Page 221 of Beast and Remedy
Magic sings acceptance in my veins as the second blade pierces my fur. I roar, Marian’s eyes widening as I still barrel toward her.
I will not let her be the next heir. I don’t even know if it is possible or if it even passes to anyone beyond my own line, but I don’t care.
Even if that leaves Belmur free and fresh for the other kingdoms to take, I will not let a corrupted person abuse this power.
I tackle her to the ground, her screams nothing I’d ever imagine sounding sweet.
Something punctures my upper side, lodging up toward my heart.
I groan, my magic fizzling—flickering.
“Take that, bitch,” she sneers viciously, withdrawing her knife and stabbing me repeatedly. “You don’t deserve to rule.”
She hits different parts of my body, my gifts unable to defend me, protect me. “You don’t deserve this fucking power.”
Anywhere she can strike, she does.
Again.
And again.
Andagain.
“I do. Ialwaysdid,” she hisses.
I sag, numbness taking over my claws and my vision clearing to see my fingertips.
No, it can’t be.
My skin prickles against the flowing breeze, the power within me dying. I’m…dying.
The heaviness of my beast form withers away, my eyes fluttering as I collapse on my sister.
I need to keep going, need to fight back.
But my magic doesn’t speak to me. It doesn’t call to me.
I reach for it and come up short. I reach for the forest, failing the creatures, the esprits, nature itself as my limbs weaken.
The world blurs, the tinge of copper stinging my nostrils, and a thick red liquid covers my entire naked body.
Blood.
So. Much. Blood.
Marian grunts, shoving me off her and onto my back.
I wince as she towers over me, raising her bloodied blade with a wicked grin. “And now I get to have it.”
An arrow punctures one of her wrists, and she wails, dropping the dagger inches from me and clutching her chest. Another lands in her shoulder, and she yelps in agony.
“Get thefuckaway from her,” Beau demands, voice lethal.
I weakly angle my head, Beau panting heavily beside an armed King Jerrick, Leo, and Marcel.
Beau holds his injured side as Jerrick nocks another arrow and aims his bow at my twin.
“But she’s my sister,” Marian pouts. “Shedeservesthis.”
