Page 36 of Beast and Remedy
“Why? Wouldn’t Bernie warn his neighboring kingdom?”
A lump forms in my throat at admitting private information, but Tove didn’t mention this in front of Papa when she could have.
I peel at a raised section of dry skin along my fingernail, debating my response. “He would, but my father believes the King of Torgem to be behind the death of my mother.”
Tove’s eyebrows shoot up, and she clasps a hand over her heart. “I-I-I never knew. Bernie never said anything.”
“No kingdom does,” I confess, reassuring her. “His advisors heavily advised him not to act without evidence. Even though my father argued that the evidence was there.”
“There is proof?” Tove asks.
Though I hate speaking against my father’s beliefs, I can’t help but share my feelings and defend my oldest, dearest friend. “I have a hard time accepting the accusation. Torgem used to be our closest ally. King Jerrick’s aunt, Esme, was my mother’s best friend and a political envoy for Torgem. Our kingdoms visited each other frequently, and it never made sense to my sister nor I as to why my father was quick to cast the blame on Bea—King Beauvais.”
I drop my gaze, taking a long breath before revealing more. “There was a hunting trip on my sister’s and my name day seven years ago, and—the King of Torgem brought my mother’s body back to the Belmur castle grounds, saying he found her in the woods. But with an arrow and multiple wounds, and the king being a well-renowned hunter, my father was quick to point blame.”
“Oh,Bernie.” Tove’s voice dips. “And Beau…” she grimaces, shaking her head. “I can’t even begin to imagine what they both must have felt. And you and your sister—” Her voice cracks, andmy eyes meet her ice-blue ones lined with tears, her features full of empathy and sorrow.
Queen Tove understands grief, and that mutual understanding makes me feel closer to her. “So, even though my father believed the king was behind my mother’s death, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if Torgem and their people were not warned.”
She glosses over the letter once more. “Is your father warning the kingdoms of the virus? Surely, we all need to help each other with a disease spreading amongst our people.”
“Yes, I agree, which is why our advisors sent word about the infection shortly after we began our evacuation to Palaena. Our hope is, with each kingdom and their healers researching and looking for a cure, we can find a solution fast.”
“What about Torgem? Another kingdom and their healers could shift the balance significantly.”
My heart warms with her questions, finally feeling heard from someone outside my family.
I want to ask Torgem. I want to venture into their lands and gather some of their resources.
But I fear if I go there, I will never want to leave.Especiallyif I saw him again.
That is the last thing my kingdom needs. Even though my heart needs it.
Mysoulneeds it.
I bite my lip, hoping she can be the keystone to helping everyone in Draymenk staying safe. Even if I can’t work directly with Torgem, the least we can do is keep them informed.
“Actually, I was hoping you might be able to communicate with them in my stead.” Sheepishly, I add, “I don’t think my father wouldn’t be mad ifyouupdated them.”
Tove smirks. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She surprises me when she offers me the letter. “Would you like to read it?”
My skin turns clammy, and I’m unsure if I should read his words or see his handwriting… But I grab the note faster than my mind can shove away the thought.
To Princess Vivienne of Belmur…
I swallow at the use of my full name, no longer the nickname he once used for me and missing it. Rubbing the parchment, I press on.
I am grateful to you for writing, warning in detail of the travesty effecting your kingdom. As our oldest of allies, I truly appreciate receiving this notice, even if it came from you and not the King of Belmur himself. Torgem sends our prayers and thoughts to you and your family through this trying time as well as to your citizens who have fallen ill and victim to the animal attacks. Should you ever need my assistance or that of my kingdom, my borders will always be open to you and your people.
Yours truly,
King Beauvais of Torgem
My heart soars as I read his signature, trying not to melt in the presence of Tove.
Realization strikes through me, and I look up. “Wait. Is this why you summoned my family here?”
She nods.
