Page 82 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

Building

M arian took the additional dose upon our return. And with my limits stretched, Beau and I agreed it was best to recharge and put effort into making batches for our allies.

But being around my sister again, not fearing for her health, helping her make amends with the others all felt nostalgic. I was so used to Beau’s light and aura, but with Marian herself once more it’s… indescribable .

And with Beau’s name day celebration tomorrow, we all have worked at filling each vial while his advisors put together the festivities.

Everyone, save for Papa, received an invitation and news of the cure. It was exciting to see each kingdom’s acceptance and anticipated arrival, but my heart still ached about doing this behind my father’s back.

Tove, Jerrick, Jean, and Pierre have supported me throughout this process, allowing me the chance to delegate and grant me the time to save my sister and Draymenk.

If Papa found out what we did, there’s no telling how this might have played out. Now I can only hope Marian and I will earn his forgiveness when we return with the remedy.

Jules, Christine, and Marian try on various gowns for tomorrow’s party as I read over Pierre and Jean’s approval and warm wishes.

I skim the other letters from Sybille and Tove, both their responses and my exchanges with them easy and fluid. And joy stirs in my chest at the prospect of us all working together in the future.

“Are you almost done, Vi?” Jules asks, coming up and yanking me into a hug.

I laugh. “I just finished.”

“Thank the Makers. You need to pick out a dress to wear, too!” Christine says as she sorts through an array of gowns, inspecting them one by one.

My sister’s eyes find mine. “And I thought I was bad at selecting a gown.”

“Oh, hush,” Christine chides. “Fashion is an art.”

“Is it?” Jules approaches, her partner holding up an onyx gown to Marian, her features cheery and vibrant.

The girls all share a look before Christine asks me, “What do you think?”

I shrug. “You three are better at this than me.”

“I like it,” Jules decides, taking the dresses and placing them on the chaise. “But we do need to leave for dinner.”

We agree and hurry down the corridor and halls.

Staff parade past us, the castle glowing even more as they polish the brass, dust the curtains, and line the walls with decor suitable to honor a king. They sort red roses, taking time to weave each flower together before using the thorns to pin them into the sheer fabric lining the area.

We reach the dining hall and are embraced by the candlelit ambience. Golden trays, gilded glassware, porcelain plates, and red roses stretch across the table. And Leo, Marcel, and Beau have already helped themselves to the food.

Christine scoffs. “Rude of you to start without us.”

They halt their conversation and stand abruptly. Leo and Marcel pull out the chairs near them, and Beau moves from the head of the table, two spots down from his brother. He lowers his own plate before gesturing to the vacant seats.

His damned dimples and his desire to sit beside me stir a pang of longing. Sweet Makers, I wish I could dine alone with him.

My friends, Marian, and I find our spots and help ourselves to the well-prepared meal, my appetite satisfied the moment I take a bite of the venison.

Pure joy is exchanged the more we eat, my mind, body, and soul relaxing and overjoyed as I nestle between two people I love dearly.

Marian beams as she and Leo lean into each other, and Beau sneaks his hand under the table, drawing tantalizing circles along my outer thigh.

I seek his touch and interlock our fingers.

He squeezes twice, and my pulse flutters before he lets go and resumes eating with a cheeky, mischievous smirk.

Esme, Hugo, Veryon, and Odette stroll past the entrance, pausing to update Beau on the arrangements, before Leo ushers the staff to set up places for them to dine with us.

Staff members keep the food coming and our wineglasses full as the conversations grow. Memories and experiences are exchanged between Marcel and his father, Veryon. Even Beau and Leo are taunted and brought into the fray of jokes.

I press my lips together, trying to admire the food more than the man beside me as he lights up the entire room. My waves fall forward, and I tuck the loose strands behind my ear, snickering as Odette and Esme revisit embarrassing stories about Marcel and Jules.

Beau’s knee brushes against mine periodically, and we exchange stolen glances with each laugh and story our loved ones share.

He clasps my shoulder, and I almost panic until he eases up and reaches for his glass. Raising it, he peers across the room. “I want us to make a toast to each other. For working together. For Vi and for Marian coming back into our lives. And for everyone smiling again.”

We lift our cups. “To smiling again,” we say in unison before drinking.

The wine coats my throat, and I savor it, enjoying this moment despite the flicker of doubt creeping forward in my mind.

When we finish and lower our drinks, silence stretches, exhaustion and fatigue taking over us all. Esme and Hugo share a look before rising.

“I think it’s time to retire for the night,” Hugo says, grasping Esme’s hand.

“The same goes for us as well,” Odette adds as she and Veryon push up from their seats. “It was a joy to dine with you all.”

“Like old times,” Esme muses, stopping at my sister and me.

“Like old times,” I repeat. Marian and I lower our heads with respect as Beau’s four advisors excuse themselves.

Marcel eases up, yawning and rubbing his neck. “Ladies, would you like to rest for the night?”

“Just rest?” Jules blurts.

Marcel’s eyes bulge as Christine’s skin darkens a shade, and Marian and I fail at stifling our snorts.

“I was trying to be polite,” Marcel says, gritting his teeth.

Jules laughs off his slight annoyance as she stands. “You always are.” She pecks him on the cheek.

Marcel’s grin grows. He helps Christine up, the three of them exchanging heated looks before Jules nudges them toward the hall.

“Until tomorrow,” she says, waving us farewell without a second glance.

Leo adjusts his tunic as he rises. “Make sure no one wakes me earlier than necessary. I can already tell my head will be aching tomorrow.”

Marian chuckles. “I’m inclined to agree with sleeping in.”

“I’ll see we’re served a late meal. I’ll be up for a bit tonight, too,” Beau responds.

“Is everything alright?” I quirk a brow as he cleans his mouth with his napkin.

“Oh, yes. Everything is fine. I just need to ensure the staff is taken care of tonight before I go to the alchemy room or even visit the library and read for a little.”

I bounce with delight, and Marian laughs. “Uh-oh, Beau. Careful there. You’re getting her excited about books.”

“Hey!” I scowl and push up from the table. “I haven’t had the chance to read anything besides educational text as of late. Don’t ruin my fun.”

Leo snickers, and I peer at Beau for support.

“There are plenty of books to go around,” he says with reassurance as he stands.

“I’ll say,” Leo starts. “One would even say you have too many.”

My mouth falls as I whirl on Leo. “There are never too many books!”

He raises his hands in surrender. “ Relax , I’m only teasing.” Leo combs back his hair as I roll my eyes. “Enjoy surrounding yourselves with too many books rather than a soft bed tonight.” He extends his arm to my sister. “Now, Marian, care to not stumble alone to your rooms?”

“Always.” She takes Leo’s elbow, bidding Beau and me a good night.

I don’t miss their proximity inching closer the further they walk and pass through the threshold.

Beau runs his fingers along mine once their footsteps recede. “I might have lied just now,” he confesses in a hushed whisper.

Suspicion lifts my gaze to his, and desire simmers behind his golden irises.

Beau leans in a fraction, the scent of citrus and wine dancing near my nose and warming me as he smirks. “I wanted an excuse to have you alone again.”

“But what about the alchemy room or the library?” I ask, disappointment carrying on the last word.

I’d really love to soak up the rest of the night with a good book. It’s been so long.

He huffs a laugh. “We can certainly go there should you like, as long as we can celebrate our success together.”

“Isn’t that what this was?” I gesture to the table.

“That was only dinner.”

I know what he is insinuating, but I can’t help but taunt him a little. “And what about tomorrow? I’m sure we can celebrate with everyone when they arrive.”

Beau grunts, the slightest sign of annoyance, before he glances toward the door. Turning back with a wicked grin, he takes me by surprise and cups my face, guiding my mouth to his.

His kiss is rough and demanding, and I fall into it, unable to resist the call to envelop myself in his arms. Beau moves one hand down my body, finding my ass and squeezing.

I groan when he breaks away, staring intently into my eyes. “Do I always have to bluntly tell you and show you how much I want you?”

I bite my lower lip, dragging it through my teeth.

Beau’s eyes trace the movement. “Fuck, I want to nibble and suck that lip more than anything in the world.”

The need to have him leaves me tingly— itchy . And I close my fists with restraint for fear of getting caught in the open.

You also shouldn’t be getting your hopes up, Vi.

But I am a glutton for attention. His attention.

“Why don’t you?” I whisper, and he growls, capturing my mouth once more.

The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I moan. My control wavers as he pulls me closer.

I touch him everywhere, and, Deities, his tunic is soft and his kiss is hungry .

Passionate. Powerful. Perfect .

I snake my hands up, threading my fingers through his blond locks before tugging.

Beau swipes the dishware from the table, plates clattering before he scoots my ass on the edge. He cages me in, his cock brushing against me.

My breath hitches, and I whimper. Wanting more. Needing more. Reveling in him more.

He grabs my waist, wanting to hoist me up.

I push against his chest. “Wait!” I pant.

Beau pulls away, grumbling.

I don’t see his mild irritation often, but, damn, is it sexy and erotic. The very thought of him punishing me for halting our kiss deepens my arousal.

I tilt my chin to the very open doors. His staff and our friends could come in at any moment.

“No one will bother us.” Beau leans in.

I push him again, doing my best to hide my amusement at his narrowed gaze. “Someone might , though.”

He inhales a long breath. “Are you trying to torture and deny me?”

I cackle. “I couldn’t even if I tried.”

“We both know how that worked out,” he teases, trying to kiss me once more.

I remain unwavering, not wanting to risk getting caught, and he heaves another sigh.

“You’re right,” he starts, and my heart plummets thinking he will end it all right here. “Let’s go somewhere private.” He tucks a few waves away.

“Are we finally going to go to your room?” I ask, squeezing my thighs with anticipation.

He clutches his chest, veering back in mock offense. “I thought you wanted the alchemy room or library?”

My face falls as he breaks into a rich burst of laughter. “Are you trying to torture and deny me now, too?”

His delight quiets, and his eyes simmer with lust. “Only if it means I get to hear you beg me for release.”

Heat explodes across my body, my blood heating and my heartbeat quickening. “You better take me where I want to go, then.”

Beau smirks, reaching past me for the table.

I glance over as he takes a red rose from the nearest vase and offers it to me with a tender smile.

My heart hammers as he twirls it, waiting for me to accept it. And when I do, Beau breaks into the purest of grins.

He takes my hand, leading us from the dining hall. He alerts the staff we don’t want to be disturbed for the remainder of the night.

I mask my delight, keeping my head low as we sneak away, memories of our first late evenings together surfacing. The countless times we did this after discovering our feelings for each other were mutual tugs at me and increases my strides.

We pass his guards, and he dismisses them as we ascend the spiral staircase to his chambers.

He pauses halfway and pushes me against the stone, capturing my mouth with his.

My knees almost give out from the past flooding through me like an inferno, and his kiss leaves me breathless.

Beau lowers his voice when he pulls away. “What’s that smile for?”

I barely feel my growing grin I’m so lost in my thoughts. I shake my head, my cheeks warming under his observation.

He quirks a brow. “Not going to tell me?”

“I was remembering the countless occasions we did this when we first… you know.”

“When we first…”

I snort, knowing he wants to hear me say it.

“When we first said we had feelings for each other.”

He rewards me with another deep kiss, tongues clashing as he presses his body against mine.

I whimper, savoring him and wanting more.

Beau retreats, the pale moonlight seeping in from the window illuminating his face.

A tightness forms in my throat, in my chest, and in my core at his beauty. I’m so inadequate compared to him.

He is light. He is life. He is everything.

And I’m just a woman—a beast—completely and utterly in love with him.

Beau’s gaze sweeps over mine, his breath ragged as he cups my cheek. “Rosebud,” he breathes. “How is it you grow more striking every time I lay eyes on you?”

I turn bashful and lower my gaze, admiring the red rose, reflecting on past letters and my nickname. “I could say the very same to you, too, B.”

He brushes his nose along mine before guiding me from the wall, and not once do I grumble about resuming the climb to his bedchamber.