Page 13 of Beast and Remedy
I take a deep breath, trying to cool my anger by tending to my sister’s feet.
“We should go after it,” Marian says in the silence. “I know I will worry about its well-being as much as you will if we don’t.”
I shake my head, wrapping a bandage around her. “We can’t sneak out while guests are here.”
“Sweet Makers, Vi. Have you ever rebelledoncein your life?”
“Besides the animals we bring in here? No.”
I have. But it’s not like I am ever going to tell her.
“Good, well, now is the time to start.” Marian stands, squinting her eyes and locking her jaw in determination. “Let’s go change, and I’ll get my bow.”
I rise and push against her chest. “I’ll go. This is my mess, and I have to fix it.”
Marian plants her hands on her hips. “Since when did I trade in my bow for your books?”
“I am not the best hunter, but I know how to track,” I remind her.
My knowledge of hunting stems from hundreds of books I have read while learning more about my abilities. Tracking, however, seems natural and instinctual in my bear form.
She pauses, her shoulders sinking. “You’re going to shift again? But I thought you could only shift based off your magic’s tether?”
A phantom snapping flashes in my mind, and I swallow before nodding.
I hadn’t ever attempted to shift beyond my own ability’s pull. But if I caused the wolfmorepain by bringing it into my home and giving it something that worked against itself and chose to ignore it? What kind of person—what kind of ruler would that make me?
Ineedto help it.
Instead of taking Marian to her room, I opt for mine.
The large bay windows beckon the moonlight and stars to shine and illuminate my quarters. Maroon curtains I always keep draped back match the bedding on my four-poster bed, unmade and unkempt like the rest of the living area.
I don’t allow any staff here unless absolutely necessary, fearful one might discover the loose stone behind my nightstand and find the stockpile of letters I’ve saved for years.
Small traces of his memory still linger, making it harder to spend time here. And rather than clear it out, it remains. Like broken pieces of my soul, I’m too devastated—too pained to think I can ever get back.
The bed sinks as I help Marian in, tucking the blankets around her before I change into the red dress from this morning.
My power stirs in my blood, and a small ache in my bones pulses as a reminder of my earlier shift. I shake off the nerves and slip on my boots.
“Do you have any weapons?” Marian asks.
“Only a dagger. But it’s not like that will help me much,” I joke, and she scowls. “Oh, don’t give me that look. You know I wasn’t as good as you in those lessons.”
I can wield weapons sure enough, but doing it with skill and proficiency like her and other royals? Not so much.
“Take my bow with you,” she suggests as I grab my cloak and fasten the tie.
“Now what good will that do if I’m a bear?”
Marian fidgets as I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be alright.”
She takes my forearm and squeezes twice. “Remember, if you hear—”
“I’ll befine.”
She presses her lips together, reluctant, but caves and releases me, bidding me good luck.
