Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part B: A Vow Of Love And The Challenge

By Kristie Lynn Higgins

Type: novella and the word count is about 45,100 words.
A new approach to the classic fairy tale. The story of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. What if the woman was the one turned into the creature?

A realm of adventure and peril mingled with romance, friendship, and sword and sorcery. Join Pluck in this novella series as she travels through a strange land of danger and intrigue as she finds allies and foes alike in her search to lift her monstrous curse. Begin this action-adventure epic dark fantasy series by reading the first book, Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part A: The Flower, The Sword, and The Kiss. A story like Beauty and the Beast but with more action and menacing darkness.

In the second story, Pluck was desperate to receive the one thing that would end her curse but would Prince Edward give the Kiss to his wife, dooming Pluck to remain in her monster like form? What would Pluck do to them if Edward did betray her?

Beauty Of The Beast Epic Dark Fantasy Action Adventure Sword and Sorcery Novella Series:
1. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part A: The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss
2. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part B: A Vow Of Love And The Challenge
3. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed

Enter a world of fairytale wonder and fantasy adventure as you journey with Pluck. As a child, she saved her beloved prince by taking a curse upon herself. The curse turned her into a feline-like creature called a Necrom, and as a result, she lived in exiled until she was a young adult, but a time has come for her to leave her seclusion and rejoin her prince and hopefully received the one thing that will release her from her curse, the Kiss.

From the first book...

Prologue: A Bit of History

On the planet Terra when recorded history began, Man coexisted with the Necroms. Necroms were intelligent cat-like humanoids. The dawn of this period was known as the First Age of Magic. In the Second Age of Magic, a war broke out between Man and the Necroms and by the middle of the Second Age, Man was nearly wiped from creation. Those who survived fled Wellspring and journeyed across the sea into the unknown, finding new homes and creating fortified domains. In the Third and final Age of Magic, Man established five island kingdoms and named them, Commery, Fletching, Morgog, Swelldom, and Hort.

In the First Age of Metal, Man turned from the lost art of magic to the might of weapons as they discovered iron then steel. Large armies were created, and Man fought amongst themselves, forgetting the Necroms into myth. For generations, the wars continued until an arranged marriage between the two strongest kingdoms of Commery and Morgog ceased the bloodshed, and so Man established the first Emperor and Empress and the tradition of Amalgamation. When both the Emperor and Empress of the Five Kingdoms died, the two strongest kingdoms' heirs married and crowned a new dynasty and so began the Age of Amalgamation.

Enjoy this fantasy science fiction series where Man learns that they are not alone in their world. Fairies, elves, dwarves, and other fantastic creatures abound in Wellspring and come to life.

In this reverse Beauty and the Beast retelling, Pluck as a child is cursed while saving her prince. She is transformed in a cat-like humanoid known as a Necrom, and Necroms are hated and feared by all humans. Pluck must hide away but as she becomes an adult there is a chance for her to receive the one thing that will lift her curse. A reversed retelling of Beauty and the Beast that spans a whole world. Discover new creatures and beings in this epic fantasy reversed retelling fairy tale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristie Lynn Higgins
• Release date: Jan 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311293886

Kristie Lynn Higgins

You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

Book preview

More Series By Kristie Lynn Higgins

Read and/or listen to the first ebook and/or audiobook for free

Shades of Gray (apocalyptic science fiction)

AaBack’s Grimm: Dark Fantasy Fairy Tale

AabiLynn’s Dragon Rite (fantasy adventure)

Monster Of Monsters (SciFi Horror)

Illustrated Mystery

Ronin: Have Sword Will Travel

(female detective mysteries)

Cover Art T-Shirts

Cover Art by Chimera is now available on Redbubble as t-shirts, hoodies, cell phone covers, blankets, and much more.

Check out all the items on Redbubble

Chapter One

The Kiss Revisited

Once Pluck won the contest against Gar the Dreadgon, Edward and Virago left the circle of men, and Lady Flaxen followed.  Edward took the princess by the hand and led them to his tent.  He wanted to get her as far away from the Dreadgons as possible.  Sinew followed after them after he relieved Melee so Melee could tend to Pluck's wounds.  The group made their way up the hill to the tent, and then Sinew and the two Morgog guards stayed without while Edward, Virago, and Flaxen went into the first section of the tent.

Wait here, Edward told Flaxen as he motioned to a few cushioned chairs for her to sit.  I would like to be alone with the princess.

Virago nodded so her lady would wait, Flaxen sat, and then Virago told Edward, I shall be in with you in a moment.  She waited until he went into the next room, walked over to Flaxen, and whispered, What have you discovered?

Lord Caliber told me in the Fletching royal tradition the Kiss is given to the one his or her heart belongs to, but not necessarily the one they shall marry.

Are you saying he has never kissed a woman sensually? Virago questioned.

Most likely, no, since Pluck requested it, but it is probably the only thing he hasn't given away, Flaxen answered.

Flustered at the thought of another woman even a Beast Woman having anything of her husband's, Virago asked, Why does this creature want it?  And why has Edward consented?  A suspicious thought crossed her mind, and she said, The Beast is after something.  Could it be she is after a claim to the crown?  Virago declared, The Beast shall not have a part of the prince's bed, nor shall it have part of his heart.

Flaxen shrugged and answered, I do not know what the Beast wants or why Edward consented.  You shall have to ask him.

A mischievous grin crossed Virago's face as she stated, I shall do better than that.  She stood and told Flaxen, You may return to my tent.  Bring me a change of clothing but leave it in this room.  My plan does not need to be disturbed, at least not by you.

Confused by the princess' words, she bowed and said, Yes, my lady.

Flaxen left, followed by Brio, her Morgog guard, while the other guard remained outside with Sinew to watch over the princess and the prince.

Earlier...

Edward entered the area before his bed chamber and upon entering, he noticed near his bed the Mystic Rose's petals cast an azure glow.  Han must be dead for the Rose showed the color of sadness and sorrow.  Edward would miss the commander, though he hadn't been taught to feel such things about common people.  Still, Han led the High Guards faithfully from his father, King Stark's time to his own.  Han was a good man, and he would regret not attending his funeral.  Edward studied the blue petals of the Rose and knew Pluck had a connection with the Rose.  The tattoo that marked her finger bore proof of that.  One of the few things he remembered from the temple long ago was the markings the Mystic Rose placed upon her, but he still did not know what her connection meant.  He walked to the pedestal and placed his hands on the glass container.  It was time he ended Pluck's curse for all the sacrifices she endured for his kingdom.  Now he only had to explain it to his wife.

Virago entered the bedroom and smoothed her hand across the bed as she walked to him.  She questioned him, Is there a reason you wanted to be alone?

He turned to her and replied, Yes, there is something I must tell you.

Concerning the Necrom? she asked as she placed her hand on his shoulder, moving closely around him.

He felt her body rub against him as he answered, Pluck is not a Necrom.  Edward wanted to embrace the princess and take her to his bed.  It had been far too long since he made love.

She circled him and tried to excite him with her lure, and Virago stated, So you say.

I do, and she is the matter I want to speak to you about, he told her as her perfume scented the air with an erotic aroma. 

Virago rubbed her hand down his back and then around and up his chest as she informed him, There is a matter I wish to speak to you about first.  She smoothed her hand along his stubbly face as she said, I am ready to consummate our marriage.

His eyes widened as he uttered, You are?

Yes, and I wish to do it now, Virago told him as she untied his sash, unbuttoned his shirt, and ran her hand up and down his muscular chest.

He pulled down her dress' shoulder strap, revealing her milky skin and kissed her shoulder.  Between kisses, he told her with excited breath, There is a matter we should speak of first.

It can wait, Virago told him, and then she pushed him to the bed.

He bounced on the mattress and grinned at his wildcat as Virago crawled to him and then she ran her fingers through his shoulder-length raven-black hair.  She stared into his blue eyes, and he gazed back, undoing the braids in her ebony hair.

There should be nothing we hold back from each other, she told him, moistening her lips.

Virago leaned to him to kiss him, but he held back.

Wait! Edward shouted as he pushed away from her and leaned on the headboard.  I must...

She placed a finger to his lips as she insisted, You must be quiet and enjoy our bonding.  You have never loved until you have loved a Morgog Princess.

She pressed her lips to his again and then slipped her tongue into his mouth.  He felt the moist flesh touch his tongue, and it excited him.  His body's wishes overpowered him, and Edward relented and returned her passionate kiss.  He embraced the princess and pulled his body close to hers as Pluck and the Kiss faded in his mind.

* * *

Once Han passed to the next world, Pluck walked up to Edward's tent and two men stood guard.  One was a High Guard and the other a Morgog.  Sinew glanced at her but said nothing only twisted his long mustache.  The tracker had mixed feelings about the Beast.  Was she an ally or a foe?  The Morgog didn't dare make eye contact.

Pluck passed them, went into the tent, and found no one within the first section.  She went into the next section and as she stepped through the next tent flap, she started, Edward, I–

She gasped as she saw Edward and Virago kissing.

Edward noticed her and uttered, Pluck!  He sat up, realized what he had done, and started, I...  I...

A fit of anger she never felt before rushed over Pluck, and she thought about tearing into them with her claws.  She wanted to rend their flesh as they rent her happiness.  She took a step into the tent as Edward looked like he was going to say something else.  Pluck didn't want to hear it.  She only wanted to make them...  Pluck paused from her murderous intent as she caught a glimpse of her rampaging heart.  She realized her beast-self must be bloodthirsty.  She couldn't let the Beast win, so she didn't wait for Edward to finish speaking and fled from the room that closed in on her.  Pluck ran.  She ran from the rage that wanted to tear Edward and Virago apart.  She ran from the grief of losing her chance at a normal life and at losing the only father she ever knew.  Pluck ran from the tent almost knocking over Flaxen and her guard as the lady returned.  Pluck continued out of the camp and into the jungle.  She needed a refuge.  She continued running deeper and deeper into the vegetation until she came upon a clearing and there a Mammoth Banyan stood.  She placed both hands on the large trunk and wept as the unbearable pain and agony drowned her.  Her two greatest fears came true.  She lost the only end to her curse, and Edward lied and betrayed her.  Pluck wept and cried until she could weep no more.

Back in the camp...

Edward rushed to the entrance of the tent but by then, Pluck disappeared into the jungle.  He had broken his word, and he cursed her to remain in that form as the witch had cursed her long ago.  Edward placed his hand to his face.  If he wasn't a man of his word, then what was he?  What kind of King... emperor would he be if he couldn't grant one small request?

Virago walked up behind him with a satisfied grin and embraced him.  She told him, Come and let us finish what we started.  This time tell your guard to have no one interrupt us.

He nodded and went back into the tent, hoping to find comfort in her arms.  There was nothing he could do for Pluck, and it made him feel disgusted with himself.  Edward returned to his bed, then he and the princess consummated their marriage and afterward, they both stared up at the tent ceiling.

A satisfied expression crept across Virago as she turned on her side and faced the prince.  He hadn't spoken since the Beast found them.  She started, Not that I did not enjoy our lovemaking, but it did not seem you were with me body and soul.

He didn't look at her as he admitted, I have done a terrible thing.  Edward turned on his side and placed a hand on her hip as he explained, As Prince of Fletching and soon-to-be Emperor of the Five Kingdoms, I gave a promise that if Pluck saved you from the Dreadgons I would give her my first Kiss.

Virago hid a grin and she spoke as if she didn't know about the Kiss, Oh...  I guess it is my fault as much as yours.  She stroked his cheek as she told him, Surely there is something else you can reward the Beast with.

You do not understand, Edward insisted as guilt washed over him, and he rolled on his back.  I had promised this to her when we were children so when the witch cursed her, it became the only thing that would redeem her.  He couldn't get out of his mind the look Pluck had given him when she walked in on them, and then Edward continued, Now I have cursed her.  I have cursed Pluck to remain as a beast and endure everything that goes along with it.  He closed his eyes as he questioned her, If I am not a man of my word, then what am I?

Virago rolled on her back as her scheming and jealousy faded.  She thought the Beast wanted the Kiss so she could claim her husband's heart.  She didn't know the truth of the matter and jumped to conclusions.  Virago turned her back to the prince.  What would her mother think of her if she was alive?  Was she so petty and so uncaring that she couldn't help someone?  Virago pulled her covers close.  Pluck saved her from the Dreadgons and this was how she repaid her.  She grew increasingly disgusted with herself the more she thought about what she had done.

Chapter Two

Han Departs

The sun set, streaming the sky with orange and red as a few men lit torches and handed them out.  An entourage of High Guards carried the body of Han their Great Commander, and they were followed by a mixture of sailors and soldiers.  Ardor, Fracas, Parry, and twenty others mounted horses as the new commander led the way.  They would journey half a sun's cycle and erect a wooden platform to send off Han's body in consuming flames.  Melee and Sinew stayed behind to protect the prince.  The men of Fletching were somber and many were filled with great sadness for the loss of their famed hero.  Even a few Morgogs lowered their heads, respecting the fallen warrior as his death convoy passed them.

Fracas rode up beside Ardor as the bow tied to the back of his saddle bobbed with the horse's movements.  Concern covered the red-bearded man's face as he questioned, What if the prince needs us?  Should not more of us stay?

If Melee, Sinew, and the Morgogs are unable to handle it, I gave Melee the Mountain Ram's horn, Ardor replied as his face remained tight as many things plagued his mind.  Weary from the events over the last few sun's cycles, he said, I am commander now.  It is what I have worked for and yearned for my entire soldier's life, but this office is bitter to me.  It is bitter like bile.  He glanced at the Head Archer and told him, "You are right.  More should stay but since the beginning of the High Guards, this tradition has been honored even to the point of halting a war to perform the