Beauty Is the Beast

Price Edwin watched as the black and gold carriage carrying his executioner pulled up to the castle.

She wasn’t his executioner in an official sense; he had been told she was his betrothed, finally engaged after years of negotiations. However, even if his mother, may she rest in peace, hadn’t taught him to read Father’s correspondence, that story never really made sense. The daughter of a duke from a small duchy on the border of their own kingdom wasn’t exactly a politically advantageous match.  However, his mother had taught him how to intercept and read his correspondence without the monarch knowing, and the information in the letters between their father gave him the whole picture.  

The king had the unfounded belief that Edwin was going to kill him and take the throne, and he was trying to beat him to it. His father made some vague refence to a favor he had done the duke years before in exchange for the land he now owned and asked again for the man to use his “skill in the art of death.” In response the duke suggested having his own daughter do the deed, prosing the arranged marriage as a pretext to get her in position. In exchange all the duke asked were for the death of Lord Liam Brandywine, a rather unimpressive landholder from the far side of the kingdom, be swept under the rug. Only at the time he was very much alive.

Edwin and his father never had the best relationship with his father, but learning the man was planning his assassination was still a shock. He hadn’t wanted to believe it.  Then news of Lord Brandywine being killed in an animal attack, just before his father had informed Edwin of his upcoming nuptials.  After that, he couldn’t deny it anymore.

Fortunately reading Father’s correspondence wasn’t the only trick his mother had taught him. He slipped out a letter to his aunt asking for help sneaking out of the country. If she would just meet him at the border, he could get them. He had a bundle of supplies, a map of the castle catacombs, and a dagger he hoped he wouldn’t need under his bed. It was slipping out unnoticed, that would be the problem.

At the very least, it looked like he would be stuck meeting the girl.

She’s actually quite beautiful. Edwin couldn’t help but think, as he watched a pale young woman with copper-colored hair that fell in waves and curls step out of the carriage, helped by an austere -looking man with the same hair color and similar features.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.  “Come in.”

The door opened and an older maid with chestnut hair in a tight bun came in. “Your father wants you downstairs to meet your intended.”

“Thank you.” Edwin said, “I will be there shortly.”

She left and Edwin took a moment to compose himself.  You can do this, Edwin told himself, You just have to stick to the plan.  He wasn’t going to just lie down and die, even for a pretty girl.

#

When he got downstairs, he found his father standing next to the man and girl from the carriage.

“This is the Duke Romulus DeMar.”  The King said, gesturing to the guest, “And his daughter, Isabel.”

“Please to meet you, my lord.”  Isabel said, curtsying.

“It is my pleasure.” Edwin lied.

 The King continued getting right to the point, “The marriage will take place in two days’ time.” Glancing at the Duke he added, “On the night of the full moon.”

Seeing an opportunity, Edwin asked, “Is their something important about that?”

Romulus covered quickly. “It just a very nice night for a wedding.” He looked at the king, “That is acceptable.”

The King clapped for a footman to come. “Show them to their chambers.” He ordered, “Lady Isabel, I hope you will join us in making final wedding preparations?”

And just like that, it was done.  His father had just laid out Edwin’s whole future, right to his death.

 As the footman led the pair away Isabel turned back a moment looking mournfully at Edwin and for a moment, Edwin felt almost sorry for her.  He looked to his father. “Will that be all, Sire?”

“No,” His father said flatly, “Unfortunately the quick time frame leaves us with very little time to prepare. The tailors are waiting downstairs for the last-minute preparations for your wedding outfit.”

Of course. Edwin though.

#

He knows I know.  He knows I know and he’s trying to stop me. Edwin thought, fighting back a wince as the palace tailor accidentally stuck him with a pin.

“A thousand apologies, my Prince.”  The tailor, a thin man with graying hair, pratically groveled, “I—”

“Ludwig, it’s alright,” Edwin reassured him.

Still, the man shook, terrified.

“I’m not him, and I’m not going to tell him.” Edwin said, meeting the tailor’s eyes. He knew why Ludwig was so frightened over a simple mistake.  He was their third palace tailor in as many years. Two had been beheaded for high treason, and no one had seen the other since the king had him thrown in the dungeon. Edwin wasn’t sure if he was still alive.

The servants hadn’t been faring well since Mother died.

Mother had turned handling Father’s madness into an artform.  She knew how to calm his paranoid rages.  Knew how to smooth things over with nobles and allied royals whenever Father lashed out at them. Knew how to undo the more bizarre or dangerous of his orders. Knew how to keep enemies who would take advantage of his madness at bay.

It’s run in the family. She had told him, His father was becoming paranoid by the end, his grandfather had fits. Don’t look so worried, Edwin, that doesn’t mean it will happen to you.

She had been preparing him for the day he would have to be the one manage Father since he was old enough to understand. Edwin knew he wasn’t doing as good a job as she would, otherwise those tailors would be alive, but since there wasn’t a brewing uprising and they weren’t at war, he thought he was having some success. At least until he read Father’s letter to Duke DeMar.

Before he could contemplate the situation any further, Isabel stepped in, flanked by two guards, the expression on her face giving the impression of a prisoner, rather than a well-protected royal-to-be. “Excuse me,” She spoke up timidly, “I was told to come down here for a fitting.”

“Of course, your grace,” Ludwig said, “If you would just allow me to finish with the prince…”

Isabel nodded, looking at Edwin. “You, uh, look nice in black.” She told him softly, “Makes your hair stand out.”

He hadn’t really noticed it at first, but the black leather and silk of his wedding outfit did match his hair color. Maybe she was onto something. “Um, thank you? I’m, uh, sure you’re look beautiful in your dress.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Isabel said, glancing away, “Pretend. I know what this it. I know what I am.”

A pang of pity welled in Edwin’s change. He tried to look Isabel in the eye, but she suddenly wouldn’t stop looking at the ground.

#

It’s too risky. You’re being too soft hearted, Edwin.

He kept berating himself, even as he was writing the letter. The letter that would either save them both or seal his fate.

After spending the day alongside Isabel, overseeing decorations, tasting food for the wedding feast, he realized that Isabel was no assassin. She was too quiet, too scared, she wouldn’t even look him in the eye.  He even thought at one point she was going to reveal the truth, but their fathers came back in. The pair hadn’t let the couple out of their sight the entire day.

Which only strengthened his belief that Isabel was acting against her will.

And if that was the case, he couldn’t leave her with them.

And if you’re wrong, she’ll probably show up with half the royal guard. A warning voice rang out in his mind.

Well, then Father will have to own up to killing his own flesh and blood. Edwin argued with himself, before ringing for a servant.

Within seconds a maid with a youthful face dressed in a green pinafore came rushing in. “Yes, my liege?”

“Please, take this to Lady Isabel, make sure no one else sees it but her, that’s very important.”

#

Edwin arrived at the entrance to the catacombs at the stroke of midnight, finding it unguarded. In spite of his father’s effort to waylaid him, Edwin managed to pay off the guards on duty. Now all he could do was wait and pray for the best.

Peaking down the hall, he saw a copper-headed figure approaching. As the figure got closer, he could clearly see it was Isabel, dressed in plain dark shift, a leathern satchel at her side, descending from the leather strap on her shoulder.

“I was worried you wouldn’t come.” Edwin admitted softly, “Or…”

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t give you away.” Isabel said, tugging at something on her wrist.  After a pause she added, “Thank you. For taking a chance on me.”

Pulling up the bar on the door to the catacombs, Edwin commented, “It’s not like I’m the only one taking a risk.” Grabbing the torch attached to the wall, he instructed, “Follow me.”

Except for a few torches that were slowly going out the catacombs were completely dark, giving it an earie feel. As they walked through them it was hard to maneuver around the tombs.

“My great-grandfather, he was–” Edwin began, leading the way and side-stepping the grave of a relative, “He was paranoid, it’s something of a family trait.  He wanted a quick route of escape in case of siege, so he had a secret passageway out of the city through the catacombs. The last place he thought anyone would look, I suppose. I never met him, so it wasn’t as if I could ask.”

“Then how did you find out about it?” Isabel asked timidly, frightened eyes going back and forth between the tombs.

“It’s the worst kept secret in the castle,” Edwin answered, “It was just a matter of exploring enough, and I was a very curious child.” He had lost count of the times he had snuck down here as a child, looking for the fabled passage. Around age twelve, to his utter amazement, he found it.

He just didn’t think he would ever actually need it.

His memories and musings were interrupted by a shriek. He turned around to find Isabel flying through the air towards the ground.  Rushing out, Edwin caught her in his arms. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Isabel answered breathlessly as Edwin helped her right herself.  Feeling her wrist, then looking back the way they came, she asked, “Do you think anyone heard that?”

“Probably not.” Edwin said, “But we should hurry. Whenever the guards change, they’ll realized something’s happen.”  He wasn’t sure how long they had been there.

After what felt like forever, at last he stopped them in front of what looked like another tomb. Carefully, he approached it, feeling along the seal. Cracking it opened, he revealed a long dark tunnel, barely visible.  Taking Isabel’s hand, he led her inside, being careful to shut the cover behind them, leaving them only with fading torchlight to illuminate their way.

It felt like hours walked in silence, feeling along the side of the wall, barely able to see in front of them, a fearful intensity coming over them. Isabel crept close, grabbing the edge of Edwin’s shirt.

“It’s alright,” Edwin soothed, “We’ll be out soon.”

“I’m sorry.” Isabel whispered, “I don’t mean to be this way.”

“You’re traveling through a dark tunnel with a strange boy on the run from a mad king.” Edwin recapped, “I would say you’re doing excellent under the circumstances.”

Soon after they could see light, faint, twinge with darkness.

“See Isabel?” He smirked at her, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel after all.”

Isabel smiled back and the couple ran towards the light, hand in hand.  Coming out the utter side, they looked up, the walls of the city illuminated by moonlight.

Isabel laughed. “No wonder it took so long!”

“I can’t believe that actually worked.” Edwin beamed.

Isabel turned to him, looking alarmed and bit upset.

“Well, I’ve never actually had to use the thing before.” Edwin told her. Taking her hand, he said, “I won’t say the rest of my plan is much better, but it’s the best we have.”

#

“So, what exactly is the rest of the plan?”

They were walking down a forest trail, Edwin barely taking his eyes off the map to look at his companion.

“My mother had a sister.” Edwin said, “She lives between our two lands with her husband. They weren’t particularly close, I don’t think. I’ve only met her maybe three times. Still, she was her sister. Before she died, Mother told me where to find this.  She told me if something went so wrong, if I had to run, to go to my aunt, that she would help. The map shows the best routes to avoid soldiers.”   He knew that his father would no doubt send men after them, even just to keep up appearances. Maybe he would even find a way to pin it all on poor Isabel, and find another to do him in. Side-eying Isabel, he wondered if he should be revealing all this to a girl he barely knew. A girl he barely knew whose father was apparently some sort of assassin.

“I told you; I wouldn’t give you away.” Isabel said continuing to walk, “I didn’t ask for any of this.” After a moment, she made a face, “That’s a terribly selfish way to look at it, isn’t it?”

Instead of answering, Edwin decided it was a good time to address an issue they had yet to address. “So, our fathers were going to make you kill me? And you were threatened into it?”

“Let me put it this way.” Isabel said, “If you survived the wedding night, it would not have worked out well for me.  And that’s all I really want to say about it.” After a moment of walking in silence she asked, “So, why did your mother have an escape plan?”

“Because of Father.” Edwin said, “His madness didn’t happen overnight. It was already setting in when they were married. But she had kingdom to protect, two really. Hers and ours. So, she made it her life mission minizine the damage he could do to both their nations.” After a beat he added, “Mother was always so clever.” After another pause, he added, “I don’t think we’d be in this situation if she were still alive.”

They walked in silence, a pall still over them, but now more sad than tense. “I never knew my mother.” Isabel said finally, “She died when I was baby.  I don’t even know her name.”

Edwin stopped short, his head whirling.

“You thought yours was the only insane family?” Isabel responded, “Information is parsed out very carefully in the DeMar house. Perhaps I would have earned that information one day, if I had been the daughter Papa wanted—” She sighed, “But I couldn’t be that. I tried, but I couldn’t.”

Edwin glanced over to her. “Good thing for me, then.”

That was the first time he noticed it; the bracelet of dried blue purple flowers, woven around her wrist.  That was also when Isabel noticed him looking at it, covering the bracelet with her sleeve.

“I’m sorry.” Edwin said quickly, looking away, “I didn’t mean to make you feel self-conscious. The-the bracelet is quite pretty, actually. Did you make it yourself.”

“It’s—it’s for protection.” Isabel said.

“Protection?” Edwin repeated, bemused.

“Short of an old wives’ tale.” Isabel explained, “So far, it’s worked, thought.”

#

The first two days of their journey went surprisingly smoothly. Along with extra food, Edwin managed to procure a horse, cutting down their weeks’ journey by half.  Even some of the people they encountered were whispering about the prince’s mysterious disappearance, so far no one had realized Edwin was the prince, and they had avoided his father’s men.

Then came the morning of the third day.

They were preparing to leave the inn when they heard a loud commotion from downstairs, and they heard a gruff voice saying, “We have orders from the king to search this establishment…:”

The youths froze for a minute, panicked. Then Edwin sprung into action, running to the bureau drawer, and pushing with all his might, only able to move it a few inches at a time. Realizing what he was going Isabel joined him, and suddenly the drawer pratically flew in front of the drawer with a loud screech.

“How did…” Edwin began out loud, bewildered and embarrassed. “Never mind,” He said finally, taking her by the wrist, “There’s no time…”

Running to the window, Edwin barely took time to grab their supplies before they both jumped into the window seal. They were on the second story, the town streets appearing dangerous far town. “Alright,” Edwin began, “If we can find a way to turn one big fall into several little falls, we may get out of this unscathed…”

“Or we could just wait a few seconds for that cart to come by.”

Edwin’s eyes darted the direction she was looking, and found a cart coming their way, loaded with what looked like straw.

He looked to her. “Oh, Isabel DeMar, you are brilliant.” As the cart got closer, he got down to business, “Alright, get ready, brace yourself…”

They lept off the seal, the world falling in a burl around them before they hit the hey, softening the blow, but still sending a throb of pain through their soft flesh, and straw flying in their vison. The man driving cart turned around, and the pair jumped off running for it as he shouted.

“Sorry,” Edwin called back running for the inn’s stable.

He could hear footsteps. They didn’t have much time. He threw the stall containing a chestnut mare open, hopping on as soon as he had her out, then helped Isabel up. Digging in his foot to get the mare to go, she burst from the stable.

The town whirled around them so fast they could barely wood. Isabel turned back. “They’re coming!”

Using the reins to guide the mare, Edwin made one turn, then another. He had trained with these men. Knew all the strategies. That was their advantage.

They managed to lose the soldiers, but they didn’t stop.  They felt riding until they were out of the town, into the fields. Finally, not wanting to wear out the horse, Edwin signaled for it to slow.

As they began to tentively relax, he heard Isabel became pratically chanting, “No, no, no, no..”

“What’s wrong?” Edwin questioned, turning his head, fearing the worse.

“My bracelet’s gone.” Isabel said, urgently.

Edwin didn’t want to laugh. He really didn’t. But he couldn’t stop himself. He was too relieved.

“It’s not funny!” Isabel pratically shouted.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to belittle you,” Edwin said, “But I thought you were seriously hurt.”

Isabel stared at her hand, looking absolutely horrified, and that was when Edwin remembered what she had said that first day about it being some sort of protection. “You still have me. I’ll protect you.”

That was when a voice in the back of his mind said, Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep Edwin.

#

That night as they camped in the field, he heard movement. His eyes opening, he sat up, looking around, only to see Isabel creeping away. “Isabel? What are you doing?”

Isabel whirled around her face tense. In fact, she looked like she might vomit.

“Are you ill?” Edwin asked, sitting up.

“Oh, I just have to relieve myself—” Isabel began, but her face became more pained. “Really badly.”

Edwin knew that was a lie. “You don’t—” He began, standing up. Whatever was going on, surely there must be something he could do to help.

“Stay away from me!” Isabel shouted, backing up quickly, before doubling over, grabbing her waist. She turned and began to run, but it was more of a hobble at this point. “I shouldn’t have waited so long. But I wanted to make sure you were asleep…”

“Isabel…” Edwin said, everything in his teetering on panic, but outwardly calm, trying to run to her to her, only for her to keep running, “Isabel, I’m only trying to help!”

“No, you don’t understand.” Isabel continued, falling to the ground, “You must-“Her voice trailed off as she let out a pained scream, and Edwin swore he could hear the sound of bones crunching. “Run, just run! Plea-“Her words became a garbled, pained scream as her teeth turned into fangs and her mouth grew into an elongated muzzle.  Her body contorted and being to grow in size as copper-colored hair began sprouting out of her pores and she grew pointed ears and a tail, then, her screams turned to a long, loud, eerie howl.

Edwin stepped back, gapping at shock, momentarily unable to comprehend what had just occurred. The creature that used to be Isabel paused for a moment then its eyes landed on Edwin and began to lumber towards him.  Acting on instinct, he went for the dagger in his belt. “Isabel, please don’t make me use this.”  Although, as he looked at the giant creature, he feared his blade would at most be an annoyance to it. To her.

As Isabel continued to walked towards him, Edwin stepped backwards, until he felt something under his feet, sending him backward and onto the ground, his palms stinging.  He turned his head away as Isabel closed in, preparing for the worst pain. To his surprise, he just roughness and wetness on his cheek.

Edwin turned to look at Isabel and found her sitting next to him, whimpering.

“Alright,” Edwin began slowly, “So you’re not going to eat me?”

As if to answer his question, Isabel turned around and plopped down next to him, staring out into the night.

Alright, so I have a werewolf bodyguard now, apparently. This was going to be a long, long night.

#

Edwin must have fallen asleep sometime during the night because next thing he knew he was being awoken by the feel of the sun on his face and the sound of weeping. He opened his eyes and within seconds he laid then on Isabel, laying on the ground in the fetal position, her clothes in tatters, bawling her eyes out.  If he hadn’t seen what had happened last night, he might have thought something infinitely worst had befallen her.

Edwin quickly ran over falling to the ground beside her. “Are you alright?” He asked, helping her to her knees and crawling towards her, taking off his cloak.

Isabel answered his question with one of her own. “Did I kill anyone?” It was soft, barely a whisper.

“No, all you did was sit watch over me last night,” Edwin told her, draping the cloak around her. “Was there a possibility you would kill someone when you’re—like that?” It seemed as good a place to begin as any.

“It’s never happened, before, but there’s never been around for me to kill.”  Isabel explained, “But my father…” Her voice trailed off as she looked away, shame-faced.

“He’s killed before while…a wolf.” Edwin guessed, not believing what he just said.

Isabell nodded. “The DeMars have been werewolves for generations. As far back as anyone can remember. I don’t know how, but when they were younger, the king found out. He asked Papa for a favor in exchange for secrecy and land. I’m not entirely sure what it was, but I think…I think he might have killed someone. “Isabel looked down in fear and shame.

For a second the death of his grandfather, the king before his father, popped into Edwin’s mind.  He had died from a mysterious animal attack while hunting. Now Edwin was thinking it was a different kind of animal.  “And then he asked your father for another favor?” He guessed.

Isabel nodded. “I kill you, in exchange for letting Papa avenge some old grudge.”

“An old grudge against Lord Brandywine.” Edwin guessed.

Isabel nodded again. “I was able to get my hands on some dried wolfsbane…it stops the transformation…I thought if I could just stall, I could find a way out of it…” She finally looked at him, “What happened, last night?”

“You don’t remember?”  Edwin responded.

“No, I never, do.” Isabel said, “Papa says it’s like…another personality lives inside us. Something, wild, savage.”

“Well, you didn’t seem too savage last night,” Edwin told her, “Don’t get me wrong, for a minute I thought I was about to meet my—very painful—end but then you…you licked me.”

“I what?” Isabel balked.

“You licked me.” Edwin repeated, “And then you just sat in front of me. Like…”

“Like what?” Isabel asked.

“Like you were trying to protect me.” Edwin said.

For a minute, no one said anything. “So, what are you going to do now?” Isabel asked finally.

“I think it would be best to start by getting you something to wear,” Edwin said, standing up, “Did you bring anything extra with you?”

“Does that mean…” Isabel asked.

That was Edwin realized what was going on in her mind. “Did you think I was going to leave you behind?”

“After finding out I was a literal monster?” Isabel asked, “Yes.”

Still looking around for something she could wear, Edwin said, “I’ll admit, I was—I was really thrown at first. Who wouldn’t be? But you’re still—you’re still Isabel. As far as I’m concerned, nothing’s change, except perhaps we might need a larger clothing allowance.”

#

“I have a theory.”

They were riding through the forest, fumbling to eat bits of roasted rabbit as they traveled. Isabel had brought the poor creature, dead and slightly managed and laid it as Edwin feet’s the night before. He didn’t want to reject the gift, but they also needed to make good time.

“About what?” Isabel asked, licking the last of the rabbit grease off her finger. Very ladylike, Isabel.

“About why you don’t attack me when you’re—in your night form.” Edwin tumbled for his words, “Why you even try to protect me. I think since, technically we were engaged, that your wolf form still comprehends that. Like, I’m your mate.”

Isabel paused, thinking it over. Papa had never really explained much about how the wolf thought. She wasn’t even sure if he knew. Of course, perhaps he did, and kept it to himself to keep her afraid. Keep her easier to control. “I—I can’t tell you for sure, but…it’s possible.” After another beat, something else occurred to her. Something that made her tense, sent a spasm through her insides. “And are we? Engaged, I mean?”

Edwin didn’t say anything, sending a wave of fear through her. Why was she afraid?

Edwin must have realized how she was feeling, because he said, “Isabel, please don’t…it’s not that. You’re—I like you Isabel, but I don’t think either of us have had time to think about…that.” His head whirled around, “Have you thought about it?”

“Not really.” Isabel admitted, “I’ve been too worried about eating you.”

Edwin didn’t say anything for a minute. “Alright, due to the situation, I think the best thing to do is to get to safety, then we can talk about us.”

A thought pooping in her head, Isabel smiled. “That’s the most solid part plan you’ve come up with.”

“Hey!” Edwin responded, but he didn’t seem too put out.

“Well, you said it yourself that first night.” Isabel reminded him with a smile.

And as they traveled, still on high alert, even though they still had a day’s worth of travel, they knew whatever happened, they would have each other.