Page 139 of Beast and Remedy
His heart is five times bigger than himself, one of his greatest qualities… and one of his worst. It’s made him capable of holding a misplaced grudge for all these years. And it’s made him even more stubborn and unwilling to hear his own family out.
I saw a flicker of understanding, a glimpse of a chance that he’d finally listen when I brought up Torgem before we evacuated Belmur. Yet hestilldenied me.
As much as I love Beau, I don’t know how I’d handle Papa’s fury if he were to ever find out about everything I’ve kept from him…
Could Itrulyface losing another parent simply by my own actions?
A pang of guilt swirls in my chest, along with a yearning to see him and hoping he is well.
“I will need to write my father,” I murmur.
“I’m sure we will be able to send word when we arrive in Unterkirch. Verena has always been a gracious host, as has her daughter,” Beau says.
A seer you shall seek.
The esprit’s warning wanders through my mind.
I try to wrap my head around which of the two women it could be. We hadn’t discussed it much with the others, our thoughts focused on what the healers would have to say upon our arrival and the different ratios for the lavender tea.
I’d kill for the brew to help me relax right now.Anda good book.
“Do you know them well?” I ask, ready to broach the subject with Beau.
I hope he might have more insight on how we should reveal the knowledge we shouldn’t possess about another monarch’s abilities.
“Not as well as I should. Honestly, I don’t correspond much with any kingdoms aside from Palaena. And that’s only because I’ve known Jerrick and Jonas for years.”
Relaxing further in Beau’s embrace, my chest expands, and my eyes grow heavy. I want to ask more questions, but I manage, “How far away do you think we are?”
“We should reach the castle by sunset,” Beau answers. “Why? Do we need to stop and rest? I can tell the others—”
“No, no. It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s…” Heaviness grows in my limbs, and I yawn. I nuzzle further into Beau, wanting to fall asleep.
“Vi?” Beau asks hurriedly.
Wearily, I whisper, “Could you tell me a story? Like when we were kids? Maybe one where I could rest my eyes and listen?”
“All the texts we’ve been reading not doing enough for you?” He grins, his teeth gleaming and sunlight reflecting off him in waves.
I shrug, not wanting to discredit the reading time I have been granted. But beyond education and knowledge, I miss the escapism stories grant me.
“You probably shouldn’t sleep, though,” Beau replies.
I deflate.
But he sweeps his thumb underneath my breast, and my breath catches from his voice. “But I’ll still tell you a story and check on you to make sure you haven’t fallen asleep. Sound fair?”
“Fair.”
“Is your favorite still the same?”
I blush and bite my lip. “Maybe.”
He chuckles, and his chest vibrates against my ears. It’s a sweet and tantalizing caress, one that relaxes my limbs as his citrus scent cocoons me. “It’s still one of my favorites, too.”
Placing my hand on Beau’s, I squeeze twice before beaming up, completely and utterly enraptured by him and his beauty.
I wish I could kiss him right now. And love him. And snuggle him. And read our favorite books in his vast library. Day in and day out. Forever.
