The Beast And The Blessed

Seventy-One: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

It was a mad dash to get ready. Killian had been planning on meeting them at the door without me, telling them I was still sleeping as the sun hadn't risen yet, but it felt rude to do so when we were asking for their help.

I slipped on a dress and pulled my hair up into a neat bun before I felt comfortable being seen by someone so powerful.

It was hard to keep reminding myself that I was allegedly a descendant of the moon goddess and that I carried magic too. The book Joselin had given me was frustrating, to say the least. What was even worse was that Thomas waited several hours, watching me type the book into a translation software and getting confusing results back before he admitted to knowing and being able to read Latin.

He then spent until dinner, reading the book aloud as he translated it for me. The text focused on how to harness your power source and become one with it so you could bend it to your will.

I felt nothing, and I was almost positive that it was a practical joke Joselin was playing on me. I was even second- guessing whether I was the one who had tripped her with the book or not. There hadn't been any other magical incidents as far as I was aware, and a small part of me was hoping to keep it that way until I could at least master my wolf form.

Truth be told, for a queen, I felt like a hot mess. There was still no way I would feel confident to be on the battlefield with Killian and make it out alive. I wasn't even expecting to last five minutes.

I had to keep reminding myself that I had only been here for a couple months, and had my wolf for a week. When I put it into perspective, it didn't seem so bad. But I did have millions of people of all species watching and counting on me. That pressure would drive anyone mad, and I didn't know how Killian did it.

He was a force to be reckoned with, but once we were downstairs, even he seemed on edge. His hand was cold in mine, his body tense as we waited. But we didn't have to wait long.

a black cloak trailing across the ground with a hood pulled over her head. She had

push down everything and remain void of feeling. It was either nothing or anger from him. The people could always count

ominous as our guest approached, stopping at the

nails were the first thing I noticed. They were at least two inches long and came to points like claws as she lifted her hands and pulled

smoky eye makeup had her looking ready for a runway, but I had the feeling that she was more interested in torturing people than she was posing for them. The way she walked up each step with her head held high, told me that she had been here countless times before and knew she held power

me the most was that she looked no more than thirty. She had to have been closer to Killian's age than I was. Even though he wore my mark,

about Melinda's passing, but I trust that you will be more than satisfactory in taking her place.” Killian kept one hand at his side while the other held mine and his jaw twitched

even though we did need her help. He was the king, and I had the feeling before she left,

said, grabbing her hand and pulling it to be facing me before letting her hand go. She dropped it to her side and curled her lip

her. She turned back to Killian. "It was a great loss indeed. She will be

believe that she could care less that

la one of the members of the royal council." Killian said. When his eyes met mine, I could see the fire burning in them. He

that I would

waiting and snapped at a young man

both myself and Killian had me seeing red. I wanted to make

My hands shook.

and turned to face