Page 34 of Beast and Remedy
He crippled my chances of trying to get answers from the love of my life. Even from my closest friends. It was a punishment. A reminder to concede with his ruling.
And my withered and weeping soul couldn’t take the suffering anymore.
I hadn’t tried to send word in a while, and throughout the evening and the following day, I prayed to the Makers.
I pleaded for the letter to slip past my lands and arrive in Torgem without soldiers destroying it upon receipt.
And I begged for it to reach and at least warn the man I love, and who I never thought I’d get to speak to again, of what was coming for us all.
Summer, The Makers Year 1010
To Beau,
I hadn’t thought about the future. But I’m glad we did play pretend so I can be as good as my parents someday. Thank you for helping me. Plus, when I’m old, I will have Marian. And thank the Makers for that. She is much better at being a princess than I.
Though, I’m better at our studies than her. Promise you won’t tell her I said that.
I think it’s cause you tell me all the things worth learning.
Thank you for being my friend.
Is there anything you think I should learn?
From,
Vi
8
A Response
My first shift of spring was last night, and I was grateful for the snow no longer clinging to my mahogany fur as my magic tugged me through the evening. The timing was perfect before we set out with haste to Palaena, assisting with evacuating homes and being a beacon for our people.
We took turns outside the carriage to trek with citizens, conversing with Alec, Bronn, Marius, and other guards. And when we arrived in the old Axidoria castle, the Lady of the House, Betina, offered more than enough means for our townsfolk, along with supplying a letter to Papa, one where the King and Queen of Palaena requested our presence.
We didn’t want to leave our people without any support, but Betina reassured my father they would be fine, and even suggested we take some to Queen Tove and King Jerrick while we all were still present.
Papa agreed and divided the traveling party, taking half our troops and citizens with us.
The welcome was effortless, like our last visit barely a month ago. But this time, when Tove asks to talk with me, I don’t feel a surge of anxiety but rather a steady calm.
And despite the few one-on-one interactions we have had, I feel a mutual understanding growing between us.
She offers, “We can chat in my offices or the library.”
The opportunity to explore every kingdom’s collection of books and learn everything essential about each territory has been a dream of mine foryears.
“I-I would be honored to visit Palaena’s library,” I respond, my stomach fluttering at the potential of more knowledge. Maybe even more novels.
She loops my arm around hers. “Wonderful.”
I can’t suppress my grin as we climb a set of stairs, Tove leading the way. Not even the second staircase can deter my growing elation.
“How are you doing, Vi. Truly?” she asks as we walk down a narrow corridor, sculpted floor to ceiling in stone.
Warmth from hues of black, blue, gray, and red seeps in from the interior design, my spirits lifting even more with a balm of comfort. A balm reminding me a little bit of home.
Every few feet, mounted framed portraits of the kings and queens of Palaena hang beside metal lanterns, and a long, lush maroon rug stretches across the hall, stopping before tall arched doors.
