash the bowl into the counter and spin. "That’s why we cannot let them go there! They shouldn't have to suffer for my failures!"
Alice stands and walks over grabbing my face and looking down into my eyes. Damn her for being whatever freaking height she wants, or for making her features softer and more motherly. Damn her magic.
"Belle nothing you have done is remotely close to failure. You have sacrificed your life to save those that cannot speak for themselves. How can you possibly count any of that as a failure? No not all of them lived. Maybe you didn’t make it in time for some. There is no one here who could have saved them all, including me. You have given so much. Now it is time for all who love you to rescue you Belle. Accept it."
I am trying not to cry as her magic washes through me purifying me of the taint that kept me from home and cradles me like a warm blanket. I nod and go outside to cry in peace, followed by my mate of course.
'She is right Belle. Let us take care of you for once.'
"You two care for me all the time. Every time I have an attack. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to trust enough to allow that?"
'You mumble when you have nightmares.'
"So, you probably know many of the things I went through the first year when I was too young and small to take care of myself."
'You were always too young Belle. You never should have been in that position. If I could hunt down and kill all those that hurt you I would…'
For some reason that makes me laugh. Just the thought of it…a lion stalking the cities for people I haven't seen in almost a decade.
"Don't bloody your hands, or paws, on my account Leon. They aren't worth it. Never were. It doesn’t bother you though? If you ever are human, I mean…"
'I will always love you no matter what. Nothing could ever change that.'
I sit down leaning back into his very fluffy chest. "Then I don't regret anything that had to happen to lead me to you."
He nuzzles my head with his nose ruffling my hair. "You know my brushing has kept you quite soft. Next some shampoo, conditioner, maybe a moisture treatment…"
He gives a growl and steps back lying down so when I fall over laughing his side is there to catch me. I look over at him looking at me with a complete ‘not happening’ face.
"Kidding. But once you are human prepare for critique my friend. There is no way you could be as magnificent as a human as you are a lion. I mean look at this fur, so soft and the most beautiful color…"
'Ha ha. Feeling better?'
I nod rubbing my hands through his mane again. It is my favorite pass time.
"You know once our curses are broken, I say we take a vacation. I want to read on a beach without some emergency pulling me away before I can fall asleep and tan."
'So, destination wedding? Alice could easily transport those coming.'
I laugh. "A beach wedding sounds nice, but a wedding dress would be so out of place. Too hard to walk in the sand."
'Wear whatever you want. I don’t care if you wear a comforter.'
I lean forward and kiss his nose. "That’s sweet. I'll mention to Alice how you volunteered her to be our transportation as a thank you."
He rolls his eyes and lays his head down. I curl up next to him.
'Rest now Belle. We are safe here and you need some sleep.'
I smile and bury my face in his fur. "You always say that."
He licks my cheek and lays his head next to mine purring away. As always, it is exactly what I need to help me get back to sleep.
Leon
A bear lumbers out and sits next to us watching as I curl around her a bit more. I know he has no interest in her as a mate but alphas, though they respect one another, rarely fully trust one another.
'She is something else. Little terror when an animal is in trouble isn’t, she?'
I nod my agreement. The three dead humans we found next to a bleeding him with her scarf has proven how far she will go, how far she has to go. I have been dealing the killing blows to the people we rescue animals from. Once she is through, they do try to follow. I don’t give them the chance. I can’t let any of them pass word around about her, it would be more dangerous and that could lead to someone looking into IvyWood, peoplewe don’t want around.
'She is brave, stubborn and has no sense of self preservation.'
The bear wheezes out a laugh with a bit of cough in there.
'She keeps you busy then. I envy you. I didn’t get the mating call. Just the desire to become a hermit in the mountains when my call came. So here I sit. I think perhaps I am meant to go with you. Maybe you two will lead me to my mate.'
I have heard crazier things. Being around Belle does tend to make one feel like fate is real and maybe, just maybe, on your side.
'Besides I owe the little imp for saving my life.'
"My name isn't imp and you saved me from drowning. I think that makes us even."
'But I have my toes because of you. My future bride will be very grateful I am so handsome.'
Belle laughs and rolls over to look up at me before scratching my chin and rolling back over. Soon she is snoring peacefully again.
'Keep her safe. I have a feeling she has plans to save us all. No matter the cost to her.'
He stands and stumbles into the forest trying to keep off his bleeding foot. Hopefully he doesn’t stray too far and get into trouble. Likely, he is dealing with the bodies. Not what you want someone to come across in the woods near your home.
I look down at Belle and rub my nose and chin against her praying he is not right, but knowing deep down he is. My brave little mate.
'Silly mate. That's why I exist. To keep you safe.'
Her only response is to bury deeper into my side. I purr hoping she will get some rest. She really does need it.
If we do break the curse, I am making her take two weeks to do nothing but eat and sleep. It will do her good and she might start to look her age. Which will be a good thing if she really does wish to plan a wedding with me. I am twenty years her senior, though with my age frozen it is more like ten, but still I don’t want anyone thinking I have a child bride.
An alpha's job is to protect and whether she knows it or not, whether she accepts it or not, I a saving her from this curse. Even if I have to save her from herself.
Chapter Eight
Belle
When I wake, it is at Leon's behest. It is dark and I am shocked at how warm I am when the night before it had been colder than I can imagine it being without snow on the ground.
'It is time to go back to IvyWood. There are responses to Alice's magical message already. Our white rabbit is seeing people to IvyWood and the entrance to our space. They cannot enter without you.'
I stand and take a deep breath. I can do this. We will win and finally be free.
"Let's go."
A portal opens and we walk through. One-step closer to our battle and the future following it.
When I arrive at the entrance that represents both a safe hiding space and personal hell for me, I opt to check out those that have come rather than go right in. There are animals, mostly predators or birds I have rescued. There are some humans, wh
ich means some of those that I rescued had actually been shifters and I never knew.
'Belle.'
I look at Tora as she comes over and rubs against my side.
"Tora are you sure you want to do this? You have a life here."
'Because of you.'
I accept this because Leon made me promise not to belittle their sacrifice, to accept it and their feelings for me. This one time I agree.
An elderly petite woman walks towards me slow enough to give me a chance to look her over. Silk clothing, high heels that I wouldn’t even attempt, and a wide brimmed hat with flowers. I look at her face and see the scars. Old, white, and crisscrossed over her entire face. Through her bottom lip, across both eyebrows, across one cheek. Her nose is slightly turned; it had been broken to many times to heal normally.
"It's you."
She reaches me, grabs my hands, and gives a gentle squeeze smiling up at me.
"Coucou ma belle."
"You were safe in France then."
"Thanks to you yes. You are unwell?"
I am not sure how to explain. Leon bumps my hip with his head and turns to the entrance.
"Leon's right. It's easier to show you than to explain."
I walk to the entrance. "Let them in please." I go through the door letting them follow me. I can only hope the horror they feel wouldn’t run them off. Alice is right; as much as I want to keep others out of it, I cannot do it alone.
As more of them enter more and more scenes of my suffering rise up. Alice holding me still as possible because my bones creaked and cracked from the violence of my spasms. Leon trying to keep me warm then cool as my body burned itself out. Me vomiting so much I had to be rolled to a new spot so I didn’t drown myself. All this and more. I hear gasps and I can’t help but fight tears.
It is harder than I expected for my weakest moments to be up for everyone to see. And I had expected it to be extremely difficult. Dillan had been right when he said the imagination has nothing on reality. I have always sided with Alice that the reverse is true. I am officially switching sides.
'You should have let me come as well. Why am I hear if not to care for the sick babies?'
I look down at my tiger friend and smile at her motherly scolding. It is followed by a watery giggle, but a giggle nonetheless.
Beauty the Beast Tamer- Light Page 5
