Rage filled Kat at the interruption and the voices inside her hissed in protest. But as Keleigh's words caught meaning in her lust-addled brain, all of the bad blood disappeared.

She hopped off Cage and turned to face the door. He took advantage that her back was now to him and pulled at the ribbons of her corset, tying them back at top speed. Even if she didn't really care given the news, she appreciated that she was once again fully dressed. And thank the gods she hadn't taken his pants off.

"What did you just say?"

Keleigh looked from her to Cage who was most likely still shirtless behind Kat, but wisely chose to ignore what she had just walked in on.

"Donnie. He found your father with my notebook. It's a magical item, so now that simpleton wants to burn Joshua."

The notebook. "No!" Was that why her father hadn't answered? Without giving it much thought, she rushed out of the ballroom and into the hall, towards her room. Her breathing was uneven from an exhilarating experience which now seemed to have happened years ago.

She could still feel Cage's lips on her skin, but it only made her shudder. She grabbed the notebook as soon as she entered the room. There was an answer. The sweet answer she'd anticipated, interrupted by Donnie probably walking in on her papa. When had it been written? How much time had she lost?

Grabbing the notebook, she charged out just to bump into Cage.

"Kat..."

She slapped the notebook to his chest. He'd fortunately pulled his shirt and tunic back on. "Hold this. I'll let you know how things go."

He grabbed her hand when she wanted to head off. "Wait, you're not going anywhere without me."

"Cage, there's nothing more I want than you to come with me, but you can't."

"Hell yeah, I can." The certainty in his voice made her falter, but she could see that he was sober now, all traces of the opiates gone. His wrists appeared burnt raw, the beast bubbling right beneath the surface, basking in his anger.

"You're sober. And hurting."

He tilted his head. "Not for long."

"You've been drugged a lot lately. Which could mean two things." She couldn't afford to waste more time, so she headed down the stairs and towards the study to grab her cloak, talking on the way. "Either the opiates don't work as well as they used to because you're body is too used to them, either they hurt you. Not to mention that the bracers are burning you alive." She entered the room and wrapped the cloak around herself. "The beast wants out."

"I can't let you face them alone," Cage said again, placing himself in the doorway.

She took his face in her hands and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Even if the beast doesn't come out, you'll still petrify half of the town. The mask won't help if I know Donnie. He'll make you take it off. You trained me well. Trust me!"

"I do trust you! It's not about trust. I just--" He faltered. "I can't lose you. Not after I finally admitted that I don't want to. That I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be with you. What just happened wasn't and empty, lust-filled--"

She kissed him again to shut him up, because she couldn't take this. It made it so much harder not to give in to the risks, take him along.

"I know you're right," he said when she pulled back. "I don't want to hurt anyone. Not anymore. But I would risk it. For you."

"You don't have to." And she meant it. "I'll handle this and I'll be back. And then... And then we'll decide what to do."

Because she knew what this meant. Her father was a fugitive now. Handling magic was punishable by death anywhere in Iride. And bringing him with her to the castle would make it even harder for Cage to control himself.

He knew it, too. Something behind his eyes seemed to break. A swirl of emotion filled them as he appeared to battle himself. And even if she didn't know who he was before the curse, she could tell that his former self, the strategist and the commander of the Royal Navy was breaking through again.

"We unfortunately don't have the time for a through analysis of the risks," he said, moving to his desk and picking up the belt with his sheath and sword. "You need to go." He tossed the weapon to her.

"Thank you." Because she really needed to move. And the fact that he was letting her go meant more to her than he could possibly imagine. "Keleigh, come on!" she said, strapping the belt around herself.

She needed company through the woods. It was a wonder Keleigh hadn't been eaten by wolves on her way there.

But as they mounted their horses and galloped through the forest, towards their town, no beast presented itself. Time warped around Kat as Liligreen ran like the wind and she prayed to any good that would listen that they wouldn't be too late. When they stopped at the edge of the woods to let their horses rest, Kat turned to Keleigh.

"Tell me more?"

"Your note," Keleigh panted. "Donnie was so enraged, he demanded to see you. He charged in on your father and found him writing in my notebook."

"How did he figure out it was magical?"

"I don't know..." Keleigh took in a deep breath. "We need to get to the market square."

So they did. The horses panted but ran on and soon the two saw the large group of people gathered there. The light from their torches shone over a stake placed in the middle of the square. And tied to the pillar on top of a pile of dry wood was Joshua, struggling with his bonds.

"Let me go, you narrow minded fool!" he bellowed.

"This!" Donnie was saying, waving the notebook around so that everyone could get a good look at it. "This is a highly dangerous magical item Joshua Devieux has been using to... um, to... communicate with faes!"

"Only you could find anything even remotely resembling a book threatening," Kat said from the height of her horse.

The crowd shifted and turned to her, then there was a general gasp. Joshua's eye widened in shock. Muttering voices filled the silence, and through them all, a very distinctive, "That dress is sooo pretty!" rose from the town geniuses.

"You're back," Donnie said. His muscled arms fell to his sides and his eyes widened, looking even more like a bovine than usual.

"Yes, I'm back, so you can stop bullying my father."

"Where were you?" Donnie insisted, narrowing his eyes.

Kat knew it wasn't the best option, but she climbed off Lilygreen. She didn't want to risk someone grabbing the reigns and catching her in the crowd. A scuffle was the last thing she needed. If she wanted to get near her papa, it had to be on foot.

"I was exactly where my father told you I was." She walked with her head held high, the cloak billowing behind her. Her thin shoes were not great for the snow, but she hadn't exactly had the time to change her wardrobe.

The crowd fortunately parted, letting her through as if she carried a contagious disease. She didn't mind. Except for Keleigh, who was still a little questionable after she tried to kill Cage, she had no friends in that town.

Touched by magic. By greatness and power these simpletons could never understand.

She shook her head, trying to drive the voices back. Now was not to time to lose it. But the whispered words brought on a new wave of energy through her that seemed to part the crowd faster.

Donnie huffed. "So you're telling me there is a castle in the forest which is occupied by a wolfman."

"You can see the castle from the village, you brainless oaf," Keleigh interjected from behind.

"Yes, the Duke's old castle..."

"Same castle, Donnie. And yes, I've been in the company of the master of that castle."

"The Duke is dead!" someone from the crowd yelled.

"His son is not," Kat retaliated.

"His son is cursed," a new voice said in a very carrying whisper. It was velvety and musical, similar to the madness murmuring in her ears

Kat looked around to identify the speaker, but it was hard with all the shifting bodies. She couldn't waste time on this. She needed to get her father out of there as soon and as painless as possible.

She finally reached Donnie and stopped in front of him. It was maybe the time they'd spent apart, but she'd forgotten how big he was, how massive. He wasn't taller than Cage, maybe even a few inches shorter, but seemed to be at least twice as wide with useless meat.

"Let my father go."

Donnie's brown eyes took her in, and his lip rose in a snarl. "You had no right to end our engagement. And to do it in a note."

Kat wanted to scream. That was the least of her worries at the moment. "It's you who gave me the ultimatum, Donnie. I failed to answer you," she said with a shrug.

"Let's say you speak the truth." Donnie turned to the crowd to get their attention. "Let's say you were indeed held against your will by this cursed wolfman. That means you were unable to give me your answer in the designated time."

Ugh, she'd foreseen this. "That's why I sent you the note. So that you'd know it's not a question of time, but of will. I do not wish to marry you."

Donnie seemed struck dumb for a moment. "Excuse me?"

Kat hated having to do this, but it was time she cleared everything. "The only reason I accepted in the first place was because our parents made the arrangements and, given our times and this town, you were the best match." And maybe butter him up a bit so he would let her papa go. "You're a good man, loyal, handsome and fun loving. You treated me well and were patient with me. I will not deny you your merits and I'm sure someone else will make you happy."

"I don't understand," he said, obviously not computing how all those compliments could lead to her rejecting him.

"You are a good man, Donnie, but not for me." She took in a deep breath. "You think my passion for reading is a weird quirk. You think that I will settle for being a housewife and mother, cater to you. I am not that type of woman."

"Is there any other type?" Jackson muttered from Donnie's right, sounding honestly confused.

"Yes, there is. I want to spend my life learning, exploring, traveling. I don't want to be stuck in this town for the rest of my life." She looked to Joshua as she said the last part. His eyes were filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Papa."

"Don't be sorry, Kathy. I am so very proud of you."

"I still don't understand," Donnie said.

Kat fought the impulse to roll her eyes. It was exactly why she couldn't be with him. "Bottom line is, I can't marry you. We wouldn't be happy and you deserve a girl who will adore you. Who will worship the very ground you walk on."

"Why can't it be you?"

"Because I don't love you."

Silence greeted her words for a moment before what she thought to be the best argument incited giggles from the crowd.

"I still don't understand."

Donnie was starting to sound a little repetitive, but it was not her problem anymore. Let someone else deal with his denseness.

"I'm sorry, but this is my decision. Please let my father go so we can be on our way from here."

Donnie sneered. "You're not going anywhere. Except to the church to marry me."

"She's already married," Keleigh said from behind.

Kat, as well as everyone else, turned to face her. Keleigh honestly looked surprised.

"Oh, you mean you hadn't gotten to that part yet?"

That was where her evening was going? Was Cage actually going to suggest that they got married that very night? It sounded a little impossible, but maybe Keleigh was just trying to save her from a hurried midnight marriage with that oaf. I sounded like I good idea.

"That's right, Donnie, I'm already wed to someone else, so if you'll just free my father--"

He held out the notebook and shook it in the air. "Your father is guilty of witchcraft. He has been found holding this magical item which is a crime punishable by death."

Yes, that was a real problem she wasn't exactly sure how to solve. Unless she turned it into a non-issue.

"Are you sure it's magical, or is it just your inability to read that makes it special?"

The crowd was once again stunned, probably by how smart her mouth was. Joshua shook his head desperately, and Kat realized she'd botched the peaceful rescue. Donnie looked ready to blow fire out his nostrils.

"I saw him crossing out. I saw the text disappearing from the pages. I tore the truth from his lying lips." He waved the notebook at her again. "I know what this is. It's magic, and he will burn. And so will you, for consorting with cursed beasts."

"Consorting is a bit of a big word for you, isn't it?" She should really learn to keep her mouth shut, because this wasn't winning anyone over. But it had been too long, she was cold, and Donnie was getting on her very last nerve.

He grabbed her arm and yanked her against him. Out of well trained reflex, Kat sidestepped and sunk her fist into his stomach. It was surprisingly soft for the amount of muscle he had on him. Caught unaware, he released her, which allowed her enough space to maneuver another punch to his liver and leave him breathless.

She stepped back, fists raised and legs spread apart, panting. She wouldn't let him touch her if she had to beat her way through an entire crowd of gawking peasants.

Donnie straightened, his breathing shallow, his eyes so wide they seemed ready to pop out of his head. Then he pointed an accusing finger at her.

"Witch!"

Hands grabbed Kat's arms and so many bodies surrounded her, that she could no longer move. Someone pushed her down and she found herself face down in the snowy mud. Donnie's big red boots stopped inches from her nose.

"Tie her up next to her father!" he ordered.

Rage made her hearing fuzzy. "I take it back. You're not a good man!"

"And strip her from her pretty dress!" Mia yelled from the crowd.

The stupid affirmation brought a shrewd look to Donnie's face. Kat didn't like it at all, but there was nothing she could do while she was forced on top of the pillar. Her eyes searched the crowd for Keleigh, but she'd fortunately slipped away in the ruckus.

"Her dress is indeed beautiful. And expensive," Donnie said. Then his eyes fell on the sheath of the sword. He pulled out the weapon and admired the craftsmanship. "Where did you get this?"

Kat refused to answer, because she could see where this was going.

Donnie didn't seem to need an answer as he ran his fingers along the gems on the hilt of the sword. "That beast must be sleeping on a pile of gold. Gold he refuses to share with the town while he hunts in our forests and steals from our crops!"

"Steals?" Kat spat out. "He sends food to the town that your father hoards instead of sharing with everyone."

"Lies!" Donnie declared, though his meaty physique contradicted the statement. "But what else could come out of the mouth of the Beast's whore?"

She wished she was close enough to hit him, but instead focused on making her stance as wide as possible while Peter and Jackson tied her up to the pole.

Movement caught her eye and she spied Keleigh galloping away towards the other end of town. The roaring of the crowd covered her retreat and Kat hoped she'd return to the castle and warn Cage.

Donnie climbed on top of the pile of wood and Kat fought the need to kick him.

"Tell me," he whispered. "How does it feel to consort with animals?"

"I wouldn't know, since I never slept with you."

The affirmation gained her a backhand across the face. Her cheek stung, but the storm raging inside her blocked most of the pain. That asshole was so lucky she was already tied up.

"How dare you!" Joshua yelled. "Free me and fight like a man!"

Donnie threw him a disgusted glance. "I'm done doing you favors, you old fool." He turned with his back to them, towards the crowd. "We will storm the castle, kill the Beast, and take what is rightfully ours!" he bellowed, enticing cheers from the brainwashed peasants. "We will protect our town and our kingdom from this foul magic and set his body aflame with these two traitors!"

The crowd roared in approval and moved towards their homes. Only Peter and Jackson remained at the foot of the pillar, their hands on the hilts of their swords, silent guardians. Kat followed the crowd with her gaze, saw them picking up whatever weapons they could muster, from pitchforks to axes and rakes, and even shovels. Those who had swords, took them while the women carried the torches.

Egged on by Donnie, the crowd moved towards the forest, leaving the town drowning in a heavy silence. One lone figure draped in a dark grey cloak lingered at the edge of the circle of light, watching them. Kat wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but her eyes shone an eerie blue.

"I'm so sorry, Kathy," Joshua wailed. "I was so excited to get your letter, I hurried to answer without taking the necessary precautions. He sneaked up on me and saw me crossing out my misspelled words. That wonderful booklet makes them disappear."

Kat jerked and looked at her father. When she turned her attention back towards the figure, she was gone.

"Shut up, old man," Peter said, throwing them a disgusted look over his shoulder.

"It's alright, Papa," Kat said, ignoring the idiot, because she was going to leave him unconscious in the mud if it was the last thing she did. "This is not your fault."

She relaxed all her muscles and let out a deep breath. The ropes loosened considerably around her, just like she knew they would, but it wasn't enough to fully escape.

They stood in silence for what seemed like forever, with no other sound but the howling winter wind to keep them company. Kat racked her brain, going through all her training and strategy discussions with Cage, trying to come up with some way to escape faster. Her legs were numb and her feet frozen. Time ticked by. Too much time. What if she wouldn't escape? What if the mob had already reached the castle? She couldn't for the life of her tell how much time had gone by.

"Did you truly marry the Duke?" Joshua asked all of a sudden.

"No. Not yet. But we did get engaged." 

"I wish it would matter," Joshua said, mournfully.

"I said, shut up!"

Both Peter and Jackson turned to them, looks of disapproval on their rat-like faces. But they weren't looking at Joshua. Their mean little eyes were fixed on Kat.

"Mia was right. That dress is too beautiful to burn. We should strip her," Jackson said, licking his lips.

That's right. Come closer. Just a little closer.

"You stay away from her!"

Of course they ignored Joshua, focused as they were on their new task.

Kat did her best to look scared, hoping those simpletons hadn't learned anything. And indeed, they hadn't. They stared at her for another few agonizing minutes that made sure the mob came even closer to the castle, then finally moved towards her.

That's right, dearie. Kill them. Show them who is in charge.

The voice gave her the extra tremble she needed to convince Peter and Jackson that she was terrified out of her mind. She was, but not of them, and she pushed that murderous bitch to the back of her mind where she belonged.

The moment the two men came within her range, it was more than simple for her to reach her hand out under the loose ropes, snatch Jackson's sword from its sheath and slice her binds with it. Before they could compute what had happened, she tripped them both and pushed them off the pyre. She cut her father's ropes next and hopped to the ground, landing in a crouch, sword held tightly in her hand.

Peter came at her, but she parried and rolled her wrist, throwing the sword out of her hand like Cage had done to her so many times. Then, she kicked the legs out from under him, grabbed his fallen sword and pointed it at his neck.

"Donnie was right," Jackson breathed. "You are a witch."

"Just because a woman is skilled and independent, it doesn't make her a witch," Kat declared before knocking the two bozos out with hilts to the temples.

Now all she had to do was get to Cage before those crazed peasants murdered him, or he murdered them.

Please, please let him not have taken more opiates. She didn't want that mob to find him weak or in one of his excessively joyful moods.

"Kathy, we must go to the Duke."

"Ah, hell no! I'm going to Cage. You're staying here."

Joshua froze, obviously shocked by her language and her tone, but she was so nervous, she'd slipped into sailor talk herself. Cage was rubbing off on her in more ways than she'd imagined. And there was no way in hell she was losing him. Not now. But she wouldn't put her father in the way of the beast either.

"I'm sorry. You need to..." She wanted to say go home, but she changed her mind. In case the crowd returned and saw them missing, it would be the first place they'd look. "Go to Keleigh's house. Seek refuge there until I return." 

Damn Donnie for taking her notebook with him. Thank the gods he had difficulty writing or he might think of sending Cage wrong information to draw him out of the castle.

"You would've made a brilliant military leader," Joshua said. "But you're my daughter and I need to protect you."

She took his shoulders. "Papa, Cage is still dangerous. If the beast overtakes him, he will kill you. You specifically, because he knows it would hurt me. I need you to be safe."

He bit his lip, obviously understanding her worries. "And there is no way you can sit this out?"

"I can't let them hurt him. I have to help him fight."

Joshua nodded, so Kat gave him a brief hug and headed for her horse. Still wearing a dress and shoes very unfitting for combat, she galloped towards the woods, hoping she wouldn't stumble upon a bloodbath. As much as she tried to determine the time that had passed since the crowd moved away, she couldn't.

All that she hoped was that she wouldn't be too late.

Finally! I am back! I mean it's not like you're all forced to keep up. I still hope it gives you pleasure.

I had a little difficultly setting this up since the mob could no longer be enticed by the face of the beast in the magic mirror. So I had to search for something more realistic. Like bad kingdom politics and greed. Greed always does the trick.

So this means that we get our climax in the next chapter. Do you think the mob reached the castle? That Cage went all beast mode on them and all of them are dead or stone? Take a wild guess while I prepare the next installment.

Hit the star for support.