The Monster & The Beast: Tales of Evermagic, #4

By Jessica Lorenne

Serren finds herself trapped in a manor with a Beast who looks more like a monster. But when she realizes the true beauty of his heart, she is willing to do anything to stay with him, even if it means looking like him. But will he accept her even after she’s broken the curse? Or will he deny her, forcing out the creature lurking inside her, so a true monster is born?

Hunter goes after Serren when she’s disappeared into an enchanted wood. What he finds instead is a temperamental lioness, and a mischievous doe. What is more––they can talk. Now trapped with them he slowly learns there is more to their curse than simple magic, and he might be the key to saving them all. If only he can figure out how.

The curse of Beauty and the Beast has been cast on twins now barred from one another by a magical barrier, but are their heroes the Beauties or could they possibly be the Beasts?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Lorenne
• Release date: Jan 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507593424

Book preview

PRAISE FOR THE MONSTER & THE BEAST

Jessica Lorenne has a habit of outwirting herself with each new novel, and The Monster and the Beast is no exception. Gripping and enticing, Lorenne explores what it means to be beastly, what it takes to be a monster, and the complexity of healing. Quick, precise, and full of thrills, Lorenne leaves you with an ending that will leave you feeling utterly human.

––Sunny Leete

The Monster And The Beast.png

Copyright © 2014 Jessica Lorenne

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner, save for brief quotations in printed reviews without written permission in writing from the author.

All characters are fictional. Any resemblance to actual people is coincidental.

Cover design by Jessica Lorenne

Copyright © 2011-2012 by Sorkin Type Co (www.sorkintype.com),

with Reserved Font Name Metamorphous.

***

For Nanna

my sister, my ally, my confidant.

Special Acknowledgment to Sunny,

Thanks for not letting me get away with anything.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

Once upon a time...

Sometimes, I dream of a garden blooming. It is full of blue phlox flowers and dust the leaves of the darkest green. They are all around my feet poking out from hedges beside polished stone steps. In their language, they mean sweet dreams and the uniting of souls. They are the shy way of asking for one’s hand in marriage. 

In my dream, I sit among them and wait, dressed finely in silver and nervous. A shadow looming and dark comes. He is in the shape of a man but isn’t a man. He is cruel and sad, but so warm with a tenderness I have never felt before.

Every time we meet, he drapes a pendant about my neck. I am never afraid. Not even when his head bends low beside my ear and he whispers to me words I only dream in his voice. Words so precious, and yet always crushed by the ones that follow. I always wake up fearful, wondering, and dreading the new day.

I had a potion for a time that repelled the attractions of men––my employers. It worked some but never long enough. And I have to move on...again... Until the day I meet that shadow among the phlox flowers with the pendant around my neck. He will whisper the words every woman secretly desires and then crush them with the ones they fear. He will be the one I won’t want to use the potion on and the one who won’t need it to be chased away.

Rose and Ulrich smiled at a young woman who sat beside Hunter. He, however, brooded and ignored their suggestive stares best as he was able. It had been some months since the new queen was married to her huntsman. And with that, it'd only been a week since the witch Nim and her betrothed, Newt, had come. After all this time, they were intent to help wrap up the plans to save young people from abusive homes.

They were riding together to visit the prince and princess of Frisna. During their stay, they were to finalize the preparations for Nim and Newt’s wedding. He'd complained of how long it was all taking. But Nim wasn't about to be cheated out of the wedding she’d dreamt of since little. What girl of their time, in a world of fairy tales, hadn’t been planning such an event all her life?

Hunter gave a nervous side-glance at the young woman that sat beside him and wondered. Had Serren been one of those little girls? She was so quiet and so serious. It was hard to imagine her daydreaming about love and romance. When he glanced back at Rose, he frowned. Her smile was more mischievous than before. He growled at it, muttering something about meddling little sisters under his breath. But Serren was calm, ignoring the prying gazes of Hunter’s newly found family with a practiced silence.

Then, there was shouting from above, a high pitched squeal, a pop, and finally a slap. No one paid it mind, though. Not even the rocking of the carriage disturbed their ride. It was not the first time Newt had tried to make a move on Nim during their journey. At least they were sitting on the carriage’s outside seats this time. When it happened last, they were inside where others could get caught in the crossfire.

Reminded by the last time Nim had popped Newt with a magic spell, Rose turned to Ulrich and checked his hand. He had used it as a shield to protect her from the spurts of magic and was wounded for it. His gaze slid to her worried face when he noticed. And smiling small, he turned her hand in his and kissed it. The gesture silently reassured her that he was as fine as he was when it first happened and she sighed.

There was barely a mark anyway, proof that Nim was only warding off Newt’s attempts rather than trying to punish him for it. She had been apologetic when Ulrich was hurt. But she and Newt were banned to the outside seats for the rest of the trip nonetheless. It was their way of shameless flirting. He teased, and she reacted with warnings. But they were more of an excuse to practice defensive spells. Even after all her encounters with bad magic, she refused to learn combative ones.

It was all very awkward for Serren. She hadn’t wanted to join the party in the first place, but Rose was an adamant sort that was very difficult to say no to. Not to mention a queen. She felt Hunter studying her again. She made him nervous, she knew. The others were oblivious to it, though. And why shouldn’t they be? They’d never felt her anger before. That tangible sickness she tried so desperately to control. But sometimes, it was something she used to defend herself with. It wasn’t magic. Just a feeling she could use to make others want to stay away from her. But there were some not even it could dissuade from coming after her.

You know, Rose said after some time. You are quite striking, Serren...

Serren blinked and slowly tore her gaze from the window. When she had managed it, her round eyes rested on Rose. Her hands sweat a little, and her stomach sucked in. Oh? Her breath was airy, though she knew she shouldn’t be afraid of the compliment. But these kinds of comments always made her uncomfortable. And the more experience she had with them, the more afraid of them she became. Um. Thank you, she managed and quickly looked away.

Rose blinked to notice her discomfort and gave a frowning glance at Hunter. He didn’t look at her but rested his chin in his palm and stared out his window. Rose was right. Serren was striking. Her skin looked like porcelain when she was wearing the right colors. She had an oval shaped face, high cheekbones, a straight nose, gray eyes, and cool brown hair. It was often tied back in a sharp bun that was usually seen on a strict, ill-tempered governess. Somehow, it made her look sleek and even more statuesque rather than mean and cross. She sat with a stiff straight posture every high-ranking mother wanted her daughter to have. And with that, was so still she might be glanced over and mistaken for the statues she resembled. Though, when she was noticed, people stared. And that made her as uncomfortable as the compliments.

You work as a servant? Rose asked, trying again for conversation.

 Serren––in pain to be addressed but knowing Rose was relentless––turned to face her. She placed her hands in the center of her lap and met eye contact with her. She didn’t know how to make conversation any other way. Yes, Majesty. Rose had asked her not to address her so formally, but there were some things Serren was not going to give up. These people were being kind in their own way, but she couldn’t consider them friends. I get work where I can, for as long as I can, and send most of my earnings to my father and sisters.

That is very noble of you, Rose offered, doing her best not to get unnecessarily excited. Hunter had warned her that Serren would find her passion exhausting if she wasn't careful.

Perhaps. It gives me a chance to travel. I have enjoyed seeing most of the kingdoms now, Serren replied. The carriage rocked again with a groan but only for a dip in the road and only caused brief discomfort for the passengers within.

You said you get work for as long as you can. Do you have trouble keeping your positions? Rose asked, tilting her head. Are you not very good at it?

Rose, Hunter sighed, a little exasperated but mostly irritated for her prying.

I am very good at my job, Majesty, Serren assured her. I make a point to perfect that which I do. I am very rarely let go, but often must leave of my own choosing.

Why is that? Rose asked, her interest now piqued.

Serren frowned. She glanced at Hunter and found him looking glumly at her.

I am not willing to lower myself to keep a position, my lady, she replied tactfully.

Rose drummed her fingers on her knees and gave a cool glance at Hunter. Have you ever worked for him? She asked. Since learning about Hunter’s promiscuous past, Rose found every reason and every moment to tease or accuse him. The method was always whichever matched her mood at the time.

No, my lady. Though he was one of many a scoundrel friend with one of my employers, Serren replied coolly. Hunter winced and glared at her, but she was unmoved by him being insulted. Though I do owe him, my lady. For saving me the one time I could not protect myself, she continued. The look in Hunter’s eyes softened then. And then, with a sigh, his frown became more melancholy as he stared out the window again to watch the trees blur by.

A grayness overcame the two, and Rose felt it best not to poke the subject with her curiosity. When she moved to try to make new conversation, Ulrich took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She pouted at him but knew. He was gently warning her to please leave the girl alone. When she looked back at her, she understood why. A distant pain had entered in Serren’s eyes, one that she could not be distracted away from.

How much further to your friend’s castle? Hunter asked. He was not liking remembering that night Serren mentioned. Save her? Hardly. He acted more out of fear of her than chivalry and had lost an advantageous relationship in the process. Not that it mattered anymore since he’d left that life behind.

We are in the city, Rose replied. Hunter sighed and slumped in his seat.

Serren smirked at his show of impatience and patted his arm. Thank you for letting me join you. She didn’t like that they had made her ride with them but wasn’t foolish enough to not be grateful. It would have taken me longer to walk.

Rose grinned, a little too excited that she was talking again. There was plenty of room. Though. She glanced out the window. It was twilight already. It’s late. I think we’ll ask Nicolette to let you have a room for the night, she mused.

I do not mean to impose, Serren’s face fell, not attracted to the idea.

Oh no! Rose laughed, and Hunter gave her a warning glance. Seeing it, she cleared her throat, finding it a nuisance to always be monitoring herself. Nicolette won’t mind, she continued in a lower and calmer voice. Nicky will not mind. And from what I understand, her husband is most eager to please her. We won’t have any trouble from him. She saw Serren’s lowered gaze and clasped hands, trying to not let herself get irritated by her constant display of discomfort. It’s a castle, Serren, she reminded her. There will be available rooms.

Serren sighed and looked beside her at Hunter. There was a helpless glint in her eyes he could only shrug at. There was nothing he could do. Though he knew Serren would be more comfortable at an inn, he couldn't do anything to save her. At an inn, she wouldn't be made to interact with strangers. Staying with Rose, however, meant she'd have to indulge her a little longer.

The carriage stopped then. Rose didn't wait for the door to be opened but pushed it herself and hopped down onto the pebbled ground. She looked back and smiled to see Ulrich followed. Hunter came next and then helped Serren. He was not a practiced gentleman. But there was something about her that silently demanded the best of all around her.

Princess Nicolette waits for you and your party, Majesty, a servant informed Rose. She nodded at him and took Ulrich’s arm as she started off in loud quick steps.

Hunter sighed after her and Ulrich. The poor man was practically dragged alongside his sister. At least his legs were long enough to keep up.

Still at the carriage, Newt jumped down from his seat with a loud crunch against the rocks. Hunter and Serren turned to watch him catch Nim as she jumped down to him. With a smile and nod to them, they grabbed hands and ran after Rose and Ulrich. Nim’s laughter was high and bubbly as they passed the king and queen of Geran and Newt's grin one of adoration.

After a moment, Hunter turned and offered Serren his arm. She accepted it and let herself be led ahead under the starlight. Her gaze found the sky as she listened to the soft rumblings on the pebbles under their feet. She liked night the most and wondered at the moon’s round face. It was a wolf’s moon. Large and lovely. According to legend, it meant change and magic. It meant the impossible was about to happen. Though, in a world of fairy tales, nothing was ever truly impossible.

CHAPTER 2

Nim once suggested to me that I might be living in a fairy tale. Was that why men would not leave me alone? Was that why I was cursed with this beauty which seems to draw them in? People would hate me for wishing my looks away. They can’t understand. Just as I don’t understand the things that burden them. It is not easy being sought after all the time. And if you knew what that was like... To learn that––every gift, glance, touch, and word suggested something, meant something, expected something––you’d hate it too.

I discovered very early that men who gave me things expected something in return. That pressure has become unbearable so that I can no longer accept anything from anyone. Not even kindness. It’s no way to live. To be paranoid and analyze every move a person makes. Wondering what it is they really want from you. I want to scream at them. I want to tell them. Don’t they understand what they’ve done to me? Do they not see how lonely I’ve become because they have made me trust no one!

Thinking about the night Hunter saved me brought it all back. If it were not for my father and sisters, I would go away deep into a forest and live the life of a hermit. Being alone is better than being lonely. At least that way I made the choice. But I have to take care of them. I can’t let them starve...

Rose! Nim! A sweet birdlike voice all but sang in her joy. Serren clutched Hunter’s arm when a lovely young woman hurried to them. She wore no crown. But