Page 217 of Beast and Remedy
Splitting up was our best chance of covering more area.
And I couldn’t let anyone near me. Not even Beau, despite how hard he argued against it.
We fought in front of the others, Marcel the one to understand my reasoning, probably from Jules, and convincing Beau I would be more than fine on my own.
I pull up my dress and tie a knot into the side, allowing my legs ample room to move, even with uncomfortable footwear. And the more I walk, the more annoyed I grow with my shoes, eventually discarding them completely.
A small sense of peace washes over me when my feet touch the forest floor, and I inhale the fresh, earthy scent mixing with pine and cedar.
But panic surges across my nerves, and my bloodstream seeps with fear, riling my magic.
My power stirs with each step, sensing the turmoil of my mind and my heart. Needing an escape.
The latter constricts my chest as I heave through the late evening, scanning every tree, every bush, every aspect of the surrounding forest.
I can barely contain the beast within as I hold a lit torch and survey more of the woods for Marian.
Leo and Marcel’s voices carry through the night as they holler her name, and I don’t pick up any sound of Beau or Jerrick near them.
Jules’s cousin has known Beau since a young age, like me. The two men bonded over hunting and ruling, and they use those skills now.
Predators hunting for prey.
Prey I do not wish to see harmed. I can only hope and pray to the Makers Beau or I find her before the King of Palaena does.
I don’t know what powers he possesses, and I don’t trust him as easily as Beau does.
Especially since he threw a dagger at my bear form all those years—
A bush rustles to my left, and I gasp, clutching my chest.
The very person I was dwelling on reveals himself with an arrow drawn.
King Jerrick halts, his ice-cold blue eyes calculating.
My magic thrashes at the threat, pushing against my limbs to change. The burning sensation erupts in my veins, and I clench my muscles, drawing them tight.
No, not now. Don’t shift.Pleasedon’t shift.
“Apologies,” Jerrick says, lowering his bow.
Air returns to my lungs, my gifts cooling as he drops his defense.
He scans our surroundings. “Where did you come from?”
I gesture behind, and he peers past me.
Jerrick takes a slow breath, assessing something before he steadies his bow. “Thank you.” He steps back into the bushes without any other word, leaving me dumbstruck.
That was… odd.
My heartbeat thrums in the quiet, the only noise I hear, and the faint scent of citrus floats on the breeze.
Beau.
Tilting my head up, I cannot resist following the smell, its presence growing more prominent as I drift farther into the woods.
I search for any movement, signs of life, or sounds beyond my own breathing.
