Page 224 of Beast and Remedy
I stare at the problem in front of me before peering up at Leo. “I’m sorry,” I tell him, realizing he too is having to cope with my sister’s betrayal.
Leo’s grip tightens, his arms flexing and body stiffening.
I take his silence as anger and rush out in a pained breath. “I-I-I didn’t know. And I’m sorry.”
Tears blur my vision, and I wish I still had the disdain of crying to be my strength and help me wipe them away. But I’m too tired, and I let them dampen my cheeks.
Calloused fingers swipe them away, and I glance at Beau, my heart breaking.
His features are pale, body swaying with each step. He applies pressure to his injury, wearily nodding twice.
I bite my quivering lip and nod twice in return.
“Don’t cry, Vi. Please. Just rest, okay? I don’t want to lose you, too,” Leo says softly.
Confusion drags my eyes up to his glossy ones, and I wish I tried better for a friendship with him. Marian took him for granted, and I never want to do that to him or anyone, ever.
The trees and bushes lessen, the castle appearing when Marcel moves into the clearing, lighting the path.
Guards, Beau’s advisors, Jules, Christine, and Tove wait at the front entrance, a horse coming in and blocking their view.
I take in the large steed and the burly man sitting in the saddle staring with pure, unfiltered rage.
Papa.
49
Family is Complicated
Asmall group of Belmur guards stride forward as Papa unsheathes his sword, pointing it at Beau. “Let my daughters go this instant!”
Beau wobbles forward, bracing himself with the arrow still lodged in him and matching my father’s vigor. “No.”
Papa’s wrath ripples off him in waves, furious at the refusal. “You are an enemy to Belmur, and I don’t care what you’veclaimedto have done for our people in the letter you so graciously sent.”
“I only wrote in the hope you’d arrive as an ally and friend, all things considered,” Beau comments, remaining cordial as he runs a hand through his disheveled hair.
Did I hear him right? He wrote to myfather?
Sweet Makers, if I wasn’t injured, I wouldscreamat him.
“You will release my girls at once, or I will strike you down,” my father orders.
“I think you fail to recognize the borders of the land you are currently in, King Bernard.” Jerrick’s smooth voice carries a hint of a threat as he gestures to the castle. “You are in Torgem territory, and your title only carries as far as your borders do.”
Leo’s grip on me tightens as Marian fusses in Jerrick’s hold, and I really wish I wasn’t wounded. I might be the only person here who could talk Papa down from his temper-driven path.
“I don’t fucking care where we are,” my father seethes, his jaw muscles twitching. “Release my daughter too, King Jerrick, or I will pommel you faster than I will King Beauvais.”
Tove gasps and clutches her chest, but it doesn’t hide the possessive fire igniting in her ice-blue eyes.
But her husband laughs, unaffected. “The only person who will be struck down is you should you threaten me again.”
“Jer!” Tove exclaims before rushing to my father’s side.
He looks down from his steed at the Queen of Palaena, her eyes pleading as she cradles her stomach and touches his pant leg.
“Bernie, please. Your daughters and King Beau are injured. Lower your weapons and let everyone treat their wounds, and we can sort this out like civilized people.”
