Page 38 of Beast and Remedy
Her husband meets my gaze and dips his chin. “Princess Vivienne.”
“King Jerrick.” I dip into a curtsy.
“We have a few things for you.” The King of Palaena gestures to the books atop the table. “It’s not much, but we have some archives about infections and animal attacks, which could be useful for your investigation.”
Giddiness clamps around my heart. He’s letting me borrowbooks. New books. New information. New knowledge.
Settle down, Vi. Remember your manners.
I take a deep breath. “Thank you. But I don’t want to take anything your healers might need—”
“These are copies for you to keep. We have a few staff members helping us make copies of other books for you and our healers,” King Jerrick explains.
My knees almost buckle.
I wasn’t expecting him to be so forthright and considerate. “You—you really didn’t have to do this on top of helping shelter so many of our people.”
“Of course we did. Your family has always been kind to my wife and was there before I became a part of her life. If anything can help, we are more than happy to give aid,” he says.
I bow humbly, filled with the prospect of hope and gratitude. “Th-Thank you, Your Majesties.”
“Just Tove,” the Queen of Palaena says, and her husband echoes her. “Just Jerrick.”
I smile. “Thank you, Tove and Jerrick.”
She takes my hand, love and compassion radiating from her as she squeezes it. “Don’t forget to write.”
Staff members load trunks onto the back of the gilded carriage drawn to two horses.
Riker, our guard and driver, double-checks the restraints of each mahogany brown steed.
Alec, Marius, and Bronn, who are also accompanying Marian and me home, say their goodbyes to their squad and my father.
I tighten my grip around the precious wooden crate I carry, filled with books and more honey. Pride and hope steer me into a slight rush, ideas rolling in waves, paired with the small tingling of my magic lurking in the depths of my core.
My next shift is approaching, and I hope we can make it back into Belmur territory in time. I don’t want to go beyond Haliver Woods if I can help it.
I place the crate inside the carriage, Marian coming to my side as Papa, Jerrick, Tove, and Prince Jonas converse.
“I can manage my travels alone. I don’t need you or your brother to come with me,” my father declares.
“Ensuring you make it safely to your people is important to us,” Jerrick replies.
Papa sighs. “Fine. I was trying to keep you at home with your wife.”
“Oh, don’t worry. We have our ways of keeping in contact while I’m away.” Jerrick smirks, and Tove tries to shush him, her cheeks flushing. But her husband simply grins before kissing her.
“Our message to Esme should reach them by nightfall, too, so Tove can let us know of her response and if Torgem’s been affected with the infection later,” the prince says off-handedly and his brother inclines his head.
“It’ll be good to hear how they’re faring and if they have any resources for us and vice versa,” Tove comments with nonchalance.
Papa straightens, his defenses rising as he tries to be unaffected from overhearing Palaena’s dealings.Notours.
Tove holds my father’s gaze, and she cradles her stomach with a smile.
He relaxes a fraction before he grumbles, “No need to involve me with that.”
Tove nods and twists to brush the mane of Jerrick’s horse as he settles into his saddle. Her ice-cold blue irises find mine, and she winks.
