Page 57 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

The Beast

M y hackles rise every time there is a scuffle or a breaking of tree branches. Scanning my surroundings, I snort, sniffing the air before settling onward. I brush my scent along the bushes and forest life, ensuring this land is aware of my presence.

My power urges me throughout the night, guiding my paws and reining in my focus anytime I would wander at the smell of something sugary blowing through the woods.

I want to chase it, hunt it down and feast upon the sweetness it promised. But instead, I am forced into obedience, the magic overpowering all sense of control.

My beast refuses to be submissive, even up to the point where I am drawn to familiar ground, my nostrils picking up on the scent of my friends.

Friends…

I rock my head back to the sky.

This deep midnight hue accompanies me every night. Sometimes, the prominent color is blurred by clouds and rainstorms, whereas other times, it’s clear and vacant of stars. But throughout the evening, the constellations and the moon conducted me, slowly revolving and bringing my patrol to its end.

I glance around once more, a hum of satisfaction pulsing in my chest, my magic pleased with my efforts and relinquishing bit by bit.

How stupid it is to think I’d want to be around my loved ones. I didn’t want them anywhere near me last night, nor do I want to rouse them before dawn.

I prowl farther into the forest, keeping them safe from my ear-piercing screams. But again, that damned sweetness coasts by, taunting me.

My mouth salivates, drool seeping through my snout and wetting my fur. I follow its lure, the thickness of summer surrounding me.

Damp soil sinks into my paws, and moisture intermingles with the air. But agitation ripples through my bones at the possibility of this smell being a threat.

A trap.

Shaking off the temptation, I press on, determined to have enough distance from where my friends sleep.

A convulsion skitters down my limbs, a growl vibrating from the discomfort, and I hope I made it far enough.

Settling with nature, I cling to the aspects of the atmosphere rather than wishing for a book or a full night of sleep.

Again, a sweet, sugary scent attacks my senses—

SNAP .

My back leg fractures, ripping me away from the distracting lure. Magic fuels my heartbeat, increasing its rhythm to be erratic.

But the rush and power never once have been enough to numb the pain.

Heaviness bears down, and I collapse, my mahogany fur barely a cushion.

Everything internally pulses, twinging with rawness, more bones breaking.

Helplessly, I beg, pleading for something to—

CRACK .

A torturous scream rips from my throat, an abyss dragging me farther down as I thrash. The control of my movements is nonexistent as the fevered torture evolves, forcing me to dwell in its misery.

I am conscious in my own mind, and I cannot escape.

This all-consuming, never-ending pain will forever curse me.

Plague me.

Doom me.

I jerk, space condensing no matter how much I wiggle to make room. Muscles tear as my vision swirls between dark and light, blurring my surroundings.

Blobs of night hover below me where clouds of light glow almost within reach. My hopeful heart strains for the illuminating blotting forest, and I hope my soul is not the only thing stretching toward it.

I grimace at my arms angling in different directions. Light drips on my tattered limbs, and I blink rapidly, barely able to see the thick fur pull back and caress my bones into the correct placement.

Heat envelops me, scorching me as my claws glow. The sharp talons retreat, paws shifting into fingertips.

I shudder from the small rush of relief as the scent of sugary citrus mixed with pine grazes my nostrils. Something— someone lingers close by.

“Rosebud.”

POP.

All my ribs puncture my lungs, ripping air from me.

A forceful energy grips my chest— squeezing —keeping me from breathing.

I hover on the edge of death, what feels like my last breath, unable to process if I potentially took my last one.

No. Not like this. Please .

Magic blasts, and I inhale sharply, another blessed reprieve. But the transformation repeats the disfigurement of my ribs again, my roar deafening when I’m rewarded with air a second time.

Yet the debilitating shift demands more, my power thrashing and striking against me.

Darkness circles me again, and I wish more than anything this was all a fevered dream. That, somehow, I was the one who got bitten and infected, and this painful, torturous nightmare is my own body fighting the virus off.

All so I can see my family again.

See Beau again.

“ Rosebud ,” his voice repeats in a whisper, and I veer toward the sound, my vision clearing and meeting golden-honey eyes. “I’m going to take care of you.”

Light swirls from Beau, and the glow leaves him and lands on me.

I startle from the heat seeping and spreading through me. The stilling relief sings to my power, soothing and coaxing it with a gentle touch, and I whimper.

My shredded body unravels, but my nerves twitch. Waves of spasms gush down my torso, forcing my muscles to clench and drawing an agony-filled screech from my throat.

“Vi!” Beau’s clipped voice tugs at my heart as he recalls his magic, scooting toward me.

But I flash my teeth with a hint of a snarl, fighting to gain a grip on my transformation and wanting to keep him safe.

I don’t know what I would do if I hurt him.

Yet instead of being cautious and taking my warning seriously, Beau meets my challenge with determination.

“ No . Your stubbornness is getting the better of you, and I’ve had enough.

I’m not going to idly stand by anymore and be forced to hear you suffer and do nothing all because I want to respect your wishes. ”

He slips his hands under my side, hefting me into his embrace as his gift flares to life. “You aren’t allowed to shelter this pain alone anymore. Not as long as I am breathing.”

I don’t know how he managed to drag me into his arms, and I’m too distracted by the eruption of spasms shooting up my spine to growl in retort.

Brightness explodes from the love of my life, enveloping his entire being. Beau’s sturdy grip never loosens as he sends waves of magic down my back.

“Deep breaths.”

I surrender to his commands, aware of his gifts not completely numbing me, but dulling the pain. Almost enough for it to be manageable.

More of my fur sheds from my limbs, and I arch back, my body altering more to my human self, my cold skin dampened with sweat as I pant.

“That’s it. Good girl. Keep breathing.” Beau funnels more of his—

CRUNCH .

I hiss in agony, tears stinging my eyes from the flurry of power shattering my jaw.

Beau’s magic reacts, glowing rays of sunshine streaming and caressing me. Like it’s holding my face and peppering it with kisses.

But the destructive cracking ripples in my head, fissures amplifying throughout.

“Make it stop!” I shriek, squeezing my eyes closed and burrowing into his chest.

Pulses. Aches. Spasms.

Each one more harrowing—more excruciating—more consuming as they rattle in my skull.

I bite my tongue to suppress my screams and apply pressure along my scalp, hoping it’s enough to aid with Beau’s gifts and lessen the stabbing sensation.

It’s always the most painful in my head, like my magic is sending me a reminder.

I will never be fully in control.

Tears stream down my cheeks as the radiating distress refuses to abate. Refuses to relent. Refuses to let me have a reprieve.

Beau’s warmth and his light envelop me.

But it’s not enough.

I convulse, my eyes rolling to the back of my head, hand falling limp.

Beau’s power falters, panic sharpening his voice. “Vi! Vi !” His magic crashes into me as he draws my crumbled and exhausted body close. “Come on, my love. Come on! Come back to me.”

My eyes flutter, unable to focus—unable to do anything beyond hearing his words.

Beau grunts, and then his strong hand steadies my head, tilting it back.

Heat spans over my skin as he swipes his thumb across my lips. Beams of light and brilliance steady me and illuminate him, his power and his magnificence.

Yet I’m too immobile to do or say anything. All I can do is cling to him as he cradles me, rocking me before draping something, a frock, over me.

I don’t know how long he holds me, nor do I know how long he sends endless streams of his magic into me.

But he sweeps my waves away, his voice tender and ardent. “You know, I love being able to tell how long you’ve gone without washing your hair. Your waves lose their bounce with each passing day.”

He uses the cloak to wipe away my tears and clean my blood-crusted nose. “And do you know how much I love your eyes? How I can lose myself in the depths of how lusciously green they are? Or the smallest of freckles gracing your skin I can never keep count of?”

He plants kisses along my brow. “And as much as I love your stubbornness, it’s your strength and intellect that always seizes me.

You capture my heart, Vivienne. You capture my entire soul.

” His voice cracks, and he sniffs, resting his chin on my head.

“I love you so fucking much. And I’m so sorry I didn’t find you sooner.

Didn’t offer my help sooner. But no more. I’m with you. Always.”

He doesn’t stop swaying me, his heartbeat frantic and erratic like my own.

I nuzzle into his tunic, pine and citrus blanketing me with a comfort I’ve missed and yearned to have for so long. My breathing steadies while the tremors recede, and Beau withdraws his magic, the small flicker of dawn encircling us.

I crane my neck back, Beau’s golden irises holding me captive as his dimples appear. “Hello, Rosebud.”

I cup his face and smile gently, my throat dry and my voice scratchy. “Hi, B.”

He snorts, his features wrinkling with pure joy, making him unbelievably attractive. “Deities, you haven’t called me that in ages.”

I hum my agreement, my thumb grazing along his stubble, nostalgia passing between us and gratitude tugging at my heart.