Page 76 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)
Grim Prospects
“ Y ou look lighter,” Marian comments as our home comes into view.
“I feel lighter,” I reply, a smile ghosting my face.
After my first intentional transformation, everything feels more manageable—more achievable .
With the extra guidance from Beau and the esprit, I was more willing to practice my shifting. And every shift since, the pain significantly reduced, my whole world and mindset altering with understanding my own will and the Protector of Beasts’ will thrumming underneath the surface.
Everything in my bear form became instinctive to me and less by my power. Evoking empathy to creatures as I roamed, acknowledging every bow and call of obedience stirred confidence and acceptance in my heart.
Beau hardly used his gifts on me after he woke with the others this morning, allowing Marian a chance to have a longer healing session, and even her mood seems brighter than the last few days.
“Hopefully, your temper doesn’t come back,” she muses when we reach the stables.
“Hey!” I scowl as my sister laughs and dismounts.
“Oh hush. You know it to be true.”
My agreement doesn’t keep me from rolling my eyes as Leo approaches.
“Did I miss something?” he asks, glancing between us suspiciously.
“Don’t worry about it.” Marian steps up and pats his chest.
Christine removes her riding gloves, and Jules tidies her plait as they saunter toward us. Marcel and Beau carry a few packs, scrutinizing Leo with expectancy to help them with the other bags.
“I hope Jean and Pierre will have food ready,” Christine says as I drop from my saddle and lead my mount its stall.
I let Marian take over that conversation as I pet my steed’s mane, a thrum of magic streaming to my fingertips. Smiling, I curl into its body, cooing and sending pulses of affection as I guide it to the water and food barrels.
The horse neighs, and I chuckle before stepping away and catching up with my friends as we enter my home.
Leo shoulders the weight of the roseroot we brought back from Northtry, striding beside Marian. Jules and Christine give Marcel a wide birth, letting him walk between them and still have a chance to be included in the conversation of what food might await us.
Beau stays put until I come up to his side. Our fingers brush along one another throughout the halls, careful of each touch and each exchanged look of happiness when we venture into the less formal dining room.
Spiced meat attacks my senses, my stomach rumbling as chairs scoot from the table, Jean and Pierre rising.
“You’re finally back,” Jean breathes, his eyes intense despite the visible exhaustion he and Pierre wear.
“Please, eat. You all must be hungry.” Pierre gestures to the table, plates already set up, thanks to Marcel notifying them of our expected arrival.
“Starved for a good meal is more like it.” Leo slumps off his packs as his sister and Jules rush to take a seat.
I keep my features schooled as I stride past Beau, already missing his proximity as I join Marian in embracing Jean.
Pierre’s skeptical gaze holds mine, but I dismiss it and offer him my hand. He reluctantly takes it, and I yank him into our hug, inhaling and reveling in the sweet bliss of reuniting.
A pang of guilt festers underneath the surface, reminding me of my father in Palaena.
“How is Papa?” I ask when we break away and join the others, enjoying the vast amount of food.
Pierre releases a long sigh. “He’s antsy. Especially since Queen Tove and King Jerrick sent over the chanterelles without agreeing to let him accompany them.”
Thank the Makers for Tove and Jerrick being aware of my true whereabouts and covering for me. Jean and Pierre would have fumbled that arrangement without their help and Torgem’s.
“And did Esme work with you about sending over a supply of our sugar beets?” Christine asks as she makes a plate. “Jules and I told Marcel to send word when we established the right plant in hopes it would arrive here in time.”
“Yes,” Jean answers. “We went ahead and stored the chanterelles from Palaena and the sugar beets from Torgem in our pantries but left a more manageable amount along with the valerian you asked for in your study, Vi.”
I incline my head in gratitude as I take a sip of water.
“Has Stefan or his father reached out about more roseroot?” Marian asks, her eyes sparkling at the mention of the prince.
I don’t miss the grimace Leo wears as he scoops food onto his plate, keeping his eyes on his meal rather than my sister.
“Yes, and it should be here within the next day or two. We also took the king up on extra soldiers as we have had an increase of animal sightings over the last week or so,” Pierre comments, and I spare a glance at Beau, finding it a miracle we didn’t encounter any infected animals during our trip.
“Did you receive any reports on how Torgem and the other kingdoms are handling the animal attacks? The infection?” Marcel asks. “Last my father informed me, many beasts lingered near our shared border with you rather than near our home. And he told me they are receiving fewer illness reports.”
Jean releases a long sigh, the exhaustion he wears more visible by the simple cast of shadow over his features.
“Torgem is doing the best out of us all.
Palaena and Northtry have done well, keeping most of the animals away from their towns and lands, but there are still reports of the sickness happening amongst citizens.
“Unterkirch hasn’t reported many animal attacks, though they told us they are forcing their citizens to stay in their own homes to prevent the infection from spreading. Which is something new we don’t understand, given this happened with animals attacking and biting humans.”
“That’s because human to human, species to human, and even species to species now have different strains of the illness,” I say.
Jean and Pierre’s eyebrows shoot up, and I explain further. “In Unterkirch, their head healer relayed the findings of their own study of the virus. And I’ve taken some time during our journey to note the different strains and see how it has mutated amongst people versus animal.”
Across the table, Marian gapes, a hint of betrayal in her eyes. She grips her silverware, knuckles whitening with how hard she holds it. “You found this out in Unterkirch and didn’t tell me?”
“I wanted to read up on everything they recorded before telling you,” I rush out, scrambling for how I can explain and not upset her. “I-I-I only just got to their findings about the different strains last night before I had to go shift—”
“Whatever,” she spits, her features transforming into a scowl. “I see how it is. Use your magic as an excuse to not talk to me.”
Pierre and Jean regard me and my sister warily, their disappointment adding to Marian’s. Embarrassment has me biting my lip, second-guessing if I should even explain anything further. Heat flushes my cheeks, and the urge to excuse myself creeps up my throat.
Someone’s fingers caress my thigh under the table, grounding me.
Beau .
I move my leg and hope it is enough to evoke my gratitude as Pierre clears his throat. “Back to the discussion.” His eyes meet mine, and I scoot up in my chair and wipe away any guilt from my features. “What do you plan on doing next now that we have everything?”
My waves topple forward, and I tuck the loose strands back. “Work on formulating the ingredients together and ensuring we have the correct amount of each plant.”
“Wait, we can’t split it into equal parts?” Leo asks with his mouth full of food.
“It doesn’t always work out that easily, Leo,” Jules states. “Plus, we have to figure out if we need a balm or a tonic while also determining how potent it needs to be.”
“And how will you know when you’ve found the solution?” Pierre asks, his voice laced with doubt.
“Well, they do have a test subject,” Marian quips, her enthusiasm more passive aggressive as she points to herself. “Or did you forget?”
“We didn’t forget, Marian,” Jean says, trying to offer reassurance.
But she waves off the gesture, swirling her fork in the air. “Of course you didn’t. You know I’m teasing.” She tilts her head toward the window, her smile expanding. “Isn’t that right, Stefan?”
Confused, I look along her line of sight and see nothing.
Leo scoots close, whispering to Marian. “You mean me?”
She scoffs before she whirls on him. “No, I don’t mean you, silly. I mean Stefan.” Her eyes lock on the framed glass, and she hums. “He’s right there, talking with Mama and Papa.”
Everyone’s gaze falls on me as my heart stops.
Chills race up my spine, growing frigid and seeping into my bones when she twists to me, her brow arching. “Come on, Vi. You see them, don’t you?”
I shake my head. “Marian, they aren’t here.” She grimaces, and tentatively, I add, “The prince is in Northtry and Papa has been in Palaena. And you know Mama is no longer with us.”
She recoils as if I’ve slapped her and does a double take, blinking. “B-B-But—” Her brown irises line with tears. “I see her. Right there!”
She throws her fork, launching it at the window.
PANG!
Everyone bristles as her utensil clatters on the floor, but my eyes remain on my sister, her features fracturing at the seams as a wave of fury takes hold of her.
“Liar!” she screams, pushing her chair out and pointing her finger. “You’re always lying and hiding everything!” She slashes her hand accusatorily at everyone. “You’re all lying!”
“Marian,” I breathe, my heart breaking.
She was in such high spirits today.
I rise, lifting my shaky hands in surrender, with the hopes she will not flee.
Her face pinches and distorts, pain and agony fighting over which to mold to her and remove all her sunshine and light.
“Don’t you Marian me!” she seethes, rage blasting through her stiffened posture, contrast to the tears streaming down her cheeks. “This is your fault! Everything is always your fault! Why did you have to be the one to do this to me!”
I halt, my knees wobbling from the sheer weight of her fury.