Page 91 of Beast and Remedy
Desire, love, and longing make me wish for more as he takes my chin, tilting it to take him in fully.
“But should you ever want more than words, come and find me.” Beau lowers his hand, but he stays close, and the temptation to kiss him again remains even as he continues.
“Because that letter and the hundreds of others we have exchanged remind me of what it is like to love someone and have them return it. And despite the odds of pretending, hiding, and being in two different worlds, what I feel—wefeel—is real. Isstillreal. I will always fight for our chance because you and our love are worth fighting for.”
Beau retreats with a smile, taking my soul with him.
Spring, The Makers Year 1023
To the King of Torgem,
B,
It feels like yesterday I sent a similar letter to you. The years have not shone brightly for you and your family as of late, and for that, my heart aches for you. The pain must be unbearable.
It feels like years have stretched between us, even more so since you and your family haven’t visited Belmur.
I do understand the hesitation about visiting since losing your sibling, as well as allowing us to visit you. And now, with your new title paired with the passing of your father, it must be a lot to handle.
If it is any comfort, I know you will make your parents and Maxim proud.
You were knowledgeable when we first met, and I know that’s only grown with time, despite the distance stretched between us. You said so yourself there is always something new to learn.
I hope that can bring you comfort along with the knowledge that you still have a friend in Belmur should you ever wish to write.
Sincerely yours,
Rosebud
20
Write Me Back
“Remind me why we have to travel through the mountains again?” Christine grumbles as our group inches closer to Hinbron’s Pass.
Soft clouds cover the sun’s rays, illuminating and melting away the tinges of snow on the peak of each mountain. A flock of birds fly across the sky, their harmonies echoing. Spring shifts into summer, grass and wildflowers blooming in the plains we stroll by.
“It’s the easiest way to get to Northtry,” Marian answers, petting her steed.
Although it is the easiest way, it will still take us almost a week to get there. The trip gives us the opportunity to hunt, fill ourwater packs, and find shelter, with caves and alcoves where we can hide and rest while we rotate standing guard.
Jules strides up. “Don’t worry, they are intimidating at first, but we are taking the path that doesn’t go fully into the mountains. We’ll be fine.”
“It seems like we are doing a whole lot for so little gain,” Christine huffs as a fly crosses her line of sight, and she bristles, her hands swatting in the air.
The pest buzzes off, and I suppress my smirk as she fans her blonde curls away before I say, “It seems that way now, but Northtry is marvelous.”
“You’ve been there?” Christine asks.
Marian replies, “We have not been since we were kids, but in my last letter from Prince Stefan, he—”
“Oh, when did you last talk with Prince Stefan?” Jules teases, brushing her shoulder against Marian.
My sister’s cheeks redden, and she fusses with her gray tunic. “We just write to each other. There is nothing wrong with that.”
Christine and Jules chuckle at Marian’s obvious crush, and I, too, try to mask my amusement while resisting the urge to look ahead toward Beau.
“Except the part where you danced with him on your name day and he invited you to his home,” I add, earning a glare from my sister.
