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.

gates, a black cloak trailing across the ground with a hood pulled over her head.

best to mimic the way that Killian would push down everything and remain void of feeling.

guest approached, stopping at the base of the large marble

to points like claws as she lifted her hands and pulled down her hood to reveal a short, jaw-length bob of curly red

she was more interested in torturing people than she was posing for them. The way she walked up each step with her head held

closer to Killian's age than I was. Even though he

but I trust that you will be more than satisfactory in taking her place.” Killian kept one hand at his side while the other

willing to let my mate stop so low as to bow to her even though we did need her help. He was the king, and I had the feeling before she left, one of us would need to

to be facing me before letting her hand go. She dropped

dismissively, and I narrowed my eyes at her. She turned back to Killian. "It was

of emotion in her voice led me to believe that she could care less that Melinda, whoever she

I could see the fire burning in

had the feeling that I would thoroughly enjoy myself, and

the witch then turned to the servants waiting and snapped at a young man

and Killian had me seeing red. I wanted to make her bow to us and choke on the blasted ring that she had tried to

My hands shook.

turned to face