The Beast (16 page)

“A bit out of your element with her then.” Laramie chuckled. “Lady Liv Calland is bored. At her age, she should be using her good looks and noble-born education to snag herself a good marriage. Instead she’s cooped up in this castle and the only decent match available to her is ruling over a cursed kingdom—and himself imprisoned. Like most occupants in this castle, I think she’s just eager for distraction.”

“Prince Aleksander is her only decent match?” Belle didn’t like the icky feeling that idea placed in her stomach.

“Actually, the Prince and Lady Liv would be a very good match.” Monsieur Petit nodded to himself at the idea. “It’s why her family came to court in the first place.”

“They didn’t come because of the King’s death?” Belle raised her eyebrows, the unpleasantness in her stomach expanding. “Edvina said that’s why so many of the noble families escaped the curse.”

“That is true. Only Lord Ostrem was not so fortunate, as he’d accompanied the queen into the villages the day it all happened.” Laramie tipped up a finger like he was discussing some bit of history. “House Calland, however, had arrived days prior so that Lady Liv and his Royal Highness could become better acquainted.”

Swallowing hard, Belle’s eyes drifted to the floor.

Noticing her silence, Laramie looked down her at from the corner of his eyes and added, “Prince Aleksander is the only one here
not
looking for distraction, unfortunately for House Calland.”

After ascending many more stairs, passing several shut doors and bowing servants, they reached the entrance to the library. Two looming white doors with gold handles barred her entrance.

“This is where I leave you,” Laramie said as her guards moved past to open the doors. “Stay as long you like. When you’re finished, your guards will walk you back to your room.”

The doors swung open with immense gravity and Belle heard nothing more that Laramie said. Eyes wide, her hand went to her chest to see if her heart still beat. “Oh, my.”

Books, two floors worth, spanned walls that reach endlessly away from Belle. She stepped onto the marble floors, past massive, pink-marbled columns with solid gold tops and bases. Laramie instructed the guards to silently close the doors behind her, but she paid no notice of them.

The ceiling was comprised of a series of separately painted domes. Belle stared up into the one above her. Baby blue skies were the backdrop of purple-hued clouds. Beautiful angels, dressed for pleasure in a vibrant array of colors, lazed upon them. Their white and gold-tipped wings reflected back the library’s natural light. They laughed and mingled—many of them were reading. A white Pegasus was bursting through the clouds, to the delight of those around it.

Tears danced on Belle’s eyelids. The painting was so beautiful, she could hardly look away. But she did, forcing her gaze onto everything else. A lightness of spirit she hadn’t known for some time settled into her.

She walked over to a hand painted globe, so immense that it would take at least two men to spin it. Her fingers grazed over the edges, alighting on the most amazing details of each region. Then her eyes turned to the walls and Belle moved farther into the library.

Each wall was a sectioned bookcase. Their awnings looked like crowns made of gold waves. The books were kept neatly on each shelf, not too tight and not a one laying lopsided; they covered every topic, in every language. At the end of each bookcase, a new case angled into a high arching window. Of which, each had its own gold crown. Glorious natural light spilled in to illuminate the entire library. It was the only source of light. There was no place for lamps and candles here.

“Might I help you find something?” The female voice came from behind, rattling off the stark silence and nearly startling Belle half out of her wits.

Belle spun around to face the speaker, fighting the quickening of her heart. Seeing the petite woman, Belle was surprised yet again. She was thin and a few inches taller. Her hair was drawn up into a severe bun and tiny bifocals rested on a mouse-like nose. Shockingly though, she wore men’s clothes. Her vest was green and black over a white shirt. Her only other accessory was the tight, ebony gloves that she wore.

“Madame?” The woman asked and Belle realized that she’d been gawking.

Collecting herself, Belle extended a hand. “Mademoiselle, actually. Mademoiselle Belle LeClair of Glace.”

“Ms. Tops of the Library,” she said with a smirk and politely shook Belle’s hand. At Belle’s raised eyebrow she explained. “I am the Librarian of this castle and my father was before me. He raised me here. My life is this library.”

“Oh, and your father, has he retired or does he work alongside you?” Belle noted the streak of gray in the woman’s hair.

“No, he passed away five years ago.” Ms. Tops’ Vakrein accent was thick and un-lightened by the years of practice many of the castle servants had.

“I’m so sorry.” Belle frowned. “The curse?”

“Nah, heart attack,” Ms. Tops said matter-of-factly and waved a hand. “Now, tell me, what are you here to read?”

“Anything on Norse Mythology, specifically the norns.”

The Librarian pressed her lips together and turned to walk away. “You’re just like Aleksander then, only interested in one thing—the curse. Gods help me, I hope I get some interesting readers someday.”

Shocked by the woman’s formal use of the Prince’s first name, Belle followed dubiously after. Gold reliefs edged the white walls, the top corners of which were inlaid with the golden heads of kings, queens, angels, and gods. They guided her eyes back up into another section of domed ceiling. Similar to the other mural, angels lounged happily among the clouds. It was like each domed ceiling was actually a window to heaven and she was simply getting a glimpse of one small part.

A pink, white, and gold archway was the entrance into the center of the library. On each side was a slow spiraling staircase. Belle stopped as they reached the closest.

The library’s circular center was lined with books, but here were also many bronze and gold statues. There was a woman with large wings, clothed in battle armor, and carrying a spear. An older man sat upon a throne with one raven perched on his shoulder and the other on his forearm. Another woman beyond him rode in a chariot, her eyes looking far beyond the library. Yet another statue was a hulk of a man. He carried a mace and a battle ax, as well as a massive broadsword at his side. Like the other statues, he wore a helmet in the shape of wings. His back was draped in bear fur, the head of the animal biting his shoulder. From its ear hung a large gold ring. Next to that statue—

“They’re Norse gods and Viking royalty,” Ms. Tops interrupted Belle’s revere. “Come along now. I’m curious to see if you can find something the Crowned Prince hasn’t.”

He looked up, meeting her eyes. A smile quirked his lips and Belle couldn’t prevent herself from smiling in return. “I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was eager to hear what you thought of our great library. I would have given anything to have been with you when you first saw it.”

“I wish you had been there.” Belle walked over, laying her hands gently on the globe’s wooden frame. “Glorious, your Royal Highness. There is no other word for it.” She looked into his eyes, trying to convey the full wonder of what she felt. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“My Offentlig Rådgiver had said you were awestruck, that you had no words.” Aleksander said, using Laramie’s official title.

“Oh, I was.” Turning away, Belle cast her gaze back around the library taking in every bit of its majesty. “But this entire castle makes me feel that way. Everything in Contefées is much smaller in comparison. Only the mountains and the cathedral even come close to the grandeur that is everywhere here.”

“And what word would you use to describe Ms. Tops?” He came around the globe, keeping just feet away from her.

“Shocking,” was her gut reaction.

“That she is.” He still smiled as he gazed intently upon her.

Thinking of the woman’s confidence and pert manner, Belle added, “And wonderful.”

Aleksander laughed, its sound was hearty, from deep in his chest. “I knew you’d like her.”

“Oh I did. Very much.” Belle turned around to face him, her skirts ruffling around her movement. Pressing her chest out slightly, she added playfully. “Perhaps I shall start adorning men’s fashions.”

He looked down at her, his voice came out like warm honey. “And what a sight you would be.”

Belle looked away as a heavy blush filled her cheeks. She put a hand on her chest, attempting the calm the sudden excitement there. “Your Royal Highness—”

“Mademoiselle,” he cut off whatever nervous reply she was about to mutter. He stepped even closer, reaching out like he almost meant to reach for her, and said softly, “I’d like very much for you to call me by my name from now on.”

Feeling a warmth mingle with the strange nervousness that Aleksander brought out of her, she dropped her hand and clasped them at her front. “Then you shall call me, Belle, from now on.”

He nodded and looked at her with unguarded eyes. Their openness tugged at her, wanting to pull her in. Not for the first time since the garden, Belle wondered at the unfamiliar way he made her feel. But this time, she also wondered at how he felt about her.

The sound of footsteps drew Belle’s eyes up as she neared the bottom. A young man approached with purpose. He watched Belle with confident and curious eyes. At the base of the staircase, he met her.

“My sister did not exaggerate when she spoke of your beauty.” He reached out, taking Belle’s books. “And she would know, being the pinnacle of beauty herself.”

“Is it Lady Liv Calland that you speak of?” Belle asked, taking his cue to be forward. The man was of noble birth, or at least wealthy, judging solely upon his fine clothing.

“It is.” Supporting the books in one arm, he snatched up Belle’s hand and pressed his lips to her glove. “Lord Audun Calland, at your service.”

Calculating eyes stared through dark lashes at her. The man was handsome, there was no doubt. He had a slimmer frame than Aleksander or Gastone. His hair was also kept short, every strand in its proper place. He straightened, smiling at her with dashing white teeth. But his eyes held Belle’s attention. His body language, his voice, was kind, but the coldness in his eyes ruined the facade.

“What brings you to the library, your Lordship?” Belle asked, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling he cast upon her.

“You.” He started toward the hearth, carrying the books with ease. “The servants said you were using the library and I thought I’d come meet you.”

“And you are not required to have guards at all times.” Belle inquired as she followed him. “Especially when around me?”

The moment they came within the fireplace’s radius, the heat from it was tangible. As expected, the hearth was larger than normal. One could stand on the opposite side of the library and see the enormous blaze from across the room. The fireplace was elegant in its design with a gold and white frame. At the crown of the frame was the torso of an armored angel. She was fierce and beautiful. Her large white wings were spread out, fading into the woodwork.

Audun set her books upon a small table next to a high-backed, velvet red chair. It was precisely where Belle had intended to do her reading.

“I am not as delicate as my dear sister.” He faced her again, patting a jewel encrusted dagger at his hip. “I see you are in fact researching the curse as the servants have been saying. Any luck?”