Page 34 of The Beast Between Us
Her gaze stays fixed somewhere near the fire, not on me.
“Sometimes he needs an outlet. Someone to take the edge off his temper so he doesn’t embarrass himself in public.”
Her voice is so calm. Too calm.
“But mostly… I’m the cause of his anger. My mother died in childbirth, and he blames me.”
She pauses, then adds almost gently, “I know it wasn’t my fault. These things just happen. But… I understand his blame. I took her from him.”
My hands curl into fists. I make no move. No sound.
She continues.
“Other times, I forget tasks he’s asked of me. Or I daydream too long. He says it’s his job to bring my mind back to the real world.”
And just like that, I understand exactly where her pain lives.
And exactly who will pay for it.
“The day my father told me he sold me to pay off his debt…” she pauses, fingers lacing tightly in her lap, “I was scared. Confused.”
She takes a breath.
“But if I’m being honest… I was also relieved.”
“Relieved how?” I ask, my voice rougher than I intend.
“The day before he gave me the news, I had this thought,” she says softly. “About the rumors. The ones about the Beast killing anyone who stepped onto his land.”
Her eyes flick to mine, then back to the fire.
“I planned to do just that. Walk right in. I thought… maybe death would be kinder than another year in that house.”
A growl rumbles low in my chest before I can stop it.
She doesn’t flinch.
“Anyway,” she continues, “he told me I was to leave immediately. I begged to pack a few of my favorite things. An outfit. A couple of books.”
She smiles, just a little. Sad.
“I didn’t have many, but the ones I had were full of the most amazing stories. Stories where girls like me were rescued. Where monsters turned out to be heroes.”
Her smile fades.
“He said I needed a final lesson in obedience. Said the Beast wouldn’t put up with my disobedience the way he had.”
She shifts in her chair, just barely.
“So he tossed me to the floor. Kicked me. Once in the back. Once on the side. Said that would remind me to be good.”
A pause.
“But it wasn’t that bad,” she adds quickly, as if it matters. “Just one kick each.”
My claws dig into the arms of the chair.
The fire crackles louder behind me.
