M. J. Padgett - Deceptively Beautiful

2019 Melissa Padgett (M. J. Padgett)

Copyright registered with the US Copyright Office February 2019

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. This work may not be translated except by permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. The names, occupations, events, incidents, and businesses are products of the authors imagination. Certain cities, states, countries, and institutions are mentioned, but the characters involved are wholly imaginary. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. Certain creative liberties have been taken with regard to procedure and role of the occupations, agencies, locations, and events to suit the purpose of this work of fiction. None are intended to represent actual agencies, agency procedures, persons, or events, and any factuality is purely coincidental.

First Edition 2019

Printed in the United States of America

Cover Design by Melissa Padgett (M. J. Padgett)

Shutterstock #235215034 Natykoch Nataliia

Shutterstock #694411531 Paniti Alapon

Font design by Set Sail Studios

For BJ, the kindest, most accepting person I know.

Thank you for letting me be the maniac I am.

Ill always be your partner in crime.

For Dava, the bravest person I know.

Thank you for reminding me there is

strength in my weakness.

Song of The Lost

Beware the painted lips of Red

Whose kiss will surely render dead

For a heart as cold as death doth reign

Deep in forests filled with pain

Hear the cries of suffering souls

From beast to man upon the knoll

She bestowed a curse of miserable life

Upon the hands that toil and strife

Rise against the broken way

Steadfast my love, do not give sway

For evil lurks among the shadows

Be not tempted my darling White rose

You alone hold the key

Our daughter dear, set us free

Align with you, the seven sworn

Who not in death, we do still mourn

From the poison, they shall rise

Forever cursed, Canis lupus inside

Break the moon once of blue

The howl we seek is strong and true

Beware the painted lips of Red

Whose kiss will surely render dead

Save the wolf wholl have her head

Our ever beloved Salien bred

Prologue

W il, youve told me the story a dozen times. I know the tale by heart, Caleb said, reminding Wil Grimm there was no need to recite the incorrect version of the fairy tale once more.

I insist, Wil said. You never know when something new will grab your attention. Now, listen well.

Long ago, a merchantman set off on a long voyage. The merchant asked his three daughters what they wanted as a present upon his return. His first daughter wished for a brocade dress, the second for a necklace made of pearls. The third, the sweetest and fairest, asked only for a flowera single rose, picked by her fathers hand.

After the merchant concluded his business, he headed home. Before he got too far, a terrible storm blocked his way. The harsh weather had nearly frozen him when he came upon a castle in the forest. Believing he could find food and shelter for the night, the merchant approached the grim, old castle.

The man reached the entrance and called out. When no one answered, he opened the gate. Once inside, he shouted again. As before, there was no answer. The merchant grew curious and wandered the halls in search of the owner. Instead, he found a feast prepared. The merchant was too hungry to ignore the spread, so he ate well.

Once his belly was full, he found a bed to rest. When he woke the next morning, a fruit log and a mug of steaming coffee sat by his bedside. The man ate and went in search of his generous host again. Finding no one, the man went outside to find his horse tethered to a tree. He wished to grace his host with enormous gratitude but decided it best he headed home. On the way out, he saw a red rose tree. He plucked a single rose for his dearest daughter.

An angry roar emanated from the castle behind him, and an ominous monster dressed in beautiful clothing appeared. The beast roared at the merchantman, angered by the guests ungrateful display.

I gave you food and quarters, and you repay me by stealing?

Sir, I assure you, the rose was not for me, but for my daughter whose only wish was for a rose upon my return.

I shall spare your life upon one promise. Return to your home and deliver your daughter at once.

Brought to tears, the man agreed and headed home. When he arrived, his daughters doted over him, but he was so despondent the girls insisted he tell them what was wrong. The merchant relayed the story, and his youngest daughter agreed to go to the beast, the trollish man who had threatened her fathers life.

Upon arriving at the castle, it surprised the young woman to find the beast was kind. He gave her expensive clothes and the best jewels. The girl smiled often and sang with the chirping birds each morning. She grew attached to the beast after time passed. Many times, the creature asked for the daughters hand in marriage, but she refused. One evening, he gave her a magic mirror. Through it, she could see her father. The merchant was gravely ill, and the sweet young woman begged the beast to let her go to him.

The beast refused and locked her away. After considering his feelings for her, the creature allowed her seven days to care for her ill father if she promised to return. When she made her way home, she flung herself into her fathers arms. His broken heart healed the moment he held his daughter. The young woman stayed by her fathers side for days relaying her adventures in the castle.