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.

my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the physical contact to calm me before reminding myself what was at stake here

mate, and the people needed a strong queen. I wasn't going to hide away, scared of the boogie

I don't like this. The king will not be pleased."

all three acting like a protective barricade. But it was pointless as I knew the

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

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

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

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

to pull them into that realm with me. I didn't want to go at

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

"Darkness runs free."

short nap on Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the

"Darkness runs free.”

was nothing else here with us. The shadow men were absent, and the hallway stayed brightly

does that mean?" I turned once more, prepared to

"It's too late."

were all going to face my demons together. Somehow that made it easier than when I had been alone the day before. "No, it's not too late. I am

Tobias growled loudly as a dark shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing screech that made my hands fly up to cover my

distance, I could hear a stampede of people running toward us, but

late?" I demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my arm free from George's

"Darkness runs free!"

us from all angles, and I gritted