Page 107 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

I don’t know how much longer I can take all of this. How many more people are going to die because we are two separate nations?

“You’re going to make an excellent High Lady,” Elias says.

Pulling away from Kieran, I turn around and face them. Dirt covers Marvin, and at the head, there is a small wooden plank with his name on it.

“We’ll get a better one when we have more time, a stone that won’t go bad over time,” Zayden informs me. “This is just temporary, so we have a place to remember.”

“Maybe I should come with alcohol and pour some on his grave,” I whisper. “Instead of flowers.”

Elias cracks a smile. “I think he would love that.”

“I have to agree with you, Elias. Adeline is going to make an amazing High Lady,” Zayden agrees. “Her passion, her care for those she doesn’t know. Everyone is going to love her. All qualities a High Lady needs.”

“Don’t forget her feistiness. She won’t let people get away with lying to either one of you,” Elias adds. “That will come in handy one day, I know it.”

I look at Kieran, waiting for him to say something. I don’t know what to say to Elias and Zayden. I didn’t even know what a High Lady was until a couple of minutes ago when I told Kieran about my nightmare.

“I agree. I never doubted you for a second,” Kieran whispers, kissing my forehead. “Everyone is going to adore you, love you for who you are.”

“When am I going to meet everyone?” I can’t help but ask as the nerves run through me.

“Not for a little while. We can’t risk gathering and someone finding out and reporting it,” Kieran explains.

“We’re not all here right now,” Elias chimes in. “Some are behind the wall.”

Behind the wall?

“He means in the other towns. It’s almost like a wall since we can’t travel easily. They have our names listed here, and the only way a Fae can go to another town is if they get transferred,” Zayden chimes in quickly.

“You were able to roam freely?” I ask. “Wait, don’t answer that.”

Of course they were. They weren’t slaves then.

“Yes, we were able to. Though, back then we didn’t go to many different towns since we lived in the capital. Everyone came to us for various holidays or to talk to my father about problems going on in their town,” Kieran explains. “We journeyed to the other towns once a year to see how they were doing in person, but we normally stayed here in Bellhollow.”

I nod. “Hellhollow is thriving. I don’t see many Fae there, though, but I’m normally only there for a couple of hours to get what I need.”

“That’s dangerous.” Elias raises an eyebrow at me.

I shrug. “It is what it is.”

I wish I could go the week before so I didn’t have to worry about the snow, but mother has always needed me at home to get ready for the market.

“It’s especially dangerous when snow is falling.” Zayden gives me a disapproving look.

I sigh before pointing a finger at him. “If you were in my situation, you would do the same thing. Yes, it was dangerous, and yes, I knew that I should have stayed there the night, but I didn’t want my pregnant mother worrying about me when I didn’t show up in the morning. I didn’t think it was that bad until I was halfway home. I don’t need a lecture.”

It was the last thing I needed.

I lived through it and knew the consequences. Sometimes, I still get chills when I’m inside thinking about that night. How easily I could have died.

“And there is the feistiness.” Elias whistles.

“They are just worried about you and mean well.” Kieran wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into him.

I lean my head against his chest, letting my body relax. I didn’t realize how tense it had gotten with the way the conversation was turning.

“You are their High Lady, and knew that when I saved you. They are just worried and want what’s best for you. They would do anything for you.”