Chapter Six
Memories
Breakneck left the Port of Pass, setting sail for the Morgog Kingdom. Everyone was uneasy with magic on the wind, and no one dared mention Necroms or the dark arts. It was well into the third sun’s cycle as the ships pushed along at a good speed. Pluck followed the prince to his cabin, noticed Bulwark posted outside, and wondered why the old High Guard was guarding the prince’s room. Edward went into his cabin, and Pluck stopped in the hall. A yellow glow caught her eye, and she noticed it wasn’t from lamps for none lit the room. In the middle of the cabin hung a glass domed case, and within it the Mystic Rose hovered as white sparkles swirled around it. It was the Rose. Two feelings wrestled with her heart. One was of hope that her curse would be ended, and the other was of dread that she would remain in her enchanted form.
The magic bloom called to her; Pluck stepped into the prince’s room and hesitated, remembering her place. Bulwark glanced at her, wondering what the Northern High Guard was doing.
Edward noticed the High Guard's curiosity and told Pluck, “It is fine. Come in and see. Close the door behind you,” Edward ordered as he flopped on his bed, unbuckled his sword frog, and let the belt and scabbard drop to the floor. Weariness covered his face as he loosened his gold silk sash.
Pluck drawn by the Rose walked to the glass dome. The container swayed with the motion of the ship, but the movement of the case didn’t affect the Rose’s levitation. The Rose stayed suspended in its housing as sparkles spiraled around the Rose. Her heart pounded like an infantry drum the closer she drew. All the emotions concerning her curse and the redemption she desired, overwhelmed Pluck and watered her eyes.
The Rose’s yellow petals transformed to blue, casting an azure glow, and the prince noticed the flower's hue change. He said, “I do not know why the Mystic Rose alters colors.” Edward stared at the Rose as he continued, “I had it brought here from the ship’s hold. It was under guard there. I thought it might be safer hidden but...” He sighed again and added, “I have grown so accustomed to its presence, I cannot sleep unless the Rose is in the room. I think it has bewitched me.”
The power tugging her toward the Rose grew stronger, enchanting her. She raised her gloved hand toward the case as if to clasp the flower. Her tattooed finger throbbed as the Rose pulsed with magical energy. This rhythmic vim hit the glass domed case, shaking it with charged electrical force. She turned her back to the prince and removed her glove, seeing her tattoo. The four black rings on her bare finger glowed silver as the Rose’s blue petals transformed to platinum, increasing its throbbing tempo. A surge of energy shot from the Rose like a ball of lightning. The power cracked the glass and shattered it, releasing the energy into the room and filled the cabin with crackling electricity. Pluck covered her eyes as glass flew and stepped back, frightened by the surge. The more she retreated the less the Rose pulsed and soon the electrical ball faded, returning the cabin to a dark room cast in an azure glow. Pluck looked to the silver rings, remembering the last thing Fairah told her.
“These marks on ye’s finger, they are more than tattoos. They are ye’s connection to the Mystic Rose. It chose ye, remember that.”
Edward sat up as the container shattered and exclaimed, “By Fletching!” He neared the Rose and turned to Pluck as his brow wrinkled with bewilderment as he questioned, “What did you do?”
The glass that had scattered about the room, glowed and lifted and gathered around the Rose. Each shard found its place, piecing together the dome till it reformed. A bright light shot from the container, and the glow faded. The glass magically became whole again as if it had never been broken.
Edward couldn’t believe his eyes as he looked back to Pluck. He saw the furry top of her hand and the glowing markings on her bare finger as they returned to black. He grabbed her hand and his touch startled her, so she pulled away.
“That tattoo...” he started as he pointed at her finger. “I remember those markings.” Terrible memories flooded his mind as he grabbed his head and said, “I was a boy... I went into this Temple and found the Mystic Rose. I was not alone. A girl was with me and her name...” His blue eyes widened with realization as he uttered, “Her name was Pluck!” He stepped back, accusing, “You are a woman!”
She raised her hand, trying to quiet him as she spoke softly, “Please my lord, lower your voice.”
“But how can you be a High Guard?” Edward yelled as he shook his head. “Women are not allowed!”
“My prince, is everything all right?” Bulwark asked from the corridor.
“Yes! You are not needed!” Edward yelled and then he scolded Pluck, “Women cannot possess weapons. It is forbidden. You shall go in front of the Inquiry.” He paced the room and said, “I do not understand how Han could have allowed such a thing.” A new memory interrupted his thoughts, so he glanced at her furry hand and spoke, “Something else happened that sun’s cycle in the Temple.” He noticed her fingers had no nails and grabbed her hand, examining her thumb; it and her other fingers had a slit down the middle like a cat. “A memory I had forgotten.” He pushed the flap of skin aside, finding a claw then appalled by his findings, he released her and uttered, “Something horrible. A witch... She cast a spell intended for me but...” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
The more he berated her, the more Pluck grew angry and she finally yelled at him, “You’re still an ungrateful spoiled brat!” She tapped her chest as she said, “I pushed you out of the way. I protected you!”
He fell silent. Never had anyone yelled at him in such a way especially a woman and in a calmer tone, he said, “Yes, I remember.” The incident he had buried long ago surfaced and he spoke, “You saved me by taking my place.” His face softened as he added, “You were turned into a hideous monster.”
Pluck said nothing; she needed no reminder.
His shame turned to anger as he shouted, “You are not deformed! You are cursed!” It didn’t matter to him that she took his place. He was the prince and she was a peasant. “That is why you cannot show your face.”
Pluck nodded. He knew her secret, but what would he do with it?
He had to see, so Edward commanded, “Show me your face.”
She hesitated, fearing how he would react once he saw her again.
“Shall I order Bulwark in here to do it for you?”
He was nothing like she remembered; Edward was cruel.
“There’s no need my lord,” Pluck told him as her fear turned to terror and then she pulled back her hood.
Edward gasped, “By Fletching! You are a beast! A Necrom!” Another fact frightened him. The prince had seen this creature with short beige fur before, so he pointed his finger and accused her, “Fass! You are the hideous monster from my dream. You... you are the one slaughtering the men.” Terror paled his face as he shouted, “You are the reaper of my nightmares!” He stumbled back to his bed and exclaimed, “You have come to take me!”
Pluck just stood there; she didn’t know what to say or do. The moment hadn’t gone like she envisioned. Edward wasn’t grateful for her sacrifice. Her fears came true; he rejected her. How could she ever ask him for the Kiss? Pluck pulled her hood up to cover her shame and wondered where she could hide. She didn’t know; she just had to get out of his presence.
She said, “My lord, I will await my arrest at the bow.” She left, trying not to run as she bit her lip to fight back tears.
Edward didn’t know how to react as he rushed into the hall and then watched her leave. What he had seen in the cabin wasn't a vicious monster but a creature wounded by his words.
“Is there a problem, my lord?” Bulwark asked as Melee arrived.
Edward didn’t answer him only stated, “I need to speak with Han.”
Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose- Part A- The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss Page 12
