Grabbing a fresh set of aloe leaves, he sighs. “You’re determined to be defiant until the day you die, aren’t you?”

“No…” I wince, anticipating roughness from his fur, but he’s gentle. “I was coming to look for you, to tell you that my sister is in trouble. She’s a princess somewhere, but I think there’s a beast—another beast—that’s about to kill her.”

“He’s not going to kill her,” he says, his voice soft. “He’s going to attempt to make her fall in love with him.”

“What could possibly make you think that?”

“Because he’s my twin brother…”

Splitting the Curse

Gabriel

My last two words hang in the air.

Belle stares at me in confusion and disbelief while I continue addressing her injuries.

We sit in silence as the sun rises outside the windows, and my talons slowly shrink and transform into fingers. The fur on my back disappears, and I can feel my entire body slowly returning into the man I prefer to be.

Her eyes widen as she watches me, and I brace for her to scream again, but she remains silent.

She stares at me for a long while, tilting her head to the side.

“Do you still talk to your twin brother?”

“No.” Just the thought of his existence is enough to send me into a rage. “We haven’t spoken since we were cursed, but if I’m being honest, his punishment is far worse…He’s a beast all the time. He doesn’t ever get a reprieve like I do.”

“Okay…Well, do your henchmen and troops know about it?”

“They know some,” I say. “But they can never know about the creature I turn into on full moon nights.”

“Why not?”

“Because they could never understand anyone who is different from them.” He pauses. “It’s common for troops to rest when we reach a full moon, so that’s always worked in my favor.”

“Well, just so you know…” She pauses. “I think you look better as a beast,” she says.

“Come again?”

“I would still like you if you had to remain that way…” She stares into my eyes. “It doesn’t matter to me.”

“Stop lying.”

“It doesn’t.” The look in her eyes is genuine. “It doesn’t change anything about you, really. You’re still my book friend, and it makes more sense that people call you a vicious beast behind your back.”

“Who calls me that?”

“Me.” She smiles. “And a few others I won’t dare mention.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I make sure the final bandage is tight. “I’ll carry you to your room now.”

“Wait.” She shakes her head. “Tell me about the curse first.”

“It’s a very long story, Belle.”

“Good.” She stares at me. “Those are our favorite types to read together…”

Two Unkind Princes

Gabriel

Several Years Ago

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, my brother Charlie and I hosted lavish parties for only the most beautiful people in our land.