The Blessed And The Beast

Sixty-Two: Joselin

Joselin’s P.O.V.

It had been the longest day of my life.

I had tried to build a wind barrier down the center of the room to prevent Blanche’s voice from reaching me, but a sharp jab from Cyrus’s elbow made me drop it. Tobias slammed the spell caster into the wall, and Aurora had to separate them because I was too shocked to do anything but watch.

It was officially the most turned-on I had ever been, seeing him acting so protective and possessive over me. He was like my personal bodyguard, and I had quite a few fantasies I could make into reality.

I would have jumped him during our lunch break if we didn’t have an audience in the room. But everyone had their food brought to us and stayed to continue working. Killian was the only one not present, and that was because he had a to-do list longer than the hallway.

Charlie and Damien were in his office, helping him, and I hoped they were catching up and bonding. That relationship needed a little extra focus, but it was their business. I had said my peace with Charlie already.

Aisha and Margot acted very civilly, and I think it was because their hatred for Blanche was strong enough to give them a common enemy. It made me feel good to know they didn’t hate me as much as I thought they did. Or at least, they didn’t hate me as much as they hated Blanche, and that was something.

The girl had rattled on about everything from her morning before she joined us at breakfast to every fun and historical fact she could think of for each location Cora was popping around to. It made sense now why she stayed in the city and worked in real estate. The woman was book-smart, and I suspected that she had a photographic memory with how she was reciting information like an encyclopedia.

“This was where the war of 2042 started. I read that they had lost over fifty­thousand humans in this first battle. It really is a shame that they couldn’t get their act together and be a united front. They just had to let their government get in their heads and turn them against each other. If I were there…” Blanche rattled on, and I rubbed my fingers in small circles on my temple.

She was annoying as hell but also very helpful. Every place Cora had gone to had one type of historical event or another happen there. It was the only connection we had found so far. But even the kind of events didn’t align. Some had mass deaths; others didn’t have a single one.

But a quick search found that there was always something document worthy in the history books or online.

behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. They overlapped, his palms flat on my sides as his thumb rubbed in soothing circles. I could feel his heartbeat against my back, and I leaned into him

it. There was no way the mark would have stayed if you weren’t mates. Witches have never been able to mark another species before.” Blanche said, her eyebrows raised as she stared at us

mates.” I snapped. I may have been his chosen mate, but we were mates nonetheless, and my short temper with her today

I remember you showing up here with me. I was so excited there would be another girl in our age group for training, but then they said you were a witch and had to train with Talia.

up a few times. But he was a good man, and even though he was hurting and on the verge of

have difficulty finding fated mates they have for decades, but maybe it’s because their mates aren’t always the same species?” Aurora offered as she winked encouragingly at

had a mate before me. If she did, she probably wouldn’t

ceremony,

just haven’t realized it because other species don’t feel the bond.” Aurora raised her eyebrows at me in a knowing glance that had my hands over

own kind. Even after he left me and began a life with her, that pull to him never went away. My love for him never lessened. Having him with me again only confirms that while I may not have been his match as a

placing a kiss on my mark before resting his cheek

blood, and terrified, I hadn’t gone a single day without thinking of him. I have

prospect. I knew it wasn’t

mark my fate, mate? Was that the sign I needed that our mate bond had

think that could be true?’ I asked Tobias through our mate link, and he adjusted his hold on my

found you first. You were always mine.’ Tobias nuzzled his nose against the side of my head, and I

because of her death but because even when he had found her, he couldn’t find it in him

as strong as the pull to their unmarked, fated mate. It was one of the reasons

I have ever heard. When I fall in love, I want my man to have a bonding ceremony with me. Can you imagine how romantic it would be? Under the full moon, just