The Beast And The Blessed

Eighty-Eight: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

I didn't trust anyone with Killian or Charlie's blood; everyone in the room seemed to understand that. The healers had also come down but were sitting off to the side after caring for the king's and princess's battle wounds, waiting in case we needed them further.

My hands were shaking as one of the healers, Flora, talked me through inserting the needle into Killian's arm. She could have done it, but the fewer people handling his blood, the better for my peace of mind, and I knew he would feel the same way.

They had said the vein in the neck would be best, but getting a good stick there was impossible with him moving and snapping at me.

He was enjoying my fear.

The back and forth of warmth toward me had died, and there was nothing but malice on his face. The darkness had taken over, leaving me with a man I didn't recognize.

"So weak. I don't know why the Goddess picked you for me. You are a disgrace to the crown." His voice was deeper, his eyes darker. I had expected to see the pure black orbs that would have mirrored Heath's before his death, but the hazel coloring I loved was still there. My teeth clenched together as his words hit me harder than I had anticipated.

"Hold his arm still," Flora said firmly to the guards assisting in restraining Killian.

He was strapped down to bolts in the floor, but there was only so much the chains could do to keep him from moving while I tried to get the needle in his vein, so we had to ask them for help. I was so distracted by the venom he kept spitting at me with every word that I couldn't focus my magic long enough to restrain him myself.

I was still working on using it on command and not just as an emotional reaction.

"You're nothing but a whore. I should have known by the disgusting scars on your back that you weren't worth my time. You weren't even pure when you came to me, begging me to fuck you. You were tainted." His lip was curled in disgust and turned into a snarl as I aggressively shoved the needle into his arm, missing the vein.

as the pain in my chest knocked the air right out of my lungs. I didn't want to believe

spouting the insults, but I had to wonder how much of it was true. Were these thoughts already in his head about me and were just being brought

alone. No one wants you. We are all just stuck with

voice filled the room from the doorway, and I refused to look up as she entered the room. What he said was true. She did toss me out as a baby, and he didn't choose me. He was stuck with me. He hadn't wanted a mate and made that abundantly clear when

that was because I would be the person to save her best friend's

feel more relaxed as his lips were literally sealed shut. I was positive he couldn't part them

Flora adjusted the angle of my hand before I inserted it into his skin, watching as the tube began

dark liquid was filled with shimmering black lines, like small worms swimming through his bloodstream. It was almost

to return it to its

Charlie, who hadn't been entirely consumed by the darkness yet and was sitting stunned and silent, I stood behind them, not ready to face Killian. She was a more

begging for understanding. But I wasn't there yet. How

I snapped at her as I turned to my mother.' There has to be something you can do," I said,

head sadly as she continued to observe Joselin's work over her shoulder. Joselin didn't seem happy about it, but she said

other council members were working on enchanting a few items on the other end of the room to prevent the darkness from being able to retake control of Killian

on my mate's blood. It was bad enough they found a workaround

growing stronger every day." She responded, sounding distracted.

eyes at her, waiting

in his eyes, and I knew I didn't want to hear what he had to say about me and what I

all-powerful, my dear, just stronger than others." She responded as she nodded with satisfaction at whatever

vague answers, but my mate came first, and as soon as he was better, I would sit her down and talk to her. I wanted answers, and I wanted to ask if she could help with my training. The biggest

was approaching with two pendants hanging from her