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.

lungs collapsed as the pain in my chest knocked the air right out of my lungs. I didn't want to believe that what he was saying was what he

was true. Were

as he laughed darkly, enjoying my pain. "You may wear my mark, but you will always be alone. No one wants you. We are all just stuck with you.

said was true. She did toss me out as a baby, and he didn't choose me. He was stuck with

that was because I would

shut. I was positive he couldn't part them to speak again if he wanted to, and I

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

liquid was filled with shimmering black lines, like small worms swimming through his bloodstream. It was almost mesmerizing, but I moved quickly to Charlie to

of the darkness to return it to its

silent, I stood behind them, not ready to face Killian. She was a more willing participant and allowed me to insert the

But I wasn't there yet. How was I to know if the darkness had been affecting her or if it had been her choice

her as I turned to my mother.' There has to be something you can

shook her head sadly as she continued to observe Joselin's work over her

the other end of the room to prevent the darkness from being able to retake control of Killian and Charlie. While I had just been

else got their hands on my mate's blood. It was bad enough they found a workaround by taking

She responded, sounding distracted. 'There is

my eyes at her, waiting for

I could see the evil glint in his eyes, and I knew I didn't want to hear what he had

as she nodded with satisfaction at whatever Joselin was

and talk to her. I wanted answers, and I wanted

Agatha, who was approaching with two pendants hanging from her