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    Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed
    Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed
    Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed
    Ebook147 pages2 hours

    Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed

    By Kristie Lynn Higgins

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    About this ebook

    Type: novella and the word count is about 36,500 words.
    A new approach to the classic fairy tale. The story of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. What if the woman was the one turned into the creature?

    A realm of adventure and peril mingled with romance, friendship, and sword and sorcery. Join Pluck in this novella series as she travels through a strange land of danger and intrigue as she finds allies and foes alike in her search to lift her monstrous curse. Begin this action-adventure epic dark fantasy series by reading the first book, Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part A: The Flower, The Sword, and The Kiss. A story like Beauty and the Beast but with more action and menacing darkness.

    In the third story, Pluck's secret is revealed. Will her death follow?

    Beauty Of The Beast Epic Dark Fantasy Action Adventure Sword and Sorcery Novella Series:
    1. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part A: The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss
    2. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part B: A Vow Of Love And The Challenge
    3. Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed

    In this reverse Beauty and the Beast retelling, Pluck as a child is cursed while saving her prince. She is transformed in a cat-like humanoid known as a Necrom, and Necroms are hated and feared by all humans. Pluck must hide away but as she becomes an adult there is a chance for her to receive the one thing that will lift her curse. A reversed retelling of Beauty and the Beast that spans a whole world. Discover new creatures and beings in this epic fantasy reversed retelling fairy tale.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKristie Lynn Higgins
    Release dateFeb 3, 2014
    ISBN9781310971952
    Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose: Part C: Hearts Betrayed And Blood Revealed
    Author

    Kristie Lynn Higgins

    You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

    Read more from Kristie Lynn Higgins

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      Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose - Kristie Lynn Higgins

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      Chapter One

      A Sacrificial Act Revisited

      Pluck rushed to where Votar watched the contests as she drowned in her own emotions.  She had to save her people and there was only one way she could, but it would cause her and Votar oceans of grief.  She entered the Grand Stand and found she wouldn't be alone with Votar.  They would have an audience as she revealed her devastating revelation.  She took a few moments to catch her breath and steady her shaky hands.  They wouldn't stop shaking since she set her mind to complete this grim task.  The fate of her people rested on her unsure shoulders and if she backed out of the dreadful task before her, Edward and the others would be executed in some cruel manner.

      She found Votar standing within the Grand Stand, suspecting nothing of the horrible news she brought.  He cut a Jewel Apple with a dagger and ate a piece of the amber flesh.  For a moment, Pluck wanted to turn and flee the Grand Stand and let her duty to her people come in last to her wants and desires.  She wanted Votar.  She wanted him to love her and for them to be happy together, but...  It wasn't her lot.  Her fate was sealed the moment she took on her cursed form.

      She saw that Nirva stood next to his Duke.  He looked as if he wished for the contests to be over so they could put this whole unwanted thing with Man behind them.  His wish would remain unfulfilled if Pluck had anything to do with it.

      Kabal stood by Gamemnon's side, and she glanced at Pluck as she entered.  Kabal waited for the contests to begin again.  She must think they would be rid of Man once this next contest was decided.  How would she react once she discovered Man walked among them freely?

      Gamemnon's gaze never left the arena below.  Pluck didn't know that he had set his plan into action and all that was left to do was wait for Man to fail.

      Has Man decided on a new champion? Votar asked her.

      Yes, Pluck answered.  Her hands still shook so she clasped them together as if praying.  No matter how this ended, she would hurt Votar and he would hate her forever.

      Are they ready to begin? Votar inquired.

      Yes, Pluck spoke again as she felt sick, knowing what came next.

      Good, where's their champion? Votar asked and turned to her.

      Yes, Gamemnon spoke.  What Degar dares challenge my warrior?

      For a moment, all of time seemed to stand still for Pluck.  She could easily change her mind and hold her tongue.  What did Edward or the others ever do for her?  Han was the only one who was kind to her, and he died because of something the Morgogs did.  The Morgogs...  Princess Virago was a Morgog, and she had stolen the Kiss from her, or was it Edward had insisted Virago have it?  Those thoughts brought on a flashback of that dreadful day in the Temple when her life was changed forever.  Edward had stolen the Mystic Rose, and Fairah had appeared and hurled a ball of electricity at him.

      Her young heart skipped as Pluck saw that young Edward was in danger and she shouted, My lord!  She rushed toward him and pushed the Prince out of the way as she yelled, Look out!  The actions she took in that mite condemned her to a life of misery.

      She watched as Edward stubbled forward after she pushed him and he landed on the stone floor.  He rolled with the fall and came to face Pluck as Fairah's energy ball hit her.  The magic threw her back, but she didn't fall.  The power lifted her into the air like a great wind, and Pluck screamed as green electricity surged through her tiny body.  The power whipped her brown hair about as the roars of Woolly Tigers, Fire Lions, Striped Cheetahs, and Ghost Panthers filled the room with unbearable noise.  Edward covered his ears, but she was too afraid to move and endured the sounds.  Pluck wanted Edward to come to her rescue.  She wanted him to save her as he had done from his cousins.  Pluck didn't see courage or determination as she had when his cousins were there.  All she saw was fear and that made her more afraid.  She was about to call out to him when a turquoise energy exploded from her, blowing the Prince's black hair.  He lifted his hand and shielded his face from the torrent.  The power that exploded from her shredded her dress and ripped it from her body, and she covered her nakedness with her arms and knees.

      I'm burning! Pluck shrieked, reaching her hand toward the Prince.  Save me!

      Edward shook his head as he covered his eyes with his hands and screamed, Make it stop!  Han, save me!  He scurried away from her ghastly form after she took on the guise of a Necrom.  His fear and rejection made Pluck cry all the more and on that day, she discovered how he truly felt about her.  She was a monster to him, no wonder he gave the Kiss to another.

      Pluck pulled from that memory as another came to mind.  When they were still on the ships sailing to retrieve Princess Virago, Pluck had entered Edward's cabin.  The Mystic Rose drew her to its glass container and when she neared the container, it shattered, sending glass everywhere.

      Back then, Edward sat up and exclaimed, By Fletching!  He neared the suspended flower, then turned to Pluck, and questioned her as if she was at fault, What did you do?

      Before she could answer him, the glass that had scattered about the room, glowed and lifted as if calling to one another, and then they gathered around the Mystic Rose.  They almost looked like jagged crystals dancing about.  Each shard found its place as if they were working out a puzzle, and then the shards pieced themselves together until they reformed the dome.  A bright light shot from the container once they had all come together, and then the glow faded.

      What he saw, unsettled Edward.  He stared at the reformed dome a few moments more and then he turned to Pluck.  She was as startled as him and hadn't covered her hand with her glove, allowing Edward to see its furry top and the glowing marks on her bare finger before they faded back to their black coloring.  He grabbed her hand and his touch startled her, so she pulled away, but he didn't let that stop him.

      That tattoo... he started as he pointed at her finger in a frenzy and uttered, I remember those markings.  He grabbed his head as that forgotten day replayed in his mind, and then he said, I was a boy...  I went into this Temple and found the Mystic Rose.  I was not alone.  A girl was with me and her name...  Her name was Pluck!  He stepped back from her and accused Pluck, You are a woman!

      If only that had been Pluck's only crime.  She raised her hand and tried to quiet him before he brought the whole ship upon them as she whispered, Please my lord, lower your voice.

      But how can you be a High Guard? Edward yelled.  Women are not allowed!

      My prince, is everything all right? Bulwark asked from the corridor as he prepared to come in on his prince's word.

      Yes!  You are not needed! Edward yelled, and then he scolded Pluck, Women cannot possess weapons.  It is forbidden.  You shall go in front of the Inquiry.  He paced the room and said, I do not understand how Han could have allowed such a thing.  A new memory interrupted his thoughts, so he glanced at her furry hand and spoke, Something else happened during that sun's cycle in the Temple.  He noticed her fingers had no nails and grabbed her hand, examining her thumb.  It and her other fingers had a slit down the middle like a cat.  A memory I had forgotten.  He pushed the flap of skin aside, finding a claw then appalled by his findings, he released her and uttered, Something horrible.  A witch...  She cast a spell intended for me but...  He didn't finish the sentence.

      She couldn't believe him.  All he thought about was himself and the more Edward berated her, the more Pluck grew angry until she finally yelled at him, You're still an ungrateful spoiled brat!  She tapped her chest as she told him, I pushed you out of the way.  I protected you!

      Her outrage fell him to silence.  Never in all his life had anyone yelled at him in such a way, especially a woman.  If he had ever gotten in trouble, a whipping boy was there to take the cane.

      In a calmer tone, he said, Yes, I remember.  More and more of the incident he had buried long ago surfaced as he spoke, You saved me by taking my place.  His face softened as he added, You were turned into a hideous monster.

      Pluck said nothing; she needed no reminder.  She had lived with her hideous form.

      His shame turned to anger as he shouted, You are not deformed!  You are cursed!  It didn't matter to him that she took his place.  He was the Prince, and she was a peasant.  That is why you cannot show your face.

      Pluck nodded.  He knew her secret, but what would he do with it?

      He had to see, so Edward commanded, Show me your face.

      She hesitated, fearing how he would react once he saw her again.

      Shall I order Bulwark in here to do it for you?

      He was nothing like she remembered; Edward was cruel.

      There's no need, my lord, Pluck told him as her fear turned to terror, and then she pulled back her hood.

      Edward gasped, By Fletching!  You are a beast!  A Necrom!  Another fact frightened him.  The Prince had seen this creature with short beige fur before, so he pointed his finger and accused her, Fass!  You are the hideous monster from my dream.  You... you are the one slaughtering the men.  Terror paled on his face as he shouted, You are the reaper of my nightmares!  He stumbled back to his bed and exclaimed, You have come to take me!

      Pluck just stood there.  She didn't know what to say or do.  The moment hadn't gone as she envisioned.  Edward wasn't grateful for her sacrifice.  Her fears came true.  He rejected her.  Pluck pulled her hood up to cover her shame and wondered where she could hide.  She didn't know.  She just had to get out of his presence.

      Pluck pulled from that memory.  If she had any doubts

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