Adara and the Beast

by Emily Sharp

  “That was fun. Take me again, this time further.”

  “Are you sure?” Adara asked, her head turned to the side. She was worried about pushing Louise too far in one day.

  “Yes,” came the reply, the breath on her ear causing a slight tremble to move through Adara’s body, followed by pleasing sensations. She turned the ATV around and they sped down the road again, Adara letting off the gas as the ATV climbed the hill.

  “I am going to gun it off the rise. It’s going to be scary, but we are going to be fine. Just hold on tight, please!”

  “I will,” Louise said, then Adara gave it more gas. They came flying up the road, and Adara, for a brief moment, panicked, wondering if she was traveling too fast and regretting not wearing a helmet. As they crested the hill, a shriek came from Louise, her hands clutched around Adara's chest searching frantically for something to hold on to, and finally stopping when she grabbed ahold of Adara’s breasts.

  The ATV went no more than an inch or two off the ground, though it felt like they were flying through time and space as Louise continued to shriek and Adara laughed, their hair flaying about as they landed. Adara let off the gas and applying the brakes, they came to a stop. The situation was hilarious, and Adara felt the tears of joy rolling down her cheek as she continued to laugh.

  “Louise!”

  “What?” Louise asked.

  “My breasts! Please, let go of them!”

  “Oh, I am so sorry!” Louise said, her hands moving back down to Adara's stomach, causing another wave of heat to rush through her body.

  They both laughed again, and Adara gave the handle more pressure, taking them off toward the mountains range in front of them.

  ***

  “I must say, I have never had a friend grope me like you did! What a way to get a cheap thrill,” Adara teased as they stood next to the ATV. She had driven down the road a mile from the cabins, the paved road ending, a dirt road taking its place.

  “It was not a cheap move! I was scared!”

  Adara laughed. “I know, but it was funny.”

  Louise nodded and then looked around. “I was so consumed with holding on to you, and having fun, I forgot to be afraid.”

  “I am glad. I love hearing you laugh.”

  The smile that came over Louise's face pulled at Adara’s heartstrings. Louise's blue eyes were alive with light.

  “I am getting better at it, thanks to you,” Louise said, then walked over to the ATV. “I will drive back. Will you help me?”

  Adara smiled. “Of course I will.”

  She walked over and sat behind Louise, and scooting in close to her, her breath caught in her throat again as her breasts pushed into Louise's back. Ignoring the feeling, she instructed Louise to start it up.

  “Good. Now, the metal grips on each handle are for braking. To give it gas, push the pedal on the right, just like in a car. You never squeeze the brakes completely, nor push the gas all at once.”

  “Easy enough. Can you help me steer though, just in case?”

  “Sure,” Adara said, putting her hands on top of Louise's. She never realized how smooth her skin was, nor how perfect her fingers were, each one seeming to be finely crafted. She shook the thoughts from her head. “All right, let’s do it.”

  They shot forward, and Adara laughed as she called out, “Easy!”

  “Sorry!”

  Using her left hand, Adara raised it up and gave the brake a gentle squeeze to slow them down. Then she placed it back on top of Louise's hand, her skin cool to the touch.

  They were soon on the road again, their hair tucked into their windbreakers so it would not get in their way.

  “I am going a bit faster now, so hang on.”

  Adara nodded, putting her arms around Louise’s waist, and leaned her head into Louise’s back. The feeling of passing by everything so quickly was exciting, the wind in her face relaxing, but the feeling of holding Louise was even better.

  Chapter Twelve

  Adara took a bite of the lamb, the meat tender, the flavors from the wine sauce delightful on her tongue. She was eating dinner with Louise in the dining room, the fire roaring, candles lit on the table. It had been over a week since they took the ATV out, but with the snow falling steadily for the last two days, they had remained inside the castle, unable to enjoy the outings that were becoming more common.

  Taking a drink from her wine glass, the fruit flavor rolled down her tongue, a wonderful addition to the food. Glancing to her side, she saw Louise looking at her.

  “Do I have food on my mouth?” Adara asked, taking the napkin from her lap and wiping at her mouth.

  “Not at all.”

  “Then why are you staring at me?”

  “Because you are beautiful. Your skin is flawless, your eyes, nose, everything on your face far more perfect than anything I own.”

  Adara took a drink from her wine glass again and then set it down. The words that had been annoyance in the past now were starting to sound sweet as the wine.

  “And you look wonderful as well,” Adara said, her eyes looking over Louise. She was wearing a simple black sleeveless dress, the top cut low, a generous amount of cleavage showing that was enough to draw one’s eyes. Her skin appeared to be smooth, and Adara felt her cheeks redden as she thought of how smooth each breast would be in her hands.

  “To you, Beauty. May your presence forever remain in these walls long after you are gone,” Louise said, raising her glass.

  “And may your laughter reign with it,” Adara said, raising her own glass as well. The glasses clinked and each took a drink.

  Grabbing her fork, she glanced out the window. The flakes that fell outside where large, and it made her think of Christmas time and her father’s letter. Setting her fork down, she turned toward Louise. “I have a favor to ask, as a friend.”

  “Of course, my princess, ask anything you want and you shall have it,” Louise said.

  Pushing her plate away from her, Adara thought about how to approach the subject. “My father wishes for me to spend time with him this Christmas.”

  “He wants to come here?”

  Adara shook her head. “No. At our cabin, so we can spend our Christmas like we used to. And I would like to go.” She watched as Louise's eyes clouded over, her breathing a bit haggard. Adara looked down, smoothing out her own dress. It was exactly like Louise's except white in color.

  “You use our friendship as a tool to manipulate me to get what you want?” Her voice was bitter, the happiness she had been showing fading.

  “No! I know we have an agreement, a contract.”

  Louise sighed, taking her napkin and setting it on her plate. “Which you want to change.”

  “It will be for Christmas only. I will not beg, but I ask for a week’s leave. I miss my father,” Adara said, feeling sad.

  Louise pushed her chair back so hard, Adara though it might fly back and hit the wall. She stood up, then walked away, her voice carrying back to Adara as she walked to stand in front of the fireplace, her back to the room. “And after a week you will want to continue on with him back to the city and leave me here all alone, won’t you?”

  “No, not at all.” Adara said, standing up and feeling horrible. She would not leave Louise for that long. Grabbing her wine glass, she walked over to the fire where Louise stood.

  “You will return?” Louise said, her voice broken.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you are my employer, and we have an agreement. I will keep my word.”

  She watched as Louise took a drink from her glass, not sure if the flames reflecting in the glass came from the fire in front of them or from Louise’s eyes. The sound of the clock ticking and Louise's breathing were the only sounds heard. Adara waited patiently, not wanting to upset her further.

  Then after a few minutes, she finally spoke. “I look wonderful.”

  Adara shook her head a bit confused. “You do. I told you as much.
”

  “I know, that was your reply when I spoke of your beauty,” Louise said, turning toward her.

  “I-I did not mean…” Adara said, guilt washing over her.

  Louise looked at her, then took a drink from her glass. “But you did it yet again, my sweet princess. The same wasn't returned to me, like everything else I do for you. And I understand why.”

  “No, you don't!” Adara said, feeling overwhelmed. She just didn't feel the same way about Louise. And it was not because Adara was vain, she just didn't see the woman in that way. Louise seemed to twist her words, and Adara felt like the night was spinning out of control.

  “I do understand. And though it hurts me, do not fret. You will go to your father if that is what you desire.”

  Adara nodded, wiping the tears off her face. “I do.”

  “Leave me alone then. Please.”

  “Louise, I am sorry,” Adara said, her heart breaking as her hand went to the smooth skin on Louise's arm. Then like a punch to her stomach, she felt sick as Louise stepped back, shaking her hand off of her arm.

  “Do not pity me, you have what you wanted. Now, leave as I asked.”

  Adara felt her heart break, seeing the pain in Louise's eyes. What has started off as a lovely dinner had turned into heartbreak. She didn't want to hurt Louise, she just wanted to see her father. Hoping the evening was not lost, she smiled at her.

  “How can I leave yet? You haven't proposed. At least let me stay for that.”

  “Why? To enjoy me throwing myself at your mercy? Begging for your hand in marriage for you to say no?” Louise said, her voice sounding hurt. “No. Tonight, Beauty, I will not give you that satisfaction, you have hurt me enough already.”

  Adara stepped back, the heartbreak and sadness heavy on her. “I don't say no because I enjoy hurting you.”

  Louise said nothing, her attention seeming to be on the fire. Though Adara wanted to stay and talk with her, she obeyed her wishes and walked out of the room, tears in her eyes. Heading down the hallway, hearing the anguished screams come to her ears, more tears fell. Sounds of broken dishes and screams of rage echoed through the castle as Adara’s feet hurried up the stairs.

  Once in her room, she closed the door and threw herself onto the bed. Curled up with a pillow, she began to sob, her feelings confused. On one hand, she enjoyed being around Louise, yet the circumstances which brought her here plagued her mind. She had started to fall for Louise but was it genuine? Or was she just a victim of Stockholm syndrome, falling for her captor? The thought had occurred to her more than once.

  And then there was Louise’s temper, punctuated by those screams which now came to her ear as Louise moved up the stairs. That horrible temper, the way she treated people, all those things which Adara could not stand.

  And yet, around Adara, she was a different person, a woman who laughed, who had made a few jokes and had come so far. Again, the question that came to her mind was, was it all an act?

  ***

  Adara stepped in and lowered herself into the hot bath, her body submerging in the large tub, the heat taking away the stress of the evening. She had lit candles and placed each one around the tub, and turning the lights off, a glass of wine had been poured and set on the edge.

  She had been in her room for an hour, and still felt confused about her newfound feelings, and the thought a bath would do her good. And though only a few minutes had gone by, she was glad she had made the decision to do so, the calming effects of it working.

  Taking a sip from her wine glass, she then leaned back and let her arms soak in the hot water as well. Closing her eyes, she was in a state of bliss until a faint sound caused her to open them again.

  “May I come in?”

  “Yes.”

  She looked over as Louise walked in, her own glass of wine in her hand. Her hair now hung around her face, and she grabbed a stool and pulled it close to the bath. “Even by the candlelight you are beautiful.”

  “Thank you. And earlier…” Adara started to say but was cut off.

  “No need for excuses. Please, just let me gaze at you.”

  Adara nodded as she leaned her head back once again and looked ahead at the candles that flickered. She should feel joy that another woman wanted to gaze at her, but instead she felt like an object. She had lost count how many times Louise had trailed her eyes over Adara's body. Though like many other things, it had made her uncomfortable at first, but now she just accepted it. For a while she lay in the bath, not sure what to do or say. But heeding Louise's wishes, she remained quiet.

  “We will not speak of this night ever again. As for Christmas, I make only one request—that you arrive back the day after Christmas no later than noon at the front gate,” Louise said, breaking the silence.

  “Thank you. I will do that.”

  Adara reached over and grabbed a large sponge, hoping it would be enough of a clue that Louise would leave. Apparently it was, as Louise stood up, cast in so many shadows, the candlelight barely able to bring her into view.

  “I could sit here all night and just look at you, Beauty. But I will not torture myself any longer. I have done enough of that to myself for one night.”

  “I do not mean to torture you. I hope that you believe that,” Adara said, wanting to cry as she watched the figure walk to the door.

  She stood there for a moment, then her voice came to Adara's ear. “I do not know what I believe anymore. Have a good evening.” And then as suddenly as she appeared, she was gone, leaving Adara alone, the shadows on the wall her only company.

  ***

  Adara was wearing a white dress and sat upon a white horse. She gazed over the vast expanse of land covered in green, watching deer run through it, the mother guiding her young. The sun was out and to her side was the castle she lived in. She was a princess, that much she knew, and all around her was her land, free to do anything she wanted. But she was not alone. For beside her was a woman of such great beauty, she could not describe it with any words. But her heart could tell you if it could speak. The woman was upon a horse much like her own, and her dress was as white as Adara's. She could not see the woman’s face no matter how hard she tried. It was hidden, the rays of the sun causing Adara to squint, nearly blinding her.

  “You must save me from this curse!” the woman cried out. Adara began to weep for her, for though she did not know the woman’s name, she knew she loved her and would do whatever she could to save her. But as Adara reached out for her, the woman and horse disintegrated into ashes, her final words piercing Adara's soul.

  “You must save me from this curse!”

  Adara sat up in bed, her breathing heavy, and she wiped away the sweat that beaded her forehead, the images and the words from her dream, fresh in her heart and mind so realistic that she could not fight back the tears that came to her eyes.

  She turned her head quickly at the sound that came to her ears. The fire she had made earlier was out, its light no longer there, leaving only ash in its remains. A chill came over her, and getting off the bed, she shivered.

  Going to the bedroom door, she heard the sound again, this time much clearer. It was the sound of a cry of anguish. Opening the door, she hurried down the hallway, wearing only a long-sleeved shirt, the stone on the floor cold to her feet.

  Placing her hand on the knob she hesitated to turn it. Should she ask before going in? But Louise would refuse any help, this much she knew. When the next cry of pain came to her, Adara could not take it anymore, and turned the knob, letting the door swing open.

  Louise lay on her bed, a mirror between her hands as she gazed into it. Her hair was pulled back, and with the fire burning, it brightened the tears on her face. Hurrying over, Adara saw the look of confusion on Louise's face as she crawled on the bed. Not saying a word, she pulled Louise into her, Louise’s sobs coming in strong against her breast.

  “I don't want to be this way.”

  Adara closed her eyes, looking for the right words, but finding n
one.

  “I want to be beautiful, but I cannot. You have no idea how much it hurts me every day,” Louise cried. Her words rang true, for Adara could not imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes, alone and bitter in this great castle. Her heart went to her, wanting to say something to make her feel better, but she knew no words would help take away the pain.

  “My mother…” Louise said, lifting her head up. Adara nodded, scooting toward the headboard, her back resting against the stack of pillows. Louise moved up more, her head laying on Adara's breast, her arm moving to lay around Adara's waist.

  “Please, tell me,” Adara said, stroking her head.

  “She was beautiful, a model that had signed on to my father’s company. But she loved the drugs too much, the partying, and took her own life when I was ten,” Louise said, her voice shaky.

  “I am sorry.”

  “And my father, after my accident, he passed a few months later. He was old when he had me, so he just had his eightieth birthday before he passed.”

  Adara sighed, her heart breaking for Louise. It was silent for some time, the flames in the fire dancing, casting shadows on the walls.

  “So, when I ask you to stay with me, it is because I fear being alone.”

  Adara nodded, biting at her lip. She went to respond, but before she could, Louise continued, her voice still shaky, though the sobs had let up.

  “Do you miss your mother?” Louise asked.

  “I do. Like your mother, she was beautiful as well. And she could sing and did so often. Times were so happy and then right before we lost it all, she passed away, her death sudden.” Adara said, the memories bringing a tear to her eye.

  “I am sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you.”

  She held onto Louise, her hand rubbing her back in a comforting manner. A while later, Louise spoke up.

  “You are beautiful, Adara. You could command anyone and they would follow you into battle. Or run a business and succeed. Not just because of your looks, but because of your heart and mind. I mock you at times, I know, but I see what you are.”