Free Deceit: A Beauty and the Beast Novel by M.J. Haag

words, but the nymph came to life and collapsed
to the ground. The beast scooped her into his arms and ran out of
sight.
    I shook my head. He needed to think with
something other than his root.
    I didn’t see him again for three days. All
the while, a storm lashed at the manor.
    * * * *
    When the storm finally cleared, I grabbed the
bag from the servant’s quarters, dressed in my trousers and shirt,
and strode out into the tranquil, dripping wet world. The sun made
a valiant effort to break through the thick clouds above, but I
knew it wouldn’t succeed. It was magic that had made the storm, and
only magic would clear it.
    I left through the front gate with no
intention of going very far. It wasn’t my day to visit my family. I
wanted to walk the wall as I used to and see if there was anything
I could gather for Bryn. Since the beast wasn’t there to ask, I
decided to try it without his permission.
    Turning west, so I would visit the enchanted
patch of ground last, I started my long walk. A caw from above
didn’t surprise me, and I looked up to see the crow hop from branch
to branch to keep up with me.
    “I thought we were friends. How could you
tell him I kissed Henick when you saw exactly what happened? It was
an accident, and nothing came of it.” I scowled at the bird as it
cawed again. “I suppose you’re going to fly off now and tell him I
left. This, too, is innocent. Just a walk around the wall out of
boredom. But go ahead, tattle.” I waved it away, but it stuck to me
doggedly. So, I ignored it.
    The wall offered me a bunch of primrose on
the north side and cabbage at the patch of raw earth. Happy with my
findings, I rounded the wall toward the gate. The crow cawed loudly
in warning, and I saw the beast standing just within the gates.
    “Where have you been?” he demanded.
    “Ask Mr. Crow,” I said, slipping through the
gates to walk past him.
    The crow cawed once and flew away. The beast
followed me back to the manor and continued to follow me for the
rest of the day. I didn’t speak again.
    * * * *
    When I woke in the morning, the gossamer
dresses were back. I glared at them then went to yank open my door.
The beast waited without his mist. I stood before him, dressed in
his shirt.
    “No.” I said the single word with
finality.
    “Yes,” he returned calmly. “Go put on one of
the dresses. I will try again.”
    “I refuse,” I said, crossing my arms. “The
problem with your plan is that you’re too used to getting your way.
You need to learn how to contain yourself when someone refuses you.
Until you can, I will dress as I please, not as you please.”
    He growled at me, an angry light filling his
eyes. Then he huffed out a breath and rubbed a paw over his
face.
    “You are correct. I need to learn control,”
he said as a haunted look came to his eyes. “Dress as you
please.”
    He turned to stalk away, but I stopped
him.
    “Were you so horrible as a man?” I asked.
    “You know?” he asked, sounding strained.
    “I guessed, but now I know.”
    He turned and walked away.
    When I opened the wardrobe, it offered
something of every style. The sheer gowns were there as were the
plain ones that would cover me. But I also spotted trousers and
shirts. I smiled and dressed as I pleased, knowing the beast’s
control of the magic had returned.
    * * * *
    I found him much later, pacing outdoors near
the place the wood nymphs had favored. He didn’t seem to hear my
approach, and I paused to study him.
    Weeks ago, I would have considered his back
and forth movement a prowl. Now, I saw his frustration in the bend
of his ears, his guilt in the droop of his tail, and his
hopelessness in the weary set of his great shoulders. How could I
not feel pity for such a creature?
    “How is she?” I asked.
    He stopped his pacing and turned toward
me.
    “Healing.” Regret laced that single word.
    “If I continue to help you, I need your word
that Rose alone will be the recipient of your attentions.”
    His