Page 88 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)
Name Day
C hristine’s bedchamber is decorated with white and gold, much like Beau’s. But the biggest difference is the pops of pink accenting her furniture, her bedsheets, and the large rug stretched across the lounge area.
And as my friend fusses and tugs at my red waves, my sister and Jules snicker by the wardrobe through the mirror’s reflection.
Christine’s blonde curls are pinned away and gathered behind her shoulders, highlighting the sweetheart neckline of her light pink tulle ballgown. It’s adorned with peonies, and a large skirt expands from the waist.
She slicked Jules’s locks into a neat bun, smoothing the strands back to draw everyone’s attention to her deep violet halter gown.
Sleek satin hugs every inch of her body. Intricate beadwork descends from the collar, dipping and curving around her cleavage, then spreading on the right side of the skirt with a slit opening.
Her tan leg peaks out as she laces Marian into her dress, and when my sister turns, my eyes widen.
The daring gown is like Jules’s but black. Sheer mesh hugs at the base of her throat, with thicker fabric over the bodice and a plunging neckline. It drops to her navel, the chiffon billowing out at her waist and ruffling down her legs, onyx fusing with a deep emerald green at the hem.
Christine catches my sister and gasps, giving my scalp a reprieve. “Marian, that dress was made for you!”
Marian beams, stepping closer for examination.
I twist, admiring the detail of the green sneaking up and weaving throughout the black bodice. “You look beautiful.”
She rubs the sleek fabric of her bodice, and I sense the apprehension, the awkwardness visible on her face.
When Jules and I joined Marian and Christine earlier, I hadn’t made much of an effort to apologize for my attitude, and neither had she. I understood her reasoning and brushed it off as we spent time with our friends, thinking she felt the same.
But as her warm brown irises hold mine, it still seems like something is wrong.
“Thank you,” Marian finally replies.
I offer her a tight smile, knowing we’ll need to talk about it later.
“Now all we need is for Vi to get dressed,” Jules says, steering the conversation away from the tension brewing between my sister and me.
Everyone laughs, and I roll my eyes. “I would if Christine lets me wear my hair down,” I grumble.
Christine plants her hands on her hips. “You can’t shield yourself from everyone, Vi. Plus, you’ll want it up if you’re dancing.”
“What about half up?” I ask.
She wiggles her eyebrows in contemplation before agreeing and taming my wavy tresses. Christine yanks my hair, and I hiss.
“Oh, come now. Beauty is pain.” She brushes off the accidental tug and continues to gather small strands and plait them.
Jules resumes conversing with Marian about something I can’t quite make out, and I muffle my annoyance under my breath, trying to focus on the positives. Like someone helping with my waves.
When Christine finishes, she inspects my hairstyle once more and claps in finality. “Now, for your gown!”
She spins, her giddiness infectious as her dress swirls like she’s already begun dancing for the night. But when she pulls out my gown, all our mouths fall.
I’m dumbfounded by the dress, unsure of what to even say. Let alone do. All that runs through my head is Beau’s face when he sees me in this. I gape, almost breathless.
“Christine, h-how did you—”
“You know I get the best gowns from Jules’s grandmother,” she says nonchalantly. “And she always sends me extra fabric to have each outfit tailored to perfection. Which makes it easy for when friends come and need gorgeous ballgowns on short notice.”
“I still have no idea how you got our measurements without us scheduling a visit to a tailor,” Marian comments as Jules helps Christine place my gown on the bed.
“I have my methods,” Christine teases with a smirk.
I stand from the vanity, Christine, Jules, and Marian’s conversation quiet and muffled as I run my hands over the stunning masterpiece.
The dress doesn’t need any modifications. The deep red fabric matches my hair and is draped in handcrafted roses. The flowers are dimensional and lined elaborately throughout the ballgown, from the sweetheart neckline to the off-the-shoulder sleeves.
How many hours must it have taken for Jules’s grandmother to create this?
“I thought it would fit you best, given my brother’s nickname for you,” Christine whispers, causing me to jump.
I meet her gaze, still in shock. “Chr-Christine, I-I-I can’t wear this.”
Looking at the dress, the cracks in my heart grow the more I stare and think of Beau. I press my lips together, wanting to hide the swell of pain crashing against my chest.
Christine’s hand lands atop mine, the touch tender and gentle as unworthiness forms a lump in my throat.
“I want you to wear this,” she says plainly. “For me, for Beau, but most importantly for yourself.”
I meet her lovingly blue irises, her kindness and compassion reminding me so much of her brother. “Myself?”
“Everyone sees how wonderful, smart, and beautiful you are, Vi.” Christine leans in and squeezes my hand twice before adding, “Everyone except you.”
My lip quivers, and the walls cave in. I want to turn from her affection, lock myself up in a tree and be one with the esprits. Maybe then I won’t have to face the disappointment they’ll all inevitably harbor for me.
“Look, I’m sorry you haven’t been in the best of moods, but you’ve been the keystone in reuniting us and finding a cure. And I want you to see how much we value you. I wish to see you happy and celebrate our success with us today. We all do.” Christine gestures to Jules and Marian.
My friend smiles encouragingly, and Marian’s eyes are glossy.
“Stupid tears,” she says dismissively, blotting her face.
I approach my sister, her tears falling down her cheeks as I hug her. She stumbles a bit, and I squeeze her tighter.
“I’m sorry about this morning,” I whisper, needing to clear the air before the celebration.
I don’t think I could make it through the party with Beau and Marian upset. Her support and steady aura are everything I’m going to need if I want to come out of the night unscathed.
“I’m sorry, too,” she says, holding me as two more people encircle us.
My heart fills with so much love—so much gratitude for the friendship and closeness I have with them all. And I don’t even bother covering up my sniffles as my mind—my soul weeps for its missing half.
They hug me tighter as I glance at Jules, since she is the only one who understands everything I’m feeling.
Trying to comfort me, she mouths, It’s okay .
We silently hold each other for a good while before my sister helps me into my gown. Then the four of us escort ourselves down the hallway, toward the music and guests filling lower levels of the castle.
Today is the day we pass out the cure to the other kingdoms.
Today is Beau’s name day.
Today is the final chapter.
And our time together these last few months is meeting its end.