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."

up at her to see

about you? We're sisters now. We have to stick together." Charlie laughed again as

said it before, but the reminder that I had a sister now 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 to get used

into the vampires and witches?" She nodded toward the book, and

at the moment. I'm letting them focus on more important things right now." Tobias snorted from where he stood against the

that yelling and banging was earlier?" I nodded as she laughed, but when I listened closely, she

thought of the carnage I would walk into.Jf I

cushion between us, losing my place and getting to my feet. My guards

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

they might need some time to cool off." Charlie laughed as I felt someone pushing into my mind, using the pack link to alert everyone that someone was

silent, and I narrowed my eyes as Tobias 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

chin lifted as I stared

washed through me when he looked away, submitting

get that time to cool down after all. We have a visitor to greet." I smiled, turning

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

had told me, she went a little mad after what

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

to see what all the fuss was

met 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. It was disappointing that I didn't know how to help him beyond dealing with the

words. She was damn near bouncing on her toes at the prospect. "Do you think she is still

pressed into a line,

from the room I accidentally trapped them in." My mumble made Killian's gaze shoot to me, and I giggled as I saw the genuine

had me moving behind Killian and pushing him out the front door as quickly as possible. I knew they would just follow us, but at least in front of our people,