Page 101 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“How did you know?” I ask. “How did you know it wasn’t an accident and that I should talk to my dad’s best friend?”

“I didn’t hear it personally, another Fae told me they heard the hunters talking about it,” Kieran explains. “They heard your name and came straight to let me know. There are several other Adelines in town, but when I saw you in the forest, I knew it was you. I could also feel the sadness through our bond an hour later.”

Right. I forget that he can feel my emotions through the bond.

“That’s how you knew to come to the forest,” I whisper.

“Yes. While I was working, I stayed close to the forest so if I saw you, I could easily slip away,” he gently says.

“And now?” I ask. “How are you not working?”

“Everett and Zayden are covering for me while Elias keeps watch outside. No one is going to know, so don’t worry. I won’t get in trouble. We are all a family here and help each other out when we need it,” Kieran reassures me.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone,” I whisper, tears pooling in my eyes once again.

I feel like I’m a big puddle of tears right now. It seems like I can never get a hold of myself.

“I know, Sweets.” Kieran runs the tip of his knuckle against my cheek. “You’re going to make it through this.”

Everything around me is crumbling, and I don’t have enough hands or the strength to hold everything up. It’s like I’m trying to keep my head above water, but I’m failing.

“I’m here for you if you need to talk. I’ll hold you for however long you want to be held,” he tells me. “I will get revenge for you. It may take a couple of years, but I am going to make the prince suffer for what he did. I’m going to make everyone involved in your father’s death suffer.”

“I don’t know,” I whisper, feeling unsure. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing will happen to me, I promise. They are going to pay for the crimes they committed. I’m going to go after anyone who has ever harmed you in any way. Everyone will know not to mess with you,” Kieran declares.

“You can’t. Not when you are under the curse.” I touch his shoulder. “You will get killed for that.”

“Good thing we are going to break the curse soon. It just gives me time to plan everything I want to do to them. Once that curse is broken, I am going after them and no one will be able to stop me,” Kieran explains. “They will suffer for what they did to you and your mother.”

And some small part of me hopes the curse is broken soon so Kieran can go after them. I want to see them suffer for the pain they have caused me.

“If you do, I want to punch the prince.” I crack a smile.

“Sweets, I’ll let you punch him several times if that will help. We’ll practice punching beforehand, so you don’t hurt yourself when you do it.” He chuckles at the end.

“So, if I wanted to stab the prince’s leg, you would let me?” I ask innocently.

Kieran’s eyes go wide as he stares at me, his mouth opening and closing.

“Wh-what?” Kieran finally says. “What did you just say?”

“I asked whether you would let me stab Prince Archie’s leg when you capture him after we break the curse,” I say again like there is nothing wrong with my comment.

Kieran’s face is priceless as he tries to process the words I just said. Shock, worry, and confusion flutter across his face, and I can’t help but crack a smile.

“Are you joking or are you serious?” Kieran finally asks.

I shrug. “Joking mostly, but now that I think about it, I don’t know. Maybe we could give it a try.”

“Addie,” he gently says, worry lacing his voice.

I burst out laughing, tears running down my face. Kieran is looking at me like I have two heads, but I don’t care.

“You were joking,” he declares.

I hold up my pointer finger and thumb close to my face. “Just a little.”