Page 138 of Beast and Remedy
“No, she’s not,” Beau says, and I grumble. He clenches his jaw. “You still have head trauma. It’s too serious for my ability to fix right now. I don’t want you riding alone.”
“But what about my horse?” I ask.
“We can tether it to one of ours for the rest of the journey. If you aren’t careful, your injuries might keep us in Unterkirch longer than we anticipate.”
“But we need to make haste for Marian—”
“Don’t worry about me,” my sister says, retreating. “Just listen to Beau and ride with him.” My chest pangs with guilt, and she must see it because she adds, “I’ll ride beside Leo if you are so worried.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Leo beams.
As much as I would love to glare at him for eavesdropping, I grant him a little peace as he helps my sister. “Thank you.”
“My, my,” he chimes, his smile genuine as he strides to us and aids Beau in helping me upright. “I’m beginning to think we are becoming friends.”
“Beginning?” I scoff as the two men escort me to Beau’s steed. “We are miles away from that.” I ease my weight on Leo as his brother mounts his horse first. “I mean, we are friends. At least to me we are.Unconventionally.”
He snorts, muffling it with a smirk as he hoists me up and into the saddle. “We always have been, Vi.”
My vision blurs as I adjust, and I close my eyes to prevent the sudden churn of nausea from climbing up my throat. When the sensation leaves, I take in Leo’s supportive hold.
He pats my knee. “Now, take it easy. Marian needs you as much as you need her.” Leo peers at my twin, and she gestures to the trail.
“I thought you said you were sweating. Why aren’t you hustling to get to a cold bath?”
“Was just helping your sister,” Leo calls back, chuckling under his breath before meeting my gaze. “Beau’s got you from here. Get some rest.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“Don’t mention it.” He smirks, and his long strides take him toward Marian.
Beau snakes his arms around my stomach, but I’m hesitant to move.
“It’s okay to rest against me. No one will think anything of it given your injuries,” he whispers.
“You obviously forgot Marian’s face this morning when she saw us huddled close.”
He clicks his tongue, his horse taking off. “I didn’t forget. And even you said Marian hasn’t been acting herself today. So, that should give us a pass in overthinking for the moment.” His thumb rubs against my abdomen, the tension in my bones growing with a different ache.
“I-I did say that,” I sigh, agreeing to his logic for now before easing further into him.
His lips meet my temple. “I am devastated to see the two of you injured, but—” He huffs.
“But what?”
“But selfishly, I’m thanking the Makers for letting me hold you,” he admits, and heat spreads across my body, my eyes fluttering from his comforting touch. “I never get to, and I love it. I love this.”
“If we could, you know I would every second of every day,” I confess.
“Why don’t we?”
My heart sinks, and I peer up. “Youknowwhy.”
He grimaces at my dejected demeanor, the words too painful to fully voice before he swallows his understanding and directs his sight back on the trail.
The obstacles between us are many, the biggest one being Papa. Not to mention the promise I gave Pierre about finding a husband after fixing this whole mess.
My thoughts drift to my father, wondering how he is faring in Palaena with the rest of our people.
