The Beast And The Blessed

Forty-Eight: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

My sports bra and legging were typically my go-to workout clothes, but with Tobias being sent out to assist with border patrol, it felt wrong to work out with so much skin showing. Before, it was a tactic to get his attention. I wanted his eyes on me and hands on me.

Without him here, it almost felt dirty being so exposed.

Instead, I pulled on my usual clothes and grabbed one of his t-shirts, tying a knot in the side to keep it covering my stomach but out of the way while I worked out. It felt so intimate, and it made me fucking proud.

I wore his mark on my neck, but wearing his shirt around all the other warriors was empowering. I adored the feeling of openly showing that he was mine and that he had claimed me.

After waking up this morning stiff and drained of the energy I had yet to use, I made it my goal to stay fit. I hoped to keep my body strong enough to fight off the curse for as long as possible. I didn't need my magic and my body breaking down on me before Rona returned.

Nothing felt different about my physical ability beyond the lightheadedness and stiffness. I could still push, pull, press, and curl my normal weight, but I had to reduce my reps to take breaks sooner than I usually liked to.

If I didn't, I felt like the lights would turn off in my head, and I would go down. Passing out twice in one week would not have been a good look for me as the Royal Advisor and the Head of the council. I refused to do it. Mind over matter.

Rona could kiss my ass. I had debated talking to Tobias and getting his opinion on me gutting Rona without evidence or a trial. If I cut her down as soon as she stepped back into the city and was sent to live the rest of my life in the dungeon, would he forgive me and still love me? Would he support my choice, or would he demand that I not do it so that he can keep me to himself longer?

If the roles were reversed, I would tell him not to do it. I was aware of that. It was a stupid idea, but I was bloodthirsty.

I wanted her dead so that I could live. So my mind was playing the game of 'How many ways can I murder Rona, and how to get away with it?'

My eyes kept roaming across the gym, expecting to find Tobias training, even though I knew he was miles away at the border. He had volunteered to help out, getting bored without a fixed assignment. Being on call for the queen to leave the castle was bothering him. While before, he just stood outside the room that Natalie was in for hours at a time; he was still doing something. He still felt needed and helpful. Lately, he didn't.

I wanted him to be happy and to see that sinful smile across his lips.

even the tiniest glimpse of him as he sparred, but I needed to get used to him being away and busy again like he was before we mated.

had downtime and I was

was addicted to the

remained bent over, hands on the ground and stretching my hamstrings. They were tight from the weights, and I wanted to loosen them

My mind was jumbled, my magic felt like it was failing, and my body threatened to

over her shoulder as she bent down and sat on the mat beside me. She wasn't dressed to work out, and it disappointed me as I missed training with her. Not

her physical training...unless her activity with Killian counted. If so, she was

under a microscope. For a moment, I debated covering my body with my hands under

jump him, and everything will return to normal." I smirked, sending her a wink. It had been meant to lighten the mood, but

of her, her palms resting on the ground as she leaned back and tilted her head to the side. Her jeans and light pink blouse screamed business casual, so it was clearly not her plan to come to the

last night." Natalie crossed her ankles, and I spread my legs, moving to hold my chest

bothering to stretch the other side. My arms swung at my sides for a

hoping she didn't notice the slight wobble as I regained my balance. I glanced up at the treadmills. Maybe I should call it

and I licked my lips, nervously anticipating her reason for stopping by. "When you finish your workout, can

forced smile falling. "We can just go now. I was finishing

together long enough for her to know how strongly I believed in

cramp while

meandering nearby, dressed in casual wear, but I knew he took his job just as seriously as Tobias did.

he scanned me over when I walked past him. His body was tense and coiled like he was ready to

didn't react to my tone. He never

feel different. Your power... I don't like it." He walked closely behind me and Natalie as we made our way to her study. She opened the door and turned with a crinkle between her eyebrows when she saw Thomas trying

a threat to her!" I snapped, spinning around and pinning him with my glare...possibly my smell, too, from sweating so much in the gym. "But if you don't back off, I will

and smiling at Thomas," Thank you, Thomas. We will be fine. I promise. I will call

reluctant at first but eventually turned and placed his back against the opposite wall, giving him a clear path if

over to the couch. Slumping down