Page 74 of Beast and Remedy
He dips his chin when I finish, the vein down his neck bulging as his jaw works.
“I don’t like this plan,” he says, and it takes all my concentration not to allow the hope to die too quickly. “But I do trust you.”
He squeezes my hand twice, a silent exchange he rarely uses, and my emotions clog my throat as he opens his other palm toward my sister.
She hunches forward, grasping him, and I can tell by her own tear-filled gaze he offered her the same double squeeze.
“Go ahead and invite him in. We should all meet and discuss correspondence with the kingdoms as well as relay news,” Pierre says.
“You—you aren’t going to tell Papa, are you?” I ask.
Jean answers first. “No.”
But I keep my eyes on Pierre,needinghis agreement. And he makes me wait in agony.
“If Bernie knew about Marian’s infection, I don’t know what he would do. But I also know if he knew of its true origins, there is no telling how fast information would spread, and we don’t want this getting out,” Pierre says.
I drop my head, relief coursing through me. “Thank you.”
“Don’t expect to be off the hook this easy, Vi,” Pierre scolds, drawing my gaze to his. “You started this, and you are going to fix it. And once you do, I expect you to tell your father and agree to move forward with finding a husband.”
I should have known he would strike a bargain.
My insides shrivel at telling Papa, but what’s worse is I don’t think my soul will survive if I choose to marry another.
I bite my lip, hesitating and wanting to refuse with every part of my being. If I don’t agree to this, Pierre will tell my father. And there is no telling what would happen then.
All my freedoms would be taken away. I’m sure of it.
I feel as if I am stabbing myself in the heart as I sigh. “I’ll do it.”
“Good.” Pierre stands, adjusting his vest. “Now, be sure to write to your father. He will want to know you both made it home safe.” He looks to his husband, a silent acknowledgment of love passing between the two.
“Better make it convincing enough so your father does not gallop on horseback straight here,” Jean comments as he stands and fetches parchment and quill.
And before he leaves with Pierre, he winks back at us, and Marian snickers.
Her hope should ease the heaviness in my chest, but the depths of her brown eyes peer into my soul, a reminder that her life is hanging by a thread. One I need to tend carefully if she is going to come out of this catastrophe alive.
And my heart clutches onto the reality that this time I’ve been granted to have with Beau, however awkward it may be, will surely be the last I will ever get with him.
Winter, The Makers Year 1014
Dear Beauvais,
Is there a reason why you didn’t talk to me on my family’s last visit to Torgem?
You, Marcel, Leo, and Maxim were all snickering and making mean faces at me.
It hurt my feelings more when you got my sister to join you.
I thought you’d maybe have a new book to give me. I brought the one about masonry to discuss with you. But I guess you wanted to spend time with your friends. Though I thought we were friends.
I hope you can recommend a new book for me in your next letter.
From,
Vivienne
