Page 87 of Beast and Remedy
Beau takes another step, his voice smoother and calmer. “Here, let me.” He channels his power over Marian, touching her head.
Her features glow as rays pulse through her, and when Beau removes his power, my sister sways.
Beau and I are there to catch her. His eyes meet mine, small swirls of magic still glowing in them, and my breath catches.
Blinking rapidly, I pull up Marian to steady her, careful to avoid his touch. But I don’t know what is worse, the heat coming from his hand so close or the lack of it warming my own.
Marian lifts her chin, smiling serenely as she thanks Beau. “I-I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.”
Beau chuckles. “It’s only because you, your body, and my magic are fighting the infection. It is a lot to go from being in pain to the sudden jolt of relief. Come on, let’s get you seated.”
“I’ve got her,” I say, trying to move her alone.
Beau flashes me a look. “I’ve got her. But help get a chair.”
I concede, removing myself as Marian curls into him.
The two of them pad to one of the dining tables in the middle. The chair scrapes across the dark wooden planks as Beau lowers my sister into the seat.
Beau and I sit beside her as the others join us, everyone acting civilized except Leo.
Always wanting to stand out.
Dolores approaches and places two bowls in front of us before returning to the bar.
The steam rises from the stew, hints of garlic and thyme caressing my nostrils. I eagerly pick up my spoon, my mouth salivating in anticipation of the soft potatoes and carrots.
Leo folds his hands over the back of his seat, inching close to Marian. He winks, and her cheeks redden.
Marcel fills us in on correspondence from his parents. They received word of their first animal attack in their borders, butBeau’s bannermen handled it swiftly and trapped a few animals for the healers to study.
Yet my heart thunders at the flash of the wolves attacking us. Riker. Bronn. Alec. Marius. Shredded clothes, gore—their insides more visible than their flesh. Red coating my fingers after losing it and slaughtering a helpless, infected animal. Marian getting bitten. Theblood.
So. Much. Blood.
Food hovers near my mouth, and the images and memories dissolve my appetite. I lower my spoon and focus on the ceramic bowl, my fingertips tracing the grooves carved into it.
Not wanting to look up, let alone converse much further, I push my chair back, needing to clear my head.
Confusion lines each of my friends’ faces.
“I need to get some rest tonight. Marian?” I twist to her, hoping she picks up that I need her to be a scapegoat.
Thankfully, she agrees.
Leo surges forward. “Can I help get you to your room?”
Marian’s hair falls away, her cheeks a little sharper than usual underneath the warm light coming from the lanterns.
“Thank you, Leo.” She looks back as he supports her. “You got our packs?”
I nod, and she heads toward the rooms, with Leo whispering something in her ear. Her laugh bounces back to the group.
“Well, I’ll be lucky if I can squeeze in an extra hour of sleep if these two don’t snore me to death,” Jules says, thrusting her thumb to Marcel and Christine as they rise.
Christine rolls her eyes as Marcel laughs. “Clearly, you forget how loud your snores are.”
“I don’t snore!” Jules scolds.
