Page 179 of Beast and Remedy
“I know,” he says, his voice lowered and soothing the panic clawing up my throat. “But we haven’t even been here long, and we’ve already encountered wolves out here. How are you going to keep practicing your magic when it’s not safe out here for either of us?”
“Then, I won’t shift.”
He glances sidelong at me. “You need to shift for yourself to prevent the curse, my love. And we already have to be in Torgem for the party and dispersing the remedy, anyway.”
I bite my lip, knowing he is right but not wanting to leave so soon after barely reuniting with Jean and Pierre. They’ve already done so much while we were gone. Uncertainty and worry flips my stomach.
“And if what Jean and Pierre told us yesterday is true, Torgem is the one least affected right now. It’s the safest option for us to do everything we need for Marian,” he adds.
I exhale. “I know.”
“We’ll work everything out.” He kisses my brow. “Now, are you okay to walk? Or do I need to carry you?”
“I need clothes first.”
Heat sparks in his golden irises as his gaze rakes down my body, a small smirk appearing.
“Damn,” he breathes. “Can I stay here and watch you find some?”
Rolling my eyes, I scoff, wiggling against him as he laughs.
“Fine, fine,” he surrenders. “I’ll helpafterI kiss you again.” He inches forward, capturing my mouth with his.
I hum with delight, enraptured by his lips—his touch—hiseverything.
The bliss leaves me electrified and Beau hungry for more.
We cave to our desire, pleasuring each other before eventually finding my clothes. After dressing, we still cling together, strolling hand in hand back to the castle, preparing to tell our friends of another change to our plans.
Spring, The Makers Year 1025
My Dearest Beau,
I must confess since your last visit, I’ve been left tossing and turning at all hours of the night. The warmth of your touch, the proximity of your body, the sensation of your mouth on mine will not leave my mind. When I shared my feelings with you and first kissed you, I wasn’t ready for your response. But when you wrote me saying you’re saving your response for when we were face-to-face… Sweet Makers, Beau.
Learning your affection matched my own felt like finding a piece of me I didn’t know I was missing. I hadn’t expected feelings beyond friendship to become more as you admitted, but I, too, cannot imagine it being any different now. It feels… bigger than my heart.
And I know it doesn’t sound as poetic as you said, I’ve never been as good at verbalizing my feelings. But Deities, I feel like I am losing my mind. I cannot even focus on anything educational because my thoughts only consist of when I can be near you, talk with you, write you—kiss you.
I hope for one (all) of those happening soon.
Sincerely,
Your Rosebud
39
Guilt
After telling Jean and Pierre everything and with Marian’s health declining, they agree it is safest to finish what we started in Beau’s kingdom.
I write to Papa and Queen Tove, along with checking in with Princess Sybille, before setting out with the transportable ingredients. Jean and Pierre will forward the roseroot to Torgem once it arrives in Belmur.
The journey to Beau’s home is uneventful, thank the Makers, and we all quickly settle in, working and catching up with Esme, Hugo, Odette, and Veryon upon our arrival.
But Marian needs more monitoring, more healing sessions, and time to rest as we offer her remedies. And each day we treather with no success, I am reminded if we stayed home, Jean and Pierre would have already tried to convince me to warn my father.
But we are so close to creating a cure.
