Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast(16)

“Good,” Conall said with a sigh. “I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay, your highness. How did it go with the young lady?”

Conall closed his eyes, clinging to the memory of her green eyes, and the adoration she shone upon him. Hannah never looked at him that way. How could a few days together have such an impact?

“She’s perfect,” Conall said. “It went well. Too well. I almost let her stay too long.”

“That isn’t your fault, your highness.”

“I know,” Conall said with a sigh. “Thank you for your help, Edan.”

“Anytime. You know that my family and I owe you ours lives. I’m happy to help.”

“You don’t owe me anything but your friendship.”

“We do, though.”

Conall shook his head. He hated to hear Edan speak that way. It was his duty to look after good people.

“Edan,” Conall called.

“Yes?”

“Look after her while I’m away. Just check on her from time to time and make sure she has what she needs. She mentioned being in between homes. I fear she might be in financial trouble.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure she makes it through the winter, comfortably.”

“Do your best to keep Lennox from her, will you?”

There was a brief silence. “I will try.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Conall ended the call and sighed. At least he had someone to check on her for him. He glanced at the sky. The moon was visible in the daytime just before the Winter Winds came to ravage his kingdom. He squeezed his eyes shut against the pain in his chest.

Like an itch that he couldn’t scratch, the pain tormented him, and it was stronger than ever now that winter was settling in.

He ran his hands through his hair and closed his eyes against tears once he looked down to see clumps of his thick black hair laced between his fingers.

It had already begun. His sickness was manifesting, and there was nothing he could do.

Conall balled his hand into a fist. At least Allyn didn’t have to see him like this.

He’d never felt such an intense spark with any other woman. Why did he have to feel it now?

With her.

Timing was never on his side, and winter was his least favorite season.

Winter was when the curse did its most dastardly deeds.





CHAPTER 9


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TWO WEEKS PASSED, and Allyn hadn’t heard a word from Prince Conall. She just clung to the promise he’d made her. Their time together kept entering her mind and making her smile. She wasn’t sure why he couldn’t be with her during the winter season, but she forced herself to stay busy.

She sat on the couch, reading a book while Aude and Khia curled up together and watched a movie. A ringing of the doorbell startled her. She looked up but relaxed when she remembered that she no longer had to worry about the debtors. They’d already taken everything from her. She had nothing left to give.

There was an odd solace to that.

Khia frowned. “Who could that be? Are you expecting anyone, babe?”

“No,” Aude said, shaking her head as Khia crossed the room, her black heels clicking along the dark wooden floor.

Conall? Hope sprouted forth and Allyn perked up, closing her book. She sat on her knees and watched Khia go to the door. Her heart was in her throat as the anticipation flooded her body. Please. Please.

When she opened the door, Allyn gasped. The color drained from her face.

No.

A tall, thin man with shaggy brown hair stood there, his once dreamy brown eyes red-rimmed as they looked Allyn’s way.

“Baby,” Byron called, stepping inside the door, barely acknowledging Khia who was the same height as him.

Khia put her hands on her hips and glared at his back. “Excuse me,” she said. “But no one told you that you could come in.”

He held a hand out to her. “Just give me a minute. I’ve come for Allyn.”

The nerve. How dare he come back after weeks with no word?

Allyn stood from the couch as he approached. She shook her head, backing away. “Taking me where? We have no home. You made sure that I ended up with nothing.”

“Darling,” he said, smiling.

Allyn pursed her lips as she looked at him.

“I am not your darling anymore.” It hurt to say that after giving him her body, heart, and all of her money. Tears stung her eyes but she willed them away. “God, I’m tired of crying over you, Byron. You can’t just come back and act as if nothing happened.”

“I know, baby. Come here.” He approached her, his arms wide. “I’ve missed your pretty face.”

“Where have you been?”

He wrapped his arms around her, ignoring her question as his hands smoothed her back “You smell delicious,” he said, kissing her neck.

“Don’t touch me.” Allyn pushed him away, her brows knitting. “Are you high?”

Byron shook his head, though she could smell it on him. “Of course not. I’m good.”

“Then what the hell are you smiling about. The landlord evicted us and the debtors came and took all of our stuff...the stuff I worked my ass off to pay for.”