Beast in Shining Armor (23 page)

She
studied him from the corner of her eye and made a face.  “That’s the only
possible
answer that could’ve gotten you out of the doghouse.”

Despite
everything, his mouth curved.

“Don’t
look so pleased with yourself.  You still haven’t won this damn thing.”

“I
don’t care about winning the sword.  I care about winning
you.
”  Avenant
told her honestly.  Being open was like ripping of a bandage.  Once you got
going, you might as well get it all over with fast.  “I thought if I won the
game, you’d surrender.  But, that’s not what I want, anymore.”

“It’s
not?”

“No.” 
He scraped a hand through his hair and made his choice.  There
was
no
choice.  Belle was only prize he’d ever cared about winning.  “Fuck it.  You
can have the Icen Throne.”  He decided.  “I forfeit.”

Belle’s
eyes went wide.  “What?”  She sputtered.  “No!  Avenant,
no
.  The
kingdom’s always been yours.  I’ve only been fighting you for it to…
fight
you for it.  It’s just part of the game.”

“The
game’s over.  I’ll pull the sword free and
you
can claim it, Belle.”

“You
don’t mean that.”

“I
do
.”  Avenant was after something far more important and he could only
have victory if he was unafraid of losing.  Unafraid of being laughed at. 
Unafraid of emotions.  The further he went beyond the walls, the easier it got
to say the words.  “I’m sorry I let this get so far.  I just wanted to win, so
you’d see I wasn’t weak.”

She
squinted at that logic.  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I
know.”  It sounded nuts even to him, now that he stopped to think about it. 
His idiot father had been dead for years and he was still screwing up his
life.  “Getting a sword might prove that I’m strong, but I don’t think it’s
what you want.  You need to see I can be
more
than strong.  That I can
be
worthy
.”  He took a deep breath.  “So, I’ll surrender everything
--the Northlands, my pride, this whole fucking contest-- if I can just have
you.
”

Belle
stepped closer to him, looking dazed.  “You’ll surrender the game?”  She
whispered.  “I’m really that important to you?”

How
could she even ask that?  “There’s
nothing
I wouldn’t surrender for you,
Belle.  You’re the most important part of me.  Every thought in my head is
about you.”

Chocolate
eyes glistened with tears.  “Really?”

“Really.” 
Avenant touched her cheek.  “I am insanely in love with you, you idiot.”

A
huge grin spread across her face.  “You love me?”

“Of
course.”  It shocked him that she needed to hear the words.  Three vision-impaired
mice could’ve seen that he was head over heels for this woman.  “I don’t
remember a day of my life when I haven’t loved you.  You shared your crayons
with me in kindergarten and I was a goner.”

Belle
swallowed.  “Okay.”  She announced and stopped directly in front of him.  “You
win.”

Avenant’s
brows drew together at the unexpected response to his declaration.  “I’m not
trying to win.  I just told you that.”

“Well,
I’m declaring you the winner, anyway.  Now that I think about it, whichever of
us surrendered first was bound to win.  Now, you get to hold it over my head
forever that you took the leap of faith before I did.”

Avenant’s
heart rate increased.  That actually sounded promising.

“Of
course, there’s one little problem with your romantic plan.”  She pointed out,
ruining the moment.  “If I got the sword, wouldn’t you be Prince of the
Northlands,
anyway?
”

“Only
if we were married.”  He focused on securing total victory.  “Speaking of
which, I want to get married.”

“That’s
a coincidence.”  Brown eyes sparkled.  “To me or to my new kingdom?”

“The
Northlands has nothing to do with this.”  He groused, even though he knew she
wasn’t serious.  “I just
gave
you that kingdom, didn’t I?  If that’s
what I wanted, I just keep it.”

“See? 
Already
you’re holding it over my head.”

He
ignored her teasing and pressed onward.  “I know you don’t love me back.  I’m
not asking for the impossible.  Nobody would ever want a Beast.  But, if you’ll
marry me, I can make you happy.  I promise.”

“Hang
on.”  Belle stopped smiling.  “I wouldn’t marry someone I didn’t love.”  She
seemed confused by the very idea.  She must have seen his disappointment,
because she frowned.  “What are you talking about, Avenant?  Do you honestly
not understand how I feel about you?  I think I’ve been telling you since the fourth
grade spelling bee.”

“But,
I can change.”  He assured her desperately.  “You said yourself we could be
friends, now.  If you would just give me a chance…”  Avenant stopped mid-word,
the Beast’s instincts firing up.  “Someone’s coming.”

Belle’s
head whipped around to the chamber’s entrance.  “Great.  Perfect timing.”  She
blew out an irritated breath.  “Just kill whoever it is, because I want to
continue…”  She trailed off when Lancelot appeared.  “Crap.”  She muttered, her
gaze fixed on the gun.  “I didn’t expect that asshole to be a villain, either.”

Monkey
:  I’m not saying that Prince Avenant was the one who
bumped him off.

Folks were
always chasing Weasel, so it coulda been
anybody
who wanted to shut him
up.

But, that
night, Weasel and me were at the Mulberry Bush Saloon and I thought it was all
in fun.

Then, a
couple of bullets came through the front window and
POP!
goes Weasel.

Defense: 
Objection!  Your honor, we’ve
established that Prince Avenant has an alibi for that whole evening.

He didn’t even
know this Weasel person or any of his gangster friends.

Why is my
client being blamed for
every
crime in the kingdom?  Is this a trial or
a witch hunt?

Testimony
of Mr. Monkey
- The People of the Northlands vs. Prince Avenant

Eight
Months Ago

Life
plus a century.

When
the wizard had slammed his gavel down and delivered Avenant’s sentence, Belle’s
stomach had dropped to her shoes.  She’d never thought it would be so harsh. 
It wasn’t what she wanted, at all.

“Wait!” 
She’d surged to her feet, disregarding the gaping onlookers.  “That isn’t
right.  Avenant isn’t really a criminal.  Well, technically he
is,
but
he shouldn’t have to spend the rest of his life in jail for it.  He can be
rehabilitated.  He can be saved.”

Avenant
had turned to stare at her, his expression unreadable.  They had him
handcuffed, a magic inhibitor on his ankle so he couldn’t use his powers to freeze
them all.  Not that he’d done that, even when he’d had the chance.  When Belle
showed up in his castle with her rebels, he could have attacked her.  He could
have struck her down and won.  Instead, he’d slowly held up his hands.  Rather
than harm her, he’d let her arrest him.

She
had no idea why, but she knew it was important.

“Avenant
deserves a second chance.”  Belle had told the judge, even as he ordered her to
be quiet.  She couldn’t stop.  She was the one who’d set this into motion and,
now that she had her victory, it felt worse than defeat.  “Maybe he could do
community service or something, instead.”  She’d suggested desperately.  “Avenant
could learn to be a better ruler.  He just needs some help.”

“If
we let him out, he’ll only come after the kingdom, again.”  Lancelot had
snapped from his seat in the front row.  “This is the only way to keep the
Northlands safe.  We even gave him a trial, which is more than most Bad folk
get.  He’s guilty and he deserves to rot in a cell like any other monster.”

Belle
had ignored him.  “Sending Avenant to prison forever is such a waste.  He’s so
smart
. 
So gifted.  If he tried, he could be real prince.  I
know
he could.”

“He’s
Bad.”  Lancelot had proclaimed righteously.  “No one Bad could ever lead a
kingdom.  These lands must be kept safe for the Good people of the Northlands. 
As their new prince, I will…”

“Rosabella
Aria Ashman is in charge of the kingdom, now.”  The wizard had interrupted. 
“She was the one who dethroned the Beast.  She now takes his crown, under the
law.”

“I
don’t want to be ruler.”  Belle had shaken her head.  “Hang on.  That’s not
what this was about.  I just wanted to beat him.”

Avenant’s
jaw had ticked.

“What?” 
Lancelot had been stunned by the judge’s proclamation.  “That’s impossible! 
I’m
the prince, now.  Everyone knows that!”  The wizard started rattling off
legalese to justify his decision, but Avenant’s cousin wasn’t listening.  “
I
am next in line to be prince, not some
woman
.  I’ll fight this in every
court in the land!”

The
wizard hadn’t cared.  He’d made his ruling and nothing they said would sway
him.  In retrospect, Avenant’s family really shouldn’t have confiscated the
man’s summerhouse and turned it into a putting green twenty years before.  The
judge had swept into his chambers with a self-satisfied swirl of his robes. 
Lancelot had stomped out of the courtroom in a rage, the musty smell of armor
wax wafting after him.  Guards had yanked Avenant to his feet, ready to
transport him to the Wicked, Ugly and Bad Mental Health Treatment Center and
Maximum Security Prison.

…Belle
had hightailed it to the ladies room.

She’d
been standing there for ten minutes, still trying to work things out in her
mind.  She braced her hands on the sink and tried to figure out her next move. 
Avenant was going to jail.

There
was suddenly a huge void in the center of her chest.  Avenant was the most
important person in her life.  She hated him, but everything she did was
because of that bastard.  Belle woke-up in the morning with new ideas to fight
him on.  She spent her evenings planning vengeance for his evil tricks.  She
dreamed about him every single night.  As mad as she was, the thought of never
seeing Avenant again was…

The
door to the restroom slammed open and she knew who it was without even looking.

Belle
lifted her head and met Avenant’s eyes in the mirror.  “Don’t.”  She said
quietly, suspecting that this was going to get messy.  “We have enough
problems.”

He
answered by securing the lock and silently stalking closer to her.

Belle
swallowed as Avenant came up behind her, his gaze on hers.  “You should
escape.”  She told him.  “I won’t try to stop you.”  He must have already
gotten away from his guards if he was in here with her.  The handcuffs were
gone, too.  There was time for him to slip away.  “Or maybe I could get you a
pardon.”

He
had a better idea.  Avenant grasped her arm and turn her around to face him. 
His body crowded hers against the counter, pressing her legs apart with his
knee.

She
stared up at him, breathing hard.  But, it wasn’t from fear.  “They’re going to
find you in about five minutes.  This is insane, even for you.  You’re about to
be taken off to jail.  Get out while you can.”

He
ignored that and knelt down before her.

Belle’s
eyes widened as he pushed up the hem of her practical suit.  “What are you
doing?”  She blurted out, even though it seemed obvious when he yanked off her
underwear.  She became so wet, so fast there was no way he didn’t notice.

“I’m
having my last meal.”  His voice was an erotic rasp.

“You
can’t.”  Frantic, she glanced towards the door and said the first thing that
came to mind.  “We’re in a public building.”  There were a thousand
other
reasons why this was a Bad plan, but it was hard to concentrate on specifics
when new sensations were bombarding her.  The heat of his breath against her
core had her heart racing.  “Avenant, you can’t do this.”  She automatically
tried to close her legs, but his head was in the way.

Avenant
kept going, tugging her skirt to her waist and baring her to his gaze.  At
prom, he’d been so tender.  Now, he was just determined.  “You’re not locking
me in a cell before I taste you.  No way in hell.”

Belle
struggled to think.  Everything was going too fast.  “People are out there!”

“Call
them in to help you, then.  Tell them to save you from the Beast.”  His lips slid
higher and Belle stopped trying to shove him away.  Instead, she felt her
thighs instinctively shift forward to give him a better angle.  “Beautiful.” 
Avenant leaned in to kiss her inner thigh.  “It’s not fair that you’re always
so fucking beautiful.”

Belle
bit back a whimper.  “You should be smart and use this opportunity to go out
the window or something instead of…
Oh
.”  His mouth sealed over her and
Belle arched in desire.  “Oh,
God
.”

He
growled against her and it just increased her rapture.  Ever since prom she’d
been fantasizing about him touching her again and this was better than she
could’ve dreamed.  His tongue was doing things Belle hadn’t even read about in
books.  Her hand clenched in his hair, holding on for dear life.  In an
instant, she was on the verge of the biggest orgasm of her life.

“Please.” 
Belle’s hips undulated against the relentless suction of his lips.  She was
going to come right there in the courthouse bathroom.  Come for a man who she
almost completely detested, and who’d sent men to terrorize her, and was
probably only doing this for revenge.  She was going to come against his mouth
in a matter of seconds, like her body had been starving for him.  All of that
should have been enough to make her stop, but she couldn’t.  It was the most
incredible…

“Ms.
Ashman?”  One of the knights standing guard pounded on the door.  “Are you
alright in there?”

Belle
froze.

Avenant
lifted his gleaming gaze to hers.  He knew he had her and he was going to take
full advantage of it.  She could see satisfaction all over his smug face.  His
teeth grazed her ultrasensitive flesh and she jolted, trying not to cry out.

He
smirked, kissing her deeper.

“I
hate you.”  She hissed, even as she rocked against him.  Jesus, what was she
going to do?  He wasn’t going to stop and she
couldn’t
.  Her body was
poised right on the brink.  She was going to come for the Beast of the
Northlands.  It was inevitable.

“Ms.
Ashman?”

“Y-y-yes?” 
She bit down on her lower lip and hoped her voice didn’t sound as shaky as it seemed. 
Avenant licked her core and Belle’s head went back, banging against the
mirror.  The overwhelming tightness gave way to small tingles and she knew she
was about to…

Avenant
eased back, because he was sadist.

“You
son-of-a-
bitch.
”  She panted.

Avenant
ignored that and started the whole process over.

“What
did you say, ma’am?”

The
guard was going to hear everything of this went on much longer.  Belle squeezed
her eyes shut, her system screaming for release.  “Please.”  She whispered
again, unsure if she was begging for Avenant to stop or to go on.

Avenant
answered by spreading her legs wider and claiming even more territory.  Belle
let him.  He could have anything, if only he gave her the climax that was
looming.  It shimmered in front of her eyes and she whimpered at how close it
was.

The
guard tried knocking, again.  “Prince Avenant has escaped, ma’am.  We’re
conducting a search.”

“Ummm….” 
She couldn’t even process the man’s words.  The tremors were beginning, again. 
Her body bowed in anticipation, her breath coming in pants.

“Ma’am,
are you okay in there?”

“Just…
give me a minute.”  Belle somehow managed to call.  “Please.”  She whispered to
Avenant.  “If he gets in here, he’ll see us.”

“I
don’t care.”  His voice was deeper than usual, his eyes an electric blue. 
Avenant kept driving her higher and she forgot about protesting.

Belle
twisted in his grasp, trying to find relief.  Everyone in the kingdom could’ve
walked through the door and she would’ve been helpless to push him away.  Not
when she was right on the brink of something
amazing
.

“Unlock
the door, ma’am!”  The guard started trying to knock down the door.  “You could
be in danger.”

“
I
said give me minute, goddamn it!”

Avenant
smiled.  He loved it when she was bitchy.  His fingers tightened on her hips,
dragging her closer.  His mouth ravished her harder and faster and Belle
started begging.

“Please.” 
She gasped, close to sobbing.  “Please.  Now.  I need you,
now
.”

His
expression softened for a flicker of time.  “Not as much as I need you, my
love.”  Avenant found the tight knot of her desire and she lost the capacity to
speak.  He gently bit down and Belle exploded.

She
dimly processed his palm large coming up to cover her mouth as her body went
into total meltdown.  Her shouts were captured against his fingers and her body
opened up to him completely.  Tremors shook her as Avenant drained every drop
of pleasure from her, leaving her replete.  When it was over, she sagged
against the counter, still gripping his hair as he lapped the moisture from her
skin.

For
a timeless moment, it was all just… right.

“Why,
Bella.  I think maybe I was wrong about you.  I think you might be a
Bad
little girl.”  Avenant said smugly and then he was standing up.  Blue eyes met
hers.  “Next time, I’ll be inside of you.”  His hand brushed against her
swollen flesh.  “I’m done being patient.  Next time, I’ll take
everything
that’s mine.”

The
man was insufferable.  He’d done this just to prove he could.  Just to
humiliate her.  “There won’t be a next time, because you’re going to jail,
idiot.”

“You
really think you’ll ever get rid of me?”  He loomed over her.  “You think this
plan of yours will work?”  His thumb did something and another aftershock of
desire rippled through her.  “I dare you to keep me in that prison for long.”