I attempt to scream and swallow water, and Sola grabs my hand and pulls me down deeper.

Looking up at the surface, I see flames continuing to hit the water, and I feel like I’m moments away from drowning.

Sola pulls me under the drawbridge and pushes me up through a gap for air.

She pats my back as I choke up water, whispering words I can’t quite comprehend.

As the dragons continue to circle the moat, I look up and spot Izzie watching the scene from a tower.

The look on her face further confirms all I need to know.

She’s not giving up a chance at being a princess for anyone…

The dragons fly by once more, lower this time, and Sola pulls me under again, leading me toward the causeway.

When I’m able to resurface again, I realize I’m not alone. Tobias and the other soldiers are cramped under the space, too.

“Are we free to break the curse my way now?” Gabriel says on my left, and I can’t tell if his tone is amused or furious.

I know better than to answer his question, though.

It’s rhetorical.

“I admire you for trying to help me, Belle,” he whispers. “I have to handle this alone, though. Stay here.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to protest. Instead, he clears his throat and addresses his men. “Just as we practiced, gentlemen. Take no prisoners and leave the beast to me…”

He slips from under the bridge, and within seconds, the slashing of swords and fired gunpowder conduct an awful symphony.

One Final Petal

Belle

Rounds of thunder are roaring like ferocious lions, and lightning is dancing across the skies. Pained screams and moaning are only feet away, and I can still hear swinging swords and gunfire in the castle.

“I think we may need to get comfortable staying the night here,” Sola whispers, rocking back and forth. “We’ll find out who won in the morning, I guess…”

I sigh. “What happens to your family if Gabriel doesn’t win?”

“I’ll have to learn to live without ever seeing them come to life again.” She buries her head against her knees, sobbing softly.

I shake my head and look out from under the bridge. I know better than to ask her to come with me, so I slip from under the covering and follow the sounds of gunfire.

Pressing my back against the stone walls, I pick up a sword from a dead soldier’s belt and slowly make my way inside the castle.

Every piece of furniture lies overturned and destroyed, and the staircase ahead is crumbling piece by piece.

Gabriel’s soldiers are completely oblivious to my presence, focusing instead on fighting a swarm of metal statues that are striking on Beast’s behalf.

Getting on my knees, I crawl down a dimly lit corridor in search of Gabriel.

It’s still not too late to fix this…

When I reach the end of the hall, I find myself facing a broken staircase, so I grip the railing and start to climb.