Page 31 of Beast and Remedy
Icouldn’ttell Papa what I had done.
Marian and I could both picture the fallout if we were to say anything about our little mishap in my study.
Papa’s disappointment. Pierre gathering more evidence to prove I am unfit to rule. Jean wanting to take my side but ultimately siding with his husband.
I shudder at the images haunting me, chasing me—mockingmy every waking breath.
No. We would never hear the end of it.
I couldn’t show them weakness. Ihadto fix this.
Stomping past the front entrance, staff members hurry through the halls, carrying various amounts of fabrics, cases, and household items. One of them bumps into me and I growl, scaring the woman back a step as she mumbles her apologies.
I don’t bother with a response, my anger rising amid the growing chaos in my home and in my mind.
It unsettles me.Unnervesme.
My father’s voice comes down the stairs, and I stiffen when more join in, my jaw tightening at the tension in everyone’s tone. The stress of this nightmare is coming to a head. Another shift is approaching, and we need to take action.Now.
I dig my nails into my palms, forcing calm to the spiteful anger and instincts my magic stirs forth as I enter Papa’s office.
Voices halt, and I make no show of adding to it, dragging my feet toward my chosen chair. My head falls back against the headrest, and I shut my eyes.
Marian breathes, “Vi.”
Squinting, I smile tightly. “Hey.”
My father moves, sitting and taking my hand. “Honey, are you alright?”
I wave him off, unworthy of his kindness. “No. I’m not fine. There have been more attacks. Something is spreading amongst wolves. And if a wolf injures a human, they die from incurable symptoms. There is something, an infection or a disease. And who knows if it’s capable of transmitting to others animals. People. We have no idea how harmful this virus truly is.”
I grind my teeth, frustration simmering underneath the surface. I sigh, determined to convince them of my original suggestion. “Weneedto evacuate our people.”
“That’s what we’ve been discussing. We can’t hold them here, so we’ve made arrangements.” Pierre’s jaw muscles twitch, and my anger disintegrates, too surprised by his agreement.
“And we’ve already drafted and sent out the orders to all towns and villages,” Jean cuts in.
“But where?” I ask, remembering not having a solution when I first mentioned it.
“Queen Tove and King Jerrick have offered up the old Axidoria castle for our people as well as their home in Palaena. Both castles are vast compared to ours and will be more thansufficient to shelter our remaining people,” Marian explains. “And we were also discussing wherewewill all go.”
Pierre coughs. “Not all of us. Jean and I are going to remain here, and you, Marian, and Bernie are going to Palaena.”
“Wh-Wh-What?”
My throat wobbles, words running dry.
“We must. We need to help our people, show a united front. Help them and govern them while Jean and Pierre and our bannermen handle the situation here,” Papa says.
I study my family. Dismay weighs down their demeanor, their posture, their expressions. My stare ends on Marian, shrugging with uncertainty.
Jean rounds the table and sits in the other chair, capturing my attention. “Your family’s safety is important, and our people need their monarchs.”
“You and Pierre are family, too,” Marian points out, the crack in her voice tearing my heart.
Papa tugs my hand. “I know you want to stay here, Vi, but we can’t—”
I don’t want to leave Jean and Pierre here to solve this mess.Mymess.
