Page 18 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

My heart soars as I read his signature, trying not to melt in the presence of Tove.

Realization strikes through me, and I look up. “Wait. Is this why you summoned my family here?”

She nods.

My chest expands with affection. Still, after all these years, he can read between the lines of my letters.

I roll up the scroll slowly, offering it back. “Thank you for not sharing this with my father.”

She huffs through a strained laugh as she takes the note, my heart breaking at not being able to keep it. A small wisp of silver hair falls forward before she tucks it back. “I truly thought it was meant for me, but after reading it, I assumed Beau must have known you were coming to Palaena.”

“Yes, I warned him of our travels in case he chose to respond. I didn’t want the risk of my father’s advisors getting a response while we were helping our people evacuate.”

Tove rests the scroll on the table, deep in thought. “You know”—she pauses, meeting my gaze—“Beau is a kind king… I, too, find it hard to believe him assassinating another monarch when he is the main reason why I’m still alive.”

“Wh-What—”

He’s more knowledgeable in the studies of healing than I am, but I can’t help but wonder if he used his abilities.

I don’t think he would reveal his powers to anyone beyond his borders. Or beyond me.

Could he?

Every kingdom knows he has some sort of power, much like they know King Jerrick and Queen Tove inherited magic since both of their parents had passed when they ascended their roles.

People know of Tove’s abilities because of the almost six-year-long winter she started, coining her cruel nickname, Snow Queen.

But there’s never been a hint of information about her husband’s gifts nor Beau’s.

Inhaling a deep breath, I interlace my fingers, safeguarding Beau’s secret as much as my own. “What do you mean?”

Tove’s eyes flash and she hesitates. The hand on her stomach drifts up and over her heart, rubbing it in circles, a small scar peeking through the squared neckline of her dress.

“When Palaena was under attack,” she struggles out, rubbing her chest once more, “Beau saved me.”

I blink, startled. It was unclear what happened during the fight, the truth only known to those within the throne room. “I-I thought your husband saved you?”

Tove snorts, her nose wrinkling. “My husband saved me in many ways, but Beau made the difference that day.”

Her choice of words leaves me wondering what she may or may not know, and I respect her for it. But seeing her so joyous, despite the travesties she has seen, I think she is wiser than she lets on.

I admire the strength she carries. Maybe someday I, too, can reach her level of peace.

“Forgive me for assuming and jumping to conclusions regarding King Jerrick,” I say.

She waves off my comment. “Everyone always does, given how our marriage came to be.”

I struggle to suppress my wince, remembering his ruthlessness and coldness after Papa walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. But something must have shifted between her and her husband for the two to look so happy .

“But that’s beside the point.” Tove braces on one side of the chair before rising and sighing. “I appreciate your honesty. It’s suffocating at times to put on a brave face.”

I stand. “I couldn’t agree more.”

Her eyes drift, and I peer over my shoulder to King Jerrick leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a singular dimple on display.

“I was half expecting there to be a food tray,” he says, his voice charming and cheerful.

Food tray?

“I didn’t want to burden Ophelia and Cordelia,” Tove replies as the King of Palaena saunters toward us, his stare hooked on his wife.

“Or you didn’t want to embarrass our guest with how fast you’d steal all the solstice pastries.”

“Jer!” Tove smacks his side, and he chuckles, drawing her into his chest. Her cheeks turn rosy, and she clears her throat.

Her husband meets my gaze and dips his chin. “Princess Vivienne.”

“King Jerrick.” I dip into a curtsy.

“We have a few things for you.” The King of Palaena gestures to the books atop the table. “It’s not much, but we have some archives about infections and animal attacks, which could be useful for your investigation.”

Giddiness clamps around my heart. He’s letting me borrow books . New books. New information. New knowledge.

Settle down, Vi. Remember your manners .

I take a deep breath. “Thank you. But I don’t want to take anything your healers might need—”

“These are copies for you to keep. We have a few staff members helping us make copies of other books for you and our healers,” King Jerrick explains.

My knees almost buckle.

I wasn’t expecting him to be so forthright and considerate. “You—you really didn’t have to do this on top of helping shelter so many of our people.”

“Of course we did. Your family has always been kind to my wife and was there before I became a part of her life. If anything can help, we are more than happy to give aid,” he says.

I bow humbly, filled with the prospect of hope and gratitude. “Th-Thank you, Your Majesties.”

“Just Tove,” the Queen of Palaena says, and her husband echoes her. “Just Jerrick.”

I smile. “Thank you, Tove and Jerrick.”

She takes my hand, love and compassion radiating from her as she squeezes it. “Don’t forget to write.”

Staff members load trunks onto the back of the gilded carriage drawn to two horses.

Riker, our guard and driver, double-checks the restraints of each mahogany brown steed.

Alec, Marius, and Bronn, who are also accompanying Marian and me home, say their goodbyes to their squad and my father.

I tighten my grip around the precious wooden crate I carry, filled with books and more honey. Pride and hope steer me into a slight rush, ideas rolling in waves, paired with the small tingling of my magic lurking in the depths of my core.

My next shift is approaching, and I hope we can make it back into Belmur territory in time. I don’t want to go beyond Haliver Woods if I can help it.

I place the crate inside the carriage, Marian coming to my side as Papa, Jerrick, Tove, and Prince Jonas converse.

“I can manage my travels alone. I don’t need you or your brother to come with me,” my father declares.

“Ensuring you make it safely to your people is important to us,” Jerrick replies.

Papa sighs. “Fine. I was trying to keep you at home with your wife.”

“Oh, don’t worry. We have our ways of keeping in contact while I’m away.” Jerrick smirks, and Tove tries to shush him, her cheeks flushing. But her husband simply grins before kissing her.

“Our message to Esme should reach them by nightfall, too, so Tove can let us know of her response and if Torgem’s been affected with the infection later,” the prince says off-handedly and his brother inclines his head.

“It’ll be good to hear how they’re faring and if they have any resources for us and vice versa,” Tove comments with nonchalance.

Papa straightens, his defenses rising as he tries to be unaffected from overhearing Palaena’s dealings. Not ours.

Tove holds my father’s gaze, and she cradles her stomach with a smile.

He relaxes a fraction before he grumbles, “No need to involve me with that.”

Tove nods and twists to brush the mane of Jerrick’s horse as he settles into his saddle. Her ice-cold blue irises find mine, and she winks.

Oh, she is devious .

Prince Jonas mounts his steed as my father scratches his beard.

He halts before facing Marian and me, his face altering from vexation to pain.

Papa may not listen to anyone about our old allies, but I know our family being separated will be a challenge for us all. I know it from the pure love radiating from him, piercing through my heart.

“Oh, Papa ,” Marian chokes out, rushing to him.

I hurry to him, too, ignoring the brunt of contact of his large round belly pushing off the hood of my cloak when he hugs us.

“My sweet girls,” he coos, his voice wobbly.

Pine and leather blend around me, and small hints of lilac and roses have me nuzzling closer, unsure of when I will see him next.

His lips press against my hair. “Promise me you will both write? I don’t want updates only from Jean and Pierre.”

“We will,” I tell him.

He rests his chin on my head, his chest expanding. The steady beat of his heart is a constant comfort, one drawing me back to my childhood.

He would enter the room I shared with Marian every night, sitting on the nearby chaise and cradling the two of us on his lap, bouncing his restless knees, his heart pounding the same rhythm it does now.

“Good,” he says, withdrawing.

His green irises glimmer, and my heart sinks, missing him already.

“Honey?” He cups my cheek, tenderness softening his voice.

I bite my lip. “It’s nothing. I’ll just miss you.”

He drags us both in once more, and I memorize his scent. “I will miss you too. I will miss you both.”

“Love you,” I whisper and give him two tight squeezes, a code my family uses for a token of affection.

Papa returns it before he breaks away and lifts my hood.

“Love you both, my sweet girls,” he says in farewell.

Marian and I walk to the gilded carriage.

Alec, Marius, and Bronn dip their chins as Riker holds the door ajar, and I’m grateful my sister and I aren’t traveling alone.

Marian waves to our father as he mounts his steed before stepping in the stagecoach, followed by me. She sits opposite, folding her cloak over her tunic and trousers as I glance out the window, tucking my waves behind my ears as my eyes find Tove’s.

I incline my head in thanks for everything she has done for me as Riker tugs the reins and the carriage takes off, Marian and I returning home to solve our mistake.