Bella leaned closer to the horse as she rode through the forest. Her mind spun with everything that Garrett had said, and although she knew him to be someone who spreads gossip, she wondered if what he was saying was true. Her parents were never close, not like other married couples should be. On the days her father was home, he stayed outside in the barn, either tending to the animals or working on another invention. Mother socialized quite often, and everyone in town seemed to love her.
It angered her that Garrett would take the credit for being the one who separated her and Terrick for seven years. That was absurd. And yet, if he had been blackmailing her mother, that would be a good reason for her mother to erase Bella’s memories of Terrick.
As she rounded a bend, she slowed the animal a little, leaning into the turn. Suddenly, not far in front of her, a large animal jumped in her path. She yanked on the reins, stopping the horse. Her heartbeat stilled as she peered into the sneering face of the panther.
In her haste to leave the house, she’d forgotten to bring the rifle. Now... she would die. But she would fight until her last breath.
A deep growl rumbled from the panther as he moved toward her, slowly, studying his prey. The menacing look in his eyes frightened her. The animal looked as if he could tear her limb from limb – and enjoy doing it. Yet, if he was the same animal Andrew and her father had mentioned, why was the panther not gentler with her?
As the animal walked, there was a distinct limp. His right leg was injured, but the panther didn’t let it stop him from moving closer.
Pegasus shifted nervously, trying to get away, but she held tight to the reins, steadying her horse. Please, Lord, let me know what to do. Dying from the fierce animal’s sharp teeth wasn’t something she wanted to happen.
The closer the panther came toward her, the quieter his growl sounded. Finally, he stopped in front of her and sat on his hind legs. His injured right leg stuck out a little more, reminding her of...
Inwardly, she groaned. No! She couldn’t believe Andrew. Terrick was not a beast!
But her father admitted to cursing the panther. If her father hadn’t wanted her to marry Terrick seven years ago, would he have cursed him into this beast? That would make sense as to why the animal served as her protector. She just prayed that the creature wouldn’t attack her now.
She swallowed down the lump of fear lodged in her throat and licked her dry lips. “Please.” Her voice cracked, so she cleared her throat. “Please, don’t hurt me.”
The panther cocked his head as if trying to understand her. Thankfully, Pegasus had calmed down slightly. It was difficult enough to calm one animal, let alone two.
Bella tried to study the animal’s eyes to see if he was really Terrick. She felt foolish for even thinking such a thing, but what if... “Terrick?”
Immediately, the panther jumped into an attack pose, snarling and growling. Her heart sank. Pegasus reared up, and she held tight to the reins, struggling to stay on the saddle. “Shh...” she cooed her horse, hoping it would calm the animal down again.
The animal stumbled and then sat again. This time, the panther looked more like a feline as he licked a spot on his belly near his right leg that appeared to be swollen. This beast wasn’t Terrick at all. What if it was...
“Garrett?”
The panther’s head snapped her way. A different expression came across his eyes. Because the animal was closer, she could see his eyes better. They were not gray, but an orange-brown – just like Garrett’s had been before she kicked him in the stomach... the same spot that was swollen on the panther.
“Garrett? Did my father do this to you?” Even though she loathed the man, she didn’t think he deserved to be cursed. The animal looked at her with a blank stare. “Or was it my mother?”
Once again, the animal bared his teeth and growled. Mother? What have you done? Then again, that’s what happens when someone threatens a witch.
Something she’d read in her mother’s journal last night popped into her mind. Her mother had been talking about the arrogant young man, Garrett. Mother had written that if only he weren’t so selfish, he might be a good person. If only he would be more kind and giving, he would be able to live a fuller life.
The journal entry nagged at Bella, and she didn’t know what it meant or why she was even thinking of it right now when she should try to escape unharmed.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked the creature in a plea. “I didn’t do this to you. My mother did.”
The pounding of horse’s hooves sounded on the road up ahead. Bella glanced up and saw the dust from the rider coming toward her. Immediately, the panther jumped in front of her and Pegasus, facing their visitor, crouching in his attack pose. Garrett had mentioned he was protecting her. Now she knew why.
The rider saw her and slowed. As the dust settled, she recognized the broad shoulders and the man’s long hair... and his injured leg that couldn’t quite hook in the stirrup. Terrick! She wanted to cry out with relief, but since Garrett was dead set against her and Terrick having a life together, she knew the panther would try and attack Terrick.
On Terrick’s lap was a rifle. He would try and kill the creature. Although she wanted the panther out of her life, she
