The Beast And The Blessed

Fifteen: Natalie

Natalie’s p.o.v.

I had never woken up to Killian being in bed with me before. He had always been an early riser. He would come to bed late at night and be gone before I opened my eyes.

This morning was different. Maybe it was because he didn't get any sleep the night before, or maybe it was because he knew I was still mad at him. But as I woke up with my head on his bare chest, his hand started running up and down my spine.

I turned my head, placing my chin against his peck as I looked up at him. He refused to meet my stare and instead, kept his gaze on the ceiling. I smiled with my lips pressed together to save him from my morning breath as I scanned over his features.

The way his eyes and jaw were relaxed made me happy, and my cheek slid across his chest as I turned back and closed my eyes again. I wasn't going to fall back asleep. I just wanted to enjoy this moment of peace before things went back to normal, with him hating my existence and me feeling so alone in the crowded castle.

The silence didn't last long as Joselin's familiar knock sounded through the room. Killian tensed beneath me, and my arm instinctively wrapped a little tighter around his waist. He was the king. If he wanted to stay here with me, he had the power to tell her to go away.

I held my breath as I felt his hand stop moving, and I tried not to vocalize my disappointment as he sat up, forcing me to lift myself off his chest.

Within a minute, he was dressed and out of the room, leaving the door open and Joselin standing in the opening as he brushed by her. He didn't say a single word to me before he left, but it was his actions last night and this morning that made me feel like I was on top of the world. 1

happy," Joselin said as she entered the room and made her way to the closet. ’Did he actually

tossed some workout clothes at me. "In his

think he did."

placed her hands on her hips. 'Seriously? You got him to apologize?" Her head turned as she noticed all the pillows on the floor, and her mouth dropped open with disgust.

back against the mattress. She didn't need to know that we hadn't done anything. Even if we had, it was none of

got out of bed. She wasted no time going back to the hallway to flirt with Tobias,

before picking them up and placing them back in their proper place at the head

an effort. Even if it was as small as just staying in bed with

my ass as we began training, but I felt stronger than before. When he entered the room an hour later, everyone seemed to stop what they were

smiled, lifting my hand and waving at him, but he didn't respond. He had never come down here before, and having him watch me work out made me blush with embarrassment. The way his eyes

a small part of my mind that had me feeling the same way I did the night of my

threw at Joselin, and every dodge, was more fluid than before. Each strike was also harder as I gave every bit of my energy into my sparring session. Each time I glanced up, his eyes were still on me, and I would push myself

later. Right now, I wanted him to see me kick ass. If he could just see for himself that I was already stronger than when

aimed at Joselin's side, taking her down quickly. The small cheer I let out was unintentional. The room went silent, and my arms dropped as I spun around to see if Killian had witnessed my first victory against the witch. My eyes landed on his back as he rushed out of the room, and all of my energy drained

"He couldn't take his eyes off