The Beast And The Blessed

Eighty-Five: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

The tension in the room was so thick that I felt like we were swimming in it. Charlie's glare was locked on me, and I matched it with as much anger as I could muster.

Killian was fuming as he sat behind his desk, staring at us like a father about to scold his daughters instead of my mate, who had saved me from his blood-thirsty sister. I wasn't sure what I had done wrong, but from the curl of disgust on his lips, I had done something.

It might have been because I had thrown his sister through the wall of their mother's bedroom in front of a dozen people. Perhaps it was because I hadn't told him I was planning on returning to where his father had tried to talk to me before I did it. I knew he had been worried about me after yesterday, and he would have said no to me going...which is precisely why I didn't ask for permission.

It was now time to beg for forgiveness.

"Killian," I started before biting my tongue, knowing that the one who spoke first in any argument or negotiation almost always lost.

He lifted his hand as he closed his eyes. If he hadn't been so angry, I would assume he had been in pain from me saying his name. But if he was, he hid it well because hatred was all I could see when he looked at me again. 1

"The fighting stops now. Figure your shit out!" He growled, sitting back in his chair with his hands crossed over his stomach as he looked between Charlie and me. The relaxed stance was a farce, as his knuckles were white from how tightly he held his hands together.

I turned to Charlie, seeing her glare had never left me. "I did not...."

"You may wear my mother's crown, but you had no right to go near her! I expressly ordered for my mother to be left alone!" She yelled, pushing herself up to stand but stopping when Killian gave a feral growl of warning.

"You..." I tried again, gritting my teeth when she yelled over me again.

"You can be executed for harming a royal family member." Her claws extended, and her nails made small popping noises as they punctured the fabric over the arms of the chair.

I flinched at her clear separation of me from her family... so much for being sisters. We were bound by our connection to Killian but nothing more.

as she did the same and growled at her,

at Killian like a pouting child. I shook my head

down at Charlie. "I am the queen here, not you! You

I had children with Killian, our children would become the heirs, and Charlie would

of the witnesses there with me. You're protective of your mother, and I respect that, but you have no right to lash

skin, and I felt victorious as she was forced back against the cushion and was unable to move. "You say you're the princess, so stop

murder the queen is treason. Don't forget your place. If anyone is going to be executed, it will be you. I'll inform you of your

watered, but her mouth stayed shut. I wasn't sure if

was Killian's little sister. He needed her, loved her, and would always protect her. But it was an impactful reminder

expected him to be proud of me for holding my own against Charlie, but

Charlie drop. Why hadn't he reprimanded her for attacking his mate? Perhaps he was satisfied with how I had done it, but the look on his face said otherwise. Only a moment later, the office door slammed shut, and we were left

stranger with the desk between us as I sat down. This time I stayed silent as I waited for him to speak. I had won the first

and I bit my lip as the very same flooded through our mate bond from him. I tried to push to reach

as if he were intentionally holding

ignore it. It came to me for a reason, Killian." I hoped that he felt my confusion in our bond. The way he was staring at me was not that of a mate nor an equal. It made me

His rewording of the same statement suddenly

mad that I could have put myself in danger or that my new abilities allowed me to go

I could hear my blood pumping through my veins. Would

for the rest of the council who were under the same order?" His

that as if you dismissing Charlie didn't undermine me the same way? She is acting like a spoiled brat, and I am sick of it! She hurt you time and time again, and now she attacked me publically. I don't deserve it. Neither one of us do!" I leaned forward in my

agree that she should have some say in what happens to our mother." Killian placed his clasped hands on the

us! Why do you let her get away with it all the time?" I stood, throwing

emotions only seemed to be hardening with each passing word."