Page 101 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)
Forever
Four Months Later
Beau
A day I always hoped would come has finally arrived, growing more real by the moment. After formulating the correct remedy, my family jumped to work, ensuring Vi and I got the rest we deserved and the time needed to cure the people and the lands of Draymenk.
Esme and Hugo controlled transporting the medicine to each region, while Veryon and Odette stayed behind and negotiated terms each kingdom would agree upon once Vi ascended her father’s throne.
I hadn’t thought he’d allow me the chance to marry her before then, but he stunned us all. After Vi and I gave every monarch the clear to let citizens return to their homes, every ruler signed the agreement.
That was barely a fortnight ago, and we wasted no more time.
Friends and family pitched in, pulling together a last-minute wedding celebration. Exhilaration pumps through my veins, and my smile never leaves as I tuck my beige undershirt into my trousers, styling my outfit with an embroidered vest lined with gold foliage.
The vest matches my doublet, the only difference between the two is the small notions of red flowers near the left breast. Red for Vivienne, rose for Rosebud.
My heart. My soul.
I pace in my room, grabbing the letter to my wife and tucking it inside my jacket as I glance out the window.
Knock. Knock.
“Are you ready?” Leo asks from the hall.
“Or did you suddenly get cold feet?” Marcel taunts shortly after, Leo’s loud roar of laughter following.
“I’m coming!” I grab my crown, stopping when snickers erupt beyond the door. Rolling my eyes, I stride to the door, scowling at my brother and close friend. “Don’t even start.”
Marcel raises his hands in mock surrender as Leo sighs. “You’re the one who said it.”
They chuckle as I pass, smirking with a skip in my step as we venture to the main level.
My advisors, along with Jean and Pierre, greet every guest in the foyer. Christine helps staff usher attendees to their seats in the lavishly decorated ballroom.
My sister greets me before jumping into my arms. “Oh, Beau,” she sings. “Wait till you see—”
“Uh-uh.” I lower her. “I don’t want any hints of what to expect.”
She tucks a loose blonde curl behind her ear as Esme and Odette approach.
“We’re ready when you are,” Esme beams, as Hugo and Veryon approach with Jean and Pierre.
I turn to Bernie’s advisors, exchanging pleasantries. “Thank you for all your help.”
Pierre grunts as Jean replies. “It’s always a pleasure.”
Looking to Esme, I gesture to them. “After you.”
My loved ones leave first, entering with music filling the hall and everyone standing to attention.
A twinkle of giddiness skates through me as I walk over the red rose petals sprinkled across the gilded satin runner. Ribbons of white and gold cover every bench I pass, my heart skipping with each step.
I inch toward the Alorian priest and my family and friends in the first few rows, Tove and Jerrick conversing with Bernie.
He stops and offers me his hand, a gesture I'm grateful to have reached with him. We’ve slowly tended to our alliance, and each time I see him and converse with him, I feel more at ease that we’ll return to the kinship we once had.
I bow with gratitude. “I cannot even begin to thank you for your blessing, Bernie—”
He brushes me off. “Oh, come now. Let’s not get too carried away—”
Tove lightly smacks his side, and he grunts.
He eyes her, and she arches a brow in accusation. “I was going to say let’s not get too carried away because you have a wedding day to enjoy.”
Tove nods with approval, and a ghost of a smile spreads across Bernie’s features before he walks down the aisle to collect his daughter.
I clamp Jerrick’s shoulder. “Thank you both for attending,” I say. “With the baby due so soon, I wasn’t expecting you to travel.”
Jerrick and Tove exchange a glance as she holds her swollen stomach, hesitation lingering between them.
“Well, actually…” She swallows. A long chilly breath leaves her lips, and she concentrates, the visible breath diminishing. “We were hoping if it wasn’t too much to ask, we could stay here so you and Vi could help with the delivery.”
Stunned, I blink and look at my friend as he shrugs. “I want the best treatment for Tove, and that would be with someone of your… skills . And your wife’s.”
I touch my chest, dipping my chin with humility. “It would be our honor to help you welcome your child into this world.”
Tove lights up. “Thank you endlessly, Beau.”
“Yes, thank you,” Jerrick adds.
“Do I get my name added to the coveted baby name list?” I tease, and Jerrick scowls as his wife snorts.
Someone clears their throat, and I turn, taking in the Alorian priest tapping his foot. Veering back to my friends, I say, “We’ll save that discussion for later.” I wink as Jerrick shakes his head and Tove beams.
I step away and offer the priest my crown. He takes it and places next to the goblet and Vi’s tiara as the music swells, a crescendo growing and tugging me to the ballroom’s entrance.
I scan the crowd, recognizing face after face, my magic twinkling in my mind.
The lingering guests enter, and the guards and staff usher everyone in as the music reaches its end. Silence takes over the room.
I bend my legs, ensuring to not lock them, and hope it’ll help dissipate the flood of nerves erupting in my stomach.
But goose bumps prickle up my spine as my future wife fills the doorway, and I almost sink to my knees right then.
She and Bernie walk arm in arm, the details of her wedding gown growing more distinct.
The weaving of gold caresses every inch of the fabric.
The bodice has a strapless neckline and hugs her waist, and a full skirt billows out around her.
Roses as red as her beautiful wavy tresses are sewn throughout the dress, blending immaculately with the beige and warm hues, and its train trails after her, lifted and carried by Jules and Christine.
Her gaze holds mine, anchoring both of us to this moment. And somehow, she still blossoms every day I’m with her, my love for her everlasting and forever growing.
Her grin widens the closer she travels to me, Bernie finally coming to a stop and placing her hand in mine. He takes his seat beside Tove and Jerrick as Vi fills my attention.
Her hands tremble, and I squeeze them twice.
“Hi,” I breathe.
“Hi,” she whispers back.
The priest’s words fade as does the world as I hold her close, the two of us taking turns squeezing the other in small bursts of two. Everything blurs, from reciting our vows to drinking the wine and placing the crowns on our heads.
The only thing bringing me back is the Alorian priest saying, “You are now husband and wife . ”
My lips crash against hers and she returns my efforts fervently, greedily, passionately as music fills the room and applause breaks out.
But I don’t notice. All I care about is the woman before me, choosing forever with me .
Even the countless best wishes, dances, drinks, and toasts do not stick in my mind. The only ongoing image is Vi’s beautiful face. Her emerald-green eyes, gorgeous untamable red waves, and the pure love radiating from her.
Every glance, touch, and kiss linger, leaving me always wanting more, even as I scan her from head to toe in our chambers after the celebrations have concluded. She wears my doublet over her gown, her red waves slipping from the hairstyle my sister and Jules surely wrestled with her in achieving.
I rub the parchment of my letter, eagerly wanting to show her the other surprise I have. But she catches me off guard when she rises from the white velvet chaise and pulls a wrapped item from our wardrobe.
“I got you a gift,” she says when she twists back.
I almost laugh as I rise, passing her and crouching under our bed. Between the bedside table and the mattress, I pull out my own gift and twist to her. “As did I.”
We meet at the edge of the bed, sitting with our presents.
“Together?” she asks.
“Together,” I agree as we exchange gifts and open them.
My heart and soul erupt at the small box, this one with a long red rose painted across the lid. A new crate for me. Immense love and awe of how lucky and blessed I am to have her here with me radiate through me.
Vi lets out a gleeful giggle at her own box, but her elation halts when she opens the latch and unopened notes pop out.
“I put all my correspondence that never reached you in there,” I clarify.
She takes a few unopened ones, clutching them to her chest. “B, thank you.”
“And now we have all of each other’s letters.” I smile.
She lifts one not part of her gift and offers it, her cheeks reddening. “With a new addition.”
I pull her in for a quick peck and slip her my note. “Will you read mine, too, then?”
She nods excitedly, opening hers faster than me.
I admire every tic in her features as emotions swirl across her face, our love infinite and eternal.
I take my time reading over mine, her words tightening my chest. My throat.
My eyes swell as much as my heart does when I finish her letter and peer up at her tear-stained cheeks and radiant, illuminating smile.
Her intellect, stubbornness, compassion, and beauty steal the air from my lungs. And I get rewarded with a new breath at the knowledge that she loves me as much as I love her.
I rest our foreheads together, utter awe and bewilderment clutching my heart at the woman before me.
The woman who knows me better than I know myself.
The woman who I lost and fought like Oblivion to get back.
The woman I choose and will forever hope to be and remain hers.
“Forever and endlessly,” I whisper in a vow along her lips. “I will love you, Rosebud.”
She cups my cheeks, the depths of greenery in her eyes warm and inviting as she caresses my skin.
“Deeply, passionately, and endlessly, I will love you, B,” she promises and brushes her nose along mine. “Always.”
“Always,” I echo, drawing her in for a kiss and reveling in the knowledge I will have and hold her forevermore.