Page 62 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

“We can tether it to one of ours for the rest of the journey. If you aren’t careful, your injuries might keep us in Unterkirch longer than we anticipate.”

“But we need to make haste for Marian—”

“Don’t worry about me,” my sister says, retreating. “Just listen to Beau and ride with him.” My chest pangs with guilt, and she must see it because she adds, “I’ll ride beside Leo if you are so worried.”

“It would be my pleasure.” Leo beams.

As much as I would love to glare at him for eavesdropping, I grant him a little peace as he helps my sister. “Thank you.”

“My, my,” he chimes, his smile genuine as he strides to us and aids Beau in helping me upright. “I’m beginning to think we are becoming friends.”

“Beginning?” I scoff as the two men escort me to Beau’s steed. “We are miles away from that.” I ease my weight on Leo as his brother mounts his horse first. “I mean, we are friends. At least to me we are. Unconventionally .”

He snorts, muffling it with a smirk as he hoists me up and into the saddle. “We always have been, Vi.”

My vision blurs as I adjust, and I close my eyes to prevent the sudden churn of nausea from climbing up my throat. When the sensation leaves, I take in Leo’s supportive hold.

He pats my knee. “Now, take it easy. Marian needs you as much as you need her.” Leo peers at my twin, and she gestures to the trail.

“I thought you said you were sweating. Why aren’t you hustling to get to a cold bath?”

“Was just helping your sister,” Leo calls back, chuckling under his breath before meeting my gaze. “Beau’s got you from here. Get some rest.”

“Thanks,” I say.

“Don’t mention it.” He smirks, and his long strides take him toward Marian.

Beau snakes his arms around my stomach, but I’m hesitant to move.

“It’s okay to rest against me. No one will think anything of it given your injuries,” he whispers.

“You obviously forgot Marian’s face this morning when she saw us huddled close.”

He clicks his tongue, his horse taking off. “I didn’t forget. And even you said Marian hasn’t been acting herself today. So, that should give us a pass in overthinking for the moment.” His thumb rubs against my abdomen, the tension in my bones growing with a different ache.

“I-I did say that,” I sigh, agreeing to his logic for now before easing further into him.

His lips meet my temple. “I am devastated to see the two of you injured, but—” He huffs.

“But what?”

“But selfishly, I’m thanking the Makers for letting me hold you,” he admits, and heat spreads across my body, my eyes fluttering from his comforting touch. “I never get to, and I love it. I love this.”

“If we could, you know I would every second of every day,” I confess.

“Why don’t we?”

My heart sinks, and I peer up. “You know why.”

He grimaces at my dejected demeanor, the words too painful to fully voice before he swallows his understanding and directs his sight back on the trail.

The obstacles between us are many, the biggest one being Papa. Not to mention the promise I gave Pierre about finding a husband after fixing this whole mess.

My thoughts drift to my father, wondering how he is faring in Palaena with the rest of our people.

His heart is five times bigger than himself, one of his greatest qualities… and one of his worst. It’s made him capable of holding a misplaced grudge for all these years. And it’s made him even more stubborn and unwilling to hear his own family out.

I saw a flicker of understanding, a glimpse of a chance that he’d finally listen when I brought up Torgem before we evacuated Belmur. Yet he still denied me.

As much as I love Beau, I don’t know how I’d handle Papa’s fury if he were to ever find out about everything I’ve kept from him…

Could I truly face losing another parent simply by my own actions?

A pang of guilt swirls in my chest, along with a yearning to see him and hoping he is well.

“I will need to write my father,” I murmur.

“I’m sure we will be able to send word when we arrive in Unterkirch. Verena has always been a gracious host, as has her daughter,” Beau says.

A seer you shall seek.

The esprit’s warning wanders through my mind.

I try to wrap my head around which of the two women it could be. We hadn’t discussed it much with the others, our thoughts focused on what the healers would have to say upon our arrival and the different ratios for the lavender tea.

I’d kill for the brew to help me relax right now. And a good book.

“Do you know them well?” I ask, ready to broach the subject with Beau.

I hope he might have more insight on how we should reveal the knowledge we shouldn’t possess about another monarch’s abilities.

“Not as well as I should. Honestly, I don’t correspond much with any kingdoms aside from Palaena. And that’s only because I’ve known Jerrick and Jonas for years.”

Relaxing further in Beau’s embrace, my chest expands, and my eyes grow heavy. I want to ask more questions, but I manage, “How far away do you think we are?”

“We should reach the castle by sunset,” Beau answers. “Why? Do we need to stop and rest? I can tell the others—”

“No, no. It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s…” Heaviness grows in my limbs, and I yawn. I nuzzle further into Beau, wanting to fall asleep.

“Vi?” Beau asks hurriedly.

Wearily, I whisper, “Could you tell me a story? Like when we were kids? Maybe one where I could rest my eyes and listen?”

“All the texts we’ve been reading not doing enough for you?” He grins, his teeth gleaming and sunlight reflecting off him in waves.

I shrug, not wanting to discredit the reading time I have been granted. But beyond education and knowledge, I miss the escapism stories grant me.

“You probably shouldn’t sleep, though,” Beau replies.

I deflate.

But he sweeps his thumb underneath my breast, and my breath catches from his voice. “But I’ll still tell you a story and check on you to make sure you haven’t fallen asleep. Sound fair?”

“Fair.”

“Is your favorite still the same?”

I blush and bite my lip. “ Maybe .”

He chuckles, and his chest vibrates against my ears. It’s a sweet and tantalizing caress, one that relaxes my limbs as his citrus scent cocoons me. “It’s still one of my favorites, too.”

Placing my hand on Beau’s, I squeeze twice before beaming up, completely and utterly enraptured by him and his beauty.

I wish I could kiss him right now. And love him. And snuggle him. And read our favorite books in his vast library. Day in and day out. Forever.

His love is my harbor, and it envelops me as his rich voice echoes a tale I adore so very much.

“There once was a prince, selfish and cruel, cursed to live in his castle along with everyone in it. And one day, a beautiful librarian ventured into his home…”