Page 46 of Beast and Remedy
I fasten my hold on them, tapping the horse’s side. Hunching forward, I channel my need once more with my gift, unable to suppress it.
“Ride. Take us to safety. Take us to Beau.”
10
Keep Going
Sunlight beams between the trees as we ride through Biala Forest, the wind chilling my skin. Marian slumps the closer we get to Torgem’s castle, and I tell her to keep her arm as elevated as possible.
We aresoclose.
I click my tongue, hastening the steed.
Pine and oak tree branches hit me more than I care for, irritation permeating and fueling the power barely containable.
I beg the Makers to let us reach the palace before the beast takes control. But as the sun sets, more creatures lurk in the shadows, waiting for twilight and the opportunity to seek out prey.
A pack of wolves howl, and I gasp.
“What is it?” Marian asks faintly.
Sweet Makers, even her voice is fleeting.
“It’s nothing,” I dismiss, clicking at the horse, needing it to gofaster.
The beasts of the night, my nightmares, and my problems howl again.
Marian hisses. “Vi.”
The fear in her voice stirs my protectiveness, my instincts—themagic.
A searing pain forces air from my lungs, and I wince. “We’realmostthere,” I whisper more to myself than Marian.
Once she’s gotten to safety, I can hurry into the woods and shift. I can’t be around anyone, let alone Beau and my old friends.
My family and I have done everything to ensure my gifts remain a secret. But if Marian and I set foot into enemy territory… Fuck, I hope I’m right in trusting my heart.
The hoofbeats echo as we inch closer, the urge to transform multiplying.
We break through a small clearing, and the old castle ruins covered in frozen branches and dead leaves come into view. Barely passing under it, a snarl comes from my left as my right forearm snaps.
I scream, leaning into my sister.
“VI!” Marian yelps.
A pull of magic swells against my chest, and a pack of wolves chases after us as the palace emerges through the lush green foliage.
Light hazes of periwinkle and rose gold fill the sky as the sun sets past Lake Torden and Whispering Bay. Matching cream bricks line the walls of the towers, the roof, and pointed spikesfaded black. The arrow slits and parapet are visible as we inch nearer, guardsmen lined up and patrolling.
My heart pleads for peace as the unbearable weight of magic stifles my human form, the nausea and dizziness returning in full force.
Hollering comes from the roof and the gates open as the creatures hunting us gain traction.
I raise my voice, but a growl seeps out instead, the transformation demanding and blasting through me.
Shit, shit, shit.
Marian feels lighter in my hold.
