The rest of the bath was completed quickly, yet thoroughly. It was difficult to say which was the most relieved when it ended, but both of them sighed when Luka finally stood and told Beast that he could get out of the tub.
When Beast stood, droplets of water trailed down his fur and into the tub. He looked down, then growled once more at the water before stepping out of the tub. Luka peered into the water, not surprised to see how dirty it was. He was fairly sure that Beast had never bathed in anything but rain water, and that had probably only happened when Beast wasn't quick enough to get out of the rain when it stormed.
"Hey," Luka exclaimed as he was suddenly showered with water from Beast's vigorous attempts to shake the water from his body. But Luka's indignation was soon replaced by laughter as he noted the way that Beast's fur was standing out all over his body.
Beast glowered at Luka, another growl beginning.
"I'm sorry, Beast. I should not have laughed at you. You need a good brushing, but not out here. Let's go inside to the library where it's warm."
"If I run long enough, I'll dry," Beast replied.
"Are you telling me that you're passing up on the chance to lay in front of the fire?" Luka asked with a smile. He couldn't keep from grinning as he watched Beast contemplate that idea. Finally Beast nodded and walked toward the castle, leaving Luka to follow. Luka instructed the castle to put the brushes in the library on the rug in front of the fire and to start a fire. He also told the castle to get rid of the bathtub. He never looked back to see if his orders had been carried out -- he had lived there long enough to know that they would be obeyed without question.
Luka entered the library just as Beast was settling onto the rug. The flames were high in the hearth, and as Luka walked near, he could feel the immense heat.
"I will brush you now, Beast," Luka knelt beside Beast and picked up a brush, then tried to decide where to begin. He did his best to ignore Beast's indignant stare.
"You will not brush me, Luka," Beast finally declared.
"I most certainly will. There's no one else here who can do it for you."
"It's not proper."
"Who is the master here, Beast? You or me?"
"You," Beast reluctantly acknowledged.
Luka nodded. "Exactly. So, stretch out on your stomach and I'll begin with your back. You'll like this, Beast."
"That's what you said about the bath."
"And you did like it."
"I hated it. There was water everywhere."
If Beast had been human, then Luka knew that he would be pouting. Luka shook his head and began to brush Beast, starting where his neck met his shoulders and then running the brush down the length of his body. And it was such a long body. Luka wasn't sure exactly what type of animal Beast was supposed to be. There were times when he was sure that Beast was a wolf of some type, but there were other times, like now, when Luka thought that Beast was a great cat of some sort. Wolves did not purr with contentment the way that Beast did.
As Luka ran the brush through the silky fur, his thoughts began to stray. Beast was so soft, but if Luka ran his hands over Beast's body, then he could feel the hard muscles. Luka was a virgin, but he was well read, and he was more than ready to experience the delights of the flesh. Especially since he had been living at the castle and had so many erotic books to read. There had been many nights when Luka had concocted fantasies in his mind while relieving the sexual tension that wracked his body. It seemed that during the past week, Beast had figured in those fantasies, even though Luka knew that nothing could ever happen between a man and a beast. No matter how man-like Beast might be. And yet, that wasn't keeping Beast from proposing. Suppose Luke did say 'yes'? Would there be a real wedding night? And if so, then who would be the bride and who would play the part of the bridegroom? Luka had tried to imagine himself in both roles, but the one that brought him the most pleasure was when he imagined Beast stretched out under his body, ready to be pleasured by Luka. Definitely the bridegroom, Luka thought.
"Luka, you're going to rub the skin off of my body if you don't brush somewhere else," Beast said, propping himself up on one arm to look at Luka.
Luka blinked away the wedding night image that was dancing before his eyes and turned his gaze to what he was doing. Belatedly, he realized that he had been brushing Beast in the same spot for the past five minutes. Beast rolled over to his back and Luka moved the brush to Beast's belly, gently running the brush over the skin and soft fur that he found there. Luka jerked his hand away when it brushed up against something hard and hot and he saw that Beast was very much aroused.
Luka looked to see if Beast had noticed, but the man-creature had his head down on the rug and his eyes closed. It was probably a reaction to the physical sensation of being brushed or something like that, Luka reasoned with himself. There was no way that Beast would feel something like desire for a human.
Taking no chances, Luka began to brush somewhere else, determined to avoid Beast's belly. After all, Luka didn't want to embarrass Beast. But he couldn't help but think about the fact that Beast aroused was much larger than he was. With a slight nod, Luka confirmed that he would indeed prefer to be the bridegroom. That is, if something like a marriage between them were ever to happen. Which it wouldn't, simply because he wasn't in love with Beast. Luka treasured the companionship he shared with Beast. He even considered him a friend, if a person could actually be a friend with a beast. But, love? Luka didn't think so.
****************************
The next day dawned darkly, but not with rain clouds. It was with dismay that Luka stumbled from his bed and looked out of his window to see tiny snowflakes twirling down from the sky, an early spring snowstorm. By the time Luka finished with breakfast, those tiny flakes had managed to create a substantial accumulation. With a sharp pang in his heart, Luka thought of how he had never seen the farm cottage in winter and now he wondered how it would look. Would it be bleak? Would it appear peaceful? Guilt then washed over Luka as he realized how much time had passed since he had last thought about his family. Were his brothers married by now? Were they happy? Was his father all right?
"Castle, show me my father," Luka said out loud. "Please?"
Luka looked frantically around the room, not sure what the castle would use to show him the image of his old home. His eyes finally stopped at the silver tea pot, and he saw the cottage. Snow lay clean and even around it, unbroken by foot prints of any kind. A thin stream of smoke came from the chimney and then Luka was seeing inside of the cottage. His brothers were seated in front of the fire, extending their hands toward the flames. They looked cold and miserable.
The scene then shifted to Donald's room and Luka's breath caught in his throat as he saw his father laying in his bed, pale and sickly looking. His father was ill, very ill. That much was obvious.
Luka jumped to his feet, feeling panic over the thought that his father might be dying. "Beast," Luka shouted. He needed to go home. Beast would just have to relent and let him go. After a few more shouts that brought no response, Luka went searching for Beast. He found him in the spacious entry hall, stamping his feet to get the snow from them.
Beast looked up with forlorn eyes. "It's cold out there, Luka. I don't like snow any more than I like water."
"Beast, my father is ill. He might be dying. I need to go to him. Please?"
Luka looked intently at Beast, looking for some sign in those dark eyes that Beast would take him home. They stared at each other for a long minute.
Beast finally nodded. "You can go home, Luka. I'll arrange it for you to go home tonight."
Luka smiled with relief and he clasped Beast's hand/paw in his hands. "Thank you, Beast. You don't know how much this means to me. I would go mad if my father died and I wasn't there to say good-bye to him."
"I know. It would not be your nature to stay content here while he suffers." Beast gently pulled free and turned back toward the door. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go back out."
Beast was out of the door quickly and despite his happiness at knowing he would see his father, Luka couldn't quite shake the feeling that Beast was saddened by the fact that he was leaving. He also couldn't quite shake the sadness he was feeling over leaving Beast.
***********************
It was way past dark when Beast finally returned to the castle. Luka practically pounced upon the creature when he walked through the door.
"I thought you had gone away, Beast, and forgotten that I was to go home."
"I did not forget, Luka. I told you that you would go home tonight and I meant it." Beast held out his hand/paw and Luka saw that he was holding a plain golden ring. "Put this on and go to sleep. When you awaken in the morning, you will be home. When you're ready to return here, take off the ring and put it on the table by your bed. You'll wake up the next day in your room."
Then Beast turned away, his body shaking. "But I fear that you will forget me and never return."
"No, Beast. That won't happen. I promise that I'll come back," Luka cried.
"If you don't return, Luka, then I shall die from grief."
"Just one week, Beast. All I need is one week to get my father back on his feet. I promise." Luka knew he wouldn't be able to physically turn Beast around to face him, so he walked around until they were face to face. The fur under Beast's eyes was moist and Luka was touched to know that Beast had been crying. "I promise, Beast. I will come back in a week."
Beast mutely nodded.
"Shall we go to the library to read?" Even though Luka was now anxious to be in bed for the night, he knew that his friend needed to have a few final hours alone with him.
"That would be nice, Luka," Beast replied.
"I have a new book picked out," Luka grinned. He had thought that he had exhausted the library's selection of erotica, but last night he had spied a title that he had previously overlooked. It was a rather slim volume, but when Luka had skimmed through the pages, he had been rather pleased to see that it was full of the passion shared by the two lovers who were the main characters of the book. Two men. Luka's dreams last night had been of the few passages he had taken the time to read.
Luka ended up reading the entire book to Beast, and when he finally reached the end, he saw that Beast had fallen asleep on the rug. Luka wished he could just put the book aside and curl up beside Beast, but his bed beckoned with the promise of home. Luka put the book back on the shelf, told the castle to watch over Beast for him and then he went upstairs. He quickly changed for bed, then stared at the ring on his finger. He had seen enough magic around the castle to believe it when Beast said that he would awaken at home. But, first he had to actually fall asleep. Luka was still thinking about the difficulty of that task when his eyes closed upon his bedroom.
**************************
Luka sat up straight in the wooden backed chair and stretched. He looked over at his father and smiled. Donald was looking better after only two days of extra care from Luka. Luka had been right that his going home would be good for his father. The minute that Luka had stepped into his father's bedroom and Donald had laid eyes on him, he had begun to improve. Of course, getting decent meals had helped as well. Robert and Mark were poor cooks and they even seemed happy to see him. They were certainly happy enough to enjoy his cooking. Luka had been almost surprised that he remembered how to cook since he had not had to do that at the castle. But, he had, and they were all benefiting from it.
Luka smiled as he remembered how shocked his brothers had been to see him walk out of his old room. When Luka had awoken in his old room, he had discovered at the foot of his bed a trunk filled with gorgeous and expensive clothing. Luka had quickly dressed, feeling very much like a prince. He then reached in and selected clothes for his brothers, but before he could offer them to Robert and Mark, they simply disappeared. The minute that Luka thought that he wouldn't give them to them after all, the clothes reappeared. So Luka had to spend the rest of the day putting up with Robert's snide comments and Mark's jealous glances. Luka had always overlooked their petty natures, but now he couldn't deny the truth that his brothers were not nice people.
Luka still took pleasure from seeing them happy, although if he had known that while he was sitting by his father's side his brothers were scheming to find a way to keep him home. If they had to be miserable, then so should Luka. It wasn't right that he be happy living with a creature while they suffered in some humble cottage. They were the ones who deserved to live in a castle and have their every whim catered to. So, Robert and Mark made sure they praised each meal that Luka prepared. They helped out by doing simple chores, things that had gone undone ever since Luka left. They tried to talk nicely to Luka and to help him with their father. Luka began to think he was wrong about his brothers being mean, and as Donald regained his strength, Luka began to feel happy and at ease at being home.
And the days passed. First three, then four, then seven. Then ten. It was on the twelfth day that Luka was washing dishes and the light from the lamp caught on his ring. The flash of light hurt his eyes and in that instant Luka remembered his promise to Beast. And he knew that he had broken that promise. Luka quickly finished the dishes and then went to his father. His heart heavy, Luka told his father about his promise. He assured Donald that he was quite happy living with Beast and that Donald had no reason to worry himself sick over his welfare. It took a few hours, but Luka was finally able to convince his father that he was being truthful about his happiness.
As Luka settled into bed that night, he smiled as he placed the ring on the table. Tomorrow morning he would see Beast again.
When Luka opened his eyes, his face broke into a wide grin as he recognized his room. HIS ROOM!! He hurried out of bed and rushed to his closet, searching for the suit of clothes that he knew Beast liked best. Satisfied with his appearance, Luka headed downstairs, hoping that Beast would be inside the castle. But he wasn't. Luka went from room to room, but there was no sight of Beast. Luka gave up the search in the library, where he went to the window and gazed outside, wondering if Beast was out hunting for his breakfast.
With a frown on his face, Luka stared out at the snow covered garden. Why hadn't the castle kept the snow away? It would ruin the garden. As usual, the castle read his mind and the snow began to melt. As one snow drift dwindled, Luka saw that the basic shape of the drift remained. Then, his breathing nearly stopped as he recognized the drift as a distinct shape. Beast.
His Beast.
Luka ran from the room and out to the garden, falling to his knees beside the prone man-creature. A million emotions ran through Luka's heart and mind, but the one that stood out the most was that he didn't want to lose his Beast. He couldn't. He loved him too much.
He loved Beast.
Cradling Beast in his arms, Luka called out to him.
"Beast? Wake up, Beast. I'm back. I know I'm late, but I came back."
Beast slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Luka, his voice weak. "You came back?"
"I'm here now, Beast. I'm sorry I was late, but I'm here now. Please don't die." Luka was now crying.
"It doesn't matter now, Luka. With me gone, you'll be free to stay with your family. It was wrong of me to try to keep you here against your will."
"It wasn't against my will, Beast. I agreed to stay and I've been happy here. So very happy. You can't leave me."
"I'm so tired, Luka. So very tired." Beast's eyes fluttered closed and Luka shook his body.
"You have to stay awake, Beast. You have to live for me. You can't die. I love you, Beast."
As if his words had ignited the fuse of a bomb, the sky above Luka and Beast exploded into fireworks. Luka looked up with a mixture of fascination and horror at the sight above him. And when he looked down at Beast, he felt even more horror, for his Beast was gone. Instead of holding Beast, he was now holding a young man, maybe a few years younger than himself. Dark of hair and pale of skin, the man lay naked in his arms.
"No," Luka screamed, nearly dropping the man. "Castle, where's Beast? Who is this stranger?"
The man's eyes slowly opened there was no mistaking those chocolate brown eyes that were unable to hide even the merest hint of emotion.
"Beast?" Luka shakily asked.
The man nodded. "I was Beast. But, I'm back to being myself now."
"And who are you?"
"My name is John and I am the Prince of this land. All you see around you, I ruled at one time." John shivered then and Luka got to his feet, still holding Beast -- John --- in his arms. He carried him into the castle and to the library, settling them both on the rug and asking for the castle to kindle the wood in the fireplace. While the flames caught hold there, Luka asked for a large blanket and he wrapped it around them both. Once John's shivers subsided, he told Luka his story.
"I was arrogant, Luka. So very arrogant. I had surrounded myself with beauty, thinking that it was a reflection of my self. One day an old hag appeared in the forecourt, asking for shelter from the night. I informed her that she was not welcome here. I was having a ball that night and didn't desire to have anyone ugly near my guests. The minute the words left my mouth, she began to change and I found myself facing the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. A beauty who also happened to be a witch. She cursed me then, telling me that I would be doomed to be an ugly beast forever unless I could find someone willing to look past my beastly exterior and love me for who and what I truly was. That was such a long time ago, Luka. I had almost given up hope of finding someone to love me and then one day your father stumbled into the castle. And then you were here. I couldn't help but love you, and I prayed that you would come to love me in return. I knew it was hopeless, and I wanted so much to tell you that I had once been a man. But, I couldn't. That was also a part of the curse -- that I could never tell anyone what had happened."
"And then you thought I had forgotten about you?" Luka gently asked, his heart breaking for the anguish that John had endured though the years.
A tear slipped down John's cheek. "You said you would be gone for only a week. You were gone for longer than that. I asked to see you and the castle obliged me. You were so happy, Luka. Your whole family was happy. I knew then that you wouldn't return to me. So, I went out to the garden, to a place where we had spent many happy moments. I didn't want to live without you."
"I didn't forget about you, Bea...John." They both grinned. "Calling you John will take some getting used to, you know?" Then Luka looked serious. "I never forgot about you. I would never forget you."
"Say it again," John whispered.
"I love you," Luka softly said. Then more firmly, "I love you." He bent his head to capture John's lips, savoring the contact. When the kiss ended, they both were shivering, but not from cold.
"So, you wanted a virgin, huh?"
John's cheeks reddened. "That was a part of the curse as well. The person who loved me had to be untouched by man. And you are."
Luka nodded, then let his hand roam over the warm body in his lap. "I think that you are as well."
John gasped as Luka's hand encircled him, and he nodded. "I never had a lover...before now."
"I will love you well, John. I promise."
John looked up at Luka and smiled. "I know you will. So, Luka, will you marry me?"
Luka laughed. "Yes, my Beast, I will marry you. And on our wedding night I will take you as mine."
"And until then?"
"Until then I'll drive you wild with longing for me. But I think that the castle can manage to put a wedding together rather quickly. My father has regained enough strength to attend a wedding, so he shall be here. How does the day after tomorrow sound?"
John grinned. "Like two days too late. I have no friends or family to invite, Luka. My family died when I was young."
"My poor Beast, left all alone. You'll never be alone again, this I promise you."
Two days later a wedding was held in the garden of the castle. The sun shone brightly and the flowers nearly glowed in the golden light. Donald beamed with happiness as he watched Luka and John promised themselves to each other. Robert and Mark wore pretend smiles, but there were still jealous of Luka, especially now that he had John.
As the wedding party walked back toward the castle, a shimmering cut through the air and a woman with breathtaking beauty stood before them. It was the witch that had placed the curse upon John. She smiled at him now, then turned her smile to Luka.
"I am glad that the two of you have found happiness and love with each other. It is richly deserved. And you," she looked at Donald, "Should be proud to have a son such as Luka."
Then she turned her gaze to Robert and Mark. "But the two of you are miserable excuses for brothers. You plotted to keep Luka from here, not caring who you were hurting. It nearly killed John. You were jealous because Luka was happy and you were not. You never saw that each of us is responsible for our own happiness. Your hearts are dark and wicked and you shall remain here at the castle with your brother."
Robert and Mark smiled and nodded at each other. They could easily get used to living in such a fine castle.
"Don't be too happy about that prospect. The two of you shall be turned into statues and placed in this garden. While your bodies will be made into stone, your minds will retain all reason so that you will recognize the happiness you will witness every day. Seeing Luka happy will be your penance. And if by some chance your hearts lighten, then one day you may find yourselves freed from the stone."
Before they could react, Robert and Mark found themselves flanking the pathway, their eyes looking down the path toward the castle so that every day they would see Luka and John walking in the garden.
Donald felt a momentary sadness about the plight of his sons, as did Luka, but John knew that the witch had gone easy on them.
Luka looked at his father, "At least we'll always know where they are, and that they are safe here."
"There is that to be grateful for," Donald agreed.
The witch spoke directly to John and Luka. "The two of you will have many years of happiness ahead of you. I will let you keep the magical properties of the castle so that you won't have servants interrupting your privacy. But, if at any time you desire more human companionship, say so, and the castle will go back to being a mere building."
"Thank you," John said.
"Yes, thank you," Luka said. "We will try to not abuse your generosity."
"All I ask is that you continue to give shelter to any who are caught out in the elements."
"We will. And we will share everything we have with those strangers," John said.
The witch smiled and nodded. With the prince restored to human form and his heart changed for the better, her work there was done. She would drop back by in another fifteen or twenty years to check on the brothers, but she didn't feel too hopeful about them having a change of heart the way John had. With no warning, she disappeared.
"Well. This has been quite a day," Donald said.
John and Luka nodded. Then Luka turned to his father, "I think it's time for the wedding dinner, don't you? What would you like to eat, Father?"
"Anything you choose will be fine with me, Luka," Donald replied. "What would you like, John?"
"Anything that requires a utensil," John replied.
"He likes being able to easily use his hands and fingers once again," Luka explained. "All of those years using only paws has made him appreciate fine table manners. Now, if I could only get him to give up his taste for raw meat, then our meals would be a bit more pleasant."
Donald laughed at Luka's joke, not seeing by the look that passed between John and Luka that Luka wasn't joking.
Dinner was a sumptuous affair that left the three men happily stuffed. It didn't escape Donald's notice that John and Luka couldn't keep their eyes off of each other or the clock. He knew they were anxious to consummate their marriage. Hiding a grin, he got to his feet.
"I'm full and more than ready for bed. I picked out a room already, so you don't need to show me all of them. It's a nice room, all the way at the other end of the hall from your room, Luka."
Luka grinned. "I'm sure you'll sleep soundly, Father. It's always quiet at that end of the castle."
"I would imagine so. Goodnight, Luka." Donald hugged Luka and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then he did the same with John. "Good night, my new son. I will be very happy with you in our family." And then Donald was on his way upstairs.
"So, husband, are you ready to experience the marriage bed?" Luka asked.
"I've been ready for that, Luka. But, you know what I miss?"
"No." Luka wasn't sure what John was going to say. He thought they both had been looking forward to becoming one.
John grinned. "My bedtime stories. Are you going to read to me tonight, Luka?"
Luka laughed. "I think I'll pass on the reading tonight, but I will tell you a story, John. A story about two men who found happiness in each other's arms."
"Well, the sooner we get to your room, the sooner you can begin the story." John stood and waited for Luka.
"It's your room as well now, John." Luka walked to his side and took his hand in both of his own. "And the story has already started."
Hand in hand, they headed up the stairs and to the beginning of a new story with a very happy ending. Needless to say, they lived happily ever after, proving that if a person possessed a pure heart and a kind soul, then all things were possible.
The End.
Copyright Footer', 'This site is not affiliated in any way with "ER", its writers or production company, or NBC, and makes no profit from the show. The ERROS skin is by Brihana. The script is eFiction version 3.4.2© Tammy Keefer, http://efiction.org\r\n