Page 207 of Beast and Remedy
Tove blushes before she coughs, clearing her throat. “How are you, Vi? And how is Marian fairing?”
“I am well, and so is my sister.” I smile at Tove, her energy always calming and inviting. “How is Palaena? And is my father giving you a difficult time?”
Jerrick laughs as he wraps an arm around Tove’s waist, holding her belly.
Tove curls into him, her demeanor light and radiant despite the long sigh she takes. “It’s better than I expected, though dealing with Bernie has been more the responsibility of Lady Betina rather than us.”
“It’s safe to say she is hugged out by him,” Jerrick adds, and my features lift at Tove’s exaggerated nodding.
Jules snorts. “He tends to do that a lot, I’m afraid. Never able to resist a good hug.”
“I know the feeling,” Tove agrees, her eyes wandering.
One body and another come up, I bristle as Tove and Jerrick smile. I pray to the Makers it’s not Beau. I’m not ready.
Jerrick’s voice lowers. “King Vinzent and Prince Stefan, a pleasure to see our neighboring monarchs.”
Prince Stefan’s cool voice caresses its way up my skin. “The occasions are never enough to see you all.”
I can feel his gaze melting into me as I try to appear calm and impervious to his tempting advances.
“Thought we’d express our apologizes for being unable to attend the announcement of your future child,” his father adds. “We had other obligations at that time.”
“It is quite alright, King Vinzent,” Tove replies.
I twist to the two men bathed like night itself, my heart hammering at how striking Stefan is.
A welcome distraction, indeed.
I shake off my suggestive thought and sweep into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesty and Your Highness, an honor it is to see you both again.” I rise.
King Vinzent remains stoic, but Stefan’s deep brown irises hold me captive, his enthralling allure making my cheeks heat and fingers itch to touch him.
“It is always a pleasure to be in the presence of such great beauty once more,” Stefan comments. “And if you’ll excuse me,”he addresses the group before extending an open palm to me. “I’d love to whisk away Princess Vivienne for a dance.”
I stare, and Jules nudges me. Remembering myself, I accept the prince’s invitation and bid the group farewell. “Always a pleasure conversing with each of you.”
“And you, Vi,” Tove beams as Stefan leads me toward the dance floor.
“It would seem I can only have you to myself if there is dancing involved,” he says as dance partners make space for newcomers.
“Last I remember, we were alone in your home for a brief duration.” I twitch my skirt and hold his shoulder.
He smiles and nods, his eyes sparking with dark promise as he closes the distance between us. My heart flips when he leads, effortlessly guiding me through a whirling waltz.
Sweet Makers, I hadn’t felt this the last time he was so near. Why am I so affected now?
The musicians play, and the room spins, and I can only focus on the deep olive tone of his complexion, his ebony tresses slicked back, and his piercing brown irises full of certainty and promise.
“Your skills at dancing never cease to amaze me, Prince Stefan.”
He eases me into a dip. “I thought we had moved past titles,” he says with a smirk when he whisks me upright.
I bite my lip, my skin heating and probably turning the same shade as my gown. “Right, forgive me, Stefan?”
“Of course.”
We slide apart, our hands stopping at the wrist. My dress swishes with every sway. Even as we spin, we remain fixated on the other, slow grins growing as Stefan inches closer—
