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.

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

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

king will not be pleased." George said as he stepped closer to my other

protective barricade. But it was pointless as I knew the

parts to play in this war. This is mine, and I will not let my people down." No matter

a bad idea any more than they already believed.

could see the debate on his face as he tried to decide

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

I didn't want to go at

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

"Darkness runs free."

him to speak again. Even during my short nap on Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. He was saying nothing

"Darkness runs free.”

back to me as he stood protectively behind me, but there was nothing else here with us. The shadow men were absent, and the hallway stayed brightly lit in

I turned once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room and face my fears. But the man's voice

"It's too late."

me, and now we were all going to face my demons together. Somehow that made it easier than when I had been

before us, letting out a piercing screech that made

could hear a stampede of people running toward

Why is it too late?" I demanded, stepping toward

"Darkness runs free!"

around us from all angles, and I gritted my teeth as I pushed down my terror. "You've already said that! What does it