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.

placed his hand on my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the physical contact to

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.

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

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

all three men tense at my command." We both have our parts to play in this war.

needing to encourage them that this was a bad idea any more than they already believed. The air wrapped around us violently, and I

debate on his

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

me. I didn't want to go at all. But

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

"Darkness runs free."

Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. He was saying nothing new,

"Darkness runs free.”

back to me as he stood protectively behind me, but there was nothing else here with

does that mean?" I turned once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room and face my fears. But the

"It's too late."

my arm, but nothing happened. I could still feel the temperature dropping around us, and goosebumps covered my arms. They had come with me, and now we were all going to face my demons together. Somehow that made

shadow figure appeared before us, letting out

people running toward

late?" I demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my

"Darkness runs free!"

us from all angles, and I gritted my teeth as