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.

before as I was left with the snake. "It

calculated, and she scanned me over like she was dissecting me in her mind. ’ When I first heard

at her disrespect, but I pushed it down and did my best to keep my

but I have yet to see it for myself to validate that rumor." Rona eyed me from the seat to my left, where I would typically sit when Killian was here.

narrowed as I placed my fork down. "I heard that you murdered your mother for her seat on the council and that you're here to try to win over my mate

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

someone to sink her nails

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 wolf. Most rumors stem from some

we do not have time to dwell on gossip when our people are dying." I held Rona's gaze even though I could feel my cheeks warm with anger. Everyone knew I could shift into a wolf, but only a few knew I had any ties to magic. The fact that she was one of the few who knew about that side

Maybe it would have been useful if you had helped her cast it." Rona's words made me sit up straighter as I eyed

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

witnessed the events of last night would have known it was a piggyback

what it was now.’ Rona rolled her eyes 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

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