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.

in my chest knocked the air right out of my

was controlling him and 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 to the

pain. "You may wear my mark, but you will always be alone. No one wants you. We are all just

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 he found me. "Do not infect my daughter with your

that was

his lips were literally sealed shut. I was positive he couldn't part them to speak again if he wanted

adjusted the angle of my hand before I inserted

black lines, like small

return it to its owner's body. Still, we had no idea

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 willing participant and allowed me to insert

I wasn't there yet. How was

I turned to my mother.' There has to be something

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

the darkness from being able to retake control

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

stronger every day." She responded, sounding distracted.

my eyes at her, waiting

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

stronger than others." She responded as she nodded with satisfaction at whatever Joselin was doing and turned to

so sick of the 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 one that had

who was approaching with two pendants