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.

words had me holding him tighter, wanting to stop his pain and fight his demons. My chest was growing wet with

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

It will take time for the pain to lessen. The.Jhe feeling of someone ripping your soul open is traumatizing and hurts more than any physical pain ever could.” I felt his fingertips press harder into my back, and I clenched

had been the

and I

Tell him something to look

about what helped me. I had been a tortured soul when I was brought

was hiding in that hollowed log, that little boy popping his head inside and offering me his hand changed my life. He felt and looked like a drop of sun in a dark world. After he pulled me out, I refused to let

I pressed myself into that boy’s side and held on

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

would run it

over time it will be less and less. At first, it may be every night. Then every other night. Until eventually, you only think or dream about it every few weeks or

hard to comfort other

I handed him over on a silver platter. No. He couldn’t know that this had happened because of me and the blood I had taken

though I felt like I had unintentionally betrayed him in the worst possible way, I had

mine. “I could feel her cutting into my flesh and the chains around my

Tobias tied me up, the brief second of fear that

past from my mind, but I would have reacted differently if it hadn’t been over fifteen years since

His voice cracked, n.ove.lx.o and I heard Natalie sniffle behind me.’ How… I can’tJt was so dark in

pulling his face back against me. It wasn’t just because I wanted to comfort him. I also couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t see the despair and the way his

he 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 that part of himself

was here to support him. People didn’t seek me out for comfort, so I had to imagine the he

through.

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

think souls can heal.” His mutter was heartbreaking, and he sniffled.

As if you could pull off these marks as well