Page 105 of Beast and Remedy
“Thank you.” I rub a small circle across his skin, the faint scent of pine and lemon cocooning me. “Everything is alright.”
“Everything?” he asks, glancing at our friends waiting for us.
Understanding his double meaning, I nod quickly, despite my own thoughts swirling over the upcoming days of travel. Another shift will happen on our way home, and I’m already dreading it, but I am hopeful I can see the esprit again.
Beau relaxes and helps me into my saddle, his hands squeezing my hips twice before he mounts his horse.
As I gather the reins, my eyes lock on Stefan still lingering in the courtyard.
His grin turns devilish. “Be careful in the shadows, Princess.”
I furrow my brows, an odd familiarity from such an ominous message. Trepidation clings to my bones as we exit, the gates closing with a loud thud.
I ask Beau, “What do you think he meant?”
A thin vein in his neck pulses as he swallows thickly, his uncertain expression matching mine.
“I’d rather not find out.”
23
The Stench
The heat accompanied us through the long-stretched plains and narrow roads. But even with birds chirping and pollen attacking everyone’s senses, I still couldn’t shake off Prince Stefan’s words.
Be careful in the shadows.
Was it a Northtry custom? A warning? A threat?
And why did the esprit say something similar?
The aching pulse in my head worsened as my thoughts raced.
We rode for Goldenbeck, everyone agreeing to a soft place to sleep rather than the hard ground we’ve resorted to as of late. A solid meal, cozy pillow, and a chance to escape the blazing heat.
And a bath, too.
I tried not to dwell on my worries, banking on the hope that food, rest, and comfort would be enough of a balm to tide me over until we set out again. And my heart leaped up into my throat when the clearing opened, dipping downward and revealing the perfect view of the village.
Ahead, Marcel, Leo, and Beau increased their pace, their echoing laughter drifting to the rest of us. We all hung back, watching the three men race and take in the winner.
Beau, of course.
My chest tightened, my breath leaving my lungs when he rocked his head to the sky and glanced back, gesturing for us to hurry. His teeth gleamed through his bright smile, like the sun itself was staring at me.
Deities, how I crave to be swallowed up by his sunlight.
“Thank the Makers we are finally here,” Marian groans, pulling my gaze from Beau. She scrunches her nose at the heavy scent of cow manure.
Christine pets her horse’s neck. “If I could magically be in the tavern already clean, stomach full, and drinking some ale, I would beveryhappy.”
I chuckle, elbowing her. “You and me both.”
Jules releases a long yawn and combs her loose wisps behind her ears before gripping her reins. “The sooner we move, the faster that can happen.”
Together, we join the men, slowing our steeds to a trot through the town. Homes we stroll by transform into a market square, filled with carts, merchants, and townsfolk conversing. Judgmental gazes trace after us as we pass, and I pay them no mind, too exhausted to care.
I rock in my saddle, my horse clopping along the cobblestones as we approach a large inn. We reach the stables by the side of the building, each of us dismounting and gathering our packs.Running my fingers gracefully through my steed’s mane, I evoke tenderness with my magic.
