Page 182 of Beast and Remedy
I hate how it’s come to this.
But she’s verbally lashed out at everyone.
First, she screamed at Esme, Hugo, and Jules, accusing them of not truly being friends with us and Mama. Then she said Christine’s mother dying during childbirth was more of a tragedy because of the waste of space she found Christine to be.
And Leo… Sweet Makers, my heart broke when she yelled about how shallow and lonely he was and everything she did was all a game. She tore into his feelings, ripping him to shreds with insults and began comparing him to Prince Stefan.
It doesn’t even cover the one night she tried to fight one of the kitchen staff members. We’ve had to lock her in her rooms, and I fucking hate it.
I want to keep it together, but Ican’t.
Shudders rock through me as Beau pockets the key and immediately pulls me in.
I hold him, trembling. “Sh-She’s declining fast. Will we have to chain her down to keep her from trying to break out if this cure doesn’t work?”
He runs his fingers through my wavy tresses. “We won’t let it come to that. It’s all going to work.”
“H-How can you say that? How can you have so much hope when you see how fast her mind is deteriorating?” I swallow, trying to stop the dryness in my throat. “I just wanted to see my sister, and I thought for a moment I did and then I couldn’t stop my mouth from running to end my own torture at seeing her act so volatile.”
I shake my head, refusing to acknowledge how much losing her is truly breaking me. “And then I go and give her hope I don’t know is well placed.”
He pulls me from his chest. “Then we will make sure it is.”
“How?”
“We’ll follow through with what you said because even I saw her still in there. And it’s worth letting her out under our watch and give her a little bit of hope. If not for herself, then for another place she calls home.”
I sigh, fumbling with his tunic. “I think even she can tell how we are treating her differently. Maybe that’s adding to her mood along with the infection.”
“Knowing Marian, it’s very likely,” Beau agrees with a small lift of his lips. “Maybe it was a good thing you made up tomorrow’s plan and told her.”
I lower my head, my waves falling forward. “Sorry. I—”
He lifts my chin, his gaze darting between my eyes as he sweeps back my hair with the utmost care. “It’s alright,” he whispers before taking my hand and squeezing it twice.
“Yeah, but now we won’t have much alone time tomorrow,” I mumble.
Beau laughs, his teeth gleaming. He leans in, kissing my forehead with a tender smile, my soul soaring when he withdraws, still beaming.
“I’m sure we will manage.” He winks and tugs me with him to our friends in the alchemy room, bidding them a good night before we head out for another shift.
40
Hope Blossoms
Shifting back and forth for shorter durations was exhausting, a new element I wanted to practice since doing it Belmur. But Beau and I agreed sleep was more beneficial for our journey with Marian this morning, and I prayed to whichever Maker might be listening for all this to work.
Maybe being in the woods so often and repeating Leander’s name in my mind will be enough for him to grant me one small mercy.
Marian seems to be in happier spirits today than yesterday, despite Beau advising she leave her bow behind at the castle. The change of atmosphere seeming to be exactly what she needed.
Beau remains armed and attentive, monitoring Marian, our surroundings, and myself as he and my sister trek ahead of me.
While I’m notterriblewith an arrow, I have my dagger sheathed and strapped to my leg, not having the energy to wield a bow or a sword. And Ireallyhope I won’t need to use it.
My endurance today sucks.
The dry soil and humid air leave me constantly pausing and rubbing my eyes every few steps, and my waves cling to the nape of my neck.
