The Beast And The Blessed

Forty-Six: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

I hadn't decided what from my study I wanted to bring to Tobias's house... well, it was our house now, according to him. He had a contractor drawing up plans to build an extension on the place to be my study, and until then, I decided it would be best to keep everything from my study in the castle.

Even once I moved fully into the house, I would still have most of my study here. It was my job. Having everything at home wouldn't make sense when I still had to come to the castle daily for work and meetings.

Meetings like this one that made me want to pull my hair out.

Four women joined me in the conference room, Aurora somehow managing to keep a conversation going with Aisha and Margot. It was a miracle that no blood had been drawn, or threats had been issued yet.

Cora was absentmindedly rubbing at her leg where her stump sat in her prosthetic, looking lost in thought.

Natalie was currently babysitting Cyrus, and he wasn't happy about it. He liked her well enough, but being taken away from Blanche had him pouting like a baby. Every time I saw him now, they were together, and I was positive that no houses had been sold over the past few days.

"But if you really think about it,' Margot stated, "There is no reason why you couldn't tame a sprite to be a pet instead."

The table fell silent, and I tilted my head to the side as I stared at her. Something in her brain had to be misfiring.

"Maybe because they are conscious creatures that can think, talk, and sustain life on their own. They aren't domesticated, Margot! You can make friends with a sprite; you don't need to capture them and force them to live with you as some pet that you have to feed, water, and wash. Goodness!" Aisha snarled, not liking Margot's idea of holding a sprite prisoner.

Margot ground her teeth, glaring at Aisha, "You're right! Maybe I'll domesticate a siren. I bet you would love it if I had one of those at my beck and call!"

Aisha shoved her chair backward, rising to her feet as she placed her palms on the table. Ever since Margot had dangled Aisha over the Cliffside of a siren cove for a few days, she had been a bit sensitive to the topic of that creature. "Do it, and I'll sneak into your room and release it one night so it can eat you!"

"Ladies," Aurora said calmly with an amused smile. "It's simple; the answer here is a troll. They have basic survival instincts, rely on brute force, cannot communicate well, and don't clean themselves. If any creature should be domesticated, it should be a troll."

Both women turned to look at her as she remained calm, sipping her glass of water. Her lack of acknowledgment of their spat didn't bother them, but Aisha sat back down as she pondered Aurora's words.

"I'm surprised to see you at a council meeting," Cora said calmly, giving Aurora a soft smile. She looked tired. So very tired.

The dark circles under her eyes and the strand of silver hair that appeared to be thickening by the minute were concerning. She didn't look healthy by any means.

you are here today to have the option

eyebrows shot up to her hairline. "A vote, with

for this. Aisha was a troublemaker who loved to stir the pot, but she had never been disloyal to the crown. She was just the bitch

thing we needed were three empty seats once Rona was dealt with, and if she had been here to object to this, she would have. She would do everything she could to keep

have been good for her to be here so I could see if she influenced how anyone else reacted to the matter. Maybe that would have given me insight as to who she was controlling. Maybe it was Cora, or perhaps, she had gone with the silent but deadly

good to know that meant I had plenty of time to figure this out. Cora had been without her leg for a few years, so either Rona's spell to drain her of her magic was a lot slower than we

My decision has been made, but I am offering the opportunity for

I move to bring the Descendant into the council as an extra seat, a seat

was in the ear of the queen more than any of us at this point, and as she carried the blood of the Goddess, to be in

surprise, and I hid my suspicion at her tone and the implication that

I asked her to join us to confirm her consent. With it, we will proceed." I nodded once, turning to look at the fair-skinned woman. Her long ebony

nodded, "I confirm my consent, interest, and

laced my finger together and sat back in my chair. "Aurora, thank you for your time. You are free to step out during the discussion, and I will come to find

nodded with a proud smile as she stood and left the room. It was a look I had been dreaming about getting from my

shut behind her, Aisha and Margot began to bicker over each other, their pointer fingers pressing into the table to emphasize their point. Margot was the first to vocalize that she was on board, which made Aisha immediately

would make it an even vote for everything! Eight

be here anyway! She's the mother to the queen. Do you really think her not being on the

Margot shrugged, but I ignored them, knowing they would continue to argue just for the

join the council

her, knowing Cora resisted anything

of everything

more, Aisha slumped back in her chair and a resigned sigh

feet. "Alright. It is set. I will let Aurora know. Don't forget to have your pledges ready for the other two seats. Once Rona gets back with hers, we will give them a few weeks to make their case and prove

behind me as I made my way to the door without turning back. I was

so I walked in, closing it behind me. Aurora was sitting on a chair next to Henry, their hands linked together between them as

sprawled out on the floor in a starfish dramatically while Cyrus kicked at the bottom of his feet. Goodness, he acted like an annoying little brother to everyone. I half expected him to throw out a

but their toes pointed in

Goddess! Do you know how depressing this guy is?" He nudged Holden's foot