Chapter 23

Twenty-Three: Natalie Natalie's P.O.V.

Their low talking could be heard as I rounded the corner, and I felt my stomach tie into a knot asKillian and Princess Charlotte stood waiting for me. I was late, and it was not welcomed based onKillian's look of disappointment.

My nerves about meeting his sister somehow managed to surpass my anxiety about meeting theking himself. While I was terrified of him for his well-known history of murder and aggression, thestories of her made her all the more fearsome. When her brother took the throne, she took tomercenary work.

The stories of her slaying dragons, sirens, and banshees were known across the world. She was awarrior.

"Here she is now,” Killian said, but the way his eyes narrowed told me that I would be hearing aboutmy late arrival later. “Natalie, this is my sister, Charlotte.”

The young woman turned to face me, and my jaw dropped at the stunning princess. Her hair was alight. brown that fell into perfectly styled ringlets. The bright green of her eyes made what portraits Ihad seen. of her mother seem dull.

"Please, call me Charlie.” She said as she extended her arm toward me. I moved forward, expecting adainty shake suitable for a member of the royal family. Instead, I was met with a slightly callousedpalm and a firm shake as if we were conducting a business transaction. “I'm really happy Killianfound you! He needs someone to knock some sense into him every now and then.”

Oh, I wanted to knock some sense into him alright. But I would start with the long overdue fight weneeded to have.

“It's lovely to meet you, Your Highness,” I said, curtseying to the princess with respect. When Ilooked up, she was staring at me with her eyebrows together in confusion, and her eyes locked onmy neck.

She hummed in response before looking to her brother with a raised eyebrow, but he shook hishead and gestured toward the table “Ladies,” He said as he pulled out his sister's seat before moving toward mine. I grabbed the back ofmy chair and dragged it away from the table before taking a seat, making sure to tuck it back inbefore he could get a single finger on it. He had never pulled my chair out for me before. Why puton a show for his sister?

The look of amusement Charlie sent me made me blush, but I held my head high as the servantscame forward and placed the first course in front of us. It was not lost on me that the guards hadbeen stationed outside the room for our privacy, and Charlie waited until the servants left beforespeaking.

“So Natalie, I hear you have been impressing the pack with your training. From what I've gatheredyou are a quick study.” Charlie said as she took a large and improper bite of her roll. “I would love totrain with you. while I'm here.”

I reached for my glass of water and took a sip as I swallowed my bite before responding, placing myhands back in my lap. “Thank you, your highness. I have heard the stories of your adventures andwould also love to know more about them.”

Killian continued to stare at me as if I were a side attraction at a circus, but I refused to look his way.He wanted me to act as if I were his mate, but he did not want me to actually fill the position.

“I have plenty to share. From what I understand, my team and I will have new stories before weleave here. Rumor has it that there has been an attack, and we have come to join the guard.” Herdeclaration of wanting to fight against the vampires made me feel relieved, but Killian's headsnapped over with anger.

Charlle raised her palm in his direction and cut him off before he could protest. “No need to arguewith me, brother. We are more than capable of fighting off a few measly bloodsuckers”

Killian opened his *to speak but stopped short as his eyes turned black. I knew someone wascontacting him through their pack link, and I rolled my eyes as I returned back to my food. That wasone good thing about not shifting. I wouldn't need to worry about people interrupting meconstantly.

“I see some things never change,” Charlie muttered, and I could see her annoyance as Killian placedhis fork back down. “I haven't seen you in months, and you can't even spend a dinner with me toreunite without working.”

“Charlie, you know that I missed you, but this is my job. You of all people should understand. Now, ifyou'll excuse me. I will be right back. Something urgent has come up, but it should only take aminute.” He said as he rose to his feet. I did the same out of respect for his title, but Charlie leanedback against her chair as she glared up at him. Killian moved toward the door, stopping behind mefor a quick moment, but I didn't bother to turn around as he whispered, “Be good.”

His quiet warning was easily heard by his sister, and I watched as her interest peaked even further.As soon as the door *behind Killian, I took my seat, aware of the scrutinizing gaze of the princess.“He said he found you weeks ago. Yet, you bare no mark.” She observed, falling silent as theservants entered the room again with the next course. She gestured with her finger for them toplace Killian's food down before swiping one of the fingerling potatoes from his plate as the staffmade their way toward the door.

“That is correct, your highness,” I said as I began to cut into my steak. If Killian wanted me to begood, then I would do my best to abide by his rules "Please, just call me Charlie. We're family now.” She insisted as she took a sip of her wine.

“That doesn't seem appropriate given my position,” I said, placing another bite of my dinner in my*and chewing slowly. No matter how many meals I had in the castle, the quality of the foodmanaged to astonish me each time.

“You are my brother's mate, the next queen. Your position is soon to be above mine.” She said asshe dipped her roll in the juice from her steak. “You have no idea how good this is after living off ofjerky and berries for the past month.”

“I think there has been a miscommunication,” I said as I set my fork down and looked up at theprincess, who was thoroughly enjoying her food.

“Elaborate.” She demanded, but amusement and interest sparkled in her eyes. “Tell me what it isthat I'm missing here.”

I took a deep breath through my nose, pressing my lips together as I debated revealing the truth.But who was I to withhold information from the Princess? She demanded that I explain, and Killianwanted me to “ be good". Refusing a member of the royal family didn’t seem to be following hisorders.

“I am not to be the queen, nor am I your brother's mate. I was chosen by your brother and broughthere. against my will. He has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with me, and if his witch'svision is correct, I will be dead soon, and he will go on to live another day to choose another tobreed with. I would love to get to know you and hear the stories of your adventures, but it will be asyour underling, not as your brother's mate. So, I believe I am correct when I refer to you by yourtitle, Princess Charlotte.” I stated as I looked down at my plate of food, suddenly no longer feelinghungry.

I had thought about it a hundred times, but hearing it out loud when my thoughts weren't beingcontrolled by my heat-induced deliria made the reality of it sink in. For the past few days, I had beengoing back and forth between denial, false acceptance, and anger. But now that I had said thewords, it felt so final. I felt my heart breaking in my chest, and I slouched back in my seat.

Killian pushed the door open at the moment, slowing in his stride as he approached the table to seemy defeat and his sister's anger. “What happened here?”

I didn't bother to stand for him this time. My energy was gone. “I would like to retire for the night. Itwas lovely meeting you, Your Highness.”

“Likewise,” Charlie said as she stood with me, nodding her head in respect. I was taken aback by hergesture but felt my heart warm that maybe she wasn't like her brother. “We will catch up tomorrowand get to know each other.”

I nodded in agreement, knowing it was more of a demand than an invitation. Killian didn't bothertrying to stop me as I left the room.

Tobias was waiting outside, and I bit back my smile as I heard Charlie start to yell before the doorwas fully closed. It seemed I may have an ally here after all.

"What the *is wrong with you, Killian?!"