The Beast And The Blessed

Seventy-Nine: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

"You were right." Charlie's voice carried through the empty library, making me tense as she approached me.

I had moved on to a new book, one I could actually read myself, which Thomas was happy about. I had been studying how to enchant items and was almost ready to try it after I reviewed it a few more times.

My legs were curled beneath me, with a blanket thrown over my lap. So far, only two council members seemed amused by me, but the rest wanted to kill me.

I had accidentally locked them in a room together this morning so they could work out their differences. The only problem was that I couldn't get in to talk to them about the war, and they either hadn't found a way out yet or were all dead.

My magic grew stronger by the day, and I still had no control over it. I had discovered that I could do some powerful spells, but they happened on their own, and I hadn't figured out how to undo them yet. I figured starting with something small, something I could focus on would help me master my craft.

If not, I would just have to find a way to get food to the room of angry women before they died. I doubted they were doing anything with the candles, crystals, and maps I had left in there for them.

Charlie's voice made me freeze, and I ripped my eyes away from the page I was on to look up at her. I promised Killian I would make things right, but I wasn't sure how to do that when I firmly believed in what I had said when we argued.

"Just hear me out." She pleaded as she moved to sit on the couch next to me with one leg pulled up as she faced me. I turned to give her my undivided attention, closing my book on my finger and holding it on my thigh. "I have only been thinking about myself and have a lot to make up for with Killian. But I still need to put myself first. He is killing himself, putting his people and kingdom before himself, and it had almost cost him his mate and his happiness.

"If I hadn't left, I never would have found Damien. Now that I have him, if I could go back and do it again, I would. I would still go because now I'm not alone. Killian is happy because he has you. But before you, he was miserable. I was miserable without Damien. But I can do better to be there for Killian. I will do better."

My empty hand rested on hers on her lap as I squeezed her hand before pulling back. "I understand where you are coming from, and I am sorry for how I went about that conversation. It wasn't right. I was just so angry that you were talking about me to Lindsey and those other women. They have made it clear that they do not like nor respect me, and it hurt when I saw you all looking and laughing at me."

I looked down, mentally kicking myself for acting like a child instead of a leader. It was embarrassing to admit to her that I felt betrayed. She was one of my only friends here, and not being able to trust her was heartbreaking.

"That's why you were so mad at me?" Charlie laughed, leaning back against the armrest of the couch. "We weren’t laughing at you! We were laughing at Killian. I told them I thought my brother had no chance of winning any arguments against you because of how strong you are now."

warmed as I glanced back up at her to

really think I would talk bad about you? We're sisters now. We have to stick together." Charlie laughed again as she looked down at the

and that this was how our relationship was supposed to be shocked my system. It was so different than growing up with Haylee. It was something I would have

council helping teach you when they aren't looking into the vampires and witches?" She nodded toward the book, and I sighed

focus on more important things right now." Tobias snorted from where he stood against the wall at the entrance to the library, and I

yelling and banging was earlier?" I nodded as she laughed, but

the thought of the carnage I would

on the cushion between us, losing my place and getting to my feet. My guards and an amused Charlie followed my slow jog down the hall and to the conference room. "Are you guys still alive in

the yelling started again, but this time was joined by solid objects slamming against the

pushing into my

gestured from me toward the hallway with his head, wanting me to lock myself back in my bedroom. But I had trained far too hard to

chin

he looked

cool down after all. We have a visitor to greet." I smiled, turning on my heels and walking away as the witches grew

member replaced any fear I had. Since they had been invited, I heard countless people discussing a witch named Talia. She

what Killian had told me, she went a little

love her. They talked about her like she was the greatest thing to join this world since magic. Multiple times I had heard people talk about how betrayed she had felt being replaced by Joselin when Killian had taken the throne. They all agreed that she was the only one who could keep the council from killing each other

was finally my turn to see what all the fuss

me at the top of the stairs on his way to meet our guest. He greeted Charlie with a nod and me with a chaste kiss on the lips. I could see how stressed he was now that he was stuck playing catch up from his time away from the castle.

excitement laced in her words. She was damn near bouncing on her toes at the prospect. "Do you think she

uncertainty with his lips pressed into a line, and his eyebrows pulled together. "We

release the council from the room I accidentally trapped them in." My mumble made Killian's gaze shoot to me, and I

me moving behind Killian and pushing him out the front door as quickly as possible. I knew they would just follow