The Beauty and the Beast (1st book of Fantasy Series)

Chapter 29- Belle's POV

A/N: I promise. I am working on this story. However, I have been working on others more. If you want me to update this before I actually do, feel free to tell me to update, but please give me about three days to do so.

Thanks

~Rissa

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I kept my dog close to my chest while I ran towards the stable, ignoring the fact that I was getting wet. Tears and rainwater streamed down my face, and I couldn't tell which one was which because they mixed together before I could taste them.

My vision was blurry while I ran, but that didn't stop me from making it to the barn and opening the stable door, even though my hands were shaking so hard that I was surprised I could open it.

My horse snorted and banged against the stall door that he was in. He banged against the door again and let out a trumpet whinny, warning everyone that he was still a bit wild and would protect what was his, and that he would protect his space against anyone, including me.

"Easy, Riser," I said, my voice barely above a whisper and quivered in pain and sadness. I cleared my throat and licked my lips while I rushed to his stall, even though I knew that it would send him to become a little more protective of the space he was in because he felt "threatened."

However, I had to get out of here; I had to leave fast because I had no idea what the king would do if he saw me still on his land.

Riser snorted and bobbed his head while he pinned his ears. He rolled his eyes until they were close to the back of his head and bobbed his head again. He whinnied and bucked, lashing out at the back of the stall.

"Riser!" I exclaimed and fiddled with the handle of the stall door, keeping Pippa tucked close to one side of my body to keep her safe and away from this stallion. "Easy!" I opened the stall door, and Riser snorted and burst out, almost hitting me if I hadn't moved out of the way in the nick of time. "Easy!" I said again and moved towards him with one hand raised. My voice quivered, and he pricked his ears towards me while he looked at me, the manic look in his eyes leaving as soon as it came.

Riser stopped bucking and snorted while he shook out his body to relieve some tension and stress. He slowly walked over to me and stopped again while he moved his head towards me after he stopped moving. Slowly, he breathed in and out while he took my scent and whickered in greeting when he knew that it was me and not someone else.

His whole body grew relaxed, and I could tell that he knew that he was safe, even though I had barged into the stable, which was not like me at all. He whickered again in greeting and nudged me, looking for treats.

My bottom lip quivered some more, and a tear escaped, but I kept my composure more than I thought I could. "Sorry, Bud," I said while I shoved his face away from my pockets. "I don't have anything at the moment."

Riser grumbled but stopped trying to find something because he knew that I wouldn't lie to him. He flicked his tail in annoyance but stayed still, even though he looked at me begrudgingly.

I cleared my throat and wiped my eyes, ignoring Riser's attitude. "Come on," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's time to go, Rise." I set Pippa on his back before I ran into a corner of his stall where I had hid some items, covering it with hay that Riser had left over and wouldn't eat again.

I pushed the hay away before I unwrapped the cloak that I had wrapped my stuff in to reveal a bow and arrows, my knife, a gun that held some bullets, and my satchel that held food and whatever else I had brought with me. I wiped my eyes while I put them on because I had no idea what the future would hold for me and prayed that there was some way that I could still be alive after all of this.

My horse walked over to me and nuzzled my shoulder, gently. He breathed out, his warm breath fanning half of my face while he nibbled at my ear.

I didn't say a word and pressed my hand against his cheek and pushed my face closer to him.

"Thanks, Bud," I said, finally, my voice barely above a whisper. I cleared my throat when it cracked. "I know that I can always count on you whenever the time arises."

Again, my horse nuzzled my face and breathed out. He didn't say a word, or a word that I couldn't understand, but I could tell that it was time for us to go before we were caught in the king's wrath because I hadn't left when I was supposed to.

"There's no time for a saddle or bridle, Bud," I whispered and got the rest of the stuff on me. I set the bow and arrow over the cloak, praying that they wouldn't get damaged in the rain and flicked my hood over my face. "I guess we're going to have to just use a lead rope."

Riser didn't say a word and watched me stand. He let me hook the lead rope on his halter that he already wore and stayed still while I hopped on, making sure not to kick my dog off of him.

I picked my dog up and set her in front of me, knowing full well that she would have trouble staying on if I didn't. "Come on, Riser," I said and dug my heels into his side, and Riser burst out of the stall with no trouble at all. "Let's go home."

And with that, we left, leaving my heart here where it laid into a million pieces because I couldn't do what I was set out to do.

I'm sorry, I said silently and ducked my head in shame, and a tear fell from my eyes. I'm sorry that I couldn't teach a man how to love again. Please, forgive me.

Please.