The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 172

Sixty-Five: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

Aurora stayed for a while before doing her part and exiting, replenished, and stronger than before. She smiled widely as she spoke into a phone, laughing loudly and assuring Natalie that she would be home soon as she left the Sanctum.

Of course, it was all for show. I doubted Natalie was even on the phone. As soon as Aurora was outside, she teleported back to the castle in case Cora was watching her location, and we all sat in wait.

The longer it took for Cora to show up, the more nervous I became. I couldn't afford to have taken so many resources away from those who needed protection in the castle and be wrong. This had to be what she was searching for, a place of unbridled power.

If Cora could harness the power of the Sanctum, she would be unstoppable.

’Joselin,' Tobias said through our mate link, and I felt my back stiffen at the sound of my full first name. No, Josie, no, sweetheart. It wasn't a good sign. 'Don't take any unnecessary risks. I need to know that you will put yourself first when she shows up. I need to know that you will make it out of here in one piece. I know how strong you are, but just humor me, okay?'

His arms around my waist tightened, and his thumbs rubbed circles into my stomach. I glanced down. Could he know? Is this his way of telling me before I had the chance to test and find out for myself?

I looked up, not wanting to spend more time considering it until after this fight. I had told myself that same thing hundreds of times, yet it still kept coming to the front of my mind.

'This is my job. I'm responsible for the council, and I am responsible for handling magical entities who pose a threat to the crown. I can't promise to come out unscathed, but I can promise to do my best, so we can go home together.'

He wasn't satisfied with my answer. He didn’t like it at all.

'I would let the world burn down around us and everyone in it before I lose my family.' His firm tone left no room for argument, but I was distracted by his word choice.

There it was again, that subtle hint. Family. As in more than one person. He wasn't just concerned about his mate. He was worried about losing a member of his family.

It could be that he was referring to Killian and Natalie, but the feeling in my gut told me that was not the case.

'I can't do this right now, Tobias.' I felt water line my eyes, not just from the emotion pouring from him and the fear of what I was risking for the crown, but from anger. I was in a pure rage that Cora had put me in this situation. It wasn't like I could just walk away and let one of my rogue council members continue to commit genocide.

I was in charge of her and should have figured out she was up to no good sooner.

Tobias nodded, his brown eyes scanning my face before he leaned down and pressed a punishing kiss to my lips. It was the kind of kiss that made me dream about forever while also worrying if it was goodbye.

My hand snaked up to his neck, and as he pushed me back to rest his forehead against mine, I felt the tears fall.

His thumbs slid over my cheeks, wiping away the trail of liquid as I masked my emotions, letting the anger fuel me. I wanted the rage and bloodlust to win over the worry and sadness.

I would gut this bitch and hang out her entrails to dry like potpourri.

'Has there been a recent update?' My demand for more information had been frequent over the past few hours since Aurora had left, and Tobias shook his head. It was time to set aside our relationship and act as the warriors we had been trained to be.

’There has been no movement yet.'

I sighed, pulling away and standing up to stretch. Cora was either still sleeping or hiding in her home. Either way, it was a good sign. If she were looking for the Sanctum, she would have a tracker on Aurora and be here soon.

Tobias's voice echoed through my head as I crouched back into hiding. I knew he would have also informed the other guards and the Sanctum fell silent. Even the bugs and birds stopped making noise.

'The crystal stopped. She's here.'

I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the crackling of power around me as my anger fueled my emotions. I could feel Cora's excitement as she drew near, moving through the cave entrance that led to the ambush we had set.

Cora looked mesmerized by the cavern, spinning in a slow circle as she examined the brightly glowing area. She looked younger than before, the thick grey streak in her hair had almost vanished, and I narrowed my eyes, no longer doubting if she had taken Rona's magic and life force. She had.

She looked excited like she had just won the battle she didn't even know was about to start.

The planned sound of a rock hitting the wall across the cavern had Cora tensing. Her back was to me as her hands lifted, fingers slightly curled and spread as she widened her stance.

I stepped out, leaving Tobias in hiding. I couldn't show all of my cards up front. This would be a duel of magic; the Lycans showing themselves before needed would only put them at risk. As terrifying as they could be in their Lycan form, the magic of multiple powerful witches being housed in one body would be a force to be reckoned with.

Aurora stepped back inside the cavern.