The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne

Sixty: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

Killian stood, keeping his chest to my back with his arms around my waist as the priestess approached us from the shadows, having waited patiently for our bonding ceremony before she could lead the coronation.

It was still unreal to me that this was even happening. I had been running away from my abusive pack only a few months ago, ready to live among the humans and hide from the horrors of wolves. Now, I was mated to the strongest shifter of all. More than that, I was in love with him and about to be crowned his queen.

I leaned back further into Killian's embrace as he kissed the side of my neck one last time before taking my hand and moving to stand next to me.

The priestess stood tall in a floor-length black gown. Her blonde hair was pinned back into a neat bun, and she smiled warmly at me before she extended a greeting to our spectators.

Her soft voice was soothing as she dove into prayer. The long-winded blessing was inaudible to me as my heart pounded violently in my chest. Had it not been for Killian's continued hold on one hand, I was positive that I would have been shaking like a leaf in the wind.

It felt like hours that she spoke when, in reality, it had only been a few minutes. Her lips pressed together as she nodded to me slightly, signaling that it was time for me to push aside my nerves and focus.

Killian dropped my hand but remained at my side. The crown on his head caught my attention every so often as he stood tall.

I bit my lip nervously, suddenly regretting having a conversation with the priestess without talking to Killian about it first, but it felt right.

"Natalie Amery," She addressed. From the corner of my eye, I watched as a large, blinding smile stretched across Killian's face. I refused to look at him as I nodded once for her to continue. It had only seemed right when she had talked to me about this part of the ceremony yesterday.

We were mated and now bonded before the Goddess. We may not have been married as human tradition required for taking the last name of a partner. That ritual seemed ridiculous compared to sharing a soul and being chosen by a deity for the other person.

'Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern and lead the creations of the Goddess, according to the respective laws and customs?" The priestess's voice called out louder than during her blessing. I blinked once while lifting my chin, aware of the thousands of people watching me.

"I solemnly promise so to do.”

My voice didn't sound like my own. It was strong and confident. Two things that I had never felt further away from than at that moment.

"Will you, to your power, cause Law and Justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?" My smile stretched at her second question.

Mercy.

It was a standard question, but I felt like my mother was with us... that my parents were watching over me in this momentous moment and were proud of the woman I had become. Even if they weren't, it made me feel strong.

Twill."

"Will you, to the utmost of your power, maintain the Laws of the Goddess? Will you, to the utmost of your power, put your people above all?" The priestess spoke slowly, calmly, and I answered faster than I should have in excitement that the ceremony was almost over.

"I promise to do so.’

I tried to hide my flinch as she lifted the dagger from the altar, handing it to Killian with a respectful lowering of her head.

"With this offering, I share with you as my mate and queen, my strength and power." Killian slid the dagger over the meaty part of his palm, slicing the skin open and holding it over the chalice in the hands of the priestess.

Killian pulled a rag from his pocket, pressing it down on his cut for a moment before tucking the blood-soaked fabric back away, the cut now healed

My eyes dropped down to the golden cup filled with an inch of crimson liquid. I swallowed hard as I tried to push back the disgust, knowing that I would be drinking it.

The people wanted a strong leader, and I had to prove that I could give them what they needed. They didn't want or need a weak woman who lost her stomach in the middle of her coronation, especially since it was a huge honor to be given Killian's blood.

I had been expecting the cup to be warm. But only the liquid inside was as I lifted the cold chalice to my lips and let the hot liquid dance over my tongue.

My stomach lurched as it rejected the copper-tasting drink, but I closed my eyes and forced it down. Killian smiled proudly as I resisted the urge to grimace, handing the priestess back the now-empty chalice. My tongue darted out to lick my lips. The air hitting my tongue made the blood in my mouth taste sweeter than it had when I was drinking it.

I could feel it working its way through my system like a drug. The longer it sat in my stomach, the stronger I felt, the more I could see, and the louder the arena became. I tilted my head to the side slightly as the glorious sound of my mate's heartbeat reached my ears, soothing me.

A large black box sat on the right side of the table, and the priestess lifted the lid. The gold crown was covered in diamonds and gems, catching the light as she turned to me and raised it high.

"I present to you, Her Majesty Queen Natalie Alexandria Amery!" She called out as I let one leg fall back and lowered myself for her to place the crown atop my head.

It was heavier than I had been expecting, and I wasn't sure if it was the item itself or the weight and responsibilities that came with it. But I didn't have time to decide which as the audience rose to their feet, the lights turning on to show all of the unfamiliar faces. Straight ahead on a private platform, Charlie sat on a throne, smiling widely as she also stood.

One by one, they all bowed, lowering themselves and dropping their heads. My chest felt warm, and tears lined my eyes as I watched the scene.

Charlie sent a wink before dropping down into the most elegant and perfect curtsey that I had ever seen.

The priestess stepped back and lowered as well, and I turned to Killian, wanting to share this moment with him. But my breath caught in my chest as he took my hand, lowering to a bow and pressing his lips to the back of my hand.

A tear fell down my cheek as an uncontrollable laugh of joy left me. It was the only sound in the stadium, and the arena felt abnormally silent as I stopped suddenly. A stabbing pain formed in my chest, and my hand pulled free from Killian's as I grabbed at my torso.

"Natalie?" Killian asked softly. But my vision blurred, and I dropped to my knee, letting out a cry of terror and agony as my skin began to burn and my body shook.

The lights in the arena went out, but I could still see Killian under the moonlight with the help of his blood still in my stomach. Horror was etched into his face as he dropped down next to me, grabbing my cheeks and telling me to breathe.

The audience was loud and frenzied. Several Lycans swarmed the arena, stomping on the beautiful flowers as they created a protective wall around Killian and me. I could hearthem yelling and shouting for everyone to remain seated and for no one to move. But I couldn't focus on anything other than the feeling of my body being destroyed from the inside out.

This wasn't right. This wasn't part of the plan.

“Talk to me, baby," Killian whispered as I threw my head back, a sob tearing through my body as the burning became more intense. My nails scratched at my breastbone, cutting into the skin as I dug for the source of the pain, willing to do anything to make it stop.

I had never been more sure of anything in the world, but I knew without a doubt that I was going to die as I met Killian's stare with wide eyes and coughed as my mouth filled with blood.