Page 83 of Beast and Remedy
I push my plate back, shutting down the endless pit of a reminder and address everyone. “I have some news.”
Marian twists toward me, hope brimming in her eyes as I try to make sense and not appear out of my mind.
I clear my throat and lace my fingers together. “My magic wants me to go to Northtry.”
“Northtry?” Jean asks, surprise increasing his tone. “Why would it want you to go there?”
“They have what we need for a remedy,” I say, wanting to leave it at that. But knowing questions are about to erupt, I explain more. “We need plants from each kingdom. Ones that only grow in their land. And Northtry is where I was told to venture first.”
“Do you know what plant you need?” Jules asks. “About any of the plants you need?”
“No idea, but I’m sure more answers will come.”
“Your magic told you this?” Marian questions. “How?”
I bite my lip, not wanting to reveal information until I believed it fully. All I have going for me is hope and intangible evidence.
“We shouldn’t pry into how one’s abilities work, manifest, or call to them,” Beau says, catching everyone off guard. He stands and adjusts his tunic. “But we should listen when magic directs a ruler down a path. The Makers themselves are speaking directly to them.”
My stomach flutters and heart thumps in my chest, and I wish I could convey my gratitude.
But Marian slams her fist on the table and rises. “She is my sister. She is supposed to share that with me!”
“Doyouhave magic?” Beau glances at her, and she stiffens.
“What does that have to do with anything?” She crosses her arms, annoyance oozing.
What the Oblivion is happening? Why is she acting like this?
My sister remains uptight, even as Beau rounds the table and approaches her carefully, steering the conversation. “You know I haven’t given you a healing session yet this morning. Would you like one?”
She grumbles under her breath. “Not really. I feel fine.”
“May I?” Beau gestures, and she scoffs before leaning toward his outstretched palm.
He touches her forehead. Light glimmers behind his irises, and a glow lifts from the crown of his head, streaming in a flowing twirl over his biceps.
It traces down his body to his fingers on my sister. He closes his eyes, his concentration coursing more of his magic into her.
I marvel in awe, my mouth slackening at his gifts at work.
What I wouldn’t give to have my abilities look and be beautiful.
When he recalls his power, he opens his eyes, and Marian’s expression brightens considerably.
“Thank you.” She beams.
“You had a significant fever.” Beau reaches for her glass and offers it to her. “Did you not feel it at all?”
Marian takes the cup and sips before replying, “I felt fine. At least I think I did.”
“You had a little bit of a temper filtering through, too,” Jean comments, aware of Marian not being one to anger easily.
The ones in my family to do so were me and Papa. And that was before I gained my abilities. Now that I have them, it fuels my anger, causing me to fight for control of my emotions more often.
Marian’s symptoms are going to get worse. Mood swings are one thing, but now a fever?
My eyes find Beau’s. “You need to keep healing her.” I twist to Jules, Christine, Marcel, and Leo. “And you need to find out what plants are local to each region.”
