The Beast And The Blessed

Seventy-Five: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

"I'm very curious about you," The strong female voice said from behind me, and I tried not to flinch as I continued to eat my breakfast in the private dining room.

I had learned my lesson the last time I ate alone in the main dining room and didn't want to put myself under that scrutiny after what happened last night. I also wasn't ready to be back in that room quite yet. The nightmares I had without Killian by my side only a few hours ago were horrendous.

He was my heart and soul. Without him there, I was tossing and turning all night. It was amazing that I was ever able to sleep before him.

The short and curly-haired redhead flicked her finger a few millimeters by her thigh, and the chair beside me slid away from the table as she sat down. I had sat in Killian's chair as he was out for work. It felt wrong to leave the head of the table empty for someone to swoop in and claim...like Rona.

I didn't know her yet, but it seemed like something she would do.

A servant quickly brought her a glass of water before going to the kitchen to gather Rona a plate of food.

was left with the snake. "It is healthy to

she scanned me over like she was dissecting me in her mind. ’ When I first heard about you, they said

down and did my best to keep my face void of all emotions. Killian would have

eyed me from the seat to my left, where I would typically sit when Killian was here. I hated that she was in my chair, getting her smell on it. "But now I've experienced for myself that you have magic. There are so many different stories about you

murdered your mother for her seat on the council and that you're here to try

passed by them for me not to give it merit. The second was only reinforced for me when I heard that Rona had been looking for Killian earlier in the day, not realizing that he had left. After the way she had looked at and treated us when she first got here, I knew I

to sink her nails

to play nice, but I didn't know how. Not when she was intentionally antagonizing me. "I will tell you that I feel you growing stronger, so I know I was not mistaken that you have powers. It is fascinating that there were so many rumors about you shifting into the great white

held Rona's gaze even though I could feel my cheeks warm with anger. Everyone knew

catch a piggyback curse. Maybe it would have been useful if you had helped her cast it." Rona's words made me sit

curse was?" Joselin should have been here to talk to Rona about this instead of me, but I

would have known it was a piggyback curse.

as I raised my eyebrows, picking up on her bitter mocking of Killian's nickname for Joselin. I waited silently, expecting her to elaborate, and she did. "It's a dormant curse until needed. Most curses stay active and constantly work to fulfill their purpose. With a piggyback curse, they hold on and don't activate until the caster needs to use it. It is primarily to take control of the host, but I've seen it used in other ways too. The only downside is the longer it stays tied to that vessel, the weaker

circles were under her eyes, and her nose was slightly pink as if she had been crying. Yet she held herself with confidence and purpose as she