Page 76 of Beast and Remedy
Beau tilts his head toward them. “You both know Jules is well-versed with ingredients. She would be better suited to that, along with listing potential outcomes.”
“I can help with reading any new material,” his brother says.
“So can I,” Marian volunteers, eyeing Leo. The two of them share a grin.
“Jules should work on the ingredients,” Marcel says, agreeing with Beau. “And I can help Christine put together the parchments. I have a feeling that will take the most time.”
“Leo and Marian could help with that, too, then we can read over the tomes faster,” Beau starts before his gaze finds mine once more, and my pulse quickens. “Vi and I can review the reports and discuss treatment options.”
I gesture toward my vials and my old records, leaning into my stubbornness to help with my resolve. “I should help Jules with the ingredients, though—”
“That’s alright, Vi.” Jules beams. “You’ve always had good penmanship. It’ll be easy to look through.”
And there goes my attempt.
A small smirk grows across Beau’s lips, his dimples hinting at satisfaction. “Then, it’s settled.” He puts the tattered book in Christine’s hands, and Marcel gathers the rest of the ruined pages.
Leo and my sister move, grabbing the stack of books from Palaena I will not get a chance to read first. “We can rotate on reading while we put a few ledgers together,” Marian says to Leo, and he agrees as they join Marcel and Christine.
Jules scoots me out of my place, taking in each of my vials with delight. “Time to get acquainted with each one of you.”
The group occupies themselves with their tasks well before I’ve even had a chance to do—let alone say—anything. And it doesn’t sit right with me.
“Excuse me,” I speak up.
Everyone’s rustling stops, and they turn. The fierce determination in their eyes and the nostalgia of being with them all again steals my breath.
A hollowness creeps into my chest as my resolve wavers.
Marian clutches a book to her chest. “What is it, Vi?”
I work my jaw, but the words run dry on my tongue. I sigh, slumping. “Don’t make a mess.”
Jules snorts. “Since when did you like things being tidy?”
I glare at my friend as she bursts out cackling, Marian biting her lip to suppress her own amusement.
“Since you all helped yourselves to my study,” I retort, but it does nothing against their snickers.
Even Beau covers his laugh, and my mouth falls.
“Not you too,” I groan, betrayed even he feels the same.
His teeth gleam, his chuckle full of lightheartedness and contentment. “I’m laughing because I would be the exact same if my friends took over my space.” Those damningly beautiful, golden irises hold me captive as he asks, “Do you need a different place to think? Read through the reports with me?”
He winks, and my heart skips before I ensure no one saw him.
But everyone has resumed their work, and I hate the agony building in my chest being a clear punishment and a reminder of what can never be.
I swallow down the bile churning in my throat as I force myself to deny alone time with him. “The library has seating arrangements. We could all work in there more efficiently.”
Beau’s expression falters, and I try not to overthink it and the shiver rattling through my soul.
“The library?” Jules perks up. “Damn, I’ll have to stay here, though.” She gestures to the vials.
“Don’t worry. The library isn’t going anywhere,” Marian says. “But now, you can think of it as motivation to get done faster so you can join us.”
“Vi and I can stay and help Jules. It shouldn’t take too long, and then we can all work in the libraryandkeep Vi’s study tidy.”
