The topiaries, for example, seemed to snarl at him as he prowled the labyrinth on evenings like this, attempting to take his mind off his troubles. There had been many changes since the witches had brought their enchantments. He couldn’t recall these sculptures being there before the castle and its lands were enchanted. He now contemplated the moonlight casting sinister shadows on the statues that flanked the path leading from the castle to his garden-large winged creatures more frightening than anything from the ancient stories the tutors of his youth had made him study. Only since he had been forced to spend his life hidden within its wretched walls and on its grounds had he done such things as take in his surroundings this way-actually see and, indeed, feel them. It was tall and imposing and perched on the top of the highest mountain in the kingdom, and it appeared as though it were cut from the very mountain itself, surrounded by a thick green forest filled with dangerous wild creatures. He could only imagine how the place looked from a distance. Even the spires of his castle seemed to consciously pierce the sky with a violent fervor. It was different now-menacing, and alive. He tried to recall how the castle had looked before the curse.

He stood there looking at the view of his castle from the garden.

What sort of woman would do that-give up her life so easily, sacrificing her freedom for her father’s? The Beast wondered if he was capable of such a sacrifice. There were times when he wished they would, but now his mind was filled with images of the beautiful young woman inside his castle: Belle, so brave and noble-willing to take her father’s place as a prisoner in the castle dungeon. His garden always seemed to have a life of its own, as if the twisting thorny vines could wrap themselves around his racing heart and put an end to his anxiety. The Beast stood in his rose garden, the overwhelming scent of new blossoms making him slightly dizzy. For information address Disney Press, 1101 Flower Street, Glendale, California 91201.Ĭhapter I: The Witches in the Rose GardenĬhapter VII: The Princess and the PortraitĬhapter IX: The Statue in the ObservatoryĬhapter X: The Observer in the Observatory No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group. Adapted in part from Disney’s Beauty and the BeastĬover illustration © 2014 by Disney Enterprises, Inc.Ĭopyright © 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

The Beast Within by Serena Valentino