Page 119 of Evil Hearts

Mari

L ife in the cave was so unlike village life, yet so similar. There was still work to do, more than ever before, but there wasn’t the constant sense of doom hanging over my head.

The first few days I feared the beast would change his mind and send me away. That I’d wake up and find myself on the path just outside the village. That he’d carry me kicking and screaming to those who were so ready and willing to throw me away. That he’d tire of me and send me into the woods without protection or direction for the animals to have.

Instead, I woke up most mornings alone. He stayed away until late into the night. I was ordered to not leave the cave without him and off he’d go.

The first night, he came back with clothing he must have taken from the village. A pair of too large slippers, some dresses that fit a bit too tight across the chest. He brought me small animals he’d killed to feed me. The wood pile was always stacked with more wood than I could use on any given day. A bucket of water appeared one day and was refilled by the morning.

That wasn’t to say I had nothing to do. Once I had enough materials, I fixed the slippers to fit my feet. There was the fire to tend, the floor to sweep, and animals to be prepared for meals. It was difficult to preserve the hides in the cave, but I did my best.

I was sleeping on the cold stone floor near the fire when I felt Beast curl up behind me. He gently drew me to his body, and I settled into him. That was my favorite part of the day. I was becoming restless and lonely in the cave. I tracked the passage of time through the vent hole in the ceiling of the den. Weak sunlight filtered in, the moonlight faded away to nothing.

“I’d like to leave the cave,” I told Beast. “I won’t spend forever locked away.”

“Sleep,” Beast grumbled, using his paw to push my head into his broad, soft chest.

“No.” I pushed away from him until I could sit up. I remained pressed against him, soaking in his warmth and presence. “Either you take me with you or I go on my own.”

“It’s not safe.”

“You can keep me safe,” I pushed. I would go mad if I didn’t get sunlight and a chance to really move. The cave wasn’t small or cramped but the same stone walls and lack of real light was driving me insane.

“Please, I need it. I promise I’ll do whatever you say to stay safe but I cannot stay in this cave another day.”

“I’ll consider it.” When I went to argue again he held up a paw. “ No, your safety is my priority and I need to know you will be safe.”

This time when Beast pulled me down, I allowed him to settle me into the safety of his arms. He ran his claws through my hair. We laid there for a long time before I finally drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke the next morning Beast was still there. The fire was down to embers, letting a chill in the air. I moved to add wood to bring it back to flame.

“No,” Beast said. “Today, we’ll go out. You must do exactly as I tell you.”

I flung myself at him, arms wrapping around his thick neck. My face buried into his fur as I fought back tears of relief and joy. I was going to leave the cave. I was going to see the sunlight and hunt berries and get to explore the woods that were always forbidden for women to enter. I was going to have a taste of freedom like I’d never experienced before.

“Thank you, thank you.” I muttered into his neck. His large arms wrapped around me and he lifted me off my feet in a large, tight hug. Just as quickly, he set me down and disentangled himself from me.

“Come, let’s go.”