The Blessed And The Beast

Forty-Six: Joselin

Joselin’s P.O.V.

I hadn’t decided what from my study I wanted to bring to Tobias’s house… well, it was our house now, according to him. He had a contractor drawing up plans to build an extension on the place to be my study, and until then, I decided it would be best to keep everything from my study in the castle.

Even once I moved fully into the house, I would still have most of my study here. It was my job. Having everything at home wouldn’t make sense when I still had to come to the castle daily for work and meetings.

Meetings like this one that made me want to pull my hair out.

Four women joined me in the conference room, Aurora somehow managing to keep a conversation going with Aisha and Margot. It was a miracle that no blood had been drawn, or threats had been issued yet.

Cora was absentmindedly rubbing at her leg where her stump sat in her prosthetic, looking lost in thought.

Natalie was currently babysitting Cyrus, and he wasn’t happy about it. He liked her well enough, but being taken away from Blanche had him pouting like a baby. Every time I saw him now, they were together, and I was positive that no houses had been sold over the past few days.

“But if you really think about it,’ Margot stated, “There is no reason why you couldn’t tame a sprite to be a pet instead.”

The table fell silent, and I tilted my head to the side as I stared at her. Something in her brain had to be misfiring.

“Maybe because they are conscious creatures that can think, talk, and sustain life on their own. They aren’t domesticated, Margot! You can make friends with a sprite; you don’t need to capture them and force them to live with you as some pet that you have to feed, water, and wash. Goodness!” Aisha snarled, not liking Margot’s idea of holding a sprite prisoner.

Margot ground her teeth, glaring at Aisha, “You’re right! Maybe I’ll domesticate a siren. I bet you would love it if I had one of those at my beck and call!”

Aisha shoved her chair backward, rising to her feet as she placed her palms on the table. Ever since Margot had dangled Aisha over the Cliffside of a siren cove for a few days, she had been a bit sensitive to the topic of that creature. “Do it, and I’ll sneak into your room and release it one night so it can eat you!”

“Ladies,” Aurora said calmly with an amused smile. “It’s simple; the answer here is a troll. They have basic survival instincts, rely on brute force, cannot communicate well, and don’t clean themselves. If any creature should be domesticated, it should be a troll.”

Both women turned to look at her as she remained calm, sipping her glass of water. Her lack of acknowledgment of their spat didn’t bother them, but Aisha sat back down as she pondered Aurora’s words.

“I’m surprised to see you at a council meeting,” Cora said calmly, giving Aurora a soft smile. She looked tired. So very tired.

The dark circles under her eyes and the strand of silver hair that appeared to be thickening by the minute were concerning. She didn’t look healthy by any means.

made an executive decision, and you are here today to have the option to voice your

to her hairline. “A vote,

who loved to stir the pot, but she had never been disloyal to the crown. She was just the bitch who enjoyed turning the fan on so other people’s shit

way, though. The last thing we needed were three empty seats once Rona was dealt with, and if she had been here to object to this, she would have. She would do everything she could to keep any control she thought she had over the

reacted to the matter. Maybe that would have given me insight as to who she was controlling. Maybe it was Cora, or

plenty of time to figure this out. Cora had been without her leg for a few years, so either Rona’s spell to drain her of her magic was a lot slower than we thought, or she didn’t start

has been made, but I am offering the opportunity for any objections before

the council as an extra seat, a

at this point, and as she

my suspicion at her tone and the implication that

it, we will proceed.” I nodded once, turning to look at the fair-skinned woman. Her

and nodded, “I confirm my consent, interest, and willingness

I laced my finger together and sat back in my chair. “Aurora, thank you for your time. You are free to step

she stood and left the room. It was a look I had been dreaming about getting from my own mother one day and seeing it coming from a Descendant of the

pressing into the table to emphasize their point. Margot was the first to vocalize that she was on board, which made Aisha immediately

“It would make it an even vote for everything! Eight on the council? That is

you really think her not being on the council

them,

us all. I had anticipated her refusing to let anyone join the council without an official vote, but she nodded as

gaped at her, knowing Cora resisted anything

what answer she gave; I was suspicious of everything at this point. If she

nothing more, Aisha slumped back in her chair and a

Aurora know. Don’t forget to have your pledges ready for the other two seats. Once Rona gets

to the door without turning back. I was feeling significantly better today and wanted to get things squared away

her power and energy led me to Natalie’s study. The door was already open, so I walked in, closing it behind me. Aurora was sitting on

bottom of his feet. Goodness, he acted like an

to him, their heads together, but their toes pointed in opposite directions, forming a

depressing this guy is?” He