Page 54 of Beast and Remedy
I match my sister’s stride, the ride on horseback already settling over my tired and aching muscles. But a spasm has me buckling and I misstep, stumbling to meet the harsh pebbled ground.
I bite back a yelp as pulsations ripple down my lower half.
“Vi!” Marian and Beau startle in unison.
The instant recognition of Beau’s strong arms has me slumping forward, my stupid heart getting the better of me when it comes to this man and his touch.
It’s too perfect.Heis too perfect.
Sweet Makers, I can’t even trust myself to look up.
I wish I could hold him, kiss him, and tell him how much of my soul is his.
“Are you hurt?” Beau asks with tenderness, and it kills me not to tell him honestly the magnitude of my hurt.
Emotional. Physical. Mental. All of it.
I haven’t been able to share anything with him these last few years, and it shreds at my withering heart. Fighting for a brave face, I bury my feelings, remembering my purpose.
“I-I’m alright.” I don’t even allow a moment to indulge in his closeness. “Clearly, I have forgotten how strenuous horseback is.”
He chuckles and then clicks his tongue. “I won’t risk you falling again if that is the case. Here, let me.”
“Your Majesty, it’s fine. I—”
I gasp as he hoists me up, holding me close to his chest. Instinctively, I wrap my hands around his neck, hating myself for drowning in how good he smells.
“I will take you and your sister to your rooms so you can change,” he says, adjusting me and pulling me closer. “Remember when I said no need for formalities?”
My cheeks flush when his eyes meet mine, and I bite my lip, wanting to melt from the smirk plastered on his face as he strolls with me in his arms.
Marian follows behind, concerned as she mouths,Are you okay?
Fear of Beau catching on to anything I might say only leaves me nodding.
“You came back,” he whispers against my ear.
Turning to Beau, I want to—no, Ineedto—push him away and tell him I only came for my sister. But I can’t.
I refrain from replying altogether as we join up with Marcel, Leo, Christine, and Jules.
Jules wraps an arm around Marian as her parents, Esme and Hugo, lower their heads in greeting.
“Princess Vivienne, a pleasure it is to see you again,” Esme says, her voice low.
Esme rises, her tresses absent of gray, remaining straight onyx and her face wearing hardly any indication of age. Even her husband, Hugo, reflects a similar youthful complexion.
The only sign of aging on him is his salt-and-pepper sideburns, his deep-set brown eyes matching his wife and his daughter. Hugo remains silent with an unreadable expression, his lack of welcome enough to warn me of his distrust.
Beau smiles. “A wonderful pleasure it is, Esme. To have your closest friend’s daughters visit us again after such a long while.”
Esme’s body stiffens, as does mine, at the reminder of my mother, her life, and their friendship since their teens.
Beau remains unmoving, and my heart sinks knowing he has shifted from friend to king.
She glances up, his height requiring her to tip her head back. But when her eyes flick to mine, her swallow is audible amongst the group as she replies.
“Indeed.”
