Page 84 of Beast and Remedy
Lastly, I turn to Jean and Pierre. “And I need you to keep writing to the kingdoms on my behalf. Work with Beau on recording any new symptoms or attacks.”
I stand quickly, the urgency to leave now rather than tomorrow pressing me forward. I hate leaving my sister, but she can’t come with me. The esprit’s guidance is what I have to trust.
“Where do you think you are going?”
Pierre’s voice halts me in my tracks.
I peer over my shoulder. “I just told you all. I’m leaving. I’ll write a letter to Prince Stefan to let him know of my arrival and then I—”
“You aren’t going alone.” Beau leaves Marian’s side, marching straight for me.
“I have to. You all need to remain here,” I argue as he inches closer.
“You are not going alone when there is danger in the forests,” Beau says.
I stiffen at the harshness in his voice. His command.
“I have my magic.” I look at my friends and family, giving them a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine.” I move to leave again.
Beau’s hand latches onto mine, stopping me. His strength surprises me as he turns me, and I crash into his hard chest. He holds me close, his golden eyes stern and fierce.
“I’m coming with you.”
I scowl at his stubbornness, meeting it with my own. “You have to stay with Marian. You have to heal her.”
“And why can’t he do that while I join you?” My sister’s question pulls my gaze from Beau’s to my friends all rising.
“And me,” Leo chimes in.
“Don’t forget us, too!” Christine adds, gesturing to Jules and Marcel.
I close my eyes, dropping my head. “It’s not safe for you all. Besides, we need you here researching potential plants and cures.”
“We can do that as we travel. Plus, we can brainstorm the outcomes with each other. And send anything we discover through a raven,” Jules comments, crossing her arms.
“You will need protection,” Marcel adds. “Magic or not, you shouldn’t be traveling alone.”
My friends’ safety weighs me down along with their suggestions, and Beau is the only thing keeping me upright.
I struggle against him, frustrated and realizing how this might look to everyone.
But he holds me tighter, refusing to budge. “Rosebud,” Beau whispers, and I halt my fight, meeting his gaze.
Swirls of gold shimmer back, tenderness and affection seeping through. Being close stirs my love to the surface, my anger dissolving and drawing forth comfort, tranquility, peace.
And I want to melt into him, let him comfort me, console me, and reassure me.
As if he knows everything warring within me, he sends me two pulses, and I inhale a sharp breath.
My knees almost buckle, and I hate the emotion thickening in my throat from the gesture. I bite down on my lip, clenching my fists with restraint to keep from sending two squeezes back.
I misshim. So fucking much.
“You aren’t alone,” he says, loud enough to hear and to emphasize his point as he nudges me toward everyone.
Meeting Jean and Pierre, I worry they see beyond me, beyond Beau, and see what we had years ago.
But Pierre surprises me as he says, “Your friend is right, Vi. You should go, but you shouldn’t go alone.”
