It’s True After All

Belle

I’m officially burning a hole in the bedroom floor with my incessant pacing and waiting. I’ve never longed for anything as badly as another touch and kiss from Gabriel, and I’m honestly willing to say, “I belong to you,” if it means I’ll never have to suffer through this agony again.

Sola has unfortunately evolved into a warden overnight, and she’s only let me leave the room to relieve myself.

While she watches from close range…

Tonight, she’s being “lenient” and allowing me to spend the night in the library.

The moment the henchman shuts the door, I read one more chapter from Chaucer and slip behind a shelf Gabriel showed me.

It’s a stairway that leads to the kitchen, so I stand and wait until the voices of the staff cease.

Pulling a cloak over my head, I press my back against the dim wall and slowly make my way back to the north wing, then to the study.

Slipping inside, I shut the door behind me, and the rose blooms sparkle once more.

“Gabriel?” I call out. “Gabriel?”

No answer.

I move forward into the office where I last saw him, swallowing as I take in all the damage.

The mirror remains atop the desk, glimmering.

Gripping its handle, I stare into the broken glass—wanting to see what made Gabriel so upset, but nothing happens.

“Show me the girl,” I say, repeating his words, and suddenly the handle heats and a fog covers the glass.

An elderly woman in a grey hood appears, and a smile spreads across her face.

What the hell is this thing? I watch as she tilts her head to the side and taps her hairy chin.

“Who are you?” I ask. “Are you the girl?”

“Not at all, Beautiful.” Her eyes gleam. “I’m someone who is about to have some fun. Tell me what you want to see.”

Confused as to what she means or why she’s trapped inside this glass, I decide not to overthink things.

“I’m looking for my friend, Gabriel. Could you tell me where he is?”

“I could…But that’s such a basic request.”

“He’s who I want to see.”

“Oh, I’m sure he is.” She softens her tone. “I’m sure he needs to mar more of your skin with kisses, correct?”

“Could you please tell me where he is?”

“Ask me for something else first, someone else you’d want to see again.”

I roll my eyes, ready to put her down and resume looking for Gabriel on my own, but she speaks again.

“How about your mother?” She asks. “That one is on me.”

“I know what her tombstone looks like,” I say, feeling a sudden ache in my chest. “No, thank you. I appreciate—”

I stop talking as her face dissolves into darkness, as the glass shows my mother walking inside our kitchen, holding a pink blanket in her arms.

Me…

“You’re so beautiful, Belle,” she kisses my forehead. “Don’t you ever let anyone tell you any differently…” She begins to sing the lullaby that’s inscribed on the back of my locket, but the haggard woman returns before she can finish the first line.