Isabelle's eyes ran over the same ornate wooden carvings on the outside of the grand double doors to the stables. It smelt of fresh hay and manure. A comforting scent that reminded her of her time back at the family manor.

It had only been a month and a bit since she last set foot here, yet it was a very different atmosphere. Gone were the bonds of master and servant, now simply kindred spirits. She hoped they were friends but had not yet the courage to ask.

Both shackled by this castle, by this curse. She had learned that Adam loathed his form probably more than the frightened humans did. It was part of the reason he kept to himself. A lone wolf. Though Isabelle suspected he had always been the sort to wander solitary.

He opened the doors with a loud crack, a chorus of whinnies greeting them from inside, expectant that someone had come to feed them.

A big black head poked out from the stall on the far right nickering a warm greeting.

"Hello Philip" Isabelle held out her hand for the horse to sniff her, while Adam went into the back room grabbing a saddle and woolen blanket from the back wall where tack was displayed in neat rows.

"It's amazing that he is not frightened by-"

"Me?" Adam finished for her, coming up behind with the tack and letting himself into the stall.

"No. Well, yes. I meant all creatures."

"Most animals are terrified. We lost a good deal of livestock back then. Most are only used for hulling carts and carriages now." His eyes took on a far away look as he spoke, as if he were remembering the horrors. "It's as if they too instinctively know that we are a perversion of nature." He tightened the girth with a snap. The way he spoke of himself made her wince. " It took Philip a few weeks to get used to my new face and several buckets of carrots, but eventually he came around." He gave him an affectionate pat on the neck, "I raised him from a colt myself. The only gift my father ever gave me."

Isabelle ran her fingers through Philips' glossy black mane. "He is a marvelous horse. Very clever." Philip nudged her chest with his nose as if he understood the compliment. He was a large horse bigger than the white mare she had plowed fields with back home. Adam was the size of a very tall man if Philip wasn't as big as he was she doubted he would be able to carry their weight at all. "Yes, such a strong boy you are." She reached us to scratch his muscular neck.

"Why thank you," Adam replied.

"I wasn't-" Isabelle turned to correct him. That she had been talking about the horse, but stopped whence saw his long muzzle curve up to reveal a sharp toothed smile. Was that a jest?

Adam slipped the bit gently into his mouth, careful of his claws as he fastened it over Philip's head.

Philip pawed at the floor.

"Ready?" he asked.

"I know he is," Isabelle chuckled, moving out of the way for him to open the door. She could swear she saw a grin stretch across his long muzzle.

He placed the cloth satchel of food in one of the saddlebags before grabbing her gently around the waist and hoisting her up on the large animal.

"He makes our old plow horse look like a field pony," she mused aloud.

"You must have ridden often as a child. You have a good seat." Adam complimented before swinging himself up behind her. Philip lurched into a brisk walk under the press of his master's heel.

"My father taught me to ride." Isabelle explained, "He would take me out hunting with him. Mother would always worry by the window till we came back."

A low rumble from his chest, like a laugh, vibrated from behind her, tickling her back.

"Mothers tend to worry that way." The affection in his tone encouraged her to continue and she filled their walk with stories of her happiest childhood memories against a backdrop of plodding hooves crunching on fallen leaves.

The dim grey sky was dipping behind the trees, casting faint shadows of twisted limbs onto the ground as they traversed the forest's edge, making a wide circle around the castle's private woods.

Sharp edges of the tall castle spires stretched, casting long fingers of darkness that reached back into the forest, rigid and cold like the master that dwelled within its walls. She watched the light flickering in a lamp swaying on the wooden post as the breeze swirled around, licking at the glass that sheltered its dim glow, threatening to snuff it out.

It was the same light that was so dangerously close to dying in the king. She had seen it. When he spoke of Rosie, it was there. His fondness for the tiny creature was a puzzle to monsters and humans alike, often parading the ball of white fur atop his shoulder when he attended meetings and his daily walks through the solarium.

Rosie had assured her she would not be harmed. Isabelle trusted the word of her friend, but not the heart of a beast. She ran her lower lip through her teeth. A habit she had formed when she was deep in thought. If she could just convince him of her idea, perhaps there would be a chance they could all be free.

Isabelle, so lost in her own thoughts, barely registered that had already circled back near the castle. The dim lights of the nobles' homes twinkled in the distance down the hillside and the dark long line of the wall behind it circling like a snake coiling its prey. Keeping them here.

She unconsciously leaned back into the warmth of his chest as a bitter wind nipped at her cheeks. He stiffed at the sudden contact before relaxing. The thin fabric of her dress did little against the bite of the wind, and she almost wished she had the warm fur that protected him.

"Have you ever tried to leave?" she thought aloud, biting her lip after she said it. Was it rude to ask?

"Once."

"What happened?"

"The curse brought me back." He tightened his grip on the reins as he spoke. "I could not survive under the sun. The hunger was insatiable. The light burned, and I committed a grave sin against an innocent village. So I came back. At least here it is sufferable. Henry tried the same once, to no avail. We are trapped here."

Isabelle's heart went out for him. How cruel a fate that all should suffer for the actions of one man. One king.

"What if I thought of a way to break it?"

He gave a hollow laugh- cold, like a barren cave- and she shivered despite the warmth at her back. "That is a nice thought, though I think you should worry more for yourself."

It was quiet between them for a while, both comfortable in the silence, enjoying the simple pleasure of each others company. As stables came back into view, a whisper of a promise broke the quiet "I will try and help you escape. If that is what you wish."

Isabelle's lips parted with surprise, "You would do that for me?"

They came to a stop, and he dismounted, gazing up into her eyes from the ground. They were almost at eye level and a heat that pooled in his molten gaze stirred a strange feeling in her belly.

"...I couldn't leave Rosie." She managed to get out, and he nodded in understanding, having seen the bond they shared first hand.

"I will see what I can-'' Isabelle's stomach growled in a loud protest and she clutched her belly. Adam's eyes grew wide, his wolf-like snout flaring, as he seemed to suck in a laugh. "It seems I have forgotten to feed you." He plucked her from his mount, mouth parting slightly, his lip curled back in a grin as he set her on the ground. "Such a fierce growl from such a tiny thing. We must remedy this."

Isabelle's mouth hung agape. Did he just joke with her? The longer they spent together, the more buttery warmth she found hiding behind that blurry aloof exterior.

"Well then, you should hurry before it protests again," she taunted back.

"Of course, my lady," he swept a large pawed hand in front of him, motioning for her to go in first while he grabbed the reins. The odd sensation stirred again in her stomach. She must be quite famished.

They un-tacked Philip, brushing him down, and Isabelle threw more hay into his stall. Giving him one last pat goodbye.

"Shall we eat here?" Isabelle suggested.

"Or, if you would like to accompany me to my chambers, we could eat there. By the fire?" his eyes scanned over her face, nose and ears red from the nipping wind.

The warmth sounded lovely and Isabelle nodded eagerly. "Did you need blood tonight?"

Adam stiffened at the mention of the word and shook his head. "No. Do not trouble yourself. I caught a rabbit not long ago."

The pair made their way back inside the palace, taking the winding stairs to the noble's floor. It was quiet. Most of the blood maids were probably still serving their master or just finishing. Some of the girls stayed for other activities and Isabelle was relieved that Adam had not pressed her for such things as the king had. He was not that sort of man, she told herself.

Once inside, Adam laid the spread on a table between two couches positioned opposite to one another that had not been there last time. She tried not to laugh at the sight of such a large ferocious creature gingerly picking up wrapped parcels of food with large claws.

Had he set this up for them? To sit more comfortably when she came?

"This is lovely," Isabelle commented as he finished setting out the spread.

"I had hoped you would find it more comfortable." Adam fiddled with the small gold buttons of his doublet. His clawed hands were not quite able to grasp the slippery fastenings. A maid must have helped dress him.

"Allow me," Isabelle, walked over, reaching her hands up to undo them. Not thinking of the intimacy of such an action until she could feel the hot breath of his muzzle on her neck as he bent down to allow her better access.

She undid the top two buttons by his collar. Hands brushing over his soft fur before he pulled away.

"That is enough," he growled out. "I will have the maids do the rest."

Isabelle pulled back, frightened at the fierceness of his voice, as she inched toward the door.

"I apologize," he reached out to her before thinking better of it and rubbed a hand over his face. "I didn't mean to startle you. Please sit. Eat."

She tentatively made her way to the powdered blue chesterfield. Settling into the plush cushions as she unwrapped the cloth package of food. Adam went to the nightstand, grabbing a bottle of wine that was left there and two cups.

The couches must have come from another part of the palace. The bright fabric was so out of place with the deep velvet reds and dark stained wood that decorated the space.

She unwrapped each like a present, arranging them on the cloth on the table between. A wedge of cheese, a loaf of bread, and several large slices of ham wrapped in a separate cloth inside. There were also two butter tarts, a little mashed from the journey, but the smell of them made her mouth water.

Adam sat down opposite her and poured the wine in both glasses, offering her one. "Please enjoy."

Isabelle dug in greedily, not needing to be told twice. They sat in silence as she ate. Adam sipped on his wine but made no motion for the food.

With a full belly and a satisfied sigh, Isabelle sunk back into the cushions. "I feel like my dress is about to burst at the seams." Adam chuckled through his cup at her joke as he sipped. "Thank you. I can't remember the last time I was so full."

"I shall have some prepared for your next visit."

Isabelle glowed at his thoughtfulness, her honey brown eyes melting with grateful warmth.

He stood up abruptly, setting his cup down. "I had wanted to give this to you for a while now," Adam pulled the familiar white cloth-bound book from his collection.

"Gawain and the Green Knight,'' Isabelle whispered the familiar title. It was the first book they had bonded over.

"I know it is a favorite of yours."

Isabelle shook her head fervently, "I couldn't possibly! It was a gift from your mother."

"No, please," he pushed the book into her hands. "I want you to have it."

It was the second gift she had received here, the first the rose necklace, and she felt a little more grounded to the world with every small thing she called hers.

"Thank you. This is the most wonderful gift anyone has given me." Isabelle tried to express the depths of her gratitude through her gaze but was sure it fell flat to the warmth that glowed in her heart.

The hour was waning and after finishing up the wine, Isabelle thanked Adam once again for the generous gift before excusing herself out.

She floated down the hall light as air, recalling the night's events. She couldn't wait to tell Anna and Rosie. Her now comforting place by the kitchen's hearth called to her.

Isabelle slowed her walk, noticing the door at the opposite end of the hall opened a crack, the sliver of darkness inviting curiosity. King Henry's chambers.