Page 233 of Beast and Remedy
“You don’t have to tell us more than you want to.” Leo pats my shoulder.
“But I-I’m—”
My knees buckle, and I drop my head, my wavy tresses falling forward and concealing my defeat.
Marcel and Leo keep me from collapsing and stop walking, ignoring Papa and Beau striding onward without us.
Everything I know and love will forever change after this.
“I-Ican’t,” I confess. “I-I can’t see her. I can’t see Papa. I can’t see Beau.” Exhaustion and pain take hold, shudders rocking through me. “I can’t do this.”
I lean into the crook of Marcel’s neck, my injuries nothing compared to the future looming over me. I can’t even think straight to conjure up what possibilities my father has in store once we return.
Will he throw me in the dungeons? Keep me from leaving Belmur? Force the arranged marriage on me and remove my choice?
Sweet Makers.
Marcel rubs my back, his voice soft and assuring. “You can do this.”
“I don’t know if I am strong enough to face her. To face Beau and my father again.”
Leo tilts my chin toward him, his blue eyes piercing through me with determination. “You are one of the strongest and smartest people I know. You can do anything you set your mind to.”
I blink, disbelieving. “I can’t believe you complimented me.”
Leo laughs, and Marcel adds, “It’s fact more than compliment, Vi. We all know that. Even your father.”
My chest hollows out as Marcel continues. “Your father knows how valuable you are not because you are his daughter or heir, but because you are the kind of person who will help our world live on and live for more than right now. Don’t let what is currently happening ever deter you from that.”
I gaze down the corridor to the dungeons, the darkness coaxing me toward Marian.
“Are you ready?” Leo asks.
Steeling my posture as best I can, I nod with finality, and they resume guiding me down the path.
Guards greet us as we pass through the front entrance, lanterns lit and the heat burning away the grime and mud stench. Stone bricks narrow the further we drift past each cell, and my heartbeat grows more sporadic the closer we get to the end.
I’m jolted for a beat, my nerves stilted at Jerrick standing beside Beau as Tove whispers to my father, touching his arm.
“What are they doing here?” I ask.
My father and Beau ignore my question, but Jerrick replies. “My help has been needed in attending the prisoner.”
“Doesn’t explain your wife’s presence,” I snap, the words harsher than I intended.
I’ve always respected Tove—admired and feared her, even—but her relationship with her husband and her dynamic with Papa sting now more than ever.
Jerrick’s eyes narrow at my rude comment as Tove speaks up. “My presence is only in accompaniment with my husband. I can leave if you’d like.”
Then, and only then, does my father look at me, anger still oozing from him.
I shrink with remorse. “No, I’m honored by your presence, Your Majesty.”
Tove regards me, probably confused from my sudden formality. She blinks and addresses her husband. “Now that everyone’s here, shall we begin?”
Beau nods, gesturing a guard forward to unlock the cell.
My knees wobble as the lanterns blaze, the metal creaking and clanging against my ears.
