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

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

my eyes 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.

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 he

that had wanted me here was Joselin, and that was because I would be the person to save her best friend's

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

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

it. The dark 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

over the collected blood, cleansing it of the darkness to return it to its owner's body. Still,

with 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

wide eyes, begging for understanding. But I wasn't there yet. How was

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

sadly as she continued to observe Joselin's work over her shoulder.

on the other end of the room to prevent the darkness from being able to retake control of Killian and Charlie. While

wanted to ensure no one else got their hands on my mate's blood. It was bad

every day." She responded, sounding distracted. 'There is nothing

eyes at her, waiting

back, unable to face me fully. But I could see the evil glint in his eyes, and I knew I didn't want to hear what he

responded as she nodded with satisfaction at whatever Joselin was doing and turned

down and talk to her. I wanted answers, and I wanted to ask if she

who was approaching with