Page 45 of Beauty Reborn
“Tell us now, Beauty,” Father insisted. “Are you home to stay? How did you escape? Should we be ready for an attack?”
He said it so calmly, as if fully prepared to fight off a seven-foot beast and the entire enchanted forest if need be.
“I’m not a prisoner, Father.” I swallowed. “In truth, he’s very kind.”
They all stared at me as if I’d grown extra limbs with the statement.
“And here I thought you brought his severed head in that box,” Astra drawled. “Or some story like that.”
I looked down at my feet and frowned to see a box there. With the gold trim, it certainly didn’t belong to the cottage. I lifted it gingerly to my lap. Knowing the castle, it might have packed up the entire festival and sent it with me, ready to spring out of the box and overtake our land with tents.
But when I peeked inside, I understood.
“I brought gifts.” As if it had been my intention all along.
First was a gown obviously meant for Astra, a shimmering silver to complement her auburn hair, the trailing sleeves so thin, they were almost gossamer. Small jewels patterned the bodice, and the skirts carried white embroidery so fine, even she couldn’t have matched it. My wardrobe must surely have been thrilled to finally have a willing recipient for its contents.
But to my surprise, Astra turned her head. “I don’t want it.”
“Of course you want it!” Callista scoffed and gathered the gown in her arms, tossing it to Astra. Despite Astra’s words, she didn’t let the fine material touch the floor.
The gown had been too large to fit in the box, but I was hardly surprised and certain there were more gifts to come.
Sure enough, in a blink, there was a candle in an ornate silver holder with a curved handle. I felt it was meant for Callista, but a candle seemed paltry after Astra’s gown. Nevertheless, I handed it to her with false confidence.
She frowned over it as well, though I could see her gathering gratitude anyway. But as she touched the wick almost curiously, the candle lit itself.
She gasped, dropping it. The candle did not separate from the holder, nor did the flame blow out or burn the floor. When she hesitantly lifted it again, tilting it this way and that, she broke into a delighted grin.
“It doesn’t melt the wax!”
“You could sell an enchanted candle for a fortune,” Astra said.
“Never!” Callista said fiercely, and I knew it was not for my sake she said it.
Next came a book for Father. The tremble in his jaw and the reverence with which he turned the pages told me it was scripture.
“How ... ?” He swallowed, staring at me in wonder.
I only hoped it would never disappear.
He rested his hand on my head again.
I looked up at Rob, then down at the empty box. The seconds passed, but nothing appeared.
“The best gift is having you home,” he said graciously.
Then I heard a whinny from the front yard and set the box aside.
“Come with me.”
Callista lent us her candle, and Rob followed me into the yard where Honey was waiting, in full tack. As soon as I saw her, I knew it was only right.
“I didn’t even see your horse earlier,” Rob said, looking around desperately like a stable might pop up at any moment. “We don’t have anywhere to keep her.”
“She’s your horse, Rob.” I smiled. “Her name is Honey.”
Hearing her name, Honey trotted forward and gave Rob a solid headbutt greeting. He laughed, rubbing first his forehead, then hers. She shook her mane.
