The Beast And The Blessed

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.

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

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

Majesty, I don't like this. The king will not be pleased." George said

barricade. But it was pointless as I knew the biggest threat was in front of me, right behind

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

thought to myself, not needing to encourage them that this was a bad idea any more than

He shook, and I could see the debate on his face as he tried to decide whether to shift. We could see

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

me. I didn't

out again as the faint whisper reached my ears. My guards stiffened, and I knew this time they heard it

"Darkness runs free."

nap on Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. He was saying nothing new, but I didn't

"Darkness runs free.”

looked around, spinning to see Thomas's back to me as he stood protectively behind me, but there was nothing else here with us. The

mean?" I turned once more, prepared to push open

"It's too late."

and goosebumps covered my arms. They had come with me, and now we were all going to face my demons together. Somehow that made it easier than when I had

a dark shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing

hear a stampede of people running toward us, but

of you. Speak! Why is it too late?" I demanded, stepping toward

"Darkness runs free!"

I gritted my teeth as I