Page 176 of Beast and Remedy
The tales and knowledge bestowed weigh on me, giving me a broader understanding of their will and their purpose. And with more esprits choosing to appear… A lump forms in my throat at the honor I’ve been given.
The esprit has guided me, taught me, and even knew Mama. While I haven’t learned much about her yet through them, I believe one day those answers will come.
The esprit presses its warmth against the bridge of my nose, heat channeling between us.“We will be with you always. As we were with your mother and every shifter before you.”
Invisible hands clamp onto my heart, drawing a small, pained grumble. I bob my head twice, hoping it is enough to convey my love and gratitude as I slump down, summoning my magic forth to return to my normal state.
The esprit flickers twice as it pulls away, steering toward Beau as he offers me aid. His power soothes and calls to my own, spreading to different areas of my body and checking if I need him.
Only when I rumble reassurance does he pull back, letting me complete the rest of the shift on my own.
“Your light brings forth joy in our Protector of the Forests, and we are grateful this is something that always will be,”the esprit says to Beau, drifting close and caressing his cheeks in a parting farewell.“Watch over her in our absence.”
“Always,” Beau replies, and the esprit glimmers twice with the rising sun before vanishing with the others.
Reaching into the tree hollow, I pull out spare clothes and dress as Beau rests his bow against the tree and steps forward.
“Hi,” he breathes, his dimples making an appearance.
“Hi to you, too,” I snicker, but wavy red locks cover my face.
I huff, trying to keep it out of my eyes while brushing off the debris on the green cotton dress.
“Here, let me.” He sweeps away the disarray of my tangled waves and keeps his hands at the base of my neck, craning me back to meet his golden irises. “Those damned emerald eyes,” he whispers, voiced lowered and filled with desire.
I inhale his sweet aroma, losing myself in his stunning beauty and the heat coiling in my core, lifting my mouth to his.
“These damned lips,” I murmur, giving him a quick peck before pulling away.
He brushes his nose along mine. “I’m so proud of you.”
My heart skitters to a stop before leveling my gaze, speechless. I try to reply—
“I know you want to deny it given the circumstances,” he says, eyes darting between mine. “But your efforts need to be acknowledged. Your intellect and resilience and determination have brought you insight not only to your abilities but to the infection as well.” He cups my cheeks. “We’ve gotten answers faster, and we’ve all been able to stay together this entire time because of you.”
Beau kisses me, shattering the doubt clouding my mind. I meet him with fervor, enough to elicit a growl from him.
He stiffens, breaking away with alarm.
I regard him. “What’s wr—”
Another rumble fills the silence.
Looking over Beau’s shoulder, goose bumps prickle up my spine at the yellow eyes peeking past the tree. I clutch his tunic, fear gripping me like a vise as I try to move.
“Don’t,” Beau warns, tightening his hold on me. “How many can you see?”
The hair on the back of my neck rises as the leaves rustle to my left. It takes everything in me not to whirl in that direction. Panic keeps me frozen as two predators creep forward.
Wolves. One with yellow eyes and the other brown.
“Vi, on my mark, I’m going to move, and you’re going to run. Do you understand?”
“Are you crazy?!”
His jaw works, a muscle twitching along his throat before he takes a long swallow. “I need to distract them so you can get away.”
I bristle when the yellow-eyed wolf prowls forward, baring its teeth.
