Killer Beauty

Killer Beauty

The chains on Regina’s wrists clinked, echoing against the cold rock walls of the Beast’s prison.

“Why should I let you go?” the Beast grumbled from the other side of the metal bars. His massive shoulders spanned the entire width of her cell. Regina hated calling him that. But perhaps it suited him; he was burly and hairy, with large hands and a thick beard.

“I am innocent,” she said to him, steadying her breaths. “My husband framed me. He is the one who was unfaithful.”

The Beast snorted and turned away. His receding footsteps thumped towards the door.

Regina slumped against the wall in defeat.

Regina had carved herself away to become the perfect sculpture for her husband. But it was never enough. He had wrongly accused her of being unfaithful, sending her to this awful prison. And now, with Regina gone, he would be able to pursue someone else.

***

The Beast stalked through the wooden door a few hours later, passing by rows of empty cells until he reached Regina.

She adjusted the chains on her wrists, mustering all her dignity. “Where are your manners?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, hands neatly folded behind his back.

“You haven’t told me your name.”

He smiled. “I don’t reveal my name to commoners. You’re a prisoner, unfit to even eat with my dogs.”

“Your dogs would be an improvement compared to looking at you,” she countered, though his words stung slightly. Regina had to teach herself the etiquette of the city to prepare herself for marriage. She had been forced to leave parts of her behind. And it was all for nothing.

“You can join me for dinner, and we will test your manners,” the Beast said.

Regina gaped. Her heart thundered.

“I will come to get you in one hour.” The Beast inclined his head and left.

***

At the one hour mark, Regina was pacing across her cell, questioning if this was fate or a stupid mistake. In the city, the Beast was a horror story that parents told their children. When someone committed a crime, they got sent to his castle. And no one had ever come back. Why was I purposely provoking him? Regina asked herself. Am I crazy?

The door to the cell block opened, and the Beast strode in. He pulled a key out of his pocket and opened Regina’s cell. She flinched when he approached, though all he did was unlock the chains on her wrists.

He extended an arm out in invitation.

Regina swallowed, not quite understanding. Was he indulging her? Or was this some sort of psychological torture?

Whatever it was, it was fate. She would face whatever came her way. Regina would use her wit and charm to survive no matter what.

She took his arm.

He led her to a massive dining room. Thousands of candles painted the room with a golden glow. A fireplace roared beside the long black table. The Beast pulled out her chair. Regina sat, and he pushed it back in before going to sit across from her.

The oddity of all this was undeniable, yet Regina sensed that fate had something to do with it.

Each of them had two dishes placed neatly in a straight line: a bowl of soup and another plate hidden beneath a metal cover. The Beast lifted his spoon, and Regina followed his lead. She felt his gaze burning against her skin. She clutched the spoon harder and looked up into his eyes. I’m not afraid of you, she thought.

The Beast’s lips turned up into an almost imperceptible smile. I know, he seemed to think.

Regina set the spoon aside, slurping directly from the bowl. Do you like my manners now?

His shoulders jerked in silent laughter. So sophisticated, Regina imagined him saying.

The next dish was steak. Regina’s mouth began to water, but her eyes snapped to the cutlery beside her plate. A knife.

She clenched it in her hand, adoring the familiar feel of a weapon. This was one of the things she’d had to let go of in order to please her old husband. I guess it doesn’t matter anymore, Regina surmised.

I hate you, she thought, looking directly into the Beast’s eyes.

He blinked. I know.

She narrowed her eyes and cut the steak aggressively. I’m imagining this is your face.

He grinned.

After dinner, the Beast led Regina not to her cell, but to a real room.

“Why are you so well mannered?” she questioned. “You are supposed to imprison me, not feed me and joke with me.”

He shrugged. “I used to be a king, I know how to be respectful. Especially to an innocent woman.”

Her eyes snapped up to his. “You were King?”

“Of here.” He pointed at the floor.

“There was a kingdom here? I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Regina chewed her lip.

“You were much too busy attending elaborate tea parties.”

She ignored his comment. “But why are you a jailer? Why do people call you the Beast?”

He snorted. “The city officials stole my crown, and my castle was about to follow. So, I made a deal. I keep my home and use the space to imprison criminals.”

Why is he telling me this? He must truly be lonely in a castle full of prisoners, Regina thought.

“And what was the purpose in keeping your castle?” she asked.

The Beast leaned in. “I have a plan to take back my kingdom.”

***

His plan is insane, Regina thought, pacing in her extravagant room. The fire crackled in the hearth.

The Beast had hired all his prisoners to become his army. He promised to free them if they fought the city on his behalf. And once the city was defeated, he would crown himself king.

However, hope rose inside of Regina, despite the insanity of the Beast’s plan. If it works…

***

Regina skipped the pleasantries when she saw him the next morning.

“People know the Beast as a jailer,” she said. “They think you’re a rugged, illiterate man. And to be king, you need to prove them wrong. You need a wife.”

He burst into laughter. “And that’s you?”

Regina nodded. “You need someone who knows their way around a court. I doubt you have any women like that in your prison.”

He lifted a massive shoulder. “I don’t want a boring noble wife.”

Regina’s heart sank, but she tried to not let it show on her face. He must agree, Regina thought, there must be a reason fate led me here.

“I wish to marry someone who I can trust and who can take care of themselves,” the Beast finished. “Are you able to prove that you are these things?”

Regina's eyes widened. “Y-yes. I can.”

I became someone else for my first husband, there is no reason I cannot do this again for the second one, Regina mused. Then, I will finally be free of all these dominating men.

“Then, follow me.”

He led her through long, winding halls, only speaking once they stopped before a large door.

“I noticed the way you held the knife at dinner,” he started.

Regina’s cheeks flamed at her carelessness.

“You clearly know your way around a weapon," the Beast said. "I didn’t expect it from someone of your status. I want to duel with you. Choose a weapon.” He opened the door, leading them into an arena. The Beast gestured at the back wall, which was full of swords, knives, and bows hanging on hooks.

He is observant, I have to give him that. Regina grabbed a bow and a full quiver, knocking an arrow into place.

The Beast smiled wickedly, taking a long sword from the rack.

He lunged first. Regina stepped to the side and released the string. The arrow flew toward his shoulder. No kill shots. Wait—Why aren’t I killing him? I could escape… Regina’s confusion distracted her for a moment. The Beast blocked the arrow with the flat side of his blade. He swiped his sword at her. Regina gasped, barely able to smack it away with her bow in time.

“You’re holding back,” he taunted, slicing his blade downwards with full power.

Regina scowled and stopped pretending to be worse than she was. Who would have thought that the Beast would be the one to force me to reveal my skills with weaponry?

Regina lost herself in the duel, the sounds of clanging and swiping enveloping her. She charged and the Beast slid back. He jabbed and she blocked. She shot and he ducked. She slammed her bow down and it met the flat of his sword. They panted heavily, looking at each other through the X of their weapons.

“I’ll marry you,” he said finally.

Regina stared, speechless.

“You’re just what I need, my Queen.” He flashed her a grin and left.

Regina stayed until her breaths evened out. Then, she placed the bow and quiver back on the rack, keeping a single arrow hidden in the folds of her dress.

***

Their marriage was simple and hurried. She and the Beast began training the prisoners that very evening. They lined them up in the courtyard and performed basic drills with swords. The prisoners all fell silent when Regina stepped forward, bow in hand. Even the Beast paused, noting the fire in her eyes.

They didn’t realize that this was her only chance to be free from people like her old husband, who thought they were above everyone. Once the army regained the Beast’s empire, Regina would be Queen of it all.

***

All went according to plan. All of the prisoners faithfully attacked the city. They took over the main buildings and killed the city officials, as well as any citizens who dared to rebel. The streets were painted red. Once everything was secure, the Beast and Regina arrived in an opulent carriage. He crowned himself king and then announced Regina as his Queen.

She saw her old husband in the crowd. He clutched a young woman’s arm. Pathetic, she thought.

Regina whispered to the Beast, “That man in green. I want him.”

He understood perfectly. “Guards, arrest that man.”

Her old husband tried to run, but he was caught within seconds. His new wife slinked quietly into the shadows.

***

In their bedroom, Regina perched on the edge of the plush mattress, pondering.

“You do realize that you’ll have to create new treaties and a new flag?” Regina asked. “You just brought a whole new country into existence.”

The Beast rubbed his chin and lay on the bed beside her. “It’s a lot of work, but luckily, I have you to help me.”

Regina climbed onto the covers. “I promise, you won’t have to do a single thing.”

She removed the single arrow from the folds of her dress and stabbed it into the Beast's heart. He convulsed beneath her grip, eyes wide and panicked.

“Thank you for letting me be my true self,” she said. “Now, I’ll be me. Without you.”

***

“Hello,” Regina said when she entered the cell block.

Her voluminous gown took up most of the space in the hall. The fabric rustled when it brushed against the metal bars of empty cells. She walked down the long stone floor to the only occupied cell. Regina peered down at her old husband; he sat shivering with his chained arms wrapped around his legs.

“There’s no wife here to save you,” Regina murmured, removing a knife from the folds of her dress. She flicked her wrist and it flew through the bars of his cell, impaling his shoulder.

He yelled and fell to his knees, jerking his chains. A smirk tilted Regina’s lips when she removed a second knife from her dress. She threw it at his torso, and it embedded itself deep in his stomach. Her old husband hunched over, gasping for air. A trickle of blood leaked from his mouth.

“You wanted to get rid of me,” she said, yanking him as far forward as his chains allowed and placing her last knife against his bobbing throat. “You made me hate men like you…and now I’ve become worse than all of you combined. Queen Regina will be the last face you ever see.” She slashed the blade across his neck.