Chapter 71

Seventy-One: Natalie Natalie's P.O.V.

It was a mad dash to get ready. Killian had been planning on meeting them at the door without me,telling them I was still sleeping as the sun hadn't risen yet, but it felt rude to do so when we wereasking for their help.

I slipped on a dress and pulled my hair up into a neat bun before I felt comfortable being seen bysomeone so powerful.

It was hard to keep reminding myself that I was allegedly a descendant of the moon goddess andthat I carried magic too. The book Joselin had given me was frustrating, to say the least. What waseven worse was that Thomas waited several hours, watching me type the book into a translationsoftware and getting confusing results back before he admitted to knowing and being able to readLatin.

He then spent until dinner, reading the book aloud as he translated it for me. The text focused onhow to harness your power source and become one with it so you could bend it to your will.

I felt nothing, and I was almost positive that it was a practical joke Joselin was playing on me. I waseven second- guessing whether I was the one who had tripped her with the book or not. Therehadn't been any other magical incidents as far as I was aware, and a small part of me was hoping tokeep it that way until I could at least master my wolf form.

Truth be told, for a queen, I felt like a hot mess. There was still no way I would feel confident to beon the battlefield with Killian and make it out alive. I wasn't even expecting to last five minutes.

I had to keep reminding myself that I had only been here for a couple months, and had my wolf fora week. When I put it into perspective, it didn't seem so bad. But I did have millions of people of allspecies watching and counting on me. That pressure would drive anyone mad, and I didn't knowhow Killian did it.

He was a force to be reckoned with, but once we were downstairs, even he seemed on edge. Hishand was cold in mine, his body tense as we waited. But we didn't have to wait long.

A single form moved gracefully through the gates, a black cloak trailing across the ground with ahood pulled over her head. She had no bags, no belongings besides the clothes on her back. Wasshe not planning to stay?

I masked my confusion, doing my best to mimic the way that Killian would push down everythingand remain void of feeling. It was either nothing or anger from him. The people could always counton one of the two versions of their king.

The cold morning air made the atmosphere even more ominous as our guest approached, stoppingat the base of the large marble stairs that led to the front of our home.

Matte grey nails were the first thing I noticed. They were at least two inches long and came topoints like claws as she lifted her hands and pulled down her hood to reveal a short, jaw-length bobof curly red hair.

Her blood-red lips and smoky eye makeup had her looking ready for a runway, but I had the feelingthat she was more interested in torturing people than she was posing for them. The way she walkedup each step with her head held high, told me that she had been here countless times before andknew she held power within these walls.

What bothered me the most was that she looked no more than thirty. She had to have been closerto Killian's age than I was. Even though he wore my mark, the way her eyes traveled over him mademy beast rise up within me in anger.

“Rona, thank you for coming. I am sorry to hear about Melinda's passing, but I trust that you will bemore than satisfactory in taking her place.” Killian kept one hand at his side while the other heldmine and his jaw twitched with irritation as she raised her hand toward him. She seemed to beexpecting him to kiss her knuckles as if he were below her.

My eyes widened in fake admiration as I interrupted the moment, not willing to let my mate stop solow as to bow to her even though we did need her help. He was the king, and I had the feelingbefore she left, one of us would need to remind her of that fact.

'Oh, what a beautiful ring,” I said, grabbing her hand and pulling it to be facing me before lettingher hand go. She dropped it to her side and curled her lip at me, her eyes landing on Killian's markon my neck.

'Yes, dear.” She said dismissively, and I narrowed my eyes at her. She turned back to Killian. "It was agreat loss indeed. She will be missed.”

The lack of emotion in her voice led me to believe that she could care less that Melinda, whoevershe was, was gone.

“May I present my mate, Queen Natalie Amery. Natalie, this is Rona Wi I la one of the members ofthe royal council.” Killian said. When his eyes met mine, I could see the fire burning in them. He wasangry at the witch but amused by my antics. That much was clear. I wasn't sure if I was going to bepraised for the way I handled the situation or punished.

Either way, I had the feeling that I would thoroughly enjoy myself, and so would he.

My anger rose as the witch then turned to the servants waiting and snapped at a young man toshow her to her room.

It was something that I had never felt before, but her dismissal of both myself and Killian had meseeing red. I wanted to make her bow to us and choke on the blasted ring that she had tried toshove in Killian's face.

My hands shook.

The witched paused and turned to face me with amusement in her eyes.

"Two powerful witches in one castle, and you still called upon the council,” Rona tsked tauntingly."One would assume that had the proper royal advisor been chosen, they wouldn't need to call forhelp. It is lucky for our people that I was able to make it. Where is she anyway?’

I had the feeling that Joselin was nearby listening in, but I could not see her. Instead, I answered forher, hoping she wouldn't pop in and ruin the moment. "I have her working on more important tasksthan greeting our visitor.”

I wanted her to know that there were more important things and people than her, contrary to theway she carried herself and disrespected her king and queen.

Killian squeezed my hand gently as he nodded in agreement.

'Hm. So be it.” She said snidely as she turned her back on us and began toward the door. Theballoon of anger that she had set in motion snapped inside me, and I felt myself losing my temperas I called out her name.

'Rona!” My voice carried, full of power. She spun around, looking unimpressed. "The proper way togreet your King and Queen is to bow.”

She grunted as her body arched against her will. I glared at her, wishing for a moment that I couldcrumple her body until her perfectly painted face smashed into the ground. Killian pulled gently onmy hand as Rona glared up at me from her forced position, and I waited until she looked downsubmissively before letting the anger inside me dissipate.

She scurried into the foyer, wrinkling her nose at the rune Joselin had burned into the flooringbefore walking right over it and up the stairs, being led by the shaking servant boy.

I waited until the doors closed before I turned to Killian. Joselin appeared behind him with a smileon her face. I knew she had been watching. I could feel her.

"I didn't know I could do that!" I exclaimed, and Killian shook his head, but the corner of his lipstwitched.

“Not even five minutes in, and you have made an enemy of one of the council members. This isgoing to be fun.” Joselin said as she shook her head. “Told you they are bitches."