Page 52 of Beast and Remedy
Lacing my foot in the stirrup and getting seated, I brave a glance once more for the esprit, a tug in my heart wishing I could have thanked it. I click my tongue and steer us into a canter to return to Torgem.
Hues of lavender, pink, and orange kiss the shifting sky as I reach the castle. I slow the horse to a stop, my heart thundering and needing these last precious moments to gather myself.
As if you weren’t preparing yourself already this entire ride, Vi.
Sweat beads along my brow when the gate opens, wary eyes following me—watching me as I pass the threshold. But I straighten, clinging to my royal upbringing in hopes it will get me through whatever is about to come.
I brace for an ambush, an attack, or something as my eyes lock on the keep, fearful for the inevitable.
“Princess?” a guard addresses me, extending his hand to aid.
I swallow thickly. “Thank you, sir.”
He holds the reins as I dismount.
When my feet hit the gravel, the door to the castle opens, and Marian, skin full of color and life, brightens, running straight for me.
My knees almost buckle, relief tugging at my chest seeing her whole. A choked sob leaves her as I sprint and meet her in the middle, clutching her in an embrace.
“Vi!” She grunts when she wraps her arms around me.
“You—you’re alright?”
“I am. Are you?”
“I’m here. I’m alright.” I reassure her, refusing to budge.
“I didn’t know when you were coming back. Orifyou even were coming back.”
“Hey.” I break away and hold her shoulder, squeezing it twice. “I will always come back for you.”
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, sending a surge of alarm through my veins.
“Are—are we safe here?” I ask under my breath, hating the unease deceiving me and my heart.
I brought her to Torgem because I couldn’t save her, and I thought I could get Beau’s aid.
But the longer I stand in place, the more I worry I came here for my heart more than for my kingdom. The idea is chilling and petrifying, and the fear crawling up my spine and settling into my bones tells me I’m not strong enough to be near him.
I won’t be able to work alongside him without tearing myself to shreds every night about how we will never be. And as much as I believe he could help Belmur and the infection, I don’t know how I would ever get away with asking for his assistance.
Hope is intangible, something I should never allow myself to dwell on. And it makes me feel—makes me believe in something that can’t happen. Willneverhappen.
Footsteps sound from the keep, and I shake her with more urgency. “Marian, are we safe?”
We need to get back to Jean and Pierre. I need to get my head on straight and get our provisions, my pack from yesterday, and be on our way.
She reaches for my hand, squeezing it twice. “They act as if no time has passed, but it could be a front.” She pinches her features, and her lips form a grimace. “I think we are until they can question both of us.”
“Okay,” I sigh, understanding our arrival was unexpected as I pull her in for another hug, masking our conversation. “We’ll play along.”
She nods into the crook of my neck as we end our embrace.
I avoid eye contact for a few more moments as Marian and I spin to our old friends and lower into a curtsy.
My insides twist, and I fight the lump in my throat, wanting to calm my thoughts. Nervously, I release a long breath before rising to people I’ve known for most of my life.
All four of them stand a few paces away, taking us in.
