“Can I open them?” Her voice echoed. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought perhaps they were in a cathedral. “No. No. Wait here!” He released her hands. She heard a swish and then felt warm sunlight on her face. “Now can I open them?” He was actually enjoying this, giving her this gift, and he found himself smiling for the first time in ages. “All right, now!” he said, and she opened her eyes, which widened at the remarkable sight. “I can’t believe it! I’ve never seen so many books in my entire life!” The Beast hadn’t expected to feel this way, hadn’t expected what it would mean
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