The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 82

Eighty-Two: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

The hot water pounded on my back as I stood in Killian's arms beneath the spray of the shower. I didn't want to talk to him about it. The horrors of that world were too much for any living creature to have to experience.

I could still feel the chill that had settled deep into my bones, and my body trembled despite the heat I was surrounded by.

Killian had given up talking to me, asking me about it, and I couldn't get my thoughts together enough to form a cohesive sentence. Every shadow in the room danced, taunting me as if they were about to come alive and drag me back to that Hell.

My eyes closed as I let my forehead fall against Killian's chest, not bothered by the water the new position caused to run down my face. It was nice to be able to feel it. Anything other than cold and pain was welcomed.

"Your mother is impatient to talk to you," Killian mumbled against my head, pressing a kiss to it before pulling back and trying to look into my eyes as he gently pushed my face up from under my chin. "I think we should go see what she has to say."

I nodded even though I just wanted to curl up in the protective arms of my mate and never let him go. He felt like my lifeline, my tether to this realm. I knew it wasn't reasonable, but a small part of me was saying that if I lost the physical connection to him, I would be sent back to the darkness.

Killian grabbed my hand, seeming to understand my need for contact. No matter how small it was, he always stayed connected to me with a brush of his fingers or arm around me as we dressed.

The private dining room was packed. Including Joselin were the six council members, Charlie and Damien, and my mother filling the table, leaving only the seats for myself and Killian left empty. But there were also twice as many guards standing watch, not only outside the room but inside as well. It was something that had never happened before since I had been here.

Our dinners in this room had always been private. No ears outside the family had been allowed to listen in on our conversations until today.

It seemed getting sucked into an alternate universe changed a lot of things.

The council was oddly calm and civil as they stood, waiting for Killian and me to take our seats. No one said anything as Killian pulled me into his lap instead of pulling my chair out for me.

I couldn't look at them as I leaned against Killian's body. He placed his arm over my legs, using his other arm to hold me tightly to him. My gaze was locked on the wall as the shadows of that realm haunted my mind, taunting me. I felt painfully empty, but it was better than embracing the emotions hiding in the box I had shut them in.

I could hear the table strike up small talk, but I couldn't follow anything they were saying. I was listening for another voice. The voice that had burned itself inside my head. I now knew that once I heard him, I wouldn't have much time left before he dragged me back down. I needed to be ready.

"Natalie."

But the crown, it had been on the queen's bed. That had to have been a sign about her. I knew it was. I just didn't know what it meant.

Had I been right in my assumption that she needed to die? Or had I lost my mind, corrupted by the darkness?

Bound in the blood...

If something was tied to Lillian, did that mean Killian and Charlie could be tainted too? Was it my blood since that was now my crown?

I turned my focus to Killian's breathing and his heartbeat. Focusing on the pure sound of his life force as his hand ran up and down my arm.

"Natalie."

One of the guards shifted their stance, moving weight from one leg to another, and my eyes shot up to him. I had seen him around before, standing closer to Killian's office, but I didn't know who he was. His eyes stayed glued above our heads as he remained alert and aware.

Could he see me still? The last time I was dragged into that realm, the world around me didn't fade to grey until I reached Lillian's room. Was I there now and not aware of it?

"You need to eat something, my love." Killian's voice was low, but as I pulled back, I could see the worry in his eyes. My hand went up to his chest, where I let it sit for several minutes as I focused on the heat coming from his body. I was still here with him.

"Natalie," The voice called out again, and I looked up to see my mother sitting next to my empty chair. Her pale green eyes were locked on me, and she looked deep in thought. "Did you see him? What did he look like, the man?"

I closed my eyes as I cringed back into Killian's chest. I just wanted to forget about it for right now, but they seemed determined to focus on it.