Beast Bride

A Different Approach Part 1

I looked up at Andrian through tear clouded eyes, and my heart broke a little when I saw the expression on his face. He looked so guilty, so heartbroken, and I felt terrible that I was the cause. I wished there was a way for me to tell him that it wasn't his fault, that he hadn't done anything wrong. It was all because of me. Because I was impure and disgusting. I couldn't let him touch me because I was broken.

"Falyn," he crooned softly, "I'm so sorry. I didn't think... I didn't consider that I might be moving too fast for you. I promise I won't force you. I'd never hurt you."

He rocked me gently as he spoke. I tried to muster up a smile, or at least something that wasn't a frown, and reached my hand up to touch his cheek.

No– I shook my head,

It's not your fault– and gestured to him,

It's because of me– I touched my chest to indicate myself and willed him to understand what I was trying to convey. He looked even sadder and squeezed me tighter.

"No, don't you dare blame yourself for anything," he said fiercely, "Whatever happened, it's not your fault. But... does that mean you didn't hate it? The stuff earlier, I mean. I really hope I didn't just assume things and make you uncomfortable."

I had no way to make him understand what I was feeling. All I could do was shake my head vehemently and go back to stroking his cheek. I slid my hand down to the back of his neck and pulled him toward me. He looked hesitant, but he let me pull his face close again. I kissed each of his cheeks, before placing a soft, slow kiss on his lips and releasing him.

"Are you still okay with staying here with me tonight? I could go find somewhere else to sleep if you'd prefer to be alone," he offered, the traces of guilt still visible on his face.

I sharply shook my head and squeezed his forearm. If he was willing, I still wanted him to hold me. I felt safer with him beside me. My head was still spinning from everything that had happened and I needed the comfort of having him there. It was selfish of me, after pushing him away so violently, but I couldn't help myself.

I couldn't voice my feelings, but he seemed to understand that I didn't want him to leave. He shifted our bodies so we were laying side by side on the bed. I was still wrapped in his embrace and using his arm as a pillow. Fatigue hit me as soon as we lay down. I felt him press his lips to my forehead and inhale deeply. He seemed satisfied with whatever he smelled and his body relaxed next to mine.

"Falyn," he whispered as I was drifting off, "Thank you for coming back to me. I was so afraid I'd never see you again."

His voice began to sound distant, but I desperately fought the call of sleep so I could keep listening.

"You were my only friend. Dad and I lived so far from the village and I was so lonely before you came. You brightened my world, more than you could ever know. I wish I had the courage to say these things to you when you're awake..."

I felt like he was on the verge of saying something important, but I just couldn't stay awake anymore.

"... I... you... bond... mate..." were the last words I heard before my consciousness left me.

I fell into a heavy, dreamless sleep.

When I awoke the next morning, it took me a while to figure out where I was. The aesthetics here were so different from the rest of the Palace. The room was plain, like a barracks or a commoner's home, with large windows to let in the morning sun. The room was already bright and judging by the sun's position, I guessed it was either the eighth or ninth movement of ascent.

When I sat up in the bed, I had a clear view of the room and the man sitting at a table near the window, lounging in the sunlight. The beams of light made his dark auburn hair shine a brighter shade of red, like the embers of a dying fire right after the last flame flickered out. I took a moment to admire his lazy appearance as he yawned and stretched, before he turned his shining amber eyes in my direction.

"Ahhh good morning," he greeted me as he finished yawning, "I was about to wake you. Prince Elantro sent us a summons for us to come find him in the meeting room for breakfast. He sent you a change of clothes to wear."

Andrian indicated to a folded pile on an empty chair. In addition to the pile of clothes, there was also a towel and robe. "There's a bathing room down the hall. Go left then it's the third door. When you're done, turn right, pass the hallway you came from, and take the second door. You'll find a place to get dressed there. I've been up for a bit so I'm already washed. Come find me when you're done."

Following his instructions, I found another one of those blue and green tiled bathing rooms with a tub of hot water already waiting for me. I luxuriated in the hot water for as long as I dared before drying myself off and putting on the robe.

Backtracking past the hall I came from, I found the dressing room exactly where Andrian said it would be and quickly dressed myself in the provided clothes. Thankfully, the clothes were simple and designed for comfort this time. The pants were flexible and roomy, the shirt was loose with a simple drawstring collar, and there was a simple yet elegant vest to wear over top. The shoes were simple leather ankle boots that were both practical and comfortable. I somehow looked both noble and common at the same time, but I thought it suited me far better than the expensive, overly luxurious suits I had been provided thus far.

I collected Andrian and we departed for the meeting room.