Page 47 of Beast and Remedy
No. No. No. No. NO!
I pull her back as the searing pain pops a rib out of place. “Marian!” I gasp.
Her head falls against my chest, eyes shut and a grayness to her features.
I pass through the gates, a guttural plea escaping. “HELP!”
But it’s more a roar than my own voice.
Arrows whoosh past, and animals yelp behind me as I tug on the reins to come to a full stop.
Hold out a little longer, Vi. Just get Marian into his arms.
Guards rush out from the keep, armed and prepared, but lowering their swords as I cry out. “Please, help!”
A man sprints forward as my world spins, colors altering. Everything feels distant.
The sights, the sounds, and the smells. Sweet Makers the smells.
Mold, dirt, and cedar mix with the dried blood, flooding my senses as I struggle to dismount.
The man holds the reins and steadies my sister as I grit through the pain, choosing my words carefully. “Injured. Princess Vivienne and Marian.Help.”
CRACK!
Another bone breaks and I hiss, my head rocking up to the sky.
My hip alters, and I slink off the horse. More agonizing fractures stream through me. Much worse than the brunt of the fall.
More men surround me, and I remove my weapons and take off my pack, needing it undamaged as I beg them again. “My sister, help her.Please. Stay away from me.Please.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I never wanted it to happen this way. More bones split, menstillstanding and not doing anything.
They aren’t listening and helping Marian!
Screw it, I’ll do it myself if I have to. I need to get to her. I need to tell her Itried.
Through squinted eyes, I see my sister, and thank the Makers, someone must have helped her off the horse when I fell.
Crawling toward her, I will help my twin until my last dying breath. I stretch, reaching for—
SNAP!
My hand jerks, another bone fracturing.
“Miss! Let us help you!” says a guard’s high-pitched voice, and I growl.
My magic thrashes, wanting the full surrender to happen. It’s going to be painful regardless of how much I fight against it.
My saliva dries as my own teeth grind into the other, my jaw locking as my leg shatters, and then another rib pops, and my foot twists.
I yelp.
“Vi.”
Marian’s croaked voice has me meeting her droopy brown eyes.
