Read Online The Eye of the Beholder by Elizabeth Darcy - Free Book Online
Authors: Elizabeth Darcy
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servants must have hidden the objects in order to protect them from my wrath. The fireplace was flanked by bookcases, empty now for evidently no one had yet made a trip down to the library to choose books to fill them. Next to each bookcase was a door. An exquisite settee upholstered in blue velvet and two matching wing chairs had been arranged in front of the fireplace.
The right door led into a large dressing room in which stood a massive polished wardrobe. I pulled it open and saw that it was filled to bursting with gowns in silks, satins, and velvets in every conceivable color. Matching slippers were lined neatly along the floor of the wardrobe. There was also a large chest, which held an astonishing array of ribbons, lace, and other bits of trimming, and a gleaming case filled with an impressive collection of jewels. On one of the walls hung the object of my dread: a large looking glass in an intricately carved and gilded frame. I kept my gaze carefully averted lest I catch an unwelcome glimpse of myself.
A second door opened from the dressing room into the bathing room, which was large and airy, but warm, due to the enormous marble fireplace. There was a large silver tub and many wooden cabinets stacked with towels, soaps, and fragrant oils. I turned left and exited through the door, which led me back into the bedchamber.
Closing my eyes, I blocked out the sight of the chamber. I was assailed by a wave of memories, by visions of the splendor and the beauty that had once adorned every last corner of the castle. With an impatient growl, I hurried from the chamber and back into the dank corridor, feeling an enormous sense of relief as I was once more surrounded by darkness and gloom.
The chamber had been far too light, a chamber fit for the presence of a vibrant, lively soul. This was a threatening thought, for the castle had long been inhabited solely by shadows. Light had been banished, lest it make visible the hideous beast and wraith-like servants who scurried around it corridors, eager to avoid their master.
For one of the few times in my life, I felt a sense of uncertainty, of hesitation. Did I truly desire to break this curse? Could I even fathom what would become of me if I did? It had been so long since I had last been human that I could not help but doubt that I would know what to do if I were to become one again. So much time had passed. I had seen so many things and horded such bitterness and anger, that I did not know if I truly wished to return to my human form. Perhaps it might be better after all to simply watch the sands run from the hourglass, to allow the ceasing of my long, slow torment.
This morbid thought did not occupy me for long; I was simply not built for it. My sense of self-preservation, though dimmed, was still quite strong. I would not let the enchantress win, no matter the cost to myself. Surely it was impossible that life in my human form could be more miserable than life in my beast form and, even if it were, at least I would have triumphed over the enchantress. I had already lived three hundred years in a state of anger and abject despair, solely to spite the enchantress. What was another fifty?
I determinedly turned my thoughts to the situation at hand. I had not the slightest doubt that either the wanderer or his daughter would come, and but a few days were left until the imminent arrival of the castle's newest inhabitant. The only question was whether the wanderer's sense of self-preservation or his willingness to sacrifice himself for his daughter would win out in the end.
My mouth curled in a feral grin as I thought of the wanderer's agony, and a derisive animal howl of delight leapt from my throat. What utter stupidity to care for anyone other than one's own self!
The shadows lengthened as I moved away from the maiden's chamber and returned to my own quarters. No matter how I tried to resist them, my mind returned to thoughts of the maiden, and I briefly considered going to
The right door led into a large dressing room in which stood a massive polished wardrobe. I pulled it open and saw that it was filled to bursting with gowns in silks, satins, and velvets in every conceivable color. Matching slippers were lined neatly along the floor of the wardrobe. There was also a large chest, which held an astonishing array of ribbons, lace, and other bits of trimming, and a gleaming case filled with an impressive collection of jewels. On one of the walls hung the object of my dread: a large looking glass in an intricately carved and gilded frame. I kept my gaze carefully averted lest I catch an unwelcome glimpse of myself.
A second door opened from the dressing room into the bathing room, which was large and airy, but warm, due to the enormous marble fireplace. There was a large silver tub and many wooden cabinets stacked with towels, soaps, and fragrant oils. I turned left and exited through the door, which led me back into the bedchamber.
Closing my eyes, I blocked out the sight of the chamber. I was assailed by a wave of memories, by visions of the splendor and the beauty that had once adorned every last corner of the castle. With an impatient growl, I hurried from the chamber and back into the dank corridor, feeling an enormous sense of relief as I was once more surrounded by darkness and gloom.
The chamber had been far too light, a chamber fit for the presence of a vibrant, lively soul. This was a threatening thought, for the castle had long been inhabited solely by shadows. Light had been banished, lest it make visible the hideous beast and wraith-like servants who scurried around it corridors, eager to avoid their master.
For one of the few times in my life, I felt a sense of uncertainty, of hesitation. Did I truly desire to break this curse? Could I even fathom what would become of me if I did? It had been so long since I had last been human that I could not help but doubt that I would know what to do if I were to become one again. So much time had passed. I had seen so many things and horded such bitterness and anger, that I did not know if I truly wished to return to my human form. Perhaps it might be better after all to simply watch the sands run from the hourglass, to allow the ceasing of my long, slow torment.
This morbid thought did not occupy me for long; I was simply not built for it. My sense of self-preservation, though dimmed, was still quite strong. I would not let the enchantress win, no matter the cost to myself. Surely it was impossible that life in my human form could be more miserable than life in my beast form and, even if it were, at least I would have triumphed over the enchantress. I had already lived three hundred years in a state of anger and abject despair, solely to spite the enchantress. What was another fifty?
I determinedly turned my thoughts to the situation at hand. I had not the slightest doubt that either the wanderer or his daughter would come, and but a few days were left until the imminent arrival of the castle's newest inhabitant. The only question was whether the wanderer's sense of self-preservation or his willingness to sacrifice himself for his daughter would win out in the end.
My mouth curled in a feral grin as I thought of the wanderer's agony, and a derisive animal howl of delight leapt from my throat. What utter stupidity to care for anyone other than one's own self!
The shadows lengthened as I moved away from the maiden's chamber and returned to my own quarters. No matter how I tried to resist them, my mind returned to thoughts of the maiden, and I briefly considered going to
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