Home > Work > Beauty and the Beast (Timeless Fairy Tales, #1)
21 " You look so much like a cat, it occurred to me. Do you have a tail?” Severin dropped his silverware and stared at Elle in horror. “It’s a natural, scientific inquiry, "
― K.M. Shea , Beauty and the Beast (Timeless Fairy Tales, #1)
22 " Being that I am of a high intellect, I find cursing distasteful and ill mannered. If that were not the case, however, I would compose a creative, innovative ballad of cursing and recite it at this moment,” Elle announced, "
23 " Once upon a time there was a handsome prince who was cursed by an evil witch. No. Once upon a time there was an illegitimate prince—the son of the King—who was sentenced to insanity by a wicked witch and was rescued by the curse of a beautiful enchantress. "
24 " Just wait and see. Come. We will dress you for war. "
25 " You spent the afternoon offering me nuts.” “I was being considerate—you might have experienced a change in tastes after being bitten. Haven’t you heard of werewolves?” “An angry squirrel is hardly a werewolf.” “One never knows. Magic is growing unruly.” “We "
26 " I was merely curious.” “Allow me to recommend the candied nuts. I believe you will find them to your liking.” “Touché.” “Indeed. "
27 " Ah, yes. And the chateau staff’s fixation with forcing Severin and me upon each other continues. Emele "
28 " Let me tell you something, missy. You young maidens now days get misty-eyed thinking about true love and the fathomless adoration you will share. It’s not like that. Real love is looking at someone and knowing that you wouldn’t mind waking up to their bad breath for the next century, and you are fine with them seeing you before you brush your hair and fix your face for the day. "
29 " Mademoiselle Emele told me to stay with you. “I see.” Elle said. Emele’s ability to boss me about even in her absence is quite impressive. I wish one day I, too, could cultivate such a presence. "
30 " Either I have begun a slow decent into madness, or my eyes are going. First the stained-glass window, and now this? It must be my eyes. Prince Severin does not play in the dirt. "
31 " The Intruder was plaguing him like a flea—both physically and mentally. He "
32 " It will be a nuisance if he even suspects I spare the merest moment to ponder the Intruder, and he would willfully misinterpret it. I think of her only because I am concerned with their security. The thought was so lame and uncertain in his own mind, it made him growl. "
33 " This might not be what Emele pictured, but if I’m supposed to prod him from his self-imposed exile, I’m going to select a winning strategy rather than a conventional one. After musing over it for a few hours, Elle had decided that the best way to befriend His Illegitimate Highness Prince Severin, based on his personality and her observations, was to be as inconspicuous as possible and steadily invade his life. If she made him uncomfortable along the way, so be it. In fact, that would be preferred! "
34 " Are you hoping to accomplish something by glaring at the stairs?” Elle "
35 " Strange things happen here. Elle thought. Prince Severin plays in the dirt, and now he’s willing to play the part of a pony? It was all most unsettling. “Good? "
36 " When she finally opened her eyes, she did so to the surprising sight of Prince Severin placing a vase of daisies at her bedside. My invasion into his life must be succeeding, or he would have sent the flowers with a servant. Right? Her head was such a muddied mess Elle wasn’t sure how she felt about the possibility, "
37 " He shifted uncomfortably. “No. I inquired after you when you did not appear at dinner.” She could have giggled with poorly contained glee. Yes! A successful invasion indeed! “You missed me!” she crowed. “The wretched dog missed you,” he said. “I don’t believe he let go of my waistcoat the entire meal.” “Poor Jock. "
38 " A truce then?” she asked. Severin glanced up. “We are friends again?” Elle asked. Severin twitched his whiskers again, this time in amusement. “If you wish.” “I "
39 " Severin frowned at the leafy green twigs shoved in a vase that Elle had brought him that day. She had run out of flowers, and resorted to clipping branches from bushes. He could see the flattened leaves the maddening girl had no doubt rubbed. She is like a burr—once she brushes you, she is difficult to dislodge. He "
40 " He knew she wasn’t the simple servant she pretended to be. She was too clever, too smart. She could keep pace with him—something Lucien didn’t have the stamina for. "