The Beast And The Blessed

Fifty-Seven: Joselin

Joselin’s P.O.V.

I left the crystal hanging from the dagger in the ceiling.

Two guards were tasked with the job of watching and writing down every location Cora went to. Once we had all the data, we would have a better chance of figuring out what she was up to. novelxo Once we found her final location, we could attack. But first, we needed to be prepared for whatever trap she was setting.

The thought that she could be going around and capturing innocent witches, draining them to become stronger, came to mind. But she was moving too fast as she popped from place to place. She was going to exhaust herself and her magic quickly.

I sprinted down the halls, Tobias hot on my heels. The guards opened the door to Natalie's study for me before I reached it, and I barreled in.

They had brought up a bed from the infirmary. Flora and one of the other healers hovered over Cyrus, asking him questions. But his eyes were locked on me, and he didn't answer a single one.

The need to drop to my knees and apologize was burning through me. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, but my regret and guilt turned my stomach to stone.

His pale yellow eyes looked dull and lifeless as he ignored the healers. I stepped toward him, his eyes welled with tears, and my hesitant steps turned into a jog as I rushed across the room.

I had never been one to seek physical affection or comfort from others, novelxo and giving it to them was just as out of character. But seeing the familiar anguish and hopelessness in Cyrus's eyes, I couldn't help myself from wrapping my arms around him and holding his head to my chest as he cried.

The room remained silent; even Tobias didn't react to the intimate moment. I think they were all too stunned by my reaction. Even I was a bit taken aback.

Still, seeing the man, the one who had wormed his way into my family and my heart like the little brother I never had, crying broke me.

My fingers combed through his blonde hair as I pulled myself up to sit next to him on his bed, and he gripped my waist. He felt so vulnerable and weak.

For once, it was something that I didn't hold over him like I would anyone else.

Talia had raised me to see weakness as a flaw, something that made people worth less. She was wrong. She had been wrong about everything.

holding him tighter, wanting to stop his pain and fight his demons. novelxo My chest was growing wet with what I could only assume were tears and snot as

back and forth slowly as I felt my eyes well up, and my lips trembled. It took a moment for me to collect myself, to swallow down the emotion that it wasn't my turn to show. Once I was calm, I pressed a firm kiss to his

than any physical pain ever could." I

been the

my head, meeting Tobias's eyes, and I knew he saw my plea

him hope, sweetheart. Tell him something to look forward

as I tried to think about what helped me. I had been a tortured soul when I was brought here. The trauma I experienced shaped me into the fucked up person that I was

offering me his hand changed my life. He

me from all angles, but I pressed myself into that boy's side and held on for dear life. He had felt safe

'It was you. You were what gave me hope and kept me alive. Have some guards collect Blanche and some

for me to wait for a response. I knew Tobias would run it by Killian and then do

it often, but over time it will be less and less. novelxo At first, it may be every night. Then every other night.

hard to comfort other

the time to apologize and tell him it was all my fault? novelxo He asked me to protect him, and I handed him over on a silver platter. No. He couldn't know that this had happened

I felt like I had unintentionally betrayed him in the worst possible way, I had to be the person he could count on

eyes boring into mine. "I could feel her cutting into my flesh and the

would wake up, and for a moment, my bed would feel like stone. The morning Tobias tied me up, the brief second

any thought of my past from my mind, but I would have reacted differently if it hadn't been over fifteen years since that

can still feel it." His voice cracked, n.ove.lx.o and I heard Natalie sniffle

just because I

him could see that today... he had died a little inside. Part of him had

People didn't

survive what he went through. I wasn't the

here, Cyrus," I whispered. My voice sounded coarse, and I cleared my throat. "You aren't alone. When you are ready, we can even call Blanche in. I'm sure she would

heal." His mutter was heartbreaking, and he

if you could pull off these marks