Page 102 of Beast and Remedy
I sidestep Beau, ignoring how he flinches, and find my sister with an indiscernible expression on her face. My palms sweat, and I rub them along my trousers, worrying about what could be wrong with her.
I take Prince Stefan’s hand. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
He turns us toward his home, scooting close to whisper, “Just Stefan. Remember?”
“Thank you, Stefan,” I breathe as we pass the threshold, leaving my friends and family with armed men at the ready.
The entryway of Northtry takes me by surprise, images from my childhood drawing up short compared to now. Deep brown curved ceilings mold to the beige stone walls, archways opening to varying sections of the castle, and lanterns lining the columns supporting the structure. Benches rest between each pillar, and the shimmering white tile floor brightens the atmosphere.
Stefan gestures to a seating area, sitting first and patting the spot beside him.
I take care not to sit too close, angling my body and keeping up my posture. I cannot predict if his flirtation is intentional or political, but I keep my guard up all the same and try to not dig myself any deeper with this man.
“So, what news does Belmur bring?” Stefan asks.
I cut to the point. “As you know, there is a virus spreading amongst the animals, and it is capable of infecting humans…”
He works his jaw, and I nervously fidget with my tunic before I continue, hoping he will understand my urgency. “Well, Marian got attacked and is fighting the infection, too.”
When I pause and look up, I half expect a slip of his demeanor at that revelation about my sister. But there’s nothing.
I thought they liked each other.
Maybe I was wrong.
Maybe Marian was wrong.
He remains quiet, a stone-coldness washing over him as I squeak through more of my reasons for arriving with friends. “And we are trying everything to find a cure, and we have a path, but we need supplies from the other kingdoms.”
“I see.”
“I’m looking for roseroot. It’s a succulent that only grows in Northtry. And I would really love it if I could get as much as you can give. We will need a lot to make a remedy and extra to test the right ratios of everything.”
“While I am not well-versed in plants, my sister is. Though I do know we have a lot of roseroot.” Stefan rubs the back of his neck. “I can send you with some for now, but we will need to work out logistics of larger amounts with my father.”
I beam. “That works. That’s perfect, actually. I can work with my advisors on what we can pay in exchange—”
His hand falls on mine, stopping me. “Our money is plentiful, much like the roseroot. But I am sure there is something worth trading between our kingdoms.” His eyes twinkle, and I half think he is implying something beyond materials to share with each other.
He rubs a thumb along my knuckles as if he knows my thoughts. As if he wants me to ask him to expand more on his meaning.
My skin flushes, and I carefully reject his touch, reaching to tuck a loose wave behind my ear. “Thank you. I will remember that when I mention the roseroot with them.”
Stefan remains unbothered as he glances at the marble staircase, deep in thought before his brown eyes meet mine again. “While I would love to have you join me and see more of my home, I’m afraid my sister doesn’t enjoy intruders in her study.”
“Yes,” I reply through a small chuckle. “I can relate. I am not fond of many in my alchemy room, either.”
Stefan graces me with a grin, and it emphasizes his sharp jawline.
His future wife will be in it for the long haul.
“All the same, I’ll escort you back out to wait with your companions while I speak with my sister and get what we cangive you,” he says as he rises. “But then you must be on your way.”
I dip my chin, the two of us returning to the courtyard.
The doors inch open, daylight and the summer’s heat enveloping me as my friends look relieved by my return.
Stefan kisses my cheeks, sending a prickle of goose bumps down my spine. But heat radiates from where his soft-lipped kiss lingers, and I cup my face, surprised.
