CHAPTER 13: Where’s Waldo AKA Ayden?

Since their encounter in the garden that morning Bella had not seen Ayden all day. Now the night was late, and the witching hour was fast approaching. All day it seemed as though the castle had been emptying itself, like a balloon slowly deflating. Her own sisters gave bittersweet goodbyes to their husbands, all of who had stated far longer then they should have. However, she doubted that they would receive any really trouble. After all, were they simply to ignore a royal command?

Bella’s brother-in-laws were not the only ones leaving today. Throughout the day she had seen a number of servants exiting the castle, bags in hand. A combination of eavesdropping and lurking had granted her the knowledge that the castle was drastically cutting back on its staff. Although all were promised their jobs back later. “Later” was inferred to be after Ayden was cured and less irritable.

Either way the castle felt hollow to Bella now. She wandered an empty hallway, contemplating the day’s events. No real work had been attained by any of the girls. Lucy, Emily and Alexi had all been too distracted by the exodus of their husbands to concentrate. Caeli had been off doing who knows what. Bella didn’t really care what her twin was up to anymore. That curiosity had died years ago. Admittedly, she had not done anything productive either. After her coffee kicked in she was too curious to find out the reason for the staff cuts to spend all day with her head buried in a book. She and Darcy had been running around the castle hiding behind corners and gossiping with parlor-maids.

Bella did not think that her family would be remaining much longer. Both Alexi and Lucy had begun hinting that there were things that they needed to do to prepare for the babies. Things that needed to happen at their homes. And while their pregnancies haven’t been awful, they would be more relaxed away from the castle. Emily was too sweet to leave, or ask about it while she thought her sister might still need her. But Bella knew that she missed the comforts of her own home. Emily was a woman on simple pleasures, one of which beginning running her own home. Caeli would probably stay until asked to leave, why miss an opportunity to live like royalty and sabotage her sister?

In any case, the day off was probably beneficial. It was some good to do something different every once in a while, right? A day off was suitable, especially since their search was going to take a turn. Now instead of searching for the journals, they would be looking for a way to access to her magic. Geez. I might as well fall in love with Ayden. It will probably be easier then this search. She thought wryly to herself. Still, I hope we find a way. I am sure we will. Tanya and Ayden are much more intelligent then my mother. I will be fine. She paused her pacing there in a patch of moonlight. “Whoa.” She murmured to herself. Her sudden realization had been surprising and a little worrying. I trust Ayden. Not just in the way that I don’t think he will spill me secrets, but I truly trust him. I trust him with me life. Goodness. When did that happen?

Despite the nightmares, it occurred to Bella that she was wasn’t really worried about any tests Ayden might order. Any fear that remained was residual, or directed towards other parts of her mind. She knew that Ayden wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Purposely at least. His tongue is as sharp as mine, and just as unfiltered. We are more likely to hurt each other with words then anything else. This is so strange… I trust a beast not to hurt me. I suppose that the Stockholm syndrome is just finally kicking in. Doubtless I will need years of therapy to get over it. Well. I am in dire need of therapy anyway, so its just another thing to add to the list.

Bella began to walk again; she ambled aimlessly down empty corridors. She found herself in an oddly meditative state. Her mind was calm, not cluttered with thoughts like it usually was. Perhaps it was the cool silence of an impending winter that put Bella at peace. Whatever the cause, she took no notice of her surrounds as she walked. She watched the way the moonlight bounced off mirrors and made designs on the floor. She was so intent on this that she didn’t notice the furry creature in front of her until she had walked into it.

Bella’s awareness returned as she hit the floor. From her position there on the ground she glared up at the warm wall she had just walked into. Ayden hadn’t moved at all from the impact. Men... She thought. Always in the way.

“You should really pay attention to where you are walking.” He observed dryly, offering his paw to help her up.

“You couldn’t have seen me and walked around me.” She accepted his paw and was quickly pulled into a standing position. “Thanks.”

“Where are you going?” He asked.

She sighed and pushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. “Nowhere in particular. I was simply thinking. Where are you going?”

“I was hungry. Still am in fact. I am going down to the kitchen for sustenance.” Ayden grinned wolfishly, exposing sharp teeth. “Care to join me?”

“Sure. I always love a midnight snack. Do you have any chocolate?”

“It is quite possible.”

“Excellent!” They walked along in silence for a few moments, before Bella spoke again. “Why did you fire most of your servants?”

The beast stiffened, but then relaxed slightly. “There is no need to keep a full staff if the castle is only housing a few people. Idle hands are the devil’s plaything you know.” He smirked.

“True. I suppose that makes sense...” She peered up at the dark mane. “But personally that sounds like a load of crap. The type of thing you tell your mother or a teacher. It is the diplomatic answer. What is the real one?”

Ayden grimaced. He had forgotten how well Bella could see through his lies. Usually if someone thought he was lying they did not mention the lie, or demand the truth. “The real reason is private.” He growled.

“So? I am not going to tell anyone. Trust me.”

Dangerous words. He thought, eyeing her silently. Partially because I fear I already do. “Fine. The truth is I find it grating that half of the people I employ stare and cower in fear. It annoys me.”

“Well that is understandable.” Bella answered after a pause. “Now, now that wasn’t so bad. Your real reason is as valid as your crap one. Next time try the truth with me first though, then we won’t have to go through this time consuming ritual of me accusing you of lying before you confess.”

“Or, you could mind your own business.”

The kitchen was chilly when they entered. Though full of modern conveniences now, it was obvious that it was not always in this state. A large hearth sat in one wall, and large windows lined another. The combination of the empty fire and the windows made the room frigid. Bella began to shiver as she perched on the marble countertop. Her pajamas were warm enough in her room, but they were not designed for an unheated room.

She began to rub her arms to warm herself. “When do you think it is going to snow? I love a long autumn, but it is November! Our first snow should be any day now. “

“The snows come late at the castle.” Ayden explained. “But they last a long time. Our true spring doesn’t come until late April. Come sit by the fire, I just started one.”

“Okay. Are you cold too?”

“No.”

Bella looked down at her hands, “Oh.”

The prince sighed, and ran a clawed hand through his mane. He probably should have just said that he was cold too. The fact was that he hadn’t given it a second thought when he had seen her shivering and started the fire. Now things were edgy. Perhaps he should ignore the whole event and concentrate on the original reason he came down to the kitchen. Food.

Bella watched as Ayden rummaged around in the refrigerator and the cabinets. She was a little dumbfounded that he had noticed she was cold, let alone light a fire for her! She knew that the prince wasn’t an idiot, and that at some point in his history, he had friends. However she had never witnessed any friendly behavior from him, let alone any perception. She had always amused that he was a bit blockheaded. It wasn’t his fault, he was male. Her attention focused on the snack he was creating. It looked more like a meal. “Hungry much?” Bella asked dryly.

He looked at her, and down at his heaping plate with a slightly guilty expression. “In this form I tend to eat more, then when I was a human.”

“Well, I could expect that your metabolism would be a tad higher. After all, you have fur to generate now.” She stood up. “You said something about chocolate earlier?”

“Cook usually keeps some chocolate chip cookies in that jar.” The prince gestured with one paw. “ And if you want milk, you would find a glass in that cabinet.”

“Excellent. You read my mind.”

Ayden leaned against the counter, munching in his “snack” while Bella made herself comfortable again in front of the fire. The silence growing between them was easy. There were no awkward attempts at conversation. It seems that while the brunette was quite talkative, she didn’t feel the need to fill every free space with chatter. He was grateful for that.

However once Bella was finished with her snack, it was obvious that the silence would be over. “So what do you like to read?” She asked, resting her chin on her hand.

“Excuse me?”

“I asked you what you liked to read. Now, don’t look at me that way. It isn’t as if I asked you to commit seppuku. It is just that I have decided to get to know you like a normal human being. And yes,” She rolled her eyes. “I am aware that you are not, in fact, a normal human being.”

He answered in his customary deep voice, “I enjoy the classics.”

“Me too! I know Shakespeare is supposed to be amazing, but he is not my favorite.”

Ayden met her gaze, “Who is?”

“I am not sure that I have a favorite author per say. Although my favorite classics, right now at least, are Pride and Prejudice and the Great Gatsby.”

“Romances.”

“Yeah, sort of. But I don’t really think of the Great Gatsby as a romance. The whole social commentary on human nature gets me. Besides, it isn’t exactly a successful romance. Daisy leaves him like the stupid whore she is and Gatsby gets shot. Poor Gatsby, it isn’t his fault he was doomed to be the tragic hero.”

“You have intense opinions about this book.” The prince chuckled.

Pink tinged Bella’s cheeks. She bent her head with a smile, “I admit that I do. I always get a little obsessed with the characters, no matter what book I read. What are you favorite classics?”

“I like a lot of Dickens. I believe that a Tale of Two Cities might be my favorite.”

“Really? I like that book a lot. So... what are you guilty pleasure books?” She asked wickedly, a smirk creeping onto her face.

“Excuse me?” Ayden sounded incredulous.

“Oh calm down. I didn’t mean anything dirty. I just know that there are some books that I like to read, that I prefer if no one saw me reading.”

“Such as?”

“Bodice rippers.” Bella said with a nod. She laughed at Ayden’s surprised face. “You know, those paperback romances that always have a couple on it and the girl’s top is always ripped. Trashy romance novels. I admit that I am a sucker for a historical one.”

“Really why?”

“I don’t know. They are just so sweet and romantic. The heros are always so chivalrous.” She sighed. “I know that they are probably rotting my brain, but I don’t care. They are fun, and they are guaranteed a happy ending.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed that you enjoyed that type of book.” Ayden said with a bit of wonder in his voice. He hadn’t imagined that that Bella would read books written for the general populace of silly women..

“I don’t like to admit it. So, be proud that you know this vast secret about me! Your turn. What do you read that you are ashamed of? And if you say porn I will hit you with a pan.” Light brown eyes glared at him, but the smile that replaced the expression took away any sting.

“Very well. I admit to reading gothic horrors.”

“Excuse me?”

Ayden looked down at his plate, “Short stories, like that of Edgar Allen Poe.”

“So, you like horror stories. Ones with a more macabre nature.”

“Yes.”

“Oh that’s not so bad.” Bella scooted sideways so that her legs were outstretched on the hearth, and her back leaned against the stones. She leaned to the warmth emanating from the fire. “I was expecting something much worse. Like, I read bodice rippers too! If you had said that I might have lost all respect for you. Gothic horrors aren’t so bad, I read some of those myself. It is a little fun to scare oneself.”

“I do not get frightened easily.” He replied.

“Hm. I can see that.” She eyed his claws. “But how about before you were cursed?”

The prince set his now empty plate aside, “No. I wasn’t easily scared then either. I believe it has something about being a prince. I was safe wherever I went. I didn’t have anything to be frightened of. I had astronomy classes since a young age, so the dark was no issue. Also I met many foreign dignitaries, of every species possible that monsters did not bother me.”

“It must have been pretty cool to grow up in the palace. Did you live here?”

“Not always. This is one of the lesser used castles, which is why I can just take it with such efficiency. No the main castle of my childhood is huge, and by the sea. It is always the ones on postcards. It is very beautiful. It is completely white, with Roman columns lining each entrance. I liked to sit at the top and watch the seaside sunset.”

Bella noticed the faraway expression in his eyes and remarked, “You miss it don’t you?”

“Partially. I miss the sea.” Ayden explained. “The ever present court and politics? No, I admit that I do not miss their presence at all. It is a relief to not be acting all the time.”

“You mentioned the ocean, did you spend much time out on it?”

“Yes. I liked to sail. If I wanted to be alone, I would take out one of my smaller boats, something that I can handle on my own. If I didn’t mind company or I wanted to fly though the water I would bring a crew.” He smiled at fond memories.

“Why couldn’t you use you magic to preform the jobs that a crew member would do?” She asked. It seemed like the most logical solution to her, especially if you had a need for speed and wished for solitude.

The prince shook his head. “It is too dangerous. For a number of reasons, one of which being that salt water disrupts magic. It is a little disruption but enough that you wouldn’t want to use delicate spells. Another is that spells cannot think on there feet, so if we suddenly go to irons, or if something goes wrong, it won’t be able to help me.”

“I suppose that makes sense. I would love to go sailing sometime, I have never tried it, but it has always looked fun.” Bella sighed.

Silence grew in the kitchen as the conversation lapsed. Ayden found himself examining the way that the firelight danced across the brunette’s skin and hair. For once it was down from its customary position out of her face, loose waves hung over her shoulders. The fire’s glow gave the hair a reddish tint that it usually liked, highlighting lighter locks of her hair. She finally seemed warm. It amused him that her pajamas were almost as practical as she was. Plaid pants and a plain long sleeves might have sufficed for winter at her home, but they were insufficient for drafty castles. His light eyes moved back from her attire back up to her face. Her own gaze was directed at the flames.

“Do you realize that we just had a conversation without attempting to kill each other?” Bella mentioned, jerking Ayden to attention. Light brown eyes moved to meet his, “I think this is a first for us.”

A bemused tone colored his reply. “You say that in such a shocked tone. Did you think that I was incapable of making conversation?”

“No. I was sure that you were capable. I just wasn’t sure whether I was able to not be argumentative, and whether you were able to argue back. Although,” She grinned and continued. “I suppose that is always a question when you bring two people as stubborn as we are together.”

“True. Imagine if our stubbornness was directed at the same thing, We would be unstoppable.”

“Superheroes!”

“Okay…” Ayden nodded slowly. “I was thinking perhaps we could be super villains and conquer the world, but I suppose your idea works too.”

Bella laughed, “You made a joke. I didn’t know you would do that! I am glad to see your humor extends past sarcasm.” She yawned suddenly. “I think I am going to turn in soon. Are you going to stay up?”

“Perhaps. It depends on the level of my exhaustion once I return to my room. Either way, I have time to spare, I will walk you back to your room.”

“Oh good. I thought that I was going to have to ask for directions.” She began to walk back into the hallway while Ayden banked the fire. Bella shivered once she left the warmth of the kitchen. “It is so cold out here! I meet are freezing on the marble!”

“You should have a fur coat like me.” He chuckled.

“Hm, forgive me if I don’t get one quite the same way.” She shivered again, “I think I am losing all my toes due to frostbite.”

The prince frowned slightly, “You are quite whiny. Would you like me to carry you?”

“Sure.” She rolled her eyes. Yeah right. Bella then gasped as Ayden picked her up and held her in his arms. “What are you doing?!” She demanded.

“I am carrying you. You just agreed, remember?” He raised an eyebrow dryly.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you would actually do it!”

“So do you want me to put you back down?”

Bella thought about it for a moment. She was much more comfortable here, away from the cold. The prince was like a furnace. The heat coming from his body was astounding. “No.” She admitted. “I do not want that.”

“Okay then.” He started walking down the hall. The girl in his arms wriggled a bit, though what she was attempting to do was not clear. After a couple minutes she relaxed against his chest, leaning her head on his shoulder, and wrapping her arms around his neck to stay upright.

“Am I too heavy for you? Because if I am, you just have to tell me and I can walk.” Her voice was muffled by his fur and shirt as she spoke.

Ayden chuckled, a deep resonant sound that Bella felt as much as heard. “Do not worry, you are not heavy at all.”

“Say, what were you doing all day today, other then firing your staff?”

“Research mostly.” He said softly, bending his head slightly so his mouth was closer to her ear. “I was calling up various intellectuals I know and asking them for ideas.”

“Ideas for what?” She mumbled.

“Ideas as to how to access your magic. One of the benefits of being a prince is that I know most of academia. I questioned some impressive names for you today.”

“Thank you.” Bella breathed. “You didn’t have to do that you know…”

The prince smirked slightly at the brunette’s sleepiness. “It was no trouble.” He whispered. “Relax now, go to sleep. You will wake up in your bed.”

She nodded, it seemed like a logical idea to her. Slumber had suddenly crept upon her as she warmed and relaxed. She threaded her fingers deeper into the fur around his neck and snuggled closer. The movements were not conscious ones, if Bella had been more alert she would never have acted as such. However sleep clouded her judgement, comfort coming before dignity. “Thank you Ayden.” She murmured once before her breathing deepened.

Ayden was not nearly as relaxed as the sleeping beauty in his arms. While Bella did not weigh a ton, and was on the smaller side, she still weighed something. He muttered a spell and a dark green glow surrounded his hands. Instantly the weight was significantly lighter. The spell he had used, counteracts gravity a little. Technically, Bella was mostly hovering in his arms, though she could not feel a thing. The same could not be said for the prince. Now that he did not have to worry about dropping her, the girl in his arms was much more distracting then he would like to admit.

He was disgusted with himself in few ways. One was the fact that he enjoyed having her in his arms like this. A possessive side of him arose and demanded that these are the only arms she should ever be in. He didn’t know if it was the Beast in him making such a demand or the man. And it worried him that it could be both. Another act that caused self loathing was the fact that he had the most ridiculous urge to purr. In her sleep Bella’s fingers were rubbing his neck. He felt like a animal being pet, especially since his reaction was so animalistic.

The sooner I reach her room the better. Ayden thought fiercely. Once he dropped her off this would all be over. These conflicting emotions would be gone. Luckily he was nearing her room so his torture would be over. Her door was open so he did not have to attempt to maneuver the doorknob with a body in his arms. Bella’s room was frigid as he stepped into it. The source was clear; the balcony door sat ajar.

Ayden’s head fell backwards in a silent groan. Of course her room would be cold. Or course the door would be open. No good deed ever goes unpunished. He gently set Bella down on her bed, unwinding her fingers from his neck. She frowned in her sleep and began to shiver again. He pulled the covers out from under her, and cast a warming spell onto them as he tucked her in. There. At least she won’t be sleeping in an ice bed.

The prince closed the door and was on his was out the door when he heard his name murmured. He turned silver eyes to the bed, where Bella’s lay there still. He was at the doorway this time when he heard a soft feminine voice.

“Thank you Ayden.”