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CHAPTER SEVENTY
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Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE
The dining hall was a sight to behold. The hall and my room had a significantly different aesthetic from the rest of the fortress. I wondered if this was Lachlan's doing. A giant oak table stretched across the room with a feast fit for a king. There was a massive roast at the center, surrounded by platters of fruits and vegetables I had never seen. This scene gave me a feeling of nostalgia - the first night Alden invited me to dinner. A dinner which had ended in me being thrown into the dungeons. I shuddered at this thought. Lachlan led me to a throne-like chair at the head of the table and gestured for me to sit. His sickening charming smile was unwavering.“I trust everything is to your liking?” He asked, his voice taking on a playful edge. I nodded, unable to speak and unsure of what to say, my gaze flirting around my surroundings.He gestured for a servant to fill my glass with wine. “This is a toast to the future,” he said, lifting his own glass. “To a kingdom at peace, final
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO
The guards shoved Lena roughly into the room. She looked disheveled, her hair scattered wildly around her face. Despite this, she still had her usual air of arrogance. Seeing her made my stomach lurch, her arrival felt like a dark omen in this already tense situation.Lachlan, who was seated at the head of the table, glanced up, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Look who we have here,” he sneered, his voice devoid of warmth. “My old friend, Lena.”“What bad manners you have, Lachlan,” Lena spat, “This is how you treat a friend.”Lachlan's amusement heightened. “Not quite, Lena. This is how we treat guests who have overstayed their welcome.” He said, a slow, cruel smile spreading across his face. “Our friends, on the other hand, are treated very nicely.” He gestured towards me. “Isn't that right, Cathy?”I forced a smile, trying and failing to think of something to say but my tongue and thoughts betrayed me. Lena’s eyes narrowed at me, an emotion I couldn't recognize flashing across
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE
My stomach turned. I hadn't even noticed the other human girl until now. I looked up to see her pale face, recognition immediately slammed into me - it was Eleanor, Lena’s human slave girl from the night of the exchange.My mind raced. The last time I saw her, she was on her way to Alden's castle with the antidote. What was she doing here? With Lena? “Eleanor?” I called out, disbelief evident in my voice. She flinched at the sound of my voice. “Cathy,” She whispered back, her eyes settling on me. Lachlan's eyes flickered between us before landing on me, his gaze cold and assessing. I couldn't possibly read what was going through his mind, but I knew I had to act fast. “Lachlan,” I started hesitantly, my voice pleading. “She's just a servant girl. She was taken by Lena. She won't be any trouble.”He considered my words for a moment, a calculating look in his eyes. I decided to try something.“Please, Lachlan,” I continued. “Spare her life. Having her around would be…beneficial. You
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE
Sunlight streamed in through the window the next morning, casting rays across the room. Eleanor had slept on the plush rug beside my bed, her breathing shallow. I had barely slept, I had constantly been awakened by the thought of Lena's impending execution.A knock on the door startled me. It was one of the servant creatures. “My Lord requests your presence,” he said, his voice lacking warmth. “For what?” I asked, my voice hoarse.“He did not say,” the servant replied simply, nodding curtly before walking away.As I closed the door, Eleanor stirred, her eyes fluttering open. It took her a moment to recognize her surroundings before finally settling her gaze on me.“It's alright, Eleanor,” I murmured reassuringly. “You can go back to sleep, I'll be back soon.”The walk to the courtyard was a blur. Every muscle in my body was tense, every nerve on edge. When I reached the courtyard, cold dread settled in my stomach at the sight before me.There was a makeshift platform with a raised wo
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR
Eleanor's eyes fluttered open and relief washed over me. Panic had taken a hold of me as I did not know what to do. She looked at me, dazed in confusion.“Cathy?” She whispered, her voice hoarse. “What happened?”“You collapsed,” I said gently, helping her up. “How do you feel?”“I feel…different,” she said, letting out a breath. “Before I passed out, there was a blur…flashes…memories, I think. It was all so confusing.” I gently placed a hand on hers, comforting her. “Maybe it's…because of your connection to Lena? Do you think that now that she's…” My voice trailed off, not wanting to mention the gruesome execution.Eleanor seemed to understand, nodding slowly. “Lena…” she whispered, her eyes widening. “The execution…” She continued, squeezing her eyes shut. “My head…it feels like someone is trying to crack it open.” I picked up a damp cloth, squeezing it into her hands. I was glad at the thought of her memories returning but there was no point dwelling on the fragmented memories ri
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE
A flicker of annoyance crossed Lachlan's face, his smile faltering for a moment before quickly replaced by his usual charming facade. “Very well,” he said, turning to me. “Can you excuse us, Cathy? This won't take long.” His voice was laced with false sweetness. My heart kept hammering frantically. What could it be? Whatever information this sorcerer had was clearly important for Lachlan to send me away. I needed to know. But there was no use protesting, it would seem suspicious.“Of course, Lachlan. Take all the time you need.” I replied, feigning nonchalance as I dabbed my non-existent lipstick and stood up from the table. The sorcerer stood, silently watching me. Our gaze locked on each other briefly as I walked past him. His yellow eyes held an unreasonable expression and sent shivers down my spine. I nodded curtly, leaving the dining hall and closing the heavy doors behind me with a soft thud.Outside the hall, I paced the small corridor, my stomach churning with anxiety and a
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX
We arrived at his study, a room I had never been allowed to enter. He gestured for me to go in, the door closing with a finality that echoed in my pounding heart. The room was brightly lit, a sharp contrast to the lighting in the corridor. Bookshelves lined the walls, overflowing with texts and scrolls that seemed ancient. Lachlan turned and faced me, his gaze burning into mine. It made me uneasy and I shifted on my feet. His eyes were darkened and his pupils dilated. For a fleeting moment, I saw a different person. A different man. A man consumed by hunger for lust and power.It vanished as quickly as it appeared and was replaced by his false charm. “Cathy,” he murmured, taking a step towards me. His voice was a husky whisper and he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. His touch sent a jolt through me.Before I could respond, he leaned in, his lips hovering close to mine. The mood was thick and suffocating. He leaned in further, his breath tickling my cheeks as
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN
We spent the next day making frantic preparations. Eleanor was surprisingly resourceful as she gathered food, cloaks and water pouches for each of us. Lachlan had avoided me all day, probably still stinging from my rejection. There was a strange hollow ache in my chest left by his absence. I couldn't quite explain it. Perhaps, a part of me had wanted to see him one more time before we left. A foolish part of me. I pushed such foolish emotions down and focused on the task at hand.By nightfall, anxiety and exhaustion gnawed at my bones. The castle was eerily quiet as though in anticipation of our plan. A tense silence descended upon me and Eleanor as we sat still, waiting for our moment. Every creak of the floorboards and every sound of the ancient fortress sent a nervous jolt through me.Finally, it was time. Eleanor, her face pale but resolute, gestured for me to follow. She had gathered the supplies in a small bag which hung loosely over her shoulder while I carried the cloaks whic
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Cathy And The Beast EPILOGUE
Eleanor's POVEleanor stood at the edge of the path leading to her childhood home. The house looked exactly as she remembered it. It was as if time had stood still here, but Eleanor knew that everything had changed, especially her.She took a deep breath, her heart pounding heavily in her chest, each step forward feeling heavier than the last. As she approached the house, all the memories came flooding back. All those moments seemed distant now, like they belonged to another life.Eleanor hesitated at the foot of the steps leading up to the front door. Her hand trembled as she reached out. It felt surreal, standing here after everything she had been through. Would they recognize her? Would they believe the story she had to tell? She wondered if they had moved on, if they had accepted her disappearance, or if they had kept hoping for her return.She now regretted turning down Charlotte's offer to come with her, her presence would have helped her nerves. She shook her head, trying to d
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER NINETY ONE
Alden held me close as we made our way inside the castle. The walls of the castle seemed to close in around us as we rushed through the corridors, each step a struggle as I fought to keep myself together.“Just a little further,” Alden whispered, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. “We’re almost there.”Teon and Herb flanked us, their faces etched with concern as they helped guide me down the hall. Eleanor and Charlotte followed closely behind, whispering words of encouragement.We reached the small room just off the main hall, where a large bed had been hastily prepared. I barely registered the soft sheets and the warmth of the fire as Alden helped me onto the bed, his hands never leaving mine. The room was filled with the scent of herbs and flowers.Khimaira bustled in closely behind, her demeanor calm and composed. She took one look at me and nodded, as if she’d seen this a thousand times before. “Let’s get you comfortable,” she said gently, her hands working quickly.Th
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER NINETY
I stood at that altar, lost in Alden's eyes. The world faded away and the only thing I felt was the warmth of his hand on my cheek. But then, a mocking cough from somewhere around us pulled us back to reality. We turned our heads slightly to see Lorin standing a few feet away, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Alden, ignoring my protests, had decided that he would officiate the wedding. “Shall we begin?” Lorin asked, his voice steady, as he proceeded to stand between us. This was really happening. I took a deep breath, calming my nerves. Alden's hand dropped from my cheeks, but he didn't move away. Instead, he took my hand in his, his touch reassuring. It was as though he knew exactly how I felt and I was grateful for that. The garden was silent and it felt like the only sound I could hear was my heart pounding rapidly in my chest. As Lorin began to speak, his voice carried a solemnity that settled over us all. “This union is more than a marriage,” Lorin began, his words measured.
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE
The sun rays filtered in through the large window, casting a soft glow over the room. Charlotte and Eleanor flanked my sides, adjusting and readjusting different parts of my dress. We were gathered in front of a large mirror in the largest room in Alden's castle. I could hardly believe this day had come- my wedding day. It had been three months since the chaos with Lachlan and Lena. Three months since we returned home and had settled into a peaceful routine. But even with the calm, I still found it hard not to look over my shoulders. The weight of the past months still clung heavily to me. “I can't believe it's really happening,” I say gently, almost to myself. “I'm getting married in a few hours.”Charlotte, who had been focused on arranging my hair in the right bun, paused and smiled at me gently. “Neither can I,” she admitted, her voice soft but steady. “It all still feels like a really long dream.”We both turned our attention to Eleanor, who was fussing with the lace of my gown
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY EIGHT
Cathy's POV Lachlan's fortress was a hive of activity as we prepared to leave. The halls which were once cold and silent, buzzed with the clatter and murmur of voices. It felt strange indeed. Alden had wanted some time for me to recover fully before we left. His arm was wrapped firmly around me, supporting me as we walked through the halls. This place had been home to me for weeks now, but I had never freely walked these halls. We were waiting for the final preparations before leaving, and in the meantime, Alden had called for a meeting with Lorin. We were the last to arrive, as Karken, Eleanor and Charlotte sat around a large polished table in the hall. Lorin, dressed in black robes, stood afar off. The air was thick with tension and I could sense that the moment was heavy with unspoken weight. “Lorin,” Alden began, his face set determinedly. “I believe you have honored our agreement.”Lorin inclined his head in agreement, stepping out of the shadows. “Indeed,” He took another wa
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY SEVEN
Lorin's departure left a heavy silence in the air. There was a wave of unanswered questions running through my mind and I could not shake my feeling of unease. I was happy to be conscious and reunited with the ones I loved dearly. However, given the events of the last couple weeks, I couldn't be comfortable in my happiness. Paranoia. That was the word. I was expecting something ominous to happen, some bad news or enemy to pop up out of nowhere. Alden returned to my side, his face etched with a mixture of relief and something else i couldn't quite decipher. He took my hand in his once again and I felt a tremor run through me. His presence beside me was a reassuring comfort. Perhaps I was overthinking. Perhaps all I needed was just answers. Maybe, just maybe, our happily ever after had come. “What happened?” I rasped, looking intently at him. “How are you here? Where's Lachlan?” I did not mean for the questions to tumble out in a rush, but I was overwhelmed. Alden squeezed my hand, h
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX
Cathy's POVI hear chaos in my surroundings from my unconscious state. The clatter pulling me back to reality from a dream I was having about me and Alden and our baby. It was a girl. A beautiful chubby little girl running around the garden to our delight. It was a dream I did not want to wake up from. There was a sudden burst of white light and I could feel warmth radiating through my body. The garden and Alden and the child had all vanished and I was left standing alone surrounded by nothing. I stood confused in this state for a moment before hearing a faint voice calling my name. The voice was unmistakably Charlotte's. My eyelids flutter open, the harsh light of the room making me squint. My head throbbed with a dull ache. I try to adjust my vision to my surroundings, the events of my last moments before passing out come flooding back. Panic claw at me as I remember our failed escape attempt. Eleanor. What had happened to her?As my vision unblurs itself fully, I am in utter shoc
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY FIVE
The journey north was long and filled with tension. Every rustle of the leaves sent a jolt of panic through Alden, reminding him that they could all be walking into a trap. But he pushed on, fueled by the need to reach Cathy. Finally, they reached the northern fortress. The sun was setting, its rays casting long skeletal shadows on the fortress gates. There was an unsettling quiet in the air as they trooped in through the gates. There were no guards patrolling the gates. It was as though they had heard of Lachlan's defeat and had deserted the fortress. Lorin, seemingly unfazed by the atmosphere, led them through the fortress gates and into the castle. No one spoke, the only sound was the echo of their footsteps on the cold stone floor. It was clear that they were all feeling the weight of the tension that hung heavy in the air. They finally reached a large chamber at the end of a long passageway. Lorin pushed the heavy door of the chamber, letting them all in. The air inside was
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR
Alden stared at Lorin, his mind reeling. The sorcerer's words had caused a heavy silence to hang in the air. His actions were no doubt justifiable but they had only his word to support his claims. “Enough about ancient grudges, Beast King,” Lorin rasped, regaining his composure. “I believe you have more pressing concerns.” He added, staring intently at Alden, his yellow eyes gleaming in the torchlit meeting hall. “The whereabouts of your queen, no doubt?”Alden's ears perked up as he shifted in his seat. His gaze flickered to Charlotte, whose knuckles had turned white as she firmly gripped her seat.“She lives,” Lorin said, his voice taking on a strange sympathy. “For now.”Charlotte gasped, her grip tightening on the chair. The words “for now” dripped with an ominous weight. “What do you mean ‘for now?” She demanded, her eyes widening. Lorin finally shifted his gaze from Alden to her, a flicker of something akin to pity crossing his face. “Her life is…in grave danger.” He said slow
