Page 66 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)
Secrets and Sympathies
A fter cleaning up and dressing, we venture down the stone hallway, taking a rounded staircase as the sunset and summer’s heat pierce through the small windows.
Vexation swirls from the multiple levels we drift down, and my energy nears depletion.
All because of these fucking stairs.
I wipe away the sweat along my hairline and catch my breath when we step into a marvelous foyer, smothered in more pastel hues like in my bedchamber.
Floor-to-ceiling glass panes offer natural light to illuminate the gilded frames of portraits on the right. Our shadows bounce off each painting as we pass, an illusion making me feel like the deceased ancestors track our movements.
A deep purple rug with gold trim drapes across the white marble tile as Beau guides me down another hall with similar coloring as the one we strolled through. We saunter past doors and halls and more stairs, and I plead to the Makers I don’t have to descend anymore.
Yet my prayer is fleeting by the lack of stationed guards.
Awareness and foreboding cling to my bones, my shoulders stiffening with worry.
Does Queen Verena deem her home safe enough for the absence of protection? Or has she had to disperse her own men to where the infection lingers in her lands?
Light chatter and hushed conversations fill the corridor as we approach opened doors, and two guards stand at attention when we enter the dining room.
I almost sag in relief. Thank the Makers. At least there is some security for Queen Verena and Princess Sybille.
I lean into Beau, marveling at the long, gilded table stretching the length of the room, matching chairs lined up on each side with two larger ones at the ends.
Our hostesses are not yet present, and everyone carries on discussions without noticing our arrival.
“It appears we all want to leave an impression,” Beau murmurs.
After we bathed and enjoyed each other for a second time, Beau went to inform everyone of our plan.
Marcel, Jules, and Christine sit on the left, and Marian and Leo are seated adjacent to the others, both groups farthest from the head of the table, where the queen and her daughter will be sitting.
Beau stops at the second vacant spot on the right and pulls out the chair for me. He takes my hand, his thumb brushing along my knuckles as he helps me into my seat.
My breath stutters as he holds my gaze with a small smirk, his chivalry making my heart skip. I beam, and he winks.
He steals the warmth from the entire room when he lets go and walks away, filling up the final opening next to Marcel.
I rub the sides of my dress, trying to relax and be content to be beside Marian.
But desire itches underneath my skin, tingling and creeping down to my core. Wicked ideas trail to the forefront of my mind, and my pussy throbs.
This incessant need—this insatiable hunger—this voracious addiction I have for Beau intensifies with every smile. Every touch. Every kiss.
And I want more.
Stop letting your heart get the better of you, Vi. You can’t have it all.
I inhale a long breath, expelling the temptation and the lust from my mind, preparing for Princess Sybille to join me on my right.
Household staff arrange the table settings and acknowledge us with a bow before filling our cups.
I lift my glass to my lips and sip, admiring the pure love radiating between my loved ones.
Jules smiles at me. “You look better today.”
“I feel better, too.” I grin as I lower my drink. “I should be fit to travel tomorrow as long as I don’t wake tonight with any headaches from what Beau told me before we joined you.”
Christine, the lovely and adorable eavesdropper she is, chimes in. “I was worried you and my brother were conspiring to stay here longer than necessary.”
“What?” I startle.
Beau chokes on his beverage, and we all glance at him as he sets his cup down and coughs aggressively.
“Oh, relax,” Marcel says with nonchalance as he pats Beau’s back.
Beau clears his throat as a worried exchange passes between us.
Do our friends know? And if they do, are they really bringing it up in front of another kingdom?
Fuck, this is the exact opposite of what I need right now.
“We all know if given the opportunity, you two would be holed up all day reading every text possible about healing and medicine,” Marcel states. “But lucky for us, Vi’s injury forced the two of you to neglect books and learning for once.”
Beau glares at his friend as my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
But I thank the Makers, Marcel’s assumption is true enough to convince them to move on with a different conversation.
Nervously, I too seek to discuss something else. “How was target practice today?” I twist to Marian, grateful she looks to be in good spirits tonight versus this morning when she trudged into my rooms for a healing session with Beau.
Marian brightens. “It was good.”
“I still think I hit the targets more than you,” Leo comments.
Marian nudges him. “That’s because you’re a sore loser and are jealous I beat you.”
Leo acts taken aback by her retort, yet he laughs.
I shouldn’t be surprised, though.
He’s been by her side at every waking opportunity throughout this journey and probably even before that.
I can tell her good mood tonight is purely because of him. And I can’t help the expanding gratitude swirling in my chest with appreciation for Leo being here for my sister and for me.
“Alright, fine,” Leo says playfully, his eyes never leaving Marian’s as he smirks. “You did beat me.”
“Off,” Jules mutters into her glass, and I gape.
Leo and Marian both turn a shade of red darker than my hair as they whirl on Jules.
But Christine snorts so loud, and her face scrunches when liquid comes out of her nostrils.
Jules grins from cheek to cheek as she offers her partner a napkin.
Beau and Marcel bark and howl up to the skies with unfiltered cackles, and I can’t help but cover my mouth, trying and failing to suppress my laughter.
Everyone’s laughs grow in volume, and Marian averts her gaze, admiring the tablecloth.
Leo clears his throat. “Come on, it wasn’t that funny.”
“It definitely was,” Marcel says as Beau holds his chest, trying to catch his breath.
We all still snicker, Christine even wiping away a tear as guards open the dining room doors.
We all stumble upright, poorly masking our amusement, and greet Queen Verena and Princess Sybille.
The Queen of Unterkirch remains stoic, the acknowledgment barely noticeable in her movements as she and her daughter join us, the princess smiling as she approaches.
Beau moves and pulls out Queen Verena’s chair, Leo quick to follow his brother’s steps and do the same for Princess Sybille.
“How did you know this is where I always sit?” she asks with curiosity.
I shrug. “I took a guess.”
Princess Sybille dips her chin, settling in her seat and whispering her thanks to Leo.
I go to join her, but I’m caught off guard when Beau’s fingers intertwine with mine.
Peering up, I melt from the heat simmering in his golden irises as he guides me into my seat, his dimples on full display.
Sweet Makers, this fucking man.
My stomach flips when he remains near, just to scoot me in before he and everyone else make themselves comfortable.
I follow suit, tightness building in my chest. But I bristle at Queen Verena studying me.
Does she think Beau was out of place for helping me? Was he being too affectionate?
“I am so pleased to see you up and moving, Princess Vivienne,” the queen says as a staff member fills her glass.
“I am, too,” I reply and straighten my posture. “Though I did need a little help getting here. I owe many thanks to King Beauvais.” I gesture to Beau, hoping my mention will be enough to justify his actions and reduce the nerves erupting in my gut.
“It was no problem,” Beau says across the table. “As your healer, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
A small wisp of my waves falls in front of my line of sight, and I tuck it behind my ear as staff carry in trays. They set the platters in the center of the table and lift the lids, steam rising from the mouthwatering display of food.
A spicy aroma attacks my senses as Queen Verena dismisses her employees with a snap of her fingers. They all bow or curtsy, exiting as a trio of musicians passes them and heads to the corner, breaking into a soft melody.
Everyone helps themselves to the glazed carrots, ripe fruit, freshly baked rolls, and meat, making my stomach growl.
I clutch my abdomen, hoping the music drowns out the embarrassing noise.
Princess Sybille scoots close and whispers, “Don’t worry, mine made the same noise, too.”
I take in the food once more with indecision. “Is there anything I should avoid eating?”
Her nose scrunches like she is trying to suppress a laugh. “Everything is delicious, although you should avoid the carrots.” She reaches for the serving spoon. “Just so I can have an extra helping.”
A grin stretches across my face, and I opt out of the carrots, settling on an extra roll, a good amount of fruit and a small portion of meat. I take a bite, and I almost moan from how fluffy and warm the bread is.
I refrain from devouring my meal too fast.
“Princess Vivienne, I hope you were able to get enough information from our healers during your visit,” Queen Verena speaks up, her attention focused solely on me.
I tighten my hold on my silverware as I swallow my food. “Yes, your efforts and your healer’s studies have helped us better understand what symptoms we are dealing with and what we need to prepare for.” I place a hand over my heart. “I’m truly grateful for their help and insight.”
I hope it is enough to emphasize how appreciative I am of her and the healers’ aid. If it wasn’t for their report and findings, I’m not sure we would have known what else could be in store for Marian.
But we have their ledgers, we know what to look out for, what to be aware of, and what worked for treatments.