Page 112 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“I will do anything for you,” he whispers.

“Within reason?” I arch an eyebrow, not able to stop myself.

He cracks a smile. “Within reason, but when it comes to your safety, I will do anything to keep you safe. No matter what, you are always going to be safe.”

“No one can promise that.” I slightly scoff. “That is impossible to promise.”

Kieran can’t be around me all the time, and I know if the prince wanted, he could have me killed before I even knew what was happening.

“True, but when things change, when the curse is broken, I will be able to protect you at all times.” Kieran cups my cheek. “And there are people in the town who would be willing to help keep you safe.”

We gaze at each other for several seconds, enjoying the silence around us.

“What are we going to do about this?” he asks.

My eyebrows furrow. “Do what about what?”

A smile blossoms across his face as he leans forward, his face inches from mine. “What are we going to do about you getting turned on by me killing a man?” he mumbles, his lips so close to mine I can lightly feel them brush up against mine.

Whimpering, my eyes flutter shut for a brief second as I stand on my tiptoes trying to get his lips to touch mine, but they don’t.

“Such a naughty girl.” His husky voice fills my ear as I feel him nip on it. “My naughty girl.”

I open my eyes and drop to my feet as I look up at him, a smirk flying across his face. His hand is still on my cheek, and I can’t help but lean into it.

“And if I am?” I ask, feeling brave.

But before Kieran can say anything, a twig snaps and we both still.

“You need to go,” I hiss, pushing at his chest.

Kieran just looks at me like he doesn’t want to leave.

“I don’t want you to go either, but you need to. You can’t get caught.” I push at his chest. “Please.”

Kieran kisses my forehead before disappearing behind the trees, leaving me all alone with my bucket full of ice. I stand there, waiting for whoever is hiding to come out, but as I wait, no one comes. My eyebrows pull together. Did we hear something? Both of us stopped to look over, which means it wasn’t something we made up.

Pushing that thought to the side, I pick up the bucket and slowly start walking back home. The further I walk on the cobblestone road, no one comes out. We must have been hearing things, because what else could it have been?

An animal.

After last night with Marvin, we are all on edge. But I would rather be on edge and a little paranoid than be found out and killed. Maybe Zahra is right, and I need to change it up even more. But I can’t meet Kieran anywhere but the woods.

Sighing, I place the bucket on the ground and flex my hand, giving it time to rest before I have to carry on. What will Mother be doing when I get back? Will she be pleased to see me? I push the thought to the back of my mind when I see Prince Archie walking toward me.

Bowing, I stand tall as he plants himself right in front of me.

“Prince Archie,” I kindly say.

“Adeline,” he replies. “I was just coming in to check on you. I couldn’t find you anywhere in the town or at your house. That’s when Skylar told me you were most likely getting ice.”

“She would be right.” I chuckle and look at the bucket.

I love being able to go out and get the ice, but it is absolutely exhausting carrying it home. Kieran has made it a lot easier by breaking up the ice and leaving it on the side of the bank and I need to remember to thank him for that. No more cuts on my fingers or my hands getting frozen.

“Do you go to the stream at the same time every day?” Prince Archie asks, tilting his head to the side.

I shake mine. “No, sadly, I don’t. Sometimes it’s early in the morning, and sometimes it’s late in the afternoon. Just when we need it,” I explain. “Sometimes I don’t go for several days. It just depends.”