Page 202 of Beast and Remedy
I roll my eyes, knowing she left me early that morning in the library to join the hunting party.
She tosses her head in contemplation. “From what I remember, it was Marcel, Leo, Beau, your father, Pierre, Jean, Marian, my father, Marcel’s father, some nobles, my cousin Jonas, and his partner… Maybe Jerrick? I can’t remember if he was there or not.” She taps her lips.
“Oh!” Her eyes spark with a memory. “And Prince Stefan, his sister, and his father were there too.”
“That’s a long list of people, Jules.” I sigh. “I barely remember that day.”
“Well, everyone split into groups. Some going off on their own, too. And Beau, Marcel, Leo, and I were together when we found—whenithappened.”
“Really?” I ask, confusion furrowing my brow.
“I remember your father went off with Jean, Pierre, and Veryon. Marian also accompanied them along with King Vinzent and his children.”
“What about your cousins?”
“They went off on their own, completely opposite from… you know.”
I take in the high vaulted ceiling, tapping my fingers on the table.
If only I had gone out with them for once in my stupid life, I could’ve had more information. I could have found more clues. I could have donesomething.
Questions wander in my mind, trying to determine who was behind it, if not Beau. Beau mentioned he narrowed his list down to a few people, but he still never told me. Refusing to say anything until he was certain.
My thoughts drift, hanging on a recent memory—a recent warning from Princess Sybille. And Prince Stefan.
Be careful of the shadows.
I lift my head. “Were Queen Verena and Princess Sybille there? Did Prince Stefan and his family separate from mine at any point?”
Jules shrugs. “They were, but they didn’t join the hunting party. And no, I don’t think so. They were still together when we went back. How come?”
I press my lips together, the warning prickling my thinking. Should I even gamble that the words could help me find answers?
I can’t helpfeelinglike the words tie into Mama’s death. I’ve pondered that possibility before and dismissed it. But now, it’s back, and I want it to be a clue to an unsolvable solution.
Could Sybille have more insight to share with me? Could Papa, Marian, Pierre, and Jean know anything? King Vinzent and his children were with my family…
“I think Princess Sybille, Prince Stefan, and King Vinzent might know more than they’re letting on,” I wonder aloud.
“What makes you say that?” Jules asks.
I wring my tunic, feeling ludicrous for even voicing my suggestion.
Could the warning even correlate to Mama’s death? Or maybe it was an omen about the severity of the infection riddling through the forests? Our lands?
The words tingle in a vicious taunt, my head pounding from the sting.
I rub my temples.
Maybe I’m overthinking. I’m exhausted, and I should know it has nothing to do with Mama.
But why do those words come to the forefront of my mind every time I think of her death?
My mind dances with possibilities, hopeful the answer will make itself known with more time and dedication to looking into it.
I take a long breath. “I-I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling, I guess.”
“Well, that’s usually a sign you are onto something,” Jules replies.
