Love Is Never Ugly

Chapter 33

Charlotte decided to say no more to Alastor about changing his diet at least until tomorrow. She felt that he already had enough of facing his issues for one day. So they went into the library for more reading. Alastor was going to read to her this time and he had chosen to read poetry to her. Charlotte adored poetry and loved nothing more than to hear it being read to her. She asked him what who his favorite poet was and his answer was unsurprisingly Edgar Allen Poe. He then told her that he had a very special poem in mind to read to her. She expected it to probably be The Raven or perhaps Spirits of the Dead, she was familiar with both of them and found them to be very fascinating. But what he read to her was completely unexpected.

"She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies.

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes.

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies."

She closed her eyes so she could focus on nothing but the sound of his voice and the words he spoke. Giving herself the ability to immerse herself in his perfect speech.

"One shade the more, one ray the less

Had half impaired the nameless grace.

Which waves in every raven tress

Or softly lightens o'er her face.

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place."

His voice was so ghostly yet dynamic and mesmerizing. The beautiful words of Lord Byron made his voice all the more seductive and even though she knew that he was only reading the words off of a page, she couldn't help but feel that he was dedicating them to her.

"And on that cheek, and o'er that brow

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent."

Little did she realize that he was dedicating that poem to her. Because much like the woman being described in the poem, Charlotte was as lovely as the night itself and her beauty was a harmonious meeting between darkness and light. The light being her kind heart and the darkness being her persistent spirit. Her heart and her spirit. That's what made her the most beautiful woman who had ever lived. Or at the least that's what made her the most beautiful woman who ever lived in his eyes.

"So what do you think?" He asked her when he had finished.

"Beautiful." She answered.

"Yes Lord Byron does have a very charming way with words."

"I meant you."

"I...I beg your pardon?"

"Your voice and the way you sounded when you read that poem, it was beautiful."

Alastor's cheeks suddenly matched the color of his fur and eyes.

"Are you blushing?" Charlotte asked.

"No." He answered covering his face with his hand.

"You are."

"I do not blush. It's probably just very hot in here."