Page 29 of Beast and Remedy
Maybe if I stayed and observed her, the underlying symptom would have revealed itself. Maybe it would have given me and our healers a better chance to help her.
“I thought it was important to share the news,” Phoebe adds. “Please forgive us for failing her.”
“You all did your best,” Papa says with gentleness. “Thank you for updating us.”
I flinch, his encouragement feeling more like a slap than comfort.
If I did my best, Annie would still be alive.
I clench my fists, letting my waves fall forth, concealing me as I grapple with my temper unfurling.
Chairs drag across the floor, and I sweep my hair back.
I lower into my seat alongside my family, gritting my teeth as I struggle to calm my unraveling nerves. But Phoebe is gone, and the doors are closed once more, caging me in with my guilt and failure.
Pierre grunts, “We should send a troop down to patrol villages and remain stationed there.”
“We should be cautious before showing up with armed forces. We don’t need to scare anyone,” Jean cuts in.
My father squints, looking over the map with consideration as he scratches his beard. “I wish we didn’t need to make a big deal of this.”
Marian’s voice tightens. “But people have died. Annie justdi—”
“I know!” he snaps, and my sister and I wince.
Papa slackens from our wariness and pinches the bridge of his nose, inhaling a long breath. The thick tension weighs on each of us, and Jean’s expression offers one of sympathy while Pierre’s blue eyes narrow, his grimace worsening.
Papa lowers his hand and meets our gazes. “I know this news is hard to receive, but we areallhere to find a solution.” He quirks his lip, a form of an apology for his outburst. “Now, animal attacks happen, but not at this level. One, I can understand, but two more? And killing an entire village? No. Something is amiss. And I don’t like it one bit. I think it best to send a small troop to Auriville to search for any survivors first before we do anything.”
“But what if that pack of wolves didn’t return to the woods? What if they return and kill the troops? Or worse, attack another village like Nadee or even Vilbirn?” I ask.
“Then, I guess the Protector of Beasts should have ensured compliance amongst all creatures so we wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with,” Pierre responds, leveling his anger at me.
“Pierre!” Jean gasps as I recoil, my nails digging into my palm as shame and fury strike me from the truth behind his words.
Marian takes one of my white-knuckled fists and squeezes, and I meet her gold-flecked brown irises, a hardness reflecting back.
A low snarl pulls my attention as my father turns on his advisor. His friend. “You willnever—and I meannever—suggest Vivienne is not doing her duty and putting herself at risk every time she sets foot in those woods.” He prods a finger against his friend’s chest. “Donotmake me remind you of your place again. Is that clear?”
Pierre nods once. “Yes.”
Papa draws back. “Now apologize to your future queen.”
I gulp.
The wordsfutureandqueensend my skin crawling. The term is not one I am used to but one I will have to get accustomed to.
Pierre’s sunken features molded into his signature sneer find me, and we hold the other’s stare in silence.
I want to default and apologize first, but Pierre’s low raspy voice screeches against my ears.
“Forgive me. Emotions are…highright now.”
I press my lips together, understanding his outburst, but I still feel guilty over what he said. And how right he was. But I swallow and nod my acceptance of his apology.
Marian’s voice fills the awkward tension building in the room. “I think we should have two groups of troops. One for Auriville and the other can reach out to Nadee. And when Vi has to shift again, we can check out Haliver Woods.”
I turn to tell her no, but Papa interjects, “I don’t want either of you out there.”
