The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 84

Eighty-Four: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

It was time.

The war was here... or rather, we were going to it.

There were a lot of people depending on me not to fail. I couldn't stay in that room. If I did, I would want to touch Killian, to know that I was safe and hadn't been transported back to the darkness.

I needed to fight through it, to stand on my own as a powerful descendant and not as someone who couldn't go more than a few minutes without touching someone to ground me to their realm. It was humiliating that our people had to see me that way, and I refused to let them witness me acting so weak.

If Killian's father was trying to send me a message, then maybe instead of resisting, I needed to listen.

Killian wanted to ignore what happened and tackle one issue at a time, but I knew in my heart that they were connected.

My pace increased as I stormed down the hall, and Tobias shot me a worried look when he realized exactly where I was heading.

The infirmary doors were still open at the end of the hallway, but there was no movement inside.

I paused just outside Lillian's room.

I didn't know what I was looking for, but my eyes scanned the hallway anyway.

"You have a message for me. I'm listening." I said as firmly as I could. But I still swallowed hard as I waited for a response, terrified that I was making the wrong decision.

I could hear the wind whipping through the corridor, and my hair flew up as Tobias placed his hand on my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the physical contact to calm me before reminding myself what was at stake here and pulling away.

Killian needed a strong mate, and the people needed a strong queen. I wasn't going to hide away, scared of the boogie monster. I was going to tame that bitch and keep it as a pet. 1

"Your Majesty, I don't like this. The king will not be pleased." George said as he stepped closer to my other side.

I could feel Thomas standing closely at my back, all three acting like a protective barricade. But it was pointless as I knew the biggest threat was in front of me, right behind the door.

"Do not tell him," I ordered, and I felt all three men tense at my command." We both have our parts to play in this war. This is mine, and I will not let my people down." No matter how terrified I was...

I kept the last thought to myself, not needing to encourage them that this was a bad idea any more than they already believed. The air wrapped around us violently, and I felt the darkness threatening to take me back down.

"Your eyes..." George whispered in horror, just barely audible over the storm surrounding us. He shook, and I could see the debate on his face as he tried to decide whether to shift. We could see no enemies, but that didn't mean danger wasn't nearby.

I ignored him, pulling my arm away when he went to touch me. He dropped his hand to his side, and I could see Tobias resisting the same urge. He nodded his head once, and I knew without him speaking that he was telling me that no matter what happened, he would stick by my side. He understood that I needed to do this... even if he didn't like it. We were a team, and I nodded back to him.

I didn't want to pull them into that realm with me. I didn't want to go at all. But I did need answers.

"I am listening!” I called out again as the faint whisper reached my ears. My guards stiffened, and I knew this time they heard it too.

"Darkness runs free."