The Blessed And The Beast

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. 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,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.

growing wet with what

collect myself, to swallow down the emotion that it wasn’t my

and hurts more than any physical pain ever could.” I felt his fingertips press harder into my back, and I clenched my teeth together as

the wrong thing

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

hope, sweetheart. Tell him something to look forward

on Cyrus’s head 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

life. He felt and looked like a drop of sun in a dark world. After he

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

you. You were what gave me hope and kept me alive. Have some guards collect Blanche and some of her belongings.

knew Tobias would run it by Killian and then do as I requested immediately. He trusted and loved

less. At first, it may be every night. Then every other night. Until eventually, you

It was so hard

and tell him it was all my fault? He asked me to protect him, and I handed him over on a silver platter. No. He

he trusted, and even though I felt like I had unintentionally betrayed him in

mine. “I could feel

that feeling. It was horrible. There were times that I would wake up, and for a moment, my bed would feel like stone. The morning Tobias tied me up, the

differently if it hadn’t been over fifteen

can still feel it.” His voice cracked, n.ove.lx.o and I heard Natalie sniffle behind me.’ How… I can’tJt

made it. You’re going to be okay.” I whispered, pulling his face back against me. It wasn’t just because I

had died a little inside. Part of him had been stolen, and he would spend a long time trying to figure out how to get

him. People didn’t seek me out for comfort,

he went through. I wasn’t the

have people 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 love to see you. Having people around you who care is the only

heal.” His mutter was heartbreaking, and he sniffled.

you could pull off these marks