Page 120 of Beast and Remedy
Marian nudges me. “Are you hungry?”
I lick my lips, trying to not dry heave all over the ground, and take a long breath before nodding.
“Vi?” Marian whispers, her tone lowering and shifting into seriousness. “Do you think… Do you think this is all worth doing? Trying to find a cure?”
I turn. “Of course it is. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I-I…” she sighs, somberness taking over her expression.
My heart plummets, hiding in a cave so dark from the fracturing of her spirit. The unease and the fear of where she is going with this makes my power thrum once more. I ignore it, taking her hand and squeezing twice.
But she doesn’t react to my touch, rather she sags, her eyes downcast.
My friends observe us, awareness and concern flashing across their features. Jules angles her chin toward Beau, but I shake my head, telling her no.
My two friends exchange a look before returning to their conversation.
I scout where my sister and I can have a private discussion. But as I guide her from the others, her demeanor darkens. Herenergy shifts so much it’s as if torment clings to her every step, creeping up her body and leeching her dry of any happiness.
Irefuseto let this infection ruin her.
I send double pulses her way, aware of her sniffles growing and becoming more frequent.
Only when the scent of burning wood dwindles do I ease her onto a fallen log. She barely sits before tremors take control and she covers her face, finally breaking apart.
Anguish stabs me in the gut, twisting and angling up to my heart, ripping my insides to shreds as my sister’s brave fight is unmasked.
She hardly ever cries, but anytime she does, it undoes me.
I hate watching something affect her in such a way to keep her from shining so brightly. And sitting beside her, I hate my helplessness, wishing there was more I could do besides comfort her.
“Vi,” Marian chokes through her sobs. “I-I-I don’t have anything to live for. Why go through all of this for me?”
Her voice cracks as her sorrow-filled eyes meet mine, drawing forth tears of my own.
I blink them away, fighting to be strong. “Hey, hey, now.” I take her hands in mine as she hyperventilates. “Don’t say things like that.”
“But I should! I have to! I don’t have anyone liketheydo,” she says, gesturing toward our friends.
I frown. “Yes, you do. You have me. You’ll always have me.”
She sniffs, her lips wobbling.
Dammit, her defeated gaze crushes me. How long has she been keeping this in? How long has she tried to be in good spirits while fighting the virus?
Deities, why must you cast so much suffering on us?
I push down my dark thoughts, refusing to believe I cannot fix this. I will fix this.
Dragging her into my arms, I lean into hope, praying to the Makers to help me and my sister get through this. “You have so much to live for. You have our friends, our family, our people.”
“You meanyourpeople,” she snaps, wiggling from my embrace. “Your people.”
“Marian,” I sigh, seeking to comfort her. “You are a Princess of Belmur. They are your people as much as they are mine. The people love you, and we love our people, too. That is why we are doing this. We are doing this for you and for the people. We are finding a remedy and helping everyone.”
She sniffs again, rubbing her nose.
I brace her by the shoulders, steering into more lighthearted conversation. “Don’t be getting all sad on me. You know I’m not good at this positivity thing.”
