Page 3 of Beast and Remedy
Her realm has always been the outdoors, where mine has been within the castle walls, nestled into a comfortable chaise with a book telling me anything I wished to learn.
With the magic of the Makers coursing through me, and new shifting abilities that broke and recreated me, I had so much more to uncover. The thought drives one foot in front of the other, taking me closer to home.
I hasten my steps, and tiny fragments of architecture peek through the foliage.
Just a little farther, Vi.
Tall grass clings to the edges of the clearing as the castle comes into full view. And the last branch I push away snaps back, seeking to reprimand me for deserting the woods.
But I will be back. I always return.
Dark-gray stones stack high, angled and lined up with precision. Belmur’s castle is a fortress, with turrets and battlements connecting each corner along the roof. The arrow slits were designed for archers but are sealed with stained glass to match the rest of the tall, curved windows surrounding the lower levels.
The same breeze that followed and comforted me in the woods brushes my tresses out of my face as I pass the threshold, turning right for my quarters.
But when my father’s booming voice, accompanied by the softer tones of his two counselors echoes, I skirt for the spiraling stairwell, the stairs cold and a nice welcome as I hurry to my study.
I beam at the promise of my journals and glass vials as I push the door open and find my twin, Marian.
She sits at my cluttered desk, resting her feet on my pamphlets.Allmy pamphlets.
My grip tightens on the door latch, my temper clawing to the surface from the damage her dirty boots are doing to the precious documents.
My sister holds a small dagger Papa gave to her when we were younger. She squints, deep in concentration, spinning the knife on her fingertips and rocking on the chair’s back legs.
I cough, and she loses her balance.
She gasps as a loud thump echoes.
I panic, worry gripping my heart that her blade somehow plunged itself into her chest, and rush to her.
Her auburn shoulder-length hair stretches against the floor, full lips parted open, and she vacantly stares up to the ceiling.
I tilt my head, too afraid to even say anything as she lays there unmoving, frozen in a stupor.
The instant her rich-brown eyes flick to mine, she breaks out into a fit of laughter, holding herself and kicking her long legs up in joy.
My concern drains, and I cross my arms as she cackles at my expense.
“You should have seen your face!” Marian snickers, rolling on her side to rise. “You were all like,oh no!” She sheathes the dagger she hid underneath her, grinning while meeting my scowl. “I couldn’t resist messing with you.”
I roll my eyes, my mood darkening. “You’re always messing with me.”
She elbows my side, and I wince, my body still recovering. “I take it your last experiment didn’t do much for you?” She grimaces, apologetic.
“Unfortunately not.” I bend and pick up the chair.
The shift itself was just as excruciating as the first time. And that first time…
Deities.
The phantom pain still haunts me and keeps me in my study more often than in my chambers.
Mama never wanted to teach us anything about her abilities, always saying it is different for each heir. How wrong she was.
“Was the pain more manageable this time?” Marian rests her hip against my desk, thoughtful and curious.
I organize the clutter on my worktable, sweeping the grime her shoes left off a few pamphlets, and noting the bread toward the back. “I think the elbow to my side was evidence enough.” I pick up the roll and take a bite, ignoring the dryness. “Anything happen while I was gone?”
