The Beast And The Blessed

Thirty-Four: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

"You’re coming with me," I said as I walked past Tobias in the gym. The large stack of plates dropped loudly as he released the rope he had been pulling. I didn't need to look over my shoulder to know he was following me. I could feel him. His hands shot out, grabbing my waist and pulling my body back against his as we reached the training field outside.

His deep voice echoed through my mind, sending a shiver down my spine.1 You can count on it. Then, after, we can go wherever you want.'

I smirked as I enjoyed his dirty mind. A quick afternoon delight would be welcomed, but I didn't know how much time I had. Natalie would keep

Rona distracted, but the redheaded witch would get suspicious if it were too long. That was the last thing I needed after she caught me with her blood.

"Down, boy,’ I whispered, rubbing my ass against him suggestively. "Work now, reward later.1’

He loosened his hold on me as I began to walk again, his fingers tips slipping off my hips after a few steps.

Tobias had always been a great warrior. He took orders well and never asked questions. It wasn't until we were alone that the roles were reversed, and he gave the orders.

He didn't question my instructions; I knew he could feel my stress and determination to get this over with.

I had spoken to Natalie this morning, and she understood her assignment. She was to keep Rona distracted and have Rona use her magic as much as possible while I was gone. Draining her energy would help me to get past any traps or wards she had placed without her noticing.

'Let's make this quick.' I told him through our mate bond, feeling the light and joking man melt away until he returned to the usual hard and collected warrior. 'I don't want it to be noticed that we are gone if we can help it. Do you need to pack anything or want to change first? We should only be gone a few hours."

I really hoped his answer was no. He looked so sexy in his workout clothes. The way his muscles stretched the fabric and the light layer of sweat on him had me ready to climb him like a tree and lick the salt from his neck.

He shook his head, grabbing my hand, and I didn't waste another second before teleporting us to the closest town's border. I knew where Rona lived; she had taken over her mother's house after she had drained her mother's magic and killed her for her seat on the council.

The air was void of magic, and I had to assume that even if I didn't feel it, she had at least one ward in place to protect her home.

We walked carefully away from the town, out past the edge of the forest, and through the thick trees before her cabin came into view. It was small, quant, and a little evil-looking.

The low layer of fog hiding her yard was out of place for the dry and warm morning. The green vines covering the east wall of her home were thicker than anything I had ever seen, and I imagined that if I got too close, they would strangle me without a second thought.

a deep breath before letting out a growl on exhale. He knew exactly where we were. I was sure that he could

about her screamed that she was vile, and I was ready to celebrate the day she would meet

my pinky finger at my side, a breeze cleared the yard of the fog. As it blew away, the sound of sizzling and trees crackling made my eyes widen. It only took a second before the leaves

her front door. It almost reminded me of the witch's cottage in Hansel and Gretel. I

rise from the grass, filling the area once more. As the breeze blew it back into the trees, I picked up a rock and

trusted people less than I did or hid

to get close enough to get into her house. Tobias looked ready to barrel through the yard and knock down the door, but it wouldn't

stopped when I freed myself with a laugh.

ribs had broken, but that was nothing

and tried to come up in the middle of her living room, I almost suffocated beneath the dirt as her house sat on a thick layer of cement. Going in through the roof was what triggered the vines to knock me

was determined. My stubbornness

to a healer and come up with a new plan to get inside,” Tobias said,

my fist, stuck out to me, and I reached down and picked it up. Tobias narrowed his eyes at me as I smiled widely at him.

as I prepared to teleport back to the castle and smash the rock into the back of her head, the air suddenly felt lighter.

seemed I wouldn't need to

my doing, and it felt like a trap. Why would her magic just

loud laugh that sent a shiver through my body before he took the

I waited. Nothing happened.

out." He took a step forward, then another until he had confidently marched up the pathway to her front door. He twisted the handle roughly, the metal popping as the lock broke, before gesturing for me

after him and over the yard that had

he looks." His deep voice was full of amusement. "One of the guards just reported that Rona had cornered him, and he freaked out, trying to escape her. He accidentally knocked her into the fireplace mantle, and she's out cold." He ducked his head into the house, examining it before pulling back

It was misleadingly small on the outside, but the inside had been crafted by magic and was a massive open space with a hallway to the side where several rooms lined the

led to disappointment. Tobias searched with me, but I could feel his eyes trailing

her study, the

getting my hands on, but nothing to tie her to her mother's death or hint at what she was

be hiding it somewhere." I groaned as I stood, only to stop when I saw Tobias staring at me with his shoulder leaning against the doorframe. A fire in his eyes made my stomach tighten, and I swallowed hard as

to relax to think clearly." He pushed off the door

am thinking clearly." I snapped back as he moved to

you relax." His fingers trailed over my neck, pulling

me wanted him to sink his teeth into my neck, bringing me the most pleasure I had ever felt. But I had priorities. We didn't know how long Rona would be out, and we needed to leave her