The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 102

One Hundred Two: Killian

Killian's P.O.V.

Natalie smiled brightly as we walked down the hallway hand in hand. I had yet to determine if she had ever explored this part of the castle before, but it would soon become her favorite place.

I glanced down at my beautiful mate. My lips pulled into a prideful smile as she walked gracefully, covered in my scent. Never had I imagined that I would be able to feel this level of happiness.

Before her, it was just anger, frustration, and stress. My life was hollow. I kept going because there was always something that I was needed for. Something for me to do, but nothing I enjoyed.

I had a kingdom of people depending on me to keep their lifestyle, safety, and future up to their expectations.

Now I had Natalie depending on me too, and somehow that additional pressure only encouraged me to work harder to give her the life that she deserved, that our kids deserved. This surprise was the first step in providing her what she needed for her mental well-being.

The large white doors were decorated with a golden accent of swirls and markings. Only someone who knew what to look for would see the incantations in the wood. Joselin had worked miracles, and I had complete faith in the result.

"Where are we going?” Natalie asked, tugging on my hand lightly as I stopped walking. She turned to face me, with excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

"I thought we could eat lunch together in your study,’ I whispered. Her eyes widened adorably, and her lips parted so beautifully it felt like they were pulling me in. I stole a quick kiss, pulling back before she could compose herself, and watched as she looked over my face before turning to the doors to our right.

"My own study?" Her soft words of disbelief made me smile, and she lifted her fingertips, dragging them across the golden design. She had voiced her admiration for the detailed work countless times since arriving here, and I had ensured the beautiful artistry was one of the main requirements for her room.

"Yes. I was speaking to Joselin before... well, she had agreed that you needed a place of your own to practice freely instead of using the library. She worked hard to complete this for you, but we can make any changes you want. It is entirely your space." I motioned with my hand to the doorknob. She immediately wrapped her hand around it, impatient to see the inside.

Her reaction as she pushed the double doors open only made me love her more. She held her breath as she entered, and her hand moved up to cover her mouth.

Joselin did a great job, and I was a bit frustrated that she refused to show her hard work to Natalie herself. After everything the women have been through, I thought they would have bonded more. Yet, with how busy they have both been, it was almost only possible to get them in the same room as each other if they were working on the same project or training.

I considered giving Joselin some time off and delegating some of her tasks to others so she could have more time for herself. But she needed to fix the runes burned into the floors around the castle first. I was grateful they hadn't caught anyone, but I was tired of seeing them.

We would always have enemies, but I had faith in my people, myself, and my mate that we could handle them.

Inside the room was a witch's dream. I requested that it be kept large and open for her to practice, but she had rows of shelves against the walls filled with everything any witch could ever need or want.

I knew nothing about it myself. I didn't even know until recently when Charlie was digging into our family tree after the battle, that we had a witch in the family four generations ago. It finally made sense how I had always been able to sense Joselin's magic and how my mother had powers after her wolf had died. It was in our blood.