Page 15 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

We Can’t Just Leave

M agic festered within me as winter bloomed away from the wilting leaves and the frost-freckled ground in the crisp of early mornings.

Time blurred as Marian and I patrolled Haliver Woods, seeking any wolves exhibiting similar symptoms. Papa ordered us to kill any potential threat on sight, and my sister did not hesitate to follow his command.

But our efforts to help our people disintegrated faster than we imagined.

Another person arrived at the castle, bitten by a wolf when fighting it off from another animal attack. He exhibited a fever, had oozing pus, and his skin was hot to the touch.

And despite his injury healing, the symptoms worsened. Just like Annie’s.

He declined rapidly, having the same reaction to treatments.

He died , and the world shifted with how much I truly fucked up.

He died, and it was my fault.

He died, and it was all because of me .

All because I tried to help one creature while attempting to solve my own stupidly selfish problems.

Something incurable was spreading, passing between wolves, potentially other animals, and infecting people with untreatable symptoms.

More troops were dispersed to catch and eradicate the danger lurking and increasing in our lands. But how can we eliminate a threat we don’t fully understand?

I couldn’t tell Papa what I had done.

Marian and I could both picture the fallout if we were to say anything about our little mishap in my study.

Papa’s disappointment. Pierre gathering more evidence to prove I am unfit to rule. Jean wanting to take my side but ultimately siding with his husband.

I shudder at the images haunting me, chasing me— mocking my every waking breath.

No. We would never hear the end of it.

I couldn’t show them weakness. I had to fix this.

Stomping past the front entrance, staff members hurry through the halls, carrying various amounts of fabrics, cases, and household items. One of them bumps into me and I growl, scaring the woman back a step as she mumbles her apologies.

I don’t bother with a response, my anger rising amid the growing chaos in my home and in my mind.

It unsettles me. Unnerves me.

My father’s voice comes down the stairs, and I stiffen when more join in, my jaw tightening at the tension in everyone’s tone. The stress of this nightmare is coming to a head. Another shift is approaching, and we need to take action. Now .

I dig my nails into my palms, forcing calm to the spiteful anger and instincts my magic stirs forth as I enter Papa’s office.

Voices halt, and I make no show of adding to it, dragging my feet toward my chosen chair. My head falls back against the headrest, and I shut my eyes.

Marian breathes, “Vi.”

Squinting, I smile tightly. “Hey.”

My father moves, sitting and taking my hand. “Honey, are you alright?”

I wave him off, unworthy of his kindness.

“No. I’m not fine. There have been more attacks.

Something is spreading amongst wolves. And if a wolf injures a human, they die from incurable symptoms. There is something, an infection or a disease.

And who knows if it’s capable of transmitting to others animals.

People. We have no idea how harmful this virus truly is. ”

I grind my teeth, frustration simmering underneath the surface. I sigh, determined to convince them of my original suggestion. “We need to evacuate our people.”

“That’s what we’ve been discussing. We can’t hold them here, so we’ve made arrangements.” Pierre’s jaw muscles twitch, and my anger disintegrates, too surprised by his agreement.

“And we’ve already drafted and sent out the orders to all towns and villages,” Jean cuts in.

“But where?” I ask, remembering not having a solution when I first mentioned it.

“Queen Tove and King Jerrick have offered up the old Axidoria castle for our people as well as their home in Palaena. Both castles are vast compared to ours and will be more than sufficient to shelter our remaining people,” Marian explains. “And we were also discussing where we will all go.”

Pierre coughs. “Not all of us. Jean and I are going to remain here, and you, Marian, and Bernie are going to Palaena.”

“Wh-Wh-What?”

My throat wobbles, words running dry.

“We must. We need to help our people, show a united front. Help them and govern them while Jean and Pierre and our bannermen handle the situation here,” Papa says.

I study my family. Dismay weighs down their demeanor, their posture, their expressions. My stare ends on Marian, shrugging with uncertainty.

Jean rounds the table and sits in the other chair, capturing my attention. “Your family’s safety is important, and our people need their monarchs.”

“You and Pierre are family, too,” Marian points out, the crack in her voice tearing my heart.

Papa tugs my hand. “I know you want to stay here, Vi, but we can’t—”

I don’t want to leave Jean and Pierre here to solve this mess. My mess.

“What if I could help?” I blurt out.

“How?” he asks, eyes wide.

“What if—” I swallow thickly, thoughts churning for a reasonable explanation and possible solution.

“What if I stay here to help Jean and Pierre? Help protect our troops while in my bear form? And when I’m home, I could gather ingredients, study anyone or any creature infected, and create something that could help? ”

“You mean like a remedy?” Papa asks, and I nod. “Vi, surely you could work in Palaena. Where it’s safe—”

“I have everything here already. Why fill a room with my belongings when our people need it? If I could make something, anything , it could help. Not only our people but wildlife. Please , Papa.”

His brows furrow, deep in thought, the faded freckles across his nose and cheek rippling. But he runs his fingers through his tousled muted-red locks, hesitation stealing his breath.

“Sweetheart, I—”

“We will guard her with our lives, Bernie,” Pierre says, voice deep.

I meet Pierre’s stone-cold features, his blue eyes staring deep into mine, clinging onto something hopeful. Grateful, I incline my head. But when I face my father, sadness and uncertainty swirl in the small flecks of gold in his green irises.

“You will help our people in the evacuation to Palaena first with your sister and me. Then you can travel home.”

Relief floods through me, hope blossoming for the chance to right everything. “Thank you, Papa.” I hug him, his sweet scent comforting me.

“If she is coming back, so am I,” Marian interjects, voice tight and determination set in her features.

Jean straightens and crosses his arms, unable to hide his smirk.

“Do you honestly think I don’t know my own children?” Papa says. “Of course I know you’ll be joining her.”

Marian’s expression lifts, and I feel lighter knowing she’ll be here to help me.

Withdrawing from my father, I ask, “Have you sent word to other kingdoms to warn them?”

“We reached out to Palaena, Unterkirch, and Northtry to report a rise of animal attacks within our borders but nothing more,” Pierre answers.

“You need to tell them everything. Others could be getting harmed or sick already,” Marian says. “Vi and I can’t be the only ones working on a potential remedy.”

“Yes. It will be pertinent to correspond with healers, gather evidence anywhere we can. Especially if the animals venture beyond our own borders,” I add.

“I agree with telling them about the sickness. Although we cannot tell them how to navigate the infection within their own kingdoms,” Jean advises. “But I’d like to think we can find a solution together.”

I dip my chin, hesitating momentarily at the one kingdom left unnamed. “What about Torgem?”

“Don’t even start, Vi,” Papa warns.

He tightens his fist, anger rolling off him in waves and drawing in an awkward tension to the room.

“But people’s lives are at risk. All kingdoms should be notified. Regardless of our relations. Not to mention, you know the King of Torgem is more well-read on medicine and treatments than I am. He could help me create a cure faster.” I peer between my loved ones, needing their support.

But Pierre scratches the stubble along his jaw, a subtle sign of his apprehension at upsetting his king and friend with memories of the past. And Jean regards me with caution, wanting me to leave it be.

But when I hold Papa’s stare, I can tell he hears my logic. Papa encouraged him to show me everything he knew about healing when I was younger because I was so fascinated with the subject.

The King of Torgem’s help could drastically change our predicament. Deities, even his ability could bring astronomical results.

But his gifts are a secret I’ve vowed to guard with my life, and I will honor that promise until I meet Yeva herself.

My father’s features soften, his temper easing and flickering with understanding and hope has me clinging to the possibility he will finally— finally —listen to logic versus his grief.

“Torgem can handle themselves for all I care,” he snarls, and I slump in defeat.

“We think Torgem might be behind the cause of the animal attacks,” Marian clarifies, my eyes widening in surprise.

This being my fault makes it hard to keep my mouth shut. “Papa, what if they were not behind it? We should still send word—”

CLANG !

I jolt, clutching my tunic from my father slamming his fist into the table.

“Don’t you find it suspicious that towns getting attacked are the ones near his border?” he sneers, a low rumble vibrating with his words. “Their precious renowned hunter, King Beauvais , can protect his own borders. Let him and Torgem rot for all I care.”

“Bernie!” Jean scolds as Pierre grunts his agreement.

But the damage is already done, my soul stuttering—fissuring.

Beau.

I’ve avoided using his name because even uttering it in my own mind sends me spiraling.

Yet how could I forget how beautiful four letters could sound together? How four simple letters could form a name so gentle and melodic, it beckons my heart to lunge for it—to cradle it and keep it close any time it is spoken.

“The least we could do is warn Esme. She was your wife’s closest friend,” Jean suggests.

My father remains silent, standing and adjusting his tunic. The pain and the betrayal of friends we considered family reinforces his stubbornness, a shell wound so tight around himself, I fear he will never break free of it.

“Bernie,” Jean pleads, his voice softening. “Johanne would want her friends and their children to be protected.”

“Leave my wife’s name out of this.” Papa’s stern voice laces with warning, wanting this discussion to end as he points at Jean. “You will not send them any notice.” He whirls to Pierre. “Same goes for you.”

Pierre’s tall frame remains immovable as he nods.

And when my father glares at Jean, his shoulders fall, defeated and deferring to his king’s requests.

I flick my eyes to Marian, a ghost of a smirk appearing at the order directed at them.

Not us .

She winks when my curved lips match hers, and without a word, I know we have formed a plan of our own.

Papa grunts his satisfaction, returning to the map on the long wooden table.

“Now, we need to make sure we have our borders guarded along this edge of Hinbron’s Pass, as well as station larger patrols in each town.

The castle can be the headquarters for our bannermen and anyone injured or infected.

But keep them separated from everyone. And if things turn for the worst, lock them in the dungeons so Vi can study them when she and Marian return. ”

I hunch over the map, observing the towns and lands. Without help from Torgem, if the other kingdoms and their healers aid us with research, we could still really—

“Vi, do you have everything needed to make a cure?” Papa asks, startling me.

I rub my neck, contemplating my words carefully. “I won’t know what I need right away. This could take weeks or even months to create.”

“ Months ?” Pierre’s nose wrinkles, skepticism scrunching his features.

“We can’t assume anything. But assistance from healers and other kingdoms will be an advantage.”

Silence hangs between my family, the obvious denial of warning our old allies still fresh while knowing this is the last time we will be together under one roof.

I try to pay attention to the next steps, but Marian and I keep exchanging glances.

After the meeting and before night crept upon me to force another shift, my sister and I agreed she would distract the guards on patrol so I could stealthily send a raven to Torgem.

My attempts over the last seven years of doing this had failed drastically, my correspondence always being intercepted by my family’s spies and troops before it could even cross our borders.

I lost count of how many times Papa forced me to watch as he burned my letters to ashes, not knowing how much he was hacking away bits of my broken, grieving heart.

He crippled my chances of trying to get answers from the love of my life. Even from my closest friends. It was a punishment. A reminder to concede with his ruling.

And my withered and weeping soul couldn’t take the suffering anymore.

I hadn’t tried to send word in a while, and throughout the evening and the following day, I prayed to the Makers.

I pleaded for the letter to slip past my lands and arrive in Torgem without soldiers destroying it upon receipt.

And I begged for it to reach and at least warn the man I love, and who I never thought I’d get to speak to again, of what was coming for us all.