Page 95 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

Family is Complicated

A small group of Belmur guards stride forward as Papa unsheathes his sword, pointing it at Beau. “Let my daughters go this instant!”

Beau wobbles forward, bracing himself with the arrow still lodged in him and matching my father’s vigor. “No.”

Papa’s wrath ripples off him in waves, furious at the refusal. “You are an enemy to Belmur, and I don’t care what you’ve claimed to have done for our people in the letter you so graciously sent.”

“I only wrote in the hope you’d arrive as an ally and friend, all things considered,” Beau comments, remaining cordial as he runs a hand through his disheveled hair.

Did I hear him right? He wrote to my father?

Sweet Makers, if I wasn’t injured, I would scream at him.

“You will release my girls at once, or I will strike you down,” my father orders.

“I think you fail to recognize the borders of the land you are currently in, King Bernard.” Jerrick’s smooth voice carries a hint of a threat as he gestures to the castle. “You are in Torgem territory, and your title only carries as far as your borders do.”

Leo’s grip on me tightens as Marian fusses in Jerrick’s hold, and I really wish I wasn’t wounded. I might be the only person here who could talk Papa down from his temper-driven path.

“I don’t fucking care where we are,” my father seethes, his jaw muscles twitching. “Release my daughter too, King Jerrick, or I will pommel you faster than I will King Beauvais.”

Tove gasps and clutches her chest, but it doesn’t hide the possessive fire igniting in her ice-blue eyes.

But her husband laughs, unaffected. “The only person who will be struck down is you should you threaten me again.”

“Jer!” Tove exclaims before rushing to my father’s side.

He looks down from his steed at the Queen of Palaena, her eyes pleading as she cradles her stomach and touches his pant leg.

“Bernie, please. Your daughters and King Beau are injured. Lower your weapons and let everyone treat their wounds, and we can sort this out like civilized people.”

His jaw works, and he visibly relaxes.

If I could move, I would fall to my knees and thank Tove endlessly for being someone my father will listen to right now.

Marian grunts, thrashing in Jerrick’s hold. “Let me go!” She struggles as he carries her over his shoulder, fighting to see everyone. “Papa, please! They are taking me prisoner! Please help me!”

My father rustles in his saddle, the possibility of him listening to logic ripped away with his sharp demand. “Release her now, or I will kill you all without hesitation!”

Tove grabs his reins, a flash of winter’s breath seeping from her lips as she summons her chilling power.

“ Tove .” Papa gapes, his voice faltering.

Ice and flurries of snowflakes prickle along her skin, hovering at her wrist and waiting patiently to strike.

Her voice lowers into the frigid, fearful Snow Queen I remember hearing about. “You have threatened my friends, my allies, and my husband, Bernie. And that’s a threat against me. Friend or not, you need to stand down because there’s clearly more to these grave circumstances than we know.”

My father looks beside himself, tracking her magic and the group surrounding us. He releases a long breath, sagging. “Turn my daughters over to me, and I will stand down.”

Beau takes another step forward. “No. Vi is injured and Marian is to be brought to the dungeons.”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” my father swears as Marian yelps, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Papa, please !”

Uncertainty flashes between my father and his guards, their horses unsteady as Tove summons a snowflake, sharpening it into jagged edges before us as it hovers above from her palm.

Leo looks to me with regret as everyone’s voices rise, bickering. Beau’s advisors interject, trying to calm their old friend, but my father keeps arguing.

Why must he be so stubborn?

My exhaustion weighs me down, but I am the only other person who can reason with him.

I seek Papa out, the world and everyone’s voices muted as a faint floating ember twinkles along the edge of the woods.

A soothing comfort cocoons me at the sight of the esprit. Dawn must be approaching if it feels safe enough to appear. Relief swims in my veins as it flickers and drifts, spinning and transforming.

A larger form takes shape, and the sizzling soul’s features grow more distinguishable. Long red waves, freckled, sun-kissed complexion, and a tall athletic build. A glowing aura surrounds the being, and my heart cracks with recognition as it steps more into the clearing.

Mama .

It was Mama this whole time?

Magic surges through my chest, shooting up into my mind, clouding my senses. My eyes roll into the back of my head. I convulse, and my vision goes dark.

Mama’s luminous spirit and soothing voice whispers in my mind.

“Tell him the truth, my child,” she says. “Everything your twin said was true.”

My soul crumbles from hearing her speak, the familiarity of love seeping from each word and the painful truth in her meaning.

Her glowing presence caresses my cheek.

I have so many questions, so many answers I want.

She murmurs, “I cannot stay in your mind long. Your magic is weak, as is your body. But tell your father and tell Beau thank you for being with you. We will see each other again. Remember, the heart of the forest lies in us and lies in you.”

Warmth prickles my brow, and Mama vanishes with the darkness, light snuffing away her shining essence and replacing it with another.

“Vi?” Beau’s voice cracks as his features dull from depleting magic and his injuries. “Vi, can you hear me? Are you alright?”

“What are you doing to her?” my father demands.

Clarity and pain come in waves as Leo and Beau hover over me.

“She’s okay, Beau. You can stop now,” Leo says, holding me close as a dim light fizzles off his brother’s trembling hands.

I nod twice to Beau, hoping it is enough.

Slowly, he relaxes, exhaustion dragging him down, and his knees buckle.

“Beau!” Christine gasps as Marcel catches his friend and helps support him.

Pain and grief dry out my mouth as I remember Mama’s warning.

I turn, rasping, “ Papa .”

His green eyes find me, wrinkles defined and beard and hair grayer than I remember. The rise and fall of his chest is rapid, panicked. Fury and wrath burn and itch for an escape, a reprimand—a vengeance he’s wanted ever since losing Mama.

“Don’t believe Marian. She—she is infected,” I tell him, too weak, too tired.

“She’s what ? Why can’t I believe her?” Papa demands.

I look between him and Marian. The falsehood, betrayal, and true nature of her rip through her facade.

My heart breaks for what I’m about to do.

Veering to my father, I swallow the lump in my throat. “She… She killed Mama.”

“LIES!” Marian spits. “Papa, please! Vi is the one who did this. She did it all. The infection, Mama, everything.”

Confusion crosses over my father’s features, the fight he had ready for Beau retreating from his demeanor as he takes in my sister and me.

Beau eases from Marcel and steps toward my father, his strength waning as he tries to defuse the situation once more. “Bernard, please lower your weapons. We have a cure, and your daughters are both injured. Come, be a guest, and let us treat everyone. Then we can sort everything out.”

Papa scowls, like he’d rather watch Beau suffer than believe him.

But he scans Tove, then me, Beau, and Marian. Uncertainty flashes behind his irises, and I pray to the Makers that Tove’s caution and my word might be enough for him to stand down at least. Then maybe later, he could finally—finally—listen. Heal. Get closure.

I breathe, “Papa. Please .”

“You’re hurting your daughters the more you keep them from getting treated. Just stand down, Bernie,” Veryon says, voice stern and serious.

Everyone waits with bated breath as my father’s jaw works, the grave darkness calming his fury as he sighs and finally sheathes his sword.

The group sags with relief as Marcel comes up to support Beau’s weight as he speaks to Papa. “As a guest in my home, you agree to not raise arms against anyone during your stay, and your jurisdiction is void while in my territory. Should you violate any of these rules, you will face punishment.”

Tove calls back her magic, gently patting my father’s leg with a soft smile as he dismounts with a scoff.

Esme goes to her side, checking on Tove as she relaxes and cradles her stomach.

Hugo and Veryon go to Belmur’s guards as Odette gathers help from the household staff.

Jules and Christine approach Papa, smiling.

Christine takes his elbow. “We can show you to your rooms.”

He stiffens, and Jules adds, “We’ve missed you, Bernie.”

A hint of cheerfulness lifts Papa’s lips, thanking my friends before glaring at Beau and pointing in warning. “If anything happens to my daughters—”

“Nothing will,” Beau promises, his voice hollow and weak.

My stomach churns as my father finally concedes, his gaze shifting to me and my sister.

Betrayal flares in his eyes. Betrayal directed toward Marian and me.

I reach for him through my tired and aching limbs. “ Papa —”

He tugs Jules and Christine to lead him away, ignoring my broken plea as Marian screams, squirming and crying in anger.

“I will kill you! I will kill all of you!”

“Not if you’re passed out,” Jerrick says with nonchalance, Marian fainting in his hold.

My mouth falls, shocked as the King of Palaena adjusts her with ease like she is a pack of grains.

“Fancy trick,” Beau comments as Jerrick strides after his wife, my friends, and my father.

Jerrick pauses, peering over his shoulder with a smirk. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

Beau nods solemnly as Jerrick enters the castle with the others, taking Marian to the dungeons.

He sends a batch of guards to follow the King of Palaena and orders his staff to fetch his small group of healers to meet in my chambers and his.

Finally, he looks to Leo holding me, tilting his head toward the front entrance.

Leo strolls up to his brother and Marcel, and the four of us enter the foyer.

The bustling crowd and the musicians are nowhere in sight, the celebration having long since concluded. I can’t believe so many were here such a short while ago. Many have most likely traveled home or are resting in the guest wings of the castle.

Ugh . Rest. What I wouldn’t give for that and a good book.

I use the limited amount of energy I have to reach for Beau. My hand hopelessly falls, but Beau catches it and meets my gaze.

“Don’t leave me, B,” I beg.

He squeezes my hand twice, shaking as he lifts it to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I won’t leave this world without you.”

“I-I—”

He hushes me and leans in, lips meeting my forehead. A spark buzzes along my scalp, and when he pulls away, the dim magic simmering in his features vanishes.

“I know,” he murmurs tenderly. “Stay strong, my love. My healers will help tend to your injuries until I’m fit to oversee your treatment.”

“You need to heal, too,” I croak as he releases me.

“He will,” Marcel says. “I’ll make sure of it.”

I bob my head as Leo pulls me from my heart and soul. Copper stings in the air, muffling the sensation of Beau’s kiss.

I glance down at Marcel’s black tunic darkening where bandages cover my wounds.

So. Much. Blood.

Leo notices and reassures me. “It’s going to be okay, Vi. Don’t fall asleep, alright?”

“Leo,” I prompt through my dazed fatigue.

“Yes?” he asks, concern lifting his voice.

“Don’t—don’t let Beau go untreated. He is king and must be looked over first.”

Leo dips his chin, carrying me up the grand staircase as the staff catches us, asking questions I don’t have the energy to answer. He answers each one as more healers come and go, fetching medicine and bandages before joining us in my guest chambers.

His warmth leaves my side as the support of my bed encases me.

My eyes cloud with darkness, even as I fight to stay awake.

I can’t fall asleep.

I need to make sure Beau will be okay, and I need to see my father.

What about Marian, though?

Healers surround me, trying to cast Leo aside, but I touch his hand, and he holds it.

His voice lowers into seriousness. “I’ll keep an eye on you, Vi. And I’ll make sure my brother is alright and everyone is looked after.”

I huff. “Y-You’re so serious.”

He shrugs, indifferent. “When shit escalates, it’s my job to step up and make sure everyone is taken care of.”

“Your job?”

“I’m a prince. Remember?” He teases with a smile so soft it casts him in a different light and takes me by surprise.

I laugh, but it is a half cough and a half grunt of pain.

He squats beside me, worry scrunching his features. “You—you need to be okay, Vi.”

“I will,” I tell him, not knowing if I really will be. But I want to be. “Your brother has a lot to answer for.”

I hiss as the healer lifts the tunic near my chest, peeking through and frowning.

She looks to Leo. “You should leave us to it, Your Highness.”

“I just said I wouldn’t,” he replies.

“You also said you’d ensure Beau was alright,” I chime in.

He sighs. “Fine.” He rises and addresses the healer. “Come and fetch me with any news.” Leo starts for the door but turns back. “Actually, please make sure you also give updates to both our king and the King of Belmur.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” the healer replies.

Leo’s fierce blue eyes, filled with hope, hold mine. “See you soon.”

“See you soon,” I call back long after he’s closed the door, exhaustion unbearable to fight as darkness drags me under.