Page 52 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

The Stench

T he heat accompanied us through the long-stretched plains and narrow roads. But even with birds chirping and pollen attacking everyone’s senses, I still couldn’t shake off Prince Stefan’s words.

Be careful in the shadows.

Was it a Northtry custom? A warning? A threat?

And why did the esprit say something similar?

The aching pulse in my head worsened as my thoughts raced.

We rode for Goldenbeck, everyone agreeing to a soft place to sleep rather than the hard ground we’ve resorted to as of late. A solid meal, cozy pillow, and a chance to escape the blazing heat.

And a bath, too.

I tried not to dwell on my worries, banking on the hope that food, rest, and comfort would be enough of a balm to tide me over until we set out again. And my heart leaped up into my throat when the clearing opened, dipping downward and revealing the perfect view of the village.

Ahead, Marcel, Leo, and Beau increased their pace, their echoing laughter drifting to the rest of us. We all hung back, watching the three men race and take in the winner.

Beau, of course.

My chest tightened, my breath leaving my lungs when he rocked his head to the sky and glanced back, gesturing for us to hurry. His teeth gleamed through his bright smile, like the sun itself was staring at me.

Deities, how I crave to be swallowed up by his sunlight.

“Thank the Makers we are finally here,” Marian groans, pulling my gaze from Beau. She scrunches her nose at the heavy scent of cow manure.

Christine pets her horse’s neck. “If I could magically be in the tavern already clean, stomach full, and drinking some ale, I would be very happy.”

I chuckle, elbowing her. “You and me both.”

Jules releases a long yawn and combs her loose wisps behind her ears before gripping her reins. “The sooner we move, the faster that can happen.”

Together, we join the men, slowing our steeds to a trot through the town. Homes we stroll by transform into a market square, filled with carts, merchants, and townsfolk conversing. Judgmental gazes trace after us as we pass, and I pay them no mind, too exhausted to care.

I rock in my saddle, my horse clopping along the cobblestones as we approach a large inn. We reach the stables by the side of the building, each of us dismounting and gathering our packs. Running my fingers gracefully through my steed’s mane, I evoke tenderness with my magic.

“I hope you get enough rest tonight, too.”

He bobs his head, and I comb his strands of hair once more before facing the entrance to the street, my stomach grumbling when the scent of freshly baked bread caresses my nostrils.

Beau appears at the corner of my eye, and I hide my face with my tangled web of red locks, pretending he did not hear or see anything.

“I won’t judge you for talking to your horse,” Beau whispers.

Letum damn you.

“I wasn’t talking to him,” I lie, reaching for the animal to mask my illusion and embarrassment.

“Sure you weren’t.”

The beast huffs, and I grimace, my power sensing his amusement and feeling like he exposed me. The little traitor .

I loop my packs over my shoulder, scoffing as Beau laughs.

“Oh, come now, I was only teasing.”

“I know,” I grumble, not wanting to deal with anything else today. “I’m just tired.”

“So am I.” Marian strolls up, her posture slumping.

“Yes, can we please eat?” Marcel asks as he takes Jules’s and Christine’s packs. They blow him a kiss, and he smiles.

“Well, I’m not waiting any longer. I’m starving,” Leo says, abandoning us without another thought.

Marian breaks into a sprint after Leo, darting past Marcel and the girls.

Surprise stops them in their tracks, and Jules grins before she leads Marcel and Christine toward the tavern, leaving Beau and me alone.

My eyes flick to his outstretched palm.

“Here. Let me help.”

My headache and tired muscles almost moan in relief, and I remove my packs, not missing how his fingers brush against mine.

He places the first one over his shoulder and tries adjusting the strap. But he stumbles, and I rush forward, a whoosh of breath leaving me as he crashes against me, the two of us tangled in one another.

He grunts his own shock, his citrus aroma hitting my nostrils as he murmurs, “Well, there goes all my strength.”

The urge to enjoy his embrace is an old reflex, one that came without hesitation, complaint, or restraint. And the more I’m near him, the more it feels like the forgotten instinct could become natural again.

But I push away the temptation, my fatigue and hunger driving me more than the desire festering in my core. I help him upright and put distance between us.

“I thought you said you didn’t share the same traits with your siblings?”

He arches a brow. “What trait?”

“Being dramatic.”

He breaks into a fit of laughter. “I should antagonize you more often.”

“ Excuse me ?”

What is he going on about?

“I like seeing you riled up.” His golden irises meet mine, a wide grin spreading across his face, his dimples on full display. “You get this spark in your eyes, and then that talented mouth of yours shows off how wickedly intelligent you are.” He licks his lips, his voice lowering. “It’s sexy.”

“Beau,” I sigh.

Every time we are alone is another chance. One I want and one I know he wants, too. And each new opportunity dangles in front of me, torturously.

I clench my fists, fighting against the urge to throw myself into his embrace.

He lifts a hand in surrender. “I know, I know,” he says. “Compliments won’t win you over that easily when you’re annoyed with me.”

He gestures to the alleyway, and I straighten my posture, the two of us walking to the tavern when he leans in and adds, “But I am hoping my mouth can later.”

I gasp and whirl on him. But he winks, and my stomach flutters as he opens the door.

His damned beauty. His damned dimples. And his damned mouth.

Fuck, does he know how to unravel me.

The tavern is loud and bustling. Our friends wait by the stairs, and Marcel settles our lodgings for the night with the innkeeper.

Christine and Jules motion for us to follow as the owner leads us to the upper floor. Each step feels like more weight added to my exhaustion, and Beau offers me a hand.

Heat pulses where we touch, and I do my best to ignore the double squeeze he gives me.

“Here are the rooms you requested. Water for bathing can be sent up, and food will be down below.” The innkeeper drops keys into Marcel’s palm and turns to Beau as we enter and he bows. “I hope the rooms are to your liking, Your Majesty.”

“We are most grateful for your hospitality,” Beau replies with a curt nod.

The man takes his leave as Marcel gives a key to Leo and another to Jules, saving the last two for Beau and me. “Figured you and Marian can share and save Beau the energy of dealing with Leo snoring all night by giving him his own room.”

“I do not snore,” Leo says.

Christine and Jules snicker as they unlock their chambers, earning a scoff from Leo as he tries to defend himself. “Sweet Makers, this joke is growing old.”

“You’re growing old.” Christine sticks out her tongue and darts away from view.

Jules sheepishly shrugs, joining her partner while calling back. “We’ll see you at dinner.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Leo grumbles, entering his chambers and closing the door abruptly.

Marcel bites his lip before he turns and joins Jules and Christine, leaving Marian, Beau, and me in the hall.

“I wonder what they would do if they found out you were a blanket thief,” Marian taunts as Beau follows us.

“You steal blankets?” Beau clutches his chest, and I don’t miss the hint of mischief behind his smirk as I unlock the door.

“Don’t believe a word Marian says,” I tell him as we pass through the threshold, my sister rushing to plop onto the large bed placed in the center of the room.

Beau removes my pack, his face hidden from my sister and eyes filled with mirth. Heat blooms across my cheeks at his proximity, and I cough.

“Marian likes to steal things.” I squint at my sister with annoyance. “Blankets being her most common go-to.”

She shrugs, her silence proving I’m right. I don’t outright snatch my sheets from someone in the middle of the night. That’s all Marian.

Beau chuckles, easing our satchels along the wall. “I have a sneaking suspicion you both are the culprits.”

I glare, and he laughs harder.

“I won’t say anything more. But I’ll leave you two so we can all freshen up before gorging ourselves on a hearty meal.”

Marian nods, and Beau takes his leave.

Worry clouds my mind that she’s still upset with me, and I can’t help but ask, “Are you alright?”

She inhales and slowly expels it. “I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I sat on the bed.” She pats beside her, and I smile, joining her.

My muscles groan as we both arch back, our sighs filling the quiet as I fold my hands over my stomach. Yet I can’t help but roll to my side and face Marian.

Her eyes are closed and sweat beads along her hairline. She works her jaw as she struggles with something. Maybe she is upset, or maybe her symptoms are returning.

Her irritability as of late has worried me, and with the occasional fever coming on, Beau has been healing her every morning. But I can’t help the fear clogging my throat as she gets worse.

Soon, we will be near the border of Unterkirch and maybe brewing lavender tea along with Beau’s magic can help relieve her symptoms.

I barely touch her forehead before she smacks it off.

“I’m fine, Vi.”

I shake my head. “Your skin is molten, Marian. Your fever is back.”

She grumbles. “Can you give me a moment to breathe? I told you I’m fine.” She crosses her arms and looks away. “All I want to do is bathe, eat, and sleep. In that order. Nothing else. Okay?”

Despite the infection fueling her mood, I can understand where she is coming from.

But I’ll be damned if I don’t get Beau to check her tonight. Glancing at the door and my packs, I wonder if staying up here and eating and monitoring her could help.

Maybe I can finally tell her about the esprit.

She angles toward me, her mouth tight in a grimace.

“Let’s freshen up first and how about I bring up our meal to eat in bed together?” I ask.

She relaxes. “Good. Because you stink, and I can’t even begin to imagine how awful I must smell, too.”

“Can you not smell yourself?”

I wonder if this is a new symptom. Maybe monitoring her tonight is exactly what I need to do. Bathe, eat, and watch her.

And have Beau check on her.

Then I can snuggle in bed and read while she sleeps. The thought lifts my lips.

“I can smell just fine,” Marian says, giving me a once-over before she scrunches her nose. “It’s your stench hogging all the air up at the moment.”

I sniff my armpit, and Marian howls in a fit of laughter when I grimace.

Shit, I do stink.