Page 88 of Beauty's Beast

“And when the transformation is complete, what then?”

“I shall still love you.”

“I want you to marry again. Hoxford, perhaps.”

“No!”

“Kristine, you are a young woman. You cannot live the rest of your life alone. Promise me you will marry again, if not for yourself, then for our child.”

“No, no, don’t ask that of me. Please.”

“I am asking. Wait a year, two if you must. But promise me you won’t shut yourself up at Hawksbridge. Promise me that you will find a good man to be a father to our child. Promise me you will try. Please, Kristine, I cannot bear the thought of your being alone.”

He could not bear the thought of her being with another man, either, could not abide the idea of another holding her in his arms, caressing her, possessing her. Only the certainty that she needed a man to watch over and protect her, and the knowledge that he would not be there to see it, made it bearable.

“All right, I promise. And now you must promise me something.”

“What?”

“Promise you will stay at Hawksbridge when we return.”

“I cannot.” How had she known he intended to leave as soon as he saw her safely back home?

“Yes, you can. At least until … ” She choked back a sob. “Until the transformation is complete. Please, let us spend every moment we have left together.”

“Very well, Kristine, I shall stay.”

She flung her arms around him then, her face pressed against his shoulder as she fought her tears.

“Kristine, ah, my Kristine,” he murmured. “Please don’t cry.”

The sound of his voice, the pain and regret he could not disguise, were her undoing. She wept bitter tears, crying for his pain and her heartache, for the separation that grew closer with each passing hour, cried until she fell asleep.

He held her close, watching as the stars slowly faded from the sky, winking out like tiny candles, felt the sting of tears in his own eyes as he accepted the fact that he would never hold her like this again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Fidella roused them at dawn with the news that Caddaric had ascertained that the signs were favorable. It was time to leave.

“Please hurry,” she said. “He is most anxious to be away.”

“We will, thank you,” Kristine said. She smiled at the woman, then closed the door. Home. She was eager to go back to Hawksbridge, yet a little fearful of leaving the protection of the wizard’s castle.

“Our breakfast has arrived,” Erik remarked.

“What? Oh.” Kristine shook her head as she saw the silver tray on the table. It was most disconcerting, having meals that appeared out of nowhere, fires that started with no visible means, lights that dimmed at the wave of an unseen hand.

Crossing the floor, she sat down at the table, which had also appeared by magic. She stared up at Erik, who was standing near the window, looking out. “Will you not eat, my lord husband?”

He shook his head. He had no appetite for food this morning, could think of nothing but the journey home. His mother would be waiting there. Kristine would not be alone.

He had much to do when he returned to Hawksbridge, and only a short time in which to do it. He would have to summon his solicitor. There were arrangements to be made in regard to Kristine and his mother and the child to ensure their welfare, papers to be signed while his hand could still hold a pen.

A knock at the door drew his attention. “Enter,” he said.

Caddaric opened the door and stepped into the room. He wore a long black cloak over his black robe. “It is time.” He glanced at Kristine. “Are you ready, my dear?”

Kristine nodded.

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