The Beast And The Blessed

Twenty-Three: Natalie

Natalie’s P.O.V.

Their low talking could be heard as I rounded the corner, and I felt my stomach tie into a knot as Killian and Princess Charlotte stood waiting for me. I was late, and it was not welcomed based on Killian’s look of disappointment.

My nerves about meeting his sister somehow managed to surpass my anxiety about meeting the king himself. While I was terrified of him for his well-known history of murder and aggression, the stories of her made her all the more fearsome. When her brother took the throne, she took to mercenary work.

The stories of her slaying dragons, sirens, and banshees were known across the world. She was a warrior.

“Here she is now,” Killian said, but the way his eyes narrowed told me that I would be hearing about my late arrival later. “Natalie, this is my sister, Charlotte.”

The young woman turned to face me, and my jaw dropped at the stunning princess. Her hair was a light. brown that fell into perfectly styled ringlets. The bright green of her eyes made what portraits I had seen. of her mother seem dull.

“Please, call me Charlie.” She said as she extended her arm toward me. I moved forward, expecting a dainty shake suitable for a member of the royal family. Instead, I was met with a slightly calloused palm and a firm shake as if we were conducting a business transaction. “I’m really happy Killian found you! He needs someone to knock some sense into him every now and then.”

Oh, I wanted to knock some sense into him alright. But I would start with the long overdue fight we needed to have.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Your Highness,” I said, curtseying to the princess with respect. When I looked up, she was staring at me with her eyebrows together in confusion, and her eyes locked on my neck.

brother with a raised eyebrow, but he

table before taking a seat, making sure to tuck it back

forward and placed the first course in front of us. It was not lost on me that the guards had been stationed outside the room for our

you are a quick study.” Charlie said as she took a large and improper bite of her roll. “I would love to train with you. while

bite before responding, placing my hands back in my lap. “Thank you, your highness.

me as if I were a side attraction at a circus, but I refused to look his way. He wanted me to act as if I were his mate, but he did not want

From what I understand, my team and I will have new stories before we leave here. Rumor has it that there has been an attack, and we have come to join the guard.” Her declaration of wanting to fight

and cut him off before he could protest. “No need to argue with me, brother. We are more than

pack link, and I rolled my eyes as I returned back to my food. That was one good thing about not shifting. I

fork back down. “I haven’t seen you in months, and you can’t even spend

you know that I missed you, but this is my job. You of all people should understand. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I will be right back. Something urgent has come up, but it should only take a minute.” He said as he rose to his feet. I did the same out of respect for his title, but Charlie leaned back against her chair as she glared up at him. Killian moved toward

I watched as her interest peaked even further. As soon as the door

servants entered the room again with the next course. She gestured with her finger for them to place Killian’s food down before swiping one of the fingerling potatoes from his plate as the staff made their

highness,” I said as I began to cut into my steak. If Killian wanted me to be good, then I would do my best to abide by

me Charlie. We’re family now.” She insisted as she took a sip of her

seem appropriate given my position,” I said, placing another bite of my dinner in my *and chewing slowly. No

Your position is soon to be above mine.” She said as she dipped her roll in the juice from her steak. “You have no idea