The story of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. What if the woman was the one turned into the creature?

A witch hexed a girl, Pluck, which was meant for a boy, Prince Edward of Fletching, for stealing the Mystic Rose. Pluck transformed into a Necrom (a cat-like beast) with the Kiss, Edward's first kiss as her only redemption. Not an easy task, when showing her face meant her death.

Pluck, older, disguised herself and journeyed with Edward to protect him as he rushed to claim the crown. First royal couple reaching Kismet was crowned Emperor and Empress of the Five Kingdoms. Edward retrieved his betrothed, Princess Virago.

Could Pluck receive the Kiss before his new wife claimed it? They shipwrecked, and the race continued as they searched for ships. To their horror, they discovered the Necroms were no myth, and Man learned what it was to be hated.