My Beast is not an ogre or a monster, at least not on the outside. He is young, handsome, and utterly ruthless. He has been trained that to show any mercy or compassion will make him vulnerable. He is fearless and intolerant.

My Beauty has seen it all: her father has been murdered, her mother is very ill, her family impoverished and in rags. Through all this she has had the strength keep her kind and loving nature intact. She is brave and patient.

The Beast wants to hang her brother for something he did not do. Beauty goes to bargain with the Beast to save him.

She offers her virgin body but that’s not enough for the Beast--he’ll hang her brother and take her anyway. So she offers him something he’s never had: A woman’s loving devotion.

Intrigued, he takes her up on her offer, but keeps trying to find ways to force her into breaking her word. She stands fast, and slowly shows him how to love and be loved.