Page 206 of Beast and Remedy
“They look like sin,” Jules whispers.
I swallow the lump in my throat, intimidated by the aura the man carries. “Yes, they do.”
Stefan’s deep brown irises find mine, and they flash with intrigue. He surveys me, a smirk gracing his striking face.
My breathing halts. Damn, he—
I blink rapidly and break my stare. “I-I-I think I should stay far away from Stefan,” I tell Jules, squeezing her arm.
Jules tugs me in their direction. “But he is so dreamy. He would be awelcomedistraction.” She gives me a sideways glance.
“I don’t want any distractions tonight,” I scoff and drag her past them, only to be stopped by a large group of people chatting.
She takes the lead, guiding me onward, making me stumble.
“Hey,” I hiss as I bump into someone. I mutter my apologies as I inch closer to my friend. “Just because I don’t want a distraction doesn’t mean I want to make a spectacle of myself.”
“Oh, hush,” she chides, filtering us through people. “We’re going to say hello to my cousin.”
“K-King Jerrick?” I ask, coming to an abrupt halt. “I-I’m not sure—”
“You’ll befine.” We approach her family. “Jer!” My friend raises her voice amongst the crowd, and they part.
I want to avoid conversing. But it’s too late, and I have to plaster on my best false smile.
The King and Queen of Palaena hold each other close, and my stupid fucking heart shrivels from their displayed affection.
Tove glows, adorned in a pewter crown with pale sapphires complementing her pinned back silver locks. Her ice-cold eyes match her sleeveless gown tight in the bodice, with diamonds beaded throughout in varying layers of blue. The dress hugs her curvy petite frame and the swell of her belly, spreading outwards into a flowing and ethereal skirt.
She looks like a winter Deity. A Snow Queen.
I shake my head, not wanting to use the rumored name so many once used. I break into a swift curtsy, wanting to be respectful of her and the newly formed friendship we’ve cultivated.
“Vi!” Tove exclaims, and I rise quickly, still awestruck by her and her husband’s magnetism.
The indifference Jerrick has exuded in our past interactions seems nonexistent as he bobs his head. But his blue irises are still haunting compared to his wife’s, with the scar lining one of his eyes.
“Your Majesties,” I greet, taking in his navy outfit pairing with his wife’s ensemble.
My friend rushes to embrace Tove, making the queen stumble a half step. Jerrick steadies his wife, chuckling.
“I am so excited to meet you!” Jules pulls away, grinning. “I’m Jules, Jer’s cousin.” She scans Tove’s dress. “Wow, Gran really outdid herself with this.”
“Only to show off her first great-grandbaby to the world,” Jerrick comments.
Jules steps toward me with pride. “Well, at least I don’t have to share being the favorite grandbaby.”
“Are you sure?” Jerrick arches a brow. “Last I checked, I am the one always filling her pockets with coin.”
She elbows him, and he smirks, unbothered by her nudge.
They stare down the other as Tove asks me, “Is she always like this?”
Jules gasps, and I snicker. “Yes. She is always the best company.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know about that,” Tove muses, beaming up at her husband.
Jerrick winks at his wife, a lone dimple appearing and pure love radiating between them.
