The Beast And The Blessed

Twenty-Seven: Natalle

Natalie’s P.O.V.

The night was awful.

I didn’t get a wink of sleep, and I was positive that Killian didn’t either. Although with him sleeping in the sitting room, I moved from the uncomfortable armchair to the empty bed so I wouldn’t have to sit up all night.

It made me smile when he came back into the room. Even if we were mad at each other, I felt heard. He had listened to me the last time we fought and even if he didn’t want to sleep next to me, he still came back. He didn’t go sleep somewhere else, and he didn’t stay up working all night. While his legs hung over the end of the couch, and he was clearly uncomfortable, the small gesture made me very happy.

The next morning breakfast was brought to our room, and I was stunned when Killian sat down with me at the small two-person table and began to eat in silence. We had never shared breakfast before, and I felt self-conscious as he watched me eat.

“What is your favorite color?” His question after a long night and morning of silence took me by surprise, and I blinked at him from across the table.

Civility. I had asked him for civility, and he had heard me.

I smiled softly as I realized that he was making an effort. He hadn’t stormed out of the room and slammed the door between us. He slept in our room, stayed to have breakfast together, and now was trying to learn more about me.

“Blue,” I looked away as I felt my cheeks warm. His piercing, hazel eyes were burning into my soul, and my tongue felt like it was tied in a knot as he continued to stare at me.

After I left him high and dry last night, I had expected him to be angry at me. But if he was, he didn’t let it show.

anything, he seemed more at peace

rim of my cup as I took a sip of my orange juice. His eyes. locked onto mine, and

room. There

to think that he favored

to go before any deeper feelings could come to the surface between us. The physical attraction was undeniable, but it was the walls he had up around him that made it so difficult to get to know him or develop feelings for

in his answer. He willingly told me something about himself. Even if

disrupted my thoughts, and my smile fell as I looked over my shoulder at the heavy wooden barrier. I wished I could send them away, but it wasn’t proper nor was it polite. More than

at her. Now that I knew I had been wrong about her

1/3

voice of Killian’s sister shouted as she cracked open the bedroom door slowly as if

hand tightening around his fork as he looked away

safe,” I said trying to

finally started talking to me this morning. It may have only been one

spend the day together before we get ready.” She cheered as she walked forward and grabbed the uneaten English muffin half from Killian’s plate. He let out a growl as she proceeded to help herself to some jam before

feeling torn. If I had to guess, he was enjoying our

to light up when I used his name again. The brief moment of happiness vanished as soon as his little sister looked at him. He pushed his chair back aggressively as his eyes met mine. “It was

at my words, and as he walked past me toward the

I held my breath.

was trying to approach me on his terms. I didn’t want to make any sudden movements and scare

as he reached for me, hovering over my shoulder. His fingers flexed before he curled his hand into a fist and pulled his arm back to his side without

almost ached as I watched him leave. My lips parted as I took in a deep breath wanting to say that I appreciated the effort he had put in this morning, but not