1. Elle

ELLE

T hey don't go to the brick wall. No one in the village does. Since I was a little girl, everyone has warned me not to go to it or even to look at it. And if you happen to find yourself close to the wall, run as fast and as far away as you can. The magic from the beast creeps beyond the wall, but not by much.

The wall itself is miles long and so high that you can hardly see the castle beyond it. There's a single entrance, an iron gate somewhere in the woods, that you have to use to get past the wall, if for some reason you want to go to the castle. Of course no one does. No one who values their life approaches the enchanted area, let alone searches out the gate. You can easily see the wall from dirt roads in the village. Although some may pass it, they keep their eyes away, their heads bowed, and silently and quickly pass. Everyone is sure not to provoke the enchanted area. Those who do, don't come back to tell their tales.

The magic is dark. And it's all due to the beast.

Decades ago, a witch came and delivered the beast to the prince. Within hours, the sky grew dark as the witch's storm approached. The prince and all who resided in the castle fled. Dark witches are rare and often dealt with quickly and severely by their own kind. But the prince was not lucky enough to have an enchantress to aid him and his people. He offered himself in exchange for the safety of the village. And the witch greedily accepted. She fed him to the beast and laughed wickedly in triumph.

Her evil reign was short-lived. It took only two days for the witches to hear of what their sister had done. Once they'd learned, they came immediately and imprisoned the witch with bindings of magic then lit her aflame.

But the damage had already been done.

The sorceress could not bring back the prince, and the beast could not leave so long as the enchantment lasted. She promised a day would come when the curse would be broken, and she quickly left taking what little hope the people had with her. With the sorceress gone, the beast was left to reign. A darkness descended over the castle and the mist remained.

At least that's what we're told. Of course the beast does not come past the wall. They say he used to, that he tried to rule. But the people rose against him. Outside the walls, the magic is weaker, and the beast could not defend himself against the people. He retreated to the castle, beaten and badly wounded. Foolishly, some thought they'd be able to end the beast within the castle walls. They stormed his estate armed with their weapons. The men and even a few of the women went to crucify the beast. They say the screams could be heard for hours as he slaughtered and tortured the trespassers. Only the women came back to tell of the massacre.

FOR THE LAST NINETEEN YEARS OF MY LIFE, I've heard these tales and been warned to stay away. The thing is though, I'm not a very good listener. So while no one else was interested in exploring the enchanted area, I was obsessed with it. Although I'd never seen the gate nor heard or seen the beast, I'd witnessed the swirls of darkness that move through the mist as I crossed the dirt roads. I didn't bother to hide my intrigue and maybe that pleased the magic because I'd often be rewarded with melodic songs from the forest as I gazed along the bewitched wall.

For months, I'd wander a bit into the forest and lean against the trees. I'd watch as flowers picked themselves up and floated toward me until the wind blew them just beyond my grasp and they disappeared behind the wall. The vines that grew along the wall would twine with one another and travel through the forest.

I feared the vines the most because they often came toward me, and I wasn't sure if it was due to curiosity or if the vines had intentions of their own. Once, when I was enthralled by a tree that moved its boughs for the squirrels as they barreled by each other in their playful manner, I didn't notice the vines. I didn't see them weaving together to form a rope. I didn't notice as they crawled along the dirt floor of the forest toward me. I didn't even feel them as they wrapped around my ankle. Not until they tugged me toward them.

My heart stopped beating and I screamed in terror. As soon as the sound escaped my lips, I regretted my reaction. The forest went still and everything retreated, including the vines. In a frightened blink all the magic had left. I apologized profusely and willed the forest to entertain me with its magic, but to no avail. I walked to where the vines laid on the dirt and gently picked them up, stroking the dark green leaves. They did not respond.

I was genuinely sorry that I'd frightened the magic, and I told them so, but it was not enough for them. I felt hollow and miserable that I had ruined such a beautiful thing. I hung my head and let a few tears escape. The magic must've sensed my sincerity; the vine in my hand sprang to life and gently brushed the tears from my cheek and chin before moving back to its place on the wall.

I admit that the fear kept me safely away from the mist and therefore away from the wall, but in that moment I had a burning need to touch the bricks. As I approached, the dark fog subsided, granting me passage, and I nervously touched my two fingertips with a kind gentleness to the cold exposed brick. A quiet calmness spread over me as I dragged my fingers along the wall and led myself farther into the forest where I'd never ventured. I breathed deeply, suddenly very relaxed, although a small voice within me was pleading for me to go back. To turn around. It warned me that I was not safe. But I did not listen. I could not. I was entranced, and I let the urge to seek out the secrets of the wall take over my body.

The vines along the brick spread themselves and crept along the wall with me. It was as though they were following me, wondering what I was doing. The trees grew thicker around me, making it difficult to see where I was headed. But I maintained my slow pace, all the while trailing my fingers along the brick until I saw a break in the forest ahead. The autumn leaves crunched beneath my feet. I must've been walking for quite some time because the sky darkened and a chill blew through the air. I wrapped my arms around my bare shoulders, cursing myself for not dressing warmer. The brick wall ended just outside the forest as I'd hoped it would.

The dark green vines stayed on the brick and two small flowers bloomed just above my hand. I stared at the beautiful pink petals, trying to gather the strength to touch them and wondering if I should pluck the flowers.

After all, the magic made them just for me.

My fingertips gently touched the delicate petals. A sense of profound calm washed over me, and the stem fell to my hand of its own accord. I brought the bloom to my nose and filled my lungs with the sweet floral scent. A soft smile played at my lips, and I silently thanked the magic and placed the stem in my satchel.

I always thought the gate was sealed shut with magic. The men who'd lost their lives decades earlier were the ones who were able to climb the gate. At the time, it was unbreakable and sealed with a magical force. The tellers of the tale were convinced that the magic allowed those men to climb the gate in an attempt to lure them to the beast, because when the screams started and the men ran back to the gate, climbing it in an attempt to escape, the vines wove in between their hands and the iron rods, tying their bodies to the gate and forcing them to stay on the beast's side. The beast who they'd sought to kill. The magic held them there until the beast came for them.

Recalling the story did nothing to disrupt the easiness that ran through me. Even as I imagined the screams of the men as the beast's claws dug into their backs and his teeth clamped around their necks, I did not feel frightened. My fingers grazed the cold iron, and I stared at its beautiful and intricate detail. I let out a small sigh in admiration of its beauty, and I did not react when the creaking indicated that the gates were moving, granting me entrance. After all, it seemed so natural that they would part for me. I had no idea why I thought that, but I continued watching with bemusement.

I looked beyond the gate at the massive estate. The castle was much farther back on the land than I imagined it would be. It's also made of old red bricks, and for a moment I wondered if it would feel the same as the brick wall, or if maybe I'd be able to feel the magic on that brick since I failed to feel the magic on the wall. There was a large garden to the right and although I wasn't sure if it consisted of vegetables or flowers, I was certain that the trees just before it were apple trees.

At the realization my stomach growled. My father has struggled since my mother passed away. He does the best he can, but it's no secret that we aren't well off. We often go without much food. Especially late fall and winter when the gardens are barren. Knowing there were apples just beyond the gate was enough to move my shaking legs forward.

I'd only taken two steps beyond the gate when a cream splash of color caught my eye. It stood out in the darkness. It moved my concentration from the right side of the estate to the left. I cautiously approached, listening to the click of my ragged shoes falling against the cobblestone path.

I was quickly able to make out that the cream colored item was a shawl dangling from a wood-plank swing that hung from the bough above. It must be from a very old, tall tree that'd grown in the forest and reached over to the castle side of the wall. I picked up my pace to get to the garment. Seeing the protective piece of cloth made me suddenly aware of the goosebumps covering my arms and how I could just make out my warm breath in the chill of the night.

The soft cashmere fabric was thick, and I covetously brought it up around my arms and wrapped it so that it covered my front just up to the tip of my nose. My face instantly warmed. Although it was plain, I felt beautiful dressed in the luxurious fabric. Next to a few of my mother's old dresses that I'd never dreamed of wearing out of fear of ruining the lace, the shawl was one of the finest pieces of clothing I'd ever worn. I smiled into the cloth and silently thanked the magic for their generous gift, letting out an easy breath.

The wind blew and gently rocked the swing in front of me. Feeling cozy in my shawl and relaxed by the scent of the flower, I took a seat on the swing and began to rock gently back and forth. My fingers wrapped along the rope, rubbing back and forth against the rough material. As my body swayed, I closed my eyes and the only regret that I had was that I'd not given in to temptation and come sooner.

The crunch of a heavy body approaching behind me made me snap my eyes open in absolute terror. The beast. Before I could move, I felt his hands brush against my neck. I stilled in fear and held my breath. My fingers gripped the rope so tightly that my skin burned and my knuckles turned white.

His hands gathered my hair and pulled it from beneath the shawl, draping it over my shoulder. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand as he exposed them to the chilled air while he twisted my locks and began wrapping them around his wrist all the way to the nape of my neck, fisting the last bit and causing just a bit of pain that, for some reason, sent a spike of wanton heat straight to my core.

I felt his hot breath along my neck and heard him take a deep inhale. He was scenting me. And then he tasted me. His large hot tongue left a wet trail along my neck from my shoulder to the sensitive spot just below my ear. That languid movement caused my pussy to clench in desire and I felt the warm moisture build, preparing me for him. I couldn't contain the small gasp of lust that escaped me, and I leaned into him as he licked me again. My breasts rose and swelled in response to his masculine scent. I instantly wanted him licking my now wet pussy. I'd give anything to feel that hot sensation along my sensitive clit. Soft moans escaped me as I imagined how it would feel.

He took in another scent and the rumble of his low growl made me whimper in submission as the tingling heat built inside of me. His sharp teeth nipped at my neck, making me gasp as he pulled my fisted hair to the right, forcing me to expose more of my neck to him. I panted and closed my eyes, waiting for him to claim me and own my body like the beast he was.

His other large hand explored beneath the shawl and dipped between my legs. His thick fingers forcefully pushed past the waist of my skirt and panties, finally brushing along my damp center. Loud sobs of pleasure escaped my lips at his potent, powerful touch. My body ached for more. I pushed my hot pussy into his hand and spread my legs for him as much as the swing would allow.

He groaned a deep sound of approval and nipped my neck once again. My body responded to his with heated and primal desire. The slow circles he pushed against my clit brought me closer and closer to my release as I rocked against his touch. Leaning my head against his chiseled chest, my body began to shake as my orgasm advanced. I felt his lips brush against my ear as he fiercely growled, "Mine," and bit down hard on my shoulder, breaking the skin while his fingers expertly pinched my clit sending my legs into a hot convulsion as my orgasm took my body with force. I threw my head back against the solid wall of hard muscle and screamed out as the pleasure devoured my body.

As I came down from the overwhelming sensation, I noticed the warmth his body had sheltered me in was receding. I took a deep breath and gathered my courage to look behind me. I parted my lips in shock. No one was there. I immediately stood on weak legs and searched for the beast. I began to think that I'd gone crazy and imagined his hands on me until I reached up to where he'd bitten me. The pain was evidence enough, but when I pulled my hand back and I saw the blood, I knew then that there was no way I'd imagined it.

But where had he gone and why had he left me unharmed? Better than unharmed, apart from the bite on my shoulder, he'd only given me pleasure. My brows furrowed in confusion and then sadness. Tears pricked my eyes. I parted my lips to call out for him, but stopped myself as I realized how dark it was and how cold I'd become without his body enveloped around me to keep me warm.

I shuddered then wrapped my arms tightly around myself. Keeping my head down to shield my body from the wind, I walked quickly to where I'd come from. I was relieved to find the gates still parted and just inside there lay the other flower that had bloomed. Only it was now no longer pink, but a vibrant red. I gathered the delicate flower and brought it to my nose, letting the soft petal brush against my skin as I inhaled the sweet scent.

As I brought the stem down to place it in my satchel, I heard movement behind me. I turned quickly, mostly out of fear, only to once again find nothing. The fear quickly subsided and I felt a sense of loss and dejection. I frowned but I stopped myself from being overwhelmed with sadness. I made a promise to myself that I would come back. With one last look at the large estate, I wrapped the shawl tighter and walked away from the beast.

Only once I was beyond the fog and past the forest did the shock of what I'd done and the horror of what could've happened occur to me. It hit me with such a force that my body felt drained of blood as the coldness consumed me and I collapsed in a frenzy of shudders. I'd gone beyond the gate. The realization was terrifying. And he'd touched me. I screamed involuntarily and shook at the memory.

Again, I doubted myself since I'd not actually seen him. My hand traveled to the bite mark and brought back the evidence of blood for me to see yet again. I screamed in horror and lay crying alone just beside the dirt road for what seemed like hours.

I swore I would never return. I would not trust the magic and allow it to entrance me again. I would not risk being caught in the hands of the beast again.

But that was months ago, and I miss the magic. Not only that, but I dream of the beast. It's not a dream I'd admit to out loud, but it's a dream I'd like to see come true.