Page 205 of Beast and Remedy
I approach my sister, her tears falling down her cheeks as I hug her. She stumbles a bit, and I squeeze her tighter.
“I’m sorry about this morning,” I whisper, needing to clear the air before the celebration.
I don’t think I could make it through the party with BeauandMarian upset. Her support and steady aura are everything I’m going to need if I want to come out of the night unscathed.
“I’m sorry, too,” she says, holding me as two more people encircle us.
My heart fills with so much love—so much gratitude for the friendship and closeness I have with them all. And I don’t even bother covering up my sniffles as my mind—my soul weeps for its missing half.
They hug me tighter as I glance at Jules, since she is the only one who understands everything I’m feeling.
Trying to comfort me, she mouths,It’s okay.
We silently hold each other for a good while before my sister helps me into my gown. Then the four of us escort ourselves down the hallway, toward the music and guests filling lower levels of the castle.
Today is the day we pass out the cure to the other kingdoms.
Today is Beau’s name day.
Today is the final chapter.
And our time together these last few months is meeting its end.
45
The Dance
Isoak up every inch of the castle, admiring the ceiling mural stretching across the foyer for what could be the last time as we descend the grand staircase.
Gold surrounds me, reminding me so much of irises I want to forever be lost in. Red roses complement and draw in more warmth of the gilded interior.
My chest hollows out at the memory of crushed and tattered petals from last night as we reach Leo and Marcel. And the emptiness in my heart—in my soul—expands at no sign of Beau.
A deep bronze doublet fits Leo’s wide chest, matching his trousers, which cover his brown suede boots. He and Marcel converse and compliment us as Christine takes Marcel’s elbow.
Marcel’s outfit is black, with a gold lining on his jacket. The pattern coasts along the sides of his pants, tucked into dark leather shoes.
He extends his other arm to Jules, but she turns it down, keeping close to me as Marian takes Leo’s hand and we all greet guests filtering in.
Violinists play a lively tune as we enter the ballroom, and conversations echo throughout.
My eyes dart to every section of the room, drenched in white, yellow, and red. From the curtains to the red roses, and the lit candles, like the sun itself radiates around us.
But the sun is a person—myperson.
I scan through the faces we pass, preparing to see Beau tonight.
“Don’t look so obvious,” Jules mutters.
I shrink into myself, embarrassed. “Sorry.”
She laughs, and it pairs with jubilant music. “It’s alright, Vi. But let’s occupy your thoughts with other things tonight.”
“Such as?”
Jules shrugs, her eyes catching on something and drawing my attention.
My eyebrows lift at the King and Prince of Northtry dressed in all black. The king wears an obsidian crown, his jacket covered in a sash with patches of military rank.
