beast

[intheheart]

Title: beast
Rating: PG-13.
Summary: Gail, on Ivy's father.
Warnings: implied physical assault, implied marriage-in-return-for-paying-debts.
Notes: This is what happens when I read fairy tale meta.



They called him a beast,
laughing, and I looked
see his eyes deep-set and sorry
a soft smile
when he saw me looking

that said "come to me, beauty,
fairy-tale child
wide-eyed and honorable
come to me,"
and what is the use of weeping?
My father will not die.

He was so kind. To me, yes,
and to my father
who owes more than we can ever repay.

"We shall be married," he said,
"and you will live in my palace
with a hundred servants
ready for the least snap of your fingers.
Your tiniest whim will be my watchword,
your smallest wish my command,
your briefest glance my heaven,"
and what can a girl say to that?

We danced
as if we were alone in the ballroom
and later walked in the gardens.
He bent his head and kissed me
and I knew triumph.
The laughing girls would never have this
his mouth soft and warm,
his hands gentle then rough,
and if he was big inside me
if it hurt to take him, well—

we would be married,
and I would live in his palace
and without me he would die of sorrow,
and what is a little pain to that?

I have looked in the mirror,
I have had visions,
and it is not as he said it would be.
Beasts lie.
Men lie.
The fair maiden never knows this
but I am no maiden.

Here is what you do not see:
I told him first.
I know why they call him the beast.

There is no palace.
There will be no marriage.
I will not die in your place, Father.

I will not wed the beast.