Beauty's Beast Page 8

  "When I see a person, I can see a future but you are protected," she glanced at the others before turning her attention back to him. "Whatever the magic is that protects you will not allow any magic to touch you. If my magic will not work on you, I'm sorry you cannot be part of this ritual."

  "You think I'm protected?" Hugos frowned. "Why was I sold? Why was I beat?"

  "Magic did none of those things, man did." Johan shrugged. "I am what many consider a witch and yet I too was a slave. I will need you to make sure no one breaks the circle. This magic, if not contained, can destroy the world."

  The beast tuned Johan out for he knew what was going to happen. He had been here before and he only hoped the pain of going back to his exile wouldn’t kill him.

  "Let us start," Johan turned in a slow circle. "Whatever happens do not move. You are the anchors and will need to be strong."

  The beast swallowed hard and nodded, he was ready. His eyes locked with Beauty's and he was proud to see no fear. The gods crafted his mate for him and he only hoped she understood how much he loved her. If he had to spend the rest of his days showing her, he would.

  "Blood calls to blood," Johan stretched her hands out in front of herself, a bowl cupped in her hands. Inside was a small amount of blood from everyone in the circle. "That which has no body come into the light. Take your true form once again." Shadows emerged from the darkness behind Beauty. At first the beast thought he was seeing the past but the look of horror on Beauty's face convinced him it was real. "Come witness the rebirth of your son who you banished to darkness." The figures became solid and took on more human attributes. He could see his mother and sister and went to take a step toward them, to beg them to forgive him. Something cold and strong wrapped around his legs and held him in place.

  "Through every test his mate stood firm. The love he lost has been returned. Look deep and see the purity of this bond."

  A shock started at the soles of his feet and raced up his body to his heart. The pain bowed his back and he fought not to cry out. A bright light shot from his chest to the bowl of coals before arching to Johan. Through the slits of his lids he watched the same thing happen to Beauty.

  "May these four stand as a testament to pure love. Bound by the most primal elements earth, water, fire and air."

  The beast watched as his life seemed to be pulled from his body. He felt it enter Johan and three other souls mingled with his. Where he ended and they started he couldn't tell.

  "These four-stand ready to take their places as guardians of this sacred tree. To protect it against all evil, even that which comes from within."

  His soul raced back to his body and he felt a pulse. Once, twice, three times. A heartbeat. He remembered this sound and fear crept into his heart. This was the sound he heard when he opened his eyes for the first time in his prison.

  "I freely give my soul and my body so that this bond may stay strong."

  Peace settled over his face as his mother and other tribal members smiled. Behind Beauty one of the four tribal elders appeared and he felt a warmth at his back. Without turning around, he knew his father stood behind him.

  "Take this offering," Johan continued. "And break this curse."

  The pulsing quickened and with each beat the faint outline of a tree took form around Johan. She raised her arms higher and shouted an old word in his dead language. Three things happened, the tree solidified, Johan disappeared and a rending, tearing pain tore through the beast. His body was jerked into the air before being slammed to the ground. He heard the heartbeat of the earth fade.

  Chapter Three

  Beauty screamed and dropped the bowl in her hand. At a distance she heard it hit the ground but her feet were already carrying her to where the beast lay. Gone was the fur and before her a naked man lay stretched out with his limbs in awkward angles and his breath escaping in pants. She fell to her knees and touched his shoulder.

  "Beast, beast. Please don't die."

  His eyes slowly lifted and she stared down into vivid blue green eyes. He half smiled. "I guess I didn’t die?"

  'No," she leaned down and kissed his cheek. "No, you are still here and in your true form."

  His eyes opened wide and he lifted a hand. "Thank the gods, she did it," he sat up and winced. "Where is the witch so that I may thank her?"

  Beauty dropped her eyes so he wouldn't see the tears.

  He used a finger to lift her chin. "My heart, what happened?"

  "The curse claimed a life. She gave hers for us." The tears she held at bay slipped down her cheek. "She gave her life."

  "Don't cry," the beast pulled her close and she buried her nose in his chest. "Let her sacrifice be noble. We will raise a monument in her honor so that no generation forget who gave them life."

  Beauty blinked as he stood and helped her to her feet. "You may want to put on cloths."

  He glanced down and laughed. "It has been many centuries since I've had to think of clothes." He waved his hand and clothes appeared on his body.

  "That's a cool trick," Beauty said.

  "It used to come in handy and I'm guessing it will again." He held his hand up and turned it over, staring at it. "Odd being in human form but now I can touch you without fear of hurting you," he cupped her face. "I've waited a long time to do this," he bent and captured Beauty's lips.

  She parted her lips and tasted him wild and powerful. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as she felt the earth tremble. Cries of alarm pulled them apart. She dropped her arms and turned, with the beast arms still locked around her. The trembling hadn't been her imagination or the earth-shattering kiss she just shared with the beast, no the city that had been underground was now high in the air. The leaves of the tree waved gently in the breeze. She looked up at the beast who had a small smile on his lips.

  "My home, it has been restored."

  She laughed. "You promised us a home and have delivered."

  "Captain," Amina walked toward her, Oba only a few steps behind. "I feel different, here," she tapped her chest. "I can't say I like it."

  "You will get used to it," the beast said. "You are feeling the trees life force. It has mixed with yours."

  Amina scowled at the tree. "Don't like what I can't explain," she looked at Beauty. "Now what?"

  "Call the crew together, I want to speak to them."

  Beauty and the Beast watched as the crew started to appear over the rise from the lower beach. Some looked scared while others were more curious. She waited until everyone was present before raising her hand for silence.

  "Friends," she started. "No from this day forward you shall be called family. We have endured too much and survived to be just friends. Today we build our future in the great shadow of a noble tribe. They gave their lives to keep the darkness from consuming this sacred tree. We will honor them with a monument built around the tree blessed by the gods," she held up her hand for silence when they cheered. "We will give Johan a warrior’s celebration. She willingly gave her all so that our island would be protected." She waved for Amina and Oba to join them. "Before the witch gave her life she merged our souls with the trees. This honor we pass on to everyone standing here today. We will become strong and protect this tree with our lives. For as long as we are guardians, we will prosper."

  The ground trembled as the crew raised their fists in the air and cheered. This was what they had dreamed about as they lay dying in the bowels of slave ships. This was home.

  Two Years Later

  The beast wiped the sweat from Beauty's forehead as she struggled to birth their first born. As he gazed down, wishing he could take away her pain, he swore to never get her with child again. One blessing was enough and he would give their child enough love for ten.

  "What troubles you my love," Beauty asked as she took a moment to catch her breath.

  "I'm sorry for the pain I have caused you. Never again."

  She laughed and groaned. "Do not make me laugh. Women before me have done this many time
s. I will survive."

  "I don't care about them, I care for you."

  "I see the head." Sabrina had asked to be the midwife and now she knelt prepared to bring new life into the world. "You must gather your strength and push."

  The scream that tore from Beauty's mouth ripped the beast’s heart out. He ground his teeth together and prayed for an end to her pain.

  "Congratulations captain, you have a healthy baby boy."

  The beast stared in amazement at the small child who was making his entrance known with powerful lungs. Sabrina gently cut the cord connecting mother and child before laying the child on Beauty's chest. The beast cupped his son's head as he bent to give him a kiss.

  "You did well, my heart. A strong son to continue our line."

  "We both did it," Beauty kissed their son. "What are we to name him?"

  "Obileye, for our family has found honor again. He will grow and surpass us in his honor and bravery."

  “I wish Amina and Hugo where here to witness this,” Beauty gently wiped the birthing fluid from Obileye’s face.

  “We will wait to do the naming ceremony until they return.” The beast straightened. “Oba wanted to bring some of his tribe here but they should have returned by now.”

  “Amina will not allow anything to happen to them,” Beauty gently handed Obileye to Sabrina and watched as she cleaned him before wrapping him in a blanket. “I’m sure they have only been delayed by storms.”

  Sabrina walked closer to the bed handed Obileye to Beauty. "Captain, your people are waiting."

  "Help me up," Beauty said as she tucked Obileye in the crook of her right arm and tried to push up.

  "No, my heart, you have worked hard and need your rest and our son will soon be hungry. I will announce his birth." With a gentle kiss to her forehead he stood and walked out the room. "See to it that no one enters until I return," he told Sabrina who had followed him out. "Help your captain bathe and dress."

  "I will."

  He waited until he heard the door close before heading to the balcony that overlooked the tree. A little over a year ago their home had been finished under Beauty's watchful eye. Her love of the ocean was carved into every stone and a mast stood proud waving the pirate flag. He had teased her about wanting to scare people away from the island and she had just given him a secret smile. Now as he passed under the archway leading outside he rejoiced in the blessings the gods had given him. When he walked out a cheer rose from the crew gathered below, he raised his hand for silence. "Your captain has given us a strong and healthy son," the crowd cheered. "She had labored hard and I want her to rest but as soon as Amina and her crew return, we will hold a naming ceremony."

  With the cheering of his people still in his ears he turned and headed back to his heart. She had loved him when he was nothing but a monster and had now blessed him with a son. They wouldn't know how magically strong he was for years to come but he would enjoy finding out with his mate. And one day when his son was old enough he would tell him the story of the beast who had won the heart of a beauty.

  SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN to be caregivers, doctors or teachers but Paulina was born to be a storyteller. From the young age of three she made up universes for her siblings to play in. Now she writes the same stories for others, outside her family, to enjoy.

  She enjoys hearing from her readers and promises to do a happy dance for every review. Maybe even publicly.

  Don't worry about bothering Paulina, she will leave you stalking sites.

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