Page 199 of Beast and Remedy
She’s never thrown anything like that in my face… ever.
Arching back, I regard her carefully. “Are you well, Marian?”
She hesitates, her expression softening before she blinks in confusion. “Of course I’m well, Vi.” She pokes my chest. “You’re the one acting unwell.”
“I’m fine. You’re the one with an attitude.”
“Well, since we’re both fine, I’m sure you now understand what it feels like to have someone direct attitude toward you.” She steps back, gesturing toward Jules and Christine, then the door. “So, can we please spend some time with our friends?”
I cross my arms, feeling like I need to protect myself—
No, you’re trying to protect them from yourself, Vi. Trying not to hurt them, too. But you know you will. It’s already started.
The air feels stuffy, dry, and suffocating as I shake off my dark thoughts.
I need to appear fine and talk with guests tonight. So many people will be in attendance. But Ireallydon’t want to.
I’d much rather lock myself in here and avoid Beau at all costs. Then maybe Marian could tell everyone while Beau interacts and engages with the royals, as a host should.
But…
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Can I meet with you in an hour?” I glance to the stockpile of medicine. “I need to wrap up a few things in here.”
My lie isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. I need to get my head on straight if I’m going to play pretend.
Marian takes in the room, contemplating before slumping. “Fine, fine.” She steps back, striding for the exit. “We’ll be in Christine’s room when you’re ready.”
Christine joins my sister, looking back with a tight smile. “Jules, are you coming?”
But my friend ignores her, studying me. Her brown eyes never leave mine. “I’m going to hang with Vi for a bit.”
“Alright then.” Christine shrugs, unbothered, and clanks the door shut behind her.
Jules takes the seat next to me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I lie, turning to the workstation and reaching for the chanterelles from Palaena.
She watches me as I cut the base of the mushroom, getting the fruiting body and adding it to my mortar. Next, I grab the valerian from home and sugar beets from Torgem.
I score the plants and separate the roots. I gather the roseroot from Northtry and lavender from Unterkirch, plucking leaves from each.
“Does it have to do with Beau?” she asks.
I pause mid-reach for one of the clear glasses of his blood imbued with his magic. Swallowing and pretending to remain indifferent, I resume moving and add three drops of his blood into the bowl.
Grabbing my pestle, I prepare the ingredients for the next batch as I ask, “Why would anything have to do with Beau?”
She lowers her voice. “Maybe it’s because you are in love with him.”
I freeze, my eyes widening and my heart stopping.
She knows? How could sheknow?
Beau and I have been careful ever since it began.
“Me?” I startle. “In love with Beau?”
“No,mein love with Beau,” she deadpans and blows out a breath. “Yes, I meanyou.”
